How to Choose the Right Projector (Lumens, Throw & Budget)

Picking a projector comes down to four numbers: brightness (lumens), throw ratio, resolution, and how you'll protect it from the weather. Get the first two right and you're 90% of the way there.

Brightness is king for outdoor shows. As a rough starting point, look for 3,000+ ANSI lumens for a modest suburban facade, and more if you have streetlights or a large surface. Beware inflated 'LED lumens' marketing numbers — ANSI lumens are the honest measure.

Throw ratio tells you how big an image you get at a given distance. A short-throw projector fills your facade from closer up — useful when your yard is shallow. Our Projector Calculator does this math for you: enter your distance and surface size and it tells you the throw ratio you need.

Finally, plan for weather. Projectors aren't outdoor devices — a ventilated enclosure or a window-projection setup (projecting from inside through a window) keeps yours alive season after season.