For many children in different neighborhoods, this will be the first Halloween that will feel normal in over two years. And nothing brings Halloween decorations several notches above the rest like projectors to bring spooky animations to life. ZDNET did the research and compared the top Halloween projectors available right now. We break down what makes them different, and help you decide which one is right for you. Plus, we tell you what makes them techy or innovative. Also: The best Halloween animatronics Halloween is absolutely my second favorite holiday, only second to Christmas. And I say this as a person that was born on Thanksgiving day over three decades ago and as a mom that also had a child on Thanksgiving day in more recent years. Sure, Thanksgiving and all the other holidays are fun and all, but nothing tops the limitless creativity on decorations and free candy from Halloween. If you’re willing to put in some time and creativity into your Halloween decorations, this projector is a good alternative for both the HP1 window option as well as the DBPower projector:
Resolution: HD 720 ProjectorConnectivity: USBControl capability: Remote includedProjection screen: 48"x72"
This kit has it all to get any holiday decoration enthusiast started. This kit includes the HD projector, 16 video effects from AtmosFX in an included USB drive, as well as a 48X72 projection screen. If you’ve ever met me, you know my holiday decorations start with Halloween in early September and are promptly replaced on November 1st by Christmas decorations. So having a versatile projector with both themes built-in makes for less work, since there’s no need to swap out the projector or plug in a different one. The included video effects on this kit also feature Christmas options, so you don’t have to worry about taking it down after Halloween. And with many other animations to purchase separately from AtmosFX, you’re not limited to just one set of visual effects. If you already have a projector, there are AtmosFX kits available that include two more projection screens and another DVD of video effects.
Effects: Halloween, Christmas, PartyProjection distance: 6.6-20 ftCoverage area: 231-2137 ftIndoor/Outdoor: Outdoor, IP65 waterproofControl capabilities: Included RF remote controlExtra features: Double head build, timer
If you love the light show of a projector but want to build your dream halloween decorations for less work, a combination of both is a great option. Combining Christmas, Halloween, and even Thanksgiving, Valentines, and general party themes, this features a double-head design and 16 slides. The double head lets you set patterned lights in the background, to accompany the holiday design. The timer feature lets you select auto-shutoff at two, four, or six hours so you can set it and forget it. This projector is controlled with the included RF remote control, with all the options in one place.
Effects: 15 colors with wave patternsProjection distance: 22 ftCoverage area: 500 ftIndoor/Outdoor: Outdoor, IP65 waterproofControl capabilities: Included RF remote control
The HeKation outdoor lights projector is a perfect addition to any minimalist’s Halloween repertoire. With three speeds and 15 different color wave patterns, this will fill the outside of your home in eye-catching color. If you’re not a fan of the ghoulish look or cartoonish figures, this projector will meet your needs. But don’t mistake it for a simpleton: the ripple displays can be done in a single color or combinations. The timer included in this projector can be set for two, four, six, or eight hours. And when the holiday season is behind you, you can simply set this light projector up inside your home to set the scene or for a kid’s bedroom. Another simple but more festive option to add to your Halloween decorations is this Pumpkin projector.
Effects: Galaxy-like display in Projection distance: 6.6-20 ftCoverage area: 161-538 ftIndoor/Outdoor: Outdoor, IP65 waterproofControl capabilities: Included RF remote controlExtra features: 360-degree angle adjustment, timer
Parties are a big part of Halloween celebrations. Where else are you going to see a pirate on a corner eating chips and cracking jokes with a zombie? If you’re hosting a Halloween party this year, decorating the inside is just as, if not more, important as decorating the outside of your home. This Loftek projector can be tucked away on a table near a wall, to take full advantage of their light show displayed against the wall and up to the ceiling. You can set up several ones in different colors to truly set the party mood. Every night will be a starry night, especially with adjustable brightness, and a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts 8-10 hours. The timer on this device only goes up to two hours, with an option for 30 minutes or an hour.
Lumens: 9500Lamp: LEDResolution: 1080p (1920x1080)Indoor/Outdoor: IndoorConnectivity: Wifi, USB Lamp life: 100,000 hours
Though popular mapping projects like the ones projected on the Sydney Opera House can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, it is possible to make small-scale projects for less, though still considerably more expensive than standard projection decorations. Many of the best options for projection mapping are lamp projectors, though more expensive, these are the brightest for large-scale projects. However, this DBPOWER RD828 is a Full HD option that reaches an impressive 9500 lumen brightness, even making it versatile for outdoor movie nights. This DBPOWER projector supports 4D Keystone correction, so you can adjust all four points of the projected area easily, to fit your home or the walls where you want to display media. Projection mapping is a creative technique that combines several layers of objects to build immersive displays through planning and software processes. When you’re planning on mapping, consider where you’ll be placing the projectors, what kind of animations you’ll display, and the surface where they’ll be projected; this will all factor into the final cost.
Effects: 5 built-in Halloween effectsIndoor/Outdoor: IndoorConnectivity: HDMI, Bluetooth, MicroSD card, USBControl capabilities: Included RF remote controlExtra features: Built-in speaker, 4-hour battery
This HP1 is a great and small projector to add to any window in your home. it comes with five movies already built-in, but it has HDMI connectivity, plus you can add more video effects via a MicroSD card or a USB flash drive. And if there is no available outlet nearby to plug this in, you can take advantage of the 4-hour battery already in the HP1 projector. All the capabilities and connectivity options makes this projector a compact option that you can use year-round to watch movies with.
Effects: Red, green, blue laser lightsCoverage area: Up to 50ft by 50ftIndoor/Outdoor: Outdoor, weatherproofControl capabilities: Included remote controlExtra features: Security kit, timer
If simplicity is your thing, then you can’t go wrong with a Poeland outdoor laser projector to add highlight from the ground up on trees or landscaping in red, green, blue or combinations of two or three of these colors at once. This laser lights projector has an automatic timer with the ability to set it at two, four, six, or eight hours with an included remote control. A classic look with red, blue, or green combination makes for a versatile option for different holidays and themes. As a weatherproof, outdoor projector, it comes complete with a security kit and lock, similar to a slim bike lock. It’s the best starter kit for most users, but it maintains versatility of being able to add more AtmosFX or other animations with a USB drive. It’s also a great way to step up Halloween decorations to video, beyond a simple light projector. Windows, doorways, garage doors, blank walls, and entryways are pretty popular surfaces for projection. But also consider projecting onto objects like decorations and pumpkins, for example. A projector typically has a female receptacle at the bottom of it to mount it to a tripod or camera wall mount, giving it greater versatility for placement. You can also add sheer projector screens; they need to be sheer so the video effect is visible from the outside of the window. Once you have your projector and the display surface, you can find video effects made to be projected by companies like AtmosFX. Some people have had luck buying sheer white fabric and placing it so that it’s taut on the window, creating a canvas for the visual effects. But you can also buy transluscent material for rear projection, like this 40" x 60" option or a larger 5.5ft x 9ft one. Though it takes time to get them just right, it can be well worth it to let your creativity flow. Besides, the Reaper Brothers Holiday Digital Decoration Kit, our top option for Halloween projectors, already has most of the work done for you. This is a popular, albeit different, combination of a projector with a Halloween decoration. It’s a plug-and-play Jack-O-Lantern with a projector inside that comes with three characters to choose from: spooky, traditional, or goofy:
