'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
The best Halloween projectors to scare your neighbors this fall
Going all out this Halloween is a must--whether you're an adult or a kid. 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. Sure, Thanksgiving and all the other holidays are fun and all, but nothing tops the limitless creativity on decorations and free candy from Halloween.
Our top pick for the best Halloween projector is the Reaper Brothers Holiday Digital Decoration Kit, but we also included other options within different price points so you can set up your home for scares.
The best Halloween projectors of 2024
- Large viewing image
- Plug and play solution
- Great display
- Expensive
Reaper Brothers Halloween Hollusion Decoration Kit features: Resolution: 1280 x 720 | Connectivity: USB | Control capability: Remote included | Coverage area: 5.5 ft x 9 ft | Indoor/outdoor: Both
To get any holiday decoration enthusiast started this kit has it all. This kit includes the HD projector, eight video effects from AtmosFX in an included USB drive, as well as a 5.5 ft x 9 ft projection screen.
The included video effects feature ghostly apparitions in different scenes, so you can choose the spookiest one. You can use any TV, monitor, or projector to show off these projections on your windows and walls, or on props, in yards, and elsewhere.
If you already have a projector, there are AtmosFX kits available that include two more projection screens and another DVD of video effects.
- Waterproof IP65 build
- More holidays included
- Remote control plus timer
- Not as bright as other alternatives
- No video effects
Minetom Projector Lights features: Resolution: N/A | Connectivity: Corded electric | Control capabilities: Included RF remote control | Coverage area: 231-2137 ft | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor, IP65 waterproof
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 Minetom Projector 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.
- Waterproof projector
- Minimalist effect
- Indoor or outdoor use
- Only covers up to 500 square feet
HeKation Outdoor Lights Projector features: Resolution: N/A | Connectivity: Corded electric | Control capabilities: Included RF remote control | Coverage area: 500 ft | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor, IP65 waterproof
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.
- Base rotates 360 degrees and head has 180-degree capability
- Versatile for different holidays
- Dimmable to be used in bedrooms
- Timer only goes up to two hours
Loftek Galaxy Projector features: Resolution: N/A | Connectivity: Corded electric | Control capabilities: Included RF remote control | Coverage area: 161-538 ft | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor, IP65 waterproof
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 the 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.
- Supports 4D Keystone correction
- Features 50% zoom
- Wi-Fi enabled
- Good sound quality in built-in speaker
- No streaming services through wifi
- Not waterproof for outdoors
DBPower Wi-Fi Projector features: Resolution: 1080p (1920x1080) | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, USB | Control capabilities: Smartphone | Coverage area: 300 inches | Indoor/Outdoor: Indoor
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 Projector 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.
- Security lock included
- Weatherproof
- Remote control isn't most reliable
Poeland Outdoor Garden Laser Lights features: Resolution: N/A | Connectivity: Corded electric | Control capabilities: Included remote control | Coverage area: 50ft by 50ft | Indoor/Outdoor: Outdoor, weatherproof
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.
What is the best Halloween projector?
The best Halloween projector is the Reaper Brothers Halloween Hollusion Decoration Kit that includes both the video projector, a window screen, and a USB flash drive with AtmosFX video animations.
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.
| Halloween Projectors | ZDNET's take | Easy Setup | Outdoor use | Video effects | Multiple holidays |
| Reaper Brothers Halloween Hollusion Decoration Kit | Best overall | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | - |
| Minetom Projector Lights | Best for a budget | ✔ | ✔ | - | ✔ |
| HeKation Outdoor Lights | Best for minimalists | ✔ | ✔ | - | ✔ |
| Loftek Galaxy Projector | Best for indoor use | ✔ | - | - | ✔ |
| DBPower Wifi Projector | Best for mapping | - | - | ✔ | - |
| Poeland Outdoor Laser Lights | Best laser lights option | ✔ | ✔ | - | ✔ |
Which is the right Halloween projector for you?
The spooky holiday brings my favorite things to life: creativity, design, planning, and candy. Planning is vital when considering adding projectors to a Halloween display. Before going out to buy projectors, go out to look at your home from the outside. Take the time to decide where you want to display what and even consider looking at possible places to put projectors.
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.
| Choose this Halloween projector... | If you... |
| Reaper Brothers Halloween Hollusion Decoration Kit | Want the best overall option. This is a great way to start to upgrade your decorations with video effects. |
| Minetom Projector Lights | Want to stick to a budget without sacrificing the captivating feel of light effects. It has a waterproof rating of IP65. |
| HeKation Outdoor Lights | Prefer more minimal decorations without cartoonish or scary illustrations. It has 15 colors with wave patterns. |
| Loftek Galaxy Projector | Need an indoor light projector for a party or event. It's super versatile for different holidays. |
| DBPower Wifi Projector | Want to make a stunning, bright display with video animations. This projector reaches an impressive 9500 lumen brightness, even making it versatile for outdoor movie nights. |
| Poeland Outdoor Laser Lights | Want classic laser lights that also go with other holidays. It even comes with a security kit and lock. |
How did we choose these Halloween projectors?
The best way to choose projectors like these is by testing, researching, and making comparisons with others on the market. We combined all of this with our own experiences to determine which of the Halloween projectors on the market are best-suited for our readers.
We also paid extra attention to the following factors:
Coverage area: You may want something that covers your entire house, or just something to shine into a window. We paid attention to different coverage areas for different needs.
Control capabilities: Going outside and having to plug something in every night can be annoying, so we considered projectors that you can control via remote control, your smartphone, or other ways.
Indoor/outdoor: Projectors have to be able to handle the elements, so if you're looking for something to put outside, you're going to want to look for waterproof or weatherproof features. Indoor projectors don't have to be as durable, so consider where you're placing your Halloween projector.
Price: The price of Halloween projector can vary significantly, as seen here. Prices can run the gamut, so look for a model that fits your budget.
Can I use my projector for Halloween effects?
If you have a projector at home, you can definitely use it for Halloween effects. One of the reasons I love the holiday so much is that it fosters creativity, so you can use a lot of things around your home to turn them into Halloween decorations, and your old projectors are no exception.
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.
What can I use for Halloween projector screen?
As mentioned above, any screens for window or doorway projections should be translucent, or sheer. This is important because if you want an image projected on a window, you need your projector inside your home pointed at a fabric on the window that is sheer enough to let the light pass, so the image is visible from outside.
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 "="" option"=""> or a larger 5.5ft x 9ft one.
How do you make a Halloween projector?
The absolute coolest way to embark on upgrading your Halloween decorations is to add inexpensive projectors in the areas you want to highlight, corresponding projection material, and then set it all up with video effects.
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.
Are there alternative Halloween projectors worth considering?
There are many alternatives to both light projectors as well as media projectors that you can use to display video effects. These are some good alternatives to both options: