The Best Christmas Light Projectors to Brighten the Holidays

It doesn’t quite feel like Christmas until you see lights twinkling across the neighborhood. But for those who don’t own Christmas light projectors, the hours spent untangling cords and replacing burnt-out bulbs can make decorating more frustrating than festive.

That’s where holiday light projectors come in. These devices cast amazing patterns—snowflakes, Santa hats, or even swirling laser light shows—onto your home, transforming it into a winter wonderland without the hassle. To find the most reliable and visually stunning options, we tested 12 popular models and consulted tech entrepreneur Chris Dukich for expert insights on choosing the right outdoor projector for your home.

Our hands-on testing focused on setup ease, brightness, display quality, and weather resistance. Our new favorite for 2025, the Govee Outdoor Projector Light, impressed us with its app control, effortless setup, and unmatched brightness.

Ahead, discover all the models that earned top marks in our tests—plus expert shopping tips to help you find the best Christmas light projectors for your holiday display.

1. BEST OVERALL: Govee Outdoor Projector Light
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Sunbox Live Holiday Christmas Lights Projector
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3. BEST MULTI-OCCASION: Minetom Christmas Projector Lights
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4. BEST LASER PATTERNS: LEDMall 8-Patterns-in-1 Christmas Lights Projector
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5. BEST FOR BIG HOMES: Y Yuegang Christmas Projector Lights
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6. BEST INDOOR: Spooboola Party Lights Disco DJ Lights Projector
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7. BEST FOR TREES: Poeland Firefly Laser Christmas Lights Projector
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Christmas Light Projectors Comparison

Our Top Picks

Choosing from the many Christmas light projectors available can be daunting. We sifted through the options to find brands and models that rose above the competition for their performance, options, and durability. 

Our Ratings

The Govee Outdoor Projector Light is a serious upgrade from traditional holiday projectors. During testing, we immediately noticed its size—larger than most units we tried—but the extra space houses an impressive array of features. Using the Govee Home app, you can control every setting right from your phone, from selecting preset Christmas scenes to designing your own display with custom RGB laser patterns and aurora lighting effects. There’s no need to swap slides or fumble with manual buttons—everything is automated and highly intuitive.

In testing, the projector stood out for its brightness and versatility. The dual light sources and powerful LED beads produced vivid colors that covered an entire façade with crisp, layered visuals. We loved that this projector isn’t limited to the holidays; with over 50 scene modes and themes for every season, it easily becomes a year-round decoration tool. Its aluminum housing, IP65 weather resistance, and wide coverage area make it a strong performer outdoors, even in harsh conditions.

The Govee’s only downsides are its bulkier build and slightly higher price tag compared with smaller models—but both feel justified given its durability, brightness, and smart features. For anyone who loves effortless control and a dazzling light show, this projector is a clear winner.

What our tester says: “There really is no beating this one—it completely blows away any other outdoor light projector, and the app controls are unbeatable.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer.

Get the Govee outdoor light projector at Amazon or Govee.

Our Ratings

This SunBox projector may not be the least expensive option on this list, but with 16 interchangeable slides for a range of occasions, it’s a great value. Each slide projects themed images dedicated to several popular holidays. 

In terms of Christmas house lights, this projector has four separate slides with festive trees and wreaths, snowmen, stockings, and jolly ol’ St. Nick. The slides themed for birthday parties and other celebrations each feature simple but pleasant cartoon-style images that rotate around the projection space. There’s a slide compartment at the top of the projector, and after turning off the power, it was easy for us to change the slides by unscrewing the compartment lid and exchanging slides.

The projector is graded for indoor and outdoor use, and we tested it in both situations. It was a quick process for us to screw the ground stake or tabletop/floor base on or off the stand depending on where we wished to place it. We also intuitively figured out the remote control’s options for setting a 2- or 4-hour auto-off timer, turning on the flashing mode, making the flashing faster or slower, and setting the motor speed for rotating the slide images faster, slower, or not at all.

While this projector provides a great value for versatile holiday lighting options, during our tests, its mostly lightweight, plastic construction did not seem as durable as some other projectors in this roundup. We also didn’t think it was bright enough to be very effective in daylight, and it did not include AAA batteries for the remote.

Get the Sunbox Christmas light projector at Amazon.

Our Ratings

The Minetom Christmas Projector Lights offer a cheerful mix of value, versatility, and visual appeal. During testing, setup couldn’t have been easier—just plug it in, stick it in the ground, and aim it at the house. The design reminded us of Pixar’s Wall-E with its charming lens-like “eyes,” and the updated build felt sturdy and stable outdoors. With 16 interchangeable pattern slides and 10 color wave effects, this projector brings life to every holiday, from Christmas to Halloween to birthdays.

We appreciated the bright projection quality at both short and long ranges, producing crisp and colorful patterns that stood out well on our test wall. The included remote makes switching between modes, colors, and timer settings effortless, although inserting physical slides feels a bit dated compared with newer app-controlled models. Still, the manual process was simple, and it’s nice to have tangible slide options that even kids can help swap out.

At around $40, this model delivers impressive brightness and versatility for the price. While it lacks the automation and customization of higher-end options, the Minetom projector remains one of the most fun and budget-friendly ways to decorate for any season.

Get the Minetom Christmas light projector at Amazon.

Our Ratings

The LEDMall projector creates beautiful light displays in eight patterns with three diode lasers. Its Christmas laser lights selection includes dancing patterns in red, green, and blue rather than discernible images like Santa Claus or a snowman. The laser movement creates the illusion of twinkling lights.

As a Christmas laser light projector, this model earned high marks from us with its durability and flexible installation options. We tested it both indoors and outdoors, which was a simple matter of screwing and unscrewing the sturdy tabletop base or the ground stake to the stand. However, the projector head has a more limited range of movement for angling it off its stand than some other projectors have. There are also mounting screws to attach the unit’s base to a wall or ceiling. 

We appreciated its sturdy metal construction, which, along with its high IP67 waterproof rating, seemed ready for any harsh elements of the holiday season. And we just really enjoyed the complex patterns it creates, which include different shapes and spirals as well as twinkling dots. 

These Christmas LED projection lights also come with a lockable cable to deter thieves. The included remote control has multiple options for setting color combinations or single-color displays, motion speed controls, and an auto-off timer with 2-, 4-, 6-, or 8-hour durations. 

What our tester says: “I found the sweet spot for achieving a large spread of light coverage while maintaining vibrant brightness to be about 15 to 20 feet away from a surface, but the projector is versatile in that I could find ways to make it look great 2 feet away from a tree or 40 feet away from a wall.”—Markkus Rovito, Product Reviews tester and writer 

Read our full review: LEDMall 8-Patterns-in-1 Christmas Lights Projector

Get the LEDMall 8-pattern Christmas light projector at Amazon or The Home Depot.

Our Ratings

The Y Yuegang projector may be small in size, but it covers a whopping 3,800-square-foot area when placed at a distance of 33 feet. The projector head rotates 300 degrees, which gave us a lot of freedom during setup to try different angles and find the best one to get the most out of our available space. We enjoyed very clear images from all five laser light patterns, including Christmas trees, bells, snowflakes, and Santas. We also liked how the projector altered the timing of its patterns to make their motion less repetitive. 

We could make quick changes from the remote control’s “mode” button to cycle the display from all-red to all-green to red-and-green lights. The remote also controls three motor speed settings, and its timer section has 2-, 4-, 6-, and 8-hour buttons, with a “reset” button for turning the timer off.

We tested this projector both indoors and outdoors, and it was easy to transition from outside to inside by unscrewing its ground stake and screwing on the base to set it on a table or floor. However, we were disappointed with its short power cord of 16.4 feet, which for us meant we needed an extension cord to place it at the end of its range of 33 feet away from a wall. Also, the adapter/electrical plug is only IP44 rated, protecting it from low-velocity water sprays, but it’s not as weather-resistant as the IP67 projector. That means some setups may need some sort of cover over the adapter.

Get the Y Yuegang Christmas light projector at Amazon.

Our Ratings

The Party Lights Disco DJ lights projector by Spooboola goes beyond creating a simple display to encouraging a full dance breakdown. Its festive projector lights blanket walls and ceilings with hundreds, if not thousands, of light points in three pattern modes: auto, flash (strobe), and sound. The sound mode responds to fluctuations in music playing or other surrounding sounds, and there are two music settings for the sound mode available from the remote control. One music setting shows no lights at all if there is no sound, and the other goes to auto pattern mode when there’s no sound, then responds to the sound when it’s there. 

Regardless of the mode, all the light combinations and patterns add to the holiday fun with plenty of red and green. While this light projector is built in the style of dance club/party lasers, we thought its colors and brilliant patterns make it entirely appropriate for sprucing up indoor holiday decor. We found the lights to be superbright and sharp. And with the remote control, we could quickly set the mode, the color combination (red only, green only, or red and green), and the speed of the light motion effects.

This Christmas indoor light projector was easy for us to set up and gave us flexible setup options because it has both a small, removable, adjustable tripod stand as well as a removable bracket good for screwing into a wall, ceiling, etc. for semi-permanent installation. With the bendable tripod legs, we could place the projector on a table or wrap it around a sturdy object to get the best angle. Note that this product is for indoor use only. 

One downside of this model was the microphone’s response to music in the sound modes. In testing, we had to make the music source either very loud or put it very close to the projector—otherwise its response to sound was poor. 

Get the Spooboola Christmas light projector at Amazon.

Our Ratings

The Poeland projector light creates a Christmas laser light show that—as we discovered in our testing—shows up on trees just as well as it does on flat surfaces. We tried the Poeland projector against both deciduous and coniferous trees, and its bright, focused lights stayed clearly visible against their leaves, needles, and branches. That makes this model attractive for users who may want to use it as an alternative to time-consuming and back-breaking light stringing on their yard’s trees. Other laser light projectors can also show up well on trees, but we particularly liked this one for that purpose. 

This Christmas laser lights projector has two installation options, including an outdoor ground stake and a platform for indoor use. For those planning to project the lights onto trees, we confirmed that the larger and thicker-than-average ground stake is quite strong for staking into a tree-filled area that may have roots close to the ground’s surface.

The timer offers four auto-off settings: 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours. We appreciated that its included security kit—a locking cable with keys—secures the projector in place to deter thieves, and the remote control let us adjust colors, movement speed, and the built-in timer. While everything about the Poeland projector worked well in our testing, a few users have had the remote control stop working within the first season.

Get the Poeland Christmas light projector at Amazon.

ALSO TESTED

The Star Shower 9-Pattern Christmas Projector felt dated compared to others we tested. With only red or green laser options and a basic remote, it lacks versatility—and at around $40, there are far better projectors for the same price.

Jump to Our Top Picks 

How We Tested the Best Christmas Light Projectors

To determine which Christmas light projectors deserved a spot on our list, we started by reviewing more than 60 models based on brand reputation, customer feedback, features, and build quality. From there, we selected 12 projectors for hands-on testing and ultimately chose seven standout models for our final lineup. One projector failed testing entirely, while two others performed decently but were replaced with slightly better-performing options.

Each projector was tested both indoors and outdoors (when rated for outdoor use) under various ambient lighting conditions. We evaluated setup ease, available features, brightness, display quality, and overall user experience. Additional factors like price, included accessories, durability, and design were also considered. Because we couldn’t replicate every type of weather, we factored in each model’s IP (ingress protection) rating to assess long-term outdoor suitability. Together, these tests ensured our top picks truly represent the best Christmas light projectors available.

What to Consider When Choosing Christmas Light Projectors

Christmas projector lights, patterns, and display size are only a few of the considerations that factor into a buying decision. Shoppers will also want to think about waterproofing, installation, and control. These features make a difference in performance, display quality, and whether the product will create a Christmas display that’s the envy of the neighborhood.

Patterns and Projection Range

Some Christmas hologram projectors have a single pattern like starry twinkling lights or snowflakes, while others have up to 20. Many of those extra patterns go beyond Christmas to include Thanksgiving, birthdays, and other occasions. For fans of spooky season, there’s also a whole host of Halloween projectors on the market. 

Projection range indicates the farthest distance the projector can be from the target (usually the house or an outdoor movie screen) and still create a clear image or light display. Anywhere between 20 and 40 feet is average, though some may have a longer range or only a short 10- to 12-foot projection range. If the projector is placed beyond this range, the displayed image loses clarity—something you may have experienced during a backyard movie night. 

Durability and Waterproofing

Outdoor Christmas lights must withstand wind, rain, and snow to be useful in many local climates. How well a projector can do this is measured by its IP rating, which indicates the device’s level of water resistance and/or resistance to particles like dirt and dust. 

Example IP ratings include IP67 or IP44. The first number indicates the particle-proof level of the projector, with a 0 offering no protection and a 6 being airtight. The second number indicates protection from liquids. It ranges from 0 to 9, with 9 being submersible and 0 being no protection. If there’s an X in the rating, such as IPX7, it means that the manufacturer did not test the item for particle resistance but did test it for water resistance. 

According to Chris Dukich, founder and CEO of Display NOW, a digital signage company, “You should particularly concentrate on IP65-rated projectors.” Outdoor Christmas projectors should have a rating of at least IP65 to withstand rainy weather. However, exterior Christmas projector lights used in more extreme winters may require an IP67 rating.

Installation

A big benefit of Christmas light projectors is that setting them up is simpler than hanging Christmas lights. Most Christmas light projectors cleared for outdoor use include a ground stake to secure them in place, which is pretty easy to install. Other outdoor lighting designs for the holidays may have a built-in tripod or a base that can rest on a flat surface or be screwed into a wall or ceiling. Most models have more than one installation option. 

Those looking to add a projector to traditional lights may want to consider a Christmas light installation service to keep things quick and easy. 

Remote and Timer

Tromping out into cold weather to turn on Christmas lights or a projector isn’t exactly holiday fun. Models that come with a remote and built-in timer save time and money in the long run. A remote allows for light display adjustments and control from the front porch or even inside the house, depending on the remote control’s range.

Timers make sure the projector only runs when it will be visible, namely when it’s dark. They typically run on an 8-hour-on/16-hour-off or 6-hour-on/18-hour-off cycle. Some models come with several automatic timer settings, which lets users turn the projector on once and forget about it.

FAQs

Maybe you started by buying a holiday inflatable and aren’t sure which Christmas decoration projector to add. If you have lingering questions before you make your final choice, we have answers. Check out some of the most common questions about these festive products.

Q. How many Christmas light projectors do I need?

The number of Christmas light projectors you need depends on the square footage of the display area. Some projectors can cover up to 3,800 square feet, while others cover only 600 square feet. Estimate or measure the square footage of the display area and buy a projector that will cover it. If it’s a particularly large area, you might need more than one projector.

Q. Can I project lights onto a tree?

Christmas shower lights can be projected onto a tree with varying levels of success, and some models work better than others on trees. Generally, the lights display best on a flat surface, which of course a tree is not. However, moving light displays can make a tree look like it’s lit because the light continually catches the branches.

Q. How do I set up a Christmas light projector?

Setting up a holiday lights projector is easiest if you read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Depending on the projector’s specs, you may need a tape measure to determine the optimal distance from the display area. Then, adjust the projector angle, secure it, and plug in an extension cord.

Q. At what distance should I install a Christmas light projector?

The appropriate distance for a Christmas light show projector varies from model to model. Some models project best between 15 and 20 feet from the display area, while others display best at 30 to 40 feet. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Q. On what surface can the Christmas light project the image?

Christmas light projectors provide the best images on a relatively flat surface, like a house, garage door, or interior wall. Christmas projectors for windows may also be able to project onto glass.

Q. Do Christmas light projectors use a lot of electricity?

When asked if Christmas spotlights use a lot of electricity, tech expert Chris Dukich said, “Most run on LED bulbs, consuming less electricity than even a string light type incandescent bulb. Typical use of a projector wouldn’t go beyond 10 to 15 watts, which means that you could have the outside of your house lit up for the entire festive season for something just below the cost of a couple of pumpkin spice lattes.” 

Meet the Testers

Markkus Rovito has more than 20 years of experience testing and reviewing electronics, software, and other technology for publications such as Popular Science, Futurism, and more.

Paul Rankin is a product tester and writer specializing in home improvement, smart home technology, and outdoor living gear. He regularly tests and reviews everything from grills and power tools to lighting and décor for major lifestyle publications. 

Additional research provided by Stacey L. Nash.

 

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