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Grant Clauser has been writing about AV technology and home automation for nearly 20 years.

We’ve updated this list with our latest picks.

Make your summer celebrations the envy of the neighborhood by turning your backyard into an outdoor theater. We’ve tested everything you need, from projectors to speakers to portable seats.

A projector is what makes big-screen movie magic. Choose one that’s small enough for you to carry outside and place on a table, but not so small that it doesn’t put out enough light to fill your screen.

A projector is what makes big-screen movie magic. Choose one that’s small enough for you to carry outside and place on a table, but not so small that it doesn’t put out enough light to fill your screen.

The HT2050A has good color, contrast, and brightness, and its built-in speaker is better than those of many other budget projectors.

The HT2050A has good color, contrast, and brightness, and its built-in speaker is better than those of many other budget projectors.

The Home Cinema 2250 delivers solid image contrast and high brightness, and it has Android TV built in (sort of) so you don’t need to attach a source device.

The Home Cinema 2250 delivers solid image contrast and high brightness, and it has Android TV built in (sort of) so you don’t need to attach a source device.

This short-throw projector doesn’t need as much space between it and the screen, so it’s good for smaller yards.

This short-throw projector doesn’t need as much space between it and the screen, so it’s good for smaller yards.

The GS2 is one of the brightest and most accurate portable projectors we’ve tested, and the more durable, weatherproof design makes it a good outdoor projector.

The GS2 is one of the brightest and most accurate portable projectors we’ve tested, and the more durable, weatherproof design makes it a good outdoor projector.

Sure, you could use a white sheet, but a proper screen will look better and be more stable.

Sure, you could use a white sheet, but a proper screen will look better and be more stable.

The Yard Master Plus sets up in a few minutes, has an adjustable height, and comes with anchor stakes for windy evenings.

The Yard Master Plus sets up in a few minutes, has an adjustable height, and comes with anchor stakes for windy evenings.

This 144-inch inflatable screen basically assembles itself in minutes, but the screen isn’t as smooth and taut as a rigid screen.

This 144-inch inflatable screen basically assembles itself in minutes, but the screen isn’t as smooth and taut as a rigid screen.

Small media players can plug directly into the projector and are the easiest source for your backyard movies—as long as your Wi-Fi signal reaches the yard.

Small media players can plug directly into the projector and are the easiest source for your backyard movies—as long as your Wi-Fi signal reaches the yard.

The Chromecast player offers an intuitive interface, intelligent search, and a useful remote to make the most of your backyard movie night.

The Chromecast player offers an intuitive interface, intelligent search, and a useful remote to make the most of your backyard movie night.

The Roku platform supports almost every major service and has a clean, simple interface, but its search and discovery features are more limited.

The Roku platform supports almost every major service and has a clean, simple interface, but its search and discovery features are more limited.

To enjoy better, louder sound than your projector puts out, you can send audio via a cable or Bluetooth to one of these outdoor, battery-powered speakers.

To enjoy better, louder sound than your projector puts out, you can send audio via a cable or Bluetooth to one of these outdoor, battery-powered speakers.

The Wonderboom 2 has a natural sound and a cool design, and it’s built to survive almost any outdoor adventure.

The Wonderboom 2 has a natural sound and a cool design, and it’s built to survive almost any outdoor adventure.

The Xtreme 3 easily fills a large area with satisfying sound, and it has a rugged design.

The Xtreme 3 easily fills a large area with satisfying sound, and it has a rugged design.

The SRS-XB33 has a detailed, clear sound, plus a rugged design and lots of features. It’s smaller than the JBL Xtreme 3 and has better bass than the Wonderboom 2.

The SRS-XB33 has a detailed, clear sound, plus a rugged design and lots of features. It’s smaller than the JBL Xtreme 3 and has better bass than the Wonderboom 2.

The Tribit XSound Go is the best speaker we’ve heard in the under-$35 price range, and it’s compact and waterproof, to boot.

The Tribit XSound Go is the best speaker we’ve heard in the under-$35 price range, and it’s compact and waterproof, to boot.

The Hyperboom plays loud enough to fill a backyard, yet it offers sound quality comparable in many ways to that of a good small stereo system.

The Hyperboom plays loud enough to fill a backyard, yet it offers sound quality comparable in many ways to that of a good small stereo system.

Add Bluetooth to your projector so you can easily connect a better speaker. And you’ll likely need a good extension cord, too.

Add Bluetooth to your projector so you can easily connect a better speaker. And you’ll likely need a good extension cord, too.

Connect this device to the auxiliary audio output on your projector and send audio wirelessly to any Bluetooth speaker.

Connect this device to the auxiliary audio output on your projector and send audio wirelessly to any Bluetooth speaker.

With a solid power rating and durable construction, this cord can safely handle any job. A light on the end makes it easy to find in the dark. Plus, it’s the most flexible cord we’ve tested.

With a solid power rating and durable construction, this cord can safely handle any job. A light on the end makes it easy to find in the dark. Plus, it’s the most flexible cord we’ve tested.

If you’re trying to stream video outdoors and the Wi-Fi signal isn’t strong or stable enough, your home’s Wi-Fi network may need a little help.

If you’re trying to stream video outdoors and the Wi-Fi signal isn’t strong or stable enough, your home’s Wi-Fi network may need a little help.

Plug the RE315 into a nearby power outlet to help extend your home’s Wi-Fi coverage to the backyard.

Plug the RE315 into a nearby power outlet to help extend your home’s Wi-Fi coverage to the backyard.

Unless you want to sit on the ground, you’ll need seating you can set up and put away easily.

Unless you want to sit on the ground, you’ll need seating you can set up and put away easily.

The Coleman Oversized Quad is big and durable, and of all the upright chairs our panel of nine campers tested, it was the most comfortable.

The Coleman Oversized Quad is big and durable, and of all the upright chairs our panel of nine campers tested, it was the most comfortable.

A functional cup holder, a convenient carry strap, and durable fabric distinguish REI’s kids chair from similar seats.

A functional cup holder, a convenient carry strap, and durable fabric distinguish REI’s kids chair from similar seats.

If you don’t want to block the view of other movie-watchers, this chair adjusts for uneven ground and sits lower to the ground.

If you don’t want to block the view of other movie-watchers, this chair adjusts for uneven ground and sits lower to the ground.

Outdoor entertaining is incomplete without food and drink. Keep things cold and handy with a quality cooler.

Outdoor entertaining is incomplete without food and drink. Keep things cold and handy with a quality cooler.

Well insulated, this model keeps ice for a week, and its drain port makes the cooler easy to clean. You can also sit on it.

Well insulated, this model keeps ice for a week, and its drain port makes the cooler easy to clean. You can also sit on it.

The outdoors is full of biting and stinging things. Don’t let them ruin your good times. These insect repellents will help keep the mosquitos at bay.

The outdoors is full of biting and stinging things. Don’t let them ruin your good times. These insect repellents will help keep the mosquitos at bay.

This EPA-approved picaridin formula is safe, effective, and packaged in a bottle that’s better than competitors at spraying evenly and accurately.

This EPA-approved picaridin formula is safe, effective, and packaged in a bottle that’s better than competitors at spraying evenly and accurately.

DEET formulas work and are widely available—but they aren’t more effective than picaridin (and they tend to smell bad and feel oily). Cutter Backwoods Dry, with its even aerosol spray and locking cap, is the best DEET repellent we’ve found.

DEET formulas work and are widely available—but they aren’t more effective than picaridin (and they tend to smell bad and feel oily). Cutter Backwoods Dry, with its even aerosol spray and locking cap, is the best DEET repellent we’ve found.

With a rechargeable-battery fuel source, a longer-lasting repellent supply, and a simple interface, the E55 is easier to use than other spatial mosquito repellents.

With a rechargeable-battery fuel source, a longer-lasting repellent supply, and a simple interface, the E55 is easier to use than other spatial mosquito repellents.

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