Rankings
Best Projector for Projection Mapping
Indoors, the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser we use in our own videos; outdoors, the XGIMI Horizon 20 Pro. Seven projection mapping picks by use, throw and resolution.
Find My Projector library
Projection mapping guides
15 focused starting points for choosing a projector, understanding brightness and throw distance, connecting your phone, planning a holiday display, and selecting your software.
15 published guides · Updated for 2026
Beginner guide
Can You Use Any Projector for Projection Mapping?
Yes — almost any projector can do projection mapping; the software does the warping, not the projector. Here is when yours is bright enough, and when it is not.
Brightness guide
How Many Lumens for Projection Mapping?
Lumens for projection mapping: about 300 ANSI for props and windows, 500–1,000 for a dim-room wall, 3,000+ for a garage door and 4,000–5,000+ for a house front.
Projection mapping 101
What Is Projection Mapping?
Projection mapping turns any surface into a display. How it works, what projector and software you need, what it costs, and how to try it at home this weekend.
Software
Best Projection Mapping Software
The best projection mapping software for Mac, Windows, iPhone and Android — free, open source and pro VJ tools compared by platform, price and skill level.
Halloween rankings
Best Halloween Projection Projectors
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser for windows and props, the XGIMI Horizon 20 Pro for garage doors and houses, and five more Halloween projection mapping picks.
Christmas rankings
Best Christmas Projection Projectors
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser for windows, the XGIMI Horizon 20 Pro for garage doors and houses, plus five more Christmas picks and tips for a six-week run.
Halloween setup
Best Projector for Halloween Window Projection
What to buy for Halloween window projection: the projector, the screen (rear-projection film, shower curtain, drop cloth or sheer), throw distance and brightness.
Halloween setup
Best Projector for Garage Door Projection
The best projector for a Halloween garage door display: how many lumens you need, how far back to put it, where to place it, and how to keep it dry and powered.
Halloween explainer
Halloween Light Projector vs Video Projector
Halloween light projectors, hologram window kits and real video projectors compared: what each can show, brightness, weather, and when the cheap option is fine.
Outdoor rankings
Best Outdoor Projector for House Mapping
Our house-front pick is the XGIMI Horizon 20 Pro. Lumens for garage doors and house fronts, throw distances, power and weather, and when it isn't enough.
Technical guide
Throw Distance for Projection Mapping
Image width ≈ distance ÷ throw ratio. Worked examples for the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser and XGIMI Horizon 20 Pro, plus a chart from shelf props to house fronts.
Connection guide
Phone-to-Projector Cables and Adapters
Which phones output video over USB-C, the adapter Lightning iPhones need, how long an HDMI cable can be, and the wireless options that work for mapping.
App projector guide
Best Projectors for Lazy Lighting
Which projector works with Lazy Lighting? What it needs, our indoor and outdoor picks, and what to avoid, from the team that makes the app.
Accessories
Projection Mapping Accessories
What a projection mapping setup needs: a tripod, the right phone-to-HDMI adapter, window projection material, outdoor power, sandbags and a dark cloth.