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Head-to-head · Best Outdoor Projectors

BenQ GV31 vs Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

BenQ GV31 and Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen score essentially the same (4.0 vs 4.0). Pick the one whose trade-offs match your priorities — the strengths and watch-outs below are where they actually differ.

BenQ GV31
Ranked #5 in Best Outdoor Projectors
BenQ GV31
2 sources1 derived

BenQ's GV31 has the most interesting form factor here, a rotating ball-in-a-cradle that aims anywhere from a low coffee table up to a 135-degree ceiling angle. The 300 ANSI LED engine is dim and $599 is not budget territory. Set against that: a 5-hour audio/3-hour video battery, a 2.1-channel speaker and a clean Android TV stack with native Netflix, which make it the best 'fun shape' option in the roundup.

Strengths
  • — Rotating lens tilts up to 135 degrees, projecting onto walls, ceilings or angled garage doors
  • — 5800 mAh battery delivers 3 hours of video playback (5 hours music) per BenQ spec
  • — 2.1-channel speaker system with 8W woofer and dual 4W tweeters punches above projector norms
Watch-outs
  • — 300 ANSI lumens is the second-dimmest in this guide; outdoor use requires full nightfall
  • — Limited HDR support and no Dolby Vision
  • — Cylindrical body in cradle is not very stable on uneven yard surfaces without a tripod
Buy at benq.euFull review →
Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen
Ranked #4 in Best Outdoor Projectors
Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen
3 sources2 derived$497.9as of Aug 1

The Freestyle 2nd Gen is the lightest projector in this roundup, the dimmest, and the most fun. Samsung's 1.8-lb cylinder rotates 180 degrees to throw onto walls, ceilings and even angled fences, and it runs Tizen with native Netflix, Disney+ and the full Samsung Gaming Hub. Brightness is the catch: 230 ANSI lumens makes it a full-night-only projector. For the buyer who values portability and the smart-software stack, nothing else in this guide competes.

Strengths
  • — 1.8 lb chassis with a 180-degree rotating handle-stand makes ceiling and floor projection effortless
  • — Samsung Gaming Hub streams Xbox Cloud, GeForce Now and Utomik with no console needed
  • — Auto-focus, auto-leveling and auto-keystone get a square image in under 10 seconds anywhere
Watch-outs
  • — 230 ANSI lumens is the dimmest in this roundup; outdoor use only works after full nightfall
  • — Battery is sold separately at $189, pushing the real outdoor-ready price near $1,000
  • — Single micro-HDMI input is the only wired connection, so adapters are mandatory
$497.9 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

BenQ GV31

Dimmer than the Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air at 300 vs 399 ANSI lumens but with a more interesting form factor and a stronger 2.1-channel audio system. Substantially dimmer than the Mars 3 or XGIMI Halo+ and not in the same outdoor-cinema league. Brighter than the Samsung Freestyle 2nd Gen at 300 vs 230 lumens and with native Netflix and a battery built in, no $189 accessory required.

Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen

The lightest projector in this roundup by a wide margin at 1.8 lb, less than half the XGIMI Halo+ and a fifth of the Anker Nebula Mars 3. Also the dimmest at 230 ANSI lumens, far below the Mars 3's measured 959 lumens or even the Mars 3 Air's 399. Smart-software stack is the strongest of any pick here thanks to Tizen, Netflix, Disney+ and the Samsung Gaming Hub built in.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBenQ GV31Samsung The Freestyle 2nd Gen
Native Resolution1920 x 1080 (1080p)1920 x 1080 (1080p)
Brightness300 ANSI lumens230 ANSI lumens
Light SourceLEDLED, 30,000-hour rated life
Throw Ratio1.30:11.20:1
Screen Size30 to 120 inches30 to 100 inches (160 inches with two units)
Speakers2.1-channel (8W woofer + 2x 4W)5W 360-degree omnidirectional
Battery5800 mAh, up to 3 hours video / 5 hours music—
InputsHDMI, USB-C with PD—
Smart OSAndroid TV with native NetflixTizen with Samsung Gaming Hub
Special Feature135-degree rotating lens—
Battery LifeUp to 3 hours (180 min)Up to 3 hours with optional battery base
Weight3.7 lb1.8 lb
Fan Noise28 dBA (Eco 26 dBA)—
Contrast Ratio—100,000:1 dynamic
← See the full ranking of best outdoor projectors