
Who This Sizing Guide Helps
- Home & Backyard (10–30 m): birthday walls, patio screens—beams that pop and simple graphics that read.
- Mobile DJs & Small Venues (20–60 m): cafés, school halls, micro-bars—mixed ambient and limited space.
- Facades & Seasonal Installs (30–120+ m): logos/text on buildings against street lighting and signage.
The Simple Rule (Distance → Power)
Use this quick heuristic to get in the right ballpark:
Required Power (W) ≈ k × (D / 10)²
- D = throw distance in meters
-
k = ambient factor:
- 0.6–0.8 → dark indoor / minimal ambient
- 1.0–1.2 → typical backyard night (some ambient)
- 1.4–1.8 → urban outdoor with street lights/signage
Quick Wattage Cheat Sheet
Environment | Throw Distance | Typical Power Range |
---|---|---|
Dark Indoor (clubs/gyms) | 10–30 m | 1–3 W |
30–60 m | 3–6 W | |
60–100 m | 6–10 W | |
Backyard Night (moderate) | 10–30 m | 2–4 W |
30–60 m | 4–8 W | |
60–100 m | 8–15 W | |
Urban Outdoor (street lights) | 10–30 m | 3–6 W |
30–60 m | 6–12 W | |
60–120 m | 12–25 W | |
120–200 m | 25–40+ W |
Step-by-Step Sizing (5 Minutes)
- Measure Throw: aperture-to-surface distance (m). Round up (e.g., 27→30 m) for safety.
- Pick Ambient: dark indoor / backyard night / urban outdoor.
- Choose Content: beams/fans are forgiving; logos/text need more power and higher scan.
- Adjust Beam & Atmosphere: tighter beams boost surface brightness; light haze (where allowed) reveals beams.
- Safety & Compliance: avoid audience scanning; secure mounts; follow local laser rules.
Beam Divergence Matters
Scan Rate & Content
Real-World Presets (Copy & Buy)
Backyard Party · 10–25 m · 2–4 W
A 3 W unit is a strong start for beams and simple graphics.
→ Try the O1 3W IP65 Laser Light—compact, weather-ready for laser light show projector outdoor use.
Small Facade · 25–50 m · 5–12 W
For simple logos/text on light walls, step up power to stay crisp.
→ Explore Laser Light Show Projectors and match surface size and ambient.
Medium Outdoor · 50–100 m · 12–25 W
With street lights, go mid-teens or higher—especially for graphics.
→ Browse RGB options in Laser Light Show Projectors.
Large Site · 100 m+ · 25–40+ W
For tall buildings or plazas, plan on-site tests and real power budgets.
→ Tell us distance, ambient, and content—get a tuned list.

Setup Essentials that Actually Matter
- Scanning & Content: for logos/text, prefer higher scan rates and simple shapes; avoid heavy fills at long distance.
- Surface & Angle: flat, matte, light-colored surfaces read best; shiny glass washes out.
- Power & Weather: IP-rated outdoors (e.g., O1 3W IP65), dry power, secure cables and mounts.
- Atmosphere & Haze: a touch of haze makes beams pop (follow venue rules; ventilate).

Shipping & Warranty
- Free shipping on eligible orders—no surprises at checkout.
- Two-year warranty—buy once, use for years.
- Friendly sizing support—send us throw distance, ambient level, and content type for a tailored cart.
Shop Laser Light Show Projectors — Free Shipping · Two-Year Warranty
FAQs
Q1: How much power for 30 m outdoors at night?
Use W ≈ k × (D/10)²
. For backyard night (k ≈ 1.0–1.2), 30 m suggests ~3–4 W. A 3 W like O1 3W IP65 is a practical start.
Q2: What if it’s 60 m with street lights?
Urban ambient (k ≈ 1.4–1.8) points to roughly 6–16 W. For logos/text, aim 10–16 W so lines stay readable.
Q3: Do beams need less power than logos?
Usually yes. Beams/fans are forgiving (especially with haze). Logos/text want more punch and clean surfaces.
Q4: Is 3 W enough for my backyard wall?
At 10–25 m, 3 W is a solid first step for a laser light show projector in typical backyard conditions. If your wall is dark or the patio is bright, move up one tier.
Q5: Do I need IP65 for outdoor?
If there’s dew, fog, or drizzle risk—yes. Weather-rated hardware is safer for laser outdoor lighting.
Q6: Can haze reduce required power?
Light haze often boosts beam visibility so a lower-watt unit performs “bigger.” Always follow venue rules and ventilate.