Trick Ghastly's Projector Guide

Find the Perfect Projector for Your Trick Ghastly Singing Pumpkin

Updated July 2026

The short answer: any projector will bring my Trick Ghastly and Jingles clones to life. If you project after dark, even a $65 mini projector looks fantastic. If you want my beautiful face glowing before sunset while the trick-or-treaters are still out, look for a projector with 800+ real ANSI lumens.

And you only need one! A single projector handles multi-monster mashups like Trick and Lester setups. Every projector I recommend is available in my Amazon store, and this guide will help you pick the right one for your setup, space, and budget.

Quick Comparison: My Recommended Projectors

My top four picks get full write-ups below. The others are Trickster-approved alternatives you can grab straight from the table.

Why Don't You Sell Projectors, Trick?

Because a lot of super spooks already have one! And if you don't, wouldn't you rather pick a projector you can also use for movie night under the stars on a chilly fall evening? Not just for projecting my beautiful face? Like pumpkins, projectors come in all shapes and sizes. I'd rather give you the freedom to choose what works best for you, your budget, and your space.

How to Choose a Projector for Halloween & Christmas Projections

When comparing projectors for your singing pumpkin (or any holiday projection), five things matter most:

1: Brightness (ANSI Lumens). This is the single biggest factor. Don't be fooled by low-priced projectors claiming "9000 lumens". That's marketing math, not measurement. Look for a rating in ANSI lumens, the industry-standard measure of real brightness. The more real lumens, the earlier in the evening my face shows up.

2: Resolution. A higher resolution will not make me sing any better! My animations look great even at 720p. Read the listing carefully: the true resolution is listed as native resolution, while the bigger number in the headline is usually just the supported input resolution. Higher native resolutions are nice for movie night, but they cost more.

3: Throw distance. This is how far back the projector needs to sit to fill my face. Projectors typically sit 10-12 feet in front of your Trick inflatable. Measure your porch, yard, or trunk-or-treat spot before you buy, and check the throw distance listed on the product page.

4: Sound. Built-in speakers range from "surprisingly good" to "is that a mosquito?" If a projector's speakers are weak, pairing a Bluetooth speaker is a cheap fix that makes my singing carry down the whole street. I'll note speaker quality in each recommendation below.

5: Price. Price closely tracks brightness and resolution. The more you spend, the brighter my face will be. But remember, after dark, even the budget picks look incredible.

One final detail: Most projectors don't come with stands. However, there are a number of them that have come on the market in recent years with a built-in stand. I LOVE a projector with a built in stand. It lifts your projector off the ground, it's easier to adjust and line up with my inflatables, and they are consistently lined up night after night. 

What Do Lumens Actually Look Like? Side-by-Side Comparison

I tested projectors on my 4-foot inflatable in a controlled environment simulating sunset light. That's when there's still light in the sky, before streetlights kick on, and right when the first trick-or-treaters appear. Your results will vary with clouds, trees, streetlights, and your location.

For reference: expect the Lyncast X6 (800 ANSI) to land between the 500 and 1200 examples, and the Goiaey (~2000 ANSI) to land between the 1200 and 3500 examples.

The takeaway? Every projector here looks incredible after dark. More lumens simply buys you an earlier start time while there's still light in the sky.

My Projector Recommendations

TMY Mini Projector: Best Budget Pick ($65)

Great for first-time Tricksters and trunk-or-treat setups.

Lyncast X6 Projector: Best Value for Most Tricksters ($139)

The sweet spot of price, brightness, and easy setup.

Goiaey Projector: Brightest Pick Under $250 ($239)

For early-evening haunts and bigger displays.

ViewSonic Projector: For Hardcore Haunters ($649)

Daylight-defying brightness for the most serious displays.

Projector Questions from Fellow Tricksters

How many lumens do I need to project a singing pumpkin?

After dark, 100-300 real ANSI lumens is plenty. For displays starting at dusk or sunset, aim for 500-800 ANSI lumens. To be visible before sunset, you'll want 1,500+ ANSI lumens. Ignore giant claims like "9000 lumens" unless they're stated in ANSI lumens.

Will any projector work with Trick Ghastly and Jingles animations?

Yes! If it can play a video from a USB drive, a laptop or streaming stick over HDMI, or a phone, it can bring my clones to life. There's no special hardware required.

What's the easiest way to play my animations?

A USB drive plugged straight into the projector. Load your Trick Ghastly video onto the drive, plug it in, and hit play. One tip: use a drive smaller than 256GB. Larger drives sometimes need extra power to be read, and projectors typically don't supply power to their USB ports.

Do I need a separate projector for each character?

No! One projector is all you need for a multi-monster mashup. A single projector runs Trick and Lester setups together, and I'm planning support for up to three characters per projector in the future, for both Halloween and Christmas displays.

How far away should the projector be from the inflatable?

Projectors typically sit 10-12 feet in front of your Trick inflatable. Check the throw distance in the product listing, and always do a test run before the big night.

Can I leave my projector outside?

No. Projectors are not weatherproof, so never leave yours outside in inclement weather. The best way to protect one is with a plastic tub or a homemade enclosure, plus an outdoor-rated extension cord for power. Most Tricksters simply keep the projector indoors during bad weather. No one is out walking by your display when it's raining anyway! And if you're feeling crafty, check out these YouTube videos on building a headstone projector enclosure to disguise your projector as part of your setup.

Do these projectors work for Christmas displays too?

Absolutely. The same projector that brings me to life on Halloween runs my Jingles clones in December. One projector, two haunting seasons. That's spooky value.

The Bottom Line

Remember: any projector will work for your Trick Ghastly singing pumpkin setup. Pick the brightness that matches when you want the show to start, and you can't go wrong. Find all of these projectors, plus a few more high-end options, in my Amazon store.

Are you a hardcore Trickster? Check out all my gear recommendations for building an epic show. None of my hardcore gear is required. My clones are happy with any projector and a place to sing. But if you're a hardcore super spook, this list is for you.

As an Amazon Associate, Trick Ghastly earns from qualifying purchases. Prices checked July 2026 and may change.