My favorite outdoor projector just dropped to its lowest price ever

The Samsung Freestyle 2, a high-end portable projector favored by ZDNET's senior editor Allison Murray, has dropped to a record-low price of $498 during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. This represents a significant $300 discount from its standard $800 retail price. Murray, who has tested the device extensively over three years, continues to rate it as her top pick for outdoor entertainment, citing its combination of premium build quality, ease of setup, and advanced features that justify its original price tag.

Key specs driving its recommendation include a robust auto-focus system that works on slanted surfaces or projector screens, and a surprisingly powerful 5W 360-degree speaker that performs well even in windy outdoor conditions. A major differentiator is the integrated Samsung Gaming Hub, which turns the projector into a versatile gaming console. Users can play cloud-streamed games from services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now, or access free titles directly, enabling gaming sessions outdoors or projected onto a ceiling without being tethered to a traditional console.

The deal has earned a 4 out of 5 rating on ZDNET's deal-rating scale, primarily because it's the deepest discount Murray has ever observed for this model. While the sale is part of a limited-time event and subject to selling out, it presents a rare opportunity to acquire a premium, versatile entertainment device at a mid-range price point. For tech-savvy consumers planning spring and summer gatherings, this discount makes high-quality outdoor cinematic and gaming experiences significantly more accessible.