Do cheap projectors work well in bright rooms or outdoors during the day?

Across specialist communities like r/projectors, the consensus is no: budget projectors advertise high 'lumens' numbers that rarely reflect real brightness, and they wash out in any ambient light. Reviewers repeatedly note that even capable units look great only in a dark room or after dusk. For genuine daytime or bright-room use you need a high-ANSI laser or short-throw model, and a proper screen, which pushes you well past entry-level pricing.