Home theater projectors need a proper screen surface to deliver the best results, and a projector screen will allow your big-ticket home entertainment appliance to perform the way you want it to. Your projector will deliver optimal picture quality, with accurate color reproduction and deep contrast.
Thankfully, there are tons of projector screens to choose from in various sizes, form factors, and price points. To help you find the best one for your home setup and budget, we spent the past few weeks sifting through top-rated products from leading brands.
Best Projector Screens
What to Consider
Like the home theater appliances it has to complement, a projector screen works best in a dark or shaded space. The product’s paint coating and material finish will allow it to bring the best out of your projector. There are several essential bits to consider when shopping for an accessory like this.
Form Factor
Depending on your home setup, needs, and budget, you can choose between a portable projector screen or one that requires mounting on a wall or ceiling. Each option offers a distinct set of benefits over the other.
Consider a fixed option if you plan to use your home projector regularly (think instead of a big-screen TV). High-quality ones have a frame that makes them look like legit, big-screen TV replacements.
On the other hand, a retractable screen can be manual or motorized, with the former unsurprisingly being significantly more affordable. A motorized screen allows you to deploy and adjust it with the press of a button. Even though it costs substantially more than manual products, it’s infinitely more convenient.
If you plan to use your outdoor screen during outdoor movie nights in a backyard, garden, or patio, look for products with sturdy construction and additional support accessories to keep them in place in case of wind gusts. Outdoor-friendly screens are also easier to clean.
Aspect Ratio
While shopping for a projector screen, you will encounter several aspect ratios. The numbers refer to the shape of the content you'll be viewing — its width and height, to be precise. We recommend 16:9 because it is the most futureproof. Today, most streaming content utilizes the same aspect, making it more commonly available than 4:3 and 1:1.
The duo of aspects we mentioned above is typical for older content. If you want a big-theater experience, a cinematic 2:35:1 ratio is the one to get.
Home theater projectors can switch aspect ratios, and, thankfully, so can screens. Most of the products we picked can deliver a stellar performance in various settings (e.g., a 16:9 screen can display 4:3 footage and vice versa). Some aspects will add black borders to your screen, but this is not a dealbreaker.
Find the projector screen that suits you best among these thoroughly researched products.
1
Best Retractable Screen
Manual B Series Projector Screen (100-inch)
The Elite Screens Manual B Series projector screen is our top retractable pick for most consumers. It has a textured surface with excellent viewing angles and a matte finish that's easy to clean. It also boasts an auto-lock pulling mechanism with adjustable height and a 2-year warranty, all at a reasonable price.
We like the product’s versatility, too: You can opt to install it on a wall or ceiling. Elite Screens offers the Manual B Series in various sizes and aspect ratios — from 80-inch to 135-inch.
More: The Best Home Theater Projectors
2
Best Fixed Screen
Sable Frame B2 Projector Screen (120-inch)
The Elite Screen Sable Frame B2 is a top-tier fixed option with an aluminum frame and black borders with a black finish. Its screen material, dubbed CineWhite, is ideal for high-resolution content. It has stellar contrast and wide viewing angles, and it is compatible with both long- and short-throw projectors.
Combined with a high-quality home theater projector, this 120-inch iteration of the product can replace a big-screen TV for a fraction of the cost. Smaller screen sizes are also available, and so is a much bigger 150-inch option.
More: The Best Short-Throw Projectors Worth Buying
3
Best Portable Screen
Yard Master Sport Projector Screen (96 inch)
This offering by Elite Screens is a great portable option because it weighs less than 7 pounds. It also comes with a storage bag, so it's as easy to carry around as a projector screen can be. Like our top pick from the same brand, the accessory has an easy-to-maintain textured surface with 180-degree viewing angles.
You can hang the Yard Master Sport on a wall via integrated rings or install it on its bundled foldable tripod. The latter has a center spike to keep it in place in a backyard setting.
4
Best Budget
Projector Screen (120-inch)
This projector screen by Abosi is the best for thrifty shoppers. Priced at just a tad above $20, it has a durable and easy-to-clean polyester fabric surface that folds without creasing. Its versatile ratio makes it equally suitable for home and office use.
The product has integrated metal rings and a retail package with an installation kit, which consists of wall hooks and rope to maintain a consistently flat surface.
5
Best Motorized Screen
Spectrum2 Projector Screen (100-Inch)
The Elite Screens Spectrum2 is the premium indoor projector screen worth splurging on. In addition to a high-quality surface with a textured finish, it also has a motorized drop-down mechanism and convenient three-button switch for activating and adjusting it. An optional remote control kit is also available.
The product has a sleek aluminum housing that’s easy to install. It comes fully assembled, with a bundled installation kit. Elite Screens offers the Spectrum2 with 110- and 120-inch panels too, along with the 100-inch panel mentioned here.
6
Best for Small Spaces
PRJTP52 Portable Projector Screen (50-Inch)
The foldable Pyle PRJTP52 projector screen is an excellent option to use on the go and in small spaces. It has a viewing surface with a matte finish, a versatile aspect ratio, and an auto-locking mechanism that’s super easy to set up. Priced well below $100, the product is also incredibly affordable.
The projector screen’s compact tripod stand has foldable stainless-steel tripod legs. In case you're looking for an even more compact option, we have good news for you: Pyle also offers a 40-inch PRJTP variant.
7
Best for Outdoor Use
Yard Master 2 Outdoor Projector Screen (90-Inch)
As its name suggests, the Yard Master 2 by Elite Screens is the best for outdoor use. The projector screen has a sturdy metal frame and legs that take minutes to assemble. Designed to work with all types of projectors, its weather-resistant matte surface material has 180-degree viewing angles and easy maintenance: You can simply clean it with soap and water.
Elite Screens offers the product in various sizes (from 75- to 135-inch) and ratios. It comes with a handy storage bag and additional accessories for a proper outdoor setup. These include ground stakes, a cord, and support rings.
8
The Most Minimalist Option
Ultra HD Premium Screen Paint (Quart)
Digital Image Screen Paint
Consider treating your wall surface with special paint if you don’t feel like mounting a projector screen. This water-based paint is easy to apply, and ideally suited for high-performance projectors. It's brighter than regular white paint, and will give your wall an anti-glare finish.
A quart of paint is enough to cover up to 40 square feet with two coats. A gallon of the same paint for coating up to 160 square feet is also available.
Stefan Vazharov
Senior Technology Editor
Stefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.
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