Best Products > Audio The Best Projector Screens for Outstanding Viewing at Home Our experts tested the best way to bring the movies into your living room By Katie Dundas Katie Dundas Twitter Writer University of Massachusetts University of Stirling Katie Dundas is a writer with an affinity for cameras, drones, and fitness tech. She has written for Business Insider, Travel Trend, and more. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 14, 2022 Fact checked by Stephen Slaybaugh Fact checked by Stephen Slaybaugh New York University London Metropolitan University Stephen Slaybaugh is a fact checker and music writer with with more than 20 years experience writing about internet retail and consumer tech. He has been featured in Digital Trends, DealNews, and TechRadar. He is a content designer at Bose Corporation and is completing his Master of Arts in Digital Media. lifewire's fact checking process Tweet Share Email Audio Home Theater Headphones Earbuds Speakers Instruments Accessories We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Lifewire / Chloe Jeong The best projector screen can make an amazing difference to enhance your home cinema. If you're using a wall or even a hung up sheet, then they are a must buy - they really will improve the picture quality that much, making it similar to a TV screen in quality in some cases. There are a huge range of options, and don't just buy the biggest - it really depends on your projector and the space. For most people, our tester found the Elite Screens 135-Inch ezFrame is the best option - although be warned it's also pricey (if you're on a budget, the Silver Ticket 100inch screen is also a great option). The Rundown Best Overall: Elite Screens 135-Inch ezFrame at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Silver Ticket STR-169100 at Amazon Jump to Review Best Roll-up Projector: Best Choice Products 119-Inch Projector Screen at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Small Rooms: Elite Screens Sable Frame B2 92-Inch at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Large Rooms: Elite Screens 180-Inch at Amazon Jump to Review Best Portable Projector Screen: Elite Screens Pop-up Cinema Screen at Amazon Jump to Review Best Outdoors: SUNCOO 15ft Inflatable Movie Screen at Amazon Jump to Review Best Motorized: Vivo 100-Inch at Amazon Jump to Review Best all rounder: Vamvo Projector Screen with Stand at Amazon Jump to Review in this article Expand Our Picks What to Look for in a Projection Screen About Our Trusted Experts Best Overall: Elite Screens 135-Inch ezFrame Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Easy installation, with kit included Beautiful video quality You can mount speakers behind it What We Don't Like Expensive It’s one of the best overall choices, for good reason—the Elite Screens 135-Inch ezFrame has a huge screen and a 16:9 widescreen ratio for that full move experience. The ezFrame is easy to set up in minutes, with a toolkit conveniently included. When watching films, the color reproduction is accurate and vibrant, thanks to the white matte surface of the screen. When it comes to design, a black velvet frame around the mount gives it an upscale and glamorous look. Of course, a good movie is about visuals as well as audio, and the ezFrame delivers when it comes to sound as well. The ezFrame has a transparent screen, designed for use with a hidden speaker or a rear-speaker, as the screen’s fabric allows for more sound to come through, creating a more realistic theater experience. It’s hard to fault this projector screen, other than the high price tag. If your budget allows, it’s one of the best permanent mount screens for any home. However, if you're not a perfectionist with an unlimited bank balance, we think the Silver Ticket is a better buy. Size: 135 inches | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Warranty: 2-year The 7 Best Cheap Projectors of 2022 Best Budget: Silver Ticket STR-169100 100-Inch Screen 4.2 Courtesy of Amazon.com View On Amazon View On EBay What We Like Rock solid aluminum frame Frame really improves picture No wrinkles or seams in the screen Matte white screen is great What We Don't Like Frame is a dust magnet Unclear instructions make it tough to put together Tension rods and pins are cheap plastic Silver Ticket STR-169100 Projector Screen Review If you’re looking for the best possible projector screen for your money, you can’t go wrong with the Silver Ticket 100-Inch. Made from a solid and durable aluminum frame, it has the look and feel of a premium product at a budget-friendly price. Thanks to its contoured and wrapped frame, you get the best possible home movie viewing, since the wrapping helps avoid shadows and the contouring absorbs extra light, useful if your projector isn’t positioned at the best angle (it also looks pretty good with the black frame). The Silver Ticket is a permanent mount, so it’s best for those looking for a screen that will stay in one place, such as in a basement or rec room. With its wide 160-degree viewing angle, you get a fantastic picture, no matter where you’re sitting. Size: 100 inches | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Warranty: 1-year Tested by Lifewire The body of the Silver Ticket STR-169100 screen is built out of extruded aluminum, which feels very solid. This looks like a premium screen despite the affordable price tag. Since you have to place the frame black-velvet-down, we suggest throwing a drop cloth, tarp, or even a clean sheet on the floor first due to the tendency of the velvet material to act as a magnet for any dust, lint, or pet hair that it comes into contact with. We found the matte white screen to have excellent color reproduction and contrast, with no visible hot spots. The viewing angles are also great, with the picture looking sharp and colorful from every seat in the house. This screen is light enough that you could move it around if you had to, but it’s also bulky enough to make that difficult. The best feature of the Silver Ticket STR-169100 is its contoured and wrapped frame. The light-absorbing black material that’s wrapped around the frame helps soak up over-projected light, so you don’t have to be overly precise when aiming and adjusting your projector. — Jeremy Laukkonen, Product Tester Lifewire / Jeremy Laukkonen Best Roll-up Projector: Best Choice Products 119-Inch HD Indoor Pull Down Projector Screen 4.2 Courtesy of Amazon.com View On Amazon View On Walmart What We Like Fantastic price for the size Lightweight and portable Use both inside and outside Easy to install and use What We Don't Like Not widescreen Doesn't lay perfectly flat Difficult to roll up evenly Best Choice Products Projector Screen Review The convenience of a roll-up projector can be just what you need if you’re trying to save space, making the Best Choice Products 119-inch HD Indoor Pull Down Screen one of the top choices for anyone looking for this feature. It’s an overall fantastic purchase, as it’s surprisingly affordable, easy to assemble, and features a quality white matte vinyl screen. This is a fixed screen with a manual pull-down mechanism that’s designed for semi-permanent installation. You can pull down the screen when ready to use, with a locking feature that ensures your screen will stay in place when in use. When you’re done, simply roll the screen back up. Keep in mind the screen itself is square, so if you’re planning to use it at the 16:9 ratio, you won’t be able to benefit from all 119 inches—you're getting a 97.5-inch widescreen picture. When watching films, the color and accuracy are impressive, with great brightness. With a reasonable price point and a high-quality, durable product, this screen is a great choice for anyone looking for both convenience and quality. Size: 119 inches | Aspect Ratio: 1:1 | Warranty: 60 days Tested by Lifewire If you buy this screen expecting a 119-inch diagonal widescreen projector screen, you’ll be disappointed. According to our own measurements, the diagonal measurement is closer to about 97.5 inches when viewing 16:9 content on this screen. That’s pretty good for a manual pull-down projector screen in this price range, it’s just unfortunate that the manufacturer and third-party sites don’t make that as clear as they could. The screen is literally ready to go out of the box, with no assembly required. It feels fairly solid, but the metal itself isn’t very thick or resilient. The screen pulls down with a bit of a jerky motion, but it holds in place very easily. When pulled down, we noticed some waviness in the screen that was very apparent to look at, but less obvious with a projector in use. We were able to get it to retract evenly with great care, although it will roll up unevenly if you aren’t careful. — Jeremy Laukkonen, Product Tester Lifewire / Jeremy Laukkonen Best for Small Rooms: Elite Screens Sable Frame B2 92-Inch Courtesy of Amazon.com View On Amazon View On B&H Photo Video View On Adorama.com What We Like The 92-inch screen won’t overwhelm smaller spaces High-quality build keeps screen smooth and wrinkle-free What We Don't Like The hanging brackets can be tricky to hook onto the frame Installation works best with two people If you’re shopping for a projector screen for a smaller space, the Elite Screens Sable Frame B2 92-inch 16:9 frame its slightly smaller than some of the other screens reviewed here, and won't totally overwhelm a small room. The screen is mildew-resistant and easy to clean with soap and water, and surrounded by a black velvet aluminum frame, which is both aesthetic and functional, as it helps absorb the projector light and keep the images on the screen, rather than the wall. We also love the high-quality build and premium feel of this screen, which ensures the screen doesn’t crease or wrinkle over time. Give this screen a look if you’re after a top-notch, easy-to-use product that won’t overwhelm a smaller room. Size: 92 inches | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Warranty: 2-year The 8 Best 4K and 1080p Projectors of 2022 Best for Large Rooms: Elite Screens 180-Inch Amazon View On Amazon View On Adorama.com View On Office Depot What We Like The 180-inch diagonal, 16:9 aspect ratio is sure to impress guests Back is lined with black material to eliminate light and image loss Gorgeous picture quality What We Don't Like Screen can be slow to rise and lower Heavy If you want want to go big and go home to watch movies, this massive screen is the one for you. The Elite Screens 180-Inch is a widescreen 16:9 4K-ready home theater motorized drop-down projector screen, offering the convenience to raise the screen when it’s not in use, via the included remote. We love that the screen is fully black-backed, which prevents light penetration from behind and gives you a more accurate video quality. The texture of the screen also allows for more accurate color representation and it is also easy to clean. Thanks to its size, it’s also great for use in boardrooms or offices. It's heavy at 52.9 pounds, so it’s not something you’ll want to move after installation, and the design gives you the option to mount on either the ceiling or the wall. If you’re ready for movies that are larger than life, the 180-Inch may be just what you need. Size: 180 inches | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Warranty: 2-year Best Portable Projector Screen: Elite Screens Pop-up Cinema Portable Outdoor Fast Folding Projector Screen Best Buy View On Amazon View On B&H Photo Video View On Adorama.com What We Like Ultra lightweight and portable, with carrying case included Spring-framed system makes set-up lightning fast Great value What We Don't Like Screen can wrinkle sometimes No backing on screen means light can get through If you’re looking for a screen you can take camping or set up in the backyard, the Elite Screens Pop-up Cinema is the one for you. We love that it’s extremely lightweight and portable, easily fitting into the included carrying case. When it’s movie time, you can set up the screen in no time at all, thanks to the spring-framed system. Included stakes and support rods mean it’ll stay in place outdoors, even in wind. As you would expect from a screen that folds, the screen does have a tendency to wrinkle, although this becomes less obvious once the film starts. It’s not fully backed, but it does have black masking borders to prevent light from disturbing the picture. It’s also easy to clean with soap and water, important for a screen you’re setting up outside. Overall, the picture quality is great but would be what you expect from a screen on the lower end of the price spectrum. However, it couldn't be easier to set up, it’s compact and portable, and it’s sure to add a lot of fun on your next camping trip. Size: 84 inches | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Warranty: 2-year The 9 Best Mini Projectors of 2022 for Every Screening Best Outdoors: SUNCOO 15ft Inflatable Movie Screen Amazon View On Amazon What We Like It’s a huge inflatable screen, perfect for events or parties Set-up is quick and easy Reasonable price What We Don't Like Fabric is durable, but rips and tears are possible For an outdoor screen that will add entertainment to any party or barbeque, check out the SUNCOO 15ft Inflatable Movie Screen. It’s a massive outdoor screen, offering 110 inches in width and 57 inches in height, and a 16:9 aspect ratio. Despite the huge size, it’s lighter than you’d expect, at 22 pounds. Set-up is simple with the included blower and stakes, which keep the screen inflated and secured to the ground. Within minutes, your screen is fully inflated—just make sure you’ve zipped it shut, or the air won’t stay in. The noise from the fan is almost non-existent, so it won’t interfere with your movie. The screen itself is made from a durable oxford fabric that can withstand the elements and displays your video clearly. Another useful feature is that the SUNCOO offers front and rear projection, giving you increased options. If you’re looking for something to add excitement to your pool party, birthday, or outdoor gathering, both kids and adults will love the fun of this affordable outdoor screen. Size: 120 inches | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Warranty: 1-year Best Motorized: Vivo 100-Inch Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On EBay What We Like Fantastic value for money Motorized screen is easy to lower, with included remote Vibrant, crisp picture What We Don't Like No support for 4K or Active 3D viewing Mounting hardware not included Don’t be fooled by the inexpensive price tag of the Vivo 100-Inch—it packs a punch well above its price bracket. If you’re in need of a motorized screen, the Vivo is affordable but offers a very high-quality product. The screen operates with an electric motor and can easily be raised and lowered with the included remote. It’s large, at 60 inches in height and 80 in width, and has a 4:3 viewing area. The durable metal casing is ideal for both wall and ceiling installation, although you’ll need to purchase mounting hardware separately. With a viewing angle of 120 degrees, you have plenty of room for your audience to get a good angle to view the movie and the matte white screen diffuses light to create an accurate picture. A black backing blocks out unwanted light, and the resulting image quality is impressive. While the Vivo doesn’t support Active 3D or 4K video, it’s still an overall great choice for anyone looking for a motorized screen at an affordable price point. Size: 100 inches | Aspect Ratio: 4:3 | Warranty: 1-year The 8 Best Projector Mounts of 2022 Best all rounder: Vamvo Outdoor/Indoor Projector Screen with Stand Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon What We Like Breeze to set up 160-degree viewing angle Great for rear projection What We Don't Like Fairly heavy Hovering right around the $100 mark, the Vamvo is an incredible bargain, due in no small part to how versatile it is. It works as well indoors as it does outside, packing a pair of unique tripod legs for top-notch support that make setting it up a breeze. There are ropes along the edge of the screen to resist even heavy wind, and it comes with a convenient carrying case, so you can transport it in and out of your home with ease. Size: 100 inches | Aspect Ratio: 16:9 | Warranty: 2-year Final Verdict If you’re looking for an all-round great screen for your home cinema, the Silver Ticket 100inch screen is the perfect balance of size and price if you're on a budget. If you want to splurge, Elite Screens 135-inch ezFrame (view at Amazon) provides everything you need—fantastic video presentation, sound integration, and vibrant color. It’s worth the splurge and will provide home entertainment for years to come. For the best outdoor screen, it’s got to be the SUNCOO 15ft Inflatable Movie Screen (view at Amazon). The SUNCOO’s large size is sure to impress, it’s durable and reliable, and it’s easy to set up and take down. FAQ Does Best Buy carry projector screens in-store? Best Buy does carry projector screens, including many of the choices on our list like the Elite Screens brand, along with Spon, and their in-house Insignia. Take a look at the various projector screens you can get from Best Buy, and you're sure to find plenty of options for your size and budget. What are the best portable screens for a projector? Our top pick for a portable projector screen is the Elite Screens Pop-up Cinema. It's a portable outdoor projector screen that's very lightweight, making it easy to set up in a backyard or take with you to an event. It comes with a carrying case and has a spring-framed system so you can collapse it fast. Despite the lightweight build, it comes with stakes and support rods so it can stay in place even in windy conditions. What is the best brand for projector screens? We like Elite Screens for their high-quality projector screens. The screens are easy to install, come with a kit, and offer great video quality provided your projector can measure up. Some models even have audio integration, providing a compartment for a hidden speaker. We're also fans of Silver Ticket for its durability and reasonable price despite the premium build. What size screen should I buy? The temptation is always to go big, but this often ends up with a screen that really overwhelms the room (and viewer). Instead, measure the space where you intend to put it. You want around a foot of space between the top of the wall and the screen so you're not looking up, and a few feet below, again for comfort. You don’t want the screen to overwhelm the room, but you also want to maximize your screen size to recreate the cinema experience at home. Lifewire / Jeremy Laukkonen What to Look for in a Projection Screen Screen Size Before opting for the most massive projector screen you can get your hands on, be sure to measure the space where you intend to put it. Keep an eye out for the screen size that’ll best fit your environment. You don’t want the screen to overwhelm the room, but you also want to maximize your screen size to recreate the cinema experience at home. "The screen needs to be matched to the viewing environment. You don’t need a high-gain screen paired with a super bright projector if you’re going to watch movies in a pitch-black room." — Ken Welty, Director of Laser TV at Hisense USA Fixed vs. Movable Consider how you’ll use your projector screen. Do you want it to disappear when you’ve finished watching something, or do you want it to be more permanent? While some projector screens can roll up out of the way when they’re not in use, others are more static. Additionally, some screens offer a motorized feature, so you don’t need to get out of your seat to start the action. A movable screen saves space on your wall, but if it’s electronic there’s always room for something to go wrong. You also have the option of portable screens, which can either pop up or inflate, which are useful for travel or camping. They are a lot of fun, but their screens can sometimes be prone to wrinkling, since they fold up when not in use. Lifewire / Jeremy Laukkonen Material Projection screens are made from a variety of different materials — some displays may be more suitable for Ultra HD content than others. Additionally, different screens offer various features like easy cleaning and fire resistance. "If you need to remove dust build-up, use a can of compressed air from several inches away and spray at an oblique angle – not directly at the screen. Avoid chemicals, don’t get the screen wet, wear cotton gloves if you need to touch the frame. If you have a rollable screen, try to keep the tube it came wrapped with so it can be stored without wrinkling." — Ken Welty, Director of Laser TV at Hisense USA If you’re purchasing a screen for outdoor use, make sure you’re able to clean it easily, as stains or bird droppings always tend to occur in the most inconvenient places. About Our Trusted Experts Katie Dundas is a freelance journalist with over three years of experience in covering tech. She is an avid movie buff and has thoroughly researched all screens reviewed here. Jeremy Laukkonen has been covering consumer tech for Lifewire since 2019, specializing in Android devices, home entertainment systems, and general tech. He's personally tested many of the screens on this roundup. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. Thank you for signing up! Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit