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Once you have an outdoor movie projector, you can throw a watch party using the garage door or a wall as a screen. But to really cultivate an outdoor movie theater feel, you need an outdoor projector screen. While you can also use these screens indoors, the best outdoor movie projector and screen will have a weather-resistance rating specific to outdoor use.
Not all of the best projector screens for home theaters are created equal. It’s important to educate yourself on the types of setups—from permanent to portable—and the different traits of screen quality with this guide. Then you’ll be equipped to choose the best outdoor projector screen for your outdoor life.
- BEST OVERALL: Elite Screens Yard Master 2 Outdoor Projector Screen
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Mdbebbron 120-Inch Portable Projector Screen
- BEST INDOOR/OUTDOOR: Vamvo 100-Inch Indoor/Outdoor Projection Screen
- BEST PORTABLE: Khomo Gear 100-Inch Portable Projector Screen
- BEST INFLATABLE: Vivohome Inflatable Mega Outdoor Projector Screen
- BEST LARGE-FORMAT: Sewinfla 24-Foot Inflatable Projector Screen
- BEST MOUNTED: Elite Screens Yard Master Electric Tension Screen
- BEST COMPACT: Pyle 40-Inch Projector Viewing Display Screen
How We Chose the Best Outdoor Projectors Screens
This buying guide is the result of extensive research on outdoor projector screens, which considered expert and consumer reviews, brand reputation, and the products’ merits based on their features. We considered the robustness of the projector screens’ build quality and materials, weatherproofing, ease of setup and takedown, value, and image quality. Our top picks feature mid-size screens that are great for indoor and outdoor use, giant inflatable screens, a permanently installed deluxe option, and a travel-oriented screen likely to fit almost any budget.
Our Top Picks
The best outdoor projector screen usually comes with a weatherproof rating and has earned a positive reputation through expert and consumer reviews. Our list of top picks includes projector screens in a range of sizes, with several types of frames, stands, and mounts.
Best Overall
Elite Screens Yard Master 2 Outdoor Projector Screen
When you’re looking for an all-around high-quality outdoor projection screen, the Yard Master 2 from Elite Screens is a great choice for a variety of budgets and spaces. Available in six sizes, the screen’s CineWhite material is easy to clean and durable enough for outdoor use. Setup takes just 10 minutes and requires no tools—simply use the included rigging cords, stakes, and support rings. The screen and sturdy aluminum frame legs fold quickly into the carrying case for indoor viewings or storage.
The Yard Master 2’s reflective screen has a gain rating of 1.3, which is 30 percent more reflective than a standard 1.0 gain screen. (For a detailed description of gain rating, see the Image Quality section, which appears below our product reviews.) That means you may be able to choose a bigger screen than you initially thought your projector could handle. The screen also offers excellent image quality and color accuracy and is ready for 4K Ultra HD, Active 3D, and HDR video material.
Product Specs
- Screen size: Multiple sizes available from 55 to 135 inches diagonally with a 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio
- Weight: 22.5 pounds for the 120-inch 16:9 screen
- Viewing angle: 180 degrees
- Screen material: CineWhite UHD-B (flexible PVC with black backing)
- Stand/frame material: Aluminum
Pros
- Quick to set up and tear down with no tools required
- Screen is made to be tough and wrinkle-free
- Cleanable screen; just use soap and water to remove dirt or dust
- Highly reflective screen maintains image quality and accurate colors
Cons
- Not meant to withstand winds more than 7 miles per hour
- No height adjustment without extension legs, which are sold separately
Get the Elite Screens Yard Master 2 outdoor projector screen at Amazon, Best Buy, B&H, or Elite Screens.
Best Bang for the Buck
Mdbebbron 120-Inch Portable Projector Screen
The Mdbebbron 120-inch portable projector screen does not come with its own stand, but it doesn’t need one. Instead, simply hang it using the metal mounting grommets and included rope, or attach it to a wall or other surface using the included adhesive hooks, your own nails, or double-sided tape. As long as you’re OK mounting it to an existing surface, this affordable, lightweight, and wrinkle-free screen presents an outstanding value.
The Mdbebbron screen works for both front and rear projection with a 104-inch-by-58-inch viewing area, excellent color reproduction, and sharp details. It’s machine washable and folds quickly and easily for storage in a small space. That makes this portable screen great for traveling when paired with a portable projector.
Product Specs
- Screen size: 120 inches diagonally with a 16:9 aspect ratio
- Weight: 0.7 pounds
- Viewing angle: 160 degrees
- Screen material: Polyester
- Stand/frame material: N/A
Pros
- Quality fabric offers great color accuracy on a wrinkle-free surface
- Folds up tightly for compact storage and portability
- Very affordable option allows almost anyone to create an outdoor theater
Cons
- Setup can be annoying without an included stand
- Not weatherproof, so you may need to take it down after use
Get the Mdbebbron outdoor projector screen at Amazon.
Best Indoor/Outdoor
Vamvo 100-Inch Indoor/Outdoor Projection Screen
This Vamvo projector screen (also available in an 80-inch size) benefits from a clever assembly scheme. Its dual-tripod aluminum frame is built like the poles of a tent, employing internal elastic ropes that connect each section. The result is a frame that snaps together almost on its own, so setup takes just a few minutes. The screen itself has stitched-in Velcro strips that fasten to the frame, making for fast setup and teardown. It’s easy to move the screen outdoors or back inside, stowing it away in the included storage bag.
This durable screen is washable and resistant to water and mildew. It presents 4K full HD video admirably with clear images and accurate colors. The tripod stands are very convenient for indoor or stable outdoor surfaces, although the stands are not height adjustable. Windy conditions may make the tripods unstable, but you can tie down the frame with the included rope and ground stakes.
Product Specs
- Screen size: 100 inches diagonally with a 16:9 aspect ratio
- Weight: 7.4 pounds
- Viewing angle: 160 degrees
- Screen material: Polyester
- Stand/frame material: Aluminum
Pros
- Easy setup and teardown; assembly takes just 5 minutes
- Lightweight portability offers the flexibility of indoor/outdoor use
- Sharp image and color quality are great for TV, movies, or video games
Cons
- Frame legs are not height adjustable; must be placed on a flat surface
- Tripod legs are unstable in the wind unless tied down
Get the Vamvo outdoor projector screen at Amazon or Newegg.
Best Portable
Khomo Gear 100-Inch Portable Projector Screen
Made for portability, this 100-inch 16:9 screen weighs less than 12 pounds in all, including its stand and zippered carrying case. The frame includes tensioning rods that stretch out the nylon screen to avoid wrinkling. The two-pronged stand legs can get a bit unsteady in windy weather, so Khomo Gear includes ropes and stakes to stabilize the screen outside.
Setting up this screen is easy once you get used to it, especially if you don’t need to tie it down. Moving the screen around a yard to find the best position is also easy. The nylon screen supports front and rear projection, but too much ambient light behind the screen can wash out the picture. The screen supports full HD resolution and has a standard reflectivity gain of 1.0. This model is also available in a 120-inch screen size.
Product Specs
- Screen size: 100 inches diagonally with a 16:9 aspect ratio
- Weight: 11.3 pounds, including bag and stand
- Viewing angle: 160 degrees
- Screen material: Reflective oxford nylon
- Stand/frame material: Not listed
Pros
- Compact when packed up for easy portability and storage
- Lightweight and easy to move around; includes carry bag
- Good value for the price; will meet the needs of most users
Cons
- Picture suffers when there’s a lot of rear ambient light
- Top of screen may sag if not tensioned properly
Get the Khomo Gear outdoor projector screen at Amazon, Lowe’s, B&H, or Khomo Gear.
Best Inflatable
Vivohome Inflatable Mega Outdoor Projector Screen
Once outdoor projector screens become too large for aluminum frames to be practical, manufacturers often turn to air. Vivohome’s inflatable projector screens, which range in size from 14 to 24 feet, are a prime example. A built-in 85-watt internal air pump inflates and deflates the projector screen frame in just minutes, and attached straps tighten the oxford cloth screen in place. Resistant to sunlight and water, the screen is also removable for easy cleaning. The inflatable frame has wide feet for stability, but in windy conditions, you’ll likely need the included rope and ground stakes to secure it in place. Once deflated, everything fits back into the included storage bag.
With a screen this big, Vivohome was smart to elevate it off the ground. And thanks to its premium 210D oxford cloth construction, picture quality is excellent, so you won’t be sacrificing image clarity for size. If you have enough room, this screen works fine for indoor movies as well.
Product Specs
- Screen size: Multiple sizes available from 168 to 288 inches diagonally with a 16:9 aspect ratio
- Weight: 9.7 pounds for the 168-inch screen
- Viewing angle: Not listed
- Screen material: 210D oxford cloth
- Stand/frame material: 210D oxford cloth
Pros
- Built-in air pump blows up screen in minutes
- Water- and sunlight-resistant screen detaches for easy cleaning
- Great picture quality plus enormous size means fun for large viewing parties
- Storage bag, tethering rope, and ground stakes are included
Cons
- You may need better rope and anchors to stabilize this mega screen in heavier wind
Get the Vivohome outdoor projector screen at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Vivohome.
Best Large-Format
Sewinfla 24-Foot Inflatable Projector Screen
You know the difference between just any old movie and a “big” movie—a movie whose release feels like an actual event. Since there’s always a big movie on the horizon, consider showing the next one outside on the truly massive Sewinfla 24-foot inflatable screen. This model may be a bit heavier and more expensive than its competitors, but it makes up for those downsides with its focus on quality. The Sewinfla comes with a heavy-duty 350-watt blower for inflating and deflating the oxford fabric frame, which includes an extra repair cloth. The durable and reflective screen attaches to the frame with Velcro for uniform tension every time. You can wash the screen separately, and everything folds and packs up into an included storage bag.
Sewinfla gives you ropes and pegs for securing the screen in place, but the company also warns that it’s not made to be weather-resistant and should not be used in windy or rainy conditions. In exchange for some of that versatility, you get a high-quality picture on a gargantuan screen that supports both front and rear projection.
Product Specs
- Screen size: Multiple sizes available from 204 to 396 inches diagonally with a 16:9 aspect ratio
- Weight: 24 pounds for the 288-inch screen
- Viewing angle: Not listed
- Screen material: 210D oxford fabric
- Stand/frame material: 210D oxford fabric
Pros
- High-quality picture on a reflective screen that supports front and rear projection
- Powerful blower for inflation and deflation in mere minutes
- Screen is durable, washable, and attaches and detaches easily with Velcro
Cons
- Not made for windy or rainy weather and must be taken down if a storm pops up
- Screen isn’t elevated very high off the ground, which may impact viewing for some
- Heavier and higher priced than competitors’ products of similar size
Get the Sewinfla outdoor projector screen at Amazon.
Best Mounted
Elite Screens Yard Master Electric Tension Screen
When you want a permanently installed outdoor screen and have the budget to make your outdoor viewing area something special, the Elite Screens Yard Master Electric Tension screen fits the bill. It comes in four sizes, from 100 to 150 inches, with a 16:9 aspect ratio. The company’s WraithVeil Dual screen material works for both front and rear projection and is IP33 rated for water resistance. It’s also mold- and mildew-resistant and can be cleaned with soap and water. A rustproof aluminum casing houses the screen and can be mounted flush to a wall or hung from the ceiling of a patio, veranda, etc. The screen unfurls electronically with a remote control or a 12-volt projector trigger. No assembly is required, but installing and mounting the screen may take some DIY savvy for drilling and bolting.
The screen’s wide viewing angle of 150 degrees keeps the picture sharp wherever you sit, providing great contrast and vibrant colors under ideal conditions. Because the screen has a relatively low 0.8 gain score, it’s not meant to be highly reflective in bright daylight—nighttime movie watching will suit it best. Tensioning cords and a weighted bottom bar work to keep the screen flat and stable. Overall, this Yard Master screen gives your outdoor home theater the feeling of luxury.
Product Specs
- Screen size: 100 to 150 inches diagonally with a 16:9 aspect ratio
- Weight: 50.2 pounds for the 120-inch screen
- Viewing angle: 150 degrees
- Screen material: WraithVeil Dual (transparent 2-directional flexible vinyl)
- Stand/frame material: Aluminum
Pros
- Electrically lowers and raises via remote control or the projector’s power state
- Weather-resistant screen and rustproof housing make this a great option for permanent installation
- Automatic tensioning maintains a flat surface with a wide viewing angle
Cons
- WraithVeil Dual material softens picture detail by a small amount
- Screen’s low gain rating is not ideal for bright daylight viewing
Get the Elite Screens Yard Master Electric Tension outdoor projector screen at Amazon, Best Buy (100 inches), B&H, or Elite Screens.
Best Compact
Pyle 40-Inch Projector Viewing Display Screen
For the fastest pop-up projector screen anytime, anywhere, check out the Pyle Projector Viewing Display screen. Its clever all-in-one design lets you simply pull the screen up from its base, which has bendable brackets that lock into place to stabilize the screen. The 40-inch screen only weighs about 4 pounds, which makes it a great companion for camping trips and other vacations. In addition to standing on a surface, it can also hang from hooks on the side of an RV or a car’s luggage rack.
The stain- and mildew-resistant screen supports quality high-definition images. Though it is 16:9 compatible, the Pyle’s boxy 4:3 aspect ratio will force you to shrink down widescreen material, making it less than ideal for some shows, movies, or games. But when it comes to a fast and easy setup that combines portability with affordability, this Pyle projector screen can’t be beat.
Product Specs
- Screen size: 40 inches diagonally with a 4:3 aspect ratio
- Weight: 4.1 pounds
- Viewing angle: Not listed
- Screen material: Engineered PVC
- Stand/frame material: Aluminum
Pros
- Lightweight and portable design is ideal for movie watching during travel or presentations on the go
- Great image quality with optimal color pickup and a black masking border
- Built-in stand for the fastest possible setup; can also hang from impromptu hooks
Cons
- 4:3 aspect ratio is not ideal for widescreen material, though it is 16:9 compatible
Get the Pyle outdoor projector screen at Amazon, Target, or Pyle.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing an Outdoor Projector Screen
There may be some overlap between the best outdoor movie screens and the best projector screens, but be careful, because not all screens are made for outdoor use. When thinking about screening movies, shows, or sports outside, consider the difficulty of setup, how reflective the screen is (gain rating), the weather resistance of the materials, and standard factors like screen size and budget.
Size and Weight
If you’re looking forward to group gatherings in a large backyard, you may want the largest screen you can find. But if your main goal is a screen that’s good for movie nights when camping, you probably want something more portable and compact. Since projector screens range in size from smaller than most TVs to colossal 24-foot inflatable screens, there’s certainly a size suited to every preference.
The weight of the screen (plus any necessary frame) may also matter if you plan to move it between indoors and out or take it with you on ventures outside the home. Most projector screen frames are made of metal or plastic, so while they’re all typically rather lightweight, their actual poundage will vary. Since they require a lot of durable cloth, big screens with inflatable cloth frames may weigh more than you expect. Some of the heaviest screens are encased in a metal housing and have electronics that lower and raise the screen, but those are typically intended for permanent or semipermanent installation rather than being moved from place to place.
Ease of Assembly and Portability
It’s easy for backyard movie theater ambitions to get out of control when you have your sights set on planning the perfect party, but when the day comes, friends are arriving in an hour, and you still haven’t unboxed the screen, you may wish you’d opted for an easy setup. The good news is those options exist, so take time to consider what’s best for your personality and skill set.
Also, remember that ease of assembly can affect the screen’s portability, so you might have to prioritize one over the other. For example, many inflatable and collapsible-stand projector screens are easy to set up and include a carrying bag for transport—but those bags can get pretty big and heavy, depending on the screen. The most easily portable projector screens might be self-contained in a case that pulls out into a screen and attached stand.
Fabric and Stand Materials
An outdoor projector screen’s material and its stand’s material matter, but rather than declaring which specific materials to look for, consider characteristics like washability and weather resistance. Some screens are machine washable, while others can be hand-washed with soap and water. Stands should be rust-resistant if you intend for them to withstand even small amounts of water.
In general, look for outdoor projector screens with an IP rating, which rates a product for its ingress protection against solid foreign objects and water. IP ratings have two numbers, like “IP54,” where the first number refers to foreign objects and the second refers to water. Higher numbers indicate more protection. For example, an IP66 product is dust-tight and protects against powerful water jets, while an IP33 product is protected against foreign objects 2.5 millimeters or greater and sprays of water.
Image Quality
You may think of the image quality as the province of the projector itself, not the projector screen, and that’s partially true. For instance, the best outdoor movie projector with 4K ultra-HD resolution will probably look better on any screen than a basic 1080p projector will on the best screen. However, the screen does impact image quality to a degree, and the measurement used to describe it is gain score.
A projector screen’s gain score rates its reflectivity. The standard gain is 1.0, and some projector screens score above or below that. The higher the gain score, the more you can get out of the available brightness of your projector. So, for example, a screen with a high gain rating will help your projector perform better in bright light. In low light, it will allow you to back up the projector to throw a larger image. A screen’s viewing angle is also important. If its picture stays consistent within a viewing angle of 150 degrees, for example, guests can sit spread out in front of the screen while still enjoying a great picture.
FAQs
Here you’ll find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the best outdoor movie screens.
Q. How big of an outdoor movie screen should I get?
Some of the best outdoor movie screens are 120 inches. Perhaps this is because some of the best outdoor projectors are made for portability and aren’t powerful enough to maintain excellent image quality on a screen much bigger than that. If you do have a powerful projector that can throw larger images at high quality (and a large enough yard to accommodate a bigger screen), there are many high-quality inflatable projector screens on the market.
Q. How do I assemble an outdoor movie screen?
Assembling an outdoor movie screen will depend on the type of screen and frame you own. It might entail putting together a frame, strapping the screen to the frame, and staking it down into the ground. If it’s an inflatable screen, it will require inflation with the included blower. The easiest screens to set up simply need to be pulled out of their base. In general, all screens included in this guide are easier to set up than DIY outdoor movie screens, but they might not be as satisfying to show your friends.
Q. Can I leave an outdoor projector screen outside, or will I have to pack it up after each use?
While the best outdoor projector screens include some level of weather resistance, most manufacturers recommend you take them inside or store them away after use. While some are OK permanently installed, leaving most projector screens outdoors in the long term means you’re risking shortening their life.
Q. Can I use an outdoor projector screen during the day?
Yes, you can use an outdoor projector screen during the day, but look for a screen with at least a gain rating of 1.0 or higher. A higher gain rating means a more reflective screen, which will be more effective in daylight. A gain rating below 1.0 may only be appropriate for nighttime.
Q. Can I use an outdoor projector screen indoors?
Almost all outdoor projector screens are perfectly fine to use indoors if you have the room. However, the large inflatable screens may be too big to use inside many homes, and some screens are bolted in place, making them impractical to move between spaces.
Q. How much does an outdoor movie screen cost?
Even the best outdoor movie screens range widely in cost. The screens on this list start at under $100, with most in the $100 to $200 range. Only one screen on this list is priced in the thousands, and that’s the Elite Screens Yard Master Electric Tension outdoor projector screen, which is meant for a more permanent outdoor installation.
