Setting up your backyard for winter? Thinking about hosting outdoor parties or gatherings, once the weather improves?
Take outdoor entertainment up a notch by investing in a projector screen. It gives you the joy of watching a thrilling film on the big screen, but from the comfort of home, while you’re surrounded by friends and family. Such screens are specially constructed to handle shifting light and unpredictable weather. With a bright white, smooth and taut surface, these backdrops are essential for high-quality imagery.
While some have a quick set-up and dismantling process, and offer a portable solution for camping trips, others are more permanent. The best measure at least 100 inches to accommodate the most popular format of modern movies and TV shows.
We scoured Amazon for the best outdoor projector screens that you can use this winter, based on user reviews and top ratings. Pick yours with Prime membership and get ready for outdoor movie nights.
1. Best Overall: Elite Screens Yard Master Plus
Pros
- Clear and consistent image quality
- Large screen size
- Supports 4K Ultra HD and Active 3D
- Height-adjustable legs
- Bag included
Cons
- Screen tends to wrinkle when stored
Offering professional-grade clarity and an easy set-up process, Elite Screens’ Yard Master Plus is compatible with standard, short throw and ultra-high definition (UHD) or HD projectors. Its 120-inch screen can accommodate 16:9 aspect ratio, and supports 4K Ultra HD and Active 3D image projection. It’s big enough for entire groups to watch a film with no issues, although you’ll need a large area to comfortably set up this movie screen. Reviewers say the screen remains stable, thanks to the included ground stakes, even when a breeze kicks up. The legs are height-adjustable, which is quite useful. Everything fits in a duffel bag, for easy portability. However, some users noted that the screen tends to develop wrinkles when stored in the bag.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh156.25 for 12 months with select banks.
2. Best Portable: Vamvo Projector Screen with Stand
Pros
- Wrinkle-resistant material
- Good picture quality
- Easy to set up and break down
- Comes with storage bag
Cons
- White material is slightly reflective in the daytime
For effortless assembly, Vamvo’s projector screen is the way to go. This affordable projector screen is ideal to take along on road trips or overnight camping trips, since it can be set up by using collapsible tripods and elastic cords. Lightweight, easy to assemble and dissemble, and able to fit into a small carrying case, Vamvo’s screen can be brought along anywhere. The 100-inch screen supports 16:9 aspect ratio and has a 160-degree-wide viewing angle. While it’s made with wrinkle-resistant polyester fabric, if you do detect any creases, you can easily iron them out. Reviewers say the picture quality here is excellent, “just like at the movies,” according to one user. However, some comment that it’s best used in the evenings, since the white material is a bit reflective in the daytime, which can affect image quality.
3. Best Pull-Down: Elite Screens Manual B Pull-Down Projector Screen
Pros
- Easy to set up and put away
- Great for both indoor and outdoor use
- Excellent picture quality
Cons
- Cannot be moved around
- Doesn’t work with short-throw projectors
If you’ve picked out a permanent place to mount a projector screen, opt for a pull-down model. Elite Screens’ Manual B comes in various sizes and aspect ratios, and has a sturdy steel housing case. Once you’ve installed it, organising a viewing session is just a matter of pulling the screen down – it’s simple and hassle-free. The 120-inch screen rolls down and retracts smoothly; there’s a two-inch interval auto-lock mechanism in place, as well, to allow for various height settings. The black-backed screen material ensures optimal light penetration, so images are crisp, with bright colours and deep blacks. The textured matte screen is weather resistant, and its bottom is weighted, so it hangs straight, even on breezy evenings. Its housing keeps it dust-free, when you’re done watching your movie. Do note, however, that the screen is not compatible with certain types of movie projectors, like short-throw and ultra short-throw models.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh57.08 for 12 months with select banks.
4. Best Budget: Mdbebbron Foldable Projection Screen
Pros
- Compact storage
- Wrinkle-resistant material
- Great image quality
Cons
- No frame included
- Set-up takes some effort
Freestanding outdoor movie screens typically cost upwards of Dh600, but if you’re willing to put in a little effort during set up, you can snag Mdbebbron’s foldable screen for under Dh200. The biggest thing to note here is that this projection screen doesn’t include a frame. It needs to be held up via the included hooks or rope, which you can use to mount it to a flat surface, like the side of your house or the garage door. Once it’s installed, it’s surprisingly steady and wrinkle-free (even when folded and stored in a pouch when not in use). The polyester material of the screen is quite thick and opaque, say reviewers, which allows image quality to appear clear and vibrant. With its 120-inch dimensions and 16:9 aspect ratio, it’s ready for any movie or TV show you’d like to watch. The best part? You can throw the screen into the washing machine if it gets dirty or stained. No frills and no fuss!
5. Best Inflatable: Outtoy Inflatable Projector Screen
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Ground stakes included for better stability
- Supports front or rear projection
- Blower fan is quiet
Cons
- Screen image requires dark conditions
- Folding the screen can be difficult
Another easy way to install an outdoor movie screen comes in the form of an inflatable. This massive, 16-feet Outtoy projector screen can be set up in three minutes or less. All you have to do is connect the included blower, which pumps up the frame, and it’s ready to go. The screen supports both front and rear projection, and it comes with tethers and stakes for particularly windy nights. The only catch is that it needs to be quite dark for you to enjoy the image quality here, otherwise the movie appears washed out. Some reviewers said they were pleasantly surprised to find that the blower fan’s quiet hum in the background doesn’t interfere with the viewing experience. This is good to note, since the fan needs to keep running constantly for the screen to stay inflated. While deflating the screen is just a matter of shutting off the fan, it can be challenging to fold up the screen, especially since grass and debris can get caught in the material. However, it’s worth it, especially since it offers a large viewing screen for big groups, and can be wiped down for easy cleaning.
Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh49.20 for 12 months with select banks.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
