The 5 Best Projector Screens for Indoor or Outdoor Use

Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links. Here’s how we test products and why you should trust us.AmazonIf you’re looking for your basic screen for outdoor movie nights, look no further. Elite Screens pretty much has the affordable projector screen game on lock (and next tier up I’m talking over $1,000 minimum so know that this is truly affordable). This is an especially good fit for any consumer-electronics-grade projector like an XGIMI or Hisense.If your aim isn’t professionalism, it’s about having fun and showing everyone a good time on the big screen. And this is more or less the equivalent of bringing your 60-inch TV outside, only without the hassle or back pain. It’s portable, setup is easy, and when you’re done, all the components are lightweight enough for one slightly intoxicated person to break down and return to the compact storage bag.Another route you can go is the pull-down screen. Install it wherever—living room, side of the house in the backyard, over the garage—and you’ll be able to access this massive screen with just a little bit of manual labor. With two people, it’s a cinch. It lacks the portability of the Yard Master series, but the pull-down screen does mean that once the initial installation is done, the time from “let’s watch a movie” to getting started will be seconds flat.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowIf you want to create a luxe projection experience at home, you really need this. Pair it with an ultra-short-throw projector (it doesn’t work with others) like this one from Hisense and you have yourself a whole new way to watch movies, play video games, and most importantly throw a big ol’ party.Seriously, this is some Blade Runner shit where a 120-inch screen will come up and retract back down into the base at the push of a button. No mounting or installation required. Just set it up in front of your projector and in a few simple steps you’ll be fully immersed in whatever you want to put on. If you want to make the most of your projector, cost be damned, this is the way to do it.If the idea of a motorized screen levitating out of the ground appeals to you but you don’t even own a projector yet, well, you’re in for some good news and some bad news. The good news is Awol Vision makes a two-in-one set that comes with a very tricked-out short-throw projector. It’s got excellent picture quality and contrast for movies and low-latency mode for gaming, all optimized for the screen.The bad news is that even at 30 percent off the starting price, the bundle is still over $6,000. Obviously, a little apples to oranges here, but for the sake of comparison you can get an Elite Screens screen and this projector for less than $500 total. That makes a lot more sense for a portable outdoor setup; this is more of a home theater replacement. Like I said, apples and oranges.Advertisement - Continue Reading BelowHere’s one more. Just in case you wanted to get weird with it. Honestly, an inflatable projector screen is a really cool idea. This one is compatible with both short-throw and long-throw projectors, no preferences or big deal either way. It’s all very chill, very much for the fun of seeing the idea executed in real time.I haven’t tried it out, so I can’t speak precisely to picture quality, but even pretty good screens have glare. For nighttime, though, it seems like it would make your house the new party central. Imagine watching the pool party scene from Boogie Nights on a huge inflated screen while in a pool. Okay, I think I’ve convinced myself.