Best Projector Screens in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 17, 2024
Many of us like watching movies with home projectors. The walls are not the best option for watching, and here the special projector screens come in handy. We have reviewed 5 best projector screens to help you find the one you need. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
Warranty
Placement
Screen Diagonal
Screen Material
Extras
Overall Dimensions (Unfolded)
 
PROS

When everything's folded, the whole assembly weighs just 4.1 kilogrammes. Reaching 160 degrees, the viewing angle is wide enough to prevent the image from flickering or looking washed out when viewed from the side.

CONS

The frame is not corrosion-resistant. 

OUR VERDICT

Stretching 120 inches, the Vamvo VA-01 is aimed at large crowds, making the viewing experience more immersive even when the screen is shared among 20+ people. The ropes and the ground stakes supplied with the screen will enable the legs to resist tough winds.

detailed parameters
Warranty

2 years

Placement

Floor (frame with legs included)

Screen Diagonal

120 inches (16:9 screen ratio)

Screen Material

PVC

Extras

Black borders, foldable frame and legs, storage bag, ground stakes and ropes included 

Overall Dimensions (Unfolded)

271.8 x 180.3 x 43.2 cm

PROS

The soft-close mechanism works smoothly and without sticking, and the stainless steel frame is durable and resistant to corrosion. Solid overall construction makes it seem like a premium item.

CONS

Very heavy, may require multiple people to install.

OUR VERDICT

The VonHaus Projector Screen can be mounted to a wall or ceiling, and the easy-to-follow guide makes it easy to install in just a few minutes. Thanks to the 1.1 gain factor, light reflection is minimised, resulting in even better image quality.

detailed parameters
Warranty

2 years

Placement

Wall or ceiling (mounting hardware included)

Screen Diagonal

100 inches (16:9 screen ratio)

Screen Material

Polyester fabric

Extras

Soft-close mechanism (pull cord attached), stainless steel casing

Overall Dimensions (Unfolded)

124 x 240 x 8 cm

PROS

The curtain is excellent at resisting wrinkles and creases. To go with double-sided tape, ropes, and nails, the package includes 16 hooks, so you can set up this screen almost anywhere. The curtain supports both front and rear projection.

CONS

The adhesive on the hooks is not very strong. 

OUR VERDICT

Low-end screens usually make the picture look subdued or muted. Despite sharing the price bracket with these screens, the ELEPHAS H100B is nothing like that. Adopting natural polyester fabric, the screen ensures minimum transparency, displaying a bright and saturated picture.

detailed parameters
Warranty

2 years

Placement

Wall (mounting hardware included)

Screen Diagonal

100 inches (16:9 screen ratio)

Screen Material

Polyester fabric

Extras

Black borders, storage bag

Overall Dimensions (Unfolded)

231.1 x 134.6 x 1 cm

PROS

Making the black borders as narrow as possible without exposing the screen, this model makes the frame less intrusive, meaning that the on-screen action will look more immersive. The fabric that the curtain is made from is pretty thick and plenty durable. 

CONS

The screen's not wrinkle-free. 

OUR VERDICT

Shipped with nails, hooks, ropes, and double-sided tape, the Mebios Portable Projector Screen can be suspended indoors and outdoors. Also, the curtain is made more compact. Shaving off ~5-10 centimetres of width and height, the screen will be able to fit even relatively small flats.

detailed parameters
Warranty

Limited lifetime

Placement

Wall (mounting hardware included)

Screen Diagonal

100 inches (16:9 screen ratio)

Screen Material

Polyester fabric

Extras

Black borders, storage bag

Overall Dimensions (Unfolded)

227 x 130 x 1 cm

PROS

The screen stands on a tripod with wide, stable legs. It can be assembled, according to the manufacturer, in just 42 seconds, and can be easily installed in the backyard, in the house or in a classroom.

CONS

Plastic parts make it seem flimsy.

OUR VERDICT

The PropVue Projector Screen will give you a positive overall operating experience. You can adjust the screen height in the range of 130-220 cm, clearly fixing it at the desired level, while the image display will be perfect, without distortion.

detailed parameters
Warranty

1 year

Placement

Floor (frame with legs included)

Screen Diagonal

60 inches (16:9 screen ratio)

Screen Material

PVC

Extras

Retractable and adjustable design, tight-straps, aluminum tripod support stand with wide legs, carry bag

Overall Dimensions (Unfolded)

130-220 x 147 x 64 cm

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Vamvo VA-01

Anywhere Outdoors

The Vamvo VA-01 does not compromise. Whilst the screen is not perfect, the parts that play the most important roles have been polished to the max. Starting with mounting, the model comes armed with two tripod stands serving as legs on its frame. These stands are lightweight, foldable, and stable. They're not difficult to set up and just as easy to take down. Using these legs, you can set the screen anywhere outdoors, from the garden to some camping place 100+ kilometres away from home. Generally speaking, the entire assembly will usually take about 5 minutes, including unfolding the screen, the stands, and setting everything up.

The carry box that comes with this model measures ~56 x 35.5 x 10 centimetres, enabling decent storage and transportation (not necessarily what we would describe as hand-held but also not quite the opposite case). With the two legs, the entire package weighs ~4 kilogrammes, so lugging this projector screen around should not feel like you're carrying three full grocery bags.

Again, the screen's not perfect. First, the VA-01 is using a foldable curtain. As always, long-term folding can cause serious creases. Choosing between creases and practicality, the people behind this product chose practicality, which makes sense, but that also means you'll start seeing occasional wrinkles down the road. This is not some objective downside though, more like preference. An objective downside would be the screen's frame not being corrosion-resistant, so make sure you're not storing the unit somewhere humid.

Review of Vamvo VA-01 Outdoor/Indoor Projector Screen with Stand

120 Inches

Looking at the specs, the screen stretches 120 inches, enabling the most immersive viewing experience and making the screen more suitable for larger crowds. Of course, size-wise, the curtain follows suit. At 271.8 x 180.3 x 43.2 centimetres, this is not the most compact model, but you cannot increase the screen's diagonal without also increasing its size, so this is where we land. We also land at the ground stakes and ropes that come with this screen, making sure that the stands can combat the toughest winds. Back to the specs though, the viewing angle reaches 160 degrees, which works great with the screen's anti-glare treatment, reducing flickering and making the visuals crisp and precise.

Long story short, the Vamvo VA-01 turns any outdoor space into a proper cinema, so unfold the curtain, set up the frame, and enjoy the show.

Vamvo VA-01 Outdoor/Indoor Projector Screen with Stand in the use
Last updated price £129.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07Q3VNKTZ

 

VonHaus 100 inch | 16:9 | Pull Down

Install Where You Like

One of the bigger draws to projection screens, especially when used for home entertainment purposes, is that they give you a lot more flexibility in their placement than a regular TV does. Of course, that's beside the obvious other advantages such as providing a bigger screen for a much lower price, as well as the more cinematic feel that they tend to have. The VonHaus 100 inch Pull Down Projector Screen is no different than most other screens in this regard, but it does have its share of advantages over most other models.

Although flexibility in placement is an advantage that most projection screens have, most of them tend to be rather a pain to install, especially wall- or ceiling-mounted models. The VonHaus projection screen gains its biggest advantage in being much easier to install than many other models, which makes it a great choice for those who are trying to install a projection screen for the first time.

The screen comes with easily identifiable parts that are easy to install, and also includes an easy-to-follow guide that lets you install the screen in just a few minutes. This means you won't have to spend a full afternoon or evening installing the screen, so you can get plenty of time to enjoy your home entertainment on it shortly after purchase.

Review of VonHaus 100 inch | 16:9 | Pull Down Projector Screen

Great Images and Easy Operation

The advantages of this projection screen from VonHaus don't end with its installation. In fact, that's just the beginning of them. Those who opt to purchase this screen will immediately notice the fantastic image quality that the screen will help to provide. This comes thanks to the 1.1 gain factor, with which light reflection is minimized, resulting in superb image quality. Along with that, even rooms with more light than what is usually good for a projection screen won't diminish the image quality, which pretty much leaves the rest up to your projector. Having said that, even those with lower-end projectors should be plenty happy with the resulting image, provided there isn't too much ambient light in the room.

Operation of the screen along with its build quality will round out the feeling of this screen being a premium product. The soft-close mechanism works smoothly and without sticking, and the stainless steel frame is durable and resistant to corrosion. In essence, no part of this screen feels cheap, which attests to the fact that it should give you a long and pleasant service life. The only drawback we can find is that its superb build quality gives it quite a bit of weight, which might complicate things a little when it comes to installation, but those who aren't bothered by this will find this to be one of the best 100-inch projector screens on the market.

VonHaus 100 inch | 16:9 | Pull Down Projector Screen in the use

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07KFG72LS

 

ELEPHAS (H100B)

Minimum Transparency

When you start approaching projector screen around 20-25 quid, you start looking at models that cut important corners. We're not blaming them though - you cannot compete with screens that cost at least three times more without making certain sacrifices. So, the question here is not whether the model makes sacrifices, it is whether the model makes the right sacrifices. And, from what we can tell, the ELEPHAS H100B makes almost all the right sacrifices. First things first, this screen is double-sided, supporting both front and rear projection. Between its double-sided construction and the hardware that's shipped with it, the screen will be able to suit camping, home use, classroom training, conference room presentations, even semi-public display.

The hardware that we're talking about here includes nails, hooks, ropes, and double-sided tape, meaning that you can install the screen practically anywhere, as long as you have some support system. However, keep in mind that the adhesive layer on the stickers that the hooks come with is not very strong, so we would not recommend stretching the curtain too much.

Now that we've approached the curtain though, made from natural polyester fabric, the curtain is thick and smooth, preventing creases and wrinkles even in long-term folding cases. To add more, the fabric enables minimum transparency, making sure that the projected visuals remain sharp, bright, and vivid.

Review of ELEPHAS (H100B) 100 inch | 16:9 | Indoor/Outdoor Projector Screen

Reinforced Edges

Despite coming at a low-end price, the curtain features pretty narrow borders, making the frame around the on-screen visuals less intrusive. Furthermore, the edges are reinforced, so you can stretch the screen as much as you want (as long as you're not relying on the aforementioned hooks) without worrying about the fabric tearing or ripping apart.

On the specs' front, the screen's diagonal measures 100 inches (16:9 screen ratio), which is standard these days. From the size angle, the model measures 231.1 x 134.6 x 1 centimetres, which's also nothing unusual. What is a little unusual where low-end projector screens are concerned is the 3D support that this curtain is offering.

Apart from that, this is a pretty ordinary package, including the storage bag that you receive with the screen. To give you the gist, if you only have 20-25 quid to spare and want a projector screen that can deliver excellent-looking visuals, the ELEPHAS H100B will not leave you disappointed.

ELEPHAS (H100B) 100 inch | 16:9 | Indoor/Outdoor Projector Screen in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07S5L3488

 

Mebios 100 inch

Enabling Extreme Off-Axis Positioning

The Mebios Portable Projector Screen has its moments, both good and bad. Since the good moments outweigh and outnumber the bad ones, we'll start with the latter. Even though the people behind it are making the opposite claim, the curtain is not very good at preventing wrinkles, leaving an occasional crease when folded or compressed.

There are multiple good moments pertaining to the screen but we will begin with the overall package instead. Including double-sided tape, hooks, ropes, and nails, the screen can be attached onto walls or removed anytime. You can even suspend the curtain somewhere outdoors, assuming that you have the right support structure.

Going down the list of advantages, the unfolded screen measures 227 x 130 x 1 centimeres, which is a little more compact than its 100-inch peers. Whilst the difference is usually negligible, with 5-10 centimetres width-wise and 5-15 centimetres height-wise, there are flats/houses, conference rooms, and classrooms where these centimetres can prove critical.

What can also prove critical is the 160-degree viewing angle that the screen supports, enabling even extreme off-axis positioning. In other words, you can sit at the side and still enjoy saturated imagery that does not look muted or subdued. Contributing to the same cause, the black borders on the curtain have been scaled down, meaning that the frame's less intrusive and the visuals appear come immersive.

Review of Mebios 100 inch | 16:9 | Portable Projector Screen

Thick and Durable Polyester Fabric

Setting aside the details that we've outlined and highlighted above, the screen is pretty middling, which is not an insult when you put its budget price point into perspective first. The polyester fabric that the curtain's made from is not necessarily opaque but also not transparent, so as long as the ambient lighting is minimal, the projected media will look pretty bright. The edges have not been reinforced here but the fabric is thick and pretty durable, which means you won't have to be especially careful with it. The storage bag that comes with the screen is also middling, getting the job done but not necessarily the bag that you would feel inclined to use elsewhere.

All things considered, the Mebios Portable Projector Screen meets and exceeds the bare minimum requirements that people have regarding projector screens, a commendable feat given its low-end disposition. Provided you don't mind ironing out wrinkles every now and then, this screen will give you your money's worth.

Mebios 100 inch | 16:9 | Portable Projector Screen in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07L8Y7ZS7

 

PropVue 60 inch | 16:9 | Indoor/Outdoor

Affordable Stand Projector

Despite the fact that most of the best projector screens are those that are wall- or ceiling-mounted, those that come with stands tend to have their own advantages. The main advantage, of course, is that you can easily transport it anywhere. If you find yourself needing a high-quality projection screen that is both affordable and easy to take with you, then you should take a good look at the PropVue 60 inch Indoor/Outdoor Projector Screen with Stand. This projector screen will give you a positive overall operating experience thanks to the number of different advantages that it provides.

One of the biggest things that people look for with a projection screen is the ability to change its size, which can really be necessary depending on where you are using it. With this model, you can adjust the screen height in the range of 130-220 cm, clearly fixing it at the desired level. This is especially important for a model that comes with a stand, as you often won't find other similar models with this ability.

Another great advantage here is that this projector screen gives you great image quality for its price. The PVC screen gives you a crystal clear background for any projected images, ensuring that the image quality will always be vibrant without any faded colours.

Review of PropVue 60 inch | 16:9 | Indoor/Outdoor Projector Screen with Stand

No Wrinkles or Distortions

To continue on about the screen quality, one of the best things about this model is the durability of the screen itself. Projector screens can often get worn out over years of use, with things like wrinkles or other types of screen distortions occurring. Again, though, this simply won't be a problem here. Not only does the PVC material of the screen provide excellent image quality, but it also ensures that the screen will remain perfectly flat, giving you excellent images that aren't distorted by screen wear and tear.

Unfortunately, the durability of the rest of this model could be better. The screen frame itself is made of a lot of plastic parts, which really gives the entire model a flimsy feel to it, which is a bit disappointing considering the screen itself is of such high quality. You'll want to be especially careful whenever transporting the screen, although those who will prefer to leave it in place without constant transport should have little to worry about.

The screen stands on a tripod with wide, stable legs, providing a good balance to the screen that will keep it surprisingly steady. What's more, the screen can be assembled, according to the manufacturer, in just 42 seconds, and it can be easily installed in the backyard, in the house or in a classroom, so there's really no limit in where you can use it. If you need this kind of flexibility in a projector screen, then this model from PropVue will be right up your alley.

PropVue 60 inch | 16:9 | Indoor/Outdoor Projector Screen with Stand in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price £76.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07ZQRY6QK

 

What Is a Projector Screen?

A projector screen is an essential item for making presentations or watching movies with a projector. Today there is a wide variety of projector screens of different configurations and capabilities. Setting aside everything we've described in the What Features to Compare section, you should also pay attention to the screen material and coating. The screens generally have matte and glossy coatings. The matte coatings are suitable for outdoor use and rooms with different lighting. This screen yields no glares, and the image is seen well at different angles. Keep in mind that a projector must yield sufficient brightness for a matte screen, otherwise, the image will be dull. As for the glossy screens, they provide rich and contrast image. However, it should be noted that such a screen may glare and is more appropriate for use as a home theatre in dark rooms. The projector screens are commonly made of textile fabric or vinyl that is easy to clean.

We present 5 best projector screens as well as their key characteristics. If you are also interested in projection equipment, we advise looking through home theatre projectors and mobile projectors.

What Features to Compare

Type and Design 

When you are looking for a projector screen, you should determine its type and design first. All projector screens may be divided into permanent and portable. You should know the place and conditions for the projector screen use. If you are going to use the screen in one place only, look for permanent models. But if you are going to move the screen during presentations in lecture rooms or offices, you should consider portable models. Note that projector screens have different design and size. The permanent models are generally retractable and must be mounted on walls or ceilings with screws or anchors. Besides, the permanent screens may be retracted manually or mechanically with electric motors. As for portable projector screens, the situation is much simpler. Portable screens feature adjustable stands or foldable frames of various shapes. The assembly and installation of portable screens can be done within 10 minutes. It is worth noting that inflatable projector screens are available on the market as well.

Screen Tech Specs

The technical specifications of projector screens must be considered too as they are vital for image quality and comfort of watching. It is important to pick the screen of a needed diagonal to suit the place where it will be used. The screen diagonal can be chosen according to the following rule - the screen width should not exceed 1/2 of the distance to the first row and should be more than 1/6 of the distance to the last row. Note that the distance between the screen bottom and floor should be at least 50 inches. Once you determine the diagonal, proceed to the screen format. The aspect ratio should be chosen according to the videos you are going to watch. If you are looking for a screen to watch movies, you should pick a 16:9 aspect ratio as it is common for most Hollywood films. If you need a screen for presentations, it’s better to choose 4:3 aspect ratio. The universal 1:1 aspect ratio also exists and allows projecting the image in either horizontal or vertical orientation. The viewing angle is also worth your attention. The top screens may have an angle up to 180°. The wider is the angle, the less is the image distortion. The gain is one more important parameter that characterises the ratio of brightness to the light reflection.

Features

Lastly, we would like to examine the extra features. A lot of projector screens boasts black edging called Extra Drop. The black edging absorbs the sunlight and prevents its reflection. Some fixed projector screens can be equipped with motors that pull them up and down automatically via remote controls. The frames of portable screens may be used as hangers as they often have hooks. Many projector screens come with bags for comfortable transportation. Also, a lot of models feature special handles that allow for quick rolling-up. Some portable screens may have foldable tripods with automatic locks for quick adjustment of height. The permanent projector screens may feature special black backing to prevent light penetration and improve the image quality. The last but not the least, inflatable projector screens are generally fitted with fans to facilitate installation.

DLP vs LCD vs LED

Whilst the screens that you use with projectors are also important, things are not that difficult with them. With projectors themselves, however, making the right choice between the display technologies behind these devices can be tricky. To make sure the decision you're making is an informed one, we'll break down the fundamental differences behind these projector types.

LCD Projectors

LCD models rely upon the same liquid display tech that electronic watches are using. To elaborate, these projectors create pictures using the following multistep process. First, the light source produces white light. Then, this light is passed onto the projector's dichroic mirrors. When that happens, these mirrors reflect the white light, adding colours and feeding the result to the device's LCD panel. Receiving the light, the panel interprets it, projecting the corresponding visuals onto the screen.

More often than not, LCD projectors are more light-efficient than DLP and LED models. They make the colours more saturated and the images less subdued despite consuming as much energy as DLP and LED projectors. Also, the projected images usually look less blurry, ensuring excellent picture sharpness.

The colours seldom look as uniform on LCD projectors as they look with DLP models though. Generally speaking, they're not quite as durable, and replacing the broken parts will usually cost you a respectable sum. Low-end LCD models can also make the visuals appear pixel-heavy.

DLP Projectors

DLP stands for digital light processing. These projectors employ DMD chips or digital micro-mirror devices fitted with >two million tiny mirrors. In turn, these mirrors move away or towards the light source, directing the light towards the image. DLP models also integrate spinning wheels that apply colours and project them onto the screen. With these projectors, the light source comes from lamps or from LED light bulbs.

Normally, DLP projectors come without filters and, sealing the chip away, they are not difficult to maintain. The picture usually looks deep, crisp, and colourful, with an above-average contrast. Because there's less space between the pixels, DLP models make the projected media look more detailed. The light loss is reduced and, owing to the aforementioned tiny mirrors, these projectors, at least on the whole, do not require the room to be completely dark to make the picture look bright. The blacks that these projectors produce are deep and the whites are bright, delivering a smooth image without shadows. That being said, DLP models can also produce the rainbow effect, making the colours less accurate.

LED Projectors

LED projectors ditch traditional light bulbs, replacing them with red, green, and blue LEDs. Applying low-heat, low-energy semiconduction, LED models are able to generate energy, creating an electric signal that produces a light particle. At that point, the produced light is reflected off the projector's DLP chip or passed through an LCD chip. When the three LEDs are combined, they're able to create a white light that's pretty much indistinguishable from the real thing. These projectors are more expensive than models with traditional light bulbs but the LEDs inside them also last ~10 times longer than traditional bulbs.

Sources:

1. John Sciacca When a bedsheet won’t do: The ultimate guide to projector screens, Digital Trends. June 21, 2013.

2. Michael Antonoff Projection Screens Buying Guide, B&H Photo Video.

3. Lisa Feierman How Do I Choose the Right Screen for My Projector? Projector Reviews. January 27, 2015.

4. Projection screen, Wikipedia.

5. Your Guide to Understanding Screen Gain, eBay. March 10, 2016.

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