Summer is just around the corner, and as it starts warming up outdoors we'll soon have the perfect weather for a movie night in the backyard, around a campfire, or by the pool. Pairing a great outdoor projector with a quality screen is sure to enhance any evening for friends or family.
If you’re truly looking to make the most of your indoor or outdoor space, you may also like our roundups of the best home theater projectors and best portable projectors.
Best overall
Elite Screens Yard Master 2
- No-fuss assembly
- Indoor and outdoor use
- Great color reproduction
- Snaps for the screen can come off and get lost
The Yard Master 2 is an ideal combination of sturdy and lightweight that makes it great for a summer-long setup that can be dismantled at the end of the season and easily stored away. The 16:9 aspect ratio is a common choice for these screens because it’s well-fitted for the theater experience, and the CineWhite UHD-B screen material helps guarantee more accurate colors and less distortion (and you can clean it safely with soap and water).
The frame is fully tensioned, too, and uses snap-on buttons when set up, which is perfect for resisting breeze-related flapping and other issues. Ground stakes and rigging cords are included for creating extra stability, if necessary. However, you will need to find room to store the aluminum pieces when the screen isn’t in use.
Ranging in size from 58 inches to 135 inches, you've got a range of choices to suit your space.
The best large-format adjustable projector screen
Elite Screens Yard Master Plus
- Large sizes available up to 200"
- Includes additional support braces for a sturdier setup
- Adjustable height
- Very expensive
If you're looking for a larger format or a sturdier outdoor option, then you might consider the Yard Master Plus Series. It uses the exact same CineWhite UHD-B screen material as the Yard Master 2 but is offered in larger sizes, up to 200" and features a frame with adjustable height and additional support braces. 180" and 200" models come with a wheeled carrying bag. It comes in a 16:9 aspect ratio just like the Yard Master 2 and is compatible with all style of projectors.
By all accounts both the Yard Master 2 and the larger, sturdier, Yard Master Plus perform exceptionally well in outdoor conditions, ensuring the brightness of your projector isn't lost to a subpar, wrinkled, or translucent screen. It's ultra-stable base can better sustain winds than cheaper, flimsier models. For a true movie-theater like experience, and for a pretty penny, the Yard Master Plus series is the best large-format projector screen for outdoor use.
Best for large gatherings
Sewinfla Inflatable Movie Screen
- Huge screen for large gatherings
- Quality projection fabric
- Front and rear projection
- Inflates in two to five minutes
- Cumbersome to store
Are you planning for a larger get-together, maybe a social function or park gathering to watch a movie? Then you’ll need a screen that’s up to the task, and this Sewinfla model is a great fit. The 24-foot size is extra-large for big groups (and can go up to 33 feet, albeit at a significant increase in cost). The 210D Oxford fabric is highly durable, supports front or rear projection, and is easy to set up for its size.
A separate white screen is included for better visibility and is attached to the inflated frame with a velcro rim that keeps it securely in place until you’re finished. Nails, ropes, and patch cloth are all included, along with a 350-watt blower that inflates the projector in up to five minutes.
Best inflatable outdoor projector screen
Vivohome Inflatable Projector Screen
- Made of durable materials
- Available in several sizes
- Stores easily
- A little unstable in windy conditions
Inflatable projector screens are a popular option for outdoor screenings, namely because they are durable, easy to take down, and resistant to wind and rambunctious kids. They can also support both front and rear projectors, allowing for a variety of setup options. This Vivohome Inflatable Projector Screen is one such example. It’s made of weather-resistant 210D Oxford cloth, meaning you merely need to drag it out, zip it up, and use the included air pump to quickly fill it. It’s designed to be freestanding if possible, but tethers and yard stakes are included in case you have to nail it down in windy conditions. You also get a bag to store everything in when it’s not in use.
This model measures 14 feet diagonally — a good size for a backyard screen — but if you have more ambitious plans or need to accommodate a bigger group, larger sizes are available.
Best wall-mounted screen
Mdbebbron Projection Screen
- Super wind-resistant
- No stand means easy setup and tear down
- Outdoor and indoor use
- Installing hooks might not be ideal
The Mdbebbron screen offers an alternative, highly affordable approach: It comes with a number of plastic hooks that you space out and attach to a wall, like the side of a shed or barn, an unused section of fencing, etc. Attach the durable polyester screen with its 18 eyeholes, and you have an incredibly stable setup that’s largely immune to wind and in no danger of ever toppling over. It takes a bit more setup than some of our picks, but it’s also easy to roll up and store away when not in use.
While it could theoretically support a rear projector, that’s not likely with this particular design, so plan for front projection.
