6 Best Projector Screens for Dark Rooms in 2023

If you plan to use your projector in a dark room, either at night or in the daytime with blinds closed, then a good quality projector screen is crucial. Otherwise, you will get poor image quality, which defeats the purpose of a projector. 

I spent hours reading projector screen reviews online to ensure I recommend the very best. I’ll tell you the good and bad about each one and provide a buying guide so that you can make an informed decision. 

I found the Nmeplad projector screen to be the best overall and the 120” Taotique projector screen to be the best budget option. Read on for detailed reviews about each screen on my list. 

Best Projector Screens for Dark Rooms: My Top Picks

Here’s a list of the six best projector screens for dark rooms along with their reviews, pros, and cons: 

Nmeplad Projector Screen: Best Overall

The Nmeplad projector screen made it to the top of my list because it satisfies most if not all the requirements for a dark room. It comes in six sizes: 84, 120, 150, 200, 250 and 300 inches. So, no matter the size of your room, you’ll find one that fits it.  

At a gain of 1.1, you’re guaranteed to get bright images for any use. And with a 160-degree viewing angle, you have a wider area for your audience to sit with no change in image quality. 

Setting up the nmeplad screen is straightforward and will only take you a few minutes. And you don’t have to worry about tools as it comes with sufficient hooks, stickers, and ropes. 

It’s one of the lightest projector screens on the market with the smallest size weighing around 1.1 pounds and the largest coming in at around 13.67 pounds. This means that carrying or moving it from one room to the other will be a walk in the park. 

The Nmeplad projector screen also supports HD and 4K displays and is very affordable for the features it comes with. All sizes come with an aspect ratio of 16:9, so you can be sure of rectangular displays which are great for movies and video games.   

If you are unhappy with the projector screen, the seller accepts free returns and will respond to your email within twelve hours. 

Verdict: When you consider the features that the nmeplad projector screen comes with, you’ll agree with me that it’s arguably one of the best projector screens on the market. And I’m not the only one rooting for it, many customers on Amazon have left positive reviews. 

Taotique 120” Projector Screen: Best Budget

You can get this projector screen for under $20, which makes it the most affordable option on my list. But its best features don’t stop there. As you can already tell, it comes at a size of 120 inches with an aspect ratio of 16:9 for wide displays. It also supports HD and 4K inputs. 

The seller doesn’t mention the gain, but from what the customers had to say, I’d peg it at around 1.0 which is standard and good for dark rooms. 

The taotique projector screen offers front and back projection with an impressive 160-degree viewing angle. This means that you have more freedom to find a comfortable posture when projecting. 

It only weighs 2 pounds and is free of wrinkles. So, you can fold it without worrying about creases and take it with you in your backpack. 

This screen comes with hooks and ropes and setting it up is easy. Even with minimal DIYer skills, it will only take you a couple of minutes. 

Verdict: The 120” taotique projector screen is an inexpensive option that offers great value for your money. It delivers good quality images and you can verify that for yourself from the positive reviews left on Amazon.

Elite Screens ALR Projector Screen: Best High-End

Elite Screens is a well-known player in the projector screen game and they didn’t disappoint with their ALR projector screen. This screen is relatively expensive for a reason: it comes with unheard-of features. 

The Elite Screens ALR screen is made of Cinegrey 3D material which is certified for precise color reproduction and safe indoor use. And as you can already tell, it can project 3D inputs at exceptional 4K and 8K resolutions. 

This screen is available in many sizes ranging from 92 to 200 inches, all with a 16:9 aspect ratio for incredible rectangular displays. The gain is also acceptable for dark rooms coming in at around 1.2. It comes with a 90-degree viewing angle which is great in terms of picture quality but you’d have to sit closer to the front of the screen. 

The screen is a bit heavy compared to other options on my list but it’s not too bad when you consider that it’s a fixed frame projector screen. 

Elite Screens offers a 2-year warranty so you can always return it in case of anything within that period. 

Verdict: If you are looking for a top-of-the-line projector screen, then the Elite Screens ALR screen is perfect for you. Although the viewing angle is limited, its picture quality is unmatched. 

WEWATCH 120” Projector Screen: Best Portable

Weighing only 1.26 pounds, the 120” WEWATCH projector screen is the lightest and most portable option on my list. Pair that with its anti-wrinkle property and you’ve got a screen that you can fold without worry and carry with you in your backpack wherever you go. 

It provides a 160-degree viewing angle which gives the audience room to choose the most comfortable position and posture. There is no mention of the gain by the seller but customer feedback suggests it’s well suited for dark rooms. 

This screen supports HD and 4K Ultra HD displays with an aspect ratio of 16:9, which is ideal for rectangular displays. It comes with an installation kit containing hooks and stickers and you’ll only need a few minutes to set it up. 

If you come across any problems after purchase, there’s a service team waiting to help you resolve them. 

Verdict: If you intend to use it in different rooms and locations, the WEWATCH projector screen is what you’re looking for. It’s light and has many positive reviews on Amazon. The top and bottom grommets are sufficient to hold it in place in most cases so lack of side grommets shouldn’t be a huge concern. 

P-Jing 150” Projector Screen: Best for Large Rooms

As you may have guessed, larger rooms need wider screens for optimal displays. And the 150” P-Jing projector screen delivers just that. It weighs around 13 pounds which is acceptable for a fixed frame projector screen and setup is a breeze. 

This screen has a 16:9 aspect ratio, which is ideal for multiple-use cases and supports HD, 4K, and 3D displays. As if that’s not enough, it comes with a gain of 1.1 which is perfect for dark rooms, and a 160-degrees viewing angle for comfortable seating. 

P-Jing also provides customer service that will get back to you in 12 hours when you contact them regarding any issues you encounter after purchase. 

Verdict: The P-Jing projector screen is made for large rooms and comes with incredible features. With several positive reviews on Amazon, you can’t go wrong with it. As long as you use it indoors, the frame should hold up fine. 

Taotique 84” Projector Screen: Best for Small Rooms

The 84” Taotique projector screen is perfectly sized for small dark rooms like bedrooms. It’s super-lightweight coming in at only 15.5 ounces. Since the screen is also anti-wrinkle, you can confidently fold and take it with you in your backpack. 

Although there isn’t much space in small rooms for a large audience, this screen provides a 160-degree viewing angle for comfortable seating. You won’t have to sit at the front of the screen to experience the best picture quality. 

The Taotique projector screen supports 3D, HD, and 4K displays and comes with an aspect ratio of 16:9, which is sufficient for most uses. You’re provided with hooks and ropes for easy installation. 

If you have any problems with this screen, the after-sales team will help you resolve them. 

Verdict: It’s hard to fault the 84” Taotique projector screen for anything. It has an impressive overall rating with a majority of customers agreeing that it comes as advertised. If you’re looking for a screen for a small dark room, this is the one you should get.

Choosing the Best Projector Screens for Dark Rooms: Buying Guide

When it comes to projector screens for dark rooms, the most important factors to consider are:

Screen Gain

Gain describes the reflective property of your screen. The higher the gain, the greater the amount of light that will bounce off the screen to the audience. For a darker room, you want a projector screen with a lower gain, ideally close to 1. This means that the projector brightness will be nearly equal to that which is reflected from your screen. 

Keep in mind, that screens with a gain above 1.3 are prone to hot-spotting, which is when brightness is greatest at the center and diminishes outwards.  

Viewing Angle

The best viewing angle will vary from room to room depending on the setup. If the audience is spread out in the room, you’ll need a screen with a wide viewing angle. Otherwise, any standard viewing angle will do. 

Screen Size

To determine the best screen size, you need to consider the specifications of your projector and the size of your room. You want to avoid overwhelming your room and at the same time make your screen as big as possible to recreate a theater experience. You can use the free calculator on Projector Screen to find the perfect size.

Portability

If you plan to use it in one room permanently, then a fixed-frame projector screen is what you’re looking for. But if you intend to use it in many rooms at different times, a movable projector screen is perfect for you. 

Material

Projector screens come in different materials which have varying properties. You want one that strikes the right balance between durability, fire resistance, maintenance, and acoustic transparency. 

Cost

The budget for purchasing a projector screen varies from one person to the other. Some may not mind the cost while others may be very cautious of the price. I’ve included the best projector screens for both ends of the spectrum to ensure you get value for your money. 

Best Projector Screens for Dark Rooms: Frequently Asked Questions

Does it have to be completely dark to use a projector?

No, it doesn’t have to be completely dark to use a projector. Modern projectors have varying brightness (expressed in lumens) and you can use one that matches the ambient lighting conditions of your setting. Be sure to also select a projector screen with the right specifications for the best experience.  

Conclusion

Dark rooms require a different kind of projector screen from well-lit rooms. And in this post, we’ve discussed the best projector screens for every use and some tips for choosing the best one. To recap, I determined the best overall projector screen to be the Nmeplad projector screen and the best budget one to be the 120” Taotique projector screen.