The Best Portable Green Screen For Film & Video [in 2023]

Are you a filmmaker or content creator looking for the best portable green screen to help with your productions?

Green screens are an incredibly useful tool in filmmaking and video production, allowing you to easily cut out the background from your footage so that you can layer in different images or videos. They are also great if you just want to block out a distracting or annoying background during a live stream or Zoom meeting!

A portable green screen is incredibly beneficial if you need to be able to take it along with you, whether for on-the-go live streams or meetings, or creative filming.

Let’s take a deep dive into what exactly is a portable green screen, what features are essential to have in a good one, and what are the best options to buy.

Read on to learn more!

What Is A Portable Green Screen?

Green screens are a key piece of equipment in media production – but what exactly are they, and how do they work?

Essentially, a green screen, also known as a chroma key, is a backdrop made using green fabric or vinyl that lights up for filming.

To put it simply, it is used to separate parts of an image so the background can be replaced with something else. The technology allows video producers to place their subjects into almost any desired scene!

They have become increasingly popular over the last few years and are now an integral part of videos and TV shows everywhere.

A green screen allows for incredible creative potential. It provides filmmakers and video content creators with the ability to bring limitless ideas to life – making them an essential tool for any film or TV producer, or YouTuber!

Why Use a Portable Green Screen?

A portable green screen offers several advantages over a traditional green screen. Here are some of the benefits of using a portable green screen:

Lightweight

A portable green screen is lightweight, making it much easier to transport than a traditional green screen.

Flexible

Portable green screens are flexible and can be set up in various locations. This makes them ideal for on-location shooting.

Easy to Use

Portable green screens are easy to set up and take down, making them perfect for quick turnarounds.

Affordable

Portable green screens are much more affordable than traditional ones, making them an ideal option for budget-conscious filmmakers and photographers.

Features to Look For

Size

The size of the green screen is essential. Make sure the green screen you choose is large enough for your needs. Keep in mind that larger green screens can be more challenging to transport.

Material

A portable green screen is typically made from a lightweight fabric, such as muslin or cotton. Make sure the material is strong and durable.

Color

The color of the green screen is important. Make sure the green screen you choose is a true green color and not a faded green.

Frame

Look for a green screen with a strong frame that is easy to set up and take down.

What is the Best Portable Green Screen?

Now that you know what to look for in a portable green screen, let’s look at some of our top recommendations.

Top Features  

• The Elgato Green Screen is the best overall portable chroma key panel for webcam background removal.

• It features durable fabric that doesn’t wrinkle too much.

• It has a convenient pop-up tech that automatically locks the screen in place when opened.

• The collapsible design means it’s easy to store away.

• Setup and teardown take only minutes.

Pricing 

About $100.

Bottom Line 

Upgrade your live-streaming setup with the Elgato Green Screen! It’s an excellent option for anyone creating professional videos and photos.

With its high-quality chroma key fabric, collapsible design, and ultra-quick setup, it’s perfect for streaming, video conferencing, and photography.

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Top Features

• You’ll get a non-gloss reflective fabric with the LimoStudio 10 x 20 ft. Large Chromakey Solid Green Backdrop Background Screen.

• You won’t have to worry about tears with its pre-stitched loop crimped edge.

• The high-quality material is machine washable as well!

• It also features an improved lockstitch along all edges to protect against tears.

• Soft and iron friendly, this backdrop is made of high-quality polyester, so you can steam iron it to reduce wrinkles.

Pricing 

About $50.

Bottom Line 

The LimoStudio is a larger green screen that is fantastic for people who want to have ample space in which to film. It’s affordable (less than $50 currently) and offers enough room for two people to interact.

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Top Features

• Expandable design – adjustable up to 85” diagonal (16×9 aspect ratio), making it perfect for both small and large spaces.

• Portable – comes complete with screen casing, tripod stand, and carrying bag. It weighs 23 lbs and includes a 3-year warranty.

• Ultra-fast setup – less than 10 seconds.

• Proprietary ChromaBoost fabric reduces wrinkles and enhances chroma key performance, even in low-light conditions.

• Compatible with standard mobile apps and software for content creation, streaming, and video production.

Pricing 

The expandable wide-screen version starts at around $230, but there are also smaller, less expensive versions available.

Bottom Line 

This is a great portable green screen choice for anyone who needs a sturdy screen for Zoom calls or live streaming. It’s best for those who want a headshot rather than a full-body picture.

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Top Features

• Double-sided muslin fabric, with one green side and one blue side for versatility.

• Quick pop-up design for fast and easy setup on location.

• It folds into a 24.8-inch/63-centimeter disc that can be stored in the carrying bag.

• A durable steel frame is sewn into the fabric to help maintain its shape.

• It can be hung from a tripod stand or hook via the circle fitted on top or leaned against a wall or door.

• Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

• Ideal for various purposes, such as YouTube tutorials, interviews, portraits, and product photography.

• Enables a range of creative possibilities in post-production by enabling the creation of background replacements or visual effects.

Pricing

About $50.

Bottom Line 

This is a great portable green screen for Zoom meetings and YouTube because it offers quick and easy setup in a compact design, is reversible with green and blue sides, and is durable enough for indoor or outdoor use.

It’s probably not big enough for most filmmaking projects.

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Top Features  

• Collapsible and portable.

• It fits over most chairs.

• Sturdy design.

• Thin and light (weighs only 0.8 pounds).

• It can be folded into a small circle and comes with an easy storage bag.

Pricing 

About $40.

Bottom Line 

If you need a cheap, small, and convenient backdrop to fit over your office or gaming chair and that is good for just one person, check out the BOYXCO Gen2! Just be wary if you are very tall – perhaps a bigger version would be better.

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Top Features  

• Versatile professional green screen for Zoom meetings, YouTube videos, and even photography studios.

• Adjustable height (2.6 ft to 7 ft) and width (5 ft to 10 ft).

• Non-reflective muslin material with less light reflection and minimal light leak.

• It can be ironed and washed when needed.

• It includes an adjustable crossbar, light stands, heavy-duty spring clamps, photo clips, (empty) sandbags, and a portable carry bag.

Pricing

About $70.

Bottom Line 

The Emart Green Screen with stand is an excellent option for people who need an affordable, effective, full-body portable green screen with chroma keying.

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Common Questions About Portable Green Screens

What can you use instead of a green screen?

If you don’t have a green screen, you can use a solid-colored backdrop, such as a white or blue sheet, or even a painted wall. You can also opt for natural backdrops, such as filming outdoors or in a practical location that matches the scene. Another alternative is to use advanced software to generate a virtual background without needing a physical screen.

How to build a portable green screen?

To build a portable green screen, you will need a large piece of green fabric, PVC pipes or other lightweight framing material, and clamps. Start by measuring and cutting the fabric to the desired size, leaving extra on each side to wrap around the frame. Next, build the frame using the PVC pipes, connecting them at the corners with T-shaped connectors. Finally, attach the fabric to the frame with clamps or other fasteners. The screen can then be disassembled and transported to different locations as needed.

Are cheap green screens worth it?

Cheap green screens can be worth it if you are on a tight budget and just need a basic screen for simple video or photography projects. However, they may not provide the best quality or be big enough for your needs.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, portable green screens are an invaluable asset for filmmakers, video content creators, and even photographers who work with a camera or video camera in a studio.

They offer a great deal of versatility by allowing you to create a variety of settings and visual effects (vfx) on a budget. Not only that, but they allow you to achieve outstanding results no matter the setting or location.

Using a portable green screen will help streamline your workflow, empower you to create the perfect scene, and maximize your creative efforts. Happy filming!