a portable green screen

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!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Best overall

Elgato

Elgato-Green-Screen-Collapsible-Chroma-Key-Backdrop

58” x 70”

About $100

Best large size

LimoStudio

LimoStudio-10-x-20-ft-Large-Chromakey-Solid-Green-Backdrop

10 x 20 feet

About $50

best for zoom and streaming

Valera Performer

Valera-Performer-85-inch-Portable-Green-Screen-Stand-Expandable-Wide-Screen-for-Streaming-Zoom

73” x 41”

About $230

best Pop-Up Collapsible Green Screen

Neewer

Neewer-Chromakey-Backdrops-Double-Sided-Green-Screen-and-Blue-Screen-2-in-1-Collapsible

5 x 6.5 feet

About $50

best for over a chair

BOYXCO Gen2

BOYXCO-Gen2-Collapsible-Portable

58” x 58”

About $40

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!

man wearing black t-shirt

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.

best overall

Elgato Green Screen

The Elgato Green Screen’s collapsible design and wrinkle-resistant fabric allow for effortless setup, teardown, and transport in a lightweight aluminum hard case.

The Elgato is perfect for those wanting to upgrade their webcam broadcasts with a chroma key background.

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.
Elgato-Green-Screen

Pricing 

About $100.

Elgato Pros

  • The high-quality fabric is a nice, even green color (not sheer).
  • The collapsible feature is excellent for portability.
  • Is heavier than some other options, making it more durable and less flimsy.
  • Super easy and fast to set up.
  • Comes with a handy aluminum case.

Elgato Cons

  • It may not be big enough for some users (a bit narrow for wide-angle cameras).
  • Not the cheapest option.

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.


Best Large Size for Filming

LimoStudio 10 x 20 ft. Screen

The LimoStudio 10 x 20 ft. Large Chromakey Solid Green Backdrop Background Screen is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, non-gloss reflective backdrop screen with improved lockstitch edging to prevent tears.

It is made of soft, machine-washable polyester fabric and features pre-stitched loop-crimped edges for added durability.

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.
LimoStudio-10-x-20-ft-Large-Chromakey-Solid

Pricing 

About $50.

LimoStudio Pros

  • The size is nice and large.
  • You can film multiple people in close proximity with this green screen.
  • Works for full-body shots.
  • Uses high-density fabric.
  • The price is reasonable for what you get!

LimoStudio Cons

  • Too large to iron (use a hand steamer instead).
  • Resists wrinkles but does crease easily.

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.


best for zoom and streaming

Valera Performer 85-inch Portable Green Screen & Stand

The Valera Performer 85-inch Portable Green Screen & Stand is expandable, lightweight, and easy-to-set-up, ideal for video conferencing, streaming, and content creation.

It features a proprietary ChromaBoost wrinkle-resistant fabric for enhanced chroma key performance in any light condition and is compatible with standard mobile apps and software.

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.
Valera-Performer-85-inch-Portable-Green-Screen-Stand-Expandable

Pricing 

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

Valera Pros

  • Easy to set up and take down.
  • The pole that it comes with is strong and sturdy.
  • People love it for easy Zoom call backgrounds.

Valera Cons

  • Not long enough for a full-body shot (although you can turn it sideways to make it taller).
  • The pole is not super easy to set up.

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.


Best Pop-Up Collapsible Green Screen

Neewer Chromakey Backdrop

The Neewer Chromakey Backdrop is a double-sided green screen and blue screen background ideal for various purposes, such as YouTube tutorials, interviews, portraits, and product photography.

Its durable steel frame and compact design make it easy to set up and store, while its versatility allows it to be hung or leaned against a surface for indoor or outdoor use.

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.
Neewer-Chromakey-Backdrops-Double-Sided-Green-Screen-and-Blue-Screen-2-in-1

Pricing

About $50.

Neewer Pros

  • Comes with a zippered pouch for easy transport.
  • It is nice and big – perfect for one person!
  • It is pretty much wrinkle free.
  • Blue on one side and green on the other.

Neewer Cons

  • Folding this down into the right size for the pouch can be tricky.
  • You will need to buy a stand separately.

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.


best for over a chair

BOYXCO Gen2 Collapsible Portable Webcam Background

The BOYXCO Gen2 Collapsible Portable Webcam Background is a lightweight and easy-to-operate solution for creating a green screen background for video calls or virtual meetings.

It can fit most chair types with its unique strap design and can be easily folded and stored when not in use.

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.
BOYXCO-Gen2-Collapsible-Portable-Webcam

Pricing 

About $40.

BOYXCO Gen2 Pros

  • You can order this in a small, medium, or large size (I recommend large for most people!).
  • It is surprisingly stable when attached to a chair.
  • It is lightweight, cheap, and convenient!

BOYXCO Gen2 Cons

  • It can be challenging to fold and put away.
  • Some find that it is too small to work for tall people.
  • Check the size of your chair before you buy it!

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.


best large backdrop with stand

Emart Green Screen

The Emart Green Screen Backdrop with Stand Kit is a versatile professional green screen for video calls and photography.

It offers adjustable height and width and is made of non-reflective muslin material.

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.
Emart Green Screen

Pricing

About $70.

Emart Pros

  • The clamps (included) help with wrinkles.
  • Backgrounds are easily changed with the chroma key.
  • It is economical and works well!
  • Nice and tall, so it works to see a person’s whole body on-screen.
  • The fabric is a good color and is genuinely non-reflective (others can appear shiny).

Emart Cons

  • A few customers have found the stand to be lighter than advertised.

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.


clipper, movie, picture

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.

Best Portable Green Screen

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!

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