Best Green Screen for Twitch [Buyers’ Guide Included].

After you have been streaming for some time and have finally set aside the money to increase the quality of your streams, you have probably set your eyes on a green screen.

After all, nearly all the big twitch streamers use them at least once, which can make a huge difference in your stream video quality. 

If you are ready to join that higher echelon of streamers, then keep on reading below to learn about the best green screens for Twitch.

Why Would You Want to Use a Green Screen Background?

If you are still on the fence about getting a green screen for your Twitch stream, you are probably wondering why you even need to use one.

After all, you have gotten fairly far by using your winning personality and epic gaming skills. While that may be the case, the benefits of a green screen are many if you want to create high-quality streams. 

Instead of cleaning your room/apartment/living space every time before a stream, you can throw up a green screen and make it look like you are underwater.

Maybe you are hunting survivors in DBD, so you use your green screen to make it look like you are in a dark, creepy forest.

Using a green screen allows you to spice up your stream using virtual backgrounds in a way you couldn’t otherwise do.

After the list of recommended green screens below, you can read more tips and tricks on creating the perfect green screen setup for the best results. Here you can also see how to set up your green screen for Twitch using OBS.

Recommended Green Screens

There are dozens of green screens out on the market, and most of them are pretty good and will meet your needs. However, these five are generally recommended for Twitch streamers, so here are the best green screens for Twitch. 

Fotodiox Pro Collapsible Green Screen – best budget option

The Fotodiox Pro Collapsible is a small 5’ x 7’ green screen that is one of the more affordable green screens on this list. This is the best option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly portable green screen that can easily be tugged away under the bed.

This green screen is a 2-in-1. You have the usual green screen on one side, but on the flip side, there is a blue screen. You can read more about the differences between blue and green screens in the guide below.

The frame is created using a steel spring frame which helps to keep the green screen unwrinkled, which could cause quality issues during your stream.

The Fotodiox green screen is a great green screen in a budget-friendly price range if you want to move around to different rooms or places while streaming.

Pros

• Lightweight, foldable, and portable design
• You get both a blue screen and a green screen in one.
• Inexpensive

Cons

• While you can lean it against a wall, you should consider a stand for more flexibility.
• Easy to tumble over if it isn’t attached to something
• Not wrinkle-free

Check the current price on Amazon.

Elgato Green Screen – best collapsible option for serious gamers and content creators

With a slightly different design, the Elgato Green Screen is a 58.27” x 70.87” green screen that comes as one singular component.

Instead of a free-standing screen, this green screen is a retractable pull-up screen. Imagine a white screen teachers use at school and flip it upside down; that is what it looks like. 

Due to its retractable design, you can pull it up to your desired height, and regardless of that height, it will stay tight and wrinkle-free. When you are done using it, retract the screen and then use the handle at the top to carry it around. 

It is slightly heavier than other green screens due to its base but still weighs under 20 lbs. Not super light, but not so heavy that it is impossible to carry around fairly easily.

If you are on a budget, consider a different green screen, as this one is more expensive.

Pros

• Great for small spaces
• Easy to set up and take down
• Easily tucked away under the bed
• Wrinkle-free

Cons

• Expensive
• Heavy

Check the current price on Amazon.

Emart Studio Green Screen – best budget larger screen

Perfect for amateur and professional streamers, the Emart Studio green screen comes in at 8.5’ x 10’, making it a good size for all streams.

The Emart green screen is a larger green screen. Larger screens have the advantage that you can use them to film your whole body. You can even stand on it, but I recommend only doing so with clean feet.

Even though this is a large green screen, you don’t have to worry about not having enough space. You can easily use it in smaller spaces by adjusting the included support stands and folding the backdrop.

While not a freestanding green screen, it does come with all the necessary materials to set it up properly, including a carry case, support stands, and the clamps to hold it in place. 

The support stand is adjustable and can go from 3’ x 5’ to 8.5’ x 10’. It is perfect if you are a more active streamer and prefer to do a lot of content on your gaming chair.

It is also a great budget pick and will not put a hole in your wallet like some of these green screens. 

Pros

• Large green screen for full-body shots
• Easy to set up and take down
• Easy storage
• Wrinkle-free
• Carrying bag included

Cons

• The support stands are of cheap quality
• Not wrinkle-free
• Not as easy to fold away as the other options on this list

Check the current price on Amazon.

Elgato Green Screen MT – Best wall-mounted green screen

The final screen on the list is the Elgato Green Screen MT, which is 78.74” x 70.86”

This green screen is similar to the Elgato green screen mentioned above and is in the category of collapsible backdrops.

However, there are a few differences, the most prominent being that the MT version pulls down from the wall instead of taking up floor space. 

On top of that, it is also larger than the Elgato green screen, making it a perfect choice for your Twitch studio and other types of live stream rooms. Also, the MT version is half the weight, making it easier to move around your living space.

It uses drywall hooks to fasten your wall, but those can be easily removed and moved to another room if you change up your streaming setup. 

Overall, while the Elgato Green Screen MT is a more expensive option, it is well worth the money.

Pros

• Pro-quality green screen for background removal
• Large screen
• Easy to set up and take down
• Wrinkle-free

Cons

• Not portable
• Expensive option

Check the current price on Amazon.

Quick Guide to Green Screens: how to receive the best result

While a green screen kit is a great tool, there are a few things you need to be aware of before starting. So I’ve created this guide to help you achieve the best green screen effect for your Twitch streams.

This first step is setting the stage properly:

• Make sure to buy a green screen that’s large enough if you plan to move around a lot.
• Get a good lighting setup. You need…
• Two backdrop lights with diffusion for lighting the green screen evenly.
• A key light to light your pretty face
• A hair light/background light to separate yourself from the greenscreen (optional – see below).
• Position your green screen far enough back, so you do not cast a shadow on it and avoid the green halo effect, which could affect the overall quality.
• Do not use green clothing or have other green material around you when using a green screen.

As you can see, better lighting conditions mean higher quality green screening. That doesn’t mean live streamers can’t achieve good results even if you’re on a tight budget. Here are some more tips:

You can get by without the hair/background light, but it helps separate you from the background and makes keying out hair easier. As a rule of thumb, the further away you can get from the backdrop, the better.

Also, you might get by with only one backdrop light if you have a large enough softbox. The important point is to light the green screen evenly because if you have a bright light in the center and dim light near the edges, it will be very hard to achieve a good result.

Key lights such as ring lights are always needed for the best skin color. Check out my guide to the best ring light here.

Chroma Keying

I had mentioned Chroma keying earlier. But what is chroma keying?

Chroma keying means using contrasty color information (such as green/blue screen backdrops or green suits) to remove (“keying out”) parts of an image digitally. Chroma keying is usually done in the editing or post-processing stage of video production.

After you’ve removed fx a green screen by selecting the key color from your video, you can replace the empty background with any footage or a static image you’d like. 

You can use the chroma key green screen feature in OBS Studio while live streaming. It looks less clean-cut than a video or movie, but it does help your stream look better.

You can read more in this excellent introduction to green/blue screens and chroma keying.

Differences between blue screens and green screens

As I mentioned, you can get backdrops for creating special effects with green and blue colors.

1. Green screens require less light compared to blue screens.
2. Green screens work better with digital cameras compared to blue screens
3. Green screen bounces back more light than if you were using a blue screen, which can create a green halo and greenish skin tones.

This third main difference is why it’s important to get the proper lighting and move as far from the screen as possible so the background color won’t spill onto your face after you’ve keyed it out.

How to Set Up Green Screens for Twitch

So, you finally convinced yourself to get a green screen for your stream, but you are at a complete loss for how to set it up. When setting up your green screen, there are two parts to it. 

First is setting up Streamlabs Open Broadcaster Software, a common streaming software most people use. During this step, you will be setting up your Chroma Key, which, if you do not know what that is, there is a short explanation below.  

Once Streamlabs OBS is primed and ready to go, you must set your stage with the green screen and lights. Now, if that sounds complicated, don’t worry. I’ll explain how to do it all below. 

Setting Up OBS

1. Open OBS on your computer.
2. Click “Video Capture Device” under the “Sources” section in the bottom left corner. 
3. Right-click on the new video capture device and select “Filters.”
4. Under “Effects Filter,” press the “+” button. 
5. Choose “Chroma Key” from the pop-up menu.
6. Change the name if you want; it is not required.

OBS will auto-create a set of parameters for your Chroma key, which you can tweak if necessary. Otherwise, you can begin to add your background layers. They should remain under the Chroma key layer to prevent anything from going wrong during a stream. 

And there you have it! You have set up OBS to run your green screen while streaming.

Conclusion

Green screens are great for use while streaming, and while it can be difficult at times to get them set up properly, once you do so, you will be glad you did. If you enjoyed this article, check out some of my other Twitch articles, like this one on the best microphones for streaming. Until next time, happy streaming! 

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FAQ

Is there a specific size of green screen I should use?

There is no specific size of green screen you should technically use, but you want a green screen that will fully remove your background. I recommend using at least an 8’ x 8’ if you plan on being active and a 5’ x 5’ if you stay in your gaming chair. 

Are there any alternatives to using a green screen?

A few options are available to avoid purchasing a green screen. You can paint the wall behind you green or use one solid color. Remember, you need that solid color to allow the Chroma key software to work properly. 

Can you clean your green screen?

Check on the supplier’s website before cleaning it, but usually, green screens can be carefully cleaned with a damp washcloth. 

What brand of green screen do most professional streamers use? 

The most commonly used green screen brand is Elgato, as their green screens tend to work the best, remain wrinkle-free, and provide high-quality backgrounds for streams.