Photo: maxxyustas/Depositphotos
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just a beginner, a good photography backdrop is a staple for every studio photographer. It gives you a clean slate to stage your photos on, whether you’re photographing your favorite jewelry or a newly engaged couple. From a DIY green screen to fake marble, we found the best photography backdrops to level up your next photo session.
For this guide, we looked to major retailers, like Amazon and Walmart, as well as trusted publications and blogs for our initial list of recommendations. After that, we narrowed it down to just six products by studying customer reviews and product specifications to find the very best photography backdrops out there.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Neewer 6 x 9ft Photo Studio – $21.09 at Amazon
- Best Budget Photography Backdrop: GFCC 8FTX10FT White Backdrop – $18.99 at Amazon
- Best Portable Photography Backdrop: Kate 5×6.5ft Collapsible Backdrop – $99.30 at Amazon
- Best Flat Lay Photography Backdrop: Allenjoy Double Sided Marble Photography Background – $11.99 at Amazon
- Best White Backdrop for Photography: Savage Seamless Background Paper –$44.99 at B&H Photo
- Best Small Photography Backdrop: Amazon Basics Portable Foldable Photo Studio Box – $168.67 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Photography Backdrops
1. Best Overall: Neewer 6 x 9ft Photo Studio
Amazon | $20.99
The Neewer Photo Studio backdrop strikes the perfect balance between price and quality. It’s affordable enough for a beginner who wants to dip their toe into studio photography or the veteran photographer who wants to upgrade their studio with different sizes and colors of backdrops.
Neewer only has four colors, but they’re all neutral basics. And the backdrop itself won’t last forever but photographs well, which makes it an excellent value. It’s worth noting, however, that the stand is not included, so you’ll need to purchase that separately.
The Specs:
- Sizes: 6 x 9 feet, 10 x 20 feet
- Colors: Black, white, gray, blue
- Material: Polyester
The Pros:
- Affordable
- Four colors
- Photographs well
- Good quality
The Cons:
- Tends to wrinkle
- On the thin and sheer side
- Colors appear slightly different in person
What Others Are Saying
Digital Camera World tested and reviewed the Neewer 6 x 9ft Photo Studio backdrop, and named it the best cheap backdrop for photography. It also has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon from more than 12,000 reviews.
Buy the Neewer 6 x 9ft Photo Studio:
2. Best Budget Photography Backdrop: GFCC 8FTX10FT White Backdrop
Amazon | $18.99
This GFCC backdrop is perfect for photographers on a budget. Priced at under $20, you can choose from a whopping 10 colors, including basic white and black options. According to reviewers, the bright green color even works as a makeshift green screen for more adventurous projects.
The backdrop is also pretty lightweight, weighing in at a little over 2 pounds. This makes it easily transportable if you need to take your photo shoot on the road.
The Specs:
- Sizes: 8 x 10 feet, 10 x 10 feet
- Colors: Black, ivory, red, white, gray, green, pink, purple, royal blue, yellow
- Material: Polyester
The Pros:
- Under $20
- Available in 10 colors
- Lightweight
The Cons:
- May need to be ironed or washed before the first use
- Doesn’t include a stand
- Easily stains
What Others Are Saying
The GFCC 8FTX10FT White Backdrop has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon from more than 8,500 reviews.
Buy the GFCC 8FTX10FT White Backdrop:
3. Best Portable Photography Backdrop: Kate 5×6.5ft Collapsible Backdrop
Amazon | $99.30
For photographers who need to travel to their headshot and portrait clients, this collapsible, reversible backdrop means you can set up your studio just about anywhere. While the backdrop will need something to lean against, it won’t need a traditional backdrop support.
Each side has a different color—blue and brown—both with a cloud-like texture that will give your photos added dimension. Of course, the best part of this backdrop, besides its exceptional quality and versatility, is how easy it is to store.
The Specs:
- Size: 5 x 6.5 feet
- Colors: Brown, blue
- Material: Microfiber
The Pros:
- Doesn’t require a stand
- Double-sided
- Easy to store
- Won’t wrinkle
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Only comes in one size
- No plain color options
What Others Are Saying
Pop Photo tested and reviewed the Kate 5×6.5ft Collapsible Backdrop and named it the Best Foldable, and Digital Camera World called it the Best Backdrop for “old master” portraiture on the move.
Buy the Kate 5×6.5ft Collapsible Backdrop:
4. Best Flat Lay Photography Backdrop: Allenjoy Double Sided Marble Photography Background
Amazon | $11.99
Product photographers don’t typically need as large of a canvas, but that doesn’t mean their backdrop is any less important. This double-sided PVC backdrop from Allenjoy is great for overhead shots of food, makeup, jewelry, and more.
Requiring very little cash and virtually no setup, each side of the compact backdrop mimics a marble countertop in white and black. The classic design will upgrade any flat-lay product photo without having to invest in and lug around a heavy marble slab.
The Specs:
- Sizes: 34.4 x 15.7 inches
- Colors: black and white marble
- Material: PVC
The Pros:
- Cheap
- Doesn’t require any extra equipment
- Double-sided
- Compact and easy to store
The Cons:
- No plain color options
- No size options
- Needs time to flatten right out of the package
- Black marble side looks slightly blurry
Buy the Allenjoy Double-Sided Marble Photography Background:
5. Best White Backdrop for Photography: Savage Seamless Background Paper
Amazon | $62.99
If you only have experience with fabric backdrops, consider a paper one, like this option from Savage Seamless. The backdrop comes in a roll that you can tear off and get several uses out of depending on the size you opt for (and there are six to choose from).
While this Savage Seamless backdrop may only have a limited number of uses in it before it gets dirty or crumpled, you won’t have to waste time ironing out wrinkles or worry about it being see-through, which is a common problem with white fabric backdrops. Plus, it’s reasonably priced for its weight and the amount of paper you’ll be getting.
The Specs:
- Sizes: 2.2 x 36 feet, 4.4 x 18 feet, 4.4 x 36 feet, 7 x 18 feet, 7 x 36 feet, 8.9 x 36 feet
- Colors: Pure white, super white
- Material: Paper
The Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- Comes in six sizes
- Won’t wrinkle
- Recyclable
- Can get multiple uses out of one roll
The Cons:
- Only available in white
- Can’t be cleaned
- Hard to move from one location to another without ripping or dirtying
What Others Are Saying
The Savage Seamless Background Paper is Pop Photo‘s top pick for the Best Photography Backdrop. It also has a 4.7-star rating from over 3,700 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the Savage Seamless Background Paper:
6. Best Small Photography Backdrop: Amazon Basics Portable Foldable Photo Studio Box
Amazon | $116.59
If you’re looking for an all-in-one product that encompasses a backdrop, stand, and lights, then Amazon has the product for you. This Photo Studio Box is just what it sounds like—a mini studio complete with a white backdrop and built-in lights all packaged into a compact box.
While you won’t be able to fit human subjects into this studio, it’s great for product photography, having a few more bells and whistles than a simple flat-lay background. Plus, it’s collapsible, making it super easy to store and transport for on-set shoots.
The Specs:
- Sizes: 25 x 30 x 25 inches
- Colors: White
- Material: Unknown
The Pros:
- No stand or other equipment required
- Easy to transport and store
- Unique design
- Easy to set up
The Cons:
- Pricey
- Can’t control the lights’ brightness
- Can’t replace background
What Others Are Saying
Pop Photo named the Amazon Basics Portable Foldable Photo Studio Box the Best for Product Photography, and it has a 4.5-star rating on Amazon from over 4,000 reviews.
Buy the Amazon Basics Portable Foldable Photo Studio Box:
Other Photography Backdrops to Consider
- LYWYGG 7x5FT Green Leaves Photography Backdrop: This trendy leaf backdrop would be great for photographers hosting an event or just as a permanent part of their space. It’s very well-rated with more than 8,200 reviews on Amazon, but unfortunately, customers mentioned that it can be hard to secure. And while affordable, it’s not the most versatile investment as this backdrop will only work for certain types of photos. The LYWYGG 7x5FT Green Leaves Photography Backdrop is available at Amazon for $9.59.
- Allenjoy Fabric 5x7FT White Brick Wall with Wooden Floor Photography Backdrop: This unique backdrop is designed to mimic a painted brick wall and wood floors. It would be great for a themed lifestyle shoot, like a baby shower or graduation, but it’s not as versatile as a plain white backdrop. Reviewers also mentioned that the product is very thin and sheer, minimizing the backdrop’s effect. The Allenjoy Fabric 5x7FT White Brick Wall with Wooden Floor Photography Backdrop is available at Amazon for $16.10.
- Aimosen 10 x 7 FT Black Backdrop: This Aimosen backdrop is quite similar to the Best Budget pick listed above, even offering some of the same color options. Like many of the other polyester backdrops on this list, it tends to wrinkle, and due to its fewer color and size options, it didn’t quite make the cut. The Aimosen 10 x 7 FT Black Backdrop is available at Amazon for $18.98.
Why You Can Trust Us
Hi! My name is Grace, and I’m a full-time freelance writer and graphic designer. I’ve been known to break out my camera on assignments, whether for a news story or as a reference photo for sketching. I’ve owned my Canon EOS Rebel T6 for seven years now, and we’ve traveled to a lot of places together. While most of my photos are taken on location, I’ve had to improvise with my own makeshift backdrop before.
For this list of the best photography backdrops, I scoured trusted publications, blogs similar to My Modern Met, and major retailers for recommendations and highly rated products. I combed through customer reviews and selected backdrops that spanned a range of price points, sizes, designs, and styles.
What to Know About Photography Backdrops
Amazon | $11.99
Things to Consider When Choosing a Photography Backdrop
Whether you’re new to photography or looking to replace your well-loved backdrop, there are plenty of products to choose from on Amazon, Walmart, and more. However, if you want to ensure that you’re buying a quality product that will only enhance your photos, these are the four factors to consider.
Material
First, ask yourself whether you want a fabric backdrop or not. Fabric, like polyester, is the most common and traditional type of backdrop, but you can also find less flimsy materials, like canvas, that will be harder to store but will not wrinkle or be as sheer.
Color
White is the most versatile photography backdrop color because it won’t clash with your subject and will be easy to light. However, if you have a themed photoshoot in mind, like a high school graduation, you can find virtually any color of backdrop online.
Size
Photography backdrops come in a wide variety of sizes, from 5 x 6 feet to 10 x 20 feet. Consider the size of your backdrop stand, the space you’ll be using, and your subject before narrowing down your sizes. It never hurts to break out the measuring tape and visualize the size before buying.
Setup
Most photography backdrops are sold separately from stands, so be sure to consider the price of both products before you make a purchase. Additionally, if you’ll be bringing the backdrop with you to photoshoots, opt for one that is easily foldable or collapsible.
What Color Backdrop is Best for Photography?
A plain white backdrop is a good color to start with, whether you’re doing headshots or family photos. Other colors and patterns tend to be less versatile, except in the case of product photography. Whether you’re doing a flat lay of jewelry or food, having a simple pattern, like one that mimics a marble countertop, can help to make your subject pop and look like you’re photographing it in a more natural environment.
What is the Best Size for Photography Backdrops?
Traditional photography backdrops that require a stand tend to come in a variety of sizes. 10 x 10 feet, 5 x 7 feet, and 4 x 5 feet are all standard sizes you might find available. When choosing a backdrop, you just want to make sure it will be large enough for the subject you are photographing. For example, adults may need at least a 5 x 7-foot backdrop, whereas children may only need a 4 x 5 feet one. Also, if you want the backdrop to extend onto the floor in the photo shoot, then you’ll need a longer backdrop, like a 10 x 20-foot option.
What is the Best Backdrop for Product Photography?
Most product photography will require a smaller backdrop and may not even need a traditional backdrop stand. For flat-lay pictures, Allenjoy makes the best photography background with its double-sided PVC sheets designed to look like a slab of marble. If you’d prefer a plain white background, this mini photography studio by Amazon is perfect for products and easily transportable.
What is the Best Backdrop Material for Photography?
Canvas and muslin are common materials used in photography backdrops. Many of the fabric backdrops listed in this guide are made with polyester, which provides a versatile, flexible, non-reflective background that can be used over and over again. However, a common problem with fabric backdrops is that they tend to wrinkle in storage, while less flexible backdrops made with paper and PVC will not.
Prices were accurate at time of publishing.
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