By Timothy Dale and Debbie Wolfe | Updated Oct 30, 2023 2:21 PM
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Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
Warm weather means lots of comings and goings to and from the yard, deck, and patio. But when bugs barge in with you, talk about a fly in the ointment! They can land on your food, buzz in your face, bite, sting, and otherwise ruin your day.
Fortunately, a magnetic screen door can help you outsmart insects by closing quickly before they can follow behind you. These doors also effectively keep out dust and dirt while still allowing fresh air, sunlight, and breezes to come through.
Unlike conventional hinged screen doors or sliding screen doors, magnetic screen doors generally come as two mesh panels that attach to the frame of the doorway using adhesives, Velcro, thumbtacks, or other fasteners. The panels, which have weighted magnets sewn into the mesh netting, are designed to come together in the middle, similar to a theater curtain. After someone passes through, the magnets are drawn to each other to close the door quickly, gently, and silently at the seam. This automatic close function on the best magnetic screen doors makes them ideal for active families with kids and pets.
The models below represent some of the best magnetic screen door options on the market in various categories. We tested the top magnetic screen doors available to help you pick the right one for your home. Learn about what goes into a high-quality screen door and how to choose the most suitable one for your home.
Photo: Debbie Wolfe for Bob Vila
We tested the magnetic screen doors according to an established rubric that included material type, installation, performance, and durability criteria. We rated the screens on a scale of 0 to 4 to determine their score.
We installed each screen in doorways of the appropriate size. Following the package instructions or using the video instructions on the seller’s site, we determined the ease of installation. Next, we considered the durability of the installation materials.
We walked through each screen door several times to test the screen’s durability and how well the magnetic closures worked and allowed our dogs to do the same. We observed how the magnetic strips were sealed after each passage. Then, we set up a high-powered fan to determine how well the screens stayed closed with a strong breeze. Lastly, we removed each screen to determine how easy it was to adjust. By installing the screens in real-life situations, we could understand how well they functioned overall.
Now that we’ve covered our experience with the products, below are the products we selected and some information on their material, size, and type, as well as some pros and cons for each option. Remember, the magnetic screen doors highlighted below are top performers in frame and mesh quality, price, and other important features.
The tightly woven, upgraded polyester mesh of the Flux Phenom magnetic screen door offers the durability of fiberglass with the visibility and airflow of polyester. The edges are fully reinforced with thumbtacks for extra security, ensuring that the magnetic screen door can stand up to the vigorous comings and goings of pets and kids.
This hands-free magnetic screen door fits door sizes up to 38 inches wide by 82 inches long, meaning it’s suitable for any doorframe that is 38 inches or less in width and 82 inches or less in height. The mesh can be pushed open by most cats, dogs, and kids, and the 26 heavy magnets running down the seam will close the mesh behind them.
A video tutorial with installation instructions is included with the door, but it’s pretty intuitive and overall easy to install. Since we had an aluminum doorframe, we used the hook-and-loop tape that came with the screen. There are also thumbtacks included for wood frame installation. This Velcro system makes it easy to remove the screen if needed. The magnetic polyester screen material feels sturdy, and all the magnets along the opening fell into place upon entering and exiting. We found that it opens easily without the need to use our hands, and our dogs had no issues getting in and out.
Get the Flux Phenom magnetic screen door at Amazon.
The fireproof, corrosion-resistant, heavy-duty fiberglass mesh of the Magzo Magnetic Screen Door boasts better durability than polyester mesh products. The 36-by-98-inch screen door opens with a push to let people and pets go in and out freely, while the weight of strong magnets sewn into the screen edging pulls the two sides back into place.
This magnetic screen door uses a windproof sticker hasp design on the middle and the bottom of the screen door to prevent it from being blown open by high winds. There are also extra thumbtacks to help secure the adhesive strips used for installation.
In testing, we found that this magnetic screen was very durable. It’s heavier than polyester mesh screens, and the weight helps keep the screen in place on breezy days. The hasp latch design on the middle and bottom of the screen door curtain also helps keep the screen in place on windy days. It opened with ease as we passed through it, and our dogs could get in and out without damaging or pulling it off the wall.
Get the Magzo magnetic screen door at Amazon.
To be bug-free on a budget, consider the Homearda Magnetic Screen Door. It uses Velcro strips for quick and easy installation to the doorframe via the adhesive backing, which allows the door to be put up and taken down with ease.
Weighted sticks in the bottom edges of the fiberglass mesh screen prevent the 36-by-82-inch door from blowing open by the wind. With 26 powerful magnets sewn into the reinforced edges, this magnetic screen door features a fast yet silent closing that will not disrupt activities indoors or out.
In testing we found that this magnetic screen door performs as described. The construction quality felt just as sturdy as the top pick and runner-up screens. It was a cinch to install, and the durable fiberglass mesh held up to some light stretching and traffic. The included installation instructions were minimal, but there is an installation video on the seller’s site. However, it did not come with optional thumbtacks to help keep it in place on uneven surfaces.
Get the Homearda magnetic screen door at Amazon.
Instead of numerous individual magnets, the light-duty polyester Augo Magnetic Screen Door uses just a single magnet on each side that runs the entire length of the edges, from top to bottom, to keep the door closed. For times when leaving the door open makes it easier for folks to file in and out, use the sewn-in snaps on the curtain to keep both sides of the screen parted.
The 38-by-83-inch screen is installed with adhesives, but thumbtacks are included for added strength. The screen is hung from a Velcro lining, so it’s easily removed for cleaning.
We found this screen opened and closed with ease thanks to the full-length magnets along its length. Although this screen is made from polyester mesh, it’s thinner than the others we tested, and it doesn’t seem likely to hold up to a high amount of animal and people traffic. It’s best if this screen is installed on a low-traffic doorway.
Get the Augo magnetic screen door at Amazon.
This magnetic screen door comes in a wide span of sizes so the door can be fitted to almost any doorway including common French door sizes. The range extends from 39 inches wide by 83 inches long to 72 inches wide by 80 inches long, with seven additional options that fall between these two extremes.
The mesh is made with lightweight polyester to keep bugs out while allowing fresh air in. And it’s pet-friendly, so four-legged family members should have no problem coming and going. Install the door on metal or wood with the adhesive strips, and consider using the included thumbtacks for additional security.
We found that this double screen door fits perfectly in an average-width French doorframe. Installation wasn’t complicated, and the directions were straightforward. The screen is light duty and will flap open with a strong breeze. However, the mesh is fairly sheer, so it doesn’t obstruct your view from the inside but is still dark enough to protect your privacy from view on the outside.
Get the Ikstar magnetic screen door at Amazon.
This Magzo model is designed with wind-resistant hasps at the middle and bottom of the door to keep it closed, even in heavy winds. It’s made with durable fiberglass and attaches to either wood or metal frames with the included adhesive Velcro strips. The screen door also includes a package of thumbtacks for additional security (appropriate for wood frames only).
Pets can walk in and out through the screen without damaging the door or pulling it from the frame. This magnetic screen door comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 40 inches wide by 82 inches long to 72 inches wide by 96 inches long, making it appropriate for standard doorways, sliding doors, and French doors.
Thanks to the wind-resistant hasps on the middle and bottom of the screen door curtain, we found that this screen stayed closed on breezy days. The screen is heavier than the double-door polyester screens we tested, which helps keep it in place on windy days and enables it to withstand busy foot traffic. It opens and closes easily, and our dogs can pass through without issue.
Get the Magzo magnetic screen door at Amazon.
We also tested Wolf & Moon Products Bug Off Instant Screen and Ownpets Dog Screen Door, but neither product passed our testing standards.
Although the Wolf & Moon Products Bug Off magnetic screen was the easiest to install, it had many flaws. This screen was the most expensive magnetic screen we tested, yet its construction wasn’t as sturdy as the others. It’s heavily weighted at the bottom and features a tension rod installation system, making it easy to install. However, it has only two magnets located toward the bottom of the screen and adhesive Velcro tabs on the sides of the screen to attach to the doorframe. This design leaves gaps for bugs and other small critters to squeeze through. When our dogs go in and out, there is often a significant gap in the middle of the screen because there are not enough magnets to force it closed. Also, after a while, the tension rod needs to be adjusted. Overall, we found that the design and quality of the screen were poor.
The Ownpets Dog Screen Door is not a magnetic screen door, so we could not test it accurately with the rubrics established for magnetic screen doors. However, since it’s a popular product, we did install it onto a removable screen on our storm door. We found the installation to be straightforward, but you do have to cut out a section of your existing screen to create an opening for the dog door. Although it functioned as described, we noticed that the dog screen door pulled on the screen as our dogs passed through. This did not give us confidence that the setup would be durable since it depends on the condition and strength of the existing screen door.
To shop wisely for the best magnetic screen door, factor in the following considerations including the size, materials, construction, intended use, and ease of installation.
Precise measurements are required to successfully replace doors and windows, and magnetic screen doors are no exception. Take measurements of the width and the height of the doorway and the existing screen door (if there is one) to accurately determine the correct size of the magnetic screen door to purchase.
Some brands come in one size only, but most offer multiple widths and heights. If your door falls between standard sizes, you may be able to adjust a larger model to fit.
Measure the width of the doorway from the left side of the doorframe to the right side, then measure the height of the doorway from the ground to the top doorframe. Compare this width-by-height measurement to common screen door sizes to find the appropriate magnetic mesh door for your home.
Fiberglass and polyester are the main materials used to create the mesh on magnetic screen doors, but ABS plastic can be used for enhanced durability on specially made magnetic screen doors for pets. Metal and wood are the most common frame materials for these doors.
Magnetic screen doors can come with multiple types of fasteners to hold the door closed and to keep the door installed in its location. Fastener options, in addition to magnets, include thumbtacks and wind-resistant hasps.
Doorways can be a single-door opening or a double-door opening, and before buying a magnetic screen door, you need to determine which you have so you can invest in the correct product to fill the space correctly.
Magnetic screen doors can come with a few extra features that make them easier to use, including full-strip magnets, pet doors, and side snaps to hold the doors open.
Magnetic screen doors are generally very simple to install by a DIYer if the manufacturer’s directions are followed. Though quality models stay in place quite well when properly installed, they may be considered as temporary screen doors since taking them down can be done easily. Here are a few considerations to keep in mind during installation:
A magnetic screen door must be cleaned and maintained properly to extend the life of the screen. Dust frequently with a microfiber cloth or other duster to remove the dirt and debris from the mesh, and wash weekly with a damp cloth and mild soap.
Mesh screens should always be left to air dry; do not put them in a dryer, which could damage them.
You may prefer to purchase a Velcro system that attaches to the doorframe and to the magnetic screen door edging using adhesive. The magnetic screen door is attached to the Velcro lining as needed and is just as easily removed for washing by hand in a sink.
A magnetic screen door in your home, cottage, or trailer keeps your place bug-free while allowing light and air in for ventilation. It will prove especially useful for pet owners, as cats and dogs can pass through with ease.
Magnetic fasteners close quickly and quietly before insects like mosquitoes can get in. While this addition does require regular dusting and washing, magnetic screen doors are otherwise low-maintenance and really allow you to enjoy pleasant weather without the bane of bugs.
For more information on choosing and using the best magnetic screen door, check out the answers below to some of the most commonly asked questions about these products.
Magnetic doors have two mesh panels that attach to the doorframe. The panels come together in the center using weighted magnets that are sewn into the border of the mesh netting to magnetically close the door. Users simply pass through at will, and the doors close behind them automatically.
There are several different types of screen doors including hinged, retractable, sliding, pivoting, and magnetic screen doors. Some people may also include storm doors in the classification of screen doors, though technically they don’t have a screen and do not fit this category.
Look for strong magnets and wind-resistant hasps to help protect the door from strong gusts. This solution allows people inside their homes to still enjoy the breeze without the door being blown open or blown completely off the frame.
Installing a magnetic screen door isn’t difficult when following these simple steps. First, identify the type of fastener. Thumbtacks are appropriate for wooden frames, but for metal, you will need to use adhesive Velcro strips.
For tack-mounted magnetic screen doors:
Bob Vila has been America’s Handyman since 1979. As the host of beloved and groundbreaking TV series including “This Old House” and “Bob Vila’s Home Again,” he popularized and became synonymous with “do-it-yourself” home improvement.
Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists.
Debbie Wolfe is a photographer, author, and freelance writer in various niches. She has contributed hundreds of home, garden, and crafting articles and DIY tutorials for leading media outlets and retailers, including HGTV, Real Simple, Forbes Advisor, The Spruce, The Home Depot, Walmart, and Mother Earth News. She is the author of two DIY books: Do-It-Yourself Garden Projects and Crafts and Crafting with Herbs from Skyhorse Publishing. Her testing approach is straightforward and budget-minded.
Additional research provided by Timothy Dale.
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