Review of the Best Paper-like Screens in 2025

Introduction:

In the digital age, an increasing number of users are turning to iPads for writing, drawing, and other activities. To enhance the user experience, paper-like screens have emerged as an important accessory. As a crucial component for improving the user experience, paper-like screens have gradually garnered attention from consumers. With numerous brands and distinctive features on the market, choosing a cost-effective and superior product has become a challenge for consumers. This article will start with key purchasing considerations and provide detailed reviews of several popular paper-like screens in 2024, hoping to provide guidance for your purchases in 2025.

1. What Features Should You Look for When Purchasing a Paper-like Screen?

Price: Since the Apple Pencil's tip often glides over matte screen protectors, the lifespan of paper-like screens is relatively short compared to conventional screen protectors and needs regular replacement. Therefore, price becomes an important consideration.
Ease of Application: Whether applying a paper-like screen is convenient and quick, and whether it is prone to bubbling or falling off, are crucial factors affecting the user experience.
Screen Clarity: A paper-like screen should maintain screen clarity while providing a paper-like touch, meeting users' visual experience needs.
Anti-glare Capability: Under different lighting conditions, a paper-like screen should effectively reduce screen reflection and enhance visual comfort.

2.Paper-like Screens Participating in the Test

We tested several well-known paper-like screen brands on the market, namely Paperlike, ESR, bersem, and Protescreen. Each brand has its unique promotional strategy and historical background, which provides different support for its product performance. We will conduct detailed tests on their performance and evaluate their in-use performance.

3.Paperlike Paper-like Screen Test

Paperlike is currently the most well-known brand. In 2021, Paperlike launched its first paper-like screen protector. Over the past three years, with Paperlike continuously marketing paper-like screens on platforms like YouTube, Google, and Instagram, more and more users have become aware of and adopted paper-like screens. Below are the test results for Paperlike's latest product.

Paperlike is priced at $44.99 for a set of two, which is the highest compared to other paper-like screens on the market. In terms of application, Paperlike uses an adhesive method, and although it comes with positioning stickers, it may still be less friendly for beginners. If you can perfectly apply it, that's fine.

Paperlike's paper-like screen protector offers a texture close to paper, relatively smooth, with a friction coefficient that is not too intense but still provides some friction. Therefore, it will wear down your pencil tip to a certain extent, typically lasting around six months.

In terms of clarity, due to its material, Paperlike currently restores about 93% of clarity. This has no impact on those who only need to take notes or are entry-level drawing enthusiasts. However, if you are an architect, painter, or other professional who requires high color accuracy, you may need to consider whether to use a paper-like screen or check our test of Protescreen's "EliteDefender AR+".

In terms of anti-glare capability, Paperlike, with its AG material, has certain anti-glare properties, resulting in less reflection and a good experience when used under different light sources.

Overall, Paperlike has high brand recognition but a significant price premium. Its product performance meets paper-like screen standards but has not reached the best.

4. ESR Paper-like Screen Test

ESR's paper-like screen is a rising brand of paper-like screen protectors in the past two years, mainly sold on Amazon, while also using YouTube and news websites for marketing to increase product awareness. Its product's most significant feature is its removable paper-like screen protector.

ESR's product is priced at $12.99 for a single piece, which is mid-range compared to other paper-like screens on the market.

In terms of application, ESR uses a magnetic attachment method for this product, allowing users to attach it whenever they need a paper-like feel and remove it when a clearer screen or no paper-like screen is needed. This is its biggest feature. However, please note that the magnetic attachment method may damage the magnetic force of your iPad.

ESR's paper-like screen protector offers a texture close to paper with a relatively strong friction coefficient, suitable for those who prefer a rough texture. Therefore, it will wear down your pencil tip to a certain extent, typically lasting 3-6 months.

In terms of clarity, due to its material, ESR currently restores about 90% of clarity. Like Paperlike, this has no impact on those who only need to take notes or are entry-level drawing enthusiasts. However, if you are an architect, painter, or other professional who requires high color accuracy, you may need to consider whether to use its paper-like screen.

In terms of anti-glare capability, ESR's paper-like screen protector has certain anti-glare properties but is inferior to Paperlike in bright light environments.

Overall, ESR's magnetic attachment method is its biggest innovation. Based on its product performance, its pricing of $12.99 is reasonable. You may need to consider whether ESR's clarity and anti-glare capability meet your standards. At the same time, prevent the magnetic function from causing your iPad to lose its magnetism by not covering it on your screen for long periods.

5. Bersem Paper-like Screen Test

Due to its pricing, Bersem's paper-like screen is the best-selling brand on Amazon.

Bersem's product is priced at $7.98 for a set of two, which is the cheapest compared to other paper-like screens on the market. How about its product performance?

In terms of application, Bersem uses an adhesive method. Based on our review of Amazon reviews, some customers have reported difficulties with application, so Bersem may pose some challenges for entry-level screen protector users.

Bersem's paper-like screen protector adds friction to the film, providing a certain paper-like feel, but it is not particularly strong. It will wear down your pencil tip to a certain extent.

In terms of clarity, due to its material, Bersem currently restores about 85-87% of clarity. This has no impact on those who only need to take notes. However, if you are an architect, painter, or other professional who requires high color accuracy, you may need to consider whether to use Bersem.

In terms of anti-glare capability, Bersem's anti-glare capability is relatively poor, so you need to consider whether to use Bersem if you often use it in bright light environments.

Overall, Bersem has gained a certain market share due to its pricing. Based on its product's paper-like feel, if you are an entry-level paper-like screen user, you can consider the Bersem brand. However, if you have certain requirements for paper-like screen protector performance, we recommend choosing another brand.

6. Protescreen Paper Film Test

Protescreen has two paper screen protectors, which are famous for selling privacy screen protectors on Amazon. In this article, we mainly test two screen protectors of Protescreen.

In terms of pricing, the first screen protector of Protescreen is priced at $19.99 (one piece), and its main feature is the electrostatic adsorption paste method. The second one is priced at $22.99 (one piece), and its main features are clarity and anti-glare ability.

In terms of paste method, Protescreen's "NanoGuard" adopts electrostatic adsorption. Like ESR, it has the characteristics of detachability, which is more friendly to novices. At the same time, it allows users to paste it at any time when they need a paper feeling, and take it off when they need a clearer screen or do not use the paper screen. It is worth noting that the electrostatic adsorption method will not damage your screen. Protescreen's "EliteDefender AR+" uses the traditional glue paste method, which may bring certain challenges to novices.

NanoGuard's paper screen protector feels close to paper, and has a strong friction coefficient. It is suitable for people who like rough textures. Therefore, it will wear your pen tip to a certain extent. Usually, the life of paper is about 3-6 months. EliteDefender AR+ has a smoother texture due to its AR coating, which is suitable for people with soft and smooth textures. It usually has a life of 6 months to 1 year.

In terms of clarity, NanoGuard currently restores about 92% clarity due to its product material. Like Paperlike, this has no effect on enthusiasts who only need to take notes and entry-level painting, but if you are an architect, painter, etc. who has high requirements for color reproduction, you may need to consider whether it is a paper-like film. EliteDefender AR+, due to the characteristics of its AR material, increases the screen clarity to more than 97%, so it is suitable for users with high color requirements.

From the perspective of anti-glare ability, NanoGuard's paper screen protector has a certain anti-glare ability, but the anti-glare ability is limited, and EliteDefender AR+ has the strongest anti-glare ability among the products we have tested due to its material.

Overall, if you have a strong demand for paper feel and want to get a detachable function, you can choose Protescreen's NanoGuard, and if you have a great pursuit of product performance, EliteDefender AR+ is the best choice. Due to its product features, Protescreen is priced between $19.99 and $22.99.

7. Conclusion:

If you are an entry-level paper screen protector and you only need to consider getting a paper-like feel, then bersem is a good choice for you. If you expect to use the paper screen protector only at a specific time and you have a strong demand for texture, then ESR and Protescreen's Nanoguard's detachable paper screen protector is a good choice, but you need to make a trade-off in price, because the magnetic adsorption method may bring certain risks to your iPad. If you are looking for the ultimate paper-like performance, then ProteScreen's EliteDefender AR+, which offers the highest clarity and anti-glare capabilities, is your best choice. If you expect the most recognizable brand, Paperlike will be your choice.