Production of sand from oil and gas wells necessitates the application of techniques for sand control. Sand screens are widely used. However, they are susceptible to failures, often stemming from improper selection and design. This study reviews existing selection criteria and identifies the causes of failures. It has been concluded that, sand screens selection should not rely on a single method but should consider a comprehensive combination of factors. This paper presents comparative analyses among various sand screen types. Also, it compares different materials used in sand screens, such as expandable, ceramics, metallic alloys, polymers, and shape memory materials, in terms of their performance and susceptibility to failure. These comprehensive comparisons can greatly assist in the optimized selection process for sand screens. © 2024 The Author(s)