Choosing a digital signage screen isn't complicated — but it does require asking the right questions before you buy. The wrong choice can mean a screen that's too dim to read, too small to make an impact, or simply not built to survive the environment it's installed in.
This guide walks you through the key decisions, so you can find the right digital signage screen for your space, your content, and your budget.
1. Start with where the screen is going
Location determines almost every other decision you'll make.
Indoor locations — retail units, reception areas, offices, restaurants, and corridors — can use standard commercial display screens. These are typically rated to 500–700 cd/m² of brightness, which is more than enough for controlled lighting conditions.
Window-facing and outdoor locations are a different matter. A standard screen placed in a shop window will be completely washed out in daylight. For window displays, you need a high-brightness screen rated at 1,500–3,500 cd/m² or above. For fully outdoor use — exposed to weather and direct sun — you'll need an IP-rated weatherproof screen in the 3,000–5,000 cd/m² range.
Getting this wrong is the most common and most expensive mistake people make when buying digital signage screens.
2. Screen size — how big is big enough?
A screen that looks large in a showroom can disappear in a real retail space. As a general guide:
- POS and counter displays: 22"–32" is sufficient at close range
- Wall-mounted retail and hospitality: 43"–55" is the most common choice
- Reception areas and showrooms: 55"–75" for impact at a distance
- Large venues and atriums: 86"–98", or a video wall for maximum visibility
The viewing distance rule of thumb: for every metre of viewing distance, aim for roughly 25–30cm of screen height. So if your customers are typically 3–4 metres away, a 43"–55" screen will work well.
3. Commercial vs consumer: why it matters
Consumer TVs are designed for a few hours of home use each day. Commercial digital signage displays are built to run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — with components rated for that workload.
The practical difference: a consumer TV used for digital signage will typically fail within 6–18 months. A commercial screen is rated for 70,000+ hours of continuous operation and comes with a manufacturer's commercial warranty (3 years as standard across our range).
Commercial screens also include features that consumer TVs don't: portrait mode support, RS-232 control, integrated media players, and remote management capability. These matter when you're managing a screen in a customer-facing environment and can't afford downtime.
4. Built-in media player or standalone?
Most modern commercial digital signage screens include a built-in Android media player. This means you can load content directly from a USB drive or connect the screen to a network and manage it remotely — no external media player box required.
If you want to manage content across multiple screens from a single dashboard, a cloud-based content management system (CMS) is the way to go. Our screens are compatible with My Signage Portal, which lets you schedule content, push updates remotely, and manage your entire screen network from any device with a browser.
If you only need to display static content or run a single video on a loop, a standalone screen with a USB input will do the job simply and cost-effectively.
5. What do digital signage screens cost?
Prices vary depending on size, brightness, and specification, but here's a rough guide to help you budget:
- Wall-mounted advertising screens: from £400–£500 for a 43" commercial display
- High-brightness window displays: from £1,200–£1,500
- Freestanding digital posters: from £1,900
- Video wall panels: from £1,600 per panel
Installation, mounting, and content management are additional considerations. We offer professional installation across the UK — contact the team for a quote if you need it included.
Ready to find the right screen?
Browse our full range of digital signage screens, from compact POS displays to high-brightness window screens and large-format video walls. Every screen in our range is commercial grade, UK-stocked, and backed by a 3-year manufacturer's warranty.
Not sure which option is right for your space? Get in touch and we'll recommend the best solution for your requirements — with no obligation.