When planning an event, whether a product launch, trade show, festival, or private celebration, LED screens are often at the heart of it all. They catch attention, deliver high-impact visuals, and give your audience an experience to remember.

But before locking in a rental, there’s a key question many event organisers face: indoor vs outdoor LED screen hire, which costs more?

At first glance, screens may look similar. But the costs? Not so much.

From screen brightness to weather protection, many factors influence the price. Indoor LED screens are designed for controlled environments, requiring less robust construction and lower brightness levels. Outdoor screens, however, need weatherproofing, higher brightness for daylight visibility, and durability against environmental factors, making them generally more expensive to hire.

But choosing between the indoor and outdoor LED screen hire is not just about location, it’s about budget, goals, and the type of event you’re hosting.

Let’s take a closer look:

Key difference between indoor vs outdoor LED screens

The main difference lies in the build and brightness. Indoor LED screens are designed for controlled environments. They are sleek, lighter, and have tighter pixel pitches, which means better image clarity when people view them up close. On the other hand, outdoor LED screens are built like tanks, weatherproof, dustproof, and extremely bright to fight off sunlight glare.

But all these outdoor-friendly features come at a price. Stronger frames, weather protection, and ultra-bright LEDs increase manufacturing and rental costs.

Why Outdoor LED Screens Cost More?

Outdoor LED Screen hire tends to be more expensive than indoor options, and here’s why:

●      Weatherproofing

Outdoor screens must handle wind, rain, and extreme temperatures. They’re sealed units with higher IP ratings (usually IP65 or more). That protection adds to the cost.

●      Brightness Levels

Outdoor screens often range from 4,000 to 10,000 nits (units of brightness), compared to indoor screens that range from 800 to 2000 nits. Brighter screens cost more to build and power.

●      Heavy-Duty Build

These screens are built with heavier casings and strong mounting rigs. Transporting and setting them up takes more labour, equipment, and time.

●      Bigger Pixel Pitch

Because outdoor viewers stand farther away, the pixel pitch is typically wider between P4 and P10, which can reduce resolution but increase size. Bigger screens mean higher prices.

What Impacts The Cost Of Indoor LED Screen Hire?

Indoor LED screens are more budget-friendly, but there are still cost variables to think about:

• Pixel Pitch: Tighter pitches like P1.9 or P2.6 are more expensive because they provide higher clarity, especially when audiences are close to the screen.
• Custom sizing: LED screens are modular, meaning you can build them to custom sizes. Large indoor events may still push your budget. Mounting or Rigging Needs: Wall mounting is cheaper than flying a screen or building custom stands. Indoor venues vary, so always check the structure beforehand.
• Mounting or Rigging Needs: Wall mounting is cheaper than flying a screen or building custom stands. Indoor venues vary, so always check the structure beforehand.

If you are hosting a conference, trade show booth, or awards night, indoor LED screen hire is typically the smarter choice, cost-effective, and visually sharp.

Tips For Choosing The Right Screen Without Breaking The Budget

The choice between indoor vs outdoor LED screen hire really comes down to the event type. Here’s how to stay budget-smart.

• Check your venues first: if your venue is a marquee or semi-outdoor setup, you might still need weatherproof outdoor screens.
• Think About Viewing Distance: If guests will stand far away, you don’t need ultra-high resolution, which helps cut costs.
• Book Early: LED screen hire prices rise closer to peak seasons. Booking ahead gets you better rates and availability.
• Bundle Services: Some suppliers offer better deals when you combine LED screen hire with staging, sound, or production services.

Event Type Matters – Here’s When To Choose Which

There’s no one-size-fits-all. Let’s go event by event to compare Indoor vs Outdoor LED Screen Hire:

• Corporate conference: Stick with indoor LED screens. They are cleaner, sharper, and easy to rig in ballrooms or meeting halls.
• Outdoor festivals or public screenings: You’ll need outdoor LED screen hire; sunlight will kill visibility without it, and one downpour could wreck your entire setup.
• Exhibitions and Trade Shows: Indoor LED walls make sense here, especially for booth setups and branding displays.
• Sporting events: Go for outdoor screens if you’re dealing with a stadium setup or open-air fan zones.

Make sure to consider your environment, viewing distance, and content type. A video-heavy event needs crisp quality, while a live scoreboard may manage with less resolution but more brightness.

Energy Consumption: The Hidden Cost

Many organisers overlook this, but it matters. Outdoor screens use far more power due to brightness and cooling systems. According to Digital Projection, outdoor LED displays can consume up to 30% more electricity.

Make sure you factor in power supply and generator rental when pricing outdoor LED screen hire.

How to Find the Best Deal on LED Screen Hire

To get the best value, whether indoor or outdoor, partner with a trusted AV supplier who:

• Offers transparent pricing.
• Conducts a site visit to recommend the right setup.
• Provides 24/7 tech support.
• Handles delivery, setup, and dismantling.

It’s not always about choosing the cheapest option. It’s about getting the right screen for your event goals.

Indoor vs Outdoor LED Screen Hire – Final Takeaway on Cost

So, which one costs more? Outdoor LED screen hire wins that title almost every time. It demands more budget due to weather protection, higher brightness, and structural reinforcement. But it also delivers where it counts: visibility, durability, and reach.

If you’re hosting an indoor event, you’ll save on screen hire, power, and setup. But don’t cut corners. Poor-quality screens can ruin the audience experience, whether inside or out.

Here’s a quick recap:

• Indoor LED screen hire is cheaper, perfect for short-range viewing, and best for corporate or exhibition setups.
• Outdoor LED screen hire is more expensive but essential for outdoor visibility and safety.

When weighing up Indoor vs Outdoor LED Screen Hire, don’t just focus on the price tag; focus on value. The screen is often the centrepiece of your event. Choose wisely, and it’ll make everything else look better too.

Looking to hire a screen for your next event in London or across the UK? Get in touch with a professional AV team that specialises in both Indoor vs Outdoor LED Screen Hire. With the right gear and support crew, your visuals will shine, rain or shine.