Best LED Scoreboards (Digital / Video / Software)

Keeping score is an integral part of any game, from friendly backyard matches to professional sporting events. But traditional scoreboards can be cumbersome, prone to wear and tear, and often lack the visual appeal to truly elevate the experience.

With new technology always on the horizon, there are now better ways to keep score of your favorite games! In this comprehensive guide, we'll touch on the world of LED scoreboards, exploring their advantages, popular options, and how they can enhance your audience's viewing experience.

What is an LED Scoreboard?

An LED scoreboard utilizes light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to display scores, timers, and other game information. Unlike traditional scoreboards with physical digits that need to be flipped manually, LED scoreboards offer a dynamic and visually captivating way to track the game's progress.

Advantages of LED Scoreboards

There are several compelling reasons to consider an LED scoreboard for your next game:

Enhanced Visibility: LED displays are known for their exceptional brightness and clarity, even in direct sunlight. This ensures everyone – players, spectators, and referees – can easily see the score from virtually any angle.

Durable/Weather Resistant: LED scoreboards are built to withstand the elements. Their solid-state construction makes them far more resistant to rain, dust, and physical impact compared to traditional scoreboards. This durability is especially important for outdoor games or scoreboards placed in high-traffic areas.

Energy Efficient: LED technology is renowned for its low energy consumption. Compared to traditional scoreboards that use incandescent bulbs, LED scoreboards can significantly reduce energy usage, leading to lower operating costs and a smaller environmental footprint.

Long Lifespan: LED displays boast an exceptional lifespan, often lasting for tens of thousands of hours. This translates to years of reliable performance without the need for frequent replacements.

Top 5 LED Scoreboards (Traditional)

For those seeking a portable and user-friendly solution, a variety of traditional LED scoreboards are available. Here are some popular options to consider, each with its unique features:

Naoeleii Portable Digital LED Scoreboard

Rated: Most Affordable Digital Scoreboard

Price: $37.79

This compact and affordable option is ideal for casual sports enthusiasts. It features remote control functionality for easy scorekeeping, timekeeping, and even foul tracking. The large, bright LED display ensures clear visibility indoors or outdoors, with adjustable brightness for different environments. It's also portable and comes with a carrying case, tabletop stand, and wall mounting options.

Pros:

Remote Control: Easy to track score, time, and reset from 30 feet away.
Shortcuts for Points: Seamlessly add points (+1, +2, etc) with the remote control.
Large, Bright Display: Clear visibility, both indoors and outdoors, with the 1.8-inch red and blue LED digits and adjustable brightness.
Multifunctional: Allows you to keep score (0-99 points per team), display time (12/24 hour format), use countdown/upward timers and keep track of fouls.
Portable and Easy to Use: Comes equipped with a lightweight (1.56 lbs) carrying case, tabletop stand, and wall mount.
Power Options: A USB cable is included or purchase a power bank (not included) for more portability.
Additional Features: Comes with optional sound alerts for score changes, the option to purchase a separate mobile power supply, and a one-year warranty.

Cons:

External Power Required: Needs to be plugged into a wall outlet or use a power bank (not included) for operation.
Remote Requires Batteries: Remote control requires two AAA batteries (not included).
Short Power Cable: The included cable is a bit short (roughly 12’’) and may need an extension.

Works well as a budget option for the following sports:

Cornhole / Shuffleboard / Darts / Ping Pong / Baseball / Tennis / Basketball

Overall:

While it requires an external power source (wall outlet or power bank), the Naoeleii Scoreboard offers great value for those looking for a versatile and feature-rich scoreboard for various sports like cornhole, ping pong, or basketball. However, keep in mind that the included power cable is short and the remote control requires separate batteries.

LUCKY TIME Digital Scoreboard with Buzzer

Rated: Best Battery Powered Digital Scoreboard

Price: $165

Here is another versatile scoreboard option, ideal for those who prioritize long battery life and portability. This scoreboard tracks a variety of stats beyond basic scorekeeping, including time, period, ball possession, and even bonus points. Here is the breakdown:

Pros:

Multifunctional: Capable of tracking score, time, period, ball possession, and bonuses.
Large, Bright Display: Its 3-inch and 1.8-inch digital displays offer clear visibility indoors or outdoors (up to 70 feet) with adjustable brightness.
Easy to Use Remote Control: 2.4G remote controls all functions from up to 70 feet away.
Long Battery Life: Includes rechargeable batteries that can last up to 11 hours. You can also purchase a Type-C cable separately as an alternative option.
Portable and Durable: With a thin, lightweight (2.65 lbs) carrying case.
Multiple Mounting Options: Can be mounted on a wall, table, or quick-folding tripod (sold separately).

Cons:

Not Waterproof: Still suitable for outdoor use but not recommended in wet conditions.
No AC Adapter Included: A Type-C cable can be purchased separately as an additional power supply.
Optional Tripod Sold Separately: For additional portability and ease of use.

Suitable for:

Basketball, Volleyball, Soccer, Baseball, Table Tennis, and Hockey

Conclusion:

Overall, the LUCKY TIME scoreboard is a versatile choice for various sports, but the lack of included AC adapter and optional tripod purchase might be dealbreakers for some.

Spolehli LED Scoreboard with Timer/Shot Clock

Rated: Best Option For Basketball

Price: $290

This scoreboard caters to users who need advanced features, particularly for basketball games with two scoring modes. Here is the breakdown:

Pros:

Durable Construction: The aluminum alloy frame is advertised to be shock-resistant, lightweight, and long-lasting.
Bright Red LED Display: Visible up to 98.4 feet (30 meters) with good contrast for readability.
Multiple Score Modes: Choose between Standard score mode with a clock or countdown timer or Basketball mode with a customizable shot clock (14s-99s) and foul display.
Remote Control: Operational from up to 70 feet away.
Multiple Mounting Options: There are a few options available that are sold separately: tabletop, wall mount, or tripod.
Additional Features: Built-in buzzer (can be turned off), plus four additional modes (count up, countdown, stopwatch, 12-hour clock).
Power Options: Wall plug-in (adapter included) or battery-powered only (12 v batteries sold separately).

Cons:

Not Waterproof: It’s not designed for outdoor use but a waterproof version is available.
Limited Color Options: Color customization is currently not available. It only displays in red.
No App Control: Making this unavailable to control from your smartphone.
Optional Tripod Sold Separately: A tripod can be purchased separately.
Fixed Buzzer Volume: No way to adjust the volume of the buzzer. Only on or off options.

Suitable for:

Basketball, Hockey, Other Indoor Sports

Overall:

It’s ideal for indoor sports, especially basketball, but keep in mind the limitations and potential extra costs.

SSG Portable LED Tabletop Scoreboard with Wireless Remote Control (Multisport)

Rated: Most Suitable for Indoor Sports

Price: $551.36

This multi-sport scoreboard has a large, bright LED display for clear visibility and comes with a wireless remote for easy control from far away. Here’s the breakdown:

Pros:

Multifunctional: It can track and display score, time, period, bonus points, team fouls, and possession.
Wireless Remote Control: Easy to control from up to 100 feet away.
Large, Bright Display: Great for visibility from a distance!
Additional Features: Also acts as a stopwatch, metronome, or alarm clock.
Tabletop Design: The portable design is perfect for indoor sports like volleyball, basketball, and wrestling.
Multi-Unit Compatibility: Operate up to four scoreboards simultaneously!

Cons:

Indoor Use Only: It’s not recommended for outdoor use.
Batteries Required for Remote: Must be purchased separately.

Suitable For:

Basketball / Volleyball / Wrestling / Other Indoor Sports

Overall:

Its portable design, versatility, and additional features make this a great solution for coaches, referees, and scorekeepers. However, it’s limited for use with indoor sports only.

Varsity MS-4 Portable Multisport Scoreboard: Portable Scoreboard on Wheels

Rated: Most Suitable for Professional Outdoor Sports

Price: $2935

This top-of-the-line scoreboard is built for serious sports users who need a durable and versatile option for various outdoor sports. Here are the key features:

Pros:

Large, Bright LED Digits: With 9-inch numbers that are clearly visible from over 300 feet away, this scoreboard has great visibility for its viewers.
Versatility: It has a wide range of uses for outdoor sports, including baseball, softball, football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, and track.
Durability and Weather Resistance: Built for outdoor use, this scoreboard is constructed with a galvanized steel cabinet and a powder coat finish.
Internal Rechargeable Battery and AC Power: No plug-in required! Operate seamlessly both indoors and outdoors with internal power.
Optional Wireless Controller: For added convenience, a wireless controller can be purchased for an additional $250.
2-Year Limited Warranty: Offers assurance against manufacturing defects.

Cons:

Heavy: Weighing 180 lbs, this scoreboard is quite heavy. Although it has wheels for mobility, it is less portable compared to lighter alternatives.
Expensive: Positioned as a high-end product, this scoreboard comes with a hefty price tag.

Suitable for:

Baseball / Football / Soccer / Beach Volleyball / Field Hockey / Lacrosse / Basketball / Track / Other Outdoor Sports

Overall:

Keep in mind this scoreboard is on the heavy side and comes with a hefty price tag. So, while it's a great choice for professional or high-level sporting events, its weight and cost make it less ideal for casual sports or recreational use.

LED Scoreboard Alternatives

While a traditional LED scoreboard offers a fantastic solution, there are alternative ways to leverage this technology for displaying scores:

LED Video Scoreboard

For complex needs beyond basic scoring, consider an LED video scoreboard. These high-tech displays can showcase player introductions, instant replays, and other multimedia content, similar to those seen in professional sports arenas. Companies like Scorevision specialize in these advanced LED video scoreboards.

LED Scoreboard Software using TV Display

If you have a spare TV lying around, you can transform it into a DIY LED scoreboard using specialized software. KeepTheScore.com offers this kind of software solution, allowing you to control the scoreboard display directly from your computer or phone.

Using a Projector to Display Scoreboard

Projectors can also be used to display a digital scoreboard onto a wall or screen. This option offers flexibility in terms of display size – you can project a large scoreboard suitable for a big audience or adjust it for smaller gatherings. KeepTheScore.com can also be easily connected using a basic laptop/projector setup.

Projectors are also generally more affordable than dedicated LED scoreboards. However, there are some drawbacks to consider:

Susceptibility to Ambient Light: As you mentioned, projector visibility can be significantly impacted by ambient light. In brightly lit environments, the projected scoreboard may be washed out and difficult to see. Consider dimming lights or using a projector with a high lumen output (brightness) to counter this issue.
Setup Requirements: Setting up a projector requires a flat surface for projection and a connection to your scoring device (laptop, tablet) This can be more cumbersome compared to a dedicated LED scoreboard that's ready to use out of the box.
Image Quality: While projector technology has improved significantly, projected images may not offer the same level of crispness and clarity as a dedicated LED display.

Overall, using a projector to display a scoreboard can be a viable option for casual games or situations where budget is a major concern. However, for better visibility and a more professional feel, a dedicated LED scoreboard is the way to go.

Introducing KeepTheScore’s Online Scoreboard

For those seeking a truly mobile and versatile scoring solution, look no further than KeepTheScore's innovative online scoreboard. Our web-based platform allows you to keep score for a variety of sports using any internet-connected device – phones, tablets, laptops – eliminating the need for dedicated hardware.

It’s the perfect solution for casual games or tournaments, youth sports, traveling teams, and remote followers. Here are some of the key benefits:

Accessibility: Access the scoreboard from anywhere with an internet connection. No need to download or install any software. \
Real-time Updates: Scores and other game information update instantly for all connected devices, ensuring everyone stays on the same page. \
Multi-Device Compatibility: The scoreboard works seamlessly across various devices, allowing for easy scorekeeping and viewing. \
Customizable Features: KeepTheScore offers a variety of customization options, including the ability to add team logos, change display colors, and even incorporate penalty tracking. \
Live Chat: Our boards have the ability to show live comments, including animated gifs or other images. \
Collaboration: Share the scoreboard link with others, allowing them to follow and keep score of the game remotely in real-time.

Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a casual sports enthusiast, LED scoreboards offer a modern and reliable way to elevate your game. From traditional portable scoreboards to cutting-edge video displays and innovative online solutions, there's an LED scoreboard option to fit your needs and budget. So ditch the paper and pencils, and embrace the future of game scoring with the brilliance of LEDs!

We hope this comprehensive guide has shed light on the exciting world of LED scoreboards. Simply click on the button below to get started!