Buying guide for best indoor scoreboards
If you’re coaching a youth basketball game, playing ping-pong against your cousin, or hosting a shuffleboard tournament, someone will inevitably wander in late and ask, “What’s the score?” Even in a casual game, arguments can break out about what the exact score was — an indoor scoreboard solves this issue and encourages friendly competition.
These simple tools can make any contest feel more dramatic as the scores (hopefully) rack up on both sides. Indoor scoreboards can be electronic or analog, both of which are easy to use but vary in their visibility and customization. Some electronic models allow for additional features like stat tracking and custom messages — features which usually come with a higher price tag.
Indoor scoreboards are available in multiple sizes and a wide range of price points. We put together a list of all of the features you need to understand to find the ideal indoor scoreboard for your needs.
Key considerations
When looking at indoor scoreboards, you’ll be picking among two primary designs. Electronic scoreboards are more complex and expensive, while manual scoreboards are generally inexpensive and simple in function.
Electronic
An electronic indoor scoreboard is able track a number of aspects of the game. The majority of electronic scoreboards use LED lights and are easy to read in a brightly lit gym.
Many electronic scoreboards include a clock and the ability to generate simple audio, like a buzzer to alert referees when a quarter ends.
Smaller tabletop electronic scoreboards are compact and portable, so you can pack them in a bag and bring them to practice without much trouble.
Some models may include a remote control, allowing a coach or referee to move around the court while still keeping tabs on the score.
For an electronic scoreboard that costs less than $1,000, don’t expect to be able to program it with messages or with custom numbering. Scoreboards with these features typically cost several thousand dollars.
Manual
Manual indoor scoreboards are extremely easy to set up and use, and they require no electricity.
A manual indoor scoreboard usually uses numbers printed on cardboard, poster board, or vinyl panels. The tops of these panels are connected to the scoreboard frame with metal rings or staples. You manually flip the numbers as the score changes.
Other manual scoreboards made for use at home with tabletop games may use pegs or clothespins to mark the score. Numbers are printed on a long board, and you move the pegs or pins to signify the current score.
Features
Before you select an indoor scoreboard, think about how you expect to use it. If it will be used for simple scorekeeping where you don’t need to track extra items about the game, you can save some money with a basic model. But you don’t want to waste money on a scoreboard that doesn’t have all the features you need either.
Timer
If the indoor scoreboard will be used for basketball, indoor soccer, or hockey, you likely will want a clock on the board.
Having a timer built into the scoreboard simplifies the process of monitoring the game by collecting all important information in one place. It also allows fans, coaches, and players to clearly see how much time remains for strategic purposes.
Portability
Most manual scoreboards and small electronic scoreboards are easily portable. This is important when you have games on multiple courts in one facility or if you need to take a scoreboard to practice
Many designs of indoor scoreboards are made to be placed on a table top or desk, rather than being mounted on the wall. Such scoreboards are great for practice, as coaches can take set them up just about anywhere.
Game stats
Some sports require you to track items like fouls committed, sets won, or timeouts remaining. Electronic scoreboards have more options for tracking and displaying extra statistics than manual scoreboards.
Power source
Most electronic scoreboards need to be plugged into an outlet, but some models may have a backup battery or may be entirely battery powered.
Some gymnasiums and facilities will have power outlets near the scorer’s table. Others do not, which means you will need to run power to an electronic scoreboard through a long extension cord. However, this could create a tripping hazard for players and fans.
Double digits vs. triple digits
The majority of indoor scoreboards will have two digits available to display the score. This means you can display numbers between zero and 99. Occasionally, you will find a triple digit scoreboard, which allow for numbers between zero and 199 or 999. Note that some scoreboards can only display a “1” in the hundreds position.
Think about the kinds of sports you’ll be tracking with the indoor scoreboard to help with this decision. Volleyball, soccer, and hockey don’t require triple digits, but basketball and wrestling sometimes do.
Indoor scoreboard prices
The price point you’ll find for indoor scoreboards varies quite a bit depending on whether they are electronic or manual.
Manual scoreboards are generally inexpensive. The least expensive models cost $10 to $25 and consist of lightweight materials like poster board and thin cardboard.
Models that are built with more durable materials, like vinyl, wood, and thick cardboard, may cost from $25 to $75. The pricier manual scoreboards may have an extra section or two to track quarters, matches, or fouls.
Electronic scoreboards are more of an investment. The least expensive models cost around $200 to $500 and are usually tabletop models with timers.
Midrange electronic scoreboards cost $500 to $1,000, and they will track other aspects of the game, such as fouls or timeouts remaining.
The priciest electronic scoreboards can cost several thousand dollars. They are generally large units made to be mounted on the wall.
Tips
- The size of the numbers matters. Think about where fans will be sitting during the games. If they’re far away from the indoor scoreboard, you may want larger numbers, perhaps 6 to 9 inches in height, so the score is visible from a distance.
- Look closely at the controls. Some indoor electronic scoreboards use a wireless remote control device to enter scores. While this is handy, it also is easy to lose the remote, leaving the scoreboard inoperable. You may be better served with a remote control that is wired to the scoreboard. Or, you could opt for a board that has the control buttons on the back of the board.
- Some designs are too busy. Some scoreboards try to cram too much information in an undersized frame. This can make it difficult to read the score clearly. If you want things to be as clear as possible in the indoor scoreboard, search for a model that has some extra blank space in the frame, or seek out a model where the numbers for the score are clearly larger than other numbers on the board.
Other products we considered
The Boardee Portable Scoreboard is a tiny manual scoreboard that hangs from a lanyard and a clip so you can take it anywhere. Though it’s on the smaller side, its bold numbers and red and blue design make it easy to read from a distance.
Another manual indoor scoreboard that is easy to read from a distance is the Champro Deluxe Flip-A Score model. This board uses 9-inch numbers with black and orange tiles for maximum visibility.
If you want an electronic indoor scoreboard with a vertical frame, we recommend the Trigon Sport Portable LED Scoreboard. The frame can extend to 4 feet vertically and the scoreboard ships with a wireless remote for simple operation.
FAQ
Q. What sports work with an indoor scoreboard?
A. You can find a scoreboard that will work with almost any sport. Basketball, volleyball, wrestling, and indoor soccer are common uses for indoor scoreboards. However, some designs are appropriate to use at home for a game of ping-pong, tabletop shuffleboard, foosball, or air hockey.
Q. Do indoor scoreboards stand up to being struck by a ball?
A. It depends on the model. If you’re worried about a stray basketball or volleyball hitting the scoreboard, you may want to stick with a manual control board. Electronic scoreboards are more susceptible to damage than manual scoreboards.
Q. Can I take my indoor scoreboard outdoors too?
A. You can usually take a manual control scoreboard outdoors, as long as it stays dry. Indoor electronic scoreboards are rarely suitable for outdoor use. They are often not bright enough to be seen on a sunny day, and they may not be sealed against weather and can easily become damaged by a bit of moisture.
