In the fast-paced advertising world of Singapore, brands can make their own assets most attractive by installing large signage to create bright and vibrant digital LED screens or static lightboxes. Both have emerged as the most effective outdoor or indoor signage solutions for building owners and advertisers. Whether you’re a property owner looking to monetize your space or an advertiser seeking high-impact visibility, choosing the right signage can significantly impact your marketing success.
At Onestop Signage, we specialize in the installation of digital signage LED screens and giant static lightboxes across Singapore. In this guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of both options, helping you make an informed decision.
Why Invest in LED Screens for Your Building or Business?
LED digital screen billboards are revolutionizing the advertising landscape, offering dynamic, eye-catching visuals that engage audiences like never before. Here’s why they’re a game-changer:
✅ Advantages of LED Screens
- Dynamic & High-Impact Visuals
LED billboards allow for animated content, videos, and multiple ad rotations, making them more engaging than static advertisements. You can schedule content based on time or events, ensuring maximum relevance. - Multiple Stakeholders, More Revenue
With programmable visuals, building owners and advertisers can cater to multiple clients at once, increasing revenue potential through programmatic ad sales. - Day and Night Visibility
LED screens remain bright and clear regardless of the time of day, maximizing exposure. Some screens can even include livestreaming features (subject to government approvals). - Monetization Through LED Airtime Sales
Advertisers can sell ad space programmatically, making LED screens a profitable long-term investment.
❌ Challenges of LED Screens (And How to Overcome Them)
Higher Initial Investment
LED screens require a higher upfront cost, but the longevity of premium LED chips makes them a cost-effective solution in the long run.
Here are some considerations for premium LED screens that is certainly a higher initial costs difference:
1. Gold Wire vs. Copper Wire in LED Modules
Gold Wire LEDs (Premium Choice)
✅ Better Conductivity & Stability – Gold has higher electrical conductivity and resists oxidation, leading to better long-term performance.
✅ Longer Lifespan – Gold wire LEDs can last over 10 years with minimal deterioration.
✅ Higher Heat Resistance – Suitable for outdoor installations in hot and humid climates like Singapore.
❌ Higher Cost – Gold is expensive, increasing the upfront cost of the LED screen.
Copper Wire LEDs (More Affordable)
✅ Lower Initial Investment – Copper is cheaper than gold, making it a cost-effective option for budget-conscious projects.
✅ Good Conductivity – While not as good as gold, copper still provides decent performance in LED applications.
❌ Oxidation Risk – Copper is prone to oxidation over time, affecting performance and longevity. Thus harsher outdoor conditions such as by the seaside, we can consider not to use copper.
❌ Shorter Lifespan – Copper wire LEDs may require earlier maintenance and replacements compared to gold wire options.
If your project involves long-term, high-quality LED installations, gold wire LEDs are worth the investment for durability and low maintenance costs.
2. Choosing the Right LED Chip Brand
The LED chip is the core component of your LED display, influencing brightness, colour accuracy, power consumption, and longevity. Here’s a comparison of top LED chip brands:
Brand | Key Features | Recommended For |
Nichia (Japan) | Industry leader in brightness and efficiency, long lifespan, premium pricing | High-end outdoor displays, luxury advertising |
Cree (USA) | Excellent color rendering, stable performance, energy-efficient | Indoor & outdoor LED billboards |
Epistar (Taiwan) | Cost-effective, good brightness, widely used | Mid-range LED projects |
NationStar (China) | Good performance at a lower price, widely available | Budget-friendly advertising screens |
San’an (China) | Most affordable, decent quality, high production volume | Short-term advertising screens |
Given that the costs of premium quality, best brightness, and durability to use brands such as Nichia or Cree are very high while brands such as Epistar or NationStar have improved in their stability. We can consider a good balance of cost and performance and focus on Epistar or NationStar.
3. SMD vs. DIP vs. COB vs. MicroLED LED Screens: Which One is Best for Your Display?
When investing in an LED screen, the type of LED technology used significantly affects brightness, resolution, durability, and power efficiency. Below is a comparison of SMD, DIP, COB, and MicroLED technologies, helping you decide which is best for your advertising or signage needs.
🔹 SMD (Surface-Mounted Device) LED
✅ Higher Resolution & Better Viewing Angles – Small LED chips allow for fine pixel pitches, creating sharp, high-definition visuals.
✅ More Energy-Efficient – Uses less power compared to DIP LEDs.
✅ Slim & Lightweight – Ideal for modern, sleek LED panels.
✅ Best for Indoor & High-Definition Outdoor Use.
❌ Moderate Brightness – Brighter than COB, but not as bright as DIP LEDs.
❌ More Susceptible to Damage – Components are surface-mounted, making them slightly more fragile than DIP LEDs.
💡 Best for: Indoor digital displays, retail signage, and high-definition outdoor billboards.
The p8 LED screen of The Perfect Media whose viewing distance of 12-16 metres that OneStop has installed for advertising purposes which is a SMD screen. When it was first installed in 2008 being one of the first few LED screens in Singapore, this location used Nichia (Japan) chips thus enjoying a great colour contrast for high performance Nike advertisements and good brightness and efficiency and long lifespan.
🔹 DIP (Dual In-Line Package) LED
✅ Ultra-Bright – Designed for outdoor use, DIP LEDs are much brighter than SMD and COB, making them great for direct sunlight visibility.
✅ Durable & Weatherproof – Highly resistant to heat, moisture, and dust.
✅ Long Lifespan – Built for outdoor environments where extreme weather conditions are a concern.
❌ Lower Resolution – DIP LEDs are bulkier, limiting their ability to achieve fine pixel pitches.
❌ Higher Power Consumption – Less energy-efficient than SMD and COB technologies.
❌ Limited Viewing Angles – DIP LEDs offer a narrower field of view compared to SMD and COB.
💡 Best for: Outdoor LED billboards in direct sunlight, large-format advertising, and applications requiring maximum brightness.
🔹 COB (Chip-on-Board) LED
✅ Seamless Display – Multiple LED chips are packed into a single module, creating a smooth, glare-free visual.
✅ Higher Durability – COB LEDs eliminate visible pixel gaps, making them less prone to failure compared to SMD LEDs.
✅ Better Heat Dissipation – Ideal for energy efficiency and long-term use.
✅ Compact Size, Ideal for Small-Pitch Displays – Great for indoor applications requiring ultra-HD resolution.
❌ Lower Brightness than DIP & SMD – Not suitable for direct sunlight exposure.
❌ Higher Manufacturing Cost – More expensive due to advanced technology and fine-pitch capability.
💡 Best for: Indoor applications like conference rooms, control centers, and ultra-high-definition video walls.
The p1.87 LED screen of The Perfect Media whose viewing distance is less than 5 metres, is one of the latest screens that OneStop has installed for advertising purposes which is a COB screen
🔹 MicroLED (Next-Gen Technology)
✅ Ultra-High Resolution & Contrast – Uses extremely small LED chips to create 4K and even 8K displays.
✅ Energy-Efficient & Long Lifespan – Better power efficiency and longer durability than traditional LED technology.
✅ Perfect Color Accuracy & No Burn-In – Competes with OLED displays for superior image quality and longevity.
❌ Very Expensive – Currently one of the most premium LED technologies, with a high upfront cost.
❌ Limited Availability – Not yet widely produced for large-scale advertising displays.
💡 Best for: Luxury indoor displays, high-end digital signage, and premium applications requiring extreme clarity.
🔍 Quick Comparison Table
Feature | SMD LED | DIP LED | COB LED | MicroLED |
Resolution | High | Low | Ultra-High | Extreme 4K/8K |
Brightness | Moderate | Very High | Lower | High |
Durability | Moderate | Very High | High | Very High |
Energy Efficiency | High | Low | High | Very High |
Viewing Angles | Wide | Narrow | Wide | Ultra-Wide |
Best For | Indoor & some outdoor | Large outdoor billboards | Indoor fine-pitch displays | High-end luxury digital screens |
💡 Which LED Technology Should You Choose?
✔️ For large outdoor LED billboards in direct sunlight → DIP LED (Best brightness & weatherproof)
✔️ For high-resolution digital signage (indoor & outdoor) → SMD LED (Best balance of brightness & clarity)
✔️ For seamless, high-definition, glare-free displays → COB LED (Best for fine-pitch displays)
✔️ For premium 4K/8K displays with cutting-edge technology → MicroLED (Most advanced, but expensive)
4. Other Premium LED Features to Consider
- High Refresh Rate (≥3,840Hz) – Reduces flickering, improves video quality for digital content.
- HDR (High Dynamic Range) Support – Enhances contrast and color depth for ultra-clear visuals.
- Energy-Efficient Drivers – Reduces power consumption, lowering electricity costs.
- IP65+ Waterproof Rating – Essential for outdoor LED screens in Singapore’s tropical climate.
Final Takeaway: Is Premium LED Worth It?
✔️ If you need an LED screen for long-term use (10+ years), investing in premium materials like gold wire LEDs, Nichia/Cree chips, and SMD technology is worth it.
✔️ If your project is short-term or budget-sensitive, a mid-tier setup with Epistar/NationStar chips and copper wire LEDs can balance cost and performance and can last a good period with proper maintenance programme.
- Higher Maintenance & Electricity Costs
Monthly electricity costs can range from a few thousands a month, depending on the size and type of LED screen. However, reducing operating hours (e.g., from 10 AM instead of 8 AM) can help cut costs. - Potential Content Restrictions
Some advertisers (e.g., alcohol, gaming, entertainment brands) may face restrictions on LED advertising, depending on location regulations and preferences of the asset owner.
Why Choose a Static Lightbox?
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance, cost-effective signage solution, a static lightbox may be the perfect fit.
✅ Advantages of Static Lightboxes
- Lower Cost & Maintenance
Compared to LED screens, installation and maintenance costs for static lightboxes are significantly lower, making them ideal for budget-conscious property owners. - Lower Electricity Consumption
Since lightboxes are illuminated only from 6:30 PM to 10/11 PM, they consume far less electricity than LED screens, reducing monthly operational costs. - Simple & Effective Branding
Static lightboxes provide consistent exposure for a single brand or campaign without the need for digital content management.
The lightboxes at Tristar Complex facing the Malay Village at Joo Chiat Singapore is a great place for a static lightbox as the area both high volume vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic. The annual Hari Raya bazaar and pasar malam is also a MUST-GO attraction thus advertising a static option here commands a strong impact for the visitors to Geylang Serai.
❌ Challenges of Static Lightboxes (And Solutions)
- Limited to One Visual at a Time
Unlike LED screens, static lightboxes can only display one advertisement at a time. However, this can be mitigated by changing visuals quarterly or opting for bulk discounts on multiple prints. - Limited Monetization Opportunities
While lightboxes can be leased for advertising, building owners cannot use the space once it is rented out.
Which Signage Solution is Right for You?
Feature | LED Screen 💡 | Static Lightbox 🏙️ | ||
Installation Cost | Higher investment | Lower investment | ||
Maintenance | Requires regular maintenance | Minimal maintenance | ||
Visuals | Dynamic (video, images, animations) | Static (single image) | ||
Ad Revenue | Multiple clients per screen | Limited to one advertiser at a time | ||
Electricity Costs |
| Lower, operates only at night | ||
Programming | Digital content scheduling | Manual print replacement |
If you want maximum impact, multiple revenue streams, and a long-term return on investment, an LED screen is your best bet. However, if you prefer a low-cost, low-maintenance signage solution, a static lightbox is a great alternative.
Get a Free Consultation for Your digital LED or Lightbox Installation in Singapore
At Onestop Signage, we offer end-to-end solutions for both LED screen and lightbox installations, including:
✅ Customized solutions for building owners & advertisers
✅ High-quality materials for long-lasting signage
✅ Competitive pricing & professional installation
✅ Expert maintenance services
📞 Contact us today for a FREE consultation and let us help you maximize your advertising potential!
🌐 Visit us at Onestop Signage
