A hardware guide to choosing the right teleprompter.

This guide dives into the hardware side of teleprompters—helping you choose the right device for your setup. For a bigger picture overview of what teleprompters are, their history, and the evolution toward modern smart glasses, start with our ultimate teleprompter guide.

5 key factors to consider before you buy.

Before you purchase any hardware, evaluating your specific needs will prevent you from buying a device that's either insufficient or overly complicated.

1. Budget. Your price range is the first filter. Entry-level options can be found for under $150, making them an accessible, cheap teleprompter choice for beginners. Mid-range models for serious creators typically cost between $150 and $500, while the cost of a teleprompter for professional use can be over $500.
2. Display device. Decide what screen you'll use. Most budget-friendly rigs are designed to hold your smartphone or tablet. This requires you to supply the screen, but offers flexibility. More advanced units feature a built-in monitor, creating an all-in-one system.
3. Camera & lens. Ensure the hardware is compatible with your camera. A small camera-mounted teleprompter is great for mirrorless setups, but a larger camera may require a more robust rig. Also, consider your lens's field of view; a very wide-angle lens (e.g., under 24mm) can sometimes see the edges of the prompter hood, an effect called vignetting.
4. Reading distance. How far away will you be from the camera? A small phone teleprompter is readable from only a few feet away. If you need to stand 10-15 feet back, you'll need a larger screen, such as a tablet or a 15"+ monitor.
5. Portability. If you film in a dedicated studio, a larger, heavier setup is fine. If you're a vlogger or mobile journalist who needs to shoot on location, a foldable and portable teleprompter is essential.

How to choose the right teleprompter equipment by display device.

Teleprompter hardware is most easily categorized by the type of screen it's designed to hold.

For smartphone displays.

Designed for ultimate portability, these compact units use your smartphone as the display screen. They are the cheapest teleprompter option and perfect for content creators on the go.

• Pros. Highly portable, lightweight, and affordable.
• Cons. The small screen size limits the reading distance to about 6 feet. Text can be difficult to read for those with vision impairments.
• Best for. Vloggers, TikTok creators, and journalists using a mobile teleprompter setup.

For tablet & iPad displays.

These are the most popular models for YouTubers and small corporate studios. An iPad teleprompter kit uses a tablet as the display, offering a much larger and more readable screen. They provide a good balance between readability and size. To display the script, you'll need a reliable teleprompter app on the device.

• Pros. A larger screen allows for a comfortable reading distance of 10-12 feet. Text is clearer and easier to read.
• Cons. Heavier and bulkier than phone prompters, requiring a sturdy tripod for support.
• Best for. YouTubers, corporate video producers, and anyone needing a readable script from a moderate distance. A top choice for a dedicated teleprompter for YouTube studio.

With integrated monitors.

These all-in-one systems come with their own built-in screen, eliminating the need for a separate phone or tablet. The monitor connects directly to a computer, often via USB or HDMI, functioning as a second display. This allows live streamers to drag their script, chat window, or notes onto the teleprompter screen.

• Pros. A contained system with no need for a separate device. Ideal for PC-based workflows like live streaming.
• Cons. Higher price point and can be heavier. Less portable than device-based rigs.
• Best for. Live streamers, video podcasters, and professionals who want an integrated studio setup.

On-stage and specialized rigs.

Beyond standard on-camera units, two other types serve specific professional needs.

For public speaking.

Commonly known as a presidential teleprompter, this setup uses two distinct, transparent glass panels on thin stands placed on either side of a speaker's podium. The script is projected onto the glass from monitors on the floor. This allows a speaker to address different parts of a live audience while reading their script. They're the standard for high-level public speaking and live events.

Foundational teleprompter equipment.

At the heart of every teleprompter device is the teleprompter mirror. This is no ordinary glass; it's a scientific instrument called a beamsplitter. This see through teleprompter or clear teleprompter glass is partially reflective and partially transparent (typically a 70% transparent / 30% reflective ratio), allowing a camera to film through it cleanly while reflecting the script for the presenter.

Teleprompter comparison summary.

The ultimate teleprompter isn't a rig, it's glasses.

After comparing all the traditional hardware, a clear pattern emerges. Every option, from the cheapest to the most professional, shares the same fundamental limitations: they are bulky, require setup time, and physically tether you to the camera's fixed position. Freedom of movement is non-existent.

What if the best teleprompter was not a rig in front of the camera, but something you could wear?

That's the technology behind Even G2 smart glasses. Its integrated display serves the function of a teleprompter by delivering your script discreetly within an everyday eyewear design. It puts the display directly in your field of view, offering ultimate portability, zero setup, and complete freedom to move, walk around, and present naturally without being locked to a single spot. It's the evolution beyond traditional hardware.

FAQs.