The rise of smart glasses: the 2025 teleprompter price guide.

Buying a teleprompter should be a simple decision, but the vast price difference between a $99 kit and a $2,000 studio setup can be confusing. This guide breaks down the costs, explains the technology you're paying for, and details the best options on the market today. We'll cover everything from budget models to the real cost of a DIY project, helping you find the right tool for your needs. For a complete overview of what a teleprompter is and how it works, see our ultimate guide to teleprompters.

Quick comparison: teleprompter price and use case.

This table provides a quick overview of what you can expect to pay and who each price tier is for.

What drives the cost? A breakdown of what you're paying for.

The price of a teleprompter is determined by a few key components. Understanding them helps you know where your money is going.

Beamsplitter glass.

This is much more than a piece of glass. It's a specialized mirror with an optical coating that reflects the script towards you while allowing a portion of the light from the scene to pass through to the camera lens. The standard for prosumer models is 70/30 glass, meaning 70% of the light passes through (Transparency) and 30% is reflected (Reflectivity). An uncoated plate of glass reflects very little light, making a proper coating necessary for a readable script. Cheaper models may use lower-quality glass or even acrylic, which can degrade video quality by causing a color shift or reducing sharpness.

Build quality and materials.

Low-cost models often use plastic frames and mounts, which are lightweight but can be flimsy and may wobble, especially with a heavier camera. Mid-range and professional teleprompters use aluminum or steel construction. This adds weight but provides the stability needed to protect your camera and tablet, making them more durable for frequent use or transport.

Display system.

This is a major cost factor.

• BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). The most common and affordable option. These teleprompters provide a frame and glass, but you supply the screen—usually an iPad, tablet, or smartphone.
• Built-in monitor. Mid-range options often include their own screen. This adds convenience, as they can connect directly to a computer via USB and act as a second monitor.
• Broadcast monitor. High-end studio teleprompters come with large, high-brightness monitors (measured in nits) that are readable from far away and have professional inputs like SDI.

Mounting system.

How the teleprompter attaches to your camera and tripod impacts its price and usability. Basic models use simple lens adapter rings to mount directly onto a camera lens. More robust systems use a 15mm rail baseplate, which offers better support and balance for larger cameras. For a full breakdown of different hardware setups, see our hardware guide.

Best teleprompters for sale by budget.

Low-cost teleprompters (Under $200).

These are ideal for creators on a tight budget who are filming in a fixed location. They almost exclusively rely on your smartphone or tablet as a display and require a third-party app. Build quality is typically plastic, so they're best suited for smaller, lighter cameras. They're a good entry point to see if a teleprompter fits your workflow.

Mid-range and prosumer teleprompters ($200 - $800).

This category offers the best balance of price and performance for most content creators. You'll find better build quality (often aluminum), larger glass for readability from farther away, and more stable mounting systems. Some models include an integrated screen and dedicated software, which adds significant value.

Professional teleprompters (over $800).

These are built for professional studio environments. The high cost reflects their durability, large (15"+) high-brightness monitors, and reliable software designed for broadcast. They are heavy, intended for studio pedestals, and readable from over 15 feet away.

The "Free" option: the true cost of a DIY teleprompter.

It's tempting to build your own teleprompter. A few forum posts and a well-shot YouTube video can make it look easy. However, the true cost often exceeds that of an entry-level model. Based on detailed build logs from DIYers, a realistic Bill of Materials (BOM) includes:

• Plywood or foam board: ~$15
• Beamsplitter glass (or a suitable substitute like PETG sheet): $35 - $100
• Fasteners, nuts, and bolts: ~$10
• Black cloth or paint to create the hood: ~$10

The total material cost can easily reach $70-$150. This excludes the "hidden costs" of time—hours spent designing, cutting, assembling, and troubleshooting. Common failure points, like applying mirror film without bubbles or getting the structure to be stable, can lead to wasted materials and repeated efforts. For creators who value their time, buying a tested, low-cost model for under $150 is often the more practical choice.

Before you buy: hidden costs and compatibility checklist.

Avoid buyer's remorse by considering these factors before you purchase a teleprompter.

The hidden costs.

• Tripod upgrade. A teleprompter adds significant front-heavy weight to your camera setup. Your current tripod may not be stable enough, requiring an upgrade to a more robust model with a higher weight capacity.
• Software fees. While some teleprompter apps are free, many operate on a freemium or subscription model. Expect to pay anywhere from $5.99/month to $59.99/year for full-featured apps. For a list of top software options, check our software and apps guide.
• Accessories. A remote control, a hard carrying case for transport, and counterweights for balance are often sold separately and can add to the total cost.

The compatibility checklist.

1. Camera and lens. Will your camera body and lens physically fit? Check the maximum lens diameter the prompter's hood can accommodate.
2. Tally light. Will the teleprompter hood block your camera's tally light, which indicates when you're recording?
3. Display power. If the unit has a built-in monitor, how's it powered? Does it require a separate AC adapter or can it run off USB power from your computer?
4. Software. Is the companion app compatible with your device's operating system (iOS, Android, Windows, macOS)?

Smart glasses are more than a teleprompter.

The inherent limitations of the box.

Every traditional teleprompter, regardless of price, shares the same fundamental limitations. They tether the speaker to a fixed spot directly in front of a camera. They create a single, immovable eyeline. If you need to address a live audience, move around a stage, or look at multiple cameras, the teleprompter stops working for you.

Introducing Even G1: the teleprompter, evolved.

Even G1 smart glasses are not a teleprompter box; they're a wearable display. The script isn't reflected off glass in front of a lens; it's projected directly into your field of view. This simple change solves the core problems of traditional systems.

• Maintain eye contact everywhere. Your script moves with you. Address a person to your left, a camera to your right, or a live audience in front of you, all while your notes remain perfectly in view.
• Mobility as a feature. Give a dynamic presentation while walking on stage, interacting with a product, or moving through a space. You're no longer locked to your camera's position.
• Beyond prompting. Even G1 is a multi-purpose communications tool. The cost covers not just a teleprompter function but a device for taking notes (QuickNote), getting live translation, and displaying notifications. It's an investment in a communications platform, not just a single-function video accessory.

Conclusion.

Choosing a teleprompter comes down to matching the hardware to your specific recording environment and budget. The cost is a direct reflection of the materials, display system, and build quality. While traditional teleprompters solve the single problem of reading a script while looking at a camera, their design is inherently static. As the needs of creators and presenters evolve, prompting technology is changing from large glass boxes to integrated, wearable displays like Even G1.

FAQs.