If you’ve been searching for a monitor, you might be wondering, why are monitors more expensive than TVs? Do you know what drives the cost of monitors?
Well, I’ve been researching this topic and have found several reasons why monitors are more expensive than TVs so keep reading below to learn what I’ve discovered about this topic!
Why Are Monitors More Expensive Than TVs?
Monitors are more expensive than TVs because it’s a necessity for a computer which means manufacturers know they can charge more and you have no choice but to pay the price. Additionally, monitors have more powerful components than televisions and also come in more designs and styles for specific purposes, such as gaming.
Do you want to know the full list of reasons why monitors are more expensive than TVs? If so, continue reading to learn what really is driving the cost of monitors through the roof!
1. It’s A Required Part of a Desktop Computer
One reason why monitors are more expensive than TVs is that you need a monitor to run your computer and because it’s needed you’re going to pay a premium to get what you want.
Therefore, the manufacturers know they can set a higher price tag for a monitor because you don’t really have a choice in the matter if you want your desktop computer to work.
2. Monitors Come In Various Designs For Specific Needs
Unlike TVs, monitors come in various designs for specific needs, so you’re paying for that through a higher retail price than a television.
For example, monitors can be curved specifically for gamers, whereas TVs are more generalized and are often just flat screens with no purpose other than watching television.
3. TV Consumers Are More Price-Conscious
Monitors are more expensive than TVs because the TV consumer is more price-conscious than those that use computers and purchase accessories for their computers.
Furthermore, because it’s a different segment of the population, manufacturers know that television watchers won’t pay top dollar for a TV.
A computer user, on the other hand, will pay high prices for what they want, such as a specific sized monitor or with certain features and functions, such as built-in speakers.
4. Monitors Are Built With Higher Standards
Since monitors are made most often for computers, they are built with higher standards than TVs, which makes them more expensive.
For example, the components in a monitor have to be high-quality to produce the resolution rate required for gamers or streamers, whereas televisions can use lower-quality parts without issue.
5. Most Monitors Are Smaller Than TVs But Are More Powerful
When you think about a monitor vs a television, you may realize that televisions are much bigger than monitors, but monitors are more powerful, which means more expensive.
To illustrate, the refresh rate and pixelation with a monitor are significantly better than that of a television, but the monitor might be 32-inches and the television 60-inches.
Therefore, you’re going to be paying a higher price for the monitor since its performance and picture quality will be much better than the television, even though it’s half the size.
6. Televisions Are Mass-Produced
Mass-production of TVs is one reason why monitors are more expensive than TVs since monitors are produced by specific manufacturers at slower rates.
Therefore, there are more televisions on the market and more companies that make them, making the prices more affordable compared to monitors.
7. Monitors Have Better Warranties
Most monitors will come with a better warranty than you can find with TVs, so that makes them more expensive than TVs since you’re paying for the additional warranty coverage.
For example, TVs have a warranty of up to two years, with most being about a year on average, whereas monitors can have 3-year or 5-year warranties depending on the brand.
8. Inflation
Inflation impacts both monitors and TVs, but it hits monitors harder since there are more components and hardware involved in making monitors compared to computers.
Subsequently, the various small parts and materials to make a monitor all increase in price, which means producing the monitor is more expensive when compared to a TV.
9. Monitors Last For Much Longer
Monitors are going to last much longer than TVs, which makes them more expensive than a TV since you’re paying for a durable product meant to last several years.
To illustrate, a TV might last four years if you get a decent brand, but monitors have been built to withstand everyday use and last for 10 years or more if the brand is reputable.
10. Monitors Use a Higher & Better Frequency
Monitors have a higher and better frequency when compared to TVs, which means you’re paying more money for that higher frequency.
Furthermore, frequencies for a monitor can range between 50 Hz and 200 Hz, whereas most TVs are only between 50 Hz and 75 Hz, so you pay for that additional frequency.
11. Most Monitors Have Blue Light Filter Technology
One difference between monitors and TVs is that monitors are now being built with blue light filter technology that is meant to help protect your eyes from strain.
However, televisions do not offer this special blue light filter technology and do nothing to protect your eyes from strain, so it’s going to be much cheaper than a monitor.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on why G-Sync monitors are so expensive, why USB-C monitors are so expensive, and why Apple monitors are so expensive.
Conclusion
Monitors are more expensive than TVs because they have a much better warranty with them since most of them come with 3-year or 5-year warranties, which is longer than TV warranties.
Additionally, monitors have a better refresh rate compared to a TV, and a lot of monitors come in a higher frequency, so you’re paying for better hardware.
Also, monitors are meant to last much longer than a TV, so you’re paying for the durability and longevity of a monitor whereas TVs are more disposable and aren’t built to last.