IoT devices come in all shapes and sizes from tiny wearables on your wrist to smart thermostats on your wall. One thing they often have in common is a display the interface where information is shown to users. Choosing the right screen is crucial, as it impacts usability, power consumption, and overall product design. In this article, we’ll dive into the best displays for IoT, exploring top technologies like OLED, LCD, and ePaper. We break down the pros and cons of each display type and show real-world examples of how teams use them in practice. This guide helps you confidently choose the right display for your IoT project—whether it’s built for consumers, designed for industrial use, or anything in between.
LED Displays (Segment and Matrix LEDs)
The term LED displays can be a bit broad, since even LCD backlights use LEDs. But in this context, we’re focusing on direct LED displays commonly found in IoT devices—like seven-segment numeric displays, basic LED indicators, and dot-matrix panels. These displays have been around for decades and continue to serve as reliable solutions for simple, straightforward readouts.
LED segment displays show numbers using lit segments—like on digital clocks or basic electronic thermostats. In IoT devices, you might find a 7-segment display showing temperature or humidity on a smart sensor. Some smart air purifiers use LED arrays to show air quality with color indicators—green for “good,” red for “poor.” These displays communicate status clearly with minimal complexity. A few digits or simple color codes are often enough to convey essential information.
LED displays remain popular thanks to their simplicity and brightness. A basic, single-color LED readout shows numbers clearly and efficiently. It’s easy to read in the dark or under indoor lighting. LEDs also last long and withstand a wide range of conditions. That durability makes them ideal for industrial IoT, including outdoor or factory environments. For example, an IoT pressure gauge might use a numeric LED display readable from across a room. LEDs also work well as status indicators in many IoT devices. A blinking light can show that a smart camera is on. A multi-color LED on a smart speaker can indicate its current mode. These simple displays use color or blinking to communicate key information effectively.
For more complex output, LED dot-matrix displays can show letters or simple graphics by lighting up patterns of LEDs. You might see these in IoT-connected signage, like a scrolling message board that shows bus arrival times or messages from a sensor network. In fact, LED-based signage and billboards are essentially large IoT displays that can update via the internet. They work well outdoors because of their high brightness. The trade-off, however, is resolution and power. An LED matrix usually can’t match the fine detail of an LCD/OLED screen – individual LEDs are relatively large – so they’re used for chunky text or icons. They also consume more power especially as they get bigger or if they’re displaying at high brightness continuously.
Overall, LED displays (segments or matrices) are excellent for quick-glance information in IoT. They’re the top choice when you need something simple, robust, and easily visible. For example, a smart kitchen appliance might have a 7-segment LED showing the timer, or a wearable IoT gadget for cyclists might use a simple LED array to indicate turn signals. Just remember that with LEDs, you’re usually limited to relatively coarse or minimal information – but in many cases, that’s all you need.
Real-World Example: LED Display in Mill Norway Smart Heaters
One practical example of LED displays in action comes from our collaboration with Mill Norway, a leading brand in smart home heating solutions. Their line of WiFi-connected panel heaters features a sleek, minimalistic design – and at the heart of their user interface is a clean LED display. This display shows the current room temperature, WiFi status, and touch-sensitive control icons for adjusting settings.
Why choose LED for this application? The answer lies in clarity and simplicity. The heater does not require complex graphical content, but it does need to communicate key data — temperature, connectivity, and user input — at a glance. LED displays are perfect for this purpose: they offer bright, high-contrast readouts that are easily visible from across the room, even in low lighting conditions.
LED displays are also ideal for wall-mounted devices that stay powered for a long time. There is no concern about battery life, so the display can remain active without draining power unnecessarily. In addition to that, LED segments or matrix elements are solid and long-lasting, making them ideal for smart home IoT expected to operate without problems for many years.
OLED Displays (Organic LED)
Popular in modern gadgets, OLED technology has also made its way into IoT devices. Unlike LCDs, which need a separate backlight, OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) screens use individual organic LEDs—each pixel emits its own light when powered, resulting in deep contrast and energy-efficient performance. OLEDs produce extremely vivid colors and high contrast because they turn individual pixels completely off or on as needed.
OLED displays can be found in smartphones, high-end TVs, or smartwatches. In the IoT, they are the exact solution for devices that need a small, high-quality display. For example, many fitness trackers and smartwatches use OLED screens to achieve a slim form factor with a bright, easy-to-read interface. Another example is a smart health monitor device that might have a tiny OLED panel to show readings like heart rate or blood oxygen level – the text and icons appear crisp even on a small screen.
OLED advantages include wide viewing angles and typically better power efficiency than LCDs when showing images with a lot of black or unused areas (since black pixels draw no power). They also allow for thinner and lighter display modules, which is great for wearables or compact IoT gadgets. For instance, an OLED display on a smart ring or a clip-on sensor could provide basic data readouts without adding much bulk. OLEDs deliver vibrant visuals and excellent color accuracy for sleek devices, though usually at a higher cost. This higher cost and some durability concerns in harsh environments are the main downsides of OLED technology. The organic materials in OLED pixels can degrade over time – leading to reduced brightness or even “burn-in” effects if the same image stays on the screen constantly.
If you’re looking for the best IoT displays for IoT devices that prioritize clarity, color quality, and compact design, OLED is a strong contender. In summary, OLED displays deliver excellent image quality, making them ideal for consumer-facing devices like smartwatches, premium home panels, or stylish wearables. Developers should manage power carefully and evaluate environmental conditions to ensure the display lasts as long as needed.
Real-World Example: OLED Display in Fitbit Charge 5
The Fitbit Charge 5 is a great example of a wearable device with a full-color OLED display. It delivers sharp visuals for health stats, notifications, and interactive menus — all within a compact form factor. OLED’s ability to show deep blacks and vivid colors makes it ideal for fitness trackers that need to be legible in various lighting conditions while preserving battery life.
OLED displays pack a punch—crisp contrast, ultra-low power, and a form factor that fits where traditional screens can’t. At WizzDev, we’ve explored their capabilities and understand where they shine, especially in compact embedded systems. We haven’t deployed OLED in client products yet, but we’re fully prepared to integrate it into consumer or industrial designs when the right project comes along.
LCD Displays (Liquid Crystal Displays)
LCDs are common in electronics and remain popular in IoT thanks to their low cost and broad usability. They work by using voltage to align liquid crystals, which control how light passes through or reflects off the screen. Transmissive LCDs use a backlight, while reflective LCDs rely on ambient light to make content visible. You’ll see simple segmented LCDs in clocks and appliances, and more advanced TFT LCDs in full-color, high-resolution applications.
A great example of an IoT device using an LCD is the smart thermostat. Many smart thermostats (such as Google Nest) feature a bright color LCD screen to display temperature and allow user interaction. These screens provide sharp visuals and can even be read in the dark thanks to their backlighting. LCD technology has improved so much that high-end panels have resolutions where individual pixels are nearly identical, and fast refresh rates make animations smooth. LCD screens work well in smart home panels that need to show rich visuals, live data, or interactive controls.
They’re also a solid choice for IoT appliances and industrial controllers where dynamic content and clarity are important.
LCDs come with a few limitations. They can be hard to read in direct sunlight, as the backlight struggles against ambient light. They also draw more power since the backlight stays on whenever the screen is active, making them less ideal for battery-powered devices.
That said, LCDs work well in IoT devices with stable power sources—like wall-mounted thermostats or automotive displays. For low-power applications, designers often choose reflective LCDs that rely on ambient light. These are common in outdoor sensors or medical devices, where visibility in daylight and energy efficiency matter more than night readability.
Real-World Example: LCD Display in Nest Thermostat
Google’s Nest Learning Thermostat showed the world that smart tech doesn’t have to look like tech. With its crisp LCD, clean lines, and intuitive interface, it brought elegance to energy management. At WizzDev, we aim for that same magic touch—where embedded IoT devices don’t just work; they feel right. Every swipe, every tap, every glance is intentional. Because the best technology doesn’t demand your attention—it fits perfectly into your life, like it’s always been there.
E-Ink Displays (Electronic Paper)
When ultra-low power consumption and sunlight readability matter most, electronic paper displays (often called E-Ink) are a strong choice for IoT devices. Unlike LCD or OLED screens, E-Ink uses tiny microcapsules filled with black, white, or colored particles that move with an electric charge. The screen only uses power during updates. Once an image or text appears, it stays visible for hours or even days without consuming energy.
E-readers like the Amazon Kindle use E-Ink because static pages don’t drain power, and the display closely resembles printed paper in normal light.
In the IoT space, E-Ink is common in electronic shelf labels (ESLs), smart badges, and battery-powered info displays. ESLs can update prices and product data wirelessly across thousands of tags, yet each tag’s battery can last years. You’ll also see E-Ink in smart home weather stations or fridge-mounted info panels that only need occasional charging. Some medical and industrial devices use e-paper to show readings clearly in bright environments, with minimal battery impact.
E-Ink displays offer standout benefits: very low energy use, great visibility in daylight, and a paper-like look that’s easy on the eyes. But they come with limitations. They update slowly, often flash during refresh, and aren’t suitable for video or rapidly changing graphics. Most are monochrome or have limited colors, and they usually aren’t visible in the dark without a front light.
Still, for use cases where the content changes infrequently -like digital signage, remote sensors, or meeting room displays – E-Ink is a reliable and efficient display solution.
Real-World Example: E-Ink – Amazon Kindle
The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite remains the go-to example of E-Ink display usage. It mimics real paper, is easily readable in bright sunlight, and consumes little low power when the screen content is static. Many devices, like electronic shelf labels and meeting room signs, also use this display technology for its low power use and ability to handle infrequent updates
MicroLED Displays (Emerging Technology)
Finally, it’s worth mentioning MicroLED displays – technology that’s starting to make its way into advanced devices. MicroLED essentially takes the idea of an LED display to the next level: it uses microscopic LED elements as individual pixels in a high-resolution display. Think of it as combining the best aspects of OLED and LED – each pixel emits its own light (like OLED) but using inorganic LEDs that are very bright and durable (like traditional LED). The result is a display that can be extremely bright, with excellent contrast and color, and potentially more power-efficient and longer-lasting than OLED. This is theoretically great for IoT devices, especially those that need high performance displays in challenging conditions.
MicroLEDs are still emerging and mostly appear in prototypes or high-end products. They offer outstanding brightness, energy efficiency, and durability—though prices remain high for now. AR headsets and smart glasses benefit from microLED’s bright, low-power output and long lifespan. In smartwatches, microLED provides vivid colors, fine detail, and excellent outdoor visibility without OLED burn-in. Some experts see microLED as the future of best IoT displays for IoT that demand premium visuals and toughness. Use cases include advanced medical devices and industrial AR displays where performance and reliability are critical.
However, as of 2025, microLED is not widely available in most IoT products. The manufacturing process is complex and expensive, which means only a few early devices use it. Over time, if production becomes easier and costs come down, microLED could indeed become one of the top display choices for IoT – combining the readability and efficiency needed for always-on devices with the sharpness and color of modern screens. It’s an exciting space to watch, but for most current projects, you’ll likely be choosing among the more established display types above.
Real-World Example: Micro LED – Samsung The Wall (Prototype Use in IoT Interfaces)
Although still developing, Samsung’s “The Wall” display and AR smart glasses prototypes showcase what MicroLED can offer. These ultra-bright, pixel-precise displays are beginning to appear in AR headsets and advanced wearable devices, where visibility in sunlight, low latency, and color precision are critical. It becomes more and more popular, and is a growing player in everyday IoT.
Choosing the Right Display for Your IoT Device
We’ve covered several display types—LCD, OLED, E-Ink, LED, and microLED—each with its own strengths. Choosing the best display depends on your IoT device’s needs. Is it battery-powered or plugged in? Used indoors or outdoors? Does it show detailed graphics or just numbers? For example, a wearable health monitor might use OLED or memory-in-pixel LCD for sharp visuals with good power efficiency. If the screen shows mostly static info, e-paper may work even better. For simple readouts, like on an industrial sensor, a segment LCD or LED offers durability and instant visibility. There’s no one-size-fits-all—your display choice should match your device’s environment, power budget, and user expectations.
In many cases, IoT products balance multiple factors. Power efficiency is often key, so technologies like E-Ink or low-power LCDs shine there. For rich user interfaces, OLEDs or TFT LCDs provide the necessary resolution and color. The environment matters too. Bright sunlight pushes you toward reflective LCDs or E-Ink displays. Indoor or low-light settings favor backlit or emissive screens like OLED. If your device needs a touchscreen, consider TFT LCD or OLED with a touch layer. These options support high-resolution interfaces and smooth user interaction.
In conclusion, there’s no single best display—it depends on what your IoT device needs to do.
Fortunately, IoT offers a wide range of display technologies to choose from. By understanding their strengths and use cases, you can select the best fit for your project. The right display makes your device functional, user-friendly, and efficient in its environment. Each display type continues to improve with new innovations in power use, brightness, and size. Keep an eye on advancements like microLED and ultra-low-power LCDs. Staying current helps you build smarter, more competitive products. With the right choice, your display enhances usability, shows data clearly, and supports the goals of your design.
