One of the factors affecting the cost of a Bluetooth beacon is the quality of the hardware used. The beacon’s components, such as the Bluetooth chip, battery, antenna and casing all contribute to the overall cost. High-quality components typically result in a higher-priced beacon but they also provide better range and longevity.
Larger beacons with longer battery lives tend to be more expensive because they require higher capacity batteries, more efficient Bluetooth chips or both. The advantage is that they need to be replaced less frequently, potentially reducing maintenance costs over time.
The range of features that a beacon supports can also affect its cost. Some beacons are designed to be basic, providing only the core functionality of broadcasting a signal. Others offer advanced features like motion sensing, temperature monitoring or water resistance. These additional features increase the beacon’s usefulness, but they also increase its cost.
Small battery, low cost beacon vs large battery, waterproof, higher cost beacon
The software that accompanies the beacon and the level of customer support provided by the manufacturer also affects the price. Companies that offer the best documentation, apps and customer service charge a premium for their products.
If you require a beacon to be customised to suit specific needs, this also increases the cost. Customisations include unique casing designs, branding and specific firmware modifications.
One thing that doesn’t change with cost is compatibility. All beacons work equally well with Android, iOS and gateways.