An Outdoor TV can turn a simple backyard into an entertainment area where you, your family, or friends can come together to catch the big game or cozy up with the latest movie. Picking the best outdoor TV for your needs may not be as easy as you had hoped. Because outdoor TVs require specialized designs, there are only a few trusted manufacturers on the market. Short of the Terrace Outdoor TV by Samsung, there are almost no household-name TV brands to consider. Buying an outdoor TV need not be a daunting task though. In this article, I’ll walk you through the 8 most important things to consider before deciding.
What Makes an Outdoor TV Different From An Indoor TV?
Aesthetically, there is little difference between regular indoor TVs and outdoor TVs. The differences are hidden within the electronics in picture processing and additional layers of weather protection.
To achieve a clear picture outdoors, your flat screen needs strong backlighting features. This backlighting, paired with anti-glare and anti-reflective glass, enables your outdoor TV to display a crystal clear picture still. Most outdoor TVs allow you to adjust this backlighting to compensate for more or less sunlight. Some outdoor TVs will detect and adjust this automatically.
The second major difference is weatherproofing. Outdoor TVs live outside, most likely all year round. An outdoor TV needs significant weather, dust, and insect-proofing for it to work. A typical outdoor TV can withstand a temperature range of between -20℉ – 120℉; however, some outdoor TVs can incur lower or higher temperatures than this. Indoor TVs on the other hand spend their days in the protective world of the living room or bedroom, and the exposure requirements for them are simply much lower.
You Unfortunately Have Limited Choices
The outdoor TV market differs substantially from normal TVs, and understanding it is important to make an informed purchase decision. Outdoor TVs are specialized equipment and you must pick a set manufactured or supported by a trusted name in the outdoor TV industry. While you won’t see many traditional electronic brands, others like Seura, Furrion, Cinios, and SunBrite are dedicated outdoor TV manufacturers with great products worth considering. Samsung is currently the only mainstream TV brand that offers a purpose-designed outdoor TV. The Samsung Terrace Outdoor TV is available on Amazon.
The Installation Location and Environment Is Key
Before buying an outdoor TV, properly assess your TV’s environment and the location it will be installed. Any form of shelter and protection, like an awning, pergola, or roofed deck, will reduce the exposure of the set to the elements and may impact the ambient light around the screen. These are some of the most important factors that will drive what type of outdoor TV you should get and can have a big impact on the ultimate cost of the equipment.
Most Outdoor TV manufacturers categorize their products. to be used in specific lighting conditions outside. This impacts the components, waterproofing and features included in each set. There are essentially TVs suited to shaded areas, partial sun areas, and for use in direct or full sun. Here’s how to evaluate your area:
Shaded
A shaded outdoor area receives a low amount of sunlight. This might be a semi-enclosed patio, sun room, veranda, screened gazebo, or pool room. You will need an outdoor TV primarily for weatherproofing rather than extra lighting features, though a higher nit will typically give you a better, clearer image in areas where light may be a bit bright. A shade TV cannot be used in partial sunlight or full sunlight.
Partial Sun
This is typically an open patio, porch, balcony, pergola, or covered deck where there is a likelihood of significant ambient light but no direct sunlight. This might include a semi-enclosed room susceptible to harsh light and reflections. A partial sun TV can also be used in shaded areas but not in direct sunlight.
Full Sun
You will need a full-sun outdoor TV if the sun shines directly on your TV. These TVs provide sufficient brightness, anti-glare, cooling, and weather resistance for the harsh outdoors. That said, each outdoor TV has its limits, and I recommend paying close attention to what your potential new TV is rated for. Full-sun televisions can be used in the shade, partial sun, or direct sunlight – making these the most versatile option.
Screen Size and Display Quality Can Make or Break Your Outdoor Viewing Experience
The best screen size for your outdoor TV depends largely on where it will be installed, how far away from it you will be while watching, and your budget. Larger screen sizes are more expensive, simple as that. Screen size becomes relevant if you’re not within the optimal viewing distance from the screen while watching. This is more likely in outdoor situations as you may be moving around the barbeque or sitting in the pool, watching the game on the TV under the gazebo.
If there’s a chance of your watching distance increasing, then opt for a larger screen than you normally would. Yes, it will likely cost a bit more, but it will make the outdoor viewing experience much more enjoyable.
Display quality is typically a factor in the type of screen technology you choose, the brightness, contrast ratio, resolution, and the effectiveness of any anti-glare features. You cannot over-emphasize the importance of good display quality on an outdoor TV unit. You will likely be watching TV in challenging and sub-optimal lighting conditions, and having a high-quality display to aid this is non-negotiable. Consider your budget and go for the best you can afford.
Understanding The Numbers
This article includes various data points relating to everything from weatherproofing and brightness to refresh rate and aspect ratio. While these may be familiar to those in the industry, we want to take some time to ensure you can understand these values meaningfully.
Weather Resistance and Durability Sets One Outdoor TV Apart from Another
There are two approaches to buying a TV for outside. The first option is to purchase a dedicated outdoor TV with excellent weatherproofing that can be installed without worrying about weather damage. The second option is to focus on ensuring your installation location is heavily protected from the elements and opt for a TV that offers perhaps less rigorous weather-proofing.
Some companies retrofit standard name-brand televisions to become compatible and suitable for outdoor use. This is certainly another option to consider. Below, we discuss whether using an indoor TV as an outdoor TV is a good idea. Your outdoor TV will be exposed to the elements and, in some cases, even extreme weather conditions.
Because of the specific demands around weatherproofing and durability that come from that, suffice it to say that we suggest that you purchase a purpose-built outdoor TV set from the outset.
Rain, Snow, and Weatherproofing
Most outdoor TVs offer a combination of dust protection and water protection. This protection rating is represented in either an IPX or IP format. The former represents a purely water-resistance rating, while the IP rating shows dust and water resistance ratings. For example, an IP56 rating shows that the TV is protected from dust (level 5 protection) and water (level 6 protection).
You can easily determine the minimum IPX rating for your set based on the possible exposure to rain, snow, dust, and wind by looking at this article on IPX and IP ratings.
Moisture Control
Keeping moisture out is pretty obvious, but that’s pretty easy and can, to some extent, be done with a cover on a regular TV. Shielding your TV components from the sun’s rays is another, but that’s quite easily achieved. The real challenge is finding effective ways to manage the television’s heat.
Temperature Regulation
Your standard indoor television is designed to operate at a range not too far above or below normal room temperature. Everything is fine if you keep the TV at about that temperature point. The moment you move either up or down the temperature scale, it becomes a challenge. When temperatures drop too low, condensation can occur on the TV components, drops form, and well, we know what drops do when they mix with electric components. Built-in heaters are not uncommon in outdoor TVs.
On the other hand, an outside TV mounted in direct sunlight will accumulate heat that will have to be removed with heatsinks and fans or the components’ life expectancy will drop dramatically. You can find indoor televisions certified to operate at relatively high temperatures, but that won’t resolve the condensation issues that arise from an outdoor environment.
We suggest buying the best weatherproof TV you can afford if you plan to use it outside. While “winging” it with an indoor TV and a cover may work over the short term, it’s almost guaranteed to prove the more expensive option in the long run. If you buy an indoor TV for outside, be prepared to buy it twice! While an outdoor TV costs considerably more, these outdoor models are designed to last outdoors. Outdoor TV warranties will protect against outdoor use where indoor TVs won’t.
Ensuring Good Outdoor Audio Quality Requires More Effort Or Investment
Always check whether or not your outdoor TV comes with built-in speakers. Some models are screen-only and require outdoor speakers to be sold separately. We have several articles on patio speakers where you are guaranteed to find the best choice to suit your requirements.
With that said, soundbars are being adopted more regularly as the go-to choice for adding audio to outdoor televisions. In many cases, the manufacturer may offer an independent soundbar specifically for their model or even have it as an optional add-on during the purchase.
Where you Mount It May Be Dictated By Your Entertainment Area
Picking the best placement position for your outdoor TV may very well be completely dictated by the layout of your outdoor living space. However, you must remember that most outdoor TVs are manufactured to function in brightly lit yet shaded areas, like under a patio overhang or in a gazebo. If you require your TV to hang in direct sunlight, you will find that your choice of good outdoor TVs that fulfill this requirement becomes pretty limited quite quickly.
As for actual mounts, there are several options you can choose from. A portable outdoor TV stand affords you the luxury of wheeling and shifting your TV around the entertainment area. A TV stand also exposes your cabling the most; you must bear that in mind when you plan. Other outdoor TV mount options are probably the most popular wall, ceiling, or roof mounts. Whatever TV mount you use will likely be dictated by where you plan to position your TV and how you intend to use it.
Outdoor TVs are Not Cheap. Set A Budget and Buy The Best You Can Afford
Outdoor televisions range in price from just north of $1000 to $6000 and above. It is up to you to decide what you’re willing to spend, and this is one of the factors that will decide the initial pool of TVs to choose from
Probably the single biggest consideration is where your TV will be installed. Some outdoor TVs are intended to be used in covered areas (like patios). In contrast, others are true weatherproof TVs and can be installed in direct sunlight somewhere out in the open. Check out our installation guide for more advice on installing your outdoor TV.
Final Thoughts: The Three Most Important Considerations
Three considerations are central to your decision when buying an outdoor TV, and most other factors you need to consider relate to these three. They are:
The installation location of your TV will often determine the model outdoor TV you should get. Outdoor TVs are designed for shaded, partial-sun, or full-sun environments. This is a good place to start. If you’re not keen on doing a lot of research, align the level of exposure your TV will get with the recommended levels published by the manufacturer.
Being an outdoor TV, it is highly likely that your device will be exposed to the elements to some degree. Your TV will need to be weather-resistant. In electronic devices, the level of weather resistance is expressed with an IPX rating.
Furthermore, your TV will have to perform well in areas with sunlight exposure. The quality and brightness of the picture, which is a factor of the nits, the refresh rate, and the contrast ratio of your TV, will help facilitate this.
In comparison to indoor TVs, outdoor TVs still offer relatively limited choices. There are some well-designed and manufactured weatherproof TVs available. An outdoor TV is built to last a long time so you, your family, and your friends can enjoy your favorite TV entertainment outdoors. They are generally pricy, though, so do some due diligence before you buy and enjoy your TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an indoor TV as an outdoor TV?
Yes, you can, but we don’t recommend it. There are several design factors required in an outdoor TV. It has to be weatherproof to keep moisture out, has sufficient screen backlighting for bright light viewing conditions, shields your TV components from the sun, and, most importantly, has effective ways of managing the heat inside the television. Indoor TVs aren’t designed to do this to the degree required for outdoor use.
Do I need an enclosure for my outdoor TV?
Not really, but why not? Outdoor TVs are designed to be used outdoors. Most are specifically intended to be used on covered patios or gazebos, while others are more robust and can be placed in direct sunlight or areas with higher humidity. Adding an outdoor TV cover as an extra layer of protection to your set is not a bad idea.
Where should I place my outdoor TV?
Your outdoor living space’s layout may dictate the best placement position for your outdoor TV. Remember that most outdoor TVs are manufactured to function in brightly lit yet shaded areas. If you require your TV to hang in direct sunlight, you must find a design specifically for that.
How do I install my outdoor TV?
Installing an outdoor TV is a little more involved and requires additional safety considerations than a normal TV installation, so you may be best served by contracting a professional installer to do the job. If you decide to do it yourself, we’ve got a guide that may help you.
Thanks for taking a look at these. I’m looking at outdoor TVs and was looking at Cosmos but some of their reviews look pretty bad. Why did you rank them 6th?
Hi – we’ve actually arranged and grouped the TVs on this list by shade, partial sunlight or direct sunlight TVs, which is why there’s no ranking number next to each review. The Cosmos only gets 4 stars from us, which happens to be our lowest rating of the products on here. We’re not in disagreement.
Hi AB, thanks for taking the time to write to us!
When we published this article, we could only find 6 outdoor TV’s on the market at that time. The Cosmos is therefore on the bottom of our list, rated as the lowest. If you’re after a reputable brand, Sunbrite TV is the way to go! They have a TV for each category (shade, partial or full sun) too so they will definitely suit your need, whichever it may be!
Took me a few weeks to decide which Tv to buy, and I went for Cosmos last year because its on 24 volt and its working great. Why would you put a 110 volt TV near the pool or on wet grass? Isnt that dangerous?
Hi Daniel, great question!
As outdoor TV’s are designed to be outdoors, they do have waterproof ratings and can withstand the elements. With that said, there are a few safety measures you can follow though:
– Get a GFCI outlet (a ground-fault current interrupting outlet).
– Mount your TV off the ground, in an area that is free from “foot traffic” and unlikely to get bumped or knocked against.
– A good rule-of-thumb is to keep the TV at least six feet away from pools of water. No one should be able yo touch the Tv while standing in a pool of water.
Thank you for this guide!
What do you think about Chinese manufacturers? It is half the price of Sunbrite. 2000$ for 47 inches.
I’m looking for a tv for an outdoor pool area. TV will be built into the wall. I am looking at AVIS electronics, but there are no reviews at all.
Hi there, thank you for reaching out to us!
Honestly, SunBrite have earned their strong reputation for good reason. They design, engineer and assemble everything right here in the US, which ensures a level of quality you just can’t get otherwise. With a company whose design goal is to produce the highest quality outdoor products in the world, they are already entering the market at a high level. I guess the old adage of ‘you get what you pay for’ might ring true here. We haven’t reviewed the AVIS, so can’t comment on that specific brand but using customer reviews as a guide is always a good way to go. The Sunbrite Veranda (for example) has 24 customer reviews, with 67% of that being 5 stars.
All the best with your search! Buying an outdoor TV is a big purchase but a great investment and we hope our list helps you to make the right choice for you! If you do decide on the AVIS, please feel free to come back and give us know your thoughts and experience on it.
I’m thinking of purchasing a Sealoc Coastal LG 6 series 65 inch. The price is very good and has lots of extras however I read that these are indoor televisions that are rebuilt to be waterproof. Do you think this model will be bright enough in direct sunlight? The television will face southeast and the NIT rating shows 325.
Thank you,
Paul Rodgers
Hi Paul,
Thanks for getting in touch!
It’s important to note that Sealoc doesn’t just take ordinary indoor televisions and place them inside a weatherproof box. The TV is actually rebuilt to be waterproof and therefore you get less glare than if it were in a weatherproof box. While Sealoc do market their Coastal series as full-exposure outdoor televisions, 325 NITs is lower than even SunBrite’s Veranda TV’s with 270 NITS respectively. The televisions we feature in our full/ direct sunlight section are 700-1000 NITS, just to give you some perspective. So, while the Coastal might be able to withstand the direct sunlight exposure, I’m not so sure it would be the best option in terms of viewing quality.
I hope that answers your question!
Regards,
Outeraudio
I wanted to get a 75 inch TV for direct sunlight on my outdoor uncovered patio and am considering the 75 inch Super Hi-Bright from Mirage Vision which is a smart TV or downsizing to the 65 inch Seura or Sunbrite neither of which ar smart TVs. The Nit brightness rating is actually higher for the MirageVision but not a lot of reviews on these regarding picture quality etc… Can you help me sort through pros on cons.
There is no way Sealoc TV’s have an IPX 8 rating. These have failed multiple times with simple high humidity. They most certainly can’t be submerged. No outdoor tv can be submerged in water. Sunbrite’s Pro series and Skyvue are the only two on this list I would install for my clients.