The Best Outdoor TV to Upgrade Your Backyard or Patio
Updated: Dec. 23, 2022Find the best outdoor TV for alfresco entertaining—perfect for watching sports, hosting movie nights or binging a favorite show.
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Finding the best outdoor TV for your space will give you the full outdoor living room experience. Installing a weatherproof TV or video projector is the best way to watch movies, sporting events or your favorite shows alfresco. They also add ambiance and entertainment, whether you’re hosting parties or having a family game night.
What to Consider When Buying an Outdoor TV
Outdoor TVs are an excellent addition to your collection of outdoor smart home devices. These TVs are designed to handle high humidity and extreme temperatures, as well as any salt, dirt and dust in the air. Some can even be exposed to rain or other elements without damage.
Before you buy, decide where you’ll hang the TV. This will determine whether you need a model suited for use in the shade, partial sun or full sun. You’ll also need to think about how you’ll use it: Will you primarily be watching sports or gaming? Is sound quality the most important factor? Finally, since the best outdoor TVs can be pricey, you’ll need to figure out how much you’re willing to spend.
Best Overall Outdoor TV
Samsung Terrace Outdoor Smart TV
The Samsung Terrace is the best outdoor TV when it comes to brilliant picture quality. The durable weather-resistant TV has first-class 4K ultra HD for vivid imagery. It also has an intuitive function that optimizes picture settings based on surrounding light conditions.
Ideal for partial-sun areas, it features an anti-reflection screen, plus a water- and dust-resistant remote. The smart TV has integrated streaming capabilities, plus Amazon Alexa and Google Voice built in, allowing you to control the TV using voice commands.
Pros
- Wide viewing angle reduces glare and boosts color contrast
- WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities
- Weather-resistant protection against water and dust
Cons
- Some buyers complained about the usability of the interface
- Pricey
Best Value Outdoor TV
Element Electronics Outdoor Roku Smart TV
Make your deck or patio space a more inviting spot to watch your favorite shows or the big game with the Element Electronics outdoor TV. This 55-inch model has a crisp, bright screen that doesn’t give off unwanted reflections, and it can be used from -4 degrees Fahrenheit all the way up to 104 degrees, so you won’t have to worry about it during extreme weather. The best part? Unlike many other outdoor TV models, it won’t break the bank.
Pros
- Best bang for your buck
- Weatherproof, strong tempered safety glass
- Built-in Roku smart streaming system
- Crisp, bright anti-glare screen
Cons
- Some buyers noted the built-in cooling fan can be loud
- Mount or stand not included
Best Smart Outdoor TV
Kuvasong Sun Readable Smart TV
If you’re looking for the best outdoor TV to add to your smart home devices, check out the 43-inch Kuvasong Sun Readable TV. With built-in WiFi and smart capabilities, it’s easy to watch your favorite streaming service, such as Netflix, Hulu or YouTube. You can also cast content from your phone or tablet to the TV via screen mirroring. Designed for use in outdoor covered areas, it works well in partial sun or shady spots thanks to the auto-adjust brightness function, which changes the lighting level based on the environment.
Pros
- Built-in smart capabilities
- 4K LED panel with anti-glare technology provides vivid images at every angle
- Easy to set up
Cons
- Smaller size
- Designed for use in covered areas
Best Outdoor TV for Sports and Gaming
SunBrite Veranda Series Outdoor LED TV
The SunBrite Veranda Series will win big with sports and gaming enthusiasts. These outdoor televisions and remotes are 100 percent weatherproof and safe to operate at temperatures as low as -24 degrees and up to 104 degrees. They’re loaded with features such as local zone dimming, 20W down-firing speakers and Dolby Vision Support.
That means you can relax on the outdoor couch or in the hot tub during the soccer match or while playing your favorite video games, with no risk of blurring displays. Even more: A convenient storage area keeps media players and cables organized, and safe from the elements. Sizes range from 43-, 55- and 65-inches with a 75-inch model on the way.
Pros
- Easy to connect compatible devices with four HDMI ports and one USB input
- Weatherproof
- High-tech display features
Cons
- Not suited for direct sunlight
Best Outdoor TV for Small Spaces and Shaded Spots
Samsung Neo QLED Smart TV
If space is an issue and your viewing area is protected from the elements, the Samsung Neo Smart TV instantly updates an outdoor space. Available in several sizes including 43- and 50-inch options, this Samsung model is less expensive than the Terrace, but still offers amazing viewing capabilities.
An anti-glare reflection ensures a brilliant screen from any angle, while EyeComfort mode intelligently adapts your display based on the time of day. Its compact silhouette makes it the perfect option for both small spaces and covered areas, like an enclosed porch, sunroom or gazebo.
Pros
- Ultra-slim silhouette is ideal for tight spaces
- Excellent reflection handling
- Built-in multi-dimensional sound
- Free live streaming content with Samsung TV Plus
Cons
- Must be used in areas protected from weather
Best Outdoor TV in Bright Sun
Séura Full Sun Series
Bask in the sun and watch TV without worrying about a glare or reflections with the Séura Full Sun Series. This color-calibrated outdoor TV displays crystal clear and vibrant images even in direct sun, and features a heating and cooling system so it won’t overheat.
Depending on the outdoor light, you can choose from five modes ranging from full sun to nighttime viewing for the ideal picture. It is available in 50-, 65- and 85-inch models. Note: you’ll need to find your own outdoor speaker system to hook up to this outdoor TV, as speakers are not included.
Pros
- A brightly lit LED screen displays vivid colors even in full sunlight
- Weatherproof for all seasons
- Anti-glare screen
Cons
- Speakers not included
Best Splurge-worthy Outdoor TV
SunBrite Signature 2 Series
When money isn’t an option, the best outdoor TV pick is the SunBrite Signature 2 Series. Available in three sizes (43, 55 or 65-inches), its durable waterproof aluminum casing protects the TV from rain, snow, dust, insects and temperatures from -24 to 122 degrees. LED backlighting and anti-glare technology delivers a picture that’s three times brighter than an indoor TV.
Plus, 4K ultra high-def resolution serves up a stunningly clear quality for the best viewing experience. Its sleek design won’t take up much space, and it’s built for permanent outdoor installation to easily upgrade your backyard.
Pros
- Weatherproof and durable impact-resistant casing
- Withstands a large temperature range
- Ultra-HD display provides one the best and brightest pictures among outdoor TVs
Cons
- Pricey
- Speakers not included
FAQs
What is the difference between an outdoor TV vs. a regular TV?
The difference comes down to how the TV handles outside elements. Televisions meant for outdoor use have some kind of weather rating. They may not necessarily be 100 percent weatherproof when it comes to all the elements all the time, but they will have some amount of protection to endure rain, snow, dust, freezing temperatures and direct sunlight.
Can you use a regular TV outdoors?
While you can use a regular TV outdoors for short periods of time, there are some important things you should consider. First, if you bring your indoor television outside, know that viewing may be impacted by the sun; so brightness, reflection, glare and dirty screens can all be factors.
Secondly, regular televisions aren’t meant for outdoor use, so try to keep your television in a shaded or covered area so it’s protected from the elements. Finally, when you’re done viewing, bring your regular television back inside to protect it from extreme temperature changes, humidity, insects and dirt.
How We Chose the Best Outdoor TV
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
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