Samsung’s The Terrace features the best picture and most useful features of any outdoor TV available.
Bright and colorful 4K QLED display. Extra-wide viewing angle. Rugged. Weather-resistant. User-friendly smart TV. Minimal glare. Lifelike color range. Available in three sizes.
Best for slightly shaded areas.
A waterproof smart TV that's ideal for areas that get partial sun and comes at a fraction of the cost of others.
Offers 4K resolution and dual speakers for immersive TV-watching. Netflix, YouTube, other streaming apps, and social media platforms are built-in or can be downloaded. IP55 waterproof and dustproof, making it perfect for any patio space.
Has a somewhat thick bezel.
The Veranda Series of outdoor TVs are some of the most rugged available, so buyers can rest easy that their investment will survive bugs, humidity, and dust.
Immersive and highly detailed 4K UHD display. Weatherproof. Rustproof. Especially bright. Powerful audio. Easy to mount. Features three HDMI ports. Available in four sizes.
Best for covered patios and porches.
This is a partial sun outdoor TV with a durable build, lifelike picture quality, and smart technology.
Nice color and contrast with 4K UHD resolution. Smart partial sun model with a weatherproof build that withstands temperatures ranging from -24 to 122 degrees F. Easy to set up. Choice of four sizes.
Some popular streaming apps aren't available on this TV. Average sound quality.
If you want a smart outdoor TV that can be viewed in bright conditions, this full-sun option is worth the investment.
Boasts awe-inspiring QLED 4K image quality that's not compromised by bright sunlight. Smart TV with streaming, voice control, and SmartThings compatibility. No glare or reflection. Weather-resistant.
This is a very expensive TV that only comes in two sizes.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
In pleasant months, it can be tempting to take a television outside to the porch or patio to enjoy the nice weather and a good movie or show. But regular televisions aren’t designed for outdoor use. They’re sensitive to the elements and can’t get wet or too hot or cold. What’s more, their brightness can be washed out by a bright outdoor environment.
So how can you watch TV in your outside space? With an outdoor TV specifically designed for the outdoor environment.
An outdoor TV is a television that has been engineered to withstand the rigors of outdoor use. Quality outdoor TVs can tolerate the climate of whatever area you’re in while resisting the ravages of sun, rain, dust, and even pests. And, outdoor TVs display a picture bright enough to display vivid, sharp images for your enjoyment — even in sunlight.
Outdoor TVs may be classified as full shade, partial shade, or full sun models. The classification depends on how much exterior light they can tolerate and how much weather they are built to withstand.
Consider where on your property you want to enjoy your outdoor TV. A covered patio, porch, terrace, or lanai would be a good place for any outdoor TV. (Even full-sun outdoor TVs can benefit from shade and shelter — and so will you!)
Note where in your space you want to install the outdoor TV. Also, think about how you want it mounted. The size of your space helps determine the size of the TV, and vice versa.
Make sure you have a safe and convenient power outlet nearby. If you can, place your outdoor TV facing north or south, depending on whether you’re in the northern or southern hemisphere. That way, your outdoor TV has the sun at its back.
The climate you live in helps determine the types and features you should consider in an outdoor TV.
Choosing between an outdoor projector and an outdoor TV can often come down to how big and clear you want the image to be. Outdoor projectors can project an image bigger than most outdoor TVs, but that picture is often inferior in brightness and clarity — especially in bright sunshine or shade — to the picture of an outdoor TV. And 4K projectors can cost as much as 4K outdoor TVs.
VESA stands for Video Electronics Standards Association. A VESA mount complies with a set of standards for mounting flat-panel displays to stands and walls. The standards are used by most major equipment manufacturers.
All outdoor TVs should be internally weatherproofed, meaning their internal components have been treated to withstand the elements. Partial-shade and full-sun models are fully weatherproof, with both internal and external protection like a weatherproof skin or wrap.
Outdoor TVs often boast metal construction instead of plastic; sealed seams; weather-protected ports with covers and gaskets; and protected vents to keep out water, dust, and pests.
Outdoor TVs have screens that are much brighter than regular TVs. Whereas regular TVs typically offer only 250 to 350 nits, outdoor TVs, especially those with LED technology, can offer brightnesses from 400 to over 2,000 nits.
These TVs also offer anti-glare protection, which can range from special coatings to physical filters.
Full-sun outdoor TVs have higher operating temperatures, full anti-glare screens, and sunlight protection.
Outdoor TVs usually offer HD or 4K resolution. Considering the size, conditions, and viewing distance involved with an outdoor TV, 4K resolution would be best for most circumstances.
Also look for an outdoor TV that offers HDR, or high dynamic range. This helps provide a more vivid picture with darker darks and brighter whites.
Unlike regular TVs, which are designed for climate-controlled interior environments, outdoor TVs can operate in a wide range of ambient temperatures.
Some fully-weatherproof outdoor TVs offer operating temperatures from a freezing -40°F to a seething 140°F. Outdoor TVs often feature active temperature control with built-in fans and heaters.
While an outdoor TV is built for the outdoors, most cable boxes, media players, routers, and audiovisual receivers are not. Connecting these items to an outdoor TV can get complicated… and risky with the chance of moisture exposure.
Outdoor TVs are often found with either HDBaseT or HDMI-over-Ethernet connections. HDBaseT is a standard that combines power, video, audio, networking, USB, and control signals over a single Ethernet cable. HDMI-over-Ethernet transmits video and audio signals over Ethernet as well.
Many outdoor TVs also come with WiFi and Bluetooth and function as smart TVs with fully wireless streaming from popular services.
Outdoor TVs offer remote controls that are also weatherized. These remote control units sport sealed buttons and resistance to water and dirt.
Outdoor TVs are typically VESA-mount compatible, allowing you to attach them to walls, posts, table stands, or even ceilings, with a heavy-duty outdoor-rated VESA-compatible mount. If you don’t want to permanently mount your outdoor TV, you can get a table stand for a media center or TV cabinet. A TV cabinet can offer another layer of protection and shade for your outdoor TV, especially if it’s sealed with caulked seams and weather stripping.
If you don’t want or don’t need the benefits and expense of cable, HDBaseT, or wired networking, you can simply attach an outdoor TV antenna to your outdoor TV and enjoy over-the-air programming.
A good outdoor speaker setup can complete your outdoor entertainment space. Look for speakers or soundbars that are specifically designed for outdoor use. Those that connect simply to your outdoor TV or media center are ideal.
If you choose an outdoor TV without built-in networking or WiFi, you can always add smart TV functionality by attaching a streaming device, such as a streaming stick or dongle. Since most streaming devices aren’t specifically made for outdoor use, try to choose those that plug directly into an outdoor TV’s HDMI port to keep them protected, and remove them when necessary.
Just because your outdoor TV can withstand the sun and the elements doesn’t mean you should leave it exposed if you don’t have to. A simple outdoor TV cover can extend the life of the TV and keep it protected when you’re not around.
Even inexpensive outdoor TVs cost between $1,000 to $2,000. These TVs may feature smaller screens or lower resolutions and may lack connections like HDBaseT or WiFi. They may only offer internal weatherproofing and require full shade.
Mid-range outdoor TVs cost between $2,000 to $5,000. Aside from larger screen sizes, outdoor TVs in this price range are more likely to offer at least partial shade performance, 4K resolution, smart TV functions, and wireless connectivity.
Above $5,000 are outdoor TVs with full-sun performance, full weather protection, and all the bells and whistles of a premium regular TV, like 4K resolution, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HDBaseT, Wi-Fi, and more. These TVs make your outdoor entertaining space feel extra indulgent.
Network and telecom cables are classified from Cat1 to Cat8.2. For HDBaseT and HDMI-over-Ethernet, it’s best to use Cat5e or better Ethernet cables.
A. No, it isn’t advisable to use a regular TV outdoors. Regular TVs are not made to operate outdoors. Using a regular TV outside may void its warranty. There are enclosures available which allow a regular TV to function outdoors, but unless your budget is restricted, a true outdoor TV works better.
A. Yes. Compared to regular TVs, outdoor TVs offer a lot more flexibility in terms of where they can be used. But outdoor TVs cost more than regular TVs at any given screen size and feature set, so it’s not really economical to buy an outdoor TV for indoor use.
A. Yes, within limits. An outdoor TV, especially a fully weatherproof, full-sun outdoor TV, can stand up to exposure to rain and garden sprinklers. Still, it’s smart to use a cover or cabinet to protect an outdoor TV during storms or hurricane season. And always use caution around electric cords or outlets.
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