Your Guide to Outdoor TV
Find the best and brightest outdoor TV to watch in all kinds of weather.
Séura Full Sun
- 50” screen
- 4K UHD HDR
- IP55 weatherproofing
- Full sun (2,000 nits)
Séura Full Sun
- 50” screen
- 4K UHD HDR
- IP55 weatherproofing
- Full sun (2,000 nits)
Samsung Terrace
- 55” screen
- 4K UHD HDR
- IP55 weatherproofing
- Full sun (1,500 nits)
Samsung Terrace
- 55” screen
- 4K UHD HDR
- IP55 weatherproofing
- Full sun (1,500 nits)
Furrion Aurora
- 43” screen
- 4K UHD
- IP54 weatherproofing
- Partial sun (700 nits)
Furrion Aurora
- 43” screen
- 4K UHD
- IP54 weatherproofing
- Partial sun (700 nits)
What is an outdoor TV?
Outdoor TVs are durable, weatherproof, extra bright (to compete with the sun), and can be mounted on exterior walls or used on a wheeled stand.
When the weather’s nice and you’ve got that itch to turn your backyard into a home theater, go for a TV built for outdoor use—it’s not safe to take any old TV outside. Here’s what you’ll need to know about outdoor TVs and which outdoor TV brands are worth checking out.
Outdoor TV pros and cons
Pros
- Weatherproof casing
- Smart TV features (some models)
- 4K UHD (most models)
- High brightness
Cons
- High price ($1,100–$22,000)
- No internal speakers (most models)
- Potential to disturb the neighbors
Best outdoor TV brands
Who makes the best outdoor TVs? Sony? LG? VIZIO? While they all make outdoor TVs, some manufacturers specialize in them—and you probably haven’t heard of any of those outdoor TV brands.
The comparison table below will help you size up five top outdoor TV manufacturers—and one maker of indoor TVs that recently expanded to the great outdoors.
| TV brand | Price range (MSRP) | Brightness | Screen sizes | Resolution | Internal speakers | IP (weatherproofing) rating | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smaller screens availableSunBriteTV | $1,499.99–$9,999.99 |
Full shade (450 nits) Partial sun (700 nits) Full sun (1,000 nits) |
32”–75” | 4K** | Full shade models only | No rating, but guaranteed† | View on Amazon |
|
Biggest screen (tie) Séura |
$2,499.99– $21,999.99 |
Full shade (450 nits) Partial sun (500 nits) Full sun (1,000 nits) |
55”–86” | 4K | No (soundbar included*) | IP55 | View on Amazon |
| BrightestSkyVue | $2,599.99–$8,199.99 |
Full shade (400–600 nits) Partial sun (600–1,000 nits) Full sun (500–700 nits) Full sun OBX (1,500–2,500 nits) |
43”–75” | 1080p | Some models | IP55 | View website |
| CheapestFurrion | $1,299.99–$3,399.99 |
Full shade (350 nits) Partial sun (700 nits) |
43”–65” | 4K | No | IP54 | View on Amazon |
| 2nd brightestSamsung | $3,499.99–$6,499.99 | Full sun (1,500 nits) | 55"–75" | 4K | No | IP55 | View on Amazon |
| Biggest screen (tie)Peerless | $3,479.00–$13,919.00 |
Full shade (500 nits) Partial sun (900 nits) |
49"–86" | 4K | Yes | IP55 | View website |
* Soundbar not included on Ultra Bright (full sun) models.
** Except 32–43” Pro 2 (full sun) models
† Against rain, snow, dust, insects, humidity, and salt air.
As you can see, outdoor TVs are much more expensive than indoor ones. That’s because of the specialized design. The prices are coming down, though.
Furrion, best known for its RV appliances and electronics, entered the market this year with a more affordable line of outdoor TVs to compete with established manufacturers like SunbriteTV, Séura, and SkyVue.
Currently, you can find Furrion’s 43” Aurora™ model (partial sun) for $1,088 on Amazon. That’s not bad since its available screen sizes and 4K resolution can hang with most competitors.
We’ll go ahead and spoil it now: the Aurora is our pick for the best budget outdoor TV. But if you want to know which models we pick for mid-priced and high-end outdoor TVs, keep scrolling (and, ideally, reading).
*Amazon.com price as of 6/8/22 1:14 p.m. PT
Best outdoor TVs
So, yeah—get the Aurora if you’re on a budget. But if you have some disposable income to play around with, we have a couple of other recommendations for you lucky dogs.
Samsung’s Terrace is a huge jump in price from the Aurora—but also a giant leap in screen size, resolution, and brightness. It also has better weatherproofing (IP55 vs. IP54). Based on all that, plus the Samsung name, it’s a solid buy.
Séura’s Full Sun also has 4K UHD and HDR. With the upgrades to the latest model, the Séura Full Sun is now brighter than the Samsung Terrace. And your picture will look even better thanks to continuous contrast optimization via Adaptive Picture Technology™.
What’s a nit? Nits measure the amount of light a TV screen gives off in a certain area. A single nit equals one candela per square meter. A candela is the International System of Units measurement for luminous intensity, and it signifies the amount of light from an average candle. Pretty simple, isn’t nit?
After perusing our outdoor TV picks, you still want to shop around? Oh, okay. We’ll meet you in the next section with some helpful outdoor TV shopping tips.
Outdoor TV specs and features to look for
Those tips we mentioned earlier? You’re gonna want to look at types of outdoor TVs, weatherproofing ratings, picture quality, audio options, and the number (and type) of device ports. Here’s why.
Outdoor TV types
When choosing an outdoor TV, first consider where you’re going to watch it.
- Full shade: For use in complete shade or on screened porches.
- Partial shade (or partial sun): Ideal for areas where the shade moves but never disappears.
- Full sun: This one fears no giant, burning star—you can use it in direct sunlight and pretty high temperatures.
Pro tip: You can use a full-sun model in partial or full shade, and a partial-shade TV looks fine in full shade. But a full-shade model is made only for shade—unless you want to go wild and take your outdoor TV indoors.
Weatherproofing
Along with brightness, weatherproofing is what makes an outdoor TV an outdoor TV. If the device can’t handle extreme temperatures and keep out bugs, dust, and water—it’s an indoor TV. Or a terrible outdoor one.
When shopping, check the TV’s IP code (or IP rating). “IP” stands for Ingress Protection and the number breaks down like this:
- First digit: Level of protection against foreign objects (dust, fingers, tools, etc.)
- Second digit: Level of protection against liquids (rain, snow, soda, etc.)
Most outdoor TVs have ratings of IP55, which means that they’ll keep out a significant amount of dust particles—and you can drench your TV with a 6.3 mm garden hose with no worries.
As for temperature ranges, outdoor TV manufacturers design their products to operate in temperatures as low as -22℉ and as high as 132℉ and withstand (non-operating) in temperatures that are a few degrees colder or hotter.
Picture quality
Almost every outdoor TV has 4K UHD resolution, a 60 Hz refresh rate, and wide viewing angles. Some even have HDR. So picture quality should never be a concern, whether you’re binge-watching Better Call Saul or having friends over to watch the sportsball game.
Audio options
Yeah, you read it right: many outdoor TVs don’t have internal speakers. Some SunbriteTV and SkyVue models do, but manufacturers seem to want to sell you audio as an accessory instead of an essential feature. So these are your options:
- Outdoor soundbar ($200–$1,200): Some manufacturers make companion soundbars for their outdoor TVs. They’re just as weatherproof as the TVs—and some are (proportionally) as expensive as the TVs.
- Outdoor loudspeakers ($90–$700): Audiophiles will love the sound and customization options provided by these speakers. They need an amplifier (sold separately) to work—but audio geeks already know that.
- Use what’s around the house (free): If you already have a Bluetooth speaker, earbuds, or headphones, they’ll do in a pinch. Or just think how cool it’d be to watch Star Wars outdoors at night without bugging the neighbors.
Ports
Although some outdoor TVs are smart, some are not. In that case, make sure your potential purchase has plenty of ports (HDMI, USB, A/V, etc.) for your streaming devices and audio devices.
Live and on-demand TV
Say, what are you gonna watch on this bad boy? Because, like indoor TVs, streaming and cable/satellite boxes aren’t weatherproof. You could damage your gear or yourself by using them outdoors.
The best way to watch live and on-demand TV outdoors is by picking up a smart outdoor TV and subscribing to its supported streaming services.
If your outdoor TV isn’t smart, an outdoor (or indoor/outdoor) TV antenna will pull in all of your local broadcast channels and then some, depending on its range and each station’s signal.
Final take
Is this the end, my friends? No, it’s merely the beginning of your new best life.
Whether you like the affordability of the Furrion Aurora 43”, the excellent value of the Samsung Terrace 55”, or the features of the Séura Full Sun 50”, your backyard is gonna be a truly magical place this summer. Can we come over? Please?
Outdoor TV FAQ
Can a regular TV be used outdoors?
Regular TVs aren’t built for the outdoors. They’re not bright enough to fight the sun. If water gets into the unit, you could seriously damage your TV, any attached components, and worse—yourself. And outdoor use will probably void the manufacturer’s warranty.
If, despite these warnings, you still want to try using an indoor TV outside, you can buy a weatherproof enclosure. But you’ll pay handsomely for one—they start at $250.
Are outdoor TVs waterproof?
Outdoor TVs are weatherproof but not necessarily waterproof. When shopping for an outdoor TV, pay attention to its IP rating. IP55, which keeps out most dust and can withstand spray from a 6.3 mm garden hose, is the most common (and, so far, best available).
Are outdoor TVs worth the money?
If you have the money to spend, and you’ll get plenty of use out of an outdoor TV, they’re worth it. But it’s ultimately up to you.
Do you need an outdoor TV for a covered patio?
Not necessarily. If your patio is weatherproofed and shady, your indoor TV should be fine. If your patio doesn’t provide protection from dust and rain, an indoor TV will probably be unsafe. Outdoor TVs, on the other hand, are designed for safe outdoor use.
What is the cheapest outdoor TV?
Our pick for the cheapest outdoor TV is Furrion, which offers models starting at $1,299.99.
How much does it cost to put a TV outside?
It can cost anywhere from $100 to $500 to put a TV outside, depending on if you want equipment like outdoor mounts and storm cases. Check out our TV mounting guide to learn more about the installation process.
† Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. CableTV.com utilizes paid Amazon links. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
CableTV.com Senior Staff Writer Randy Harward’s music and entertainment scribbles has appeared in HARP, Guitar World, Blurt, Salt Lake City Weekly, Salt Lake Magazine, and dozens of other publications since 1998. He watches tons of horror films for work (and also for fun). Randy also enjoys other movies, books, burritos, disc golf, guitars, tarantulas, and cats.
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