While TVs are common in the living room, watching movies and television outside is a ton of fun. On warm summer and spring evenings, it’s a treat to kick back and watch your favorite film, catch up on some TV, or throw on a sports match. But you’ll want a specialized terrace TV for patio use. Check out the best outdoor televisions on the market for bringing the binging outside!
What is a Terrace Television and is an Outdoor TV Worth it?
Theoretically, you can set up any ordinary television set outside. However, weather and home security pose threats. For protecting against the elements, you’ve got two main options: purchase a dedicated patio TV that’s weatherproofed or buy a waterproof cabinet for a non-outdoor television. Using a weather-resistant case only keeps the weather at bay while the TV is not in use, so it’s not ideal for humid, hot, or cold climates.
Instead, the best solution is installing a terrace TV that’s specifically engineered for outdoors use. As such, you’ll find waterproofing and the ability to withstand drastic temperatures. Of course, security is an issue as well. Because patio TVs sit outside, virtually anyone can come up and walk off with it. Thus, it’s recommended to install outdoor security cameras as well as affix your TV panel to a wall rather than simply using a stand.
Generally TVs for outside use feature weatherproofing, and more specifically waterproofing. What’s more, the panel itself is often designed to reduce glare for the sun which helps when viewing the screen during the day. Since there’s a rugged casing, most TVs for outdoors installation are decidedly bulkier than the average indoor television. Likewise, outdoor TVs typically cost a premium with buget options running around $1,000 USD.
What is a terrace TV: A television set designed for outdoors use. Usually, outside TVs include weatherproofing and glare-resistant screens.
What Should You Look for in an Outdoor Patio TV
A TV for outdoors requires many of the same features as an indoor television such as enough inputs for your devices and a high definition screen resolution. But there’s a lot more to think about for weatherproofing.
Resolution: With 4K (3840×2160) resolutions being the industry standard, you’ll likely want a 4K panel. However, you can find 1080p outside TVs as well as 8K outdoor-ready television sets.
HDR: Although a high resolution is important, high dynamic range (HDR) is key for offering a brighter, richer color picture. Several different HDR implementations are available including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG.
Inputs/outputs (I/O): Think about what you’d like to connect to your TV such as streaming sticks, set-top boxes, Blu-ray players, over-the-air (OTA) antennas, and game consoles. Depending on what you’d like to hook up, you’ll need certain features such as HDMI inputs.
Screen size: How large a TV screen you need depends on how far back you plan to sit from your television. For a patio area, you might want a larger space for viewing from afar.
Smart features: If you want to stream from the likes of Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video, you’ve got two choices: A smart TV or a streaming device. With a streaming set-top-box, you’ll need to make sure it’s protected from the elements. Usually, outdoor-ready televisions include a weatherized back panel where its I/O ports are. That way, you can hook up a streaming stick and keep it safely tucked away. Alternatively, you can get an outdoor-ready smart TV for streaming straight from a built-in streaming ecosystem.
Audio: Especially when broadcasting outside where the acoustics might not be ideal, you’ll want robust audio. Built-in television speakers are probably the easiest solution, although you can opt for a soundbar or receiver. Just make sure that your external audio device is weatherized. Should you choose a soundbar or receiver, make sure that you’ve got a way to pipe audio into your speakers. You’ll want ARC (audio return channel), eARC (enhanced audio return channel), or a TOSLink/SPDIF optical audio cable. ARC and eARC are the best choices since audio return channel lets you simply run an HDMI cable from your receiver or soundbar to your TV, then any audio from any input gets piped through that to your speakers. eARC adds the ability to transmit uncompressed audio tracks such as DTS TrueHD.
Input lag: For gaming, low input lag is a must. Casual gaming shouldn’t be as demanding, though serious gamers will want a low input lag. Hosting a backyard Mario Kart session is a blast, particularly with low input lag. Look for less than 20ms.
Weatherproofing: Because you’re installing a television outside, you’ll need weatherproofing. Virtually all outdoor-ready television sets are weather-resistant featuring IP ratings such as IP55. It’s crucial for making sure your TV is protected from the elements such as rain, snow, UV rays from the sun, and humidity.
Sun exposure: Not only is it important to protect electronic components from the sun, but it’s essential to select a television that can handle sun exposure. Where you choose to place a TV outside dictates the sun exposure rating that you’ll need. Under a covered terrace or patio, most outdoors televisions should be fine. However, when contending with more ambient lighting such as partial or direct sunlight, you’ll want a full-sun exposure TV which usually translates to a higher brightness, measured in nits. That way, the backlight can increase enough such that it doesn’t look washed out even in the middle of the day.
Price: Cost is a major factor. Generally speaking, you’ll pay a hefty premium for an outside TV. When compared to the price of non-weatherized televisions, TVs for outdoors use are higher priced. What’s more, contrasting weatherproofed TVs to standard televisions in the same price range will show better image quality and features for inside TV sets.
What to look for in a TV for outdoors use:
- Price
- Sun exposure
- Smart TV features
- Weatherproofing
- Input lag
- Audio
- Screen size
- I/O
- Resolution
- HDR
Best Cheap Outdoor TV – SunBriteTV Weatherproof Outdoor Television
SunBrite’s Veranda outdoor patio TV is an excellent weatherproofed television screen. Available in sizes including 43, 55, 65, and 75 inches, the SunBriteTV Veranda offers a range of options for all spaces. Sporting a 4K ultra high definition (UHD) resolution with HDR (high dynamic range), the SunBrite Veranda delivers top-notch image quality. A host of connectors let you hook up HDMI-enabled devices such as streaming boxes, Blu-ray players, and game consoles. Additionally, you’ll find a component input, VGA port, Ethernet jack for RJ45 control, TOSLink/SPDIF optical audio out, a coaxial input for connecting cable or over-the-air antennas, plus analog audio input and output jacks.
Its high-quality aluminum frame is weatherproofed for extra durability, plus the internal components are weatherized as well. The connector panel with access to inputs and outputs is housed behind a metal door with the bottom of the door comprised of a rubber gasket that moulds to the contour of the cables running underneath. As an LED TV, the SunBrite Veranda boasts up to a 50% gain in brightness over traditional indoors televisions making it good for use in harsh sunlight. Unfortunately, you won’t find any smart capabilities. Therefore, for streaming media outside you’ll need to hook up a media streamer such as a Roku, Apple TV, or Chromecast with Google TV.
Additionally, the SunBrite Veranda comes as a premium when compared with similarly-specced indoor televisions. As its name suggests, the Veranda is intended for partial coverage. The picture quality, while great for patio use, isn’t as good as many indoor TVs. Nevertheless, it’s a more reasonable price than most other TVs for outside, and is the best cheap outdoor TV on the market.
Pros:
- 4K UHD resolution
- HDR
- Rugged case and components intended for permanent outside installation – Durable aluminum case
- Onboard speakers
- Great connectivity: 3 x HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.0 (1 x HDMI with ARC), 1 x USB, SPDIF optical, component input, VGA input, Ethernet, PC/VGA audio input, analog audio output, cable/antenna coax input
- LED TV
- Great for partially-covered situations
- Available sizes: 43, 55, 65, 75 inches
Cons:
- Expensive
- No smart capabilities for streaming
- Not made for use in direct sunlight
Best TV for Outside Use Overall – Samsung The Terrace Outdoor TV
While Samsung offers some of the finest indoor television sets, so too does it make arguably the best TV for outside use. Its aptly-named The Terrace outdoor TV is a weatherproofed QLED television. Whereas most TVs for patio installation compromise on picture quality, Samsung’s outdoor TV doesn’t. Available in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch screen sizes, the Samsung outdoor TV boasts a brilliant image. Sporting Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Tizen smart TV capabilities, The Terrace is a complete media experience. With 4K UHD HDR, images look lush and lifelike. A high contrast ratio provides accurate colors and excellent black levels. A low input lag makes The Terrace Samsung outdoor TV an awesome choice for backyard gaming.
An IP55 weatherproof rating ensures continued operation outside. You’ll find wide viewing angles and high brightness for daytime watch parties. Samsung’s The Terrace is ideal for partially-covered scenarios. A slew of premium features chisel The Terrace into an outstanding television. All three of its HDMI inputs are HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.20. HDR implementation includes HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG although sadly not Dolby Vision. eARC lets you passthrough uncompressed audio tracks to a connected soundbar or receiver.
Although the picture holds up well with a lot of ambient light, The Terrace outdoors TV isn’t intended for direct sunlight. Disappointingly, there’s some occasional artifacting. And the price, as is to be expected with weatherproof TVs, is pretty steep. Nonetheless, if you want the best outdoor TV on the planet, it’s hands-down The Terrace from Samsung.
Pros:
- IP55-rated weatherproofing
- 55-, 65-, and 75-inch screen sizes available
- Smart TV functionality with Tizen smart TV apps
- 4K UHD with HDR (HDR10, HDR10+, HLG)
- QLED technology
- Excellent color accuracy and black levels
- High contrast ratio
- Extremely bright
- Wide viewing angles and anti-glare technology
- Low input lag – great for gaming
- Great for partially-covered environments
- Excellent connectivity: 3 x USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, eARC
Cons:
- Expensive
- Occasional artifacting
- Lacks Dolby Vision HDR
Top Outdoor Patio TV with a Soundbar – Seura Shade Series 2
The Seura Shade Series 2 is a premium 4K UHD TV that not only looks good but sounds fantastic thanks to an included soundbar. It’s available in 43-, 55-, 65-, and 75-inch sizes. A high 700 nit brightness provides lush visuals while the 50-Watt soundbar rocks a set of front-facing 50W RMS 2-channel drivers. You’ll find weatherproofing for year-round protection against the elements. Seura’s Shade Series 2 can handle temperatures ranging from -24°F to 140°F.
A weatherproofed compartment lets you stowaway streaming devices and sticks. Its high contrast ratio produces deep, dark blacks and dynamic colors. A micro-edge design minimizes bezels for a sleek, modern look. Unfortunately, you won’t find any smart TV features. But a streaming box or streaming stick easily solves this problem. Although the price tag is pretty steep, the included soundbar adds a lot of value and packs quite a performance punch over often tinny built-in TV speakers.
Pros:
- 4K UHD with HDR
- Available in 43-, 55-, 65-, and 75-inch sizes
- Comes with a soundbar
- High brightness – 700 nits
- Great for partial sun situations
- IP56 rating – waterproof, able to withstand temperatures ranging -24°F to 140°F
- Micro-edge design with small bezels
- Weatherproofed compartment for stowing streaming sticks safely
- High contrast ratio
Cons:
- Lacks smart TV features
- Expensive
Best Mid-range Patio TV – Furrion Aurora
The Furrion Aurora comes in two different varieties: a partial sun flavor with a high 700 nits of brightness or a full shade version with a 350 nit brightness. The Aurora touts all-climate capabilities that can withstand freezing temperatures and sweltering heat alike. Four built-in fans keep the operating temperature low even when the heat rises. An IP54 weatherproofing rating means the Aurora can handle harsh elements such as rain, snow, and UV rays.
The built-in speakers are average, although you can easily add a soundbar or receiver for improved audio quality. Neither the partial sun or full shade variations of the Furrion Aurora are well-suited to full sun exposure. Still, for patio use, the Furrion Aurora is a good outdoor television set that won’t break the bank.
Pros:
- 4K UHD with HDR
- 700 nit brightness (partial sun) or 350 nits (full shade)
- Anti-glare for good visibility
- IP54 weatherproofing
- Excellent connectivity: 3 x HDMI, 1 x USB, 1 x coax audio input, 1 x component input, 1 x composite AV input, 1 x antenna RF input, 1 x VGA, 1 x analog audio output
- Great for partial sun situations
Cons:
- Average speakers
- Not ideal for full sun exposure
- No smart TV features
Best Outside TV for Full-sun Exposure – Seura Ultra Bright
While the majority of patio televisions are weatherproofed and brighter than the average TV to withstand high levels of sunlight, they’re intended for partial shade. Seura’s Ultra Bright is the best terrace TV for full sun exposure. With a whopping 1000 nits or brightness, the Seura Ultra Bright indeed lives up to its name. You’ll find a 4K UHD resolution with HDR and the ability to handle -40°F to 140°F temperatures. It’s available in sizes including 49, 55, and 65 inches.
Full weatherproofing makes the Seura Ultra Bright a good choice for poolside entertainment. Sadly, the Seura Ultra Bright is devoid of any smart TV features. Its onboard speakers are fine, but nothing to write home about. If you need a super bright television that can handle an onslaught of sunlight, the Seura Ultra Bright is a solid choice.
Pros:
- Extremely bright – 1000 nits
- Full weatherproofing
- 4K UHD with HDR
- -40°F to 140°F operating temperatures
- Great for full sun exposure
Cons:
- Average speakers
- No smart TV features
Top 1080p Outside TV for Direct Sunlight – SunBrite Pro Series
The SunBrite Pro Series can tackle direct sunlight with its high brightness. Boasting 700 nits of brightness, the SunBrite Pro Series features an anti-glare screen for limiting reflections. A power-coated aluminum frame protects from water and shields its internal components. There’s a media bay to house streaming devices safely, and the Pro Series is capable of use in -40°F to 122°F temperatures. The speakers disappointingly aren’t audiophile-caliber, although they’ll do just fine for most users. Unfortunately, the SunBrite Pro Series is limited to 1080p. But an 8ms response time makes the SunBrite Pro Series great for gaming. If you can live with the 1080p resolution, the SunBrite Pro Series is a good option for viewing in full sun.
Pros:
- Suitable for full sun exposure
- -40°F to 122°F operating temperatures
- 1080p resolution
- 8ms response time – great for gaming
- Fully weatherproofed
Cons:
- Not 4K – only 1080p
- Lacks streaming features
Best 8K Outdoor Television – Mirage Vision Diamond 8K QLED
Boasting an impressive 8K resolution, the Mirage Vision Diamond is a high-end QLED outdoor TV. The Mirage Vision Diamond features a 7,680 x 4,320 resolution with HDR and quantum dot LED technology. You’ll find Wi-Fi and a good smart TV interface with lots of available streaming apps. Full weatherproofing makes the Mirage Vision Diamond 8K able to stand up to sub-freezing and over 145-degree Fahrenheit temperatures alike. Weatherized components withstand humidity as well as harsh temperatures. Unfortunately, the Mirage Vision Diamond 8K QLED is extremely expensive. Still, for the price you get the best television for outdoors use that money can buy.
Pros:
- 8K resolution
- HDR
- QLED
- Wi-Fi and smart TV features
- Excellent image quality
- Full weatherproofing
- Can withstand sub-freezing to over 145-degree Fahrenheit temps
Cons:
- Extremely expensive
Best Outdoor Televisions for Patio Watch Parties – Final Thoughts
Overall, there are tons of weatherproof TVs for bringing the movies outside. Samsung’s The Terrace outdoor TV is the best waterproof television set with excellent picture quality and built-in streaming apps. If you can afford it, the Mirage Vision Diamond 8K is a 7,680 x 4,320 weatherized TV. SunBrite’s Veranda is a good 4K television built for patio use, while Seura offers its Ultra Bright and Shade Series outdoor television sets. The Furrion Aurora is a good 4K HDR TV for poolside installation as well.
Your turn: What outside TVs do you recommend?
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