Top 10 Best Outdoor TV (Weatherproof) – Reviews

We listed the very best ones out there for your outdoor entertainment, so you don’t have to worry about buying a dud. Check out this list of the 10 best outdoor TVs and other solutions for enjoying outdoor entertainment.

SunBrite 55” 4K Screen – Best Overall

The screen is water-resistant, and it is enclosed in a powder-coated aluminum exterior that keeps moisture, insects, and dust from getting in and messing with the internal components.

The SunBrite TV Veranda series display can also handle all kinds of weather, both low- and high-temperature environments.

There are built-in 20W down-firing speakers that offer decent sound quality. Connecting a higher-quality sound system is an option if desired.

You also have access to both HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 and a number of connection options, including HDMI and 2 USB inputs.

Mirage Vision 55” Gold Series – World’s Thinnest All-weather television set

In addition to being thin, something that makes this TV unique is that it is not exactly designed for outdoor use but rather, it’s an indoor TV that is modified for outdoor use.

By starting with a high-quality indoor television and adding special sealants, membranes, vents, and covers, it is transformed into a nice outdoor screen.

They can handle bugs, moisture, and extreme temperatures. While there are some advantages to this modification versus original build approach, there are also some cons.

Although the screens do get a vivid picture with a display boasting 1 billion colors and LED Backlight Modulation Technology, they aren’t quite as bright as some other televisions here.

Another negative is that you don’t know what the original brand of the TV is, at least not in advance. That’s not a big deal since all of these modifications are done well and since the beginning TV is for sure from a high-quality brand and meets a certain standard in terms of the specifications.

Mirage Vision does offer a 100% Guarantee for this TV, but customer service is a bit hit or miss.

SunBrite 65 Inch – Worth the High Price

This model is really almost identical to the SunBrite 55” 4K TV Screen. The 4K UHD screen with direct LED backlight offers a vivid picture. The built-in speakers offer good sound quality. There are a variety of connection options.

The weatherproofing is excellent for verandas and outside areas, and the TV is extremely durable. Also, like the smaller model, this model is also best suited for shaded areas.

SunBrite 43” 4K TV – Best Small Size Outdoor TV unit

If you’re on a budget, this is the best weatherproof television at this price point. It’s very durable, which also adds to the overall value of the TV.

As with the other SunBrites, the built-in speakers are surprisingly good, but if you really want a great TV experience, it’s wise to invest in some additional higher-quality speakers or a soundbar.

That adds on a bit of price, but you can find some really good speakers that will work for quite reasonable prices.

Mirage Vision Gold Series 40” – A Smaller Modified TV

Like the 55″ Mirage Vision, another thing that makes this TV stand out is that it is quite thin.

Another advantage to this TV, as opposed to the SunBrite TV models, is that it is a smart TV. This gives you access to expanded functionality, like using apps and streaming things like Netflix directly.

Finally, this TV is the cheapest weatherproof TV available. That said, the customer service seems to be a bit hit or miss. In addition, a modified TV like this might not hold up as well over time when exposed to the elements as compared to a TV built specifically for outdoor use.

It does have a 100% Guarantee but getting Mirage Vision to honor this might take a fair amount of effort.

Cosmos Outdoor TV – No Glare & Great Sound

Another great feature is that the speakers are remarkably good with a design that gets the sound to you without bothering the whole neighborhood. This TV is equipped with smart TV functionality, so you will be able to easily stream things like Netflix and YouTube.

These TVs are made tough and can withstand the elements as well as temperature extremes.

To deal with extreme cold, it has an Automated Heating Structure. To deal with extreme heat, it has a dual or even triple-fan cooling system, depending on the size of the TV.

It also features a unique weather cap, a feature that actually prevents animals from being able to rest on the TV’s frame.

As this is a more expensive television, you might be concerned about theft. It is compatible with Kensington type locks which allow you to secure the TV in a way that makes theft very difficult.

This is a very nice looking television, and you have your choice of finish, either brushed stainless steel or a matte black. Another nice feature of this TV is that it is designed to work best with a floor mount. Cosmos offers a few different options for tough, stainless steel poles with stone or wood bases.

There is even a commercial-grade mounting pole on wheels that gives you more flexibility to place the TV in different positions. This mounting option makes it ideal for commercial use.

SkyVue NXG 1000-NIT Full Sun TV – Works in Sun

As far as the overall design of this TV, it is definitely one of the nicer looking models. You even have your choice of colors, including standard colors like black and gray as well as earthy tones like greens, blues, and brown.

SkyVue Outdoor TVs are built tough with excellent weatherproofing and measures that make handling extreme temperatures no problem.

A protective cover is also included to make it even easier to keep the TV in great condition.

The biggest downside to SkyVue TVs is the price. Even for a much smaller screen size, the price is much higher. That said, the value is increased thanks to the 2-year standard warranty.

The TV Shield Outdoor Case – An Affordable Way to Watch TV Outside

There are some measures in place to help protect the TV from the elements. There are vents to prevent the TV from overheating inside the case. These vents have bug screens to prevent insects from getting inside.

The unit is sealed pretty well to prevent moisture from getting in as well. Although these weatherproofing features do help quite a bit, this won’t do as good of a job of dealing with the elements as a standalone TV designed for outdoor use.

This is especially true when it comes to withstanding really extreme temperatures. If you live in an area with extremes in either direction, your TV might not last as long.

Another disadvantage to this case-based solution to outdoor entertainment is the sound. Even if your TV has great sound, the case will naturally block a lot of it.

A good solution is to add some kind of soundbar or external speaker solution. Otherwise, it will be a bit muffled.

Outdoor Cover 52-55” LCD Screens – An Affordable Protective Cover

Inflatable Mega Movie Screen – Flexibility and Portability

Best Outdoor TV Buyer’s Guide

If you spend a lot of time entertaining outdoors, then you have probably already considered putting an outdoor TV in your space to make sure that everyone stays as close to the action as possible.

You have seen outdoor televisions featured at bars, restaurants, theme parks, and other places where people frequent and you decided that it is time to do the same at your home.

Before purchasing an outdoor TV for your home, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Waterproof Versus Water Resistant

These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they don’t mean the same thing. If an outdoor TV claims to be waterproof, then this means that water will not damage it and it will still function even if it is submerged.

However, if a TV is water-resistant, it can resist a fair amount of water, but it cannot be submerged. When choosing which is best, you need to consider where you will be mounting the television. You should also make sure that the remote is waterproof as well.

Mounting Locations and Tips

Even if you purchase a waterproof television, the best place to mount it is still going to be in a protected and covered area. You also want to make sure that the television isn’t in direct sunlight as well.

When mounting, you should consider a full mount, so you have much wider viewing angles. There will also be far fewer limitations this way when you choose the placement for your outdoor TV.

You also want to purchase a full mount that is all-weather since it will be outdoors. Regular mounts are for indoor use. The mounting hardware and mount on an indoor mounting system can rust and even fail when used outdoors.

Considering Your Needs

Now you will want to consider the needs specific to your situation and outdoor TV installation. You want to match the TV to the space in which you put it. Whether or not the television is weather resistant is definitely an important consideration.

What is the temperature range going to be like? Are you mounting it in an area with adequate protection from the elements? Do you have a covered space or TV enclosure?

Research

As with any big purchase, you definitely want to do your research. There are only a handful of companies that offer outdoor televisions, so you want to use this guide and the information we have included to compare and contrast each outdoor TV model to see which would be the best fit for your home and outdoor space.

Consider your environment, the weather, your budget, the space you have available, the sunlight exposure; additionally, consider the features of the television like its high brightness, clarity, color, and sound. Is it going to work well outdoors in your entertaining space?

Best Outdoor TV FAQ

How to prevent theft and secure my TV outside?

Theft is a reasonable concern when you have an expensive TV set in your outside patio. There are a few things you can do to secure your outdoor television. When your TV is mounted to a wall of some kind, you can screw a heavy-duty cable on the back, like the kind you’ll see on nice bike locks.

Then, you should cover the screws with access caps to make sure they can’t just be easily unscrewed. Finally, lock the ends of the cable together, attaching the TV securely to the wall mount.

You can also use something like the Flat Screen TV Anti-Theft Security KitFlat Screen TV Anti-Theft Security Kit, a tool that you can use on indoor TVs as well.

Another way to secure your screen outside is to build some kind of outdoor TV enclosure that locks. A final anti-theft tool to try is the Sonic Shock AlarmSonic Shock Alarm, which triggers a loud alarm when the tether is tripped.

Can these outdoor screens get wet?

Yes. Generally speaking, televisions that are designed for outdoor use can get wet.

They can handle rain, snow, and other moisture. In many cases, the exterior of the TV is powder-coated. This makes it rust-proof, and it also prevents any moisture from getting access to any of the delicate internal components.

Which do you recommend for advertising or commercial use?

The Mirage Vision Gold Series, available on Amazon, has a good reputation for commercial and advertising use.

You only have to look at the list of some of the people who have used this screen: Disney, Universal Studios, The U.S. Army, NASA, CBS, Sea World, and more.

If this screen is good enough for places like that, it’s probably a decent choice to display advertising or for use in an outdoor commercial context. Although the Mirage Vision TVs do have some big-name brands using them, the absolute best TV for advertising and commercial use is the Cosmos Outdoor.

When used with the wheeled commercial-grade mount, in particular, it really doesn’t get much better. The Cosmos TV costs more, but the difference in quality is significant.

How do they compare to a regular TV?

Outdoor TVs have a few important differences. First, they have weatherproofing.

This means that they can handle things like sun, rain, and extreme temperatures better. A regular TV wouldn’t hold up very well outside over time. Another important difference is that they tend to have higher luminosity.

They are brighter, which is important because outdoor televisions have to compete with the sun. A regular TV would have serious glare and visibility issues outside.

A final important and unfortunate difference is that they tend to be more expensive than regular TVs.

TV vs. projector + screen outside, what are the pros & cons?

The pros of a specialized TV are a high-quality picture, weatherproofing, durability, and the overall look. The pros for a projector and screen, on the other hand, are ease of transport, more flexibility, and larger screen size.

The cons are a higher price and less flexibility since you can’t move it around once mounted. The cons of a projector and screen are that they just don’t look as nice, they require setting up each time, and the luminosity tends not to be as good. Ultimately, it’s a personal preference.

How to best install the antenna?

Installing a VHF antenna for an outdoor television is no different than installing standard antennas for an indoor TV, although you have perhaps a bit more flexibility outside.

Is a specialized outdoor TV unit much better than building a weatherproof cabinet or enclosure?

A weatherproof cabinet or enclosure is certainly another option for adding a television to your outdoor living space. That said, this generally won’t do as good of a job of protecting your TV when compared to a TV designed for outdoor use.

This means your TV might not last as long. The other important difference is that 2018 TVs designed especially for outdoor use tend to be much brighter. When you watch normal indoor TV outside, you might struggle to see it.

Do you have any experience with outdoor TVs? In my experience, a good dedicated television set can make backyard living that much more enjoyable. Which one of these brands do you have your eye on? What will you use your new screen for? Let me know in the comments!