Most of us love watching TV from the comfort of the couch, but what if you don’t want to be stuck indoors on a beautiful day? If you can’t bear to miss an important game day or want to stream the latest episode of your favorite show by the pool, an outdoor TV could be just the thing you’ve been missing all this time. Constructed to withstand outdoor elements as well as a higher degree of sunlight and brightness than your average TV, outdoor TVs can be installed anywhere from your patio to your backyard.
In the past year, we’ve evaluated at least 10 of the latest TV models on the market. To select the best outdoor TV for your home, we reviewed each unit’s picture quality, brightness, contrast, refresh rate and other performance metrics. According to our experts and rave consumer reviews, these are the best outdoor TVs to purchase in 2024.
1
Best Overall Outdoor TV
Samsung The Terrace
Credit: Samsung
Pros
- Fantastic picture quality
- Intuitive user interface
- Built-in Wi-Fi
Cons
- Both partial sun and full sun models should not be exposed to direct sunlight, according to Samsung
We love Samsung’s The Frame TV, but we certainly don’t recommend mounting this beautiful set outdoors. For those that still want a top-performing Samsung TV that can be used in partial sunlight like under a gazebo or a cabana, look no further than the Terrace.
Featuring a bright screen (upward of 1,500 nits, according to Samsung, which measures luminance) with an anti-glare coating, you can stream content just like you would inside. Our pros like that it’s IP55-rated, meaning that it should withstand most environmental conditions as it’s highly water resistant.
In previous tests of the latest Samsung QLED models, we’ve been impressed with crisp, detailed picture quality and the Terrace isn’t an exception. Like most other standard TVs, it has Wi-Fi built-in, so you’ll have access to Samsung’s intuitive interface when it’s time to find your favorite streaming platforms.
But if you need a TV that can withstand even more sunlight (i.e. by the pool), we recommend upgrading to Samsung’s full sun model. Though it’s significantly more expensive and, according to Samsung, shouldn’t be used in direct sunlight, it’s constructed to operate more effectively in brighter outdoor conditions, thanks to a higher tolerance to isotropic blackout (a phenomenon that occurs when LED crystals temporarily shut down due to overheating in direct sunlight).
| Type | QLED |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 55″, 65″ and 75” |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Inputs | HDMI x 3, USB |
| Claimed brightness | 1,500 nits |
| Operating temperature | N/A |
| Weather resistance | IP55 rating |
2
Best Value Outdoor TV
Element Electronics 55″ 4K UHD Partial Sun Outdoor Roku TV
Credit: Element Electronics
Pros
- Affordable
- Built-in Roku interface
- Compatible across various smart home ecosystems
Cons
- Only available in 55”
- Not as bright as other premium models
Element Electronics partnered with Roku to make a weather-resistant smart TV that’s ideally suited for semi-sunny outdoor spaces. Though it’s only available in 55 inches, this relatively cheap outdoor TV has the known and loved intuitive, easy-to-use Roku interface built in so you’ll automatically have access to all your Netflix shows and Max movies.
Our pros like that the screen is designed with anti-glare technology and should provide sufficient brightness at 700 nits — though not as much as some of the more premium models.
Best of all, the more affordable price doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice smart features. Compatible with Google Home, Amazon Alexa and more, you can access your favorite voice assistants directly via the TV. Apple users will be pleased that Apple AirPlay is supported so you can mirror your phone’s screen directly on your TV, like when you want to do an outdoor Zumba class or yoga session from one of your favorite workout apps.
| Type | LED |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 55″ |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Inputs | HDMI x 4, USB |
| Claimed brightness | 700 nits |
| Operating temperature | -4°F – 104°F |
| Weather resistance | IP55 rating |
3
Best Outdoor TV for Full Shade
SunBriteTV Veranda 3
Credit: SunBrite
Pros
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Durable weatherproofing
- Available in various sizes
Cons
- Doesn’t feature a USB port
SunBrite was one of the first to go to market with outdoor TVs and carries models that are optimized for full sun, partial sun and full shade. Our pros recommend the 4K LED Veranda 3 for anyone hoping to watch sports, movies and more in a covered area of your backyard or a shaded patio as it’s best suited for full shade (as opposed to direct sunlight).
Available in 55-, 65- and 75-inch sizes, it’s not the cheapest TV you’ll find but it’s one that can be relied on in the long run when it comes to its weatherproofing and UV exposure thanks to a highly weather-resistant IP55 rating. Also noteworthy is that the remote can be left outside. “SunBrite Outdoor TVs operate just fine in temperatures upwards of 100 degrees and have held up well over time,” shares Rachel Rothman, the GH Institute’s former head engineer and chief technologist.
We also like that the Veranda 3 is SunBrite’s first smart TV, featuring built-in Google Assistant voice control, Chromecast and access to Android TV’s user-friendly interface. Just keep in mind that even though the TV has built-in Wi-Fi, you’ll still need to ensure that you set it up within the range of your network. Consider our favorite Wi-Fi routers if you need to extend your coverage area.
| Type | LED |
|---|---|
| Size | 55″, 65″ and 75” |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Inputs | HDMI x 4 |
| Claimed brightness | 1,000 nits |
| Operating temperature | -24° to 104° F |
| Weather resistance | IP55 rating |
4
Best Compact Outdoor TV
Furrion Aurora
Credit: Furrion
Pros
- Comes in smaller screen sizes
- Features two USB ports for streaming sticks and more
- Auto-brightness setting
Cons
- Lower IP rating
- Wi-Fi not built in
Available in more compact 43- and 49-inch screen sizes, the Furrion Aurora is an excellent choice for smaller outdoor spaces. With 750 nits of brightness, it should perform well in covered areas like patios or yards with some sun exposure but not direct sunlight.
Our pros note that this model’s IP54 rating means it isn’t quite as weather resistant as other outdoor TVs featured on this list, so it’s best to permanently install the TV in an area that doesn’t come into contact with heavy rainfall. While we haven’t tried this model out at home or in the Lab, we like that it features an auto-brightness setting that automatically adjusts the screen’s lighting depending on the external conditions and that it has two USB ports for streaming sticks and more.
| Type | LED |
|---|---|
| Sizes | 43″, 49″, 55″, and 65″ |
| Resolution | 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Inputs | HDMI x 3, USB x 2 |
| Claimed brightness | 750 nits |
| Operating temperature | -4 ºF to 122 ºF |
| Weather resistance | IP54 rating |
