Categories: Outdoor

The Best Outdoor TVs To Enjoy Backyard Movie Nights

Published by
James marcus

Watching TV in your backyard is a real treat, so why not do it on one of the best outdoor TVs? What makes a TV an outdoor television? They’re weather resistant, so you needn’t fear rain or freezing temperatures. And the best outdoor TVs are bright enough to be viewable in direct sunlight—no shade required.

Get cozy with a big screen television outside with one of the best outdoor TVs.

Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers

Outdoor TVs differ from their indoor counterparts in a few important ways. They typically have a thicker chassis to ward off the rain and a premium price to account for their ability to withstand the sun and the elements. But you don’t have to pay top pricing for an outdoor panel. There are affordable outdoor TVs as well, as some that are half-in, half-out TVs designed for covered verandas and gazebos.

What that means, is that wherever you want to put a TV outdoors at your home, there’s a TV for it. From flagship designs like Samsung The Terrace, to miniature outdoor TVs, like the Furrion Aurora, there’s a TV for anyone who dreams of watching their favorite movies and shows in the great outdoors.

  • Best Outdoor TV Overall: Samsung The Terrace Full Sun
  • Best Affordable Outdoor TV: Element Electronics Partial Sun
  • Best Small Outdoor TV: Furrion Aurora
  • Best Outdoor TV For Shaded Areas: Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun
  • Best Outdoor TV For Extreme Weather: Seura UB4-65 Full Sun Series

How To Pick An Outdoor TV

Outdoor TVs aren’t drastically different to their interior counterparts, so when buying an outdoor TV you should consider all the same things you do when buying one of the best TVs. But there are also some factors that you must consider with outdoor TVs that indoor TVs needn’t worry about. Here’s what’s most important.

Brightness

Brightness is important on indoor TVs, but where higher brightness is great indoors for improving HDR pop, it’s mandatory for an outdoor TV just to make sure you can see the screen. It doesn’t have to be a full-sun model, but even partial-sun or shaded outdoor TVs need to be bright enough to shine through on sunny days, making sure you still get a vibrant picture for whatever you’re watching.

Whereas indoor TVs can get away with just a few hundred nits of brightness, outdoor TVs need as much as you can get. A 1,000 nit rating is worth targeting as a minimum for an outdoor TV, but the top models can reach over 2,000 nits at their brightest, which can really help if you’re trying to watch during a very sunny day.

Weather proofing

Your outdoor TV is subject to elements that indoor TVs don’t face, so you need good weather proofing. Most outdoor TVs come with an IP code rating, which gives you some indication of their ability to handle dust and dirt, and water. A low rating, like IP34, will only offer modest protection against light splashes, and some wind-blown dirt, while an IP55 rating would protect it against almost all dirt, and even a light pressure washing.

You can find more specific information on IP ratings, here, but if you aren’t planning on covering your TV, make sure it can withstand the kind of weather it is likely to face.

Temperature range

Outdoor TVs also need to contend with greater swings in temperature than indoor TVs, so you want one that can handle the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter. You want your TV to work within the bounds of the temperatures it’s likely to encounter.

The Samsung The Terrace outdoor TV has an operating temperature range of 2 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit and be stored between temperatures of -22 and 122 degrees Fahrenheit. The Seura UB4-65 Full Sun Series has an operating temperature between -40 and 140 Fahrenheit, making it a more durable solution for areas with extreme temperatures.

Full Sun, Partial Sun, or Shaded

Outdoor TVs tend to be rated for full sun, partial sun or shaded areas. These let you know if they’re designed to be able to handle some sun or none at all. Full sun models shouldn’t need any kind of cover, and tend to have the most robust temperature and weather protections. Partial sun TVs can handle some reflected sunlight and will look their best in shaded areas, while shaded TVs can’t handle any kind of direct sunlight and must be located in a shaded area to look good.

Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted tech team is well-versed in all things digital, having written articles and in the category (a couple of staffers, including Dave Johnson, our deputy editor, have even authored a number of books).

Jon Martindale, the writer of this story, is a regular Forbes Vetted tech contributor who has bylines in digital publications including Digital Trends and PCGamer, and formerly ran his own PC hardware review website. He also is a home entertainment expert who knows the inner workings of TVs. Needless to say, we’ve collectively conducted extensive research and testing on the best outdoor TV models designed for home use, work, gaming and everything in between.

Other Articles You Might Like

Forbes Vetted regularly covers all types of consumer electronics and then reviews and recommends the best products in specific categories. Here are some other articles you might enjoy reading:

  • The Best TVs That Upgrade Your Movie Nights
  • The Best 85-Inch TVs To Entertain You On A Massive Screen
  • The Best Gaming TVs That’ll Make Your Games Look Gorgeous

James marcus

Garden Courte is a blog written by [James Marcus], a passionate gardener and writer. She has been gardening for over 20 years and has a deep understanding of plants and how to care for them. In her blog, she shares her knowledge and experience with others, providing tips and advice on gardening, plant care, and more.

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Published by
James marcus

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