What to Look For in an Outdoor TV
Outdoor TVs vary not just in features and picture quality in bright light, but also in how well they stand up to harsh weather
Spending time outdoors and watching TV are mutually exclusive activities for most of us—but they don’t have to be.
My family has spent a decent amount of time out on our deck experimenting with an outdoor set I borrowed from Consumer Reports, and we found a lot to like in the experience.
You can catch a baseball game out in the sun, just like you’d do at the ballpark, or see a blockbuster movie under the stars, as though you were at a drive-in. Depending on where you live, an outdoor TV might make sense for just a few months each year, or in every season.
Make the most of your outdoor space with a top-rated grill, long-lasting decking, and a great patio umbrella. And check out more of CR’s tips and product reviews in our guide to outdoor living.
What Makes a Set an Outdoor TV
Outdoor TVs typically have well-constructed enclosures to protect against the elements, with compartments on the back to keep the TVs’ connections from being damaged by bad weather. This extra protection makes the TVs both bulkier and considerably heavier than regular TVs. Some of the TVs now have slimmer, though not thin, profiles, however. That, along with narrower bezels, give them a relatively sleek look when viewed head-on.
Like regular TVs, outdoor TVs require a setup beyond their default settings. The last time we tested outdoor TVs, they arrived in Standard mode, but we found that the Movie mode provided the best overall fidelity. In Standard mode, contrast appeared to be boosted, with highlights that looked artificially brightened and colors that were visibly off compared with our reference set.
Setting the correct brightness will be critical, since the default settings typically aren’t ideal. Most outdoor TVs have a high-brightness mode, often called Dynamic, which can be a good choice if you’re watching during the brightest part of the day. But that tends to make colors look oversaturated, crush black and white shadow detail, and make images look oversharpened. (Learn which TV settings deliver the best picture quality.)
The majority of outdoor TVs are recommended for use in partial sun, so they should be placed in a shaded area, such as beneath a patio roof. (Some TVs are designed for use in direct sunlight, however.)
Photo: Consumer Reports Photo: Consumer Reports
We’ve also found that, just like conventional sets, outdoor TVs can vary in features. Some of the sets we’ve tested had step-up features, such as faster refresh rates, full-array and Mini LED backlights with local dimming, and quantum-dot color. They tend to perform better than basic models.
These days, many outdoor sets are smart TVs that make it easy to access streaming services, and many have voice capabilities, thanks to built-in support for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and other digital assistants. Most TVs now include some type of high dynamic range (HDR) support, but the more basic sets lack support for Dolby Vision and/or HDR10+, which use “dynamic” metadata to allow the TV to adjust brightness on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis. By contrast, HDR10 uses “static” metadata, setting brightness levels once for the entire movie or show.
Note that remote controls for outdoor TVs can have a variety of weather-resistance ratings, and you might not want to leave all remotes outdoors during bad weather. (See below for information about IP ratings.) Some remotes are magnetized, so you can attach them to the TV’s cabinet for safekeeping.
What to Consider When Buying an Outdoor TV
Start by thinking about where the TV will be placed and whether it can be properly shaded from direct sunlight. Outdoor TVs come with recommendations for full sun, partial sun, partial shade, and full shade. Where the TV is placed can also affect how much weatherproofing it needs. Finally, you’ll also need to make sure the TV is rated to operate safely within the temperature range in your area.
Let’s start with weatherproofing.
IP Ratings
All outdoor TVs—and other products, including many portable speakers, cellphones, and fitness trackers—carry an IP (ingress protection) rating. This is a two-digit code set by the International Electrotechnical Commission, an international standards organization.
The first digit indicates how well the set protects against intrusion by dust, dirt, blowing sand, and even insects. The numbers range from 1 to 6, with higher numbers indicating more protection. The second digit, which goes from 1 to 9, reflects how well a product guards against water and moisture.
A TV placed under a patio roof or veranda won’t require the same degree of protection as a TV placed out in the open, where it’s susceptible to heavy rainstorms, splashes from a pool, or sprays from a sprinkler system. In general, though, outdoor TVs often carry an IP55 or IP65 rating. For an even better seal, you can consider an IP66-rated TV. We’ve also seen sets with a moisture rating of 4, which should withstand light rain or splashes.
Temperature and Sunlight
Your TV will also need to be able to safely operate within the upper and lower temperature limits of your region. Most outdoor TVs we’ve seen have fairly wide temperature ranges. For example, a Samsung set we bought several years ago was claimed to handle temperatures from -22° F to 122° F, while another set was supposed to withstand temperatures from -4° F to 104° F. Even if you won’t be outdoors in your region’s hottest or coldest weather, your TV will.
You’ll also need to match your outdoor TV to the amount of sunlight you expect it to receive. Most sets are recommended for “partial sun,” under an eave or pergola, by their manufacturers. That will provide some degree of anti-glare protection, as well as sufficient display brightness. “Full sun” models typically cost substantially more, so it’s worth seeing if you can find a location that offers some shade.
But remember that, ultimately, these are also TVs, so factors like screen size, picture and sound quality, and viewing angle matter, too. If you intend to stream movies and TV shows, you may want to get an outdoor router or place a mesh router close to your viewing area.
Sound Quality
Often an afterthought, the TV’s built-in sound will be important if you don’t intend to use an external speaker system, such as a soundbar. Other options include Bluetooth or WiFi speakers that you can take indoors when they’re not being used.
TV Mounts
Most outdoor TVs don’t come with stands or mounts, so you’ll need to buy one separately. These TVs are considerably heavier than regular sets. You’ll want to choose an outdoor-rated model that can support that weight and stand up to the elements.
One last thing: To prolong the life of your set, it’s not a bad idea to get an outdoor TV cover to protect it when it’s not in use. It can help keep out dust and debris—not to mention insects, birds, and small critters. Be sure to get one that matches the size of your TV.
BEST TIME TO BUY:
