Many people make the error of believing that an outdoor TV is just a normal TV placed outside. Unfortunately, using an indoor TV outside is a great way to ruin it.
The viewing quality is also awful.
We manufacture custom-built TVs for use across the United States, so we know what we’re talking about when discussing the best TV for outside use. That’s why we’ve put together this outdoor TV buying guide to show you all the important factors you must consider before investing in your outdoor TV setup.
Outdoor vs vs Indoor TVs: Key Differences
Despite what many people think, outdoor TVs and indoor TVs share little in common beyond their ability to display images and play sound.
Here are the main differences between outdoor TVs and indoor TVs:
Brightness: The non-negotiable outdoor-vs-indoor TV differentiator
The first and most obvious difference between indoor and outdoor TVs is their brightness. The relatively lower brightness of an indoor TV when placed outside is quite shocking. This can’t be overstated.
Using an indoor TV outside results in a dull, faded look, making the image incredibly difficult to see.
Just think of the last time you tried to use your phone or a tablet in the sun, then imagine that on a massive screen.
Even if you put the indoor TV in a shaded area like a backyard gazebo, the brightness will still be dismal. If you’re planning on getting a bunch of friends together for a barbecue and the Sunday football game, they’d be seriously disappointed at the picture.
To put it in perspective, TV brightness is measured in “nits”—a measurement of brightness per square meter. An indoor TV typically uses 250 nits, whereas a partial sun TV uses four times that much, at 1,000 nits!
Outdoor TVs must be extremely bright.
Glare
Indoor TVs typically use a glossy screen, which produces sharp, vibrant images when viewed in a room with controlled lighting. Unfortunately, the opposite is true when used outside.
Using a glossy screen TV outdoors means you’ll have glare because the screen reflects ambient light. Reflections make dark colors look gray and other colors appear faded. In direct sunlight, the image can become almost unwatchable.
Reflections also destroy contrast, reducing the amount of visible detail in an image, and making the image look hazy, even in partial shade.
Glare also increases eye strain, forcing viewers to squint or reposition themselves constantly. Definitely not what you want during that weekend barbecue.
Outdoor TVs typically use a matte finish and specially treated glass to prevent reflections.
Outdoor TVs are more robust
Outdoor TVs are built to be exposed to the elements. While the body of an indoor TV is typically made of plastic, our outdoor TVs are made of aluminum, which doesn’t rust and also allows heat to easily escape.
Outdoor TVs must be built to withstand extreme temperatures, some even going as far as -22°F to 122°F.
When an indoor TV gets too hot or too cold, it will simply fail because its components weren’t designed to withstand such temperatures. Indoor TVs are meant to be used in an environment where the temperature is controlled, and not subject to extremes.
Outdoor TVs also have an “IP” (Ingress Protection) rating, which specifies how protected the TV is against dust, sand, insects, and water.
IP ratings use two numbers, such as IP55, IP65, or IP66. The first digit represents how well the TV is protected against particles, and the numbers range from 1 to 6. The second number ranges from 1 to 9 and determines how protected the set is from water and moisture.
You’ll generally find Outdoor TVs in the IP55 and IP65 bands. Sometimes, you’ll get an IP66, although these are really high-end, because the second “6” means it’s protected from water sprayed in powerful jets.
Few people need such high protection, and IP55 is more than adequate for the vast majority of use cases.
Warranty
It’s important to note that putting an indoor TV outside will likely void your warranty because, as you’ve probably realized by now, outdoor TVs are a completely different breed of device.
Indoor TVs simply wouldn’t last outdoors because they’re just not built to withstand the elements.
Other factors to consider when buying an outdoor TV
A few factors overlap between looking for an outdoor TV and an indoor TV. For example, you might consider whether you want an outdoor Smart TV or a TV with built-in streaming services.
These are the three most important overlapping factors to consider when buying a TV for outside:
Screen size
In a small living room, you might get away with a relatively small TV. However, outside viewing might demand a larger screen, especially if you want to bring that big-screen feel to your get-togethers.
Whereas an indoor TV is typically the TV you’ll use for everyday viewing, your outdoor TV is more likely to be connected with having friends over.
Lots of people means some of those people sitting further back or more at the edges. A larger screen would make it easier for those people to see.
Consider how you’ll use your TV, and then determine if bigger is better. If you only plan on having a handful of guests over, a smaller screen size might be fine.
We provide high-quality TVs in sizes from 43” Outdoor TVs to 75” Outdoor TVs.
Screen mounting
An outside TV might need to be repositioned more frequently than an indoor one. For example, the angle of the sun or falling rain might force viewers to sit at oblique angles to the TV.
If your TV will be mounted on the wall, you might want to use an adjustable mount. If it won’t be, then you might consider using a movable stand.
Our TVs allow you to adjust the viewing angle by 178° vertically and horizontally.