I vividly remember the time when my friends and I planned a cozy outdoor movie night under the starry sky. We wanted to enjoy a film together, surrounded by nature, and escape the confines of our living rooms. However, the thought of hauling our indoor TV outside seemed like a hassle, and we didn’t want to compromise on the viewing experience either. That’s when we discovered the world of outdoor TVs.
Outdoor TVs have become a popular solution for those who want to entertain guests or simply relax outdoors. Gone are the days of sitting inside, bored, while relatives and friends visit. Now, we can bring the excitement and joy of watching movies, sports, and playing games to our outdoor spaces.
Finding the perfect outdoor TV can be a challenge, as not many televisions are specifically designed for outdoor use. We had to consider factors like reflection quality, picture clarity, and brightness to ensure optimal viewing, especially in the face of abundant daylight.
One outdoor TV that stood out with its exceptional qualities was the Sony XBR85X950H. It provided the perfect blend of performance and durability for our outdoor movie night, leaving us mesmerized by its picture quality and ability to withstand outdoor conditions.
If you’re in search of an outdoor TV that can meet your needs, I highly recommend considering the Sony XBR85X950H. However, if you’re looking for more options, check out our recommendations for the best outdoor televisions available this year. Additionally, don’t forget to explore our suggestions for the best kitchen TV, the best bedroom TV, and the best smart TV, as we’ve got you covered for all your viewing needs in every corner of your home.
| Brand Name | Standard Features |
|---|---|
| Samsung Terrace | It gets incredibly bright and handles reflections well, so you can watch outside during the day. |
| LG CX | Infinite contrast ratio. Wide viewing angles, Displays wide color gamut. |
| Vizio P Series | Produces extremely bright HDR highlights, Low input lag for gamers, Excellent motion handling |
| Samsung Q90T | Deep and uniform blacks, Exceptional reflection handling, Get very bright in SDR and HDR. |
| Hisense H8G | Outstanding low input lag, The image remains accurate when viewed at an angle. |
Top Picks for Outdoor Use
Outdoor television is a great way to entertain your family and friends. It can be used in outdoor or indoor settings, but it is not always necessary. It is also good for outdoor activities like hiking, camping and other outdoor activities.
1. Best overall: Samsung The Terrace
Samsung The Terrace is the best outdoor TV that we’ve reviewed. It’s a specially built QLED TV for outdoor use, and it’s the first real outdoor TV we’ve checked. It’s outstandingly well-built, and the whole framework is made of metal. There’s a cover where the inputs are to shield them from the elements, and IP55 water resistance is valued for this model, but this is not something we are looking for.
How bright it gets is the standout feature. Simply put, it’s the brightest we’ve checked, and combined with its superb reflection handling, even with bright sun on it, you shouldn’t have any trouble using it outdoors.
The VA panel has an excellent contrast ratio, amazing black uniformity, and a good full-array local dimming function that offers exceptionally deep blacks, even if you want to watch television with it at night. Without any issues, it upscales lower-resolution content, and the built-in Tizen OS has a lot of applications you can use.
Thankfully, it has small viewing angles, but when viewing from the edge, you sacrifice image accuracy. The built-in speakers are very loud, but when you play at their full volume, you can detect some distortion. Thanks to its exceptionally high peak brightness and wide color gamut, the HDR content still looks really good. All in all, you can’t really go wrong with this one if you want to purchase a TV dedicated to outdoor use.
- High contrast ratio.
- Exceptional build quality.
- Can get extremely bright.
- Outstanding reflection handling.
- Sub-par viewing angles.
2. Best OLED Outdoor TV For Night Use: LG CX OLED
The best outdoor TV we’ve reviewed for late-night use is the LG CX OLED. It’s a well-built entry-level OLED that can turn off pixels independently, resulting in an almost infinite contrast ratio and absolute black uniformity. This suggests that when seen in the dark, blacks look deep and inky, and there are no uniformity concerns such as backlit fading or blooming in dark scenes around light objects.
It offers amazing image consistency with which most people should be delighted. HDR content has an exceptional color gamut and gets respectably bright to bring out highlights. It has outstanding out-of-the-box color accuracy, without any issues, upscales lower-resolution video, and can delete judder from all sources.
It has very wide viewing angles, but when viewed from the edge, photographs remain correct. It also has exceptional reflections handling, but it doesn’t get very hot, which is why nighttime use is recommended.
Unfortunately, it’s not resistant to permanent burn-in, like every OLED. This can only be a real concern if you are continuously viewing content, like television, with static elements. However, if you use it for a few hours every night to watch movies or shows, it shouldn’t be a challenge. All in all, it’s filled with functionality and looks fantastic in the dark, making it the best nighttime outdoor TV we have checked for viewing.
- Infinite contrast ratio.
- Wide viewing angles.
- VRR support.
- Displays wide color gamut.
- Risk of permanent burn-in.
- Only decent HDR peak brightness.
3. Best Outdoor TV For Sports: Samsung Q90/Q90T QLED
The Samsung Q90/Q90T QLED is the best outdoor TV for viewing sports we have reviewed. It is an incredibly well-designed model with small borders on both sides and an attractive center-mounted stand. It manages reflections extremely well and is more than bright enough to fight glare, so even on sunny days, you don’t have to think about exposure. Unlike the Samsung The Terrace, a TV specially made for outdoor use, it has the ‘Ultra Viewing Angle’ layer from Samsung that significantly enhances viewing angles.
Even without causing any upscaling artifacts, it upscales lower-resolution content, such as cable sports. In quick-moving scenes, it has a fast response time to provide transparent images and a Black Frame Insertion function to further enhance the quality of motion.
It has a refresh rate of 120Hz and can interpolate up to 120fps of low frame rate content to make motion look smoother. If you want to play some video games, it has very low input lag, and it has variable refresh rate support to minimize screen tearing. In addition, it has HDMI 2.1 ports, perfect for those of a Series X PS5 or Xbox.
The good news is that the internal speakers get really loud and therefore do not distort much at full volume if you don’t have dedicated speakers for outdoor use. The frequency response, though, is only okay as there is a lack of low bass to create the thumping, rumbling tone. Samsung’s Tizen OS is user-friendly, lots of applications are available, and you can scan for content using voice control. Overall, it’s an impressive TV that most individuals can be pleased with.
- Gets very bright in SDR and HDR.
- Decent viewing angles.
- Exceptional reflection handling.
- Vignetting and dirty screen effect.
4. Best Large Outdoor TV: Sony XBR85X950H
The Sony XBR85X950H is the best available outdoor TV that we’ve checked in an 85-inch size. It is available in models of either 75 inches or 85 inches, and it has excellent overall image quality. It’s well-built, and it’s packed with Android TV, which has an outstanding choice of downloadable apps, so you won’t need to get your outdoor system from an external media device.
In Sony’s 2023 range, this is the flagship 4k model and it has the performance associated with a high-end TV. It has outstanding handling of reflection, but sunlight won’t be distracting. In both SDR and HDR, it has outstanding peak visibility, so it combats glare and pulls out highlights in HDR the way they are meant to. It comes with the ‘X-Wide Angle’ layer from Sony, which, at the expense of its comparison, slightly increases the viewing angles for a VA panel TV. Even, in order to enhance the contrast, it has a full-array local dimming feature.
Unfortunately, for gamers, it’s not perfect. It has a decent response time, but no variable refresh rate technology is enabled by it, and its input lag is not as short as other versions. Regardless, this is the best outdoor TV available in a large size that we have reviewed if you’re only planning to use it to watch shows or movies outdoors.
- Excellent SDR and HDR peak brightness.
- Outstanding reflection handling.
- Mediocre viewing angles.
5. Best Budget Outdoor TV: Hisense H8G
The Hisense H8G is the best outdoor TV in the budget category we have reviewed. It is a simple, affordable model that most consumers should be satisfied with. The built-in Android TV includes a lot of downloadable apps, so you won’t have to purchase an extra package to keep your outdoor setup clean.
In SDR, it has great peak visibility, adequate to fight glare. It’s not optimal to put direct sunlight on it, like any TV, but in most outdoor conditions it should work well. It has a VA screen, creates deep blacks, and it has a great local dimming option for full array, so it’s a fine nighttime viewing option. It supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, and for HDR content, it shows a wide color gamut, but in that mode it doesn’t get very bright.
Unfortunately, it has narrow viewing angles, so a wide seating arrangement outside is not recommended. It has strong reflective handling, but if there is bright sunlight on it, the reflections can be too distracting. Fortunately, without any complications, it upscales lower-resolution content. All and all, this is one of the better outdoor TVs that we’ve reviewed, if you’re on a budget.
- Displays deep blacks.
- Great SDR peak brightness.
- Incredibly low input lag.
- Narrow viewing angles.
- Limiting HDR experience.
6. Best TV For Bright Settings: Vizio P Series Quantum
If you want to buy a 4k TV for outdoor watching and If you need a very bright TV for daytime and you find that the LG SM9500’s brightness isn’t enough, then I would recommend you to get the 2018 Vizio P Series Quantum.
You won’t get the same wide display angles as the LG, and you should plan to stand directly away to enjoy the best performance of the picture. On the other hand, this television can be stronger able to battle daylight than the LG. It’s wonderful to manage reflections, which can be a problem with outdoor TVs.
This TV has a smooth finish that minimizes reflection interruptions, so you don’t have to care about it too much. This TV provides excellent value picture and an excellent HDR experience that you will most appreciate in the dark of the night.
- Produces extremely bright HDR highlights
- Low input lag for gamers
- Excellent motion handling
- The image loses accuracy when viewed at an angle
7. Best Large TV: Sony XBR85X900F
Sony XBR85X900F is one of the largest Tv with 85 inches wider. The features in Sony XBR85X900F excellent are more compared to the other TVs. We can enjoy watching the movie on this TV as we feel we are in a cinema theater.
The people who like to play games and watch video games like this TV because of its outstanding performance in delivering the image as it has a very low input lag. The brightness and the contrast ratio are excellent in the daylight and deep black levels as well. The disturbance from the reflections has been reduced. The viewing angles are not much clear who does not sit in front of the TV.
- Deep and uniform blacks
- Excellent motion handling
- Bright HDR highlights
- Picture quality degrades at an angle
What to Look for in an Outdoor Television
Outdoor TVs are great for having fun and watching the game on your patio. Like standard indoor televisions, they can handle high humidity, intense temperatures, and salt air without breaking. Many of them can also handle full exposure to the weather.
With that being said, there are other items to bear in mind when buying an outdoor TV, such as TV location, screen size, and brand, if you choose a smart TV, and if there is a chance of physical damage (i.e. do you have children playing where the TV is going to be?). There are also two separate types of weatherproofing to be considered: enclosures and nano-coating materials.
The enclosure is a weatherproof external cover where the television is, which defends it from all elements and physical damage. For nano-coating, the internal elements of the TV are equipped with a proprietary conformal procedure that prevents the TV from dust, salt air, and high temperatures.
Silicone and 3 M cover are used on certain nano-coated televisions to make them fully weatherproof against all conditions, including rain and snow, although these TVs are not as resistant to physical harm as those in the enclosures.
To make your decision simpler, we selected the best outdoor televisions and based our lists on the following:
- Value – The worth of an outdoor TV should not be dependent exclusively on the price. They must take into consideration the form of television, size, resolution, display quality (i.e. 2160p is better than 1080p), weatherproofing, brightness, and other features.
- Placement – The placement of outdoor TV is another factor that we consider. Although all outdoor TVs are designed to be used outside and can handle humidity, salt-air, and high temperatures, others are built for maximum visibility and can manage the elements, and some are designed to be hidden only and can not be rained on. Full-exposure TVs tend to be more costly, but there are more choices on where you can place them.
- Features – There are several options to consider when you’re looking for an outdoor TV: quality, TV brand, brightness (some are designed for shade only), including accessories, whether a soundbar is required if it’s a Smart TV, and more. When determining its value, we take into account all the features of an outdoor TV. To know more, head over to our Outdoor TV Buying Guide.
How to Choose the Best Outdoor TV
Keep in mind that outdoor TVs are distinct from indoor TVs because they have unique features that render them usable and durable in outdoor living spaces.
But, before you buy, these are the things you‘re going to be looking for on the outdoor Screen.
Water Resistant Vs. Waterproof
Most people believe these two words are the same, but they are somewhat different. Waterproof TVs will be functional, even though they are fully immersed in water.
Water-resistant TVs can withstand being wet, so are likely to be safe with any heavy rain, but submerging them can result in long-term damage.
Just use the option you think is ideally adapted to your outdoor patio. If your TV is protected by a roof or a wall, water resistance can be perfect. If it’s going to be open, we highly suggest waterproof.
Environment
Okay, consider the environment. Many TVs, while considered to be outdoor-specific, do not perform well in such weather or environmental conditions. Some may prescribe specific connectors to reduce corrosion or build up deposits in high humidity or salty environments.
Many TVs can only work well within a specific temperature range. If you stay in a colder climate, look for a TV with an internal heater that holds the interior of the Screen nice and dry when it’s cold and snowy.
Full Sunlight vs. Shaded vs. Partial-Shaded
Lighting is another significant factor while you’re looking for outdoor Television. Lighting can be rough on screens, so intense lighting will render it difficult to see a picture.
Outdoor TVs come with various lighting requirements to render watching them easier under a range of light levels. We recommend that you have the best outdoor TV covers to deal avoid so much sunshine.
Full day, full shade, and partial shade TVs are supposed to be installed at the required level of light. Hanging a shadow TV in the sun can make it difficult to see the picture.
Once you buy, decide just where you’re going to put your TV, so have the perfect level of light for the optimal viewing.
Size
Outdoor TVs, like indoor TVs, come in a range of sizes. Remember the room you ‘re going to have to put the Television, the size of your entertainment area, and how many people are going to watch. If your room is small, there could be a 75 “TV for your space.
Picture Quality
Look for panels that are made of anti-reflective, high-temperature glass. This mix would result in higher image quality than other options. This form of the screen would also be more robust and have a better picture quality in the sun.
To further improve the picture quality, make sure that the TV you pick has options for adjusting the display attributes such as light, color, and width.
Features
Outdoor TVs, including the features that protect them from the elements, have many of the same features as indoor TVs.
Things to remember include size, inputs and outputs, brightness, device features, smart choices, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
FAQ
Do you need a special TV for the outdoor patio?
Yes, you typically need a special TV for outdoor patio use, as outdoor TVs are designed to withstand the elements and provide a clear picture in bright sunlight.
Indoor TVs are not designed to handle outdoor conditions, such as rain, extreme temperatures, and exposure to direct sunlight. This can cause damage to the TV and impact its performance.
Outdoor TVs, on the other hand, are designed to be weather-resistant and can typically operate in a wide range of temperatures. They also have brighter displays that can be viewed in direct sunlight, making them a better fit for outdoor use.
When choosing an outdoor TV, it’s important to consider factors like screen size, resolution, and features like built-in speakers and smart TV capabilities. You should also make sure the TV is properly installed and protected from the elements to ensure its longevity and performance.
Conclusion
As I wrap up this comprehensive guide on the best outdoor TVs, I can’t help but recall a memorable experience. A few summers ago, I hosted a backyard barbecue party for my friends. We had everything – good food, great company, and a perfect summer evening. But the cherry on top was the outdoor TV I had recently installed. We ended up watching a classic movie under the stars, and it was an experience none of us will ever forget.
Outdoor TVs have truly revolutionized the way we entertain and relax in our outdoor spaces. Whether it’s for a family movie night, a sports game day, or just a quiet evening with your favorite show, these TVs bring a whole new level of enjoyment.
However, remember that not all outdoor TVs are created equal. From water resistance to brightness, there are several factors to consider when choosing the right one for your needs. But once you find the perfect fit, I guarantee it will transform your outdoor living space into an entertainment paradise.
So, whether you’re planning a summer party or just want to upgrade your patio, consider investing in an outdoor TV. It’s an investment that will pay off in countless hours of outdoor fun and entertainment. Happy watching!