Best outdoor TV 2023: weatherproof screens for your backyard or patio
The ultimate screens for outdoor summer entertainment – these are the best outdoor TVs
Looking for the best outdoor TV? You’re in the right place. While perhaps a niche product segment, outdoor TVs definitely have their perks. If you’re the type to worship the sun all summer long, then why not enjoy all of your favourite entertainment while basking in some rays, with an ice-cold cocktail thrown in for good measure? Convinced? Thought so.
We’ve taken some of the hassle out of choosing the best outdoor TV to buy, because we can. But before we crack on, it’s worth pointing out that despite offering varying levels of weather/water/dust resistance, you should still provide some form of shelter, like an awning or roof. Shrugging off rain is one thing, but taking a battering from a ferocious hailstorm, is another game entirely. Play safe.
Once you have your outdoor TV sorted, fix your exterior audio with the best outdoor speakers.
What’s the best outdoor TV to buy today?
Before we jump into the full list of the best outdoor TVs, here’s a quick look at our three top picks:
The Samsung The Terrace (check price), is, simply put, this is the best, most premium outdoor TV that money can buy. Combining Samsung’s high-end QLED tech for maximum brightness (along with an anti-reflective screen and all the bells and whistles you’d expect), this is the only luxury choice worth considering.
The Sylvox (check price) set isn’t the largest at 43 inches, but if you’re sitting close enough, then its cheaper price tag makes it a very tempting option, especially with Android TV and accompanying Google Play apps thrown in for good measure.
The Cello (check price) is small. It’s not weather-resistant. But it’s dirt cheap and battery-powered, letting you recharge and enjoy up to 10 hours of cable-free use without any fuss. Clever stuff.
If you don’t need your television to be outdoors, check out the best 4K TVs for indoor use.
The best outdoor TVs you can buy today:
1. Samsung the Terrace
Stuff Verdict
Not only is it backed by a familiar name, but its IP55 rating means it’ll shrug off rain, snow, dust, insects, and heat.
Pros
- The only TV on this list from a name brand
- Anti-reflective screen
Cons
- No smaller size options
- Very expensive
Samsung the Terrace specs | |
---|---|
Screen size | 55, 65, 75in |
Resolution | 4K |
Panel type | QLED |
HDR | Yes, HDR 10+, HGL |
IP-Rating | IP55 |
If you’re looking for the absolute best outdoor TV, then the 4K Terrace from Samsung is, without a doubt, the clear winner. Not only is it backed by a familiar name, but its IP55 rating means it’ll shrug off rain, snow, dust, insects, and heat.
Operating temperatures between -31 to 50℃ should cover practically all bases (apart from, perhaps, those in the Arctic or Sahara), while an eye-searingly bright QLED screen lets you enjoy content on even the sunniest of days. Naturally, it’s got Samsung’s formidable anti-reflective tech thrown in too, letting you focus on the action instead of your reflection (beautiful, as it is).
With an equally hardy remote and optional Alexa-laden weatherproof soundbar to help ensure premium sound in even the widest, open of spaces, this is the most premium outdoor TV experience around — and, fittingly, the priciest one too. Available in 55in, 65in, and 75in offerings.
2. Sylvox
Stuff Verdict
Featuring a bright screen, Bluetooth, and dual waterproof speakers. If that wasn’t enough, you also get Android TV for full access to all your favourite apps and content.
Pros
- Android TV
- 30-day return window
Cons
- No 75in size option
Sylvox specs | |
---|---|
Screen size | 43, 55, 65in |
Resolution | 4K |
Panel type | LED |
HDR | Yes |
IP-Rating | IP55 |
Available in 43in, 55in, and 65in flavours, Sylvox’s 4K outdoor TV features a bright screen, Bluetooth, and dual waterproof speakers, including Android TV for full access to all your favourite apps and content.
Its IP55-rated all-metal shell makes it effectively dust, wind, and waterproof, though as with the other models on our list, it’s advised you keep it under a suitably sheltered area.
A 30-day return window and one-year warranty offer extra piece of mind too, while a built-in voice assistant unlocks hands-free control — perfect for hot tub enjoyers.
3. Kuvasong
Stuff Verdict
An excellent alternative to Samsung’s pricey outside TV, with rave reviews to boot.
Pros
- Bright picture
- Comes with a soundbar
Cons
- Not the best UI
- Soundbar requires separate remote
Kuvasong specs | |
---|---|
Screen size | 55in |
Resolution | 4K |
Panel type | LED |
HDR | Unknown |
IP-Rating | Unknown |
Samsung’s Terrace is, as far as we can tell, the only outdoor TV made by a well-known manufacturer. That’s not to say the rest are rubbish, mind. Take this 4K 55in example from Kuvasong. Cover song? Kuvasong.
Name aside, you’re getting quite a bit for your cash here, with a 40W soundbar and wall mount bracket included. Inundated with rave reviews — many of which praise its clear picture, high contrast, and sun-beating brightness — it’s an option absolutely worth considering if you want to simply pick up everything you need in one go.
Tempted? Great. Just make sure it’s situated in a covered area, as the manufacturer’s guidelines don’t recommend leaving it to face Mother Nature’s full wrath unaided.
4. Cello
Stuff Verdict
It’s not massive or waterproof, but this battery-powered TV is perfect for occasional outside TV sessions.
Pros
- Battery-powered and portable
- Doesn’t cost the Earth
Cons
- Very small
- Not amazing picture quality
Cello specs | |
---|---|
Screen size | 24in |
Resolution | 720p |
Panel type | LED |
HDR | No |
IP-Rating | N/A |
The cheapest pick on our list by a vast, vast margin, Cello’s dinky 24in TV won’t win you over with a giant screen. Not will its lack of any weatherproofing. So why’s it here?
Well, extremely affordable price aside, this clever little screen has a built-in rechargeable battery which offers up to 10 hours of playback in between charges.
This makes it an ideal choice for dry days where you can easily carry it outside, without worrying about plug sockets and cables. With a built-in satellite and Freeview tuner, it’s perfect for avid campers too. Just make sure it’s in enough shade for a clear picture, and don’t forget to bolster it with some of the best Bluetooth speakers or wireless speakers for a better sound experience.
How to choose the best outdoor TV
There are a few key things to consider when buying the best outdoor TV. The first thing you’ll want to think about, is the screen size. Depending on the size of your garden setting, you might want to go for as large a TV as possible. There’s no point having masses of people around to watch The Big Match if the screen’s too small and cramped.
Once that’s decided, you’ll want to make sure you pick a suitable area for it to live. Wall-mounted or not, you’ll want to make sure it’s covered by some sort of roof or shelter. Despite the fact that outdoor TVs are weatherproof, every single one states that they should still be installed under shelter, to avoid the worst of the elements.
Some outdoor TVs come bundled with soundbars, which is another thing worth considering. This is particularly important in an outdoor environment, where sound can easily get lost/muted in wide-open spaces. There are also a few options which are truly portable, in the sense that they have built-in battery packs. These tend to be small and not weatherproof, but are a more affordable/easier option for some people.
Lastly, some of the cheaper offerings might not include smart TV functionality, which means you’ll want to consider one of the best streaming devices to unlock its full potential.