An outdoor television can be a great investment for the garden, front patio or other outdoor space. Imagine watching a game outside in the sun while cooking burgers and hot dogs and enjoying frozen drinks? Outdoor TVs are built differently than traditional TVs with rugged, fully sealed housings, covered ports, and the ability to withstand extreme weather and humidity. They also have higher brightness for comfortable viewing even when the sun is strong. There are full shade, partial sun, and full sun options, depending on where you want to use it.
However, before you invest, you may be wondering how long they last. It depends on the brand and model you buy, where it is placed, whether you keep it covered, exposure to climate, how often you look at it – the list goes on. You may also be wondering if you can place your indoor TV outside. Anecdotally, owners say they’ve been using their TV outdoors for five to ten years and it continues to work perfectly. One Reddit user says his “cheap Hisense TV was left outside all winter, even in -20° weather, without a cover but under a shed. Works very well. » I’ve personally had an outdoor TV for over five years, mounted in temperatures of -22°F in the winter (sometimes colder) and while it’s as humid as 111°F in the summer, and it still works great. It is not recommended to use an indoor TV outdoors permanently for several reasons: It may not last more than a year until the internal components begin to corrode from moisture and heat. In contrast, the typical lifespan of an outdoor TV is around five to seven years.
What buyers say
If you plan to install an indoor TV in a partially or fully covered outdoor area, you may be able to get several years out of it with proper care. Redditor Live_Oak123 says they live in Missouri with four distinct weather seasons ranging from -15°F all the way up to 104°F and their two outdoor TVs, both located in covered areas, “still work like new.” They only replaced them because they wouldn’t run certain applications. Hasleteric says, “My Fire TV has been sitting outside for 5 years without a problem,” noting only that it might not be bright enough in direct sunlight.
However, with an outdoor TV, you’ll likely have a better experience, even if it costs more. My Furrion outdoor TV is mounted on a back deck, exposed to full sun, and we sometimes even forgot to put the cover on when it rained. We keep it covered during the winter and generally when not in use. It’s been exposed to extreme heat and cold, and it’s still going strong. In addition to higher brightness, the ability to get wet and withstand extreme temperatures, Bobjoylove points out that because outdoor TVs are completely sealed, they are “better equipped to keep spiders out.” With a protective cover for an outdoor or indoor TV, you can extend the lifespan. But it is still not advisable to use an indoor TV outside unless you are only doing it temporarily.
Should you take an indoor television outside?
Despite recommendations to the contrary, some homeowners continue to use indoor televisions outdoors. “If it breaks down several times,” explains Relevant_Editor_7503, who has been installing his indoor TV on a covered patio for eight years, “it’s always better than buying an outdoor one.” NotoresPOT has a 55-inch TV on a covered porch “throughout the Florida heat and rain. It still works great after 5-6 years. Only removed for hurricane preparedness.” Note, however, that using an indoor TV outdoors can be dangerous because a short circuit can cause electric shock or even fire. In contrast, outdoor TVs are built with materials suited to outdoor conditions as well as internal fan cooling. The extra brightness is also important. Vegas84 was using an indoor Sony TV on a covered patio, out of the sun and could barely see it during the day, even at maximum brightness. They purchased a Samsung Terrace outdoor TV and say “the difference is huge.” “Don’t underestimate the value of extra brightness, even if it’s completely covered.” Beyond that, direct sunlight can even pose risks to your TV.
So if you go against the advice and use an indoor TV outdoors, it will probably only last a few years, depending on conditions. An outdoor TV can last five years or more, or even more than a decade. An outdoor TV is better for longevity, security and a more comfortable viewing experience. It’s also more environmentally friendly than buying cheap indoor TVs and swapping them out every few years.
