5 Best Outdoor TVs of 2023, Tested by Experts

Jul 17, 2023

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Watch the game from your couch, but do it outside!

Debating buying a new TV that you can keep outdoors on your patio or by the pool? While it might sound easy to just purchase a regular TV and create a DIY outdoor setup, our pros advise that it's best to invest in a durable outdoor TV that was built to withstand the elements (think: summer rain showers, dirt and bugs!). Not only are many outdoor TVs constructed with highly weather-resistant coatings so they can be left outside, many also feature brighter, anti-glare screens for the best viewing experience whether you’re in the shade or lounging in the full sun.

The engineers and analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test all sorts of electronics you need for your home, including gadgets made for use outside like outdoor projectors and outdoor speakers as well as home theater accessories such as soundbars. Our pros have reviewed at least 50 TVs in the past five years, assessing criteria like set’s brightness and picture quality, performance, durability, ease of use and more. Below, you’ll find the best outdoor TVS of 2023, many of which hail from our favorite top-performing TV brands as well as highly-rated models that consumers rave about. Once you’ve checked out our top picks for outdoor TVs, don’t miss out on any of these TV deals to save some money on your next purchase.

The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute love the Samsung the Frame TV, but we certainly don’t recommend mounting it outdoors. For those that want a Samsung TV that can be used in partial sunlight like under a gazebo or a cabana, consider The Terrace. Featuring a bright screen (upward of 1,500 nits according to Samsung) with an anti-glare coating, you can stream content just like you would inside. While our pros haven’t tried this model in the Lab, we like that it’s IP55-rated, meaning that it should withstand most environmental conditions as it's highly water resistant.

In previous tests of the latest Samsung QLED models, we’ve been impressed with the crisp, detailed picture quality and don’t expect The Terrace to be an exception. Like most other regular TVs, it has Wi-Fi built-in, so you’ll have access to Samsung’s intuitive interface when it’s time to find your favorite streaming platforms. But if you need a TV that can withstand even more sunlight (i.e. by the pool), we recommend upgrading to Samsung’s full sun model. Though it’s significantly more expensive and, according to Samsung, shouldn’t be used in direct sunlight, it’s constructed to operate more effectively in brighter outdoor conditions, thanks to a higher tolerance to isotropic blackout (a phenomenon that occurs when LED crystals temporarily shut down due to overheating in direct sunlight).

Element Electronics partnered up with Roku to make a weather-resistant smart TV that’s ideally suited for semi-sunny outdoor spaces. Though it’s only available in 55 inches, this relatively cheap outdoor TV has the known and loved intuitive, easy-to-use Roku interface built in so you’ll automatically have access to all your Netflix shows and Max movies. While we haven’t had the opportunity to test this TV yet in the Media & Tech Lab, we like that the screen is designed with anti-glare technology and should provide sufficient brightness at 700 nits—though not as much as some of the more premium models.

Best of all, the more affordable price doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice smart features. Compatible with Google Home, Amazon Alexa and more, you can access your favorite voice assistants directly via the TV. And Apple users will be pleased that Apple AirPlay is supported so you can mirror your phone’s screen directly on your TV, like when you want to do an outdoor Zumba class or yoga session from one of your favorite workout apps.

SunBrite was one of the first to go to market with outdoor TVs and carries models that are optimized for full sun, partial sun and full shade. Our pros recommend the 4K LED Veranda 3 for anyone hoping to watch sports, movies and more in a covered area of your backyard or a shaded patio as it’s best suited for full shade (as opposed to direct sunlight). Available in 55-, 65- and (soon) 75-inch sizes, it’s not the cheapest TV you’ll find but it’s one that can be relied on in the long run when it comes to its weatherproofing and UV exposure thanks to a highly weather-resistant IP55 rating. Also noteworthy is that the remote can be left outside. “SunBrite Outdoor TVs operate just fine in temperatures upwards of 100 degrees and have held up well over time,” shares Rachel Rothman, Chief Technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute.

We also like that the Veranda 3 is SunBrite’s first smart TV, featuring built-in Google Assistant voice control, Chromecast and access to Android TV’s user-friendly interface. Just keep in mind that even though the TV has built-in Wi-Fi, you’ll still need to ensure that you set it up within the range of your network. Consider these expert-approved Wi-Fi routers if you need to extend your coverage area.

If you need a TV that can handle extreme heat and high temperatures up to 140° F, look no further than this model from Seura. With a claimed 2,000 nits of brightness, it’s perfect for watching TV anytime during the day and even comes in an 85-inch model for those who want one of the largest outdoor TV displays. An anti-glare screen should help reduce pesky reflections caused by sunlight, and claimed UV protection should not only reduce the risk of damage from the sun’s rays but also helps prevent your screen from going dark from too much sun exposure.

The TV offers five modes geared for the outdoors to ensure picture settings are ideal for your current lighting environment (for instance, watching TV in bright afternoon sunshine vs. dark evenings). Though we wish speakers were included in the already steep price, you can purchase a weatherproof soundbar directly with Seura or use your own outdoor sound system. Keep in mind that Wi-Fi isn’t built in, but if you want to access streaming apps you can plug a streaming stick into the weatherproof media compartment.

Available in more compact 43- and 49-inch screen sizes, the Furrion Aurora is an excellent choice for smaller outdoor spaces. With 750 nits of brightness, it should perform well in covered areas like patios or yards with some sun exposure but not direct sunlight. Our pros note that this model's IP54 rating means it isn't quite as weather resistant as other outdoor TVs featured on this list, so it's best to permanently install the TV in an area that doesn’t come into contact with heavy rainfall. While we haven’t tried this model out at home or in the Lab, we like that it features an auto-brightness setting that automatically adjusts the screen’s lighting depending on the external conditions and that it has two USB ports for streaming sticks and more.

The engineers and product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute Media & Tech Lab have been testing TVs for more than 15 years. We’ve been hands-on with more than 50 TVs in the past five years alone and attend industry trade shows like CES annually to check out the latest TVs on the market and stay abreast of evolving technologies available from various manufacturers. While we haven’t tested every pick above, we relied on our decades-long history of reviewing TVs to make our selections, which are based on evaluations of similar models and brands as well as highly rated picks from manufacturers we trust.

When testing in this category, our pros review criteria such as ease of use and performance. We evaluate each TV's remote control, menu navigation and interface, ease of setup and other features and settings that can improve or hinder your viewing experience. We also test video resolution, picture quality, brightness, sound level and clarity, the intuitiveness of smart features and more. For outdoor TVs, we assess each model’s durability by taking note of any extra weatherproof coatings or claims, IP ratings and whether or not ports and cables are protected from exposure to the elements. Whenever applicable, we factor in feedback from our test panel regarding their experience using the TV to better evaluate what's most important to consumers.

✔️ Location: The first question to ask yourself is where you plan on setting up your outdoor TV and how much sunlight will it be exposed to. Outdoor TVs are typically offered in full sun, partial sun or full shade models so make sure you choose accordingly. You’ll also want to consider whether the setup location is within reach of your Wi-Fi network, which you’ll need access to if you plan on using streaming services or any smart capabilities.

✔️ Brightness: For outdoor TVs that will be watched in full sunlight, you’ll want to choose a model with a high nit count. Nits are a unit of measurement for luminance; the more nits a TV has, the brighter you can expect it to be and better suited for sunny areas. Rothman warns, however, that claimed nit levels may not be consistent in real life.

✔️ Weather-resistance: Check for any claims regarding weatherproof coatings or an IP (ingress protection) rating, which indicates to what degree the TV can handle water exposure in addition to contact with other elements like dirt, sand, etc. The first number refers to solids while the second number refers to liquids; as a rule of thumb, the higher the number, the more protection you can expect for your outdoor TV.

✔️ Operating temperature: You should always double-check the TV's ideal operating temperatures, especially if you live somewhere with hot summers or harsh winters. Some models may be better able to withstand hotter (or below-freezing temperatures) than others.

✔️ Connectivity: Not all outdoor TVs come with the smart features we’re used to these days on indoor models (like built-in Wi-Fi and access to your favorite streaming apps). If you plan on streaming content outdoors, make sure your outdoor TV has a USB port so you can connect a streaming stick, or that it comes with built-in Wi-Fi. If you plan on using external speakers such as a soundbar, also make sure that the TV has available inputs like HDMI Arc.

Outdoor TVs can cost a lot of money, so you might be wondering whether you can just install an indoor TV outside. Our pros advise against it. “Not all TVs can survive outdoors, so you should consider investing in a specialized outdoor TV if you’re seeking a permanent solution,” says Chief Technologist at the Good Housekeeping Institute, Rachel Rothman. Outdoor TVs are constructed to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh elements, like rain, snow, UV rays, and more; they typically feature a protective coating that makes them waterproof so you can leave them outdoors without worrying about exposure.

Also notable: Power cables on outdoor TVs are protected, and ports such as HDMI and USB are sealed off to avoid damage caused by water or dirt getting inside. “Outdoor TVs aren’t quite as fragile as indoor models so they’re safe to leave outdoors,” Rothman adds. They’re also typically brighter and may feature anti-glare technology, which is useful and noticeable when watching TV in sunny spaces.

For those who aren’t sure whether outdoor TVs are worth the investment, you can also consider purchasing a cheap projector that’s significantly easier to set up and much easier to transport indoors in the event of a rain shower.

Media & Tech Reviews Analyst Olivia Lipski oversees product testing and covers consumer electronics, home theater essentials, audio equipment and more. She continues to stay on top of the industry's latest innovations and helps readers make better buying decisions by testing and reviewing the best gadgets to hit the market. While she has yet to own an outdoor TV, she regularly tests TVs in her NYC apartment and at the Lab so she's familiar with the latest and greatest models (both indoors and out!).

To select the picks featured above, Olivia worked closely with Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and head engineer at the Good Housekeeping Institute, who has led categorical TV testing at the GH Institute for 15 years. TVs are in her DNA, since she grew up in a family that owned and operated a consumer electronics business with a big focus on TVs and the latest technology. Rothman is a frequent speaker at CES, a large industry trade show where new TVs are usually announced and on display.

Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.

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