5 Best Outdoor TVs, According to Tech Experts

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.