As the weather begins to warm up each year, we see a growing number of customers looking into outdoor entertainment components. The television is often the centerpiece of any outdoor entertainment space, and customers have many questions about using TVs outside. In this article, we break down the most frequent questions we get from customers about outdoor TVs and provide clear answers to help you make well-informed product decisions.
Can a regular TV be used for outdoors?
Short term? Yes. Long term? No. Temporarily, an indoor TV will function outdoors. So if it’s a one-time situation in mild temperature and weather conditions and you want to have a TV outdoors for an afternoon, you could technically use any TV. But if you plan to watch television outdoors more frequently or you plan to keep the TV outside full time, you should not use a regular indoor TV. It is not designed to stand up to outdoor conditions and will fail much sooner.
Are outdoor TVs waterproof or just water resistant?
You’ll need to do some research. Some outdoor TVs are designed to be completely waterproof. They could withstand a direct downpour of rain and still function normally. Others are water resistant. They will stand up to wet weather better than your indoor TV, but are not made to withstand constant direct precipitation. Water resistant TVs will work fine under a covered porch, but if your TV will not be covered and protected from rain, you should go with a waterproof model.
Are outdoor TVs more expensive than indoor TVs?
Typically, outdoor TV models will be more expensive than comparable indoor TVs. Why? It comes down to features. Outdoor TVs feature specialized design and weather-resistance that creates additional expense. But they will also last much longer than a regular indoor TV in an outdoor environment.
Do I need a special mounting bracket for an outdoor TV?
Yes. Most TV mounts are made of metal. So it’s important to select a TV mount that is rated to stand up to weather, or you will deal with rust and corrosion that will deteriorate the materials and require you to replace the mount. If you’re investing in an outdoor TV, it’s also smart to invest in a mount made for outdoor use.