The Best Outdoor TVs To Complete Your Backyard Entertainment Center

Size: 65-inch | Type: QLED | Resolution: 4K | IP rating: IP55 | Sun protection: Full | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Operating system: Samsung Tizen | HDR: HDR10, HDR10+

Pros:

• High brightness delivers a great picture regardless of the weather
• Strong protections against weather and high temperatures
• High refresh rate and low input lag for gaming

Cons:

• It’s an older 2021 model
• Full sun version costs more than a partial sun model

Depending on your patio’s configuration, your outdoor TV may be subject to sunlight shining right on the screen when you’re trying to watch the game. That’s what makes the Samsung The Terrace TV Full Sun nab our top spot—as the name suggests, it can handle direct sunlight, which is something only a handful of TVs can do at this time. It lasts up to six hours in direct sunlight at up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. If temps get too toasty, the panel automatically dims to help protect it. It also has other elements of protection including a waterproof rating of IP55, so you never have to worry about rain and dust. That said, it’s still a TV, and as a Midwesterner who’s experienced her fare share of hail storms, derechos and tornadoes, I still recommend placing it under a patio canopy for extra peace of mind.

It delivers a 4K QLED picture with 1,500 nits brightness, and has full array local dimming and HDR to help hit impressive black levels. Plus, with the 120Hz refresh rate, sports and games look smooth. Because it’s a Samsung panel, you get access to the Samsung Tizen OS, which gives you access to all your favorite streaming services, too. For gamers, you’ll also get access to the Samsung Gaming Hub, so you can stream your games. Keep in mind that it’s a 2021 model, but it’s the best blend of features you can get if you have a sunny backyard oasis. If you don’t need a TV that can handle full sunlight, Samsung also offers the Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun, which does best in partially shaded areas and is more affordable.

Size: 50-inch | Type: LED | Resolution: 4K | IP rating: IP54 | Sun protection: Partial | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Operating system: LG WebOS | HDR: HDR10

Pros:

• Good picture without spending a fortune
• Can handle extreme temperature swings if you live in a four-season climate

Cons:

• Reports of slow, clunky software
• Reports of weak speakers

For those who don’t want to spend close to $10,000 for an outdoor TV, the Furrion Partial Sun Outdoor TV has a great picture according to real customers—and it costs under $2,000, not including a TV mount. For the price, though, the picture is pretty balanced; reviewers rave about how movies and sports look great on this TV, even in direct sunlight. Keep in mind that this is considered a partial sun TV, so it shouldn’t be in direct sunlight all hours of the day. Still, it can handle extreme temperature swings from -24 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a great TV for climates that experience severe fluctuations throughout the year.

While it has a pretty balanced picture that will suit most needs, there are a few reported drawbacks. Furrion partnered with LG to bring webOS to these TVs—but according to customers, it’s pretty clunky. Plan to connect a Roku device to watch channels like ESPN, which this TV does not offer on its own (though keep in mind that channel offerings are always subject to change). Customers also reported that the volume is pretty low on the normal setting, so plan to use Game or Cinema audio modes. And it has IP54 waterproofing, so it can handle moderate amounts of rain (but not torrential downpours). Still, if you’re just casually watching TV or throwing on a sports game, this TV will more than suffice.

Size: 43-inch | Type: LED | Resolution: 4K | IP rating: IP54 | Sun protection: Partial | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Operating system: WebOS | HDR: HDR10

Pros:

• Compact size makes it great for smaller backyards
• Extreme temperature protection works for most climates

Cons:

• Lacks heavy rain protection
• Not bright enough for sunny daytime viewing

Like our best budget pick, the Furrion Aurora has a slew of great features that make it a great TV for small backyards. The 43-inch display has a 4K LED picture that’s suitable for enjoying movies. The 60Hz refresh rate combined with a low input lag will be good enough for playing casual games if you choose to hook up a console, too, but it’s not 120Hz, so gamers may find that off-putting.

The Aurora also can withstand extreme temperature swings and with an IP54 rating, it’s protected against dust and rain. Of course, keep in mind that the IP54 ratings won’t protect it from heavier rains, so it’s best to keep it under a patio canopy. Because it’s a Furrion TV, you also get access to LG’s webOS software, enabling you to stream most of your favorite streaming services. But like the other Furrion pick on this list, you should plan to connect a streaming device to get channels like ESPN. And, if you like this compact TV but want it in a larger size, you can get it in a 75-inch display.

Size: 27-inch | Type: Touchscreen LCD | Resolution: 1080p | IP rating: None | Sun protection: Shade | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Operating system: LG WebOS | HDR: None

Pros:

• Take this portable touchscreen TV anywhere
• Crisp 1080p picture looks clear on 27-inch panel
• Sturdy carry case makes it safe for when you need it

Cons:

• Limited to three hours of battery life
• Limited to shaded areas or partial sun

One of the big “beefs” with outdoor TVs is that in almost every case, you needn to mount it, after which it’s as immovable as a statue. LG introduced a new way to take your outdoor TV viewing on the go with the LG Stanbyme Go, a TV that’s contained in a sturdy, compact briefcase. That means you can watch it literally anywhere, whether you’re in your backyard or going camping. The sturdy briefcase opens to a 27-inch LCD display that hits 400 nits. It’s far (very far) from the brightest option on this list, so don’t plan to view anything in direct sunlight. But for shaded areas, it will do just fine.

You get up to three hours of battery life away from a power source, and based on our testing, the four-channel 20W speakers put out surprisingly loud audio. Plus, it has multiple USB inputs and an HDMI port for extra connectivity, but odds are you won’t need to connect anything since it offers LG webOS for streaming. 

Size: 55-inch | Type: QLED | Resolution: 4K | IP rating: IP55 | Sun protection: Partial | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Operating system: Samsung Tizen | HDR: HDR10, HDR10+

Pros:

• Incredible brightness showcases well in shaded areas
• More affordable the full-sun model and still gets the same features

Cons:

• Can’t handle direct sunlight
• No Dolby Vision support

It’s no surprise that Samsung’s The Terrace Partial Sun takes the victory slot for the best for shaded areas. It gets the full array of Samsung features, including using the Samsung Tizen OS for access to all streaming services, but at a significantly more affordable price point. That’s because the Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun can’t handle direct sunlight like its sibling can. After testing the TV myself, I’d say that if you’re on the fence between the two, the Partial Sun model looks just as vibrant with accurate colors. But again, make sure it’s in a partially shaded area. 

Like The Terrace Full Sun, it gets a 120Hz refresh rate and low input lag. With HDR and HDR10+, the picture can hit deep blacks, but don’t expect Dolby Vision support. Samsung TVs don’t offer this enhancement software. The TV has an IP55 waterproof rating that’s also dustproof, too, for peace of mind.