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Do you love spending time outdoors? Would you like to use your regular TV outside? If you're considering adding a TV to your outdoor living space, you may be wondering which is better, an outdoor TV cabinet, or an outdoor TV?
An outdoor TV cabinet is an enclosure that keeps your TV safe while it's outdoors, but some styles aren't weatherproof. An outdoor TV is designed to be outdoors and is weatherproof, and it won't require an additional enclosure.
When deciding which is the right choice for you, it's important to make sure that you're choosing the option that will last the longest when exposed to outdoor elements like humidity, heat, rain, snow, etc. After all, technology and weather don't really mix.
Outdoor TV Cabinet
Outdoor TV cabinets are a great option for adding a TV to your outdoor living space (more on other ways of protecting outdoor TVs in our guide). If you're planning on moving a TV in your home to your outdoor living area, so you don't have to go out to buy a new TV, your only cost is purchasing a good TV cabinet.
Most outdoor TV cabinets are weatherproof enclosures that are designed to keep your TV safe from the weather while it remains outdoors. However, there are some that are simply traditional wood cabinets that are design-focused, rather than performance-focused.
Traditional outdoor TV cabinets add a stylish touch to your outdoor living space, but they may not provide the same performance as a TV cabinet/enclosure that is designed for weatherproofing your TV while it's outdoors.
Outdoor TV cabinets come in a wide range of prices, and there are a wide range of styles, materials used, and functions. Most of them come at a fraction of the price of an outdoor TV. It may be a touch hard to find them on Amazon (where weatherproof covers are more common), but companies like American TV Lift specialize in this type of hardware.
Pros
There are a lot of benefits to choosing an outdoor TV cabinet to hold a regular TV, instead of opting for a TV that is made for the outdoors. They are budget-friendly, designed to withstand weather and impact, and can lock. There are many styles to choose from.
Waterproof
Many outdoor TV cabinets and enclosures are designed to protect against water and humidity. They allow just enough breathing room to maintain a good environment for the TV, while preventing any water from actually entering the cabinet.
Budget-Friendly
The best part about an outdoor TV cabinet is that it is budget-friendly. To start with, you can use a TV you already own, so you're already saving money.
On top of that, outdoor TV cabinets are not too pricey. You'll find a broad range of prices. The pricing depends on the level of protection, the materials, and the features.
Protects TV and Screen from Impacts
Outdoor TV cabinets provide extra protection for your TV, other than from the weather. Since it is a sturdy enclosure, an outdoor TV cabinet can protect your TV and its screen from impact.
With the outdoors, you never know what's going to happen. A storm could bring impact from debris, or an animal could try to damage your TV. An outdoor TV cabinet provides extra peace of mind that your TV is safe from harm in nature.
Lockable
You may be thinking about putting a TV on your front porch or another area that can be accessed by others. If your outdoor TV and living space aren't locked, it's important to think about how to protect your valuable TV from thieves.
Many outdoor TV cabinets can be locked so that no one can break into them. While a robbery may not be too likely to happen, this feature will definitely come in handy if it does. If stealing is a concern, this can be an attractive feature to you.
Comes in Many Available Styles
There are a lot of outdoor TV cabinets available on the market. No matter your needs or priorities, you'll be able to find a great option for you.
You can find outdoor TV cabinets in many different materials and come with various features. Some include an articulating mount, and some have a fixed mount. Some look the same as a traditional wood cabinet, and some are designed simply as clear enclosures.
Cons
Outdoor TV cabinets are a great option for outdoor living spaces, but sometimes they aren't designed to protect your TV from the elements.
Some Styles Offer Little Protection
When it comes to outdoor TV cabinets, traditional outdoor TV cabinets may not offer as much protection as you need. When you buy or build an outdoor TV cabinet, it's important to make sure that it provides the right amount of protection needed to keep your TV fully safe in the outdoors.
Porous materials like wood can allow moisture into the cabinet and may cause damage to the TV if not sealed properly. To solve this problem and keep your TV from moisture, you'd need to buy a waterproof outdoor TV cover that zips up and goes around your TV like the Garnetics Outdoor TV Cover (on Amazon).
Otherwise, buying an outdoor TV enclosure that is designed to work both as a cabinet and as a weatherproof shield is your best bet for full protection from harm.
Outdoor TV
If you're someone who spends a lot of time outdoors, you may be considering investing in an outdoor TV like the SunBrite 55-Inch Veranda (on Amazon). Outdoor TVs are made to perform great outdoors, so when you purchase one, you have the peace of mind knowing that your TV is designed to live and operate outside.
When you're browsing through outdoor TV options, you'll notice that typical TV manufacturers don't make outdoor TVs at this time. You won't find them from VIZIO, Sony, LG, etc. — instead, they all seem to come from one company that specializes in making outdoor TVs: SunBriteTV.
While they do come at a hefty price tag, an outdoor TV might be a great investment for you.
Pros
Outdoor TVs are designed to be waterproof, weatherproof, and extreme temperature proof. They can operate under extreme conditions, and they look great.
Contains Waterproof Casing
Just like a waterproof outdoor TV cabinet/enclosure, an outdoor TV is designed with a waterproof casing. It doesn't require an additional enclosure to protect it from the elements — it has one itself, and it is all you need to protect your TV from water and moisture.
Can Withstand the Elements
Outdoor TV manufacturers like SunBriteTV say that their TVs are designed to withstand all of the outdoor elements, even extreme weather. SunBriteTV says that they can survive nearly any climate in North America, and they resist the harsh effects of extreme temperatures, grime, and wildlife.
Has a Clean Look
Having a TV outside can be great, but will you be distracted by a bulky cabinet? A TV designed for the outdoors will keep your eyes free from distraction because it can live outside without an additional cabinet.
With an outdoor TV, there is no need to add any stands or cabinets that take up space and take away from the vibe. It will look and operate great on its own.
Designed for Outdoor Performance
Outdoor TVs are engineered for optimal viewing at all times of the day, so they are specially designed with a brighter, anti-glare screen that can create a better viewing experience while you're watching TV outdoors.
Plus, outdoor TVs have built-in technology that prevents shutdown during hot temperatures, just like when a smartphone overheats from the extreme heat outside. Outdoor TVs can operate in extreme temperatures, unlike most technology.
Cons
Outdoor TVs are very expensive, due to the additional technology for their performance to be unaffected by the outdoors, and you pay more for more exposure to the sun.
Expensive
The biggest issue with outdoor TVs is the cost. They are much more expensive than other TVs. You aren't getting the same bang for your buck on the actual visual technology or size of the TV, compared to typical TVs.
The lowest-priced SunBriteTV outdoor TV model is a 43-inch 4K TV at just under $1500. It's clear that most of the money you're paying is going to waterproofing and weatherproofing, so the TV will operate properly under any condition outside.
Specific Styles/Pricing for Amount of Sun
SunbriteTV's outdoor TVs come in a wide range of prices, and the more sun your TV is exposed to, the more it will cost you. Specific styles have custom technology to keep your TV working optimally when it has been exposed to extreme temperatures and conditions.
SunbriteTV's lowest outdoor TV prices can only be placed in the shade. The full sun TVs cost at least double the price, due to the additional technology. Partial shade TVs are at least $1000 more.
While it can be hard to justify the additional cost, it is nice to know that your TV can operate in extreme temperatures, because technology and extreme temperatures can be hazardous.
Final Thoughts
It's easy to understand why people buy an outdoor TV. At first glance, they may seem outrageous in price, but when you look into the features, the outdoor-focused technology makes it a viable choice for your outdoor TV setup.
If you're going to be using your TV outside all the time, it may be beneficial to buy an outdoor TV that can operate properly in any weather or temperature. Additionally, if you plan to buy a separate TV for your outdoor living area, as opposed to bringing one of your current TVs outside, it may be a good idea to just buy an outdoor TV, since you'll be paying for both an enclosure and a TV otherwise.
An outdoor TV cabinet is a more budget-friendly choice, and it is a great option if you're moving one of your current TVs outside. You just want to make sure that it is as weatherproof and waterproof as possible.
For traditional TV cabinets, you may consider adding a weatherproof cover for a small additional cost, and for weatherproof TV enclosures, they are a great option on their own.
