The COVID-19 pandemic drove people to gather outside in the fresh air, and even though the worst of the pandemic is over, spending time outdoors is a trend that's here to stay. Pair that with an ongoing interest in making patios and backyards an extension of the home with comfy furniture, tricked-out outdoor kitchens, pools, and other accouterments, and it's not surprising that folks are also searching for the best outdoor TVs to add to their setup.

RELATED: great set of speakers, the experience can be as immersive as watching in your living room. But, just any old TV will not, necessarily, be suitable for use outdoors.

TVs equipped for outdoor use will have at least some capability to withstand the elements, depending on where it will be placed, and enough brightness for outside viewing. Thankfully, options for suitable outdoor TVs have increased and come with the same features we have come to expect from the best TVs like excellent picture performance and smarts. Whatever your outdoor TV-viewing setup, these are some of the best outdoor TVs available today.

The Samsung The Terrace Full Sun is a QLED 4K TV that is specifically designed for outdoor use. It is sturdily built from a mostly metal chassis and is IP55 rated for protection against dust and water. It also has direct sun protection for up to six hours in the sun at 700 watts and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Even the included remote control is IP56 rated. Peak brightness is outstanding for viewing even in broad daylight. Complimenting the brightness is an exceptional QLED 4K picture performance highlighted by vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Terrace Full Sun is great for gaming and watching sports thanks to its fast response time, 120HZ refresh rate, and low input lag.

The Terrace Full Sun includes the -friend Samsung Tizen OS for easy navigation and tons of smart TV apps. It also works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Connectivity includes Wi-fi, three HDMI ports, USB, digital/analog audio out ports, Bluetooth, and an Ethernet port. It has built-in speakers with decent sound quality. The Samsung The Terrace Full Sun is an all-around best performer when it comes to outdoor TVs.

If you don’t have to worry about direct sunlight, then the Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun is the best option. Having much of the same outdoor TV DNA as its sibling (see our pick for best overall outdoor TV) like IP55 dust and water protection and with outstanding peak brightness. While The Terrace Partial Sun is better for shaded areas (it does not have the same sun protection as The Terrace Full Sun), it has essentially the same outstanding brightness. Picture quality from the QLED 4K is on par with comparable vibrant colors, deep blacks, and great HDR performance. Its 60HZ refresh is no slouch allowing for great sports viewing and gaming.

Similar connectivity includes three HDMI ports, USB, Ethernet, digital and analog audio out, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Smart features include the Samsung Tizen OS with plenty of app availability and for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bixby. The Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun is the best outdoor TV for shaded areas. It may cost less than its Full Sun sibling, but great performance outdoors in shaded areas is not sacrificed in the name of a lower price.

If you prefer a Google Smart TV for outdoors, the Hisense 55U8H is the best choice. The 55U8H features a Hisense-exclusive ULED 4K boasting mini-LED technology for accurate and vibrant colors. While the 55U8H may not have a weatherproof rating, it is a great TV for outdoor viewing thanks to incredible peak brightness for both SDR and HDR content. Its high refresh rate also makes the 55U8H great for sports and gaming. The Google TV 11 interface is -friendly with access to the Google Play store with its myriad apps. for Google Assistant is seamless.

Connectivity includes four HDMI ports, two USB ports, digital audio out, 3.5mm ports for composite video input and audio, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The built-in speakers are decent, and they can get quite loud. A stand is included, and it is VESA mount compatible.

Thanks to its incredible brightness, the Hisense 55U8H is an excellent choice as an outdoor TV, though installing it on a porch or other covered area to protect it from the elements may be necessary. And if Google is your smart TV interface of choice, the 55U8H is the best option.

The LG G3 features a 55-inch OLED 4K with brilliant and vibrant SDR and HDR picture performance. The G3 touts its Brightness Booster Max which LG claims to add up to 70% more brightness than its other models. Such a claim is definitely more than just boasting as the G3 has exceptional peak brightness for excellent viewing in bright settings. The picture performance excellence also extends to watching sports and gaming from its fast pixel response time and its variable refresh rate.

The LG G3 dispels the expectation that TVs generally have crappy built-in speakers. The built-in 4.2 speaker setup produces a great surround sound experience with features like AI Sound Pro processing and for Dolby Atmos. Connectivity includes 4 HDMI, 3 USB, digital audio out, Ethernet, Wif-fi, and Bluetooth. LG’s webOS anchors the smart features with for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The LG G3 doesn’t skimp when it comes to sound with the best built-in speakers you can get on an outdoor TV. As with others on our list, this TV isn't specifically built for the outdoors, so it's better suited for a porch or a covered patio.

The Samsung QN90C may not have a weatherproof rating, but it does have the most outstanding brightness in a TV for outdoor use. The QN90C features a 50-inch QLED 4K with exceptional color and contrast. The QN90C gets incredibly bright with high peak brightness which is only further enhanced by Anti-Glare with Ultra Viewing Angle technology. It is also great at handling reflection making for a great outdoor TV viewing experience.

The QN90C has smart functionality via the Tizen OS interface with a wide variety of apps and for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Connectivity includes four HDMI ports, digital audio out, two USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. It is available in scree sizes ranging from 43 to 85 inches. The Samsung QN90C is the best for outdoor viewing with consistent color and brightness at any angle.

The TCL 5-Series belies the assumption that a TV for outdoor use can be found on a budget. The 5-Series’ 50-inch QLED 4K has impressive picture performance with great color accuracy and deep blacks. HDR capability includes for Dolby Vision. Smooth motion and low input lag allow for great sports viewing and gaming. What makes the 5-Series a great outdoor choice is its high peak brightness and the way it handles reflections decently.

Connectivity includes four HDMI ports, USB, Ethernet, digital audio output, and Wi-Fi. The 5-Series smarts are led by the -friendly Roku OS with a wide variety of available apps. Voice control via Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant is ed. Size options range from 43 to 65 inches.

Using the TCL 5-Series as an outdoor TV will require some sort of enclosure and/or placement in a shaded area, but great peak brightness makes it a great choice. Being affordable with great performance makes it the best affordable option when it comes to a TV for outdoor use.

The SunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series has no-worry weatherproofing. Designed for permanent outdoor installation, the 3 Series aluminum body is rugged and IP55 rated for protection against rain, snow, dust, and high temperatures. The included remote is IP56 rated. Complimenting the outdoor-specific build, the 3 Series has a QLED 4K featuring high peak brightness for great viewing in shaded areas out of direct sunlight. Picture performance is impressive with smooth motion, accurate colors, and Dolby Vision .

Smart features include Android TV OS with a ton of apps and Chromecast built-in. Voice control is handled via Google Assistant. Connectivity includes four HDMI ports, USB, digital optical audio, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. The built-in speakers Dolby Atmos and DTS Audio.

The SunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series has the best weatherproofing in an outdoor-specific TV. Add in high peak brightness, it is one of the best options for permanent outdoor installation.

Which Is The Best Overall Outdoor TV?

Choosing an outdoor TV is not a decision to be taken lightly. There are many factors to be considered, such as where the set will be placed and whether it is suited for outdoor viewing. The Samsung The Terrace Full Sun is the top choice because it is an all-around great performer when it comes to outdoor visibility and weatherproofing. Combining excellent visual performance and high peak brightness that can tolerate direct sun with IP55 weatherproofing, The Terrace Full Sun is the best outdoor-specific TV available. The Terrace Full Sun is not cheap, but its suitability as an outdoor TV makes it well worth the price.

The SunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series is not to be overlooked if weatherproofing is a priority for where you plan on placing an outdoor TV. The company has made a name for itself when it comes to outdoor TVs and the Veranda 3 Series is a continuation of that pedigree.

A hallmark of a good outdoor TV is brightness and the Samsung QN90C is one of the best when it comes to being viewable outdoors. Add in great picture performance with excellent viewing angles and the QN90C is a formidable option for an outdoor TV.

FAQs

Q: Why can’t I just use an indoor TV outside?

A: TVs designed for indoor use are delicate pieces of tech and generally will have no protection against environmental elements like moisture and dust. Some TVs specifically designed for outdoor use will have an IP rating indicating a level of protection in an outdoor environment. If a TV does not have an IP rating, it can still be suitable for outdoor use if there is at least some sort of enclosure or protection against the elements. In addition, indoor TVs are generally not bright enough to be viewable outdoors even in partially shaded areas.

Q: What is the difference between full and partial shade?

A: How suitable a TV is for outdoor viewing depends on how bright it can get to counteract the light in its environment. Outdoor TVs rated for full shade are suitable for spaces that are sheltered from the sun like a screen-in porch, garage, or covered deck. Partial-shade-rated sets have the brightness to be viewable in areas that have some exposure to sunlight like under a pergola. Going a step higher, full-sun TVs are rated to be viewable in direct sunlight.

Q: How long will a TV last if I use it outdoors?

A: As with anything, its lifespan will vary, but how long a TV used outdoors will last depends on factors like how it is designed, where it will be placed, etc. Generally speaking, a TV specifically designed for use outdoors will last longer than one that does not have some sort of weatherproofing. Even a TV without weatherproofing will last longer outdoors if it is placed in an enclosure or has other protection against the elements.