The best TV for garage, and how it might look? Let’s find out in this post!
There are a lot of reasons why you might want to buy the best TV for your garage. Maybe you are using it as a recreational space to watch movies and play games. Maybe it is a music practice room or a home gym. Maybe you want to watch instructional DIY videos or have something on in the background while you are working.
Garages don’t tend to be insulated, though, which means they get colder and hotter than your living room or bedroom. This can interfere with the function of your TV, so you need to choose a set that can stand up to these challenges. You probably also want something that is streaming-capable, rather than trying to connect to your cable set over long distances, and something that isn’t that expensive, since garages tend to be dirty and that grime can get into electronics.
With all of that in mind, in this article, we will recommend the five best TV sets for your garage based on what is available in 2022. We’ve also put together a brief buying guide to help you determine whether a TV is right for your garage.
Best TVs For The Garage – Quick Links
- LG OLED C1 Series 55” 4K Smart TV
- TCL 50-inch Class 4-Series 4K UHD TV
- Samsung 40-inch Class LED Smart FHD TV
- Insignia 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart TV
- Hisense A4 Series 40-inch Class FHD Smart Android TV
Garage TV Comparison Chart
LG OLED C1 Series 55” 4K Smart TV
TCL 50-inch Class 4-Series 4K UHD TV
Samsung 40-inch Class LED Smart FHD TV
Insignia 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart TV
Hisense A4 Series 40-inch Class FHD Smart Android TV
Should You Put A TV In Your Garage?
There are generally two main concerns when it comes to putting a TV in your garage. The first is whether it will work properly and have a decent lifespan in colder or hotter temperatures since garages often are not insulated.
While most garages will be TV-suitable, if you live somewhere that gets extremely hot or extremely cold, this can be a serious concern. Most TVs are manufactured to function properly between 40-100 degrees Fahrenheit (4-37 degrees Celsius).
If you live somewhere that gets colder or hotter than that, you will probably need to regularly cover or remove the TV to protect it. In those cases, you must answer the question of whether taking care of or replacing the TV is worth the hassle.
Second, when you tell someone you are planning to put a TV in your garage, they will probably ask why and think that it is a little self-indulgent but there are lots of good reasons that you might want a TV in your garage.
If you have converted your garage for a different use, such as a breakout zone for family members to relax in, a home gym, or a music practice space, you might want to watch TV, play video games, or play instructional videos for music or training.
Even if you use the garage more as a shop for storing tools and working on DIY projects, you might want a TV to watch instructional videos on YouTube, or have something on in the background while you are working.
It is your house, and you use your space how you want to. You decide if you think you would benefit from having a TV in your garage.
5 Best TVs For A Garage
1 LG OLED C1 Series 55” 4K Smart TV
When you are looking for a TV for the garage, you want something that is going to work in cold weather, something that supports streaming since you are unlikely to have a cable connection in your garage and something that isn’t expensive. Garages tend to be dirty, and that dirt can get into your TV and damage it, so you don’t want to max out your budget on something that might need to be replaced before too long.
If you aren’t looking for an affordable option, but rather a fully-fledged 4K smart TV for your garage, this LG TV is an excellent choice, but it is expensive!
- 4K resolution
- Web OS
- Google or Alexa Voice and smart home
- OLED 8 million pixel display
- Operates between 32-104 degrees Fahrenheit
This TV comes with a sophisticated OLED screen with an 8 million pixel display. This means excellent picture quality, but this TV is not fragile and can work at lower temperatures than many of its competitors. This TV uses LG’s Web OS, which is good and user-friendly, but a proprietary locked-down system. You can integrate with your smart home through either Google or Alexa.
There are optimizing options for gaming, which makes this the perfect TV for teenagers who need their own space.
If you want the best quality for your garage, just like the rest of your home, this LG TV is a great choice. It will fit right into your smart home ecosystem.
2 TCL 50-Inch Class 4-Series 4K UHD TV
If you want a relatively large screen in your garage and you want 4K picture quality, this TCL TV is durable for colder temperatures and offers great 4K resolution at 50 inches.
- 4K resolution
- Roku TV operating system
- Roku app voice search
- Direct-lit LED screen
- Operates between 32-104 degrees Fahrenheit
This TV comes at a very good price for the hardware, and it is one of the more durable 4K TVs that will stand up to the temperatures and dirt in your garage. It runs on Roku TV, which is not our favorite when compared to Android or Google TV, but it is easy to use and has good voice command functionality.
This TV is great for a garage that is also a recreational space if you want to watch sports or engage in some gaming.
This is a great, affordable 4K TV, and if you just want to do the basics, Roku is good. If you want to do more, you can always connect an Android TV box to the TV.
3 Samsung 40-Inch Class LED Smart FHD TV
This is another Full HD/4K TV that will appeal to people who need good picture quality, even on their secondary or tertiary TV. Samsung is one of the best quality and most respected brands, and this is a highly affordable option for 40 inches.
- 1080p resolution
- Tizen operating system
- LCD screen
- Operates between 4-113 degrees Fahrenheit
When you choose a Samsung TV, you know that you are getting a great quality set and good support and warranty features. While this is not as good as Samsung’s top-range TVs, the picture quality on the 40-inch screen is excellent, and this is an affordable option for a secondary or tertiary entertainment system.
This smart TV runs the Tizen OS, which is Samsung’s proprietary OS and is streamlined and easy to use, but not as versatile as Android or Google OS.
This is a reliable TV that you know will live up to the hype. You will be able to see the details of the big game from the far side of the garage.
4 Insignia 32-Inch Class F20 Series Smart TV
This 32-inch smart TV is durable and works well in lower temperatures, and while it only delivers 720p resolution, it comes at a very good price for the quality.
- 720p resolution
- Fire TV operating system
- Alexa voice control
- LED-backlit LCD screen
- Operates between 32-104 degrees Fahrenheit
This smart TV is incredibly easy to use, running the Fire TV operating system that is one of the most user-friendly, especially with Alexa voice commands and smart home integrations. Just download apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and live TV streaming and you can get to everything you need with the click of a button or a request to Alexa.
While you do need to worry about the LCD screen freezing in extremely cold temperatures, this is rare, and if it is too cold for your TV in the garage, it is probably too cold for you too!
This TV is affordable, durable, and versatile, and is just the kind of TV that you will want to place in your garage as a secondary (or tertiary) entertainment system.
5 Hisense A4 Series 40-Inch Class FHD Smart Android TV
If, like us, you prefer something that uses the Android or Google operating system so that you can hack your TV and download things like Kodi, this 40-inch Hisense TV will meet both your durability and OS requirements.
- 1080p resolution
- Android Operating System
- Google voice control
- LCD 120 motion rate screen
- Operates between 32-104 degrees Fahrenheit
This affordable TV has a 120-motion rate, which is perfect for watching sports or playing games. It also has a Chromecast built-in, which is ideal if you want to take something that you have been watching elsewhere in the house to your garage TV and cast it there. Get good voice control with Google Assistant, too!
Don’t be a slave to the main streaming services in the garage. Sideload the apps that you want and manage your own entertainment with this 4K TV.
What To Look For In TVs For A Garage
Budget
Your budget for getting a TV for your garage will depend on what you need. If you have decked out a home theater or intend to have friends over to watch all the important games, you will probably want something high-quality. If the TV is just to have on in the background while you are working and is likely to be assaulted by dust and debris, you will want something much more affordable.
You can get decent smart TVs for as low as $100, and this may be right for you, or you may want a cinema-worthy TV for $1,000. If you know that the TV will be assaulted by grime, it is a good idea to go for a cheaper option in addition to cleaning your equipment regularly.
Compatibility
You will probably also want a smart TV or at least a TV that you can smartify by connecting an Android TV box. Not only do you usually have to pay for an additional connection to your cable system, but running cables from the main point in your living room to the garage can be a nightmare! In the garage, go for something streaming-compatible.
Environment
The other thing to consider is temperature. Not all TVs work well in lower temperatures and on some TVs, such as LEDs, the screen can freeze. The fine print of a TV’s specs should tell you its working temperatures, so look for something that is compatible with the temperatures that you expect.
When you plug in your new TV in the garage, leave it for 24-48 hours before you turn it on so that it can adjust to its new temperature. If you also store it in the garage, you can turn it on whenever you want. If you store the TV elsewhere in the house where the temperatures are different, though, make sure to let it sit for at least a few hours each time you turn it on so that it can adjust. This will keep you from permanently damaging your screen.
FAQs
What’s the best TV for a garage in cold weather?
Most TVs will work well in a garage, as long as the temperature does not drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Colder than this, and the screen can freeze. The fine print of your technical specifications should let you know what temperatures the TV can withstand, so be sure to read them carefully before buying.
Where to mount the TV in a garage?
If you have your garage set up as a single-use recreational space, there is probably a good wall for mounting where most people will be able to view the TV with the least light reflection. If your garage is a multi-use space, it can be worth investing in a mobile TV stand to move the TV where you need it, when you need it.
This Perlesith mobile TV stand, for TVs up to 60 inches, is affordable and of good quality.
Should I buy a smart TV or a regular TV for my garage?
Get a smart TV for your garage, as it is likely to be quite a distance from your antenna, and running the requisite cables can be difficult. Connecting to Wi-Fi, even if you need a signal booster for the garage, is a much easier option, and you can get access to the same content via streaming.
The Verdict
You want a TV for the garage. Good for you! Just make sure you know what kind of temperatures you can expect in your garage space and choose a TV that will work if it gets extra cold or hot. The recommended temperatures for TVs are always given in the fine print of the technical specs.
Unless you are creating a top-end home cinema, it is a good idea to choose something affordable. This will likely be a secondary or tertiary entertainment system, and garages tend to be dirty, and dirt can easily creep into your TV.
Finally, rather than trying to run cables from your antenna or cable connection, choose a smart TV and stream over Wi-Fi. A signal booster can help you connect to your router if necessary.
