The 10 Best Outdoor TV Covers
Special Honors
Beyond the Wake With Beyond the Wake, you can choose from a plethora of dynamic colors to zero in on the option that’ll best suit your space’s style. It’s quite functional, whether you’re trying to prevent scratches, dust and grime from diminishing your TV’s aesthetics or you’re simply trying to extend its life. beyondthewake.com
TV Armor This versatile option should be compatible with your television no matter how it’s installed — on a tilt mount, an articulating mount, or even a stand. It’s suitable for screens anywhere from 30 to 55 inches, and its secure hook-and-loop closure seals your device off from the elements. tv-armor.com
TV Fortress Made in the United States, this heavy-duty enclosure is easily tiltable, with a removable top cover and extra room for a soundbar. Installation is straightforward, and a tough protective coating deflcts sunlight and helps prevent deterioration. It’s available in a large and small version. tvfortress.com
Editor's Notes
July 13, 2020:
Pulled the Hentex Universal from the list in favor of a better option. Adjusted the listing of the Khomo Gear Titan to indicate that it withstands extended exposure to the sun, making it a nice choice for use in sunny areas, like Arizona or Florida. Downgraded the Original TV Coverstore a bit, noting that it looks a bit saggy and floppy on most televisions.
The BroilPro Black — our lone new addition — has an unusual but effective roll-up design. Instead of fully removing the cover each time you use the TV, you roll the front panel up until the full screen is visible. The Velcro connection will ensure the panel remains secure. When you’re ready to cover the TV again, simply roll the flap back down and secure the Velcro on the sides and bottom.
Most covers are compatible with freestanding televisions and a variety of mounting styles, but it’s important to check that the cover you choose is compatible with the brackets and mounting method associated with your TV. For some models, we've learned, getting it to fit around a ceiling-mounted TV can be tricky.
May 28, 2019:
We removed the Stronghold Universal due to a lack of availability, but fortunately we were able to replace it with the Stronghold Standard. Despite a few complaints regarding a tricky process for sliding it over the TV and subsequently removing it, reports indicate that it performs its job admirably. Unlike some models, its underside can be securely sealed off, which prevents any dust or moisture from entering through the bottom.
Once we assessed the Mount Factory Protector, we decided to elevate its standing on the list, as it’s clear that it provides an immense amount of value. People have used it successfully with a variety of different television brands and sizes, incorporating different mounting mechanisms as well. Its clean and professional appearance is a nice touch, too.
The Beyond the Wake model, which was added to the Special Honors section, was initially designed for use on a boat, but there’s no reason it won’t work swimmingly in any other outdoor location. It is suitable for televisions as small as 13 inches, a feature that can be difficult to find.
Outdoor TV: The Best Of Both Worlds
The same goes for ambitious RV owners, boat enthusiasts, and sports tailgaters.
Pick your television indulgence — non-stop sports, mindless reality shows, encapsulating documentaries. Whatever it is you can’t stop watching, imagine the extent to which the viewing experience would be enhanced with the sunshine on your skin and a warm breeze at your back. There’s just something forbidden about watching TV outside, which, for some reason, only seems to make it more enjoyable.
Of course, this scenario does not apply to winter; that season is for curling up on the couch with a blanket and your favorite warm beverage. When your outdoor TV goes into hibernation, you’ll need something to provide dependable protection while it slumbers. Come to think of it, a quality outdoor TV cover is a must-have during every other season, as well — that screen isn’t going to shield itself from precipitation and flying debris.
Outdoor televisions aren’t particularly uncommon; you probably just rarely give any thought to how their owners protect them when they’re not in use. Plenty of bars, restaurants, hotels, and country clubs have TVs set up for outdoor viewing. The same goes for ambitious RV owners, boat enthusiasts, and sports tailgaters.
Outdoor TV veterans have undoubtedly discovered that weather isn’t the only factor that puts your television at risk. The air is full of swirling dust, dirt, and pollen particles that can wreak havoc on your equipment. The sun’s rays can damage the screen and cause fading on the exterior. Airborne bugs can crawl into crevices where they don’t belong.
An effective cover deflects the sun’s UV rays, preventing excess heat from accessing the TV. It’s also weather-resistant, which makes it effective at repelling moisture — and the mold and mildew that frequently come with it. Ideally, it’s constructed with a strong fabric and backed by a resilient coating to ensure that any potential harmful elements remain on the outside looking in.
Don’t Sleep On The Details
When going through the selection process, a few important factors should take priority. Above all, it’s critical that you choose a cover with the proper size, as a unit that doesn’t fit snugly around your TV isn’t going to provide reliable, long-lasting protection.
To determine the right size, you’ll need to measure your television with a tape measure. Always measure horizontally from one edge of your unit to the other (not from one edge of the screen to the other). Once you know the horizontal length, measure the height in the same manner. Before you put your tape away, don’t forget to measure the depth.
This will make applying and removing the cover much easier, and you won’t lose anything in terms of security.
With these dimensions in mind, look for a cover that provides a little extra room on each side, and about an inch of space on the top and bottom. This will make applying and removing the cover much easier, and you won’t lose anything in terms of security.
You should also factor in how the TV is mounted — or how it’s going to be mounted, if it’s still in the box. If you’re utilizing a swing arm mount, which allows for multi-directional swiveling and tilting, look for a cover that features an opening across the middle and back. These should have Velcro lining (or a similar sealing mechanism) to fully enclose the TV once it’s set up.
Covers for wall mount televisions need to fit in between both sides of the vertical brackets adorning the back, and should include a secure closure on the bottom. For TVs with dual arms, you’ll need coverage for more space, so make sure the cover provides extra depth to accommodate the large mount.
Some models feature exterior and interior zippered pockets for storing accessories like remote controls, so keep that in mind when assessing your options. Most units don’t come with cable box covers, so you may have to look for outside solutions to accommodate cable boxes and additional hardware.
Building A Thrilling Outdoor Entertainment Area
You’ve mounted your TVs, you’ve purchased the covers, and you’ve tested everything to make sure all is in working order. Now, the fun part begins.
It’s time to turn your space into a dynamic fun zone.
Depending on how much room you have, you can take one of a couple different approaches: leave the TV as the centerpiece and add a few ancillary elements to complete a patio or porch, or fully deck out the area, packing in every activity, game and piece of entertainment equipment you can get your hands on. We recommend option number two.
Last but not least, if you have the means — a hot tub is the ultimate outdoor social gathering apparatus.
Corn hole, the bean bag tossing game, has become synonymous with outdoor parties, but you should by no means limit yourself to one game. An outdoor ping pong table is a versatile item that provides you with plenty of options — you can play beer pong, as well, or you can throw a portable poker table on top to get a card game going. If you have a little extra space, build out a section for horseshoes or bocce ball, two family games that, frankly, don’t get the attention they deserve.
A fire pit, at first glance, may seem like an ambitious and expensive undertaking, but this doesn’t have to be the case. Instead of having a professional bricklayer or masonry worker build one for you, go with an affordable store-bought pit, then surround it with folding chairs. Install some outdoor Bluetooth speakers in strategic locations surrounding the area, and you’ll have the perfect setting for a mid-autumn bonfire.
Last but not least, if you have the means — a hot tub is the ultimate outdoor social gathering apparatus. It’s also not dependant on the season, which means you could theoretically spend a white Christmas out in the hot tub watching your favorite holiday movie with a fire crackling in the pit nearby.
These are all just ideas, of course. If the mere attempt to wrap your head around this outdoor entertainment extravaganza has left you exhausted, no one’s going to blame you if you call it quits after getting the TV and a nice cover to protect it.