Best Smart TV For RV Living: 8 Choices To Keep Up With Your Shows

Finding the best smart TV for RV living is difficult. In fact, seeking out any RV television is no easy feat.

After scouring the internet for TVs with words like RV and 12V in the title, you’ll likely be left with a depressingly limited list of options.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. You have more choices than the internet would lead you to believe. The key to finding the best smart TV for RV living is in understanding the measures you can take.

Comparison Table

You Have Questions

If purchasing the best smart TV for RV living is proving to be more challenging than you expected, fear not. We’re here to set your mind at ease, one solution at a time.

Are regular TVs too fragile for an RV?

The simple answer is not if you know what you’re doing. Different types of televisions present their own unique challenges.

For example, back in the day, people couldn’t mount old and boxy CRT TVs to the wall of an RV due to their weight. So, their solution was to build custom-fitted television cabinets that would hold the TVs in place.

That was then

With the advent of LED flat screens, TVs are now much lighter than they were. Since TV mounts are cheaper and less time consuming than building cabinets, most people prefer this method.

However, problems may arise if you don’t take the necessary precautions. For example, vibrations from driving, and sudden jerky movements from going over potholes can cripple TV components.

Additionally, water damage from condensation is a serious threat.

Regular TVs vs. RV televisions

Some companies manufacture LED TVs, specifically for RVs. These TVs feature increased durability and can endure significantly more wear and tear.

The downside is that you end up paying more for tech that simply isn’t as good as it could be.

By searching forums and reading through other sources, we’ve confirmed that most RV televisions are basically a marketing scheme designed to pull you towards their brand.

Protecting your LED television

By purchasing an RV wall mount, you reduce a lot of the stress on your TV that being on the road causes. That’s because these mounts offer extra support for keeping your television stable.

Make sure you don’t mount your TV in a spot where the wall is hollow, as these areas are more prone to vibrations.

For ultimate stability, attach a thick plank of wood to the wall with several screws all along its perimeter. When you’re confident the plank is secure, fasten the wall mount to it.

Finally, protect your TV from condensation by finding a suitable cover for your RV. Condensation is detrimental to more than just your television set, so you should have a cover regardless.

What is a 12-volt TV and do I need one?

12-volt TVs run on less power than standard televisions, which are most commonly 120 volts.

Additionally, they’re designed to utilize the DC current of your RV’s battery rather than the AC current of the outlets in your home. They do this with the 12-volt sockets, more commonly known as cigarette lighters.

However, you don’t strictly need a 12-volt TV unless you plan on camping somewhere where there won’t be a hookup for your RV.

If you want to use a 120-volt TV while not plugged into an RV hookup, you may need a 12-volt adapter. The one exception to this rule is if your RV has a generator. Generators burn fuel to provide you with 120-volt electricity while on the road.

What size TV is good for an RV?

It depends on the space you have in your RV and your personal preference.

That said, all of the televisions on our list are under 32 inches. Even if you have the wall space for something larger, it probably wouldn’t be comfortable to watch in an RV sized space.

Do I need a smart TV to easily access apps?

No, you don’t. In fact, by only seeking out smart TVs, you’re seriously limiting your options. There are numerous ways to stream media on your TV, even if you don’t own something like a PlayStation 4.

For example, the Fire TV Stick connects easily into an HDMI port without plugging into an outlet.

Alternatively, Google Chromecast lets you wirelessly send what’s on your phone straight to your TV via Bluetooth.

It’s actually a fantastic option for when you don’t have internet but still have cell reception. If you’re concerned about not being able to use your phone while watching things though, you can also use your phone as a mobile hotspot for your Fire TV Stick.

What should I look for in the best smart TV for RV living?

Now that we’ve established you don’t need to limit yourself to smart TVs, 12-volts, or so-called RV televisions, your options are greatly expanded.

Therefore, the question should now be, “What do I look for in any TV?”

Resolution

It goes without saying that a higher resolution means a crisper picture. For televisions under 32-inch, most will have a resolution of 720p or 1080p.

The number corresponds to how many horizontal lines the television can display. For example, 1080p is the same as 1920 by 1080 resolution.

The reason smaller TVs tend to have lower resolutions is two-fold. First, a higher resolution is more necessary for larger TVs, because the picture starts to look blurry otherwise. Second, it’s difficult and expensive to pack a large number of pixels into a small space.

Often times a TV with a 720p resolution will be listed as “HD,” while 1080p will say “full HD.”

Refresh rate

The refresh rate is equal to how many time per second the television updates its picture. 60Hz is okay in most instances but may look choppy during fast-paced movies, tv shows, video games, and sports.

But 120Hz is the next step up and should be fast enough for pretty much anything.

Size

Only you know which size television will fit comfortably in your RV. However, it’s still important to consider. Measure the space in advance.

Sound

No matter how much money you spend on a TV, the built-in speakers will still be terrible. There’s just not enough room in an LED flatscreen to generate the high-quality sound that most television lovers desire.

Make sure to buy a soundbar for better sound. You’ll also need a soundbar mount.

Customer reviews

Some things you only learn about a TV after using it for a while.

The contrast is an excellent example. Many LED televisions struggle with creating deep blacks, which can give the picture a washed-out appearance. However, there’s no universal measurement for contrast, so look for it in customer reviews.

How We Reviewed

image via pixabay

Using the information we supplied you with above, we compared televisions with the highest ratings. We also consulted professional reviews for multiple products.

Since many of these don’t come with smart TV features, you’ll need something like a Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecrast to get the same experience. These will quickly convert your average TV into the best smart TV for RV living.

Also, keep in mind that most of these televisions are 120-volt, so you may need the 12-volt adapter for certain situations.

The Best Smart TV For RV Living: Top 8

Without further ado, here’s our list of suitable televisions for your RV.

Which of these is the best smart TV for RV living? Keep your personal preferences in mind as you read.

1. TCL Roku Smart TV

This TCL Roku Smart TV is a 32-inch and comes with all the standard features of a typical smart TV. You won’t need a Fire TV Stick, although you may still want Google Chromecast.

The television has a full HD resolution of 1080p and even has a refresh rate of 120Hz. That means you’ll get a clear, crisp picture that should never look choppy or blurry.

Scanning through Amazon customer reviews, only one customer appears to be disappointed with the contrast. That’s out of over 2,000 reviews! Amazon customers rate this product 4.3 out of 5.0 on average.

It’s worth noting that most of the negative reviews relate specifically to the televisions smart TV functionality, which goes to show that using a Fire TV Stick or Chromecast may just be better.

Still, this television has almost everything you could ask for in the best TV for RV living.

Pros

• 1080p resolution
• 120Hz refresh rate
• Large display
• Great value

Cons

• Disappointing built-in smart features

2. Sceptre 32-inch 720p LED TV

This Sceptre 32-inch comes at nearly half the price of the Roku Smart TV. For customers who want a large TV at an incredibly affordable price, this is the best TV for RV living.

The Sceptre lacks any smart tv capabilities, although we believe that’s a blessing in disguise. The Fire TV Stick will likely run smoother than any built-in smart functions in this price range.

On the other hand, this TV has a resolution of 720p and a refresh rate of 60Hz. Therefore, the image quality just won’t match up to the Roku Smart TV.

This television is for people who only want a decent TV for their RV but see themselves spending more time outside anyway. It’s also a nice cheap way of testing how a non-RV TV works in an RV.

Amazon customers rate it 4.4 out of 5.0 stars on average.

Pros

• Very affordable
• Large display

Cons

• Average resolution and refresh rate

3. Toshiba HD Smart TV

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This Toshiba HD Smart TV is an affordable, 32-inch smart TV. For those who must have built-in apps but still want to save money, this is the best smart TV for RV living.

The resolution is 720p with a refresh rate of 60Hz. Once again, the picture won’t be quite as nice as the Roku Smart TV. However, it may not matter to you if its main purpose is watching family movies at night.

Many of the negative reviews are from customers who got a defective TV. It’s likely that most of them received a replacement product and never updated their review.

In any case, customers rate this TV 4.1 out of 5.0 stars on average.

Pros

• Built-in smart features
• Affordable price
• Large display

Cons

• Average resolution and refresh rate

4. LG HD 720p LED TV

LG offers this LG 32-inch HD 720p LED television at a comparatively mid-range price.

At a glance, this TV is slightly overpriced because its resolution is 720p and it has a refresh rate of 60Hz. Additionally, the lack of smart TV functionality means you’ll have to purchase a Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, or something similar.

The saving grace of this TV is in its Color Master Engine. After doing some research, we’ve determined that this engine is designed to improve the vibrance of colors while also mimicking a higher refresh rate than 60Hz.

In that sense, the picture quality lines up with the price pretty well. It should land somewhere between the Roku Smart TV and the others.

Amazon customers rate this 4.1 out of 5 stars on average. Once again, most of the negative reviews are from customers who received defective TVs.

For anyone else, this could be the best smart TV for RV living.

Pros

• Large display
• Color Master Engine improves colors and mimicks a higher refresh rate

Cons

• Average resolution

5. Free Signal TV Transit 32-inch 12-volt HDTV

The Free Signal TV Transit 32-inch 12-volt HDTV is the first TV we’ve seen made specifically for an RV.

For those who are willing to spend extra for something durable, this can be the best smart TV for RV living.

You will need to buy a Fire TV Stick, Chromecast, or similar device to convert it into a smart TV. However, you won’t be needing a 12-volt adapter because this TV is already designed that way and comes with a 120-volt adapter as well.

There’s also a TV signal booster, so you at least have something to watch when you don’t have wifi.

It’s difficult to compare picture quality because Free Signal TV uses specs more in line with PC monitors than televisions. But we estimate it has a resolution of 768p and most likely a 60Hz refresh rate.

Customers rate this 4.4 out of 5.0 stars on average.

Pros

• Runs on 12 volts
• Durable
• Large display

Cons

• Expensive
• Average resolution and refresh rate

6. Jensen JTV19DC HD Ready 12-volt

This Jensen JTV19DC HD Ready12-volt is another TV made specifically for RVs. However, this one is only 19 inches. If you require a smaller TV, this could be your best smart TV for RV living. Just remember that you will need a Firestick, Chromecast, or something similar.

As far as price, picture quality and functionality go, it’s in line with the Free-Signal TV. However, since this one is smaller, the quality may actually appear better.

Customers rate the Jensen 12-volt 4.1 out of 5.0 stars on average, although there are only just over 30 reviews.

Pros

• Runs on 12 volts
• Durable
• Good size for smaller spaces

Cons

• Average resolution and refresh rate

7. Insignia HD Smart TV

This Insignia HD Smart TV is 24 inches. If you prefer a smaller unit with built-in smart features, this is the best smart TV for RV living.

Insignia promises rich colors and deep blacks, and nearly all of the customer reviews about contrast support this claim.

The 720p resolution and 60Hz refresh rate are what you expect from a smart TV in this price range.

Customers rate this one 4.2 out of 5.0 stars on average. Most of the negative reviews are related to the smart features of the TV.

Pros

• Rich colors and deep black
• Very affordable
• Good size for small spaces

Cons

• Average resolution and refresh rate

8. Pyle 23.6-Inch 1080p LED TV

This Pyle 23.6-Inch has great picture quality. You can easily convert it to the best smart TV for RV living in its size with a Firestick, Chromecast, or similar device.

With a 1080p resolution, Pyle lists this television as being “ultra HD.” We’re not sure where they’re getting the ultra from, but 1080p will look very nice in this smaller package.

Note that the refresh rate is still only 60Hz. If you’re a die-hard action movie fan, play many video games, or watch a lot of sports then you should spring for a TV with 120Hz.

Pyle promises better than average audio, so a soundbar may not even be necessary with this one if you’re not an audiophile. You might have to tinker with the settings to find the right sound, though.

Customer rate the Pyle 23.6-Inch 4.1 out of 5.0 stars on average. Since there are less than 100 reviews, the 1.0 stars have a large impact on the rating.

Pros

• Good size for small spaces
• 1080p resolution that looks even better on the smaller display
• Better than average audio

Cons

• Average frame rate

The Smart Choice

image via unsplash

We’ve seen a lot of televisions today, so which is truly the best TV for RV living?

The Roku Smart TV has 1080p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Its smart features may be less than satisfactory, but you can always get a Firestick. Comparatively, its price is the second-highest on our list.

If durability or integrated 12-volt power is your top priority, then choose either of the Free Signal or Jensen TVs.

For other size and price options, any of the other TVs are excellent choices.

Which television do you consider the best TV for RV living? Do you think an RV grade TV is worth the higher price? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!

Last update on 2023-05-06 at 08:29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API