Best TVs for RV use in 2020 – Reviews and Buyer’s Guide.
Being on the road and away from home doesn’t mean that you should get bored. Your RV TV allows you to catch up with the latest news, and also watch and enjoy your favorite shows and movies no matter where you are.
The best TV with DVD player built-in comes in handy for those days when it’s snowing or stormy outside, and you wait for the weather to calm down.
From the many models available, it might help to know which RV TV to buy since the quality of sound and picture can vary greatly.
Below is a preview of what we rate as the five best RV TV packages for 2020, together with some common answers to questions about RV TVs.
Sceptre E246BD-SMQK 24.0″ 720p TV DVD Combination
The 24-inch screen of this HDTV comes with a built-in DVD player. It has a brushed metal design with multifunctional USB and HDMI ports. The HDMI delivers superior digital video and audio while connecting both to the TV with a single cable.
The best TV with a DVD player allows you to enjoy your favorite DVDs without having to purchase a separate one. You also don’t need to manage two remote control devices since a single remote control commands both the functions of the TV and the built-in DVD Player. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
The USB allows you to view your pictures as a slideshow through a USB port. You only need to plug your flash drive into the port to listen to your favorite music. This product is wall mount ready and comes with a small screwdriver used to assemble the base, and a screw mount on the back used to attach into a wall mount.
The Energy Star rating on the television means that it doesn’t consume much electricity, making it an economical option, especially when you’re traveling.
Pros
- A relatively large screen
- A multifunctional USB port for downloading images and listening to stored music
- High-quality pictures with 720P resolution
- Wall-mount ready
- Easy to install with the simple wall mount
- Lightweight
Cons
- Poor sound quality but that can be fixed by attaching external speakers
Supersonic SC-2211 22-Inch 1080p LED Widescreen HDTV
Features
Your supersonic HDTV gives you high picture quality with striking details and contrast. Whether traveling or in your office, this TV is ideal for any location, and you can enjoy your shows from any place. The HDMI, USB, AC/DC, PC Ports allow you to use your Firestick or similar devices to browse channels and apps such as Hulu, NetFlix, and others. The AC/DC compatibility is an outstanding feature for the RV camping use. The PC input helps you if you want to use your RV TV as a computer monitor. It gives you an excellent resolution and displays an exceptional PC experience.
- Pros
- Modern liquid crystal technology that gives you crystal clear views
- Has an attractive, sleek design
- Accompanied with HDMI, VGA, RCA jacks, and component for AV hookups
- Energy-efficient and lightweight
- Excellent AC/DC portable HDT
- Smooth motion when watching movies for its 1080p progressive scan capability
- The PC inputs in your TV allows you to use it as a computer monitor
- Fits in a small space hence perfect for an RV
- Comes with a built-in card reader, and DVD player
Cons
- Some users complain of low sound quality. You can solve this by connecting a set of speakers to get your desired sound quality.
Proscan PLEDV2488A-E 24-Inch 720p LED TV-DVD Combo
The Proscan LED TV has a built-in DVD player and a screen display of 24 inches. The TV is so easy to install that you can do it without a manual. It includes a remote control.
Pros
- Has a one-year manufacturer’s warranty
- Full functioning remote control
- Superb picture quality
- Excellent LED backlight display
- Elegant and classic design
- Easy to install
- Excellent picture quality
- DVD functionality
- The screen is also wall-mountable,
- You can use it as a computer monitor for its VGA port
Cons
- Lacks a smart functionality
- Only one port for HDMI
Jensen JTV19DC HD Ready 19 Inch 12V DC RV LED TV with Integrated HDTV
This package contains a 12V DC product only, an integrated HDTV tuner, a dual wireless remote control for TV/DVD. The 19-inch screen HDTV features a high-performance LCD panel with 16.7 million colors and a JCOM function that you can use with JENSEN HDMI-equipped DVD player. (Does not include DVD player) This TV is ideal for motor homes, campers, and trailers.
Pros
- HD-ready TV
- Specially built for RVs and campers
- Convenient front controls
- Has an integrated digital tuner
- Vivid and bright picture quality
- Comes with a mounting pattern for easy installation
- Sleek design
- Has a robust chassis and durable case reinforced to withstand powerful vibrations
Cons
- A relatively small display of 19 inches
- Doesn’t include a DVD player
Axess 15.6-Inch LED HDTV
The 15.6-inch screen has a resolution of 1366 by 768, which guarantees you very high-quality pictures. You can easily install your TV on a wall using a wall mount (Does not include a wall mount in the package) The Axess LED HDTV has a built-in DVD player plus a digital and analog tuner. It also has a built-in antenna RF jack, Audio/Video, PC-RGB, PC Audio jack, USB and HDMI ports, earphone Audio jack, coaxial output jack, and CVBS input.
Pros
- Comes with a DVD player
- Produces very clear pictures
- Full function remote control
- Has a USB, HDMI port
- 12V car cord technology for viewing on the go
Cons
- Relatively small in size
- No smart functional
Benefits of TVs for RVs
- Entertainment
You can turn your RV into a home, especially when traveling with children. You can entertain and keep them busy by putting a movie on the TV. Having a television when the RV is stationary or when the environment outside is unfavorable can keep you from getting bored.
- Multi-functionality
RV TVs allow you to use the screen more than just a platform for movies and TV shows. You can use it as a computer monitor. You can connect it to your smartphone or play music through it as you relax indoors. It saves you space since you don’t need to carry a computer as you travel.
- Improves safety
Having a TV in your RV helps you make plans as you watch the weather forecasts. For instance, the ability to see where a storm is at a given time will help you plan and decide on whether you need to stay on or quickly pack and leave for safety.
- Aesthetics
A TV for RV not only allows you to watch your favorite shows and movies but also adds a sense of style to your RV.
Types of TVs for RV
- LCD– A liquid Crystal Display ( LCD) TV is a flat-screen television powered by lights that manufacturers place behind the glass panes.
Advantages
- Clear picture color and quality
Disadvantages
- Thick and bulky to install
- LED-
The Light-emitting diode (LED) televisions are much thinner than the LCDs. It has lights around the edges of the screen that powers it, and this design makes them efficient in providing higher quality screen resolution and a more extensive range of color.
Advantages
- More efficient than the LCDs
- Higher quality resolution
- A wider range of colors
Disadvantages
- Expensive
Summary of types of RV TVs
LCD | LED | |
Features | Powered by lights behind the glass panels | Powered by lights around the edges of the screen |
Advantages | ü Clear picture color and quality | ü More efficient than the LCDs ü Higher screen resolution ü A more extensive range of colors
|
Disadvantages | ü Thick and bulky to mount | ü Expensive
|
What to Look for buying a TV for RV
Choosing the best TV for travel trailers from the many options doesn’t have to be hard. Consider the following factors to simplify the selection of the best TV for RV use.
Size- Getting the right size of the screen is crucial. The most common size of RV television ranges from 19-24 inches. If you have limited space, there is a smaller sized RV for TVs available in the market. Don’t go for anything too small that it interferes with your viewing experience.
On the other hand, you do not want a screen too large to take up much space in your RV. Make sure the dimensions of the RV TV fits the length and width of the place you want to mount it. It should work securely and adequately.
Ports and Connections- choosing a multi-functional package ensures that you have plenty of entertainment options. It can also save you on costs. When picking a TV for a camper, consider what you want to connect to the RV TV. You will need a TV with ports for USB if you’re going to use your smartphone. HDMI ports are useful if you want to watch content in high definition. Other useful ports include an SD card slot and VGA adapters to connect your laptops or PC to your TV.
Type of TV- Not every TV is suitable if you’re looking for one for your camping and traveling needs. A home TV is not fit for an RV since it cannot withstand the vibration, bumping, and jostling during movement. The best TV for RV can withstand movement and vibration without the risk of breaking down. It should handle the weather and temperature changes, especially changes in humidity levels. Modern camper televisions now have flat antiglare screens that enable you to watch your movies or shows during the day.
Power- The standard for RV voltage convenient for a camper, mobile home or travel trailer is typically 12V. Some models make use of a conventional AC/DC power, while others use an AC adaptor. Be keen to pick a TV that is compatible with the power system in your RV. You can choose a 12 Volt TV that uses batteries for a power source in case you don’t have a generator.
Mounting- The space in an RV is typically limited, so the best TV mount for RV should allow some space for mounting. If your RV will enable you to mount the TV on the interior wall, make sure you get a mount that can hold it firmly and securely.
Recommendation: LCDs are ideal options for camper TV for their slimmer design, which might take less space. Additionally, they can handle the jolting and bouncing quite well when you’re on the move.
FAQs
What is RV TV?
It is a type of television specially designed for use in a recreational vehicle. It’s one of the best ways to entertain yourself while you’re traveling or living in an RV.
The RV TV can withstand any irregular movement like bumps, jolting, and vibrations on the road. Unlike regular TVs, it can absorb shock from impacts that would otherwise cause damage.
How to choose the right size and mounting options
If you want to select the right size and mounting options for your motorhome TV, be keen on the specifications. You must be sure on whether you want your RV TV to be firm in one place, or to rotate in angles.
How to get satellite TV for RV
A satellite dish is essential because it acts as a booster for your RV TV. You can subscribe to satellite services such as Direct TV or Dish Network if you want a satellite TV. Ensure that the Satellite TV package is suitable for receiving satellite signals. For installation, you can mount the dish onto your RV. If you have a portable satellite dish, you can place it outside the vehicle when you’re stationary.
What are good RV TV brands?
Some of the best brands you can choose from include Supersonic, AXESS, Sceptre, Proscan, NAXA, and Jensen.
What is the best 12-volt TV?
According to the current 12-volt TV reviews, Sceptre E246BD-SMQK 24-inch 720p TV DVD combination is the best 12-volt flat-screen TV for RV in the market. It has a TV and DVD player in one package. It also has numerous ports for multi-functionality.
Why Use a 12-Volt TV?
The 12-Volt battery powered RV TVs are the most convenient to use in RVs and motorhomes. Alternatively, many 12-Volts TV for RV comes with an AC adaptor is you’re using other power sources.
Who makes summit TV for RV?
Dual Electronics Corporation owns Jensen TV. As one of the pioneers of RV TVs, he has remained a consistent contributor to the RV world, with top-quality innovations on RV televisions and accessories.
Can you put a regular TV in an RV?
No, a regular TV is heavy and is unsuitable for movement. The manufactures of an RV TV have designed it to withstand the movements and vibrations inside a moving vehicle. Additionally, a regular TV might be incompatible with the available AC/DC plugins in the RV
How high should a flat-screen TV be mounted on the wall?
For the best viewing experience, you should position the middle of your TV screen directly to the level of your eyes. Mounting your TV too high might cause neck strains.
Conclusion
Traveling in a recreational vehicle is fun, but it can be more fun with the right source of entertainment. With the best TV for a motorhome in your vehicle, you can keep your children entertained while on the move. You can also watch the news and your favorite TV shows with the convenience of being at home.
Remember that a regular TV cannot replace the functions of an RV TV since it cannot withstand vibrations when a vehicle is moving. It might also be incompatible with the AC/DC functions of RVs.
When choosing a new 12-volt TV for RV, the process can be more straightforward if you understand your needs. Make sure you consider the voltage, size, type, television power, functions, and mounting options. The model and brand of choice should work best for your particular lifestyle.