SunBrite Veranda 2Series guide

SunBriteTV 55-inch Veranda Outdoor TV Review

The SunBriteTV 55-inch Veranda (SB-V-55-4KHDR-BL) expands on the previous model's impressive weatherproof design with improved picture, better sound and the addition of HDR support.

Tom's Guide Verdict

The outdoor TV to get. The weather proof design is rock-solid, and the TV has better picture quality and sound than the previous version.

Today's best TVs are sharper and smarter than ever, but not many of them can go outside. Thankfully, there's the SunBriteTV 55-inch Veranda (SB-V-55-4KHDR-BL), an outdoor TV that puts 4K resolution and HDR support into a weatherproof package that can withstand rain, dust, temperature extremes and even bugs. The protective design gives the Veranda a premium price, but after testing the TV and viewing it indoors and out, it's worth the expense as the best outdoor TV we've seen and one of the best 55-inch TVs overall.

THE BOTTOM LINE

The SunBriteTV Veranda Series 3 offers a colorful picture and Android TV smart features in a rugged, weatherproof design built for outdoor use.

Most TVs aren’t built to survive the elements, let alone pouring rain, blowing snow, flying sand, or scorching sun. SunBriteTV’s Veranda Series 3, on the other hand, is designed for the outdoors. In addition, it offers a few key advantages over previous Veranda models, including a brighter and much more colorful picture with support for Dolby Vision, as well as a full suite of Android TV features such as streaming media services, Google Assistant voice control, and the ability to mirror your phone. At $2,898.95, the 55-inch SB-V3-55-4KHDR-BL model we tested is notably pricier than even high-end indoor TVs like the LG C2 Evo OLED ($1,799.99), but you're paying a premium for a TV you can use outside without worry. For its visual performance and rugged build, the SunBriteTV Veranda Series 3 earns our Editors’ Choice award for outdoor TVs.

It's too bad you have to choose between watching TV and being outdoors. But wait! Enter SunBrite, a company that specializes specifically in TVs meant for permanent outdoor installation. The latest (2017) SunBrites offer up newer TV tech advancements like 4K resolution, while maintaining the same standards for weather- and water-proofing we've seen on past models we've reviewed.

We got one of the Veranda series—the more entry-level line meant for "full-shade" installation in places like porches and patios—and put it through its paces. Specifically, we brought it out in the bright Boston snow—and into our dark, dark test labs—to see how it held up.

If you've got a very nice outside area that's been begging for a TV installation—or maybe you own a business with outdoor seating—SunBrite's Veranda line is an excellent investment for both durability and picture quality. Here's what we found out.