On long car/plane rides, on camping trips, and other locations where a charging outlet is not accessible, the best portable TVs offer endless entertainment and companionship. The size, the number of input options, charging options, run time, and signal quality were the subjects of our analysis.
We also looked at auxiliary features such as fold-out stands, other accessories for mounting, and international flexibility for use. You will be able to fill up even the best TV mounts with either of these options. See also our reviews for the best Roku TVs, the best 4k TVs, the best smart TVs, and also best-curved TVs.
How we chose the best portable TVs?
In determining the best portable TV to buy, we explored size, the number of input options, image/sound quality, power options, and recharging times. Our minimum recommended size is 7 inches (see our second pick Milanix MX7), which offers a good TV-watching experience when placed atop airplane seatback trays or laps.
The number of input options allows users to playback media from different devices (e.g., USB for Amazon Fire Stick and an SD drive for high res photos), with or without an internet connection. Power options are very significant. All of our picks can be charged using a standard wall outlet or car charger, keeping it on indefinitely when plugged in. Built-in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries help save tremendously on batteries, which offer average run times of 2 to 3 hours once fully charged.
Our top pick goes to the Tyler TTV705-14 14′′ Portable TV after hours of research and testing. It has the biggest screen size on our list (14 inches) and a leading battery life of 4 hours, along with a range of health signals and crisp sound and audio quality. To learn more about the Tyler TTV705-14 14′′ Portable TV and others that made the cut, keep reading.
Top Portable TVs You Need to See
1. Tyler TTV705-14 14″ Portable TV – Our Best Pick
Up to 4 hours of battery life and a wide 14-inch screen are offered by this portable TV. If you use media from various devices, including a gaming console, streaming sticks, or SD cards, it is an excellent option.
It connects to broadcasts within a 15-mile radius, thanks to the built-in antenna of this Tyler portable TV. It also has built-in digital tuners for ATSC and NTSC, which transmit analogue and digital signals. A fully functioning remote control also comes with this portable television. Without compromising on functionality, this LCD TV is tiny and compact. The image quality was very sharp during testing, and its sensitive tuner actually tuned well into signals, showing crisp images with little distortion. It also contains a radio with FM.
We like the various input options of this portable TV (USB, HDMI, headphone jacks, SD), compatible with many peripherals, including gaming systems and TV streaming devices such as Roku and Amazon Fire Stick. This allows thousands of movies and TV episodes with a good WiFi or 4G link to be accessed instantly. We like this for long flights (assuming you have a portable battery). It would be good if this portable television had a detachable antenna, as the Milanix portable widescreen LCD TV. Don’t forget that the best smart tv keyboard is also required for your TV.
- Best battery life
- 4-hour battery life
- Great signal reception
- Screen scratches easily
- So-so 1 year warranty
- Bulky (almost 5 pounds)
2. Milanix MX7 7″ Portable TV – Runner up
With a small 7-inch screen and up to 90 minutes of running time, this is the perfect portable TV for camping. For those looking to watch TV outdoors, it is an excellent option.
With sharp, high-resolution images that really pop, we love this portable TV’s LCD screen. Two built-in antennas also help amplify signals, and an external signal boost antenna, which was sufficient enough in a heavily populated suburb to receive 33 channels. Plus, on long car journeys, it weighs less than 3 pounds, making it easy to place on your lap. This portable LCD widescreen TV comes with detachable antennas, a slot for USB/SD cards, AV inputs, and a digital tuner built-in. On this portable widescreen LCD TV, the detachable antennas allow the viewing of channels without streaming.
While a built-in lithium-ion battery is used on this portable TV, it only runs for up to 90 minutes. However, to run continuously, it can be plugged in using your car’s charger. Has got extra credits from Electrical Testing Laboratories, an agency that sets product quality requirements, for its ETL certification. The 7 inch SuperSonic SC-499 Portable widescreen LCD TV with built-in Optical Tuner on Amazon is another portable television.
It has a rechargeable battery and also comes with a USB port plus AC/DC adapter and MMC inputs, an earphone jack, a built-in speaker, and a full-featured remote control, however, unfortunately, this portable digital TV does not have an integrated DVD player. It is also one of today’s best portable televisions on the market. The best TV antenna will also make your local channels look awesome.
- Best budget
- Very lightweight
- ETL-certified
- So-so battery life
- May be too small for some people
3. Leadstar 10 Inch Portable TV – Best Affordable Pick
This is the best portable TV for cars, with a mini antenna, a car windscreen mount, and a car charger. For road trippers, it is a perfect option.
We like the built-in antenna and signal reception of this leadstar portable TV, with 17 channels discovered during the scanning process. The quality of sound and visuals is also solid, generating clear images with balanced tones and a lack of muffling or distortion. This portable digital TV has an FM feature and comes with an antenna, remote control and a car mount holder for the windscreen. This is a 10.1′′ optical LED TV with a screen ratio of 16:9 and a resolution of 1024×600 SD.
The run time of a 100 percent charge was roughly 3 hours while watching programmes. Without needing to continuously reach a wall or AC outlet to recharge, we enjoy the long runtime. This is also the best gaming portable TV, with input connections to your Nintendo Switch and other handhelds, along with picture and video replay inputs for SD card, HDMI, and USB thumb drive. However, as with the Milanix portable widescreen LCD TV, it would be good if this LED TV had a detachable antenna. Check out the best gaming TVs for a gaming-specific TV.
- Best for car
- Very lightweight (1.7 pounds)
- Great customer service
- Remove control not intuitive
4. Pyle PLTV1053 10-inch Portable TV
This Pyle portable TV comes with two fantastic built-in stereo speakers that sound great and a stunning 10 inch LCD monitor. It’s a perfect choice for anyone who wants a portable TV with great sound.
Multiple media types, such as A/V, USB, and micro SD, can be supported by this portable TV. This enables both image and video files to be played, as well as streaming devices such as the Amazon Fire Stick. Bonus points for the built-in 3.7V lithium rechargeable battery, good enough for up to three hours of playtime. This compact digital TV features a 10.1-inch high-resolution 1024-600-pixel TFT LCD display, a 16:9 aspect ratio with measurements of 1.2” L x 7.4” W x 1.2” H.
This portable TV’s built-in stereo speakers, which really hit the right notes, really amazed us. With 12 local stations discovered during testing, a stretchable antenna also picks up the signal and provides direct reception. It might not be the best 75-inch TV, but one of the best portable TVs on the market.
- Large display
- Easy to use interface
- Awkward remote control button placement
- Flimsy tilting stand
5. GJY NS-901 10.1 Inch Portable TV
This GJY portable 10.1-inch TV comes with an antenna and, on a full charge, lasts up to 3 hours. With NTSC and ATSC tuners built-in, whether you want to watch digital or analogue broadcasts, it is a great option.
We admire the antennas on this portable TV. It was able to pick up 24 channels in a low-density Florida suburb during testing. This is a 720p-resolution 10.6 inch LCD display. A USB, HDMI, and Micro SD card reader are also included in the input options, compatible with many streaming TV devices and audio/video playback. Unfortunately, DVD playback is not supported, nor does it include a built-in DVD player. With MP3/MP4/JPEG/DIVX/AVI/MPG/VOB formats, this portable digital TV supports HD video.
Bonus points for a 3-hour charge, making it a decent choice for a picnic. A built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery and two chargers, a car charger and an AC/DC adapter are provided for this portable TV.
Inserting SD cards and USB drives resulted in feedback that was almost instantaneous. On a 16:9 panel, all of our favourite episodes and media files played back beautifully, looking crisp. While the quality of audio and video is outstanding, unlike our top choice, Tyler TTV705-14 14 ” Portable TV, it does not have an FM radio. At least for this unit, you won’t need the best tv wall mount.
- Includes HDTV antenna
- SD and USB-drive compatible
- Great picture quality
- Wobbly stand
- Instructions are not clearly written
- Odd button placement on remote
6. Here’s noteworthy mention: Eboxer 10-inch Portable TV
A 10-inch screen with an integrated ATSC tuner for international playback and a foldable stand is available on this digital portable TV from Eboxer. For frequent travellers, it is a perfect option.
This portable TV’s ability to pick up signals in more than five countries, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, is our favourite feature. If you are a regular traveller to these places, it’s a perfect option. Note, this portable TV is set to the ATSC standard, so only digital broadcasts are supported. We also like the fact that it supports USB, HDMI, and 1080p video, including MP3 and MOV, in more than 6 different media formats. Two built-in speakers that produce HD sound are also included. The resolution of 1080p and the 16:9 ratio provide a perfect picture.
This portable TV can comfortably sit on a make-up stand, desk, or kitchen counter, thanks to a foldable back holder. It also has both HDMI and USB ports, making it compatible with the Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, and other devices for streaming. It is also possible to link it to a cable box.
- 1080P video quality
- Supports a wide variety of digital codecs
- Loudspeakers
- Lightly written instructions
- Does not support analog TV
Best Portable TVs – What to consider before buying portable TVs?
1. Size and Weight:
Go for a portable TV with a minimum size of 7 inches, which, even when seated up to 3 feet apart, we believe provides sufficient viewing. Like the 1.76-pound Leadstar and the 2.1-pound Milanix, we also like lightweight TVs, which are a joy to let them rest on the lap.
2. Number of Input Options:
There are multiple input choices for all of our suggested picks, including USB, SD, and HDMI. This allows users to play various types of media from common devices such as Roku or with saved images and videos from a regular flash stick. While camping, if you need a larger screen than your tablet, this is an excellent playback choice. Consider smart TV with portable TVs connected to streaming sticks.
3. Power Options:
We recommend the usage of the standard wall outlet and car charging. And all our recommended picks support standard wall and car charging outlets.
4. Run Time:
Make sure the portable TV you choose delivers continuous playback of up to 3 hours. All our picks deliver that playback time using built-in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
FAQ
What is the best portable TV to buy?
The best portable TVs to buy depends on factors such as the number of devices you choose to connect with and your own viewing habits. Look for compatibility with USB if you are a streaming buff. Have a look at our top pick, Tyler TTV705, which provides the largest screen size on our list, for the biggest screen on our list (14 inches).
Do portable TVs still work?
What is the best portable TV to buy?
The best portable TVs to buy depends on factors such as the number of devices you choose to connect with and your own viewing habits. Look for compatibility with USB if you are a streaming buff. Have a look at our top pick, Tyler TTV705, which provides the largest screen size on our list, for the biggest screen on our list (14 inches).
Do portable TVs still work?
Yes, they definitely do. Those that support the NTSC and ATSC standard can connect to analog and digital broadcasts, which deliver a full range of channels.
Can I watch TV without a converter box?
Yes, you can use portable TVs that connect to digital signals without needing an analog to digital converter. If they have built-in ATSC tuners, they are already equipped to display broadcasts by high-definition television (HDTV) standards.
Can I watch TV without a converter box?
It depends on the type of TV and the type of signal it is receiving. If you have an older analog TV and you are trying to receive digital signals, then you will need a converter box. However, if you have a newer TV with a built-in digital tuner, you should be able to receive digital signals without the need for a converter box. It’s important to check the specifications of your TV to see if it has a digital tuner or not. Additionally, if you are trying to receive cable or satellite signals, you will need a receiver or set-top box provided by your cable or satellite provider.
Do you need additional equipment to use a portable tv?
It depends on the type of portable TV you have. If your portable TV has a built-in digital tuner and is designed to receive digital TV signals, then you won’t need any additional equipment. You can simply connect an antenna to the TV and tune in to local channels.
However, if your portable TV is an older model that only receives analog signals, you will need an analog-to-digital converter box. This box will convert the digital signals that your local stations now broadcast into analog signals that your TV can display.
Additionally, if you want to watch cable or satellite channels on your portable TV, you will need to have a compatible cable or satellite box, and you may need additional cables to connect the box to your TV.
Final thoughts
At the end of the day, we all prefer something that simplifies our life and allows us to recover from our busy and tiring day. Not just for your wellbeing, but for creating a stronger framework and bonding moments, tripping and being close to nature is beneficial. Tyler TTV705 Portable LCD HD TV is our top pick that offers premium quality, durability, efficiency, and outstanding features. Moreover, we hope you found a great gift for yourself or your loved one that’s sure to treasure for years to come.
