Everyone wants to enjoy the comforts of home, even in the great outdoors. The good news is that you can bring some familiarity into nature with you by investing in a battery-operated portable TV.
With so many different options available on the market, you’ll need to consider the features, power source, sound, and more before making a purchase.
To make your decision easier, we’ve put together this list of the best options for camping to give you an objective look.
If you are in a hurry and just want to find out which is the best battery operated TV for camping, then we’d recommend the Tyler TTV705-14 14” Portable TV.
Best Battery Operated Camping TV
- Tyler 7-Inch Portable TV
- Tyler TTV706 10” Portable Widescreen 1080p
- Tyler 13.3 Inch Portable TV
- Tyler 14 Inch Portable TV (Top Pick)
- Trexonic 12 Inch LED TV
- LEADSTAR 14 Inch Portable TV (High End)
- Milanix 13.3 Inch Portable Digital TV
- Supersonic SC-195 Inch Portable TV (Budget Buy)
Compare Top Battery Operated TVs For Camping
PRODUCT | OVERALL SCORE | BOTTOM LINE | PRICE |
---|---|---|---|
Trexonic 12 Inch | 78 | Extremely lightweight | Check On Amazon |
Tyler 14 Inch | 86 | Best price for features and size | Check On Amazon |
Tyler 7-Inch | 80 | Great for a small screen | Check Out On Amazon |
Tyler 13.3 Inch | 84 | Best value for the money | Check On Amazon |
LEADSTAR 14 Inch | 82 | Great price for a solid name brand | Check On Amazon |
Supersonic SC-195 | 78 | Small investment for decent quality | Check On Amazon |
Milanix 13.3 Inch | 82 | Lightweight for a bigger screen | Check On Amazon |
Tyler 10 Inch | 86 | Lightweight with long battery | Check Out On Amazon |
Detailed Analysis Of Different Battery Operated Camping TVs
1. Tyler 7” Portable TV
Overall Score: 80
Advantages
- Tons of features with an LED HDTV screen
- Built-in speakers with volume control
- Lightweight
- Rechargeable built-in battery
Disadvantages
- Low resolution
Features
If you want a TV that comes loaded with features, the Tyler 7” Portable TV with an LED and HDTV screen is the right fit for you.
It is extremely compact and comes with dual AV inputs for DVDs and gaming, a headphone jack so that you don’t disturb your tentmate and a built-in stand.
It even comes with a remote control and a car charger.
This portable TV can also be used as a computer monitor for those who have to get a little work done while in the great outdoors.
It works with security cameras, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Roku, to name just a few.
Keep in mind that it only has a 720p resolution, which isn’t the highest you’ll find in a portable TV.
Power Source
While this portable TV is technically battery-operated, you won’t have to spend your hard-earned cash on replacing the batteries all the time. It has a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts up to four hours.
This television has a 12-volt AV power charging cord to make juicing up your battery a breeze.
Sound
While some portable TVs require you to have separate speakers to adequately hear them, this version from Tyler doesn’t.
It has two built-in speakers with volume control, so you’ve got excellent surround sound without extra weight, cords, and items.
Weight
Campers who plan to carry all their gear to a campsite must keep weight in mind. You want the luxuries of home, but you don’t need to add unnecessary poundage to your pack.
The good news is that the Tyler 7” has one of the lowest weights at just 2.2 pounds. You won’t exactly be struggling carrying this weight.
Pricing
One of the great features of the Tyler 7” Portable TV is its overall price. Without breaking the bank, you can get a great TV with an LED screen and tons of features.
It won’t break the bank, and you’ll get plenty of use out of this model.
2. Tyler TTV706 10” Portable Widescreen 1080p
Overall Score: 86
Advantages
- Long battery life
- Built-in speakers with adequate sound
- Lightweight
Disadvantages
- Minimal bass through the speakers
Features
Like other Tyler portable TVs, you’ll find that this TTV706 is packed full of great features.
The 10” widescreen television is both an LED and HDTV, so you don’t have to sacrifice picture quality just because you’re roughing it.
It comes with HDMI, USB or SD inputs, and dual AV inputs so you can watch DVDs or play video games.
Enjoy the privacy of watching your favorite shows while your tentmate sleeps. It even includes an FM radio so you can listen to the chart-topping hits of your favorite artists while watching the sunset.
Power Source
Batteries are expensive. The good news is that you won’t need to invest in a new set whenever you want to go camping.
It comes with a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that you can charge with the 12-volt AV power charging cord or even the car charger. It should last for about four hours.
Sound
The sound quality on this TV is great, considering that you don’t need fancy equipment to make it sing. It comes with built-in speakers that make it easy for you to control the volume with ease.
The only complaint is that it doesn’t have great bass, but the sound is still fairly good for the price.
Weight
The weight of this portable TV is one area where it truly shines. It comes in at just 1.5 pounds, making it even lighter than the 7” offering from the same brand.
While it may take up a bit more space in your pack, it’ll allow you to travel lighter.
Pricing
For just a few dollars more than the 7” screen, you can get a screen that is almost 50 percent bigger. This 10” portable TV comes with many of the same features.
If you plan to watch television often on your camping excursions, having a bigger screen is worth the extra money.
3. Tyler 13.3” Portable TV
Overall Score: 84
Advantages
- 1080p resolution with an LCD screen
- Built-in rechargeable battery
- Better sound system
- Great value for the money
Disadvantages
- May need an extra-strength antenna
Features
The Tyler 13.3” portable TV has no new and upgraded features above what is found in the 7” and 10” versions from the same brand.
While it does have tons of features to include in a review, it’s nothing revolutionary apart from the larger screen size.
It comes with USB and SD inputs, dual AV for DVD players and gaming consoles, headphone jack, FM radio, remote control, and more.
You’ll love that it can connect with almost any other device you might want: computer monitors, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Firestick, Chromecast, and other similar products.
It can pick up stations approximately 15 miles away with its included antennas.
Power Source
Like the other Tyler products, this portable TV contains a built-in rechargeable lithium battery.
It can be charged with a 12-volt AV power charging cord or the car charger if you have no electricity at your campsite. It gives you four hours of quality play time on a full charge.
Sound
While many of the features are the same on this 13.3” model compared to the 7” and 10” models, the sound is one area where it shines.
It has built-in speakers to eliminate the need for cords and wires, but the quality is significantly improved over the smaller versions. It sounds a bit less tinny and the sound is clear even at low volumes.
Weight
You may get a bigger screen, excellent features, and a better sound system, but weight is the trade you’ll be making.
It is significantly heavier than the two smaller versions, which can be expected from a bigger model.
It won’t break your back if you have to trek into the woods with it, but it does weigh close to 4 pounds and will take up more room in your pack.
Price
This isn’t the cheapest portable TV you can buy for camping, but it’s still a good value. Coming in at a decent price point, you’ll get a much bigger LCD screen size at 1080p resolution.
It’s a great value if you’re considering enjoying your favorite shows while camping.
4. Tyler TTV705-14 14” Portable TV
Overall Score: 86
Advantages
- Loaded with features
- Large screen with great 1080p resolution
- Built-in stand and speakers
Disadvantages
- Heavy
Features
This is one of the best portable TVs for campers who want something packed with features.
This model includes all of the same features as the other Tyler portable TVs: HDMI and USB ports, a headphone jack, FM radio, and built-in antennas that can find stations up to 15 miles away.
Like the larger screen sizes, it also comes with a 1080p resolution to get the crispest and clearest quality from your favorite shows, games, and DVDs.
A built-in stand makes it easier to view and watch from the comfort of your sleeping bag or around the campfire.
Power Source
One of the best aspects of all Tyler portable TVs is that they come with a built-in lithium battery. This means that they will run efficiently, even in colder temperatures.
You can charge it with a 12-volt charger or use a car charger. A fully-charged battery should last roughly four hours.
Sound
You can’t be too picky about the sound quality with built-in speakers. Most users find that the sound quality on the Tyler 14” is adequate for such a small television.
While you may not get the robust sound of surround sound speakers, it offers great quality for the outdoors.
Weight
If weight is of the utmost importance to you, you may want to reconsider this larger TV. It will take up slightly more room in your pack than the smaller ones, and it will also weigh you down a bit more.
This model weighs in at just under five pounds, making it one of the heavier models on this list.
Price
Believe it or not, there isn’t a huge price difference between the 13.3” model and the 14” model. You can get a slightly bigger screen with the same features for just a few dollars more.
Remember that this TV is larger, though, and it may not fit in your pack, even if it’s more cost-effective.
5. Trexonic Ultra Lightweight 12” LED TV
Overall Score: 78
Advantages
- Extremely lightweight
- Bigger screen size with adequate sound
Disadvantages
- Short battery life
- Lower resolution
Features
If you want a great television with an LED screen that will last, then the Trexonic is a great fit. It includes HDMI, SD, USB ports, and a headphone jack.
This makes it ideal for you to use both at the campsite and in the car or around the house. It includes a built-in tuner and a detachable telescope antenna to find local stations.
One thing to be aware of with this offering from Trexonic is that it does have a lower resolution than many other portable TVs.
It comes in at just 720p which is relatively low, even for models that happen to be the same size.
Power Source
This model has rechargeable batteries that can be charged via a standard wall outlet. It can also be charged from the car, though the charger for this application isn’t included.
The battery is limited, lasting only 30 minutes to 2 hours on average.
Sound
You won’t have to worry about carting unnecessary equipment to your campsite with built-in speakers. The good news is that this model is found to have adequate sound given its size.
While you may not have booming bass and perfectly calibrated sound, it is still good for a portable TV.
Weight
One of the standout features of this 12” TV is that it’s extremely lightweight for the larger screen size. It comes in at just 2.5 pounds, making it one of the lightest options on the market.
This is a great option for anyone concerned about every spare pound in their pack if you’ll be hiking a long way.
Price
The Trexonic Ultra Lightweight TV may not provide the best value for features and screen resolution. It is still relatively inexpensive, but it does cost more than the Tyler 7” which has the same low resolution.
If size is more important to you than image quality, this is still a great value.
6. Leadstar 14-Inch Portable Digital TV
Overall Score: 82
Advantages
- Great resolution with LED screen
- Lithium polymer battery
- Good sound quality
Disadvantages
- Expensive
Features
This TV is a great option from a leading manufacturer of these devices. As you might expect with a portable TV with a larger LED screen, the resolution on the Leadstar is excellent at 1080p.
This should be the standard you look for to ensure that you get a sharp image on your TV, regardless of size.
In addition to the clear picture, you will also get a few nice features like FM radio, AV inputs, and an antenna to help you get the local channels.
It comes equipped with a remote control (batteries not included). The TV has a headphone jack so you can listen to your TV even when your tentmate is sleeping.
Power Source
One thing to note is that most portable televisions use lithium-ion batteries, but this one uses a lithium polymer battery. These types of batteries are excellent and tend to last for quite a while.
They also charge quickly and easily. You can typically use it for about four hours before the battery needs to be charged again.
Sound
Like many other options, the Leadstar has built-in speakers, and most people agree that the sound is adequate. Its stereo loudspeakers can easily be heard and project quite well with the volume turned up.
However, you can improve the sound by pairing it with a separate speaker that can plug into the headphone jack.
It might be well worth the investment, depending on how particular you are with your sound quality while watching your favorite shows.
Weight
This portable TV is great for those who want a bigger screen but don’t want to add much extra weight to their camping gear. For a 14” screen, the Leadstar is a very reasonable 4.18 pounds.
It also has no bulky equipment or stands that can prevent it from fitting nicely into your pack. Overall, it’s a great shape and size for camping.
Price
Unfortunately, the Leadstar 14” Portable Digital TV doesn’t rank in price.
It is easily one of the most expensive TVs on this list, but it could be well worth the investment if having a larger screen is one of your main concerns.
Compared to other large screen TVs, this one isn’t that much more expensive. However, it can be almost double the price of the more modest 7” portable TVs.
7. Milanix 13.3” Portable Widescreen LED TV
Overall Score: 82
Advantages
- Detachable antennas
- Very lightweight for the size
- Affordable
Disadvantages
- Short battery life
Features
In addition to being an extremely sleek model, the Milanix is full of great features that you’ll want while you’re in the great outdoors.
Like many other options, it features a digital tuner built into the system so that you can find ATSC digital or NTSC analog on your screen.
It also comes with USB and SD inputs, a headphone jack, and AV inputs to hook it up to your DVD player or gaming console.
This portable TV supports most formats you’ll play including GM, AVI, MPEG, MP3, MP3, JPEG, and more. As a bonus, it’s also compatible with all streaming devices like Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Firestick.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have built-in antennas. Instead, you can detach them when you’re not using them.
Power Source
It comes with a rechargeable lithium battery that is ideal for camping in winter weather. The one complaint that many people have regarding this television is that it doesn’t hold a charge for very long.
Most people find that it lasts, at most, two hours.
Sound
The sound on this television is great, but some people feel it could be improved. Consider purchasing a small speaker if you want a slightly louder sound or a different sound quality.
It can be plugged into the headphone jack included in this model and can make all the difference in how you enjoy your television in the great outdoors.
Weight
You’ll be pleasantly surprised at just how little it weighs for such a large screen. It’ll take up a bit more room in your pack for the 13.3” screen, but it will only weigh just a tad over three pounds.
This gives you a great compromise between size, quality, and weight for those who are picky about what goes in their pack.
Price
If you don’t want to spend a small fortune on a portable TV but want a bigger screen for any reason, then you may want to consider the Milanix. It’s a reasonably priced model, given its size and loaded features.
8. SuperSonic SC-195 Portable Widescreen LCD
Overall Score: 78
Advantages
- Compatibility with most streaming devices
- Detachable antenna can be upgraded
- Low price
Disadvantages
- Lower screen resolution
- Small screen size
Features
This device is a great option for campers who want to enjoy the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort. It features a small 7” screen that won’t take up too much space in your pack.
It has many other great features, including AC/DC, USB, and MMC inputs and compatibility with streaming devices (Roku, Firestick, and Chromecast).
Much like the Milanix, this option from SuperSonic has a detachable antenna.
This means that you can get a more powerful antenna if you want to channel stations that are farther away than what the standard telescoping antenna can reach.
You may want to opt for this upgrade if you plan to use it for local channels that are more than 10 to 15 miles away. It does have a lower resolution of 480i.
Power Source
Like all the other options on our ranking of the best portable TVs for camping, the SuperSonic has a built-in battery that lasts two to three hours.
This isn’t as good as the Tyler TVs, but it does beat some of the others on the market.
Sound
The built-in speakers on this model leave a little something to be desired. Most people classify the sound it produces as relatively weak, though it can project quite well.
Remember that the speakers are on the back of this TV instead of the front, so you won’t want to muffle the sound by placing it on your sleeping bag.
Weight
One of the best things about opting for a smaller portable TV is the lower weight.
It’s great for those who try to be economical with their pack weight but still want to enjoy all of the comforts of home – including television or gaming.
This option from SuperSonic comes in at just 1.26 pounds.
Price
If you don’t mind some of the drawbacks of this model from SuperSonic and don’t want to invest much into a new portable TV, it might be a great fit for you.
It’s not at all expensive, making it an affordable option in line with many of its competitors for the same 7” screen size.
Final Thoughts
At the end of this roundup of the best portable TVs for camping, it’s important to note which one is the best fit for you.
It depends on how big you want the screen to be and what features you hope for on your next camping expedition.
Based on the criteria included here, the Tyler TTV705-14 14” Portable TV has the perfect blend of features, a great battery life, and is lightweight.
Consider adding this model to your camping equipment today!