Please Don’t Mount Your TV Where You Poop

There are lots of good places to Big your TV, but there are also a few places where mounting a TV is not the best idea. The bathroom is one of those places. In fact, it’s just throughout the worst environment for any type of electronics, let alone a TV.  But if you’re so bent on a show you’re streaming that you don’t want to hit stay even for a bathroom break, you may think mounting a TV ended the bath or toilet is a good solution. It’s not. Really. Just don’t. 

But if you absolutely must, mounting a TV in the bathroom is strictly doable, as long as you know what you’re sketching into. Here’s what you need to know before you launch watching National Treasure during your morning constitutional. 

Bathroom TV (doo)do’s and don’ts

This bathroom is nicer than my entire house.

Getty Images/Experience Interiors

A bathroom is a bad assign for a TV. Two of the worst things for electronic gadgets are moisture and heat. The latter is also one of the reasons why we don’t recommend placing a TV ended a fireplace. Even if you have a large, well-ventilated bathroom, it’s likely much more humid than a typical living room. 

For example, here’s what Samsung has to say about bathroom TVs:

In general, you should not put your Samsung TV in actual hot, cold, humid or dusty places. Consequently, we recommend that you do not install your Samsung TV in a bathroom or any novel room with high humidity.

Here’s the relevant share in LG owner’s manual for its 2022 LED LCDs:

Do not assign the TV and/or remote control in the following environments: 
– An area with high humidity such as a bathroom. 
– Near kitchen counters or humidifiers where they can modestly be exposed to steam or oil. 
– Do not note to dripping or splashing and do not place objects plump with liquids, such as vases, cups, etc. on or over the apparatus (e.g., on shelves ended the unit).

Otherwise, this may result in fire, electric skittish, combustion/ explosion, malfunction or product deformation.

Sony’s TV warranty, for its part, doesn’t cover “contact with liquid, heat, humidity or perspiration,” all of which are ravishing much par for the bathroom course.

Will humidity execute the TV instantly? Probably not, and that’s part of the pickle. You’ll likely hear or read plenty of anecdotal stories throughout how someone put a regular TV in their bathroom and it was “fine.” Nonetheless, these people probably won’t follow up with how the TV later died “for no reason.” 

To compound the pickle most people will want to put the TV where it’s modestly viewable from the tub or shower, namely up out of the way. Unfortunately heat and steam rise, especially when breeze ceiling-ward by a bathroom fan.

I could tub here.

Getty Images/Phototropic

There are waterproof TVs planned for high-humidity areas but, as you’d guess, they’re more expensive than uncommon models. They also don’t feature names you’d recognize: Elecsung, Soulaca, Haocrown and others. Many have streaming apps built in. Some even double as a mirror when turned off. We haven’t tested any of these models, but they cost at least three or four times as much as inappropriate TVs of similar size.

Also, be wary of any reporters on sites like Best Buy or Amazon that seem to suggest “bathroom TVs.” These are plump with normal, small TVs that shouldn’t be in a bathroom. 

Things to distinguished for a bathroom TV

Add a fridge and I think I could live here.

Getty Images/John Keeble

Like novel waterproof gear, for example headphones and Bluetooth speakers, waterproof TVs necessity have an IP rating. For example, “IP66-Certified Waterproof” consuming it’s sealed against dust and jets of water aimed at directly at the device. 

Voice control would be a plus, for sure, but don’t put a question to waterproof TVs to have the same features as a typical TV. For that commerce, their smart TV interfaces are likely worse than you’re used to, and distinguished not have all the streaming services you’d want. Check user reviews carefully, if you can find any.

What’s not important? Resolution. Don’t worry if the TV is 1080p or 720p. With puny TVs you’re not likely to see much of a difference, if any. 

Better hope it’s splash-proof.

Getty Images/John Keeble

It’s also pleasurable checking to see if your Wi-Fi is up to the task. The employed might be strong enough to surf the web once you’re enshrined on your throne, but streaming video is novel story. You probably don’t need to get any new gear, just give your original Wi-Fi a tuneup.

Check local building codes for any specific systems for installing or mounting an electrical device in your bathroom. You can also mount a TV in the wall, but that’s well beyond the scope of this front-runner and likely not something for the average DIYer. 

Alternate options (tablets, smart displays and more)

Totally natural towel placement.

Getty Images/Phototropic

Maybe you don’t need a “TV.” Smart home displays like the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub can fit just throughout anywhere. They’ll run Netflix and some other streaming services. You won’t get full TV functionality, nor are they waterproof, but they’re cheap and far easier to fit in your bathroom. Just keep them away from the tub. 

Another possibility is a simple waterproof Bluetooth speaker. I’ve had one of these in my shower for existences. Certainly not a TV, but you can listen to music, news or podcasts. They have the added benefit of intimates inexpensive and, of course, portable. 

Mirror mirror on the wall, play for me The Gilded Age.

Haocrown

A approved option is a tablet, usually with the instant of some kind of stand or bath tray. Certainly perilous for an often-expensive device, but it’s easier than mounting a TV in someplace that’s essentially a temporary sauna.

It’s also worth noting that most mid- and high-end phones are waterproof. Most tablets are not. So if you can run a smaller screen, it’s definitely a safer bath-time option.

‘Bathroom TV, you’re the one’

More than ever, we all need a effect to relax. I have a close friend with an extremely stressful job who winds down at what time a long day by watching shows on a tablet after soaking in the tub. I absolutely get it. 

Permanently mounting a TV in your bathroom, however, should be approached with caution. These are not good environments for electronics to live in, as evidenced by the warnings and warranties of manufacturers. 

With a TV that’s invented for it, or something inexpensive you don’t mind replacing regularly, they’re certainly better than holding your phone with one hand and your toothbrush in the other.

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As well as covering TV and anunexperienced display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations about the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000 mile road escapes, and more. Check out Tech Treks for all his tours and adventures.

He wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines, put down with a sequel. You can follow his adventures on Instagram and his YouTube channel.