Why You Can Trust CNET Mounting a TV in Your Bathroom Is Just Flushing Money Away
It might seem like a great thing to do, but putting a TV in your bathroom is a bad idea. Here's why.
A TV in the bathroom may seem cool, but there are lots of issues.
Watching your favorite shows while you're relaxing in the tub, or catching up on the morning's news while you're getting ready for work -- it can seem totally logical to put a TV in the bathroom. Though the best TVs can be a little expensive for such an endeavor, there are tons of smaller, cheaper models that might seem fine for it.
Permanently mounting a TV in your bathroom, however, should be approached with caution. Generally, it's a bad idea. Other than outside, bathrooms are the worst place for electronics. Manufacturers include warnings and might even refuse to honor a warranty if the TV is placed anywhere near showers or tubs.
But if you absolutely must, mounting a TV in the bathroom is technically doable, as long as you know what you're getting into. Here's what you need to know.
Bathroom TV (doo)do's and don'ts
This bathroom is nicer than my entire house.
A bathroom is a bad place 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 above 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 extremely hot, cold, humid or dusty places. Consequently, we recommend that you do not install your Samsung TV in a bathroom or any other room with high humidity.
Here's the relevant section in LG owner's manual for last year's LED LCDs:
Do not place 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 easily be exposed to steam or oil.
- Do not expose to dripping or splashing and do not place objects filled with liquids, such as vases, cups, etc. on or over the apparatus (e.g., on shelves above the unit).Otherwise, this may result in fire, electric shock, 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 pretty much par for the bathroom course.
Will humidity destroy the TV instantly? Probably not, and that's part of the problem. You'll likely hear or read plenty of anecdotal stories about how someone put a regular TV in their bathroom and it was "fine." However, these people probably won't follow up with how the TV later died "for no reason."
I could tub here.
To compound the problem, most people will want to put the TV where it's easily viewable from the tub or shower, namely up out of the way. Unfortunately heat and steam rise, especially when drawn ceiling-ward by a bathroom fan.
There are waterproof TVs designed for high-humidity areas but, as you'd guess, they're more expensive than regular 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 standard TVs of similar size.
Also, be wary of any lists on sites like Best Buy or Amazon that seem to suggest "bathroom TVs." These are filled with normal, small TVs that shouldn't be in a bathroom.
Big screen bathroom blunders
Like other waterproof gear, for example headphones and Bluetooth speakers , waterproof TVs should have an IP rating. For example, "IP66-Certified Waterproof" means it's sealed against dust and jets of water aimed directly at the device.
Voice control would be a plus, for sure, but don't expect waterproof TVs to have the same features as a typical TV. For that matter, their smart TV interfaces are likely worse than you're used to, and might not have all the streaming services you'd want. Check user reviews carefully, if you can find any.
Add a fridge and I think I could live here.
What's not important? Resolution. Don't worry if the TV is 1080p or 720p. With small TVs you're not likely to see much of a difference, if any.
It's also worth checking to see if your Wi-Fi is up to the task. The signal might be strong enough to surf the web while you're enshrined on your throne, but streaming video is another story. You probably don't need to get any new gear, just give your current Wi-Fi a tuneup.
Better hope it's splash-proof.
Check local building codes for any specific regulations 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 guide and likely not something for the average DIYer.
Largely logical lavatory options
Totally natural towel placement.
Maybe you don't need a "TV." Smart home displays like the Amazon Echo Show and Google Nest Hub can fit just about 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 years. Certainly not a TV, but you can listen to music, news or podcasts. They have the added benefit of being inexpensive and, of course, portable.
Mirror mirror on the wall, play for me The Gilded Age.
A common option is a tablet, usually with the addition of some kind of stand or bath tray. Certainly risky 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 handle a smaller screen, it's definitely a safer bath-time option.
'Bathroom TV, you're the one'
With a TV that's designed for it, or something inexpensive you don't mind replacing regularly, TVs in the bathroom are certainly better than holding your phone with one hand and your toothbrush in the other.
That said, while there are plenty of good places to mount your TV, there are a few places where you might want to think twice about it. The bathroom is one of those places. It's actually about the worst type of environment for any electronic device, but it's especially bad for TVs. If you're so hooked on a show you're streaming that you don't want to hit pause even for a bathroom break, consider any other option than permanently mounting a television.
As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000 mile road trips, and more. Check out Tech Treks for all his tours and adventures.
He wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines, along with a sequel. You can follow his adventures on Instagram and his YouTube channel.