Binge-watching is a term that’s ubiquitous with the modern TV industry. With the rise of streaming services, it’s become easier than ever to get completely lost in hours and hours of our favourite content. We spend countless hours in front of our TVs. So we need to be sure that our TVs are able to put up with these extensive box-set marathons.
But how can you be sure that your TV will be by your side through all of the entertainment that awaits you? How many years does a TV usually tend to last?
Whether you’re looking to get your first TV, or you’re wondering whether your TV needs to be replaced, you’ll want to be sure it’s going to last you for years to come. In this ultimate guide, we’re going to chart the average lifespans of the most popular TVs, so why not join us down below?
How Many Years Should A TV Usually Last?
On average, most TVs tend to last around 7 to 10 years of frequent usage. Even at its maximum brightness, a TV can easily last for up to 100,000 total hours of use.
TVs are built to last. Major manufacturers like Samsung, LG, and Philips, amongst countless others, pride themselves on the quality of their TVs. When we say quality, we don’t just refer to the fidelity of the image on-screen, but also the physical construction of the unit itself! TVs made from higher quality materials are able to last much longer.
This is why it is always recommended to look out for the most prestigious names in the industry when searching for your dream TV. Though they may cost more, TVs from brands like Samsung are guaranteed to last much longer.
If you want to be sure that your TV is going to last, it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled for healthy warranty periods. Samsung TVs, for instance, often have incredible 5-year warranties. A healthy warranty is a seal of quality. Samsung’s 5-year warranty proves that their TVs are designed to last much longer than the warranty window!
How Many Years Does An OLED TV Last?
OLED TVs, similarly to other TVs, can easily last for upwards of ten years. However, it’s worth noting that OLED TVs are especially vulnerable to screen burn. A condition that could see an otherwise healthy OLED TV’s life cut tear-jerkingly short! Screen burn involves static images literally burning into the display of a TV, which makes it difficult to enjoy other content once the problem has occurred.
Luckily, many OLED TVs come packaged with automatic features that help to prevent screen burn. These include screensavers or automatic shut-offs that kick in after an amount of time has passed without any activity.
How Many Years Does A QLED TV Last?
QLED TVs can easily last more than 10 years of use, and they are even more likely to last this long! QLED TVs make use of a backlight, which protects them from developing any screen burn issues.
How Many Years Does A Smart TV Last?
Smart TVs can vary a lot more in terms of their total lifespans. They can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years, depending on how well you care for them. Smart TVs are often fitted with highly specific components that can be very expensive to replace. If a small part of your smart TV were to break, it might actually be cheaper to replace it, rather than repair it!
How To Extend The Life Of A TV
If you’re worried that your TV might not see its full 10 years of use, there are a few things you can do to help increase its longevity.
Take Care Of The TV
Many of us go for years without ever physically touching our TVs. It’s easy to assume that you’d never need to dust your TV, or otherwise care for it. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth!
We recommend regularly grabbing a feather duster, and quickly giving the TV a once-over all around. This helps to keep dust from reaching inside the unit. Dust can easily damage the internal components of a TV!
Leave Space For Ventilation
Every electronic appliance, regardless of size or purpose, generates heat while active. The heat generated by a TV needs to escape from somewhere, so it’s important to ensure that your TV’s ventilation ports are uncovered.
Lower Your Brightness
Higher brightnesses demand more from the components found in your TV. As such, you should try to keep the brightness low on your TV wherever you can. This will also help to reduce the risk of eye strain, leaving you less bleary-eyed!
Turn It Off!
Don’t simply leave your TV running under the vague assumption that you might return to it in a few minutes. It’s always best to turn your TV off whenever it’s not in use, to avoid the risk of screen burn or the degradation of components in the screen!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Years Does A TV Usually Last?
Luckily, if you’ve ever worried about how much longer your TV has left, you can rest assured that most average TVs can easily last longer than 10 years! To help your TV to last this long, be sure to take great care of it. Turn it off when not in use, and lower the brightness while watching!
Can A TV Last 10 Years?
Absolutely. A TV can easily last 10 years of frequent use, but you need to be sure you’re looking after it. TVs can quickly degrade if they are left unmaintained. Even simply going over the TV with a feather duster can go a long way towards extending its lifespan! Just make sure not to go overboard. Cleaning chemicals will eat away at the materials on your TV’s screen!
How Do You Know When Your TV Is Going Bad?
There are actually a number of potential signs that your TV might be on its last legs. If the display simply doesn’t look as good as it once did, then you likely have a problem. Is the image dull? Does it lack brightness? If the TV is also difficult to use then it might be worth upgrading. A TV should never be difficult to interact with!
Does Leaving The TV On Damage It?
Absolutely. Leaving your TV on places significant strain on a number of components in your TV. Maintaining an image will cause numerous components in your TV to generate heat, which will cause them to degrade at a much faster rate. Leaving an OLED TV on can be particularly disastrous, as it can result in permanent screen burn!
