The best 12V smart TV for a motorhome can be an important piece of kit for a ‘van owner, whether it’s for relaxing in front of after a day’s exploring or because the elements make you decide to spend a day indoors instead.
When pitched up, ‘van owners are likely to turn to either a motorhome TV or the best campervan projector to be able to watch their favourite shows. If you’ve decided a TV is the way to go, you could get away with a domestic set if you know you will always have access to mains hook-up.
However, a 12V TV will come into its own if you intend to go off-grid or stay at festivals. This is because these more rugged sets are designed to work at 12 volts – or close to it. In many cases, they will be 12V and 240V compatible, providing some useful flexibility.
The most crucial consideration when you’re looking at a TV for a motorhome will be the screen size. As you’re going to be nearer the TV in a motorhome than you would be at home, a smaller screen will provide a better viewing experience.
Practical Motorhome’s editor, Sarah, explains how she got on with her 19.5-inch Avtex: “I initially had concerns that the 19.5-inch screen wouldn’t be large enough to view comfortably in my six-metre campervan – however, you sit fairly close to the screen in a motorhome – closer than you would at home – so this didn’t prove any issue.”
Here, we’re sharing our picks for the standout 12V motorhome TVs, with choices from brands such as Avtex, Cello and Sniper. These models are available in a variety of screen sizes, and all come with smart operating systems, such as VIDAA or WebOS, for access to streaming services, so long as you have internet in a motorhome. Don’t forget the best motorhome TV aerial either, to help you achieve a great picture. We’ve also catered to off-gridders by including TVs with built-in DVD players.
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What is the best TV for a motorhome?
Avtex W190TS 19.5-inch
Cello C1624WS-12V 16″
Falcon 24-inch Camping TV
Avtex AV215TS 21.5″
Cello C3224WSF 32″
Sniper 22-inch Smart LED Camping TV
The best 12V smart TVs for a motorhome:
Avtex W190TS 19.5-inch
- Screen size: 19.5-inch
- Also available in: 21.5-inch, 24-inch, 27-inch, 32-inch
- Operating system: WebOS
- Resolution: 1080p
- Bluetooth compatible: Yes
- Wi-Fi compatible: Yes
- Voltage: 12v / 24v DC or 240v AC
- Weight: TBC
- Dimensions: TBC
The best 12V smart TV for a motorhome overall
Reason to buy:
- Good picture quality, easy to operate, compact dimensions
Reason to avoid:
- Doesn’t have a built-in DVD player
This is the TV that Practical Motorhome’s editor Sarah has and so far, she’s been impressed by its performance.
The ease of setting up a new TV will always be something we look for in the best motorhome TVs, and Sarah has found the Avtex simple to use, commenting: “I had no problems getting it up and running”, with touches such as the remote feeling “comprehensive without being complicated” also welcome.
Good picture quality will be another crucial trait of the best 12V smart TV for a motorhome, and Sarah has reported that the W190TS has passed this test with flying colours, remarking: “I was surprised at how impressive the picture quality was – even when streaming, it looked crisp and clear with no discernable drag. The colours looked bright, too.”
Something motorhomers will want to avoid is poor sound quality, but the Avtex rose to the challenge, with Sarah noting: “I was quite impressed – it’s perfectly adequate for the confined interior space of a motorhome.” Notably, a soundbar will be an option, not a requirement, as Sarah said: “While it’s not the best I’ve heard, it was clear enough that I wouldn’t need to consider using an extra such as a sound bar.”
Screen casting was also straightforward, with Sarah adding: “I found it extremely easy to cast my iOS phone onto the TV – I had no problems getting the two devices to talk to each other.”
An understandable concern for ‘van owners will be whether their TV will be big enough. However, Sarah found this was ideal for her 6m motorhome, reporting: “This didn’t prove any issue – I also like the smaller screen size as it will fit more comfortably on the wall above the travel seats in my ‘van.” Its compact dimensions have an additional benefit, with Sarah saying: “I really like the slim nature of the unit, which means it doesn’t impose too much on the space inside the vehicle.”
One gripe Sarah has with the TV, however: “it was slightly disappointing that it didn’t come with a suitable mount – only a built-in stand.” Despite this, she doesn’t think it should pose a huge problem, as: “the mounts are readily available online, so finding one shouldn’t be an issue.”
Cello C1624WS-12V
- Screen size: 16-inch
- Operating system: WebOS by LG
- Resolution:
- Bluetooth compatible: Yes
- Wi-Fi compatible: Yes
- Voltage: 12v
- Weight: 1.7kg
- Dimensions: 374 x 274 x 120 (L x H x D in mm with stand)
Reason to buy:
- Ideal for smaller spaces, compact and lightweight
Reason to avoid:
- As it’s only 16 inches, it could be too small for some
We think this 16-inch 12v smart motorhome TV is a great choice for those who own small motorhomes and subsequently don’t have the space or the need for a larger set.
Despite its more compact dimensions, it doesn’t lack in features. Something that jumped out to us is the audio experience this Cello TV should offer. This is because of the Perfect Pitch Sound speakers, which, thanks to their patented design, are distanced from the TV to provide a better sound experience.
Then, due to its built-in Bluetooth, it can also be connected to a compatible speaker or, alternatively, to compatible headphones, if you want to elevate your audio experience further or listen without disturbing the rest of the ‘van.
The 1080p TV should ensure you can enjoy a clear picture, whether you choose to use WebOS to access streaming services, or prefer to use Freeview Play to either access live TV and radio channels or catch up on TV. There are two HDMI slots too, giving you the freedom to connect extra gadgets if you so desire.
We’re also impressed by the light weight too – at only 1.7kg, it should be very easy to move around. We think if you only want a small screen for your ‘van, this 12V smart TV makes a very appealing choice for a motorhome.
Falcon 24-inch Camping TV
- Screen size: 24-inch
- Also available in: 19-inch, 22-inch, 27-inch
- Operating system: WebOS
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080p
- Bluetooth compatible: Yes
- Wi-Fi compatible: Yes
- Voltage: 12v / 24v / 240v
- Weight: 3.05kg
- Dimensions: 542 x 319 x42 (W x H x D in mm without stand)
Reason to buy:
- 1080p resolution, good selection of ports, built-in DVD player
Reason to avoid:
- Relatively premium price for its size
This smart motorhome TV from Falcon comes packed with features for an enjoyable viewing experience. The 12V TV can be used to reach a wide variety of streaming services and apps thanks to WebOS, including Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Prime Video.
We also think its built-in DVD player is incredibly useful – it means if you find yourself pitched up at an off-grid site without access to the internet to stream, you can still relax in front of the TV with a DVD.
Of course, a crucial part of any viewing experience is actually being able to see the screen. That’s what we like so much about this Falcon – it offers a 178 degrees viewing angle, making it that bit easier to enjoy its 1080p resolution on its stylish yet compact edge-to-edge screen.
As it has Bluetooth 5.0 built-in, a soundbar or similar device can be added to improve the audio setup should you so desire, and it also offers the useful flexibility of not only being Wi-Fi compatible but also having an ethernet port.
We’d happily wager we’re not the only motorhome owners who like touring with gadgets, and three HDMI ports and two USB ports will offer the type of flexibility we like to see in a 12V motorhome TV. There’s even the chance to watch films or television shows from external hard drives.
Avtex AV215TS Smart TV
- Screen size: 21.5-inch
- Also available in: 18.5-inch, 24-inch, 27-inch, 32-inch, 39-inch
- Operating system: VIDAA
- Resolution: 1080p
- Bluetooth compatible: yes
- Wi-Fi compatible: yes
- Voltage: 12v / 24v / 240v
- Weight: 2.4kg
- Dimensions: 440 x 488 x 290 (D x W x H in mm without stand)
Reason to buy:
- VIDAA smart system offers plenty of features including on screen battery meter, fairly lightweight, can be controlled via an app
Reason to avoid:
- No built-in DVD player
The latest option to be released from Avtex comes loaded with features for an enjoyable motorhome TV experience. Its ultra frameless design will display its 1080p image clearly and, in our opinion, it looks the part too.
Unlike the W190TS, which uses WebOS, this Avtex relies on the VIDAA smart system, which should give motorhomers access to plenty of features. This includes streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, as well as catchup services like iPlayer, ITVX and Freeview Play.
That’s not all – with it, the AQT Easy Tuning System can be used, while we really rate the inclusion of the screen battery meter, which allows you to keep an eye on how your leisure battery is doing – something which will be particularly useful if you’ve taken your ‘van off-grid.
As it is Bluetooth compatible, it will be straightforward to connect a soundbar or speakers if so desired, as well as cast music or movies from an Android or Apple gadget. Other features include a DVB-T and DVB-T2 digital tuner, as well as a DVB-S and DVB-S2 digital HD satellite tuner.
The option of recording to an external USB or HDD is also available, while we like the flexibility of being able to operate it via a downloadable app on your phone, which we reckon will make life a lot easier if you find you’ve accidentally misplaced the remote!
It may not have a built-in DVD player, which could be a must-have for some, but otherwise, we think this is a very good motorhome TV to consider.
Cello C3224WSF 12V Traveller TV
- Screen size: 32-inch
- Also available in: 19-inch, 22-inch
- Operating system: WebOS
- Resolution: 1366 x 768
- Bluetooth compatible: Yes
- Wi-Fi compatible: Yes
- Voltage: 12v / 240v
- Weight: 5kg
- Dimensions: 721 x 482 x 177 (W x H x D in mm with stand)
Reason to buy:
- Ideal for ‘van owners with larger motorhomes who want access to a DVD player
Reason to avoid:
- Only has a 720p resolution
We really like this Cello, thinking it offers a relatively budget-friendly way of achieving both a smart 12V TV and also, importantly, a built-in DVD player, making it particularly helpful for those who may occasionally go off-grid. It’s available in a range of sizes, but we think the 32-inch option is a good choice for those who have a bigger motorhome and subsequently have the space for a larger TV.
Ok, there’s a compromise – the TV only has a resolution of 720p instead of 1080p seen in the other motorhome televisions we’ve featured, but we reckon the LED TV should still display relatively clearly on its frameless screen.
There’s also the chance to access all of your favourite streaming services, thanks to WebOS by LG – with this, you can access the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, as well as enjoy your favourite catchup services such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
Both mains and 12V compatible, the TV includes Freeview Play too, which enables access to more than 70 live TV and radio channels.
We’ll also accept it has fewer HDMI connections than its Avtex counterparts – however, there are still two, which we reckon should provide plenty of flexibility for plugging in extra gadgets, and there is also a USB slot too, although this is only an input.
However, what we really like is the inclusion of the built-in DVD player. We think this will make it a highly appealing choice for motorhomers who want a smart TV that can also do the business when they’re off-grid.
Sniper SN-2203
- Screen size: 22-inch
- Also available in: 19-inch
- Operating system: WebOS
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Bluetooth compatible: Yes
- Wi-Fi compatible: Yes
- Voltage: 12v / 24v / 240v
- Weight: 3.3kg
- Dimensions: 505 x 343 x 175 mm (W x H x D in mm with stand)
Reason to buy:
- Good selection of ports, 178 degree viewing angle
Reason to avoid:
- Doesn’t have a DVD-player built-in
We think this Sniper is an excellent choice for motorhome owners who want a smart 12V TV with access to a good selection of ports. This is because it comes with an impressive three HDMI and two USB ports, offering the option of plugging in plenty of gadgets to to improve their setup.
That’s not all – thanks to its WebOS operating system, there will be access to your favourite streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, ITVX, YouTube, and more. We also like the Bluetooth 5.0, which will allow a soundbar to be connected or even allow you to use headphones if you don’t want to disturb the rest of the ‘van while you watch. Freesat fans will also get to make use of the Freesat Satellite TV Tuner, while the set also comes with a Freeview Digital TV Tuner.
Any viewing experience will be disrupted, even if you have the best motorhome TV, if you’re unable to see the screen but that’s something that shouldn’t be an issue with this Sniper, as it offers an impressive 178-degree viewing angle too.
How to choose the best TV for a motorhome
The most important consideration when you’re looking for the best motorhome TV will be knowing the size you want for your ‘van. Remember that you will be sitting much closer to your screen in your ‘van than you would be at home, and as a result, you’re going to want a smaller TV than you’re generally used to.
After all, a 40-inch TV would dominate a 6m motorhome and give you a poor viewing experience! A slim model which isn’t going to overly impose is also worth opting for – in the confines of our motorhomes, there really isn’t space for huge pieces of kit without creating an interior which feels stifling.
Another important factor will be how you can store it – a more compact model is easier to stow away. Consider how you’ll transport it without making it bounce around too. Covering the screen with blankets and ensuring it can’t fall over will help it reach the campsite safely – you can find out more about watching TV in your motorhome in our guide to television on tour.
Some ‘vans come with a mounting bracket, in which case you can measure to check if your planned TV will fit the standard VESA mounting on the back.
Think about the type of tour you want to do as well – some sets come with a built-in DVD player, which can be a particularly helpful feature to have if you think you may not have access to the internet or good reception.
Do I need a special TV for my motorhome?
The TV you choose for your motorhome is very much going to come down to your touring habits. If you think you’re always pitching up at a site with hook-up, you will most likely be fine using a standard domestic TV.
However, a 12V TV is the ideal motorhome TV for anyone who is thinking of touring off-grid or is unable to guarantee that they will always have access to hook-up. These are built to deal with the fluctuations that can occur when you’re relying on battery power.
A small plug-in inverter would offer a work around but these not only drain the 12V battery faster than a 12V TV would, but don’t offer a 100% efficient conversion either. You’ll also have to factor in the cost of buying one.
Another consideration is that while every TV can run on DC voltage, as it is stepped down from the mains, it doesn’t mean every TV can be plugged into a 12V socket, with a compatible adaptor required – these can be purchased online. A 12V TV makes life easier for you, coming with its own 12V adaptor.
Modern 12V TVs also come packed full of features for an enjoyable viewing experience, including access to a wide range of streaming services. They also have the added benefit of generally being available in smaller sizes, which can make a big difference to your viewing experience when you are pitched up.
Written with contributions from Peter Rosenthal.
Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of practicalmotorhome.com, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. You should check that any van warranty will not be affected before proceeding with DIY projects.
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