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Best 12V TVs for Caravans
Article by Laura Smith - Caravans PlusRead Time: 7 mins
Contents
- 1) Household vs Caravan 12V TVs
- 2) RV Media TVs
- 3) Sphere TVs
- 4) Majestic TVs
- 5) Aussie Traveller TVs
- 6) Best Smart TVs
- 7) Easy Smart TV Upgrade
- 8) Compare 12V TVs
Whats the difference between household and caravan 12V TVs?
While there are many TVs on the market that can operate on 12V using dc power adaptors, they are not all suited to life on the road.
One of the major differences between televisions designed for caravans and RVs is their ability to withstand the bumps and vibration caused during travel. Unlike household TVs that are designed to sit in one place without moving, caravan TVs need to be built tough to last in Australian RV conditions.
As well as being tough, there are many other features included that are important when travelling with a TV. When you are constantly on the move, a quick-tune function is a huge timesaver. This allows you to re-tune and find available channels with the click of a button.
For the times when you are out of reception a TV with dvd, usb and HDMI inputs means you will never be without entertainment. Some of the latest 12 volt LED TVs also include low voltage warnings and bluetooth compatibility.
We offer 12v LED TVs from leading Australian caravan accessory wholesalers. This means not only are these TVs designed and tested specifically for Australian conditions, they are also backed up by nationwide service networks if any issues do arise.
With sizes ranging from 19 inch to 32 inch and features including everything from built in DVD players and Full HD LED screens to Smart TVs, there is a TV to suit every application.
RV Media 12 Volt TVs
A tried and trusted name in the Australian RV Industry, RV Media by Camec has been delivering quality TV DVD combos to caravanners for many years. They are continually working to improve and develop their range to keep up with evolving technologies. RV Media were also the first in the industry to release a 12V Smart TV.
The latest range features a frameless design and includes an inbuilt dvd player, long range HD digital tuner, USB media playback and bluetooth connectivity.
These smart TVs run on WebOS (LG's operating system) for easy access to streaming services and apps. The screens are full high definition (1920 x 1080p) for the best quality picture.
Sphere 12 Volt TVs
Sphere TVs (by Coast to Coast RV) have been a favourite of many caravaners and manufacturers through the years, and their latest range is no exception.
New in 2022, the Sphere S8 range has faced extensive R&D to ensure they not only hold up to the rigours of travel, but also provide a great simple user experience.
All sizes feature built-in DVD players, auto-tune, USB multimedia playback, PVR, Desktop stand and 240V plug pack.
The 21.5 and 23.8inch models also feature Full HD LED screens
Sphere now also offer a bundle which includes a Hako Mini Smart TV box with the 23.8 Inch TV. The Hako Mini is a 4k capable dongle running on Android 9.0 which turns any TV into a Smart TV.
It comes pre-loaded with Netflix with apps such as Stan, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and many more available for download through the Google Play store. The box simply connects to the TV via HDMI and can be powered from the TVs USB port with both cables included.
Google certified and supported, it features Chromecast and voice-activated Google Assistant so you can also easily cast movies, TV shows, music, games and the other content you love from your phone, tablet or laptop to your TV.
Majestic 12 Volt TVs
Established in Australia in 2000, Majestic has become a global leader in 12V TVs and entertainment products specifically for the RV and Marine environment. Since engineering the worlds first 12 Volt LCD TV, Majestic have continued to lead the industry in creating state of the art technologies suited to use in harsh RV and marine applications.
Optimised for life on the road, their TVs feature low current draw, one touch tuning, USB playback, PVR as well as 3 HDMI inputs for all your multimedia needs.
Built to last, these televisions all come with a huge 3 year warranty.
Majestic's latest Smart TV models all run on Android TV for extremely user friendly operation and also feature in-built Chromecast. This allows you to easily cast content from your smartphone or tablet directly to your TV.
Majestic also offer a non-smart 32 inch TV including an inbuilt DVD player, as well as 240v power adaptor and desktop stand.
Aussie Traveller 12V TVs
Aussie Traveller Smart TVs are perfect for caravanners, offering a 24 or 32 inch HD LED display in a lightweight, durable frame. Powered by the VIDAA OS, they provide easy access to streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and more.
Features include AirPlay 2 support for device casting, parental controls, auto TV channel scanning, an integrated TV guide, sleep timer, auto shut-off, and digital broadcasting reception.
Enjoy seamless, high-quality entertainment on the go with Aussie Traveller Smart TVs.
Best 12V Smart TV
When picking out a Smart TV, what really sets them apart in terms of how easy they are to use is the operating system behind the scenes.
Caravan TVs have significantly evolved from their early days featuring clunky interfaces that were often more frustrating than functional. Previous models struggled to deliver the user experience and sophistication found in your TV at home.
However, the landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation, with modern caravan TVs adopting operating systems from leading tech companies, designed to streamline and enhance user interaction.
LG's WebOS exemplifies this advancement with its user-friendly navigation and extensive application ecosystem, ensuring that viewers have easy access to their preferred entertainment, even while on the move.
TVs running WebOS: Camec 24 & 32 inch Frameless
Similarly, Vidaa, utilised by Hisense and Toshiba, simplifies the user interface to provide a straightforward and satisfying viewing experience.
TVs running VIDAA: Aussie Traveller 24 & 32inch
A standout in this technological advancement is Googles Android TV. Beyond offering a versatile platform that integrates a wide array of apps and services, Android TV uniquely features built-in Chromecast. This addition enables users to effortlessly stream content from their phones or tablets directly to the TV, enriching the travel entertainment experience by seamlessly bridging mobile devices with the larger screen
TVs running Android TV: Majestic 19, 22, 24 & 27inch, Hako Mini (Sphere 23.8)
This technological progress not only improves the quality of caravan TVs but also integrates the luxury and modernity of home entertainment systems into mobile living spaces. It ensures that travelers can enjoy their favorite television shows and movies conveniently and without compromise during their journeys.
Easy Upgrade for older TVs
If your current TV lacks smart features but you are looking for an alternative to purchasing a whole new TV, devices like Google Chromecast and Amazons Fire TV stick offer a convenient solution.
By simply connecting one of these devices into your TVs HDMI port, you can transform it into a smart TV.
Chromecast allows you to stream content directly from your smartphone or tablet to your TV, offering a seamless transition of media from small screen to large. Meanwhile, the Fire TV stick provides a comprehensive interface complete with a remote, granting access to a wide array of streaming apps and services.
This approach is an efficient and budget-friendly way to modernise your entertainment setup without the need for a new television.
Compare 12V TVs
To make it easy to compare the different features of all the 12v TVs we sell, we have put together this chart. It includes specifications, price and reviews for each TV.
23 Comments
Deryck
As usual CaravansPlus have provided a great product description which compliments their great service delivery
Doug
Looking to buy new ac/dc tv with built in vast box for caravan. Any recommendations appreciated
Darryl
I have an AUTec tv with vast available from Access TV in WA or Access to QLD
Phil
This page highlights the price gouging that is in this 12volt TV space. Believe me, the circuit boards are no better made than the one you will find in your home TV. That a van is somehow a rough ride is ridiculous. Go buy a nice 240v 32" and a good inverter. You get what you pay for and you have an inverter available for other uses. Before hitting the road, lay the TV face down on a soft blanket - job done. Fair dinkum people, don't be fooled by this scam.
Don
Thanks Phil. We are looking to purchase a TV for our van and was surprised by prices of " caravan TV's". Your comments gave me pause to think.
curtis
thanks for the tip your spot on
Jenny
Hi Phil, I was talking to my auto elec about upgrading my invertor to handle a bunch of items and he told me to get a 12V tv as the energy draw from going from 240 from the TV to the invertor back to 12V was not worth it. The 12V tv's will not draw as much power. When you go off grid for weeks/months at a time energy draw is something you think about. It's not just about the circuit boards. It's about how much solar power you have to last your trip without plugging into power.
Ross
What a load of non sense Jenny!! Come on! -- really?? - do your own maths -- that's worse than the pseudo info that we are being told - we all need to buy 12V TV's because they have special anti vibration circuitry. Your auto Sparkie does not seem to know much!! Just ask him for his figures to back up his claims. Here is my figures to back up my mouth! My Samsung 240V AC 32" LED TV has quoted Power Consumption (kWh/yr) of 116 - that's Samsung' s own spec fig's.- look them up - on their web site! & that's a meager 317Wh/day or 13W/hr based on 116. Energy Efficiency is 5.5 Stars. Englaon state that all their 32 Inch TVs are "low-power" devices and come with a 12v DC adapter, enabling you to charge your TV whilst travelling (??) and further quoted Power Max Power Consumption is 42W. That calculates out to 368 kWh/year! That's probably a bit more than my 240VAC powered Samsung 32" TV run thru my small 12VDC to 240VAC Inverter. My small Jaycar inverter uses ~3 amp at 13V ( using my LFP batt's - solar powered) at 90% efficiency, to provide all that "massive" power ~ 35W needed to run the Samsung. It does not even get warm to the touch!- "useless as a heater or even a hand warmer" Your Vans' multi LED lights uses more power than that!!! My Jayco does - as seen on my Battery Management System that measures power consumed on each circuit - about 8amps (100w) max in total is drawn when all the van's bright lights are turned on. My free solar power generation (yes on all the time -free camping or not) might be considered with this example - My coffee machine runs for 1 minute drawing 100 Amps DC thru my 2kW inverter. 1200W for 1 minute (72kwH) - my 320W rated Solar panels in bright sun replaces "all that energy" - 15 Amps (typically seen on my BMS) well and truly under 1 hour - more like 10 minutes! back into my LFP's Compare that with my biggest energy user - my Dometic compressor fridge that uses quoted 23kWh when set at 3 degrees at ambient 32 deg C . When the compressor runs, it draws about 5Amp as seen on my BMPRO BMS. That's about 3 times what the TV uses, and fridge is ON 24 hours a day when the TV is about 2 hours max.. That's OK - it comes free (!) from my solar panels - more than enough to run the fridge and my LED lighting each and every day I am away in my van - and free camping. You don't even have to consider for a moment the minimal energy used by modern LED/LCD TV's - 12V DC or 240V AC!! ... So much for your auto spakie's incorrect comments about 12VDC TV's been more energy efficient than 240VAC - not worth even the energy of my finger used on my calculator! If you want to split hairs - from my example the Samsung Home TV is slightly ahead of the "built for mobile purpose" Englaon's
Aaron
Thank you for all your details about your power setup. You've answered a lot of my questions. My question to you is how many batteries do you have and the type/number of solar panels? Cheers Aaron
Ross
I totally agree with you Phil . No only are these Van style TV's much more expensive but even come with an old style DVD player, which is loaded into their price. All my discs these days are Blue Ray to play back on Full HD screens at home or in my Van when I go Vanning. So why do they persist in adding these old DVD players? Yes, you are right - we only watch the TV when we have stopped. We always take the TV off its mount when mobile - stored on the Bed . So where are the supposed vibrations that are going to destroy the precious circuitry? Even our crystal wine glasses (not plastic) stored in Jayco's wall glass cabinet have never broken! If there were all these nasty vibrations occurring to damage electronic circuits I am sure my Jayco OB van would have fallen apart by now. (tongue in cheek) My 240V "home" type Smart TV various runs nicely off a 250W 12V to 240V inverter that cost a mere $60 from Jaycar. My Sony small light weight portable 240V Blu-ray Disc™ Player with Wi-Fi PRO (model BDP-S3500) has WiFi and BT for additional streaming and listening . Samsung 32-inch T3500 FHD LED LCD Smart TV at $545 & my Sony BR player at $145, costs much less than Engelon's 32 Inch (??generic - where made)TV | 32 Inch SMART LED 12V TV with Built-in DVD player and Bluetooth Function at $779.95
Mal
Have 38 years in the television industry in all aspects of the technical side. Have not seen any differences in quality of components for so called specialised sets. Make sure you have a good viewing angle on the screen and generally all sound is pathetic on these small sets.
Matthew
mal, thanks. what specs to look for if buying online to indicate good or better viewing angles?
mal
Mathew, 180 vertically and horizontally is ideal but unpractical to get, so very near 180 degrees is good. Some sets are less than 90degrees and useless in a van
Sam
looking for a 24 inch tv that runs off cigarette plug (that will go to our battery) dont want to pay extra for DVD player, tv only, with usb plug, all our movies are on personal harddrive
Mark
These TV's are nothing special in my opinion. Outdated DVD Players and standard specs, there are no military or industrial quality components used just the same as any home domestic TV... The biggest issue I have with these discriptions is the lack of technical specifications... I want to know the amp draw from each one of these screens. Probably the most important piece of information required when making a 12 volt TV purchase considering you will be running off a battery. By knowing this figure you can then calculate your power consumption and how long before your battery will go flat. Seriously without these technical specs this website is a complete waste of time.
Steve
Phill is off the mark, please compare the cost of a good quality inverter, the installation costs, the losses of the inverter which may require an extra battery and an upgraded solar system. A 12 volt caravan TV may be cheaper.
Ross
Disagree with you Steve. See my previous message - both 12V and 240VAC powered LED TV's use much the same low energy, when comparing eg Englaon to Samsung. Sphere state theirs runs only 2 Amps, Englaon is more realistic at about 42W. My Samsung via a small inexpensive low power inverter runs about the same 39W (used by my inverter at 90% efficiency) . The energy used is probably less than your Van's LED lights. Certainly far less than 12V water pumps or compressor fridges. my other message show that a 32" 240V can actually work out cheaper than 12V TV as well. Quality eg Samsung provide a higher quality screen as well - pixel density, color quality and volume, and other screen features etc over cheaper Chinese made generic screens I suspect are used in these 12V TV's . If you can get a QLED screen eg Samsung 32" Q50 ( 4K & HDR) much better still regards view angle and better seen when not in a dark room If you go free camping then you need a good quality solar set up with LFP batteries that just runs rings around old fashioned extremely heavy inefficient Pb-acid AGM/gel batt's. If you cant afford a well equipped van set up for free camping then stick to a Van Park & 240V power, unless you don't use any 12 V power (leave all such appliances as TV's at home - read a book instead of watching TV) other than for LED lights and water pumps - back to basic set up with gas LPG stove and absorption gas fridge, gas hot water., hope your 4.5kg gas tank is big enough.
Trevor
Can you please help in what to do when I have disconnected mt satellite dish and just want to tune in to dvt. It is showing no but channels on my new majestic 12volt tv in the van
Steve
I am interested in finding a 12 volt tv that I can plug a a stand alone USB hard drive into. I have a 2tb drive with movies on it and would like to know if I can us the USB on these TVs..
Ross
Englaon state their 12VDC powered TV's have a Standard USB Input ( PVR)TV's
Tony
Hi, I am trying to track down a technician who specialises in caravan televisions. I want to upgrade all 3 of my Tv's to smart TV's and have them all interconnected. Currently if using the satellite dish, I can only watch it on one of the Tv's. I can't easily find a name off a person in specializing in this field
Ross
Hi Tony my VAST Sat dish output via SatKing decoder, is via HDMI to my TV's - all you need is a 12V powered HDMI splitter - 1xI n and 3-4x Outs! I have such a set up in my Jayco Silverline, that provides signal to the small TV in bedroom area and the larger TV for the lounge area. I believe it also provides signal to the outdoor TV cabinet although I have never used it. All wiring/ cabling was done at construction stage. It would be impossible to retrofit the cabling I would guess.. Good Luck!.
Peter
I just want a screen that will allow me to watch anything that I have on my note book computer