Outdoor Entertainment
Best Outdoor TV Covers (2026): Soft Covers and Hard Enclosures
Quick answer
The best outdoor TV cover for most people is the iBirdie 52 to 55 in. cover at under $50, which publishes exact dimensions so you can check the fit. If the TV is an indoor set living outdoors, buy a hard enclosure such as the MELLCOM 45 to 55 in. instead.
There are two completely different products in this category and buying the wrong one wastes either money or a television.
A soft cover is a waterproof fabric bag that goes over a screen when it is not in use. It costs $20 to $40, it protects against rain, dust, pollen and bird mess, and it is the right answer for an outdoor TV that is already weatherproof, or for a screen on a covered porch. It is not armor, and it does nothing while the TV is uncovered and switched on.
A hard enclosure is a rigid shell, usually shipped with its own articulating mount, that an ordinary indoor TV lives inside permanently. It costs $150 to $800 and it exists so you can put a television you already own outdoors without buying a real outdoor TV. Many lock, which also solves theft.
The single most common mistake in this category is ordering by the screen's advertised diagonal. Covers are sized by the physical width and height of the set, and a 55 in. TV with a soundbar or a chunky bezel will not fit a cover cut for 52 in. of width. Measure the outer frame first, every time.
On this page
- Which outdoor TV cover size do I need?
- Beginner picks: soft covers under $30
- Intermediate picks: better fabric, bigger screens and screen protection
- Expert picks: hard enclosures for a TV that lives outside
- Soft cover or hard enclosure: which should you buy?
- Which hard enclosure fits your TV?
- How do you measure a TV for a cover?
Which outdoor TV cover size do I need?
Measure the width and height of the TV including the bezel and any soundbar attached to it, then pick a cover that exceeds both. Do not order from the diagonal alone. The published dimensions below are the makers' own.
| Cover | Fits screens | Cover width | Cover height | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porch Shield | 26 to 32 in. | 31 in. | 20 in. | Under $25 |
| iBirdie 40 to 43 | 40 to 43 in. | 39.5 in. | 25 in. | Under $50 |
| iBirdie 48 to 50 | 48 to 50 in. | 47.5 in. | 30 in. | Under $50 |
| IC ICLOVER 55 | 52 to 55 in. | 51 in. | 30 in. | Under $50 |
| iBirdie 52 to 55 | 52 to 55 in. | 52 in. | 31 in. | Under $50 |
| ULTCOVER 55 to 59 | 55 to 59 in. | 54 in. | 33 in. | Under $50 |
| iBirdie 55 to 58 | 55 to 58 in. | 55 in. | 35 in. | Under $50 |
| iBirdie 60 to 65 | 60 to 65 in. | 58 in. | 37 in. | Under $50 |
| iBirdie 70 to 75 | 70 to 75 in. | 68 in. | 42 in. | Under $50 |
Dimensions are the manufacturers' published figures for the cover, not for any television. Many 65 in. panels measure over 57 in. wide, which leaves very little margin in a 58 in. cover.
Beginner picks: soft covers under $30
For a weatherproof outdoor TV that just needs keeping clean between uses, or an indoor set on a covered porch that never sees rain. These all use coated 600D fabric and cost less than a takeaway meal.
Porch Shield Outdoor TV Cover, 26 to 32 in.
Under $25Seam-sealed 600D oxford with a rear hook-and-loop strip rather than a zip, which makes it far easier to fit around a wall mount and tuck the cables behind. The side pocket takes the remote.
Best for: a small screen on a covered porch or in a workshop
Check price on Amazon
iBirdie Outdoor TV Cover, 48 to 50 in.
Under $50The same construction as the rest of the iBirdie range with published dimensions of 47.5 by 30 by 5 in., so the fit is a measurement rather than a gamble. Waterproof interior PVC coating.
Best for: a 48 to 50 in. screen that stays outdoors between uses
Check price on Amazon
iBirdie Outdoor TV Cover, 40 to 43 in.
Under $50The waterproof zip lets you uncover the screen without pulling the whole cover off the mount, which is the practical difference between a cover that gets used every evening and one that lives in the shed.
Best for: a 40 to 43 in. screen you uncover often
Check price on AmazonIntermediate picks: better fabric, bigger screens and screen protection
Step up for heavier fabric, mount clearance cut into the right places, or a shield across the screen face. This is also where the large sizes live.
ULTCOVER Waterproof Outdoor TV Cover, 55 to 59 in.
Under $50600D polyester canvas over a waterproof backing, with slots cut to clear several styles of wall and ceiling mount. That detail is what cheaper covers get wrong, and it is why they end up stretched or torn at the bracket.
Best for: a wall-mounted screen where the cover must clear the bracket
Check price on Amazon
IC ICLOVER Outdoor TV Cover, 52 to 55 in.
Under $50Zips on both sides rather than one, and two clear corner windows so the remote sensor still works with the cover on. Note it fits 51 in. of width, so measure a slim-bezel 55 in. set carefully.
Best for: a 55 in. screen with a slim bezel and no soundbar
Check price on Amazon
Garnetics Outdoor TV Cover 65 in. with Screen Protector
Under $50The only soft cover here that adds a shield layer across the screen face rather than relying on fabric alone, plus storage pockets. Worth it where blowing grit or a nearby mower throws debris.
Best for: exposed sites, or a screen that gets moved and stored
Check price on Amazon
iBirdie Outdoor TV Cover, 70 to 75 in.
Under $50At 68 by 42 in. this is the biggest soft cover in the catalog, covering the large screens that most cover ranges stop short of. Same coated construction as the smaller iBirdie sizes.
Best for: a 70 to 75 in. screen under a covered patio
Check price on AmazonExpert picks: hard enclosures for a TV that lives outside
These are for putting an ordinary indoor television outdoors permanently. Most ship with their own articulating mount, several lock, and all of them are cheaper than the cheapest real outdoor TV if you already own the screen. They are not a substitute for a weatherproof TV on a fully exposed wall, and most makers rate them for covered locations.
MELLCOM Hard Outdoor TV Enclosure with Mount, 45 to 55 in.
Under $250A hard shell plus an articulating bracket with 17.5 in. of extension and glare-reducing tilt, in one box, for well under the price of any purpose-built outdoor TV. The 45 to 55 in. size covers most households.
Best for: protecting a 55 in. indoor TV on a sheltered patio
Check price on Amazon
Regetek Lockable Outdoor TV Enclosure, 46 to 65 in.
Under $500Reinforced locking points, a removable front panel and published interior limits of 58.2 by 34.5 by 4.25 in. so you can verify the fit. Confirm your wall has the 64.96 by 38.98 in. of clear space it needs. The lock is not included.
Best for: a 65 in. screen that needs locking as well as covering
Check price on Amazon
Hillzzer Metal Outdoor TV Cabinet, 45 to 55 in.
Under $500Powder-coated metal rather than plastic or wood, with a lockable fold-up door that stays clear when open and a heavy dual-arm steel bracket included. Hillzzer rates it for covered locations specifically.
Best for: a covered patio, porch or gazebo
Check price on Amazon
Storm Shell SS-65 Outdoor TV Enclosure, 55 to 65 in.
Under $1,000Two-piece ABS that is waterproof, impact and UV resistant, on a heavy-gauge steel bracket, with a fully removable front so nothing sits between you and the picture while watching. Maximum TV depth is 4 in.
Best for: a large screen on an exposed wall in a wet climate
Check price on Amazon
Storm Shell XL Outdoor TV and Soundbar Enclosure, up to 65 in.
Under $1,000The only enclosure here sized to take a soundbar as well as the screen, with a full-motion mount for both and buckle latches that accept a lock. It is the most expensive way to protect gear you already own.
Best for: a screen and soundbar that both live outdoors
Check price on AmazonWho should not buy this tier: Do not buy a hard enclosure if you already own a purpose-built outdoor TV, because it is solving a problem you have paid to have solved. Skip it too if the wall is in direct sun all afternoon: an enclosure keeps water off an indoor panel but does nothing about a 300-nit screen being unreadable, and it can trap heat against a set that was never designed for it. In that situation the money belongs in a full-sun outdoor TV, not a box. Finally, skip the lockable models if the patio is private and enclosed; you are paying for security you do not need.
Soft cover or hard enclosure: which should you buy?
The deciding question is what kind of television is going behind it.
| Soft cover | Hard enclosure | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $20 to $40 | $150 to $1,000 |
| What it is for | Keeping weather off a screen between uses | Letting an indoor TV live outdoors |
| Protects while watching | No, it comes off | Yes, front panel removes or opens |
| Impact protection | Minimal | Yes, rigid shell |
| Theft deterrent | No | Several models lock |
| Includes a mount | No | Usually yes |
| Best paired with | A real outdoor TV | An indoor TV under cover |
| Catalog example | iBirdie 52 to 55 in. | MELLCOM 45 to 55 in. |
Which hard enclosure fits your TV?
Enclosures are sized by the television that goes inside, and the usable interior is always a good deal smaller than the outside dimensions. Check the published interior against your set before ordering, and check the wall has room for the exterior.
| Enclosure | Fits screens | Material | Locks | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MELLCOM 32 to 44 | 32 to 44 in. | Hard shell, mount included | No | Under $250 |
| MELLCOM 45 to 55 | 45 to 55 in. | Hard shell, mount included | No | Under $250 |
| Regetek 32 to 45 | 32 to 45 in. | Hard shell, mount included | Yes, lock not included | Under $250 |
| Naturoasis | 45 to 55 in. | Solid wood, double doors | Yes | Under $250 |
| Hillzzer | 45 to 55 in. | Powder-coated metal | Yes | Under $500 |
| Betisef | 36 to 55 in. | Thickened hard plastic | No | Under $500 |
| GDLF | 60 to 65 in. | Fir wood, asphalt top panel | No | Under $500 |
| Storm Shell 32 to 44 | 32 to 44 in. | Two-piece ABS | No | Under $500 |
| Regetek 46 to 65 | 46 to 65 in. | Hard shell, mount included | Yes, lock not included | Under $500 |
| Storm Shell SS-65 | 55 to 65 in. | Two-piece ABS | No | Under $1,000 |
| Storm Shell XL | Up to 65 in. plus a soundbar | Hard shell, mount included | Yes, lock not included | Under $1,000 |
Most enclosure makers rate their products for covered locations such as a patio, porch or gazebo rather than a fully exposed wall. Ventilation matters and cooling fans are generally not supplied.
How do you measure a TV for a cover?
- Measure the width. Across the outer edge of the bezel, not the visible picture and not the diagonal. Include any soundbar clamped to the set.
- Measure the height. Top edge to bottom edge of the frame. If the TV sits on a pedestal stand that stays attached, include it.
- Measure the depth. From the wall or stand to the front of the screen, including the mount arms if they stay extended. Most covers allow 4 to 5 in.
- Add clearance. Choose a cover that exceeds every figure. A cover stretched tight over a corner tears there first, and it traps moisture against the bezel.
- Check the mount cutouts. If the screen is wall mounted, confirm the cover has a rear slot or flap for the bracket and cables rather than a sealed back panel.
How we chose
We did not test these products in person. Picks are researched from manufacturer specifications and owner manuals, engine and safety certifications where they apply, warranty terms, public recall records, and the recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We favor established brands with large review counts and parts support, match each pick to a real yard size or task, and place it in the tier where its price and capability actually belong.
Frequently asked questions
What size outdoor TV cover do I need?
Measure the width and height of your television across the outer bezel, including any attached soundbar, then choose a cover that exceeds both figures. Do not order from the advertised screen diagonal, because bezel widths vary and many 65 in. panels measure over 57 in. across. Covers are usually cut about 4 to 5 in. deep to clear a wall mount, so check that dimension too if the arms stay extended.
Are outdoor TV covers actually waterproof?
The good ones are water resistant rather than sealed. Most use 600D oxford or polyester canvas with a waterproof coating or backing, and better models add taped seams. They shed rain, dust and pollen reliably. Water can still track in around a wall mount cutout in driving rain, so they are protection between uses rather than a substitute for a weatherproof television.
Can I leave a regular TV outside with a cover on it?
A soft cover alone is not enough for a permanent installation, because the TV is unprotected whenever you are watching and humidity still reaches the vents. A hard enclosure is the product designed for that job: a rigid, often lockable shell with its own mount that an indoor set lives inside. Even then, most makers rate enclosures for covered locations rather than fully exposed walls.
Do outdoor TV covers stop theft?
Soft covers do not; they are fabric with a zip or hook-and-loop closure. Several hard enclosures do, including the Regetek models, which have reinforced locking points, and the Storm Shell XL, which takes a lock on its buckle latches. Note that locks are usually sold separately. An enclosure also hides the screen from view, which is a deterrent in itself.
How long does an outdoor TV cover last?
Owners commonly report two to four seasons from a coated 600D cover before UV breaks down the coating and seams start to leak, with shorter life in strong year-round sun. That is why this is a genuine repeat purchase. Taking the cover off in high wind, letting the screen cool before covering it and rinsing grit off the fabric all extend its life.
Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published specifications, manuals, labels and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and product label, and consult a qualified professional where safety, chemicals, fuel or structures are involved.
