Smart TVs are a standard fixture in our homes – over 53% of American households now own one. With streaming options getting better and better by the month, it seems like there is more reason now than ever to stay at home on the couch in front of the TV, and what better TV to have than a Smart one, right?
The pros of a Smart TV include streaming content easily, being able to put it anywhere, and having a range of smart features. On the other hand, its cons include potential security and privacy risks, additional expenses, and the eventual obsolescence of models with old software.
Smart TVs are certainly full of useful features; however, some drawbacks to them could potentially be enough to dissuade some consumers from purchasing one.
Read on for more information about the pros and cons of Smart TVs so that you can make an informed choice if you are considering purchasing one!
What Is the Difference Between a Smart TV and a Regular TV?
Summing up the difference between a Smart TV and a regular one (also known as a “Dumb TV”) can be done in one simple sentence: one TV is “smart,” the other is not.
But when we use the term “smart” concerning a TV, what does that actually mean? What is the TV actually capable of?
A Smart TV is different from a regular TV because it offers the benefits of a TV along with the many benefits of a computer, such as Wi-Fi connectivity, apps, being able to stream movies, television, YouTube videos, and music, and being able to browse the internet.
A regular TV can provide some of these features but only with the connection of various other devices, such as a DVD player or a video games console.
A Smart TV streamlines this and is a home-media center all in one.
The Pros of a Smart TV
Smart TVs have become a staple in many homes, and it’s clear to see why. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits you’ll see when you invest in a newer model.
Smart TVs Offer Endless Entertainment
Possibly the greatest, and most obvious, positive point of a Smart TV is that if you own one, you will never be bored again.
Anything you could ever want to watch is available any time you want to watch it. Smart TVs offer the vast streaming libraries of services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video.
You can also access YouTube and Twitch to stream online videos, open Spotify to listen to music, and surf the internet to your heart’s content.
Smart TVs also function as regular TVs, meaning that the programs offered by traditional television broadcasting are still available to you as well.
However, with a Smart TV, you have the added benefit of never having to worry about missing your favorite show again, as you can record anything you want with the in-built personal video recorder (PVR) offered with many models.
Smart TVs Provide a Streamlined Home Entertainment Service
Remember just a few years ago; if you wanted to watch a movie on your TV, you needed to use a DVD player? Or, if you wanted to watch a YouTube video, you had to use a third-party app on your video game console?
The space in the cabinet under your TV was full of additional devices that usually only had one function.
But gone are the days of having to play Tetris to fit your TV, DVD player, console, and DVR all into that tiny space.
The streamlined experience that Smart TVs offer is one of the device’s biggest positives.
It makes for an effortless entertainment experience and also saves you space and money now that you no longer need to buy so many peripheral devices.
Smart TVs Can Be Set Up Wherever You Want
Unlike regular TVs, Smart TVs do not need to be connected to a TV outlet in the wall.
That means that if you are not planning on having access to digital television channels, you have the freedom to set up your Smart TV in any room of the house – all you need is a power outlet and a flat surface or wall mount.
This flexibility means that all family members can have a TV of their own in their own spaces.
You won’t have to worry about the kids hogging the TV to play video games or not having an available screen to binge-watch the latest limited series on Netflix when everyone has access to a Smart TV.
Smart TVs Can Work With Other Devices
One great feature of Smart TVs is the ability to cast from a device like a smartphone or a laptop to the TV screen.
Many Smart TVs have in-built casting features, but smart devices can also be cast to a Smart TV with Google Chromecast or Apple TV.
Casting allows you to do things like share photos on a bigger screen or watch videos that you have on your phone, all while allowing you to continue using your device for other things.
The best part is that no extra cables are required.
Smart TVs Are Offered at a Range of Price Points
While Smart TVs are undeniably more expensive than their “dumb” counterparts, this should not be seen as a prohibitive factor.
Smart TVs are offered at a range of price points, so you can easily find one that fits your budget.
Different prices also equate to different features, with the more expensive ones coming with more features and vice versa.
This means that you also don’t have to purchase a Smart TV full of features you won’t use, making the TV easier to use for those interested in just streaming the latest content from Netflix or Hulu.
Smart TVs Can Make Life Around the House Easier
As the name would imply, Smart TVs are more intelligent pieces of technology than regular ones.
Smart TVs can connect with Google Assistant or Alexa with their in-built smart speakers, and their remotes have microphone functionality. This means that you can speak to your TV and command it to do things like controlling the volume of music or open a particular app.
However, the commands that your Smart TV can perform can also be more extensive. Some Smart TVs can work with other features in your home like smart lights or do things like making phone calls or online purchases.
Smart TVs Offer Games
Because Smart TVs are technology akin to a basic computer, they offer something that might be slightly unexpected in a TV – the ability to run games.
There are many great app offerings such as Urban Ninja or Crossy Road that you can download directly to your Smart TV.
There are even services like Steam Link and PlayStation Now that offer a wide range of titles and the ability to stream directly to your Smart TV.
You can also play games with either a controller or the remote of your Smart TV, so you don’t need to worry if you don’t have access to a game console anymore.
Finally, games on your Smart TV are not just limited to single-player experiences – the whole family can get in on the fun with offerings like JackBox Party Pack or Monopoly. Family game night just got a whole lot more interesting.
The Cons of a Smart TV
As with any product, there are always some downsides that need to be considered. Taking the higher price point into account, you may want to consider the following before making the expensive leap.
Many Smart TVs Are Not Upgradable
One big drawback about Smart TVs is that the operating systems of many of them are not able to be upgraded to align with new services or apps.
For example, as of December 2019, older Samsung and Vizio Smart TVs from 2010 and 2011 are no longer able to run Netflix, which is arguably one of the main reasons you would purchase a Smart TV in the first place.
This eventual obsolescence means that you will potentially have to fork out more money for a new Smart TV when your old one eventually cannot perform as it used to or otherwise be stuck without key new features and services.
Smart TVs Have a Learning Curve
Smart TVs may be smart, but that doesn’t mean they are always intuitive, especially for new users.
Having a television with so many potential features can be a bit of a double-edged sword for many people – there is a lot to enjoy, but also a lot to have to learn.
This can prohibit some consumers from getting the most out of their Smart TVs and can turn some people off altogether as they are simply overwhelmed with having to learn how to use the TV.
There is definitely a learning curve for many consumers when it comes to first using their new Smart TV, but most of them have pretty comprehensive user guides.
However, some consumers may find they are more comfortable using a regular television, especially if they are not all that interested in television that does anything more than simply allow you to watch movies and TV shows.
A Poor Wi-Fi Connection Means Poor Streaming Quality on Your Smart TV
Because most Smart TV features rely on the internet, you will unfortunately not get the most out of your television if you have a poor connection.
A poor Wi-Fi connection will affect the quality of features such as streaming. For example, when watching a film on Netflix, the quality of the video may be drastically reduced.
If you’ve paid top-dollar for a Smart TV expecting crystal-clear picture quality, this can be incredibly disappointing.
A poor Wi-Fi connection can also disrupt other services on your Smart TV. Updates will take a long time to install, which can be incredibly aggravating when you just want to sit down and relax in front of the TV.
Connection issues can also cause problems with casting from a smart device to the TV, and many games available to play on a Smart TV require a constant, pretty beefy internet connection.
Smart TVs Can Have Privacy and Security Issues
Like any device that is connected to the internet, privacy and security issues can arise.
- If your Wi-Fi connection is not secured properly with a complex password (which it should be, by the way), you risk having an unwanted intruder accessing your network.
- If you are using your Smart TV to make purchases and payments online, there is the risk of having this information stolen. It is not advisable to do extensive online shopping using your Smart TV – this is much better left to a computer with proper security software.
- Some older models of Smart TVs had webcams that were vulnerable to being accessed maliciously. However, it seems that cameras in Smart TVs are less common now.
Automatic Content Recognition
One issue that is still happening (and it happens on any smart device or computer) is companies accessing your personal information. In the case of Smart TVs, this is called ACR (Automatic Content Recognition).
ACR is mainly about accessing information about what you are watching to show you targeted advertisements. Apps also collect and send information about you for similar purposes.
Thankfully, ACR features can be turned off by finding them in the settings (which can admittedly be quite complex) or not agreeing to them when setting up the Smart TV (although it can be hard to understand what sections are prompting you to agree to them or not).
However, these settings can still be enough to turn many consumers off from wanting to place a Smart TV front and center in their living rooms.
Smart TVs Can Suffer From Crashes
Because Smart TVs offer so many features, they can suffer from issues like hardware crashes or freezing. It is often apps that will crash or freeze, but other times the TV itself can just refuse to respond.
While most providers offer updates to fix these problems, lower-end Smart TV models don’t always get the updates required to prevent the problems from happening. This can make owning a Smart TV a nuisance because there is no guarantee against these issues happening and ruining your viewing experience.
Smart TVs Can Mean Additional Costs
When you think about purchasing a TV, you probably think about it as a one-off expense – because that’s how it used to be. Back in the days of “dumb” TVs, unless you had a cable subscription, all you had to pay for was the TV itself and the electricity required to run it.
A Smart TV is not that simple.
Not only will you need to pay for internet access to get the most out of the TV’s features, but there are also subscriptions to streaming services that begin to add up pretty quickly.
Unfortunately, these subscriptions are pretty much the main reason to buy a Smart TV in the first place, so it’s important to understand that purchasing a Smart TV is unlikely to be a one-off expense.
Summary: The Pros and Cons of Smart TVs
| PROS | CONS |
| No limit to entertainment options – video, music, and game streaming available. A streamlined experience – no more cluttered TV cabinet. Portable – no reliance on a TV outlet in the wall. Ability to work with other devices – able to cast from smartphones or computers to the TV screen. Makes life around the house easier – smart speaker functionality and the ability to work with Google Assistant or Alexa. A range of price points – there is a Smart TV available for every budget. | Models eventually become obsolete – as technology moves ever forward, older models will always eventually stop updating. Can be challenging to learn how to use – it has many more features than a regular TV, meaning the learning curve can be steep for some consumers. A strong Wi-Fi connection is required – without a good connection, streaming quality can be poor, and it can be difficult to make the most out of the TV’s apps and features. Security and privacy can be a concern – there are various potential security exploits and privacy concerns related to Smart TVs that consumers must be aware of. Crashes and freezing can be a problem – because of the more advanced hardware, more issues can occur. More expenses than you think – a Smart TV is not a one-off expense, and subscription fees can quickly mount. |
Pros and cons of a smart tv: Final Words
Overall, there are many strong positives and negatives to Smart TVs. Like any piece of technology, they can be a great addition to your life but also pose risks that need to be appropriately managed. Whether or not you purchase a Smart TV is ultimately down to personal choice.
If you are in the market for a new television and want to streamline your home entertainment system, a Smart TV can be a great way to go. Just remember to always exercise caution when using it, and you should hopefully never encounter any issues. Now, go ahead and start streaming.