Pros and Cons of Buying a Smart TV (2024)

FAQs

What are the pros and cons of buying a smart TV? ›

Is it worth buying a Smart TV? The primary benefit of having a Smart TV is integration, because you don't need to set up or configure any additional devices or set top boxes or the like, or worry about where their remote controls might be, or which particular input they're connected to.

Perhaps the most obvious difference between a regular TV and a Smart TV is that a regular TV can't connect to the internet. A Smart TV, on the other hand, allows you to connect to the internet and lets you surf your favourite sites, browse through social media and allow you to download various apps.

In most cases, you'll find popular live channels such as Channel 5, CBBC, ITVBe, BBC Radio, PBS America, Quest Red, Ideal World, CITV, BBC Four, BBC News, CBS Reality and more. If you have Freeview Play, you'll get additional on-demand programmes from BBC iPlayer, All 4, My5, ITV Hub and UKTV Play.

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.

Owning a smart TV, unfortunately, does not automatically entitle you to free access to the world's most famous streaming service. As much as we wish we could report otherwise, you'll need to make sure that you have a paid Netflix subscription in order to use the service on a smart TV.

If you use a smart TV without internet, you will be losing out on crucial features that make a television “smart”. Even though you will have all the streaming apps, you won't be able to enjoy any of them. You won't be able to use it as a media player or play music.

It's important to remember that all smart TVs still work as normal TVs too. As long as you connect an antenna, you can watch free-to-air television broadcasts like you always have.

You can watch TV shows and movies offline at any time by downloading them from the Netflix app. Learn more about finding, downloading, and watching downloaded TV shows and movies below.

You don't need to, but you may want to. Roku, Firestick, Chromecast, and Apple TV offer channels your Smart TV doesn't. The Roku Channel, FreeVee, and other free streaming channels aren't offered on all smart TVs. These devices make it easier to browse the services you subscribe to.

Can a smart TV get regular channels without cable? ›

Indoor TV Antennas

While you may picture having to mount a giant antenna or dish outside your home to receive local channels over the air, modern digital antennas can easily be connected to your smart TV, and some can even pick up TV stations from nearly 1000 miles away.

Short Answer. If you seek a cost-effective way to enhance your current TV setup with a vast app ecosystem, an Android Box is your best bet. Conversely, for those in the market for a new TV, a Smart TV offers an all-in-one solution with superior image and sound quality, albeit at a higher cost.

Indeed, by setting up the smart TV and connecting it to the home's Wi-Fi network, most people can stream away without any other devices, wires, or equipment.

Let's recap – all you need to use the Android TV Box is HDMI, a power source, a brief language and Wi-Fi setup, and possibly a Google account login.

Roku TVs have their own set of benefits—namely affordability and convenience—but they ultimately don't measure up when compared to a true Smart TV. If you're looking for the most features, apps, and services all in one place, then a Smart TV is your best bet.

Regular TV: The fundamental difference between a Smart TV and a Regular TV lies in their level of connectivity and functionality. Smart TVs are equipped with internet connectivity, offering a wide array of interactive features.

It's important to remember that all smart TVs still work as normal TVs too. As long as you connect an antenna, you can watch free-to-air television broadcasts like you always have.