The best TV for a kitchen in 2024 is generally a small smart TV, usually between 19 and 24 inches, that offers good viewing angles and is easy to clean, though specialized waterproof models are best if splashing is a major concern.
Cooking is fun, but sometimes you want background noise or to catch up on shows while you prepare meals. A kitchen TV is a great addition. However, a kitchen is not like a living room. It has heat, steam, grease, and often less-than-ideal viewing spots. Picking the right one needs some thought.
This guide will help you choose the perfect screen for your cooking space. We look at sizes, features, placement, and give you our top picks for 2024.
Key Things to Think About When Buying a Kitchen TV
A kitchen TV faces unique challenges. You need a screen that fits well and can handle the environment.
Deciphering the Right Kitchen TV Size
Kitchen TV size depends mostly on where you plan to put the TV and how far away you sit or stand from it. Unlike a living room where you sit back, in the kitchen, you might be standing right next to it or looking from across the room while chopping vegetables.
- Small Spaces (Above the Sink, Small Countertop): Look at screens from 16 to 19 inches. These are often very compact.
- Average Kitchens (Above the Fridge or Mounted on a Wall): 21 to 24 inches is the sweet spot. This size offers enough screen space without dominating the room.
- Open Plan Kitchens (Viewable from Dining Area): You might go up to 27 or even 32 inches, but only if the main viewing distance is more than 8 feet.
Remember, too big a screen looks silly in a small kitchen. Too small, and you miss details when watching from the dining table.
Connectivity and Smart Features
In 2024, a small smart TV for kitchen is highly recommended. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you stream content easily.
- Streaming Apps: Ensure it has popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu pre-installed or easily accessible. This is perfect for following recipes or watching TV for cooking shows.
- Voice Control: Being able to say, “Hey Google, show me the next step,” when your hands are messy is a huge plus.
Dealing with the Kitchen Environment
Kitchens are harsh environments for electronics. Heat rises, steam builds up, and oil splatters are common.
Durability and Cleaning
You need a easy to clean TV. Screens covered in grease are frustrating. Look for TVs with smooth, flat glass fronts rather than textured plastic ones. These wipe down easily.
For areas near sinks or dishwashers, consider protection:
- Water Resistance: If your TV is near splashing water, look for IP ratings. A true waterproof TV for kitchen might be overkill unless it’s outdoors or right next to a massive sink. Many modern TVs have decent splash resistance, but dedicated models offer real peace of mind.
Viewing Angles
When you are standing, moving, or leaning over a counter, the screen shifts in your view. A poor viewing angle makes the colors wash out or darken when you look at it from the side.
Look for LED panels that boast wide viewing angles. This is crucial for getting a good picture whether you are at the island or by the stove. Finding the best viewing angle kitchen TV means prioritizing IPS or high-quality VA panels over basic TN panels.
Placement Options: Where to Put Your New TV
How you install the TV heavily influences the best model to buy.
Under Cabinet Kitchen TV Solutions
Mounting below a cabinet saves precious counter space. This usually requires a dedicated mount or a TV designed for it.
- Design Consideration: These TVs are often thinner or come with specialized mounting hardware. Measure the height clearance very carefully. You don’t want the screen hitting the counter when tilted down.
- Pros: Hidden when not in use; excellent viewing angle for someone standing at the counter.
Countertop TV for Kitchen Placement
If you have a dedicated shelf or ample space on a seldom-used corner of the counter, a small, freestanding TV works well.
- Portability: This allows you to move the countertop TV for kitchen slightly if you change your setup.
- Stability: Ensure the stand is sturdy. A light nudge shouldn’t send it crashing down.
Wall Mounting and Articulating Arms
Mounting on a wall gives the cleanest look. Using an articulating arm is often the best compromise.
- Flexibility: An arm lets you pull the TV out when cooking and push it back against the wall when done. It also lets you adjust the angle for different people in the room. This feature maximizes the value of having the best viewing angle kitchen TV.
Top Kitchen TV Categories for 2024
We break down the best options based on budget, features, and use case. These kitchen TV reviews focus on models that excel in small-space performance.
Category 1: The Best All-Around Small Smart TV
These models balance features, picture quality, and cost perfectly for the average home cook. They are usually 22 to 24 inches.
| Feature | Specification Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080p (Full HD) | Enough detail for small screens. 4K is often wasted here. |
| Smart Platform | Roku TV or Google TV | Easy to use, fast streaming. |
| Connectivity | Dual-band Wi-Fi | Stable connection for streaming recipes. |
| Design | Thin bezel, flat screen | Easy to wipe clean. |
These function perfectly as a small smart TV for kitchen hub. They handle YouTube tutorials and general news perfectly.
Category 2: The Best Budget Kitchen TV
If you only need background noise or weather updates, you do not need the latest features. The best budget kitchen TV prioritizes reliability and low cost.
- Look for 19-inch models that might be marketed as “portable monitors” but have HDMI inputs.
- Prioritize simple interfaces. If streaming is key, look for models with basic built-in smart functionality (like basic Netflix access) rather than high-end operating systems.
- Be prepared to sacrifice brightness or viewing angles slightly to save money.
Category 3: Protection Focused: Waterproof and Splash-Resistant Options
If your kitchen sees heavy use, or you have young children, protection is key.
- Dedicated Waterproof TVs: These often have sealed casings and sometimes even TV-behind-mirror technology (though those are costly). They are ideal for laundry rooms or very industrial-style kitchens where high moisture is common.
- Splash Resistance: Many standard brands now offer panels that resist minor splashes. Check user manuals for IP ratings, even if low (like IPX4). This helps protect against condensation from boiling water.
Category 4: TV for Cooking Shows and Recipe Following
When you need to follow a recipe step-by-step, clarity and brightness matter more than cinematic quality.
- Brightness: A brighter screen cuts through kitchen lighting better. Look for higher nit ratings if possible.
- Screen Size: Aim for the larger end of the recommended scale (24 inches) so you can read ingredient lists easily from a distance.
- Input/Output: The ability to easily plug in a USB drive with a downloaded recipe file can be a bonus feature for specific models.
In-Depth Look at Essential Features
Let’s dive deeper into the technical aspects that make a kitchen TV great or terrible.
Comprehending Display Technology for Kitchen Use
The panel type affects how the TV looks from different angles—critical in a busy kitchen.
- IPS (In-Plane Switching): Generally offers the best viewing angles. Colors stay true even when you look at the screen from the side while washing dishes. This is often the top choice for kitchen setups.
- VA (Vertical Alignment): Offers better contrast (deeper blacks) than IPS, but the viewing angles can sometimes suffer if you are viewing far off-center.
- OLED/QLED: While premium technologies, they are usually overkill for a small kitchen TV. Their main benefits (perfect blacks) are best appreciated in dark living rooms, not bright kitchens. They also cost significantly more.
Audio Quality in Noisy Kitchens
Kitchens are loud. Fans, blenders, running water—all compete with your TV audio.
- Speaker Placement: Front-facing speakers are usually better than bottom or rear-firing ones, as they project sound toward you, not toward the cabinet or wall behind it.
- Bluetooth Capability: The ability to pair the TV with a dedicated Bluetooth speaker system in the kitchen or dining area is a huge advantage for clear sound.
Power Management and Installation
Since a kitchen TV might be on all day while you work, energy efficiency is worth noting. Modern LED TVs are very efficient.
When mounting, always confirm the weight capacity of your chosen bracket or shelf. Many small TVs are light (under 5 lbs), but improper mounting is the number one cause of accidents.
Sizing Charts and Decision Making
To help you finalize your Kitchen TV size, use this simple guide based on common placement:
| Placement Location | Recommended Screen Size Range | Primary Viewing Mode | Key Feature Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over the Sink/Prep Area | 16 – 19 inches | Close range, standing | Compact footprint, easy clean front |
| Above the Stove/Oven Area | 19 – 22 inches | Moderate range, standing | Heat resistance, good brightness |
| Above Fridge/High Shelf | 22 – 27 inches | Longer range, looking up | Wide viewing angle (IPS panel) |
| Open Plan Island Viewing | 24 – 32 inches | Varied distances | Smart features, strong audio |
Installation Methods Explained
How you install the TV affects which model you need.
Under Cabinet Kitchen TV Mounts
These mounts often use clamps or screws on the bottom of the cabinet.
- Tilt Feature: Look for a mount that allows the TV to tilt down significantly. This corrects the angle when the TV is mounted high up.
- Cable Management: A good under cabinet kitchen TV setup keeps all power and HDMI cables neatly tucked away to prevent grease buildup on visible wires.
Countertop Placement Stability
If you opt for a simple countertop TV for kitchen setup, consider a VESA mount adapter if the included stand is weak. VESA patterns allow you to attach the TV to a more stable, heavy-duty base designed for monitors, improving overall safety.
Buyer’s Checklist for the Perfect Kitchen Screen
Use this checklist when comparing models for your kitchen needs:
- Size Check: Does the size fit the space without blocking cabinet access?
- Smart Features: Are the required streaming apps included and fast?
- Viewing Angle: Does it use an IPS panel or boast wide viewing angles?
- Cleaning Surface: Is the screen flat and smooth for easy wiping?
- Budget Alignment: Does it meet the best budget kitchen TV criteria, or do the extra features justify a higher cost?
- Water Safety: Is it safe from splashes based on its location?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Kitchen TVs
Q: Do I need a waterproof TV for my kitchen?
A: Not necessarily. A true waterproof TV for kitchen is only essential if it’s directly next to a high-splash zone like an open dishwasher or deep sink. For most placements (above the fridge or high on a wall), a standard TV with a smooth, easy-to-clean surface and good splash resistance is usually enough.
Q: What is the ideal resolution for a kitchen TV?
A: Full HD (1080p) is usually ideal for screens under 27 inches. Higher resolutions like 4K are often too expensive and provide minimal visible benefit on such small screens, especially when viewed from further away or while multitasking.
Q: Can I use a computer monitor instead of a dedicated TV?
A: Yes, you absolutely can. Many computer monitors make excellent small smart TV for kitchen replacements, especially if you buy one with built-in streaming sticks (like an Amazon Fire Stick) plugged into the HDMI port. Monitors are often thin and great for under cabinet kitchen TV mounting, but ensure they have good viewing angles (look for IPS monitors).
Q: How can I ensure the best picture quality while cooking?
A: Focus on brightness and viewing angle. A bright TV will overcome the often bright, direct kitchen lighting. Prioritize models known for excellent off-axis viewing so that the colors don’t shift when you look up from your chopping board. This addresses the need for the best viewing angle kitchen TV.
Q: Are there any specific TVs good for watching cooking shows?
A: Yes. For TV for cooking shows, look for models with good color accuracy and high brightness. Since you are often looking for specific details in recipes, a slightly larger screen (24 inches) with clear text reproduction is best.