The Best TVs for College Dorm Rooms, Even Apartments: A Complete Guide
Usually, college dorm rooms are small. So when trying to figure out the best TV for your living space, you should also factor in quality, size, and functionality. If you enjoy binge-watching your favorite TV series, playing games with friends, or catching the latest sporting event/ballgame, having the right television can enhance your dorm life experience.
In this TV in Dorm Room guide, we’ll shed light on everything you need and should know about choosing the best TV for your college dorm, as well as size recommendations, and popular television brands, including the best TV stands, and more. Then we’ll dive into a top all-in-one Streaming TV/VOD service that delivers many of your favorite channels, shows, movies, sports, series, you name it.
1. Types of College Dorms: Private vs. Shared Rooms
Dorms come in various layouts so your living arrangement will be based on the size of the TV that you choose.
- Private Dorm Rooms: If you happen to be one of the lucky ones to have your own room, then you can have more leadway in terms of size. You can go with a larger television such as a 40-inch or 50-inch. But keep in mind of the space whereby you’ll want to keep the TV at an optimal viewing space. Having a slim TV stand or better yet, a wall-mounted TV is a great way to maximize space.
- Shared Dorm Rooms: If you are going to be in a shared room, obviously the space will be limited. A smaller television like a 32-inch or 40-inch may be best. You need to take notice of the distance between your bed and the television. Just choose a size that does not overcompensate the room.
Best TV Size for Dorm Rooms
Let’s break down the dorm room size a bit further. Size does matter when choosing a television for your college dorm room, especially when shared spaces are more compact. Here are some TV sizes to consider:
- 32-inch TV: This can be a perfect size for a dorm room (private or shared) and typically fits conveniently in most dorm spaces. It will provide clear and crisp visuals when viewing sports, movies, shows, games, etc. It’s also easier to move around when rearranging or switching rooms.
- 40-inch to 43-inch TV: If you are moving into a college dorm that’s a bit larger, or planning to host friends to watch sports or movies, having a 40-inch may be ideal. It’s a bigger screen that doesn’t overwhelm the room.
- 50-inch TV: This may be a great choice if moving into a private dorm room that has more space. You may even want to experience a cinematic atmosphere. This size would make it a bit difficult for a shared dorm room, unless of course living in a cramped space doesn’t bother you.
This should help answer what size TV for a dorm room is needed.
2. Best TV Brands for Dorm Rooms & Prices
Several trusted TV and smart TV brands are offering affordable quality options for college dorm rooms. Is it worth getting a TV for your from?
Let’s dive further into the popular brands (best dorm room TVs) including their price ranges:
TCL
- Price Range: $120.00 – $450.00
- TCL offers a budget-friendly option without hindering the quality. A popular choice for college students is the TCL 4-Series Roku TV. It comes with built-in Roku and channel store (apps) and offers outstanding smart TV integration. But before choosing a Roku consider the Streaming TV/VOD Service you will learn about later in this guide.
Vizio
- Price Range: $150.00 – $400.00
- Vizios have good value, particularly the Vizio V-Series. These models come with Smartcast used for streaming which is available for a cheaper price than its competition.
Hisense
- Price Range: $150.00 – $400.00
- Hisense televisions are also budget-friendly, have good image quality, and come with smart features. You might want to take a look at the Hisense A6 Series. This TV offers 4K capability, has very good value, and is good for students living on a tight budget.
LG
- LG is a very popular brand and there are many apps including TV apps in the built-in app store that can be installed. If you are looking to further your TV viewing options, then you might want to look no further. Same thing with the Samsung smart TV coming up next. The LG has impressive reliability and color accuracy. The LG UHD AI ThinQ series can work in your favor. It has great balance when it comes to price and performance.
Also, see Amazon Fire TV 4-Series 4K UHD Smart TV or Amazon Firestick 4K / 4K Max for your TV
Samsung
- Price Range: $200.00 – $600.00
- Another popular brand where many streaming TV/VOD Services are compatible just like the LG. Samsung is popular for its great feature enhancements, picture quality, and has a sleek design. It can be a good choice for dorm rooms. The Samsung TU8000 Series exhibits smart TV functionality, plus 4K UHD resolution. It makes it ideal for streaming TV/VOD services.
Cheap TV for College Dorm Rooms
If looking for a television that’s easy on the pockets, consider the following options:
* TCL 32-inch 3-Series TV: Approx. $150.00
* Vizio 32-inch Smart TV: Approx, $200.00
* Hisense 32-inch 4K TV: Approx. $200.00
NOTE: These televisions have great picture quality at those price ranges that also include smart TV features which makes them ideal for dorm room living.
3. Do Colleges Allow Mounting TVs on Dorm Room Walls?
There are specific dormitory rules and regulations that may or may not allow you to mount a TV on the wall. Something you need to ask or review the rules and regulations. Here are some of the general considerations:
- Permission Required: Many times, college students are required to get permission before they can mount anything on the walls including TVs. The reason is mounting can cause damage to the wall or when drilling holes which can be against policy. Drilling may be prohibited to avoid any property damage.
- Options for Wall Mounts: If drilling holes in the wall are prohibited, then taking a look at some non-drilling options can work, such as wall brackets doesn’t require drilling holes. These kinds of solutions can securely hold a TV with no possible damage to the wall. As a result, some colleges might be more lenient when taking this approach.
- Check Dorm Property Policies: It’s always wise to review the dorm handbook or check with the dorm’s housing office for a clear understanding. Some colleges may provide wall mounts or have special instructions to help avoid damage.
- Private vs. Shared Dorms: Rules can apply differently for each type of dorm room, private or shared. Private dorms sometimes have less restrictions than shared dorms.
- Alternative Solutions: If mounting isn’t permitted or practical, there’s the option to use a TV stand. You could even use a floating shelf if permitted to hold your television. In turn, this can provide a viewing angle you may prefer while keeping the walls intact. Certain computer desks or furniture can be used to place a TV on top of it.
4. Best TV Stands for Dorm Rooms
Finding a good television stand or mount is necessary when organizing your TV and viewing while freeing up as much space as possible. Take a look at these great options for dorm rooms.
* Mount-It! TV Wall Mount
- Price Range: $30.00 – $70.00
- TVs that are wall-mounted are great for saving space. Mount-It! TV Wall Mount comes highly rated for college dorm rooms that keep your TV placed securely while getting the most out of your floor space. Check Here
* Furinno 11192EX Simple Design TV Stand
- Price Range: $40.00 – $70.00
- For a more simple and compact TV stand that doesn’t take up much space, the Furinno Simple Design TV Stand would be a good choice. Not only does it offer shelf space for accessories, remotes, game consoles, and other things but it can hold up to 50-inch TVs. Check Here
* Vivo Universal TV Stand
- Price Range: $50.00 – $100.00
- Although a little higher priced, Vivo is still considered affordable. It’s easy to assemble and will hold up to 55-inch televisions. There’s extra space for streaming devices and gaming consoles which makes it ideal for dorm rooms. Check Here
FAQs About TVs for College Dorms
Can you fit a TV in a college dorm?
Absolutely. Different-sized TVs are fitting for any room setting, space, or dorm room Take for instance a 32-inch TV which is typically convenient for small spaces. As for a shared dorm room, there’s the option to use a wall mount to save space. But you need to check with your college to see if it’s allowed.
What TV is best for a dorm room?
A 32-inch TV can be the right size for many college dorm rooms, even shared rooms. The right balance of screen size that avoids taking up considerable space should be the goal. Television brands such as Samsung, LG, or TCL can be excellent options if affordability and quality are high on your list.
What is the best TV for university students?
This can be debatable but the TCL 4-Series Roku TV or Samsung TU8000 are great options that can benefit university students. It offers a good mix of smart TV features, quality, and affordability.
Is a monitor or TV better for college dorms?
Quite frankly, a TV set is always best provided you are interested in getting access to Streaming TV/VOD content to watch movies, shows, sports, etc. Of course, this would include playing video games with friends as opposed to using a computer monitor. But if you are short on cash and space, a monitor could work for streaming when using an HDMI connection.
Is using a computer to Watch TV a good option?
Any up-to-date computer with a steady high-speed WiFi connection can be used. There are many Streaming TV/VOD Services that are compatible with Windows and MacOS computers, some include Linux computers. A computer has all the multimedia capabilities needed. And if you have a desktop or laptop with a larger screen or want to connect a larger monitor, this certainly can work.
5. How to Watch TV for Less Money?
Now that we covered various TVs for dorm rooms including TV Stands for dorm rooms, you might be wondering what’s the best option for TV entertainment. There are plenty of Streaming TV/VOD services that offer low-cost solutions to watching your favorites online.
But if you want to enhance your TV/VOD entertainment, some deliver a wealth of Streaming TV/VOD content from many different countries, not just the US. This includes 100s if not 1000s of live channels (local/regional, premium, global) from major TV networks. Also, includes 10s of 1000s of VOD movies and TV series.
There are more perks than imagine when testing and looking under the hood. You will find many subscription packages for 1, 3, 6, and 12-month plans, and 1-5 device connections at one time. You’ll find several payment methods to choose from and can choose Automatic Billing or Manual (One-Time) Payment–pay as you go.
These Streaming TV/VOD Services are unlike traditional TV. You get a wide variety of entertaining TV channels and VODs. Watch streaming TV/VOD content from any location in the world on any compatible device, not just a smart TV.
Compatible Devices:
- Android TV, Box, Phone & Tablet
- Devices with Android OS (Firestick, Fire TV, Fire Cube, NVIDIA Shield, etc.)
- Chromecast with Google TV
- iOS/Apple Devices (iPad, iPhone, Apple TV)
- Computers (MacOS, Windows, Linux)
- Smart TV (Samsung, LG, maybe Sony) ***Any smart TV w/ build-in app store that can install a supported TV Player app
Here’s a Top Streaming TV/VOD Service you can review and learn more. It’s compatible with the devices mentioned:
CracklePop TV | Read Full Review ***As little as $16/mo.
Note: Not ideal for Roku TV but you can find a Streaming TV/VOD Service for Roku HERE.
Other Resources:
Top 10 IPTV Streaming Services
Conclusion
Ideally, you will need to assess the size of the college dorm room you are going to live in to get a basic idea of the best TV for dorm room setup. Again, size matters so you need to determine spacing, especially if you are going to live in a shared dorm room and/or have visitors. Living in a private dorm room offers more space which gives more to work with.
A TV stand for the dorm room may or may not be needed if your college permits using wall mounts. But if prohibited, there are alternatives you can use as explained above.
Lastly, to enhance your TV/VOD entertainment at a very low cost, an all-in-one Streaming TV/VOD Service was recommended (CracklePop TV). There’s more than enough entertainment for you and those you wish to entertain. You can watch all kinds of movies, sports, entertainment channels, TV shows/sitcoms/series, and the list goes on.
For as little as $16.00 per month, you can start watching your favorites no matter where you go. So once you figure out the best TV size for your dorm room setup, the next step is getting the TV/VOD subscription.
