Most modern TVs are designed to last about 7–10 years of regular use before you see noticeable decline or feel pushed to upgrade.
Typical lifespan
- Many TVs are rated for around 40,000–100,000 hours of use, which usually works out to roughly 7–10 years for an average household.
- Smart TVs often become outdated sooner on the software side (apps and updates) even if the hardware still works, which can make 5–7 years feel like a “practical” lifespan for some people.
By TV type
- LED/LCD and QLED TVs commonly last long enough to reach or exceed the 10‑year mark if used at moderate brightness and kept cool and dust‑free.
- OLED TVs can also last close to 10 years, but they are more vulnerable to burn‑in if the same static images are displayed for long periods.
What affects how long it lasts
- Higher brightness settings, long daily viewing hours, heat, and dust all shorten a TV’s lifespan; gentle brightness, good ventilation, and basic cleaning help extend it.
- In practice, many people replace TVs around every 5–7 years to keep up with new features and picture quality, even though the set could keep working longer.
