How Long Do Insignia TVs Last? (We Checked)

Insignia TVs are reliable budget TVs. The brand boasts quite affordable TVs that beat out many of the entry-level brands’ offerings.

With that in mind, do you get what you pay for, or is this TV a disappointment?

How long do Insignia TVs last? 

Here’s What You Need to Know about the Lifespan of Insignia TVs.

Insignia TVs can last you up to seven years, under heavy usage. However, just like other TVs on the market, with proper care and maintenance, they can last upwards of ten years. This requires the screen to cool off at least twice a day.

What’s the Average Lifespan of an Insignia TV?

Insignia TVs have a lifespan that can span up to seven years with heavy, extensive usage. 

This is the average lifespan of most smart TVs on the market today. However, you can get more mileage with proper care and usage. With proper care, a smart TV can last upwards of ten years.

What’s the First Thing that Breaks on Insignia TVs?

Like most of the TVs on the market, the most vulnerable component inside Insignia TVs is the backlights.

They usually burn out with use, which is why they are usually the first component to fail in TVs. 

Do Insignia TVs Last Longer than Average TVs?

The lifespan of an Insignia TV does not differ that much from many of the TVs available on the market that have similar prices.

As noted by many, the difference in lifespan depends on the usage. If you run the TV 24/7 and crank up the brightness full blast at all times, you will likely get a shorter lifespan out of your TV.

How Long do New Smart TVs Typically Last?

Most smart TVs on the market, especially those within the average price range, have an average lifespan of seven years under intensive usage.

Intensive usage usually means running the TV at the highest image settings and round-the-clock.

As mentioned earlier, TVs can last longer with moderate usage and settings.

How Long is the Warranty on Insignia TVs?

Insignia TVs have a 12-month warranty when buying from an offline retailer.

Will Video Games Damage Insignia TVs?

You can use Insignia TVs for playing video games.

But the performance may not be as good as you’d hope it to be. Insignia TVs, unfortunately, have a high input lag, which means it has poor performance when you want to make fast, precise movements on the screen.

With that said, the Insignia is good for non-intensive gaming, when timing isn’t a critical factor.

What Are the Most Popular Insignia TV Models?

The most popular TVs from Insignia are its Fire TV models.

These TVs retail for as low as $110, and can go as high as $530 for the biggest in its class.

Let’s take a look at their F30 55-inch Fire TV and see what you get.

• First of all, the F30 uses the Fire TV operating system of Amazon. That means you get access to hundreds of apps, including popular ones like Netflix.
• There’s also a half-inch thick bezel on this TV, which is common for entry-level TVs.
• The remote control that comes with it is very similar to the Fire TV Stick remote and includes hotkeys to Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, and IMDB TV.
• This TV comes with 4k resolution and supports HDR content via HDR10. Unfortunately, it does not support Dolby Vision.
• Color calibration is more on the average side, as there are some parameters not available for adjusting. The colors might not be as vivid, but they’re appropriate for an entry-level TV.
• Since this TV uses the Fire TV operating system, you can connect it to Alexa and take advantage of voice commands to sync with other devices in the smart home system.
• A word of advice though, this TV was meant for watching. Gaming will be disappointing, even with Game Mode active. Aside from having only a 60 Hz refresh rate, the input lag is quite high. It also doesn’t support HDR gaming.

All in all, this TV is the most popular in the brand due to the higher specs and the Fire TV system it uses.

What Can I Do to Prolong the Lifespan?

Your TV won’t last forever. As you use your TV, whether it’s an Insignia or any other brand, it slowly degrades as components heat and will eventually break with use.

But you can take steps to delay the breakdown. Knowing how to maintain your TV not only prevents trips to the repair center but may also prolong the lifespan of your TV.

Here are some tips to consider.

Turn off the TV when not in use

Whenever your TV is on, it inches towards degradation, like any other mechanical or electronic device.

But that should not discourage you from using that hard-earned TV! Simply make it a habit to turn off the TV when not in use. Leaving it on for periods degrades components inside, particularly the backlights. The backlights are usually the first thing that breaks with usage.

You should also take advantage of timers built into your TV or a smart home system to help you turn off the TV when not in use.

Provide a safe space for your TV

TVs contain sensitive components that will break when exposed to harmful elements, such as the sun or rain. As much as possible, keep your TV away from the window.

• You should also keep it away from other appliances that emit heat, such as heaters.
• Make sure that your TV also has enough space to breathe.
• Ideally, you need at least two inches of space behind it, and four inches on the side so that it can ventilate.
• For those using cabinet consoles, there should be an allowance for air circulation. You can also improve breathability with cooling fans.
• A wall mount also helps keep your TV safe, as there are fewer chances of it getting knocked down by accident.

Dust off the TV

Make it a habit to clean your TV regularly to prevent dust accumulation.

• Dust can damage your TV’s screen and even clog the ventilation slots of your TV.
• Clean your TV using a dry microfiber cloth and wipe it gently.
• Don’t use any other cleaning agent, as these can damage your TV.

Don’t set the TV too bright

For TVs that have backlights, don’t set them too high.

Many people think that the higher the brightness is, the better the image quality will be. Unfortunately, that is not true. And setting the brightness too high can damage the backlights of the TV faster.

That is why you should set the brightness of your to a level that’s just enough to reduce glare or reflections. You also don’t need as much brightness when watching in a dim room, which is why you should reduce brightness at night.

If your TV has preset for brightness, take advantage of them so that you get an optimized setting.

Use an Automatic Voltage Regulator

Sometimes, power surges may happen, and a single jolt is enough to damage your TV. Damages brought by power surges may be impractical for repair due to the costs, which leaves you no choice but to buy a new TV.

Investing in an Automatic Voltage Regulator or Surge Protector can go a long way in protecting your TV.

Upgrade the firmware

A firmware update not only resolves any bugs but ensures that your TV remains compatible with the apps you use.

That is why you should make it a habit to ensure that your firmware is up to date so that your TV can last longer.

Final Thoughts

Insignia TVs, while not the top of the line, are reliable TVs. 

As long as you provide sufficient care and control your settings, you can make the most of these TVs.

If you’re on the hunt for a reliable and affordable TV, check out our articles How Long Do Vizio TVs Last?, Are Toshiba TVs Reliable?, Are Hisense TVs Reliable?, and How Long Do TCL TVs Last?.  

 

Sources:

Insignia 55-Inch Class Fire TV Edition

11 Tips to Help Make Your LED TV Last Longer

Do Smart TVs Break Easily? (Solved & Explained!)