How Long Do Plasma TVs Last? (We Checked)

Do you still own a Plasma TV? Plasma TVs were the king of the living room for a while until they were phased out in 2016 when LED TVs became more practical to produce. Nowadays, Plasma screens are not produced anymore.

Considering that Plasma TVs are no longer covered by warranty, you’re going to have some serious problems when aging starts breaking down the TV.

So, how long do Plasma TVs last?

The Lifespan of Plasma TVs.

Plasma TVs are known for their high-quality images that LED TVs have a hard time beating. However, plasma TVs are not as durable as modern LED TVs and do not have as much mileage as LEDs. Plasma TVs will typically last 5-7 years as long as they are not turned on most of the day.

What’s the Average Lifespan of a Plasma TV?

Under optimal conditions, a plasma TV can reach up to 60,000 hours of use before reaching its half-life, which means it will only reach 50 percent of its brightness. 

However, the average plasma TV will last 45,000 hours, which means five years of constant use before reaching its half-life, when the brightness levels will dim. 

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

The first thing that breaks on a plasma TV is usually screen-related. 

Plasma screens are sensitive, which makes them easily breakable.

These screens are also prone to burn-in, and the damage is irreparable.  

Do Plasma TVs Last Longer than Average TVs?

The modern LED TV has a better chance to last longer than plasma TVs.  

As it is, plasma TVs only have an average lifespan of 45,000 hours when pushed to their limits. The modern LED TV, under the same circumstances, has an average lifespan of 50,000 hours. 

Add to the fact that LED TVs can match the quality of plasma TVs, are more durable, and are cheaper to produce, and you have the reasons that led to the phase-out of the plasma TV.

For information on LEDs’ longevity, check out our article How Long Do LED TVs Last?.

How Long Do New Smart TVs Typically Last?

You can get up to seven years of usage with newer smart TVs when set to the highest settings, including brightness, and with heavy usage.

If you lower the TV settings and don’t leave the TV on all the time, you can extend its lifespan further, up to ten years or sometimes more.

Remember that higher settings mean more power or resources the TV uses. And the more power it uses, the more the TV becomes overworked. 

You should also be reading our article which talks about 12 Most Common Problems With Plasma TVs

How Long is the Warranty on Plasma TVs?

Plasma TVs had a one-year warranty, and the coverage of these warranties varies by distributor.

As plasma TVs have been phased out of production, it’s most likely that you won’t be able to get warranty coverage for your existing Plasma TV. 

Are Plasma TVs Better than Standard Definition TVs?

Plasma TVs are better than standard-definition TVs as HD broadcasting is now the standard for TV content. 

Plasma TVs are ready to use when compared to their standard definition counterparts. They don’t need any converters and are compatible with much of today’s media. 

Can Video Games Destroy Plasma TVs?

You won’t have any issues using plasma TVs for video games, as they are designed to handle console games. 

However, be careful when using a plasma TV for video games, as these are prone to burn-in. Avoid leaving your game on pause for extended periods, as the damage of burn-in is irreparable. 

 For more information, check out our article Are Plasma TVs Good For Gaming?.

What Are the Most Popular Plasma TV models?

Panasonic ST50

According to Plasma TV Buyer’s Guide, Panasonic dominated the list with its ST50 models. 

• It’s loaded with features, so it comes as no surprise that this TV was a highly-rated Plasma TV during its time. 
• This Plasma TV features the Infinite Black Pro panel and cell structure that improves levels of blacks. It also reduces screen glare and can absorb the light without reflections.
• Thanks to the self-illuminating panel, the ST50 provides exceptional contrast. The built-in Louver filter improves image clarity and light transmittance.
• The color accuracy on the ST50 is quite good, although some people would still calibrate it for fine-tuning.
• A cool feature of the ST50 is its 3D capabilities. A switch on the remote control shifts your screen to the third dimension, and the images pop with very clear details.
• 3D images are still clear at 1080p, although it encounters some flickers that are negligible. Things even get better when watching in a dim room.
• Viewing angles are superb, like other Plasma TVs.
• The ST50 uses the Viera Connect system that gives you access to apps like Netflix and Hulu. There’s also a split-view feature that lets you run two apps beside each other.

For its weaknesses, the ST50 has some pixelation when the background is illuminated. There’s also some judder when images slowly pan. The sound quality is also mediocre.

You could say that Plasma TVs are the predecessors of the OLED TV given the similarities in performance and weaknesses.

Samsung D8000

The Samsung D8000 is a testament to the brand’s consistency when it comes to quality TVs. 

• It handles light reflection quite well with its Real Black Drive filter, which also reduces glare.
• The D8000 also stands out with 3D content that doesn’t cause eye strain.
• Picture quality is quite remarkable, and there’s also a decent upscaling of lower resolution.
• For its apps, the D8000 has standard apps like Netflix and YouTube. It also comes with a full-fledged browser for casual browsing.
• What makes this a really cool TV are the two remote controls. You get a standard remote control and a QWERTY remote control that makes typing more convenient.

LG PB6900

Lastly, the LG PB6900 is another powerful Plasma TV. While it might not be as top tier as the other two mentioned in this article, it’s still a good TV. 

• When it comes to picture quality, the PB6900 provides good color and a remarkable amount of depth to the image.
• In a dimly lit room, you’ll see that the PB6900 makes colors pop.
• While the overall color richness is not the best, it still provides a more lifelike feel than LED TVs of the same era.
• The 3D performance is also remarkable, although it does not come with free 3D glasses.
• For its smart TV functions, the PB6900 uses a more streamlined system that’s different from the WebOS. But you still get access to apps like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, to name a few.
• Sound quality is also good, and you won’t need to get an external set of speakers.
• For its weaknesses, the PB6900 has some buffering issues when streaming, even when Internet connectivity is good.

What Can I Do to Prolong the Lifespan?

Because plasma TVs have been discontinued, you should exert extra care to keep your Plasma TV in tiptop condition. Remember that some components of a plasma TV are irreparable when damaged!

Here are some tips for caring for your Plasma TV. 

Turn off the TV when not in use. 

If you leave the TV on all the time, it needlessly degrades the TV’s components.

Take advantage of timers so that your TV shuts down in case you forget to turn it off. 

Keep the TV in a safe place. 

Make sure your TV is in a secure place where it’s free from harmful elements, such as the rain or sunlight, which can damage your TV. 

Consider using a wall mount.

 Using a wall mount provides your TV a secure location, and gets it means it will get enough ventilation as well. 

Let air circulate

You should allow at least two inches of space between the back of the TV and the wall, and four inches of space on each side.

If you plan to use a console cabinet, make sure it is well ventilated. You may add cooling fans inside to help air circulate. 

Dust off the TV

Dust can damage your TV’s screen and even block the vents and prevent circulation. 

Wiping your TV with a dry microfiber cloth will help you maintain your TV’s lifespan. Don’t use any cleaning agent, as these can cause damage to the TV. 

Use an Automatic Voltage Regulator

 Power surges can damage your TV. Using an AVR can help reduce the risk of damage brought about by sudden jolts of power. 

Final Thoughts

Plasma TVs were powerful during their time, but they have many sensitive, outdated components that make them risky to own now. 

LED TVs replaced plasma TVs on the market, as they are cheaper to produce and more durable. If you are looking to buy a new TV, an LED or OLED model makes the most sense. Plasma TVs are difficult to maintain these days, as they have been discontinued. 

But if you still have your plasma TV, extra care goes a long way to making the most of it. 

 

Sources:

How Long Do Plasma Tvs Last?

Plasma Television Best Sellers