Are Vizio TVs Reliable? (Explained For Beginners)

Vizio has been on the market for quite a while now, offering affordable TVs for the budget-conscious consumer. Vizio made a name for itself by driving down the cost of its products while offering the same features as more established brands.

But truth be told, affordability can also be associated with questionable reliability.

So, given its low price point, are Vizio TVs reliable?

How Reliabile Are Vizio TVs?

Vizio is known for providing reliable TVs with powerful features that are comparable to leading TV brands. While they may not be as high-end as the big names, Vizio offer a lineup that will easily last 5-7 years when not being used 24/7.

Do Vizio TVs Last As Long As Other Brands?

If taken care of, a Vizio TV should last around 7-10 years, which is the average lifespan of TVs.

The durability of a Vizio TV relies a lot on how the TV is handled and used. Like any other TV, if the TV is dropped or subjected to harsh conditions, it will not last as long as a well-treated TV.

Now, even if you took utmost care in handling the TV, a few things can affect the longevity of a Vizio TV.

For example, cranking up the backlight of your TV can cause it to break faster because backlights set to full blast will wear out faster.

Are Vizio TVs Worth Buying?

Vizio TVs are priced quite cheaply but provide tons of value with the features they offer.

Considering its low price, you may be surprised by the quality of Vizio’s TV offerings.

Now, the quality of Vizio TVs really depends on the product you buy. TVs with more quality features listed will perform better than the bare-bones versions.

Vizio also recently introduced a line of OLED TVs, which are also cheaper than other brands’ counterparts.

Do People Generally Have Problems With Vizio TVs?

Just like any TV, Vizio TVs have their share of reported problems. These range from display to power issues.

Check below for common issues.

What Are the Most Common Issues With Vizio TVs?

The most common issues of Vizio TVs are a blank, black screen, remote control, and sound-related concerns.

Blank Black Screen

This issue, sometimes referred to as the Black Screen of Death, is often caused by either a faulty power board, backlight converter, T-con board, or in some cases, the actual screen itself.

The only way to remedy this is to replace the faulty parts.

Remote Control Issues

Issues with the remote control of Vizio are often associated with a faulty IR sensor or loose wires.

You can opt to buy replacement parts, or if the issue cannot be identified, you can also buy a universal remote control.

For people who are unfamiliar with electronics, a replacement remote control is a more practical solution.

Sound Issues

Some sound-related issues have been reported for select Vizio TV units. For the most part, these are caused by loose wires or connections and can be fixed easily.

If the issue is bigger, it might cost more to repair. That is why some consumers opt for an extended warranty to cover these repairs.

How Reliable Are The Cable Ports?

The cable ports of Vizio TVs are durable, but also need diligence on the part of the user to properly care for them.

How Many Years Should I Expect It To Last?

With proper care and use, you can expect Vizio TVs to last you an average of seven years, with regular and extensive use.

If you don’t use it round the clock, you can get up to 10 years on a Vizio TV with proper care and maintenance.

How Long Is the Warranty On These?

Vizio TVs come with a one-year warranty.

Some retailers offer extended warranties for added peace of mind. Before purchasing warranty extensions, you need to weigh the costs versus the value the TV brings to you.

What’s the First Thing that Breaks in a TV?

Generally, the first that breaks in a LED TV is the backlight of the LED panels.

That is why you need to be mindful of the backlight brightness settings of your TV, whether it’s a Vizio or any other brand.

You should not set the brightness at the highest level when not needed. If you watch TV at night or in dim environments, you may want to back off the brightness a little.

What Are the Best Vizio TVs?

Here are suggested TV models from Vizio to consider.

Vizio OLED

The Vizio OLED is the top-of-the-line TV from the budget brand and its first foray into OLED TVs.

Since it’s an OLED TV, it can turn off pixels individually for infinite contrast ratio and sharp blacks.
The response time of this TV is almost instantaneous, and movement is rendered clearly with little to no blur.
The Vizio OLED also has wide viewing angles that makes it perfect for those wanting to have people over to watch the game or movies.
While this TV does not get very bright, it has decent reflection handling.
HDR performance is above average, as it maintains an extensive color gamut, but its highlights lack pop.
The Vizio OLED also comes with a 120 Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1, but its Variable Refresh Rate feature needs to be updated for some bugs.
The input lag is low, but it could be better.
Now the weakness of this TV is its risk of burn-in, which is common among OLED displays. The best workaround for this would be to avoid static images and have varied content to avoid permanent image retention.

Vizio P Series

If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative that’s especially adept at gaming, then you should check out the Vizio P Series Quantum 2020.

It features a VA panel with high contrast ratio, and the P Series also has local dimming that enhances contrasts.
This Vizio TV can also handle glare without issues. Highlights are emphasized well in HDR content.
Since this TV is highly recommended for gaming, the P Series features a low input lag, fast response time, and a 120 Hz refresh rate for intensive gaming. There’s also HDMI 2.1, support for Variable Refresh Rates, and an Auto Low Latency Mode.
You also will not have a problem using the P Series as a computer monitor, as it handles the usual screen resolutions and comes with proper chroma 4:4:4, which optimizes text clarity.
The downside to the P Series is its narrow viewing angles.

Vizio M7 Series

While Vizio is a budget brand, it makes things even cheaper with its budget series, the M7.

The Vizio M7 is the budget offering from the company, which, for its price and features, takes affordable TVs to a whole new level.
The M7 uses a VA panel with a remarkable contrast ratio. You won’t have any problems handling glare and reflections.
If you are into HDR content, the M7 comes with a wide color gamut and fully covers the DCI P3 color space.
If you are into gaming, the M7 is a good pick. The response time is notable, and it features Black Frame Insertion to enhance clarity. It has a low input lag and supports a Variable Refresh Rate, but only up to 60 Hz.

Since this TV is on the more affordable spectrum of the brand, you can say that you get what you pay for. Thus some features are missing or could be better when compared to other 4k TVs on the market.

The first on the list is the narrow viewing angles, which is expected with VA panels.
Second, the M7 cannot upscale lower-resolution content properly.
Third, there is no app store. So, you might want to expand its capacity through streaming devices like the Fire TV Stick.

Seven Ways to Care for Your TV

If you want to get more mileage from your TV, consider implementing proper care practices.

These tips cost little to nothing but can do a lot in prolonging the lifespan of your TV!

1. Turn off the TV when not in use

Keeping the TV off when not in use is self-explanatory. If you leave your TV on, the degradation cycle kicks in and will wear out your TV faster.

TVs have built-in timers that you can use to help you turn off your TV, in case you forget. These timers should help you squeeze more mileage from your TV.

2. Use a Voltage Regulator

Voltage spikes can damage electronic devices, and TVs are not an exception.

These happen usually when electricity is restored after an interruption. In some cases, even when there is power, or during thunderstorms, voltage spikes may happen.

Given that voltage spikes can happen at any time to anyone, you should consider having an extra layer of protection.

Using a voltage regulator will help address the possible power spikes that may damage your TV or any other electronic device in your house.

3. Adjust the brightness of the backlight

Setting the brightness of your TV to the highest level can lessen the lifespan of your TV.

High levels of brightness can also cause eye strain. And the first thing that breaks in a TV is the backlight.

Thus, you need to keep the brightness at the lowest level possible based on the lighting in the room.

4. Provide ample ventilation space

The last thing you want is to have your TV overheat. Especially in areas with more humid or warmer climates, TVs are prone to more damage if they are not given enough cooling space.

Don’t keep your TV in an enclosed space, and remove any big items too close to the TV that can block the passage of air for circulation.

5. Clean your TV regularly

Dust gathers overtime on your TV, which can lead to the blocking of vents for air circulation, and on the screen which affects the clarity on screen.

Make sure to use anti-static cleaning devices for the screen and invest in cleaning devices meant for household electronic devices for hard-to-reach spots.