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Roku and Element announced the 55-inch Element Patio Series EP400AB55R in May 2022. It was described as the first outdoor TV with Roku built in—not the first outdoor television. Its reported specifications included 4K resolution, 700-nit brightness, an anti-glare screen and an IP55-rated frame. Those details describe the product on paper; they do not establish that it is suitable for every outdoor location or clearly visible in direct sun.
What was Roku’s first outdoor TV?
The product was the Element Patio Series EP400AB55R, a 55-inch outdoor television running Roku OS. Element described it as its first outdoor TV using the Roku platform, and contemporaneous coverage called it the first outdoor Roku TV. The distinction matters: Samsung says its outdoor TV, The Terrace, launched in North America in May 2020, before Roku and Element’s announcement. Element’s announcement and Samsung’s launch account provide that context.
EP400AB55R specifications reported at launch
The figures below come from contemporaneous product reporting in 2022, not independent testing. New Atlas reported the following specifications; Engadget also described the model as a 55-inch outdoor TV with 700-nit brightness, 4K streaming, HDR10, anti-glare tempered glass and IP55 weather protection. New Atlas and Engadget cover the launch.
| Feature | Reported specification |
|---|---|
| Model and display | Element Patio Series EP400AB55R; 55-inch 4K UHD, 3,840 × 2,160 pixels |
| Smart-TV platform | Roku OS |
| Picture | HDR10; 700 nits; anti-glare Direct View LED; 60 Hz refresh rate |
| Enclosure and screen | IP55-rated weather-resistant metal frame; tempered safety glass |
| Operating temperature | -4°F to 104°F (-20°C to 40°C) |
| Connections and audio | Four HDMI inputs with ARC; built-in analog/digital TV tuner; integrated speakers |
| Mounting | VESA-mount compatible; a specific mounting pattern or compatible mount was not stated in the cited report |
What the outdoor ratings do—and don’t—tell you
IP55 is a rating, not a waterproof guarantee
IP55 is the reported ingress-protection rating for the set’s frame. It indicates tested resistance to dust ingress and water jets within the rating’s conditions; it should not be read as proof that the television is waterproof or protected against every weather exposure. The cited product reporting does not establish installation clearances, whether every connection is protected in all conditions, or a guarantee against weather damage.
#1 Best Overall
- Breathtaking picture: Sharp 4K brings out rich detail on our 55" flat screen TV, while the QLED screen and HDR10 create bright, accurate colors. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
700 nits does not establish direct-sun readability
The 700-nit figure is a reported brightness specification, not a demonstration of visibility in all daylight. Brightness alone does not settle outdoor picture performance: contrast and color behavior under strong ambient light also matter. Samsung’s published Terrace verification criteria refer to peak brightness above 3,000–4,000 nits along with contrast and color-volume thresholds. Those are Samsung’s criteria for its product, not a direct test of the Element TV. Samsung’s 2021 lineup announcement explains its approach.
Keep temperatures within the reported range
The published operating range was -4°F to 104°F (-20°C to 40°C). The specification does not establish how the television performs outside that range.
Rank #2
- Breathtaking picture: Sharp 4K brings out rich detail on our 50" flat screen TV, while the QLED screen and HDR10 create bright, accurate colors. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
How to compare it with another outdoor TV
Use the intended installation and viewing conditions—not the word “outdoor” alone—as the basis for comparison. Samsung’s 2021 Terrace lineup included 55-, 65- and 75-inch models and described IP55 protection. The available reports do not provide independent side-by-side tests or current prices, so they do not support declaring either product a performance or value winner.
- Sun exposure and visibility: Check whether the model is intended for shade, partial sun or direct sun, and look for evidence about picture visibility under comparable lighting.
- Brightness and picture performance: Compare brightness alongside contrast and color information rather than treating a single nit figure as decisive.
- Environmental limits: Compare ingress protection and operating-temperature ranges, and check the installation guidance for the location you have in mind.
- Fit and features: Compare screen sizes, smart-TV platforms, connection options and mounting requirements. For a VESA mount, verify the TV’s mounting pattern and weight against the mount’s specifications and suitability for the outdoor location.
- Current cost and availability: Confirm these with a retailer or manufacturer listing; launch-era prices are not current quotes.
Launch price and present availability
New Atlas reported a US$1,299.99 launch-period price, while Engadget reported availability through Walmart.com for about $1,300 in May 2022. These are historical launch details, not a current price or confirmation that the model remains on sale. Current inventory and discontinuation status have not been established.
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Rank #3
- Bright, clear picture: Bring entertainment to life on our 40" flat screen TV with bright 1080p Full HD—perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, and beyond. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
What Roku said about the protective glass
New Atlas attributed this statement about the tempered glass to Roku: “this means maximum protection against anything from unexpected hail to a game of catch gone awry.” It is Roku’s quoted promotional wording as reproduced by New Atlas, not an independent durability test. Read the New Atlas report.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- A treat for the eyes: Sharp 4K brings out rich detail on our 43" flat screen TV, while colors pop off in lifelike clarity with HDR10. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Rank #4
- Bright, clear picture: Bring entertainment to life on our 32" flat screen TV with bright 1080p Full HD—perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, and beyond. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
