A TV in a campervan sounds simple enough. In practice, there are a few decisions that catch people out, mainly around power, mounting, and signal. Getting each of those right makes the difference between a setup that works every time and one that becomes a source of frustration on site.
Power: 12-volt is the starting point
Campervans typically run on a leisure battery when they're not connected to a hookup. That battery runs at 12 volts. A standard household TV runs on 240 volts, so if you want to use it off-grid without draining your battery through an inverter, you need a TV that runs natively on 12 volts.
A 12V TV plugs directly into your van's leisure battery circuit and draws significantly less power than putting a 240V set through an inverter. If you spend a lot of time off-grid, this matters.
The Cello camping and caravan TV range runs on both 12 volts and 240 volts, so you get the same TV working in both situations without any compromise.
Choosing the right size
Most campervan builds work best with a screen between 19 and 24 inches. Larger screens can work in bigger builds, but in a standard panel van conversion the wall space is limited and a big screen tends to dominate.
Measure the wall or cabinet area where you plan to mount the TV before you buy. A TV that looks fine in the listing photos can feel cramped once it's actually in the van.
Mounting: fixed or removable?
There are two main approaches. A fixed wall mount keeps the TV in place all the time. It's tidy, secure, and means the TV is always ready to use. The trade-off is that it takes up wall space permanently and you need to make sure the bracket is solid enough to handle the movement of driving.
A removable or folding mount lets you stow the TV away when you're on the move and deploy it when you're parked up. This is a good option if space is tight or if you want to use the wall for other purposes when the TV isn't in use.
Either way, use a bracket with a VESA pattern that matches your TV, and make sure it's fixed into something solid, not just into the van's thin wall panels.
Signal: what are your options?
There are three main ways to get content on a campervan TV. Freeview gives you terrestrial channels, but signal quality varies enormously depending on where you're parked. In some spots it's excellent; in others you'll get nothing at all.
A portable satellite dish gives you a much more consistent signal across the UK and into Europe. It takes a few minutes to set up each time but is reliable in most locations.
Streaming via mobile data or a WiFi connection at a campsite is increasingly the default for a lot of campervan travellers. A smart TV with built-in WiFi makes this straightforward, though signal quality at some rural campsites can be patchy.
A TV with a built-in DVD player gives you a fallback that works anywhere, regardless of signal or data.
A few things to check before you buy
Look at how many HDMI and USB ports the TV has. If you want to connect a laptop, games console, or streaming stick, you'll need at least one free HDMI port. A USB port lets you play content directly from a drive, which is handy when you're somewhere with no signal at all.
Check the weight of the TV too. A heavier set puts more strain on the mount when you're driving on uneven roads.
Browse the full camping and caravan TV range to find a set that fits your van and your way of travelling. If you have questions about a specific model, the support team can help you find the right fit.