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I know, it might seem rare today to find a TV that isn’t smart or connected to the internet. Despite what you might think, they are still available and even having a bit of a resurgence these days as people are getting sick of all the data being collected about them and are just looking for a simpler no-nonsense TV. If you’re thinking about making the switch, this blog will look at what non-smart TVs are out there and how they compare to current smart TVs, as well as some tips we here at Systems Insights have got to transform your current setup into a non-smart streamlined smart TV without having to buy a whole new one.
What is a Non-Smart TV in 2025?
A non-smart TV these days is one which doesn’t have the ability to connect to the internet. It also won’t be able to install applications, meaning that it’s limited to showing Freeview if that’s installed or whatever inputs you have plugged in. That’s right, there’s no menu with streaming services like Netflix or BBC iPlayer meaning it’s so much simpler and easier to navigate.
Why would you want a Non-Smart TV over a Smart TV?
There’s a few reasons why you might want a non-smart TV. One might be concerns over your privacy and the data that’s collected about you. If you’re not actually sure what data a smart TV collects about you or how to make your smart TV secure, then the easiest way to make sure nothing’s being collected on you is getting one that can’t connect to the internet! This way, there’s no chance that they can collect and share what you’re watching or doing. So, if you’re concerned about having information about you sold by companies or stolen by hackers, then getting a non-smart TV which can’t connect to the internet and need this data is a smart investment.
Or maybe you’re just sick of dealing with laggy and confusing menus full of apps that you never actually use. If you’ve already got an Amazon Fire Stick or a Sky Q box, then you might feel that there’s no point in having a smart TV which does the exact same thing as the device you use your smart TV for. And you’re right, it can get annoying when every time you turn on the TV you have to wait for an update to download and install which’ll end up making it even slower and annoying to navigate. This makes getting a non-smart TV sound great as it saves you having to go through a bunch of menus you don’t want, making it that much simpler to sit down and watch whatever you want to watch.
What Non-Smart TVs are out there?
RCA’s Standard TV
One of the best non-smart TVs currently out there is RCA’s Standard TV. While it comes as a handy little non-smart TV, it’s worth reviewing our pros and cons below before you consider if it’s right for you. This one comes as 32 inches and while there’s a few screen sizes available, unfortunately the max screen size is only 42 inches. This means that you might have to sacrifice some size from your current smart TV if you’re choosing this option.
Pros:
- Comes with multiple HDMI, USB and SCART ports to connect your devices
- Dolby Sound System for high audio quality
- MACE Colour Engine
Cons:
- Only 720p picture quality
- Largest size available is only 42 inches
Cello’s C2224F Non-Smart TV
Another option you might also consider is Cello’s C2224F non-smart TV. This option has better picture quality as well as a DVD player already installed, meaning you’ll have more than enough inputs to plug in all your devices at once. However, it’s also got similar size limitations to the RCA option with a max screen size of 43 inches, meaning that you might have to downsize from what you already have if you really want a non-smart TV.
Pros:
- Comes with 3 input ports as well as a built-in DVD player
- Includes a USB port for external storage if recording channels
Cons:
- Only 1080p picture quality
- Mixed reviews with multiple reviewers saying they required replacements and were not satisfied
So, is it worth it to get a non-smart TV over a smart TV?
As you can see from our recommendations above, it’s quite difficult to actually find and buy a non-smart TV these days that’s as large and as good quality as newer smart TVs, meaning it might be easier to find a different solution. If you’re certain that you don’t want smart features but don’t want to downsize, then the easiest solution might be to keep what you’ve got and not connect your smart TV to the internet. This way, none of the applications or software will be able to access the internet to get updated and start causing lag. As well as this, you can be sure that there isn’t any data being collected on you and your viewing habits that’s getting sent to third parties, giving you a better peace of mind to watch whatever you want. This way, you can still enjoy all the new technology which help improve the visual and audio quality of what you’re watching to get all the benefits of a new smart TV without any concerns you might have about security or potential lag that come from smart integration.
If you’re wanting to de-smart your smart TV by disconnecting it from the internet, here’s our guide:
- Go to the settings menu on your smart TV.
- Find the WiFi settings and disconnect from your WiFi network (if you are already connected).
- You might also be able to disable WiFi connectivity completely depending on what smart TV you currently have.
- If you have an ethernet cable connected, also be sure to unplug this from the back of your smart TV.
- Now it won’t be able to connect to the internet to get updates or send data back and forth.
- As well as this, check out our blog for the best smart TV security tips to make sure you’re using your smart TV safely.
So, if you’re still unsure if you really want a non-smart TV in 2025, then your best option might be to actually buy or use a smart TV not connected to the internet, as there’s not many good quality options left on the market otherwise. As well as this, non-smart TVs tend to be smaller and lower quality than their smart-versions meaning that you’re not getting the best value for money that you could be getting. Disconnecting a smart TV from the internet will limit the use of smart features while keeping the visual and audio technology upgrades to get a better viewing experience, making this a better option in our expert opinion. If you’re still looking to switch, then check out our recommendations above in this blog for the best non-smart TVs or instead follow our tips above to disconnect your smart TV from the internet to feel comfortable watching your favourite shows and films!