A TV in the workshop can be more than background entertainment. When you're halfway through a repair, a large screen can make instructions easier to follow than squinting at a phone balanced on a toolbox.
Our personal recommendation: a Samsung Smart TV
For our smart workshop, we personally recommend considering a Samsung Smart TV. The appeal is having entertainment and smart-home controls together: compatible Samsung models can work with Alexa, offer SmartThings features for viewing and controlling supported connected devices, and support convenient phone-to-TV sharing. For Apple phones, look for a model with AirPlay; for Android phones, check its supported Smart View, screen mirroring, or app-specific casting methods. Features vary by TV model, model year, phone, region, and setup—so check the specifications before buying. This is our preference, not a claim that every Samsung TV supports every feature.
Why a workshop TV earns its place
Instructional videos, diagrams, parts references, and how-to demonstrations are easier to share and see on a larger display. You can also play entertainment when the tools are put away.
Getting video from your phone to the screen
First check what your actual TV and phone support. Some televisions support AirPlay or Google Cast; others need a compatible streaming device, an app, or an HDMI adapter. “Smart TV” does not automatically mean every phone can cast to it.
- Connect the TV or streaming device and phone to compatible local networks.
- Open a video app that supports your TV's casting or AirPlay method.
- Select the TV from the app's available playback devices.
- Test audio, video quality, and whether the screen stays awake during a longer project.
Our workshop approach
Samsung is our personal recommendation for this kind of setup. We haven't identified the exact TV model and casting method used in the workshop for this article, so the compatibility notes above are a buying guidance rather than a claim that every feature has been tested on our particular workshop TV.
Safety and common sense
Mount the screen securely away from sparks, fluids, excessive heat, and work areas where tools or parts may strike it. Never use a video as a substitute for the vehicle's service information or proper safety procedures.
🔧 Would we do it again?
A well-placed workshop screen can be a terrific helper. Just remember: watching three repair videos doesn't make that mystery bolt any less mysterious.