Why You Should Stop Hunting for a ‘Dumb’ TV

In 2026, finding a TV without built-in smart features is nearly impossible. Home entertainment experts at CNET believe that’s actually a good thing because the alternatives aren’t worth the hassle.

What’s a ‘Dumb’ TV?

A “dumb” TV is just a display without internet connectivity, built-in streaming apps, or an operating system that tries to sell subscriptions. For years, some buyers actively sought these models to avoid privacy issues, annoying ads, and the clutter that comes with smart TV software. The downside? Manufacturers have nearly stopped producing them.

Walk into any major retailer today, and nearly every TV on display—from budget 43-inch models to high-end 85-inch OLEDs—comes with a smart platform included. Whether it’s Google TV, Roku TV, Samsung’s Tizen, or LG’s webOS, you’re getting a connected system whether you like it or not.

Why People Wanted Dumb TVs

The appeal made sense. Smart TVs gather viewing data, display ads on home screens, and need firmware updates that can slow down older models. Some buyers simply wanted a clean display to connect with dedicated streaming devices like Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick, which they already owned.

The privacy issue is real. Most smart TV manufacturers collect ACR data—Automatic Content Recognition. This technology essentially fingerprints what’s on your screen and reports it back to advertisers. It’s like your browser tracking your searches.

So Why Stop Looking?

CNET argues that practicality drives the point home: searching for a dumb TV is mostly a lost cause, and there’s a smarter option available.

First, the supply issue. Commercial displays (monitors sold for business purposes) are sometimes suggested as alternatives, but they usually lack tuners for over-the-air channels, don’t support standard TV remotes, and often cost a lot more per inch than comparable consumer TVs. You’re paying extra for something that wasn’t designed for your home.

Second, the workaround is quite effective. If your goal has always been to use a dedicated streaming box, you can still do that on a smart TV. Just plug in your Apple TV 4K or Roku Ultra, set it as the default input, and mostly ignore the built-in software. The smart features may go unused, but it still works.

Third, you can turn off ACR data collection on almost every major smart TV platform. It’s hidden in the settings, but it’s there. On Samsung TVs, it’s labeled “Viewing Information Services.” For LG, look for “Live Plus.” On Roku-based TVs, it’s under “Privacy” in the system settings. Turning this off takes just about two minutes and greatly reduces the data your TV sends out—similar to opting out of cookie tracking on a website.

What This Means

For everyday buyers, the message is clear. If you’ve been putting off a TV purchase while searching for a simple, no-strings display, you’re likely waiting for a product that doesn’t exist anymore at a reasonable price.

The smarter choice is to buy a smart TV that offers the best picture and size for your budget. Then, spend 10 minutes in the settings menu to disable the data collection features during setup. If you have a preferred streaming device, connect it and set it as your main input. This way, you get the picture quality you paid for without giving away your viewing habits to advertisers.

It’s a compromise, but it works—and it’s probably cheaper than searching for a commercial display or waiting for a product category that major manufacturers have quietly phased out.

Community Reactions

“I bought a commercial display two years ago thinking I was being smart. No remote app support, no HDR, cost $200 more than a comparable TV. Just disable ACR and move on.”

— u/HomeTheaterNerd on Reddit

“The real answer is: get whatever TV has the best picture, plug your Apple TV into it, and never open the built-in apps. Works perfectly.”

— YouTube comment on CNET’s TV buying guide, 2025

What To Watch

• Privacy regulations: The FTC has shown interest in ACR data practices. New rules could make manufacturers highlight opt-out options more prominently — or set them as default-off instead of default-on.
• Apple TV 4K Multiview (2026): Apple’s recent update allowing users to watch four live sports streams simultaneously reminds us that external streaming boxes still innovate faster than built-in TV software, keeping the “ignore the smart TV” approach relevant.
• TV software updates: Samsung, LG, and TCL push annual software updates to their smart platforms. Keep an eye on whether manufacturers make data collection settings easier or harder to find in upcoming firmware updates.

Sources: CNET: Smart TV vs. Dumb TV