All the ways you can watch Netflix on your TV (even if it’s not smart)

Netflix is the best streaming service, with thousands of TV shows and movies to watch and more being added all the time. And you can watch it on a wide number of devices, including phones, tablets, computers, you name it. To fully enjoy Netflix, however, especially with friends and family, you’ll want to watch on the biggest screen in your home: your TV. 

So how to watch Netflix on your TV? You’ll need the Netflix app either installed on your smart TV or on a device connected to your TV. The most common are specialized streaming devices — like a Roku, Amazon Fire TV or Apple TV — or game consoles, like a PlayStation or Xbox. Once you have the app and the device, you’ll need a Netflix subscription and a stable internet connection. 

Here’s everything you need to know.

Getting started with Netflix on a TV

Netflix plans start at $9 a month, a price that enables you to watch a single screen at a time (TV, phone or whatever), with the downside being it offers relatively low video quality (standard definition, or SD). For people who want to watch on a big screen it’s worth moving up to Netflix’s most popular plan ($14 a month), which enables you to stream in high definition, or HD, to two screens at once. If you have a 4K TV or want to watch on up to four screens at once, you’ll want the $18 subscription.

Next you’ll also need some way to connect the internet directly to the device that will stream Netflix (more on that below). Depending on the device you may need a wired Ethernet connection or, more commonly, Wi-Fi. To connect that device to Wi-Fi, you’ll need to make sure you know your Wi-Fi name and password. Netflix recommends a minimum connection speed of 1.5Mbps and most broadband services can achieve this, but if you’re unsure try visiting SpeedTest to measure your speed. 

Netflix’s recommended speeds

Standard definition (SD)	3Mbps
High definition (HD)	5Mbps
4K/Ultra HD (UHD)	25Mbps

Read more: How to improve internet speeds for Netflix, Hulu and more

Devices you can use to watch Netflix

Once you have an account and internet connectivity, you’ll need a device to watch Netflix on. Just like on your phone, there’s a Netflix app for TVs and other devices including media streamers and video game consoles. The app is free, but of course you’ll need to install it on the device first. Bear in mind that all of the options below presume either Netflix is on board your TV or you have a modern TV with an HDMI port. 

If you have an older, analog TV without HDMI, sadly these options won’t work for you. Roku used to make a streamer with analog out called the Roku Express Plus, but has been discontinued. If you really don’t want to buy a new TV just to get Netflix, you may be able to find one second-hand.

Smart TV: If you have a flat-screen TV manufactured in the last 10 years you can probably already watch Netflix on it. Modern TVs integrate streaming services like Netflix into an interface known as “smart TV.” While some TVs have a dedicated Netflix button on the remote, most compatible models have a smart TV button that should let you access the streaming apps available. The app may be older, slower and not as slick as the modern version, but if you want to access Netflix right now, it should still work. 

Streaming device or game console: While some TVs have Netflix apps built-in, many people watch Netflix on TV using a separate device connected to their TVs. If you’re not using the TV’s built-in smart platform, you’ll want to be sure the TV has an HDMI port. Almost every device of the Netflix devices we’ll mention below use HDMI connections.

Likewise your Blu-ray player or gaming console might have a Netflix app. If you have a relatively recent console — from the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 and up — you’ll be able to access Netflix on it. For example, the PlayStation 3 currently offers the most up-to-date version of the app, which includes browser sign-in.

Mobile device: Phones and tablets can also control Netflix on a TV, although the process can be a bit more complex than either of the two methods above. If you want to use your phone to control Netflix, you can use a feature called Chromecast built-in, or for Apple users AirPlay, to stream video to your device. Recent TVs from Sony and Vizio enable users to navigate the Netflix app on their phone, and then press the Cast button (below) to stream to the TV. Apple users can use the AirPlay icon (a TV with an arrow beneath it) in a similar way for Roku devices, Apple TV and other recent televisions. You can then control the action with the phone or the TV remote. If your TV doesn’t have Chromecast onboard, for example, you can add a Google Chromecast, which plugs into a spare HDMI port. 

How to sign in to Netflix

Once you’ve got your device set up, you’ll open the Netflix app and be presented with a login screen. Recently, Netflix added the option to sign on with a separate device, even on older streamers like the PS3. No more typing long usernames and passwords with a remote, just click on Sign on from Web at the bottom right of the screen. The device will give you a choice of a QR symbol or a code to type into an already-connected device (like your phone) here. However, if your TV or streamer doesn’t have this capability, and you need to need to enter your Netflix login (username and password) manually, first confirm the login details on a computer or phone before you try on your TV.

Need a streaming device? Start here

While your current smart TV, game console or Blu-ray player with Netflix is the cheapest option, it may not be the best one for you. If you have an older device, for instance, you may find its Netflix app to be sluggish or unreliable. You also miss out on interface improvements or new features, such as the ability to watch interactive shows such as the Black Mirror special Bandersnatch or You vs. Wild (though it’s not guaranteed). Or maybe you’d rather use a real remote instead of your console’s controller.

The best way to access an up-to-date Netflix is via a new streaming device. Prices start at $30 with the Roku Express. Just plug one of these devices into a spare HDMI port on your current TV and follow the onscreen prompts. Many streamers include Netflix by default, but each device (except Chromecast) also has a Streaming Channels list or App Store for downloading the app for free. 

For a more comprehensive list of media players, check out CNET’s best streaming devices.

One more option: Upgrade to a smart TV

If you’re going to buy a new TV anyway, chances are it will have an up-to-date smart TV system. Our favorite is Roku TV. It’s easy to use and it offers the most comprehensive selection of streaming services out there. And it’s cheaper and more readily available than a new Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, with prices starting around $150.

Check out our list of the best TVs — all of them are smart TVs with Netflix built-in.

Happy streaming!