Buying a CRT TV in 2026 remains one of the smartest and most rewarding decisions for any serious retro gamer. Despite all the advancements in modern displays, nothing quite matches the authentic picture quality, deep blacks, natural motion clarity, beautiful scanlines, and zero input lag of a real CRT.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to buy a CRT – from what to look for, where to find good sets, and most importantly, the critical mistakes many beginners make.
Why CRTs Are Still Worth Buying in 2026
The retro gaming community continues to embrace CRTs because they deliver the exact visual experience game developers intended. Games from the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s were designed around CRT technology. Modern TVs with shaders and upscalers still fall short in terms of authenticity and feel. If you want to know what type of CRT to hunt for check out our CRT comparison here.
Rule #1: Avoid Shipping Whenever Possible
This is the single most important rule when buying a CRT.
CRTs are extremely heavy and fragile. The large glass tube and delicate electron gun can easily crack or implode from vibration and rough handling during shipping. Experienced collectors commonly report damage rates between 25% and 45% when CRTs are shipped – even when sellers claim they are “expertly packed.” Larger TVs and older arcade monitors have even higher risk.
Strong recommendation: Always try to buy locally and collect the CRT yourself.
Many retro gamers turn CRT hunting into a fun weekend adventure or road trip. Driving across town or even a few hours to pick up a set, chatting with the seller, carefully loading it into your car, and bringing it home safely becomes part of the hobby’s charm. The satisfaction is much greater than receiving a broken screen at your door.
I myself recently made a 1300 Mile (2092 Km) round trip to go collect a Sony PVM on the other side of the country (I live in South Africa so they are super rare here) I just did not want to risk losing such a treasure just because someone handling it “dropped it”.
Now people most certainly have had success shipping CRT screens (even internationally) but the risk is massive if you aren’t buying from a specialised dealer.
What to Look For When Buying a CRT
Physical Condition
- No major cracks on the screen or cabinet
- No deep scratches or heavy yellowing on the plastic
- Straight neck (the thin glass part at the back)
- Clean vents and no heavy smoke or dust damage inside
Picture Quality (Test if possible)
- Bright and even picture across the screen
- Good black levels (dark areas should look truly dark)
- Straight geometry (no severe warping or curved lines)
- Decent convergence (red, green, and blue should line up properly)
Inputs & Features
- Prefer models with Component, RGB, or at least S-Video
- Multiple AV inputs are a big bonus
- Working remote is very useful
Size Sweet Spot
- 20–27 inch consumer CRTs are often ideal for most people
- 13–20 inch PVMs for sharper, more serious setups
Red Flags: What Type of Posts to Be Wary of When Scouting Online
When browsing Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, or other sites, watch out for these common warning signs:
- Listings that say “Works great, I don’t have space to test it” – often means it hasn’t been tested properly.
- Extremely low prices with no photos of the screen turned on.
- Sellers who push hard for shipping and refuse local collection.
- Posts with only 1–2 photos (usually just the front) and no close-ups of the back, inputs, or screen when on.
- Vague descriptions like “Old TV, works somehow” or “For parts or repair”.
- Sellers who get defensive when you ask for more photos or a video of the screen working.
If something feels off, trust your gut and keep looking. There are plenty of good CRTs out there if you’re patient.
Where to Find Good CRTs in 2026
- Facebook Marketplace (best for local pickup)
- Local classifieds and groups
- Thrift stores, charity shops, garage sales
- Retro gaming Discord servers and Facebook groups
- Ebay (If you can trust the seller to ship safely)
How to Safely Transport Your CRT
If you are transporting a large CRT in a car without a van or estate, fold down the rear seats and lay the CRT on its back with the screen facing up — never face down. Place it on a thick blanket and wedge it firmly so it cannot shift during braking. The screen glass is the most vulnerable part during transport so protecting it from impact is the priority.
For very large sets over 32 inches, two people are essential for safe lifting and loading. CRTs are top-heavy and awkward to manoeuvre — trying to move a large set alone risks both injury and damage to the tube.
- Wrap the screen and sides with thick moving blankets or bubble wrap
- Keep the CRT upright during transport when possible
- Secure it well so it doesn’t slide
- Drive carefully and avoid big bumps
Frequently Asked Questions – How to Buy a CRT TV in 2026
How much should I pay for a CRT TV in 2026?
For a decent consumer CRT in good condition, expect to pay $0-$80 depending on size, brand, and inputs. Sony Trinitrons command a premium due to their reputation — a good 27-inch Trinitron typically sells for $30-$60 on Facebook Marketplace. PVMs are significantly more expensive at $100-$400 depending on size and condition. If someone is asking more than $100 for a standard consumer CRT, do your research before paying — unless it’s a specific high-demand model with exceptional inputs.
Is it safe to buy a CRT TV online?
It carries significant risk. CRTs are heavy, fragile, and poorly suited to shipping — damage rates can be very high even with careful packaging. If buying online is your only option, look for sellers with strong feedback, detailed photos of the screen powered on, and ideally some experience shipping CRTs. Factor the shipping cost into your total and ask the seller exactly how they plan to pack it before committing.
What is the best brand of CRT TV to look for?
Sony Trinitron is the most sought-after consumer CRT brand in the retro gaming community. The aperture grille tube technology produces a sharper, brighter image than standard shadow mask tubes used by most other manufacturers. Panasonic and JVC are solid alternatives if Trinitrons are scarce in your area. For PVMs, Sony is again the gold standard — the PVM-14M4U and PVM-20M4U are the most recommended models in the community.
What size CRT TV should I buy?
For most retro gaming setups, a 20-27 inch consumer CRT is the sweet spot. It’s large enough to be immersive but manageable enough to move and position. Anything over 32 inches can make 240p content look soft. For desk setups, a 14-20 inch PVM is ideal. The most important thing is to match the size to your viewing distance and room — a 27-inch CRT at 3 feet feels very different to the same set at 8 feet.
Can I test a CRT before buying?
Always try to test before buying — this is one of the strongest arguments for buying locally. Ask the seller to power it on and display a bright, colourful image so you can check for burn-in, geometry issues, and convergence problems. If possible bring a console or laptop to test the inputs you plan to use. A seller who refuses to let you test the set before collection is a red flag worth taking seriously.
What inputs should I look for on a CRT TV?
At minimum look for Composite (yellow RCA) and audio inputs — these are on virtually every CRT. S-Video is a significant upgrade and found on most mid-range sets from the late 1990s onwards. SCART is common on European CRTs and supports RGB for the best possible picture quality. Component inputs (Y, Pb, Pr) are found on higher-end consumer sets and give equivalent quality to RGB. Avoid sets with only RF input if possible — the picture quality is noticeably worse than any other connection type.
Final Thoughts
Buying a CRT in 2026 is very much worth the effort. Take your time, buy locally when possible, test the set thoroughly, and enjoy the hunt. The first time you fire up your favorite childhood game on a properly working, well-calibrated CRT, you’ll immediately understand why so many of us still chase these old TVs.
The retro gaming scene is alive and thriving and owning a good CRT is one of the best ways to fully enjoy it.
Once you have your CRT home, make sure you have the right cables and learn how to calibrate it!
