Old cathode ray tube (CRT) televisions earned a reputation for being extremely durable devices, and there are still people today who use CRT televisions that have been running for several decades. This phenomenon contrasts with modern televisions, which seem to require more frequent replacement.
A study published in 2015 in the journal Waste Management analyzed data on discarded televisions in Sweden and found an average and median lifespan of about 15 years for CRT televisions. In comparison, the LCD/LED televisions analyzed showed an average and median lifespan of only about six years.
The study also revealed that more than 40% of the LCD/LED televisions analyzed were discarded within the first five years of use, while only about 20% of CRT televisions were discarded during the same period. This significant difference suggests superior durability of the older devices.




