I bought the TinyCircuits TinyTV 2 simply because it looked ridiculously cute.
I knew it wasn’t going to replace my phone, tablet, or even a normal TV. I bought it purely for the novelty, and surprisingly, it ended up putting a much bigger smile on my face than I expected.
What Is the TinyCircuits TinyTV 2?
The TinyTV 2 is a miniature retro-style television with a 1.14-inch color IPS display, working rotary knobs, a tiny infrared remote, a built-in rechargeable battery, and 8GB of storage for videos. Rather than streaming live television, it plays preloaded videos or videos that you upload yourself using TinyCircuits’ free conversion software.
It’s designed more as a collectible, desk toy, or conversation piece than as a serious entertainment device.
Why I Bought It
Honestly, I bought it because it made me smile. There’s something incredibly charming about seeing a fully functioning television that’s small enough to sit in the palm of your hand. I also liked the nostalgic design, complete with little knobs and old-school television styling.
I wasn’t expecting amazing value for money… I simply wanted a fun gadget that felt different from everything else on my desk.
My Experience Using It
The moment I turned it on, I understood why so many people describe it as more of a novelty than a piece of electronics.
Everything about it is charming. The tiny screen, the little clicking knobs, the miniature remote… even the simulated TV static when changing channels made me smile. It genuinely feels like someone shrunk an old television without losing its personality.
Loading my own videos was easier than I expected once I installed the conversion software. Watching tiny clips, old cartoons, and even home videos on something this small was oddly entertaining.
Of course, the novelty does wear off eventually. The screen is incredibly tiny, the speaker can sound a little thin at higher volumes, and videos always restart from the beginning when you switch channels instead of remembering where you left off. Those aren’t deal-breakers, but they did remind me that this isn’t meant to replace any real display.
Even so, I found myself turning it on far more often than I expected… not because I needed it, but because it simply made my desk feel a little more fun.
Build Quality & Feel
For such a tiny gadget, the build quality genuinely impressed me.
It doesn’t feel like a cheap toy. The rotary knobs have satisfying clicks, the buttons feel solid, and the retro styling is incredibly well executed. The brown version especially looks like a miniature vintage television sitting on your desk.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Adorable retro design
- Surprisingly sharp display
- Excellent build quality
- Real working knobs and remote
- Easy to upload your own videos
- Fantastic conversation piece
Cons
- Expensive for a novelty gadget
- Very small screen
- Speaker quality is limited
- Videos restart when changing channels
- Battery life is fairly short
Product Claims vs. Reality
TinyCircuits never really pretends this is a replacement for an actual television, and I appreciate that.
It delivers exactly what it’s supposed to: a fully functioning miniature TV capable of playing videos you load onto it. The screen is surprisingly sharp for its size, the interface is simple, and the nostalgia factor is easily its biggest selling point.
The only thing I’d caution people about is expecting long-term practicality. This is much more of a collectible or conversation starter than a device you’ll spend hours watching every day.
Is It a Scam?
Not at all. If anything, the TinyTV 2 is one of the few novelty gadgets that actually delivers what it promises.
It looks exactly like the pictures, the controls work, the screen quality is surprisingly good considering its size, and uploading your own videos makes it far more customizable than I initially expected.
It’s expensive for what is essentially a desk toy, but I also knew that’s what I was buying.
Customer Feedback
Most owners seem to buy the TinyTV 2 for exactly the same reason I did… they simply think it’s adorable.
Collectors, miniature enthusiasts, and people who enjoy quirky desk gadgets consistently praise the design and surprisingly good display quality. The most common criticisms involve the tiny speaker, short battery life, and the fact that videos restart whenever you change channels.
Alternatives to Consider
- TinyTV Mini
- Basic Fun Tiny TV Classics
- Mini retro digital photo frames
- Small retro handheld media players
Conclusion — Would I Recommend It?
Yes, but only if you understand exactly what you’re buying. The TinyTV 2 isn’t practical, productive, or necessary.
It’s charming, it’s nostalgic. It’s one of those gadgets that makes people stop, smile, and ask, “Wait… does that actually work?”
For me, that’s exactly what made it worth owning. I never bought it expecting a real television, and because of that, I ended up enjoying it far more than I expected.
Also read my similar review on the Trimui Brick Retro Console