TinyCircuits TinyTV 2 Review: A Working Television Smaller Than a Matchbox
**Verdict: Worth it** — a fully working retro TV the size of a matchbox, with real knobs and its own tiny remote, from a small Ohio company that shrinks electronics for fun. Pure desk-toy joy.
## Why we noticed it
Nobody goes shopping for a one-inch television, because “miniature TV” isn’t a real consumer category — and that’s exactly why the TinyTV 2 stopped us. It’s made by TinyCircuits, a tiny outfit in Akron, Ohio that runs Kickstarter campaigns to shrink real electronics into absurdly small versions, then sells them to gadget nerds, desk-toy collectors, and dollhouse builders who spread the word. You don’t search for this thing; you stumble onto it and say “wait, that’s real?” It is real — and its buyers are obsessed.
## What it does
It’s a miniature retro-style television with a 1.14-inch IPS display (216×135 resolution) that actually plays video. The channel and volume knobs genuinely work — turn them and the channel changes, the volume changes. It comes with a pocket-sized infrared remote, ships with preloaded clips, and you can load your own MP4 videos over USB-C using TinyCircuits’ free TinyTV Converter app. There’s 8GB of built-in storage (about 10 hours of video), a rechargeable battery, and a Raspberry Pi RP2040 chip inside. The whole thing measures 47.6 × 36.6 × 25.9 mm — smaller than a matchbox — and it sits on tiny legs like a proper 1950s set.
## What we like
– **The knobs actually work:** The tactile click of the channel knob on a one-inch TV is the entire point — it’s the detail that makes it magical instead of just cute.
– **Your own videos, easily:** Loading personal clips over USB-C with the free converter app means it can loop family videos, old commercials, or retro game footage.
– **A desk piece people talk about:** Collectors and diorama builders consistently rate it as a beloved conversation starter and a genuinely good gift.
– **The brand is legit:** TinyCircuits has run multiple successful Kickstarters and earned coverage from NYT/Wirecutter, CBS, and Wired — this isn’t a fly-by-night novelty maker.
## The catch
– **Two-hour battery:** The battery needs frequent recharging — plan on it living near a USB-C cable.
– **It’s a novelty, not a viewer:** A 1.14-inch screen and a quiet speaker mean you won’t actually watch anything on it for long. Buy it for the charm.
– **Occasional QC and software hiccups:** A small number of reviewers report malfunctioning units or remote issues, and the converter app has had hiccups on newer versions of macOS.
## Who it’s for / who should skip it
**For:** Gadget lovers, desk-toy collectors, dollhouse and diorama builders, and anyone hunting for a genuinely surprising gift — the kind of person who will spend twenty minutes just turning the channel knob.
**Skip:** Anyone who wants a practical screen of any kind, or who needs bulletproof reliability — a small percentage of units arrive with issues, so buy from a seller with a real return policy.
## Price
Around $59.95.
## Where to buy
Price is approximate and may change.
## How we evaluated it
This is a researched review, not hands-on testing. We compared TinyCircuits’ published specifications against Amazon buyer ratings and written reviews, corroborated the rating with verified reviews on the brand’s own store, and weighed the recurring complaint themes (battery life, novelty limits, occasional QC issues) against the consistent praise from collectors — since the passion of its niche audience is the most important fact about this product.
## 3 alternatives
1. **TinyCircuits TinyTV Mini:** The smaller sibling — an even tinier TV at a slightly lower price, if the 2 isn’t miniature enough.
2. **TinyCircuits Thumby:** The brand’s keychain-sized playable game console — same shrunken-electronics magic, but you play games on it.
3. **Anbernic RG35XX:** A pocket retro emulation handheld — bigger and actually practical for playing games, but without the desk-toy charm.
## FAQ
**Does the remote really work?**
Yes — the pocket infrared remote changes channels and volume, just like a full-size remote.
**Can I put my own videos on it?**
Yes — use the free TinyTV Converter app over USB-C to load MP4 files into the 8GB of storage.
**How long does the battery last?**
About two hours of playback, so it’s best kept near a charger.
**Is this the Clear or Brown version?**
This listing covers the Clear-with-remote bundle; TinyCircuits also sells a Brown version, which may be a separate listing.
## Final verdict
The TinyTV 2 is a $60 magic trick that works. It does nothing practical and everything delightful — a real television, shrunk to the size of a matchbox, with knobs you can actually turn. For desk-toy collectors and gift hunters, that’s worth every penny. Just know you’re buying joy, not a viewer.
Would you buy this?
