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A great TV is one of the most important items you can purchase for your home. But there are truly a staggering number of options out there, to consider.
So we did the research, tested a variety of the best TV models, and aggregated tens of thousands of online reviews. After extensive testing, we were able to find the best TV. Here are our top picks.
Our Top Pick
Samsung UN65KS8000
This model from Samsung has exceptional picture quality, over 1,000 stellar reviews, and is absolutely gigantic. This was our staff’s preferred model to test, and it performed flawlessly in every way. Highly recommended.
Other Great Picks
Samsung QN88Q9FAMFXZA
This huge TV from Samsung provides amazing picture quality, and is a great way to enjoy your favorite movies or shows. The 4K quality is surreal, and we found ourselves sucked in for hours, when we only intended to watch 10 minutes. Definitely recommended.
Sharp LC-80UQ17U
This 80-inch TV from Sharp has over 120 positive customer reviews, and performed flawlessly in all of our tests. The picture is almost as good as our main Samsung pick, and the price is certainly lower. Highly recommended.
Vizio M Series M75‑C1
This 75-inch TV from Vizio is a great quality product, and provides stunning 4K images. While not quite as good in terms of image quality, compared to our main Samsung pick – the price is definitely better. Netflix ran flawlessly, and looked absolutely incredible, in 4K.
Sony X950G
With an 85-inch screen, this Sony is a stunning television. 4K content looked great, and we were pleasantly surprised at how good the sound quality was. No need for a soundbar, unless you really want a movie theater experience. Highly recommended.
LG OLED55C8P
This huge TV from LG provides crisp picture quality, flawless performance, and an immersive experience. With over 270 raving customer reviews, it is a hidden gem, amongst the crowded TV market. The OLED display, along with the Alpha processor, give this TV a leg up on the competition. Perfect for the hardcore TV watcher.
TCL 55S517
With over 950 glowing reviews, this great TV from TCL is a perfect mid-range option. It has great picture quality, is available in multiple sizes, and comes in at a truly bargain price. Definitely recommended.
TOSHIBA 50LF711U20
This Toshiba TV is a stellar choice, and comes with Fire TV. The 4K is perfect quality, the price is great, and the reviews are fantastic. With over 5,400 consumers rating it 4 stars or higher, it is extremely well-regarded. Definitely a top pick.
Sony XBR85X900F
After more than 300+ reviews, this TV from Sony still has a near-perfect score. It can be bundled with a Blu-Ray player, has a huge 85-inch screen, and has some of the best contrast we’ve seen. Can’t go wrong with this one.
Samsung UN50RU7100FXZA
A great budget option, this model from Samsung has great sound, amazing picture quality, and over 235 stellar reviews. We were amazed we could get it at such a low price, and definitely recommended getting it. The black colors are especially deep, rich, and yet still clear. Truly a great television.
Sansui S32Z118
This is a perfect budget choice – and you won’t have to sacrifice in terms of picture quality. With over 275 glowing reviews, users love the price point, the picture quality, and the depth of features. A great pick for anyone looking to save money.
What To Look For
Choosing the best TV is not very complicated – you simply need to find the right picture quality, combined with the right price. While the market can seem overwhelming – the truth is, there is a lot of overlap in the different brands and models.
You will want to look for a model that provides a very good picture, has a large display, an excellent resolution – and you may also want some extra features, like internet connectivity and streaming capabilities.
Since even cheap TVs can provide a great picture – it’s important to do your homework, and go with a model that’s reliable and well-made. If you really want the best experience, go with an OLED TV larger than 70 inches – even though it may be a little more expensive.
This will provide the best picture, highest contrast ratio, and biggest screen. Pair this with a great soundbar and speakers – and you’ll have just as much fun at home, as you would at the movie theater.
Picture Quality
Our most important metric for measuring a quality TV – what does the picture look like? Since a TV’s sole purpose is to provide an excellent image, we disregard sound, weight, and all other features – and weigh picture quality as the number one ranking factor.
There are a few main keys to determining the best picture quality. First, what is the size of the screen? Secondly, what is the resolution?
While there are some technical specifications beyond this, most of us will not need to be worried about them. They vary slightly between models, but won’t make much difference, when it comes to the overall viewing experience.
LCD TV
LCD TVs are very popular, with a smooth picture quality not previously seen. The LCD stands for ‘liquid-crystal-display’, which is quite different technology than what had been used in TVs of the past.
LCD TVs single-handedly ended the prominence of CRT TVs, as well as other technologies like plasma or rear-projection. Starting around 2006, LCD TV prices dropped rapidly, while their screen size also increased.
This led to a takeover in the marketplace, which is still in effect. Though LED TVs continue to gain marketshare, they have not yet surpassed LCD TVs, in terms of popularity.
LED TV
LED TVs are increasingly popular, as they provide a better picture quality than LCD TVs. However, LED TVs are also usually more expensive.
Technically known as OLED, these types of TVs are the second most popular option on the marketplace. Since they use different technology than LCD displays, they are able to provide a much better picture.
Standing for ‘organic light-emitting diode’, OLED TVs have electroluminescence. This simply means that they will have a clearer display than LCD TVs – sometimes shockingly so.
The secret really lies in the hugely increased contrast ratio – OLED TVs can produce a perfect black, and technically have an infinite contrast ratio.
This sounds like marketing hyperbole, but it actually is true. OLED TVs are not quite as bright as LCD TVs, however, due to the different underlying technology that powers them.
55 Inch TV
A 55 inch TV would have been gigantic, back in the 1990s. But by today’s standards, a 55 inch TV is just about average size.
In fact, you can purchase a 55 inch TV for only a few hundred dollars. Much like computer technology, TV technology rapidly improves, which means what used to be top of the line – may now only be average.
65 Inch TV (Or Greater)
A 65 inch TV is another step up, and it makes for a great viewing experience. Bigger than a 55 inch model, but still affordable, it’s a great buying choice.
However, if you really want to take home a great TV – look for a model 70 inches or larger. This will provide for an otherworldly viewing experience.
While not quite a movie screen, a 70+ inch TV will really immerse you in the film or show you’re watching. Make sure to get a great soundbar and speakers, for a truly optimal experience.
4K TV
A 4K TV is also known as Ultra HD, and it simply refers to the fact that the TV will provide a resolution of 3,840 by 2,160 pixels.
This is four times as many pixels as a standard HD TV. What this means for the end user, is that you will have a much higher pixel density – resulting in a clearer, better picture.
If you care about picture quality – you should choose a 4K TV.
Smart TV
A smart TV is not that different than the smartphone resting in your pocket. The main difference between ‘dumb’ TVs and smart TVs, is internet connectivity.
Smart TVs also usually have support for a range of apps. Essentially, a smart TV is similar to your laptop – it lets you check your social media, lets you stream Hulu or Netflix, and it even lets you control some of your other household devices.
Apple TV
Somewhat confusingly, an Apple TV is not really a TV at all. It is instead, a digital media player and micro console. It is hooked up to a TV, to play your favorite media.
When streaming was less popular, an Apple TV provided many advantages. But now that every TV and home seems to be very equipped for endless streaming – it is not quite as popular as it once was.
How Much Does The Best TV Cost?
You may remember the days (not so long ago) – when a great TV cost thousands of dollars. Luckily, as the technology has gotten better, the price for TVs has fallen greatly.
In fact, you can get a number of great TVs for less than $500. Even with $200, you can have a great home viewing experience.
However, like many other things we use every day – we look at a TV as an investment. Higher-end models often have many extra, valuable features.
They also usually have some kind of guarantee – which means your initial investment will last much longer. A good rule of thumb is to buy a TV that is either the top of the line, or one step down.
A model like this may last for up to a decade, and will provide an amazing viewing experience for the entire time you own it.
What To Look Out For
As with many electronics, you will not want to spend too little on a TV. Cheap TV models are very poorly made, and will just have you running back to the store, to buy a better model.
In fact, some of the most frustrating electronics experiences our staff has ever had, have been related to TVs that were cheap, poorly made, and provided endless hours of frustration.
While you do not always need the biggest screen – investing in quality, is a great idea. Choose a TV that has excellent reviews, a good price, and a track record of reliability.
Other Key Features
Besides picture quality and size, there are also some other key features you may want to consider, when buying a TV. While these features are not vital to choosing a good model, they do provide some extra bang for your buck.
HDR, or high dynamic range, lets a TV display brighter highlights while still displaying dark blacks. It should be noted that this range will only work with HDR-ready content.
In practice, HDR means brighter views of suns, lights, and fires – so much so that these images will really jump off the screen. If you like math, HDR technically increases brightness by up to 15x, compared to traditional displays.
24p refers to 24 frames per second – which is what films in theaters are displayed in. Nowadays, all TVs support 24 frames per second – but some models may struggle to make this look smooth.
By comparison, TV shows are filmed and displayed at 30 frames per second, which is what traditional TVs always projected. If you love movies, you’ll want to seek out a TV that has no trouble displaying 24 frames per second.
HDMI 2.1 is the newest version of HDMI, which now has support for 8K displays, better support for gaming, and eARC for improved audio. HDMI 2.1 is still relatively new, so not every TV will support every feature. If any of the HDMI 2.1 features are important to you, you will want to make sure you choose a TV that supports them.
Judder is that slight, jerky motion you’ve seen on many TVs. Unfortunately, when 24p content is displayed on a TV with a 60 Hz refresh rate, there can be some less-than-optimal results. Opt for a TV that does not have judder, and you’ll get a cleaner, clearer picture.
The Best TV
There you have it – our picks for the best TV. There are a ton of great devices besides televisions, so be sure to take a look at our other reviews, in the electronics section.