Shopping for a new TV can be daunting. There are LED, OLED, and QLED, multiple HDR formats, and pixel counts between 1080p, 4K, and 8K. Fortunately, PCMag is here to help. I'm a certified TV calibrator and have tested more than 170 televisions from brands like Hisense, LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony, TCL, Vizio, and others over the past 10 years. Using specialized equipment, I measure contrast, color range and accuracy, and even input lag, which is important for gaming. And yes, I watch shows and movies, too. The Hisense U65QF is the best budget-priced TV I've tested, the LG Evo C5 is the best all-around value for OLED TVs, and the Panasonic Z95B is the best premium OLED. But these aren't the only worthwhile TVs on the market, so read on for more top choices.
Overview
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Best Budget-Friendly TVHisense U65QF
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Best Value OLEDLG Evo C5 OLED TV
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Best OLED TVPanasonic Z95B OLED TV
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Best LED TVHisense U8QG
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Best Roku TVRoku Pro Series (2025)
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Best Hands-Free Fire TVAmazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED
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Best for Home Theater IntegrationSamsung S95F
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Brightest PictureTCL QM9K
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Best Outdoor TVSunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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Credit Joseph Maldonado
Best Budget-Friendly TVHisense U65QF
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Hisense U65QF is the brightest TV I've ever seen in its price range, with wide and accurate color that also swings well above its class. Its Amazon Fire TV smart TV platform lacks some of the niceties of Hisense's higher-end Google TV-powered TVs, like hands-free voice control and Google Cast, but it's still easily the best budget TV currently available.
Who It's For
Budget shoppers: The price of the U65QF is hard to beat, especially for its performance. The 65-inch model can often be found for around $600, making it an ideal budget TV.
Anyone looking for a huge, cheap TV: If you want a really big screen but don't want to spend much, the 85-inch U65QF is just $1,100. That's lower than many higher-end 65-inch models.
People who want a TV for their basement, bedroom, or garage: If you're looking for a secondary TV outside of your living room, like in a bedroom or workspace, the U65QF's low price will hold great appeal.
Specs & Configurations
AMD FreeSync FreeSync Premium Pro HDMI Ports 4 HDR Dolby Vision HDR HDR-10 Input Lag (1080p120) 4.6 Input Lag (4K60) 13.1 Nvidia G-Sync None Panel Type LED Refresh Rate 144 Resolution 3,840 by 2,160 Screen Brightness 1024 Screen Size 65 Streaming Services Yes Video Inputs Composite Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs RF Video Inputs USB VRR Learn More Hisense 65U65QF Review -
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Credit: Will Greenwald
Best Value OLEDLG Evo C5 OLED TV
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The LG Evo C5 is a fantastic value for an OLED TV. While it isn't the brightest of its type, it offers a stunning picture with wide colors and a slim design, and it won't cost you too much. Its official retail price might be $2,699.99 for the 65-inch model, but we haven't seen it sold for more than $2,000 since July, and it can often be found for $1,500 or less.
Who It's For
Anyone curious about OLED TVs: If OLED technology has caught your eye but the price has deterred you, the Evo C5 makes it worth another look. It can be found for well under the steep premiums of most other OLED TVs, while still offering the benefits of the panel type, like pixel-level brightness control. This TV looks terrific, with excellent contrast and color performance, and it doesn't cost much more than a mid-to-high-end LED TV.
Specs & Configurations
AMD FreeSync FreeSync HDMI Ports 4 HDR Dolby Vision HDR HDR10 Input Lag (1080p120) 4.5 Input Lag (4K60) 12.9 Nvidia G-Sync G-Sync Compatible Panel Type OLED Refresh Rate 120 Resolution 3,840 by 2,160 Screen Brightness 944 Screen Size 65 Streaming Services Yes Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs RF Video Inputs USB VRR Learn More LG 65-Inch Evo C5 OLED TV Review -
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Best OLED TVPanasonic Z95B OLED TV
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Panasonic Z95B stands out as the brightest and best-looking OLED TV I've tested, with vibrant colors and loads of features. It incorporates a 5.1.2-channel spatial audio speaker system in its relatively chunky chassis, with side- and upward-firing drivers that can project a large, detailed sound field.
Who It's For
Minimalist home theater enthusiasts: Between the superlative OLED picture and the spatial audio sound system, the Z95B offers an incredible audiovisual experience without needing to add a soundbar or other speakers. That all-in-one package makes it worth the price for anyone looking to build a home theater with little hassle.
Amazon fans: The Z95B uses Amazon's Fire TV platform and provides hands-free access to the Alexa+ AI assistant, making it a powerful control hub for your smart home if you're already a regular Alexa user.
Specs & Configurations
AMD FreeSync FreeSync Premium Pro HDMI Ports 4 HDR Dolby Vision HDR HDR10 Input Lag (1080p120) 4.8 Input Lag (4K60) 12.6 Nvidia G-Sync G-Sync Compatible Panel Type OLED Refresh Rate 144 Resolution 3,840 by 2,160 Screen Brightness 1775 Screen Size 65 Streaming Services Yes Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs RF Video Inputs USB VRR Learn More Panasonic 65-Inch Z95B OLED TV Review -
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Credit: Will Greenwald
Best LED TVHisense U8QG
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The U8QG is the latest in a long line of high-end Hisense TVs that wow us with their performance and the fantastic value they offer. It's incredibly bright (even more than last year's already blazing U8N), boasts wide and accurate colors, and has a built-in 4.1.2-channel spatial audio speaker system. It also has a conveniently side-mounted USB-C port that accepts DisplayPort signals, so you can easily connect smaller devices to the screen without any wireless lag. It doesn't offer quite the inky, bloom-free blacks of OLED TVs, but for that technology, you'll be paying two to three times as much.
Who It's For
Value-conscious shoppers: If you want a striking, full-featured TV at a reasonable price, the U8QG is one of the best choices. It's simply an excellent all-around value.
Home theater sound fans: Anyone who wants an immersive audio experience without buying a separate soundbar should take a look at the U8QG. Its 4.1.2-channel spatial audio system provides an immersive sound field in front of you with height channels. It can't reproduce the effect of satellites behind your couch, but otherwise it's capable of detailed surround sound.
Google users: If you control your smart home with Google Assistant, the U8QG is a boon for your living room. It provides hands-free access to Google's voice assistant. Don't expect it to get the full Gemini Home setup just yet, though; Google hasn't announced if and when Hisense TVs will get the upgrade.
Specs & Configurations
AMD FreeSync FreeSync Premium Pro HDMI Ports 3 HDR Dolby Vision HDR HDR-10 Input Lag (1080p120) 4.3 Input Lag (4K60) 10.1 Nvidia G-Sync None Panel Type LED Refresh Rate 165 Resolution 3,840 by 2,160 Screen Brightness 3200 Screen Size 65 Streaming Services Yes Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs RF Video Inputs USB VRR Learn More Hisense 65U8QG Review -
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Credit: Will Greenwald
Best Roku TVRoku Pro Series (2025)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
I like to recommend Roku devices to less tech-savvy users who want to enjoy streaming, because the Roku OS platform is much simpler, more direct, and media-focused than most other smart TV platforms. It doesn't have a full voice assistant or a huge smart home ecosystem it can manage, but it makes it easy to search for media and jump quickly into whatever service you want. The Roku Pro Series is the best TV I've tested that uses Roku OS, with a great picture and useful features like Apple AirPlay, hands-free voice control, and a remote finder button.
Who It's For
Less tech-savvy users: If you don't want a complicated smart TV interface that inundates you with recommendations, ads, and lots and lots of different icons, the Roku Pro Series is for you. It's easy to use, with big, friendly tiles that put you into your app of choice without swimming through menu layers.
Anyone who keeps losing the remote: If you keep misplacing the remote, the Roku Pro Series' remote finder feature is vital. Press a button on the TV itself and the remote will start chirping, helping you locate it whether it's in the couch cushions or on the counter.
Specs & Configurations
AMD FreeSync FreeSync Premium Pro HDMI Ports 4 HDR Dolby Vision HDR HDR-10 Input Lag (1080p120) 5.2 Input Lag (4K60) 9.4 Nvidia G-Sync None Panel Type LED Refresh Rate 120 Resolution 3,840 by 2,160 Screen Brightness 1941 Screen Size 65 Streaming Services Yes Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs RF Video Inputs USB VRR -
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Best Hands-Free Fire TVAmazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Fire TV Omni Mini-LED is Amazon's best television yet, with more than three times the luminance of the Fire TV Omni QLED. It's packed with features, including a 120Hz native refresh rate with support for 144Hz VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, hands-free Alexa, and Apple AirPlay 2. It's also reasonably priced, in line with higher-end Google TVs from Hisense and TCL.
Who It's For
Amazon and Ring fans: Anyone who swears by Alexa should consider the Fire TV Omni MIni-LED. Hands-free access to Amazon's voice assistant is incredibly useful, especially if you're already used to using Echo speakers to control the lights. The TV can even bring up live feeds of your Ring cameras on request.
iPhone and iPad users: By default, Amazon's Fire TV platform doesn't have much in the way of local wireless streaming features besides WiDi/Miracast. However, the Fire TV Omni Mini-LED has Apple AirPlay built in, so you can stream from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac with a tap or click.
Specs & Configurations
AMD FreeSync FreeSync Premium Pro HDMI Ports 4 HDR Dolby Vision HDR HDR-10 Input Lag (1080p120) 6.4 Nvidia G-Sync None Panel Type LED Refresh Rate 120 Resolution 3,840 by 2,160 Screen Brightness 1623 Screen Size 65 Streaming Services Yes Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs RF Video Inputs USB VRR -
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Credit: Will Greenwald
Best for Home Theater IntegrationSamsung S95F
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The Samsung S95F is a bright and colorful OLED TV with a built-in 4.2.2-channel speaker system that uses side- and upward-firing drivers to produce an immersive sound field, so you can get spatial audio without an additional soundbar or speaker system. If you do want more audio power on top of what the TV can offer, Samsung's Q-Symphony technology lets you add one of its compatible Q-series soundbars to the mix while still taking full advantage of the S95F's own speakers.
Who It's For
High-end home theater enthusiasts: If you want to splurge on a TV, a high-end Samsung OLED like the S95F is a great choice. It isn't just eye-catching; its One Connect box lets you offload all of the TV's connections to a separate cabinet, with only a single, easily concealable wire running to the screen itself.
Surround sound fans: For big, detailed sound, the S95F's 4.2.2-channel speaker system is already a good start that provides a large spatial audio field without buying anything else. If you want full surround sound, you can expand it with a compatible Samsung soundbar that augments the TV's drivers with additional speakers instead of replacing them.
Specs & Configurations
AMD FreeSync FreeSync Premium Pro Contrast Ratio Infinite HDMI Ports 4 HDR HDR-10 Input Lag (1080p120) 9.6 Input Lag (4K60) 4.8 Nvidia G-Sync G-Sync Compatible Panel Type OLED Refresh Rate 120 Resolution 3,840 by 2,160 Screen Brightness 1364 Screen Size 65 Streaming Services Yes Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs RF Video Inputs USB VRR Learn More Samsung 65-Inch S95F OLED TV Review -
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Brightest PictureTCL QM9K
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
TCL's current flagship TV is the brightest one I've seen, available in a smaller size than 116 inches and at a lower price than $20,000. It looks great, even if it's more expensive and lacks the audio power of my top overall pick on this list.
Who It's For
Bright rooms: The QM9K's incredible light output means you'll be able to see the screen clearly even with sun streaming in through the windows (as long as it isn't reflecting directly into your eyes, of course). It's not weatherproof and shouldn't be mounted on a deck, but for any room that gets a lot of sunlight for much of the day, this TV is your best bet.
Soundbar and speaker system owners: The only other TVs that come close to this one in terms of brightness have built-in spatial audio systems that add bulk and don't integrate well with separate speakers. The QM9K lacks that, so you can add your own soundbar or speakers without feeling like you're wasting a big part of the TV. It also supports completely wireless home theater audio through Dolby Atmos FlexConnect with TCL's Z100 system, a set of four 1.1.1-channel speakers and an optional subwoofer that syncs with the TV without any wires or using an HDMI port for eARC.
Specs & Configurations
AMD FreeSync FreeSync Premium Pro HDMI Ports 4 HDR Dolby Vision HDR HDR10 Input Lag (1080p120) 4.8 Input Lag (4K60) 13.1 Nvidia G-Sync None Panel Type LED Refresh Rate 144 Resolution 3,840 by 2,160 Screen Brightness 3330 Screen Size 65 Streaming Services Yes Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs RF Video Inputs USB VRR Learn More TCL 65-Inch QM9K Review -
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Best Outdoor TVSunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
Outdoor TVs are few and far between, and you can count on spending a fair amount for them. The rock-solid build quality of these models, which ensures that they can survive extreme temperatures along with rain, snow, and dirt, tends to be the reason for the extra cost. This doesn't mean you have to compromise on picture quality, though, and that's where the SunBriteTV Veranda 3 excels. Its color range and accuracy are excellent, and although the TV is designed for use in full shade, it does a solid job of reducing glare.
The Veranda 3 is also well-equipped because of its Android TV platform. It doesn't have the hands-free Google Assistant like some of the TVs on this list, but you can still use the voice assistant by speaking into the remote. You also get Google Cast support and access to all the major streaming services.
Who It's For
Backyard, deck, and pool owners: If you want a TV on your deck, by the pool, or simply somewhere in the backyard, the Veranda 3 is one of the best choices. The weatherproofing is its big feature, allowing it to be left outside all year round.
Specs & Configurations
AMD FreeSync FreeSync Black Level 0.2 Contrast Ratio 3,631:1 HDMI Ports 4 HDR Dolby Vision HDR HDR-10 Input Lag (1080p120) 8.6 Nvidia G-Sync None Panel Type LED Refresh Rate 60 Resolution 3,840 by 2,160 Screen Brightness 722.53 Screen Size 55 Streaming Services Yes Video Inputs Composite Video Inputs HDMI Video Inputs RF Video Inputs USB VRR -
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Best For | Best Budget-Friendly TV | Best Value OLED | Best OLED TV | Best LED TV | Best Roku TV | Best Hands-Free Fire TV | Best for Home Theater Integration | Brightest Picture | Best Outdoor TV | Best Budget-Friendly TV | Best Value OLED | Best OLED TV |
Panel Type | LED | OLED | OLED | LED | LED | LED | OLED | LED | LED | LED | OLED | OLED |
Screen Size | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 65 | 55 | 65 | 65 | 65 |
Resolution | 3,840 by 2,160 | 3,840 by 2,160 | 3,840 by 2,160 | 3,840 by 2,160 | 3,840 by 2,160 | 3,840 by 2,160 | 3,840 by 2,160 | 3,840 by 2,160 | 3,840 by 2,160 | 3,840 by 2,160 | 3,840 by 2,160 | 3,840 by 2,160 |
Video Inputs | HDMI, Composite, RF, USB | HDMI, RF, USB | HDMI, RF, USB | HDMI, USB, RF | HDMI, RF, USB | HDMI, RF, USB | HDMI, USB, RF | HDMI, RF, USB | HDMI, Composite, RF, USB | HDMI, Composite, RF, USB | HDMI, RF, USB | HDMI, RF, USB |
HDR | Dolby Vision, HDR-10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10 | Dolby Vision, HDR-10 | Dolby Vision, HDR-10 | Dolby Vision, HDR-10 | HDR-10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10 | HDR-10, Dolby Vision | Dolby Vision, HDR-10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10 | Dolby Vision, HDR10 |
HDMI Ports | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Streaming Services | ||||||||||||
Screen Brightness | 1024 | 944 | 1775 | 3200 | 1941 | 1623 | 1364 | 3330 | 722.53 | 1024 | 944 | 1775 |
Black Level | 0.2 | |||||||||||
Contrast Ratio | Infinite | 3,631:1 | ||||||||||
Refresh Rate | 144 | 120 | 144 | 165 | 120 | 120 | 120 | 144 | 60 | 144 | 120 | 144 |
VRR | ||||||||||||
Input Lag (1080p120) | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.3 | 5.2 | 6.4 | 9.6 | 4.8 | 8.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.8 |
Input Lag (4K60) | 13.1 | 12.9 | 12.6 | 10.1 | 9.4 | 4.8 | 13.1 | 13.1 | 12.9 | 12.6 | ||
AMD FreeSync | FreeSync Premium Pro | FreeSync | FreeSync Premium Pro | FreeSync Premium Pro | FreeSync Premium Pro | FreeSync Premium Pro | FreeSync Premium Pro | FreeSync Premium Pro | FreeSync | FreeSync Premium Pro | FreeSync | FreeSync Premium Pro |
Nvidia G-Sync | None | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible | None | None | None | G-Sync Compatible | None | None | None | G-Sync Compatible | G-Sync Compatible |
Buying Guide: The Best TVs for 2026
What to Look for in a New TV
Resolution has long been a top consideration in buying a new TV, but the current TV landscape has seen a flattening of this trend. The TV resolution question used to be a choice between 720p (1,280 by 720 pixels) and 1080p (1,920 by 1,080 pixels). Then, it moved on to 1080p versus Ultra HD, or 4K (3,840 by 2,160 pixels, or over eight million pixels). Now, it's no longer a question: 4K is the standard for medium-sized and larger televisions from every major manufacturer. Realistically, you'd be hard-pressed to find a TV from a major brand larger than 40 inches that isn't 4K.
The higher resolution no longer commands a price premium, and you can find an excellent 65-inch 4K TV for under $1,000. You can even dig lower and build an entire home theater for $1,000 if you're willing to make some compromises.
Almost all TVs now offer web apps and built-in Wi-Fi via a smart TV platform. Some manufacturers like LG, Samsung, and Vizio develop first-party platforms, while others like Hisense, Sony, and TCL use third-party platforms like Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, and Roku TV to give their TVs apps and online services. These platforms generally offer access to most major streaming services, such as Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, and YouTube, along with features like voice assistants, local media streaming, and downloadable apps and games. If you can't find the apps or services you want on your TV, you can connect a separate media streamer to an HDMI 2.0 port to fill that gap.
Apple AirPlay 2 is now available on new TVs from Hisense, LG, Roku, Samsung, Sony, TCL, and Vizio, along with all Roku media streamers. This feature lets you use your iPhone or iPad to stream content from iTunes to the TV. Apple also has the Apple TV app with its Apple TV+ service on all major smart TV platforms, so you can watch Apple video content on nearly any TV without an Apple TV 4K box, which was previously necessary.
4K content is now freely available on many streaming services and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, even if it hasn't been widely adopted by broadcast or cable TV services yet (read more about the ATSC 3.0 standard for more details). If you have a fast internet connection, you can watch some excellent shows on Amazon and Netflix in 4K (and most new original programming on the services is produced at that resolution). New films are also coming out digitally in 4K through various on-demand streaming services.
Ultra HD Blu-ray discs are a physical media format that can store 4K HDR content and are readily available. Don't expect to play them on your current Blu-ray player, though; it's a separate format from Blu-ray, so you need a dedicated Ultra HD Blu-ray player, a Microsoft Xbox Series X (or Xbox One S/X if you can find one), or a Sony PlayStation 5 to handle the format. The good news is that Ultra UD Blu-ray stores 4K video with HDR (explained below), and it can even handle advanced surround sound audio if your speaker system supports it. It has a long-term edge over streaming since it's a piece of media you can physically own, and it doesn't require an internet connection or a service subscription. Ultra HD Blu-ray releases are relatively paltry outside of major new movies, though, so if you want to watch your favorite obscure film, you might have to downgrade to 1080p or even 480p with a Blu-ray or DVD.
In terms of audio, built-in TV speakers function well enough for hearing dialogue, but beyond that, they're typically pretty underwhelming. With few exceptions, you can greatly improve your movie and gaming experience by adding a speaker system, such as a soundbar or a dedicated multi-channel home theater system.
Should You Wait for 8K?
That one's easy: No.
Don't worry about 8K for now, despite what you might have heard about it, and that the HDMI 2.1 standard supports it. 8K is 7,680 by 4,320 pixels, or four times the number of pixels of 4K. 8K TVs are currently available as premium models for significantly more money than their 4K equivalents (including OLED TVs, which are already pricey), but they aren't going to be meaningful for consumers for a few more years, and there's little reason to consider buying one yet unless you have lots of cash to burn.
Moreover, there's no consumer-ready 8K media available, and no major studios or distributors have even talked about releasing 8K movies or shows so far. There aren't yet physical or streaming media standards that could support 8K commercial releases either. Even if you can find an 8K TV, at best, you might be able to watch upconverted 4K video on it. So, for the time being, don't worry about 8K suddenly replacing 4K. It won't happen anytime soon.
Is a 4K HDR TV Worth It?
4K is a no-brainer, but there's a next-step video technology to consider when you shop for a TV. High dynamic range (HDR) content pushes much more information to the display than a standard video signal. The resolution remains the same, but the range of color and amount of light each pixel can produce is significantly broader.
Because of improving LCD and OLED panel technology, high-end televisions can display wider color gamuts and finer gradients of light and dark than before. Standard video was built around the limitations of older cathode ray tube televisions, intentionally using a set range of color and light information in the signal. HDR breaks those limitations and uses expanded ranges with finer values between them. Basically, this means HDR displays can produce more colors and more shades of gray (or, rather, luminance values) than standard dynamic range displays.
There are three major HDR standards with commercially available content: Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+. HDR10 is an open platform that uses 10-bit color values. The UHD Alliance certifies televisions that meet the HDR10 standard, along with minimum brightness and contrast ratios, as UltraHD Premium. Dolby Vision is a closed standard from Dolby; it supports 12-bit color and determines ranges in the signal it provides to a display on the fly based on the display itself and the needs of the scene. Televisions that support Dolby Vision note so on their packaging.
Some other HDR standards and variants are also available, but they've yet to see the broad acceptance of HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) is a standard from the BBC and Japanese broadcaster NHK, which is backward compatible with standard dynamic range TVs.
Meanwhile, Samsung has HDR10+, which adds variable metadata to brightness, changing the range of bright and dark that video can display from scene to scene. It's basically Samsung's answer to Dolby Vision, which the company perplexingly refuses to put on its TVs in favor of its own standard.
HDR content is generally rarer than SDR UHD content, but it's still widely available, especially for new shows and films on major streaming services. Ultra HD Blu-rays, along with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, and other streaming apps, all support HDR in HDR10 and/or Dolby Vision. Whether one standard is better than the other is difficult to determine at this point; HDR10 uses more concrete values and is easier to technically evaluate, but Dolby Vision is designed to specifically fit the needs and limits of whatever television you use. Whether it's HDR10 or Dolby Vision, HDR-capable televisions can produce a better picture than TVs that don't support the wider color gamuts or increased range of luminance information.
Is OLED or QLED Better?
Generally speaking, QLED TVs (or LCD-based LED TVs) are brighter and usually more affordable than organic light-emitting diode (OLED) models, but have imperfect shadow detail. OLED TVs offer incredible color and perfect black level,s but aren't as bright as QLED panels.
Consider your budget and the lighting in the room where you plan to put your TV. An OLED will do best in a home theater where you can block out most outside light, while a QLED will have an edge in a room that gets plenty of windows and sun. That said, as OLED TVs get brighter and more affordable, and QLED TVs use smaller and more numerous mini-LEDs for their backlights, the distinctions between the two will become less and less significant.
Recommended by Our Editors
Which TV Brand Is the Best?
This is a pretty common question, and the short answer is: Don't shop for a TV based on the brand. Every TV manufacturer makes a full range of models in a variety of tiers based on price and performance. Different brands of TVs in the same tier are much more comparable than the same TV brand in different tiers, and you should keep that in mind. For example, just because it's a Samsung TV doesn't mean it's a good or bad Samsung TV; there's a wide spread of performance among Samsung TVs in the first place.
When Is the Best Time to Buy a TV?
Keep an eye out for sales around big sporting events like the Super Bowl or when football season is just starting to find price cuts of a few hundred dollars or more. Also, expect huge price slashes on budget and midrange televisions during Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday. Note that manufacturers typically announce new TVs in January and mark down the previous year's models around that time. Regardless of when you shop, pay attention to which models are on sale; different tiers and series of TVs can perform wildly differently, and some budget and midrange lines aren't nearly as good as higher-end models. Check the model numbers carefully against reviews for a good sense of whether the discount you see is worthwhile.
Are Cheap TVs Worth the Price?
Performance among budget TVs priced below $1,000 for 65 inches varies wildly. Some TVs in this price range offer excellent picture quality, like the Hisense U6N, but there's also a sea of cheap models that don't measure up in one way or another. Although big names like LG, Samsung, and Sony make some incredible flagship TVs, their inexpensive models generally aren't any better than baseline models from more budget-centric brands like Hisense and TCL—and they're usually a bit more expensive. Specs don't tell the whole story either; even if it says 4K HDR, it could be a steal, or it could be a disappointment. As always, our reviews (and the picture quality tests we perform) can help you find a screen that doesn't trade quality for the price.
What Size TV Should You Get?
A big TV that's too close can be just as uncomfortable to watch as a small one that's too far away, so don't assume that the biggest screen available is the best choice. There are a few different rules of thumb regarding TV screen size based on your distance from it.
Generally, the distance between your couch and your TV should be between 1.2 and 1.6 times the diagonal measurement of your screen. So if your couch is six feet away from your screen, you can comfortably watch a TV between 42 and 60 inches. If your couch is five feet away, a 37- to 52-inch screen should work well.
For more, see our stories on how to choose the right TV screen size, the best 65-inch TVs, and the best 75-inch (and up) TVs.
What Is a Good TV Refresh Rate and Contrast Ratio?
One of the biggest problems with narrowing your choices to a single TV is the sheer number of specs. To make your job a little easier, two of the biggies, refresh rate and contrast ratio, are safe to ignore.
Refresh (or response) rate, the speed at which your TV's panel refreshes its image, is expressed in hertz (60Hz, 120Hz, 240Hz, 480Hz, or 600Hz). The theory is that a faster refresh rate results in a smoother image. But in reality, there are several reasons this simply isn't true, and it's not worth paying more for a set with a faster response rate. In many cases, 60Hz is just fine for films and TV, and 120Hz is plenty for video games and sports (though you should probably turn off those higher refresh rate modes when watching most shows and movies to avoid that jarring soap opera effect). Also, keep in mind that numbers above 120Hz (except for a few Samsung TVs with gaming monitor-like 144Hz refresh rates), tend not to indicate a panel's native refresh rate; they're usually numbers produced through various backlight flickering and other image processing tricks.
Contrast ratio, meanwhile, is the difference between the darkest black and the brightest white a panel can display. In theory, the highest contrast ratio possible is desirable since dark blacks and bright whites contribute to a high-quality picture. There isn't really a standard way for manufacturers to measure this spec, though, and vendors are all vying to come up with the highest ratios so their TVs seem more appealing. Previously, OLED TVs were the only models we've tested to actually produce an "infinite" contrast ratio with a perfect 0 black level, but recently, mini-LED backlight systems have enabled some TVs, like Samsung's flagship LED models, to also offer perfect black levels with no noticeable light bloom. We measure contrast ratios with a consistent process across all TVs, so you can trust our numbers.
What Are the Different TV Connections?
Ideally, a TV should provide enough video connections for now and the foreseeable future. The most important input is HDMI, which supports all major forms of digital video sources, including Blu-ray players, game consoles, set-top boxes, and PCs through a single cable. Most TVs have three or four HDMI ports, but some might only have two. If you want a 4K screen, make sure the HDMI ports are at least HDMI 2.0. It's the current standard and supports 4K video at 60 frames per second; at best, older HDMI ports can only handle 4K up to 30 frames per second. HDMI 2.1, meanwhile, supports higher resolutions and faster refresh rates, though it isn't vital for most content currently available.
As for cables, unless you have a huge home theater system and plan to run cables between devices at distances longer than 25 feet (and that's being generous), brands and prices don't matter. We've compared the performance of high-end cables and inexpensive ones and found that they all carry digital signals similarly. More expensive cables might have better build quality, but you won't see any performance advantages from them. Don't shop for HDMI cables at retail stores, and ignore any clerks who warn you of "dirty electricity" or "viruses" that can come with cheap cables (both claims I've witnessed). Hop online and find the least expensive cable at the size you need and snap it up.
Just ensure the cables are labeled HDMI 2.1, "Premium High Speed," or "Ultra High Speed." For more, see our story on what you need to know about HDMI cables.
HDMI also supports the highest-end home theater audio standards, though you'll generally have to give up a port as a video input to use it. Most TVs have an HDMI port with an audio return channel (ARC) clearly labeled on the back. ARC enables sound to be sent downstream to a connected soundbar or speaker system from the TV over HDMI and supports compressed 5.1-channel surround sound, like optical connections do. However, recent TVs have enhanced ARC, or eARC, which offers even higher-quality audio and more features than optical or ARC can provide. eARC supports uncompressed multi-channel sound, including spatial audio like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. In fact, if you want to use those much more precise surround systems instead of discrete channel feeds, you need to use eARC.
If you have legacy devices from before the days of HDTVs, some new TVs might still support them. While they're not standard, many TVs have composite or component video inputs you can use to hook up VCRs and older game systems. Groups of full-sized RCA ports might be available, but you're more likely to find 3.5mm ports designed for use with included dongles that convert the 3.5mm connection to three RCA ports for composite video or five RCA ports for component video.
Should You Calibrate Your TV?
Most modern TVs are accurate enough out of the box that they don't need calibration. Just follow our five simple tweaks to get the best picture settings for your TV, and you should be good to go.
Still, if you spent a lot on your new TV, you might want to calibrate it to obtain the best picture possible. Professional calibrations can cost hundreds of dollars, but if you have a high-end home theater (the kind you hired someone to build for you), it can be a worthwhile added expense. And if you don't, you can get a calibration Blu-ray and make some tweaks yourself. You can also use the Apple TV's Color Balance feature, though it doesn't come close to a professional calibration and only affects the Apple TV device's (not the Apple TV app) output itself.
And, of course, don't forget to turn off motion smoothing (the effect that makes everything look like a soap opera) unless you're watching sports.