No matter how much time we spend with our mobile devices, Televisions (TVs) still play a major role in our lives at home. We all enjoy spending some time of our days with our loved ones while watching TV in the living room. The newest TVs don’t just deliver great performance, but also make our homes look modern and cutting edge as the super-slim LED TVs can be wall mounted, giving your walls a unique and superior finish.
However, buying a TV isn’t as simple and easy as it was in the past. In the past, the majority of people would just make their choice based upon the size of the TV. Now, with the ever-changing technology, things have become a bit more confusing, making it difficult to get your hands on exactly the right one that fits your needs and budget. These days, we have to keep in mind a wide number of considerations before making the final choice.
It is important to remember that not every TV is made equally as every manufacturer has their own smart interface and technologies to develop the machines.
Things to consider when buying a TV?
While buying a TV, there are now various factors that may affect the choice on exactly which TV to purchase. Following are some of the things and technologies that should be looked into prior to making your final decision:
Screen Size:
Getting the right size of the screen is very important based on the size of the room you will be putting it into, especially if you are looking for the cinema-like experience. You can’t have it too close to where you will be sitting, or buy something too large for the room, as it may hamper your picture quality and viewing experience.
Your room size and the distance from your TV to your sitting location should be calculated carefully for the perfect choice. For example, a 10-foot distance from your sitting area may be too much for a 24-inch TV. On the other hand, if the distance is 4 feet and the screen size is 65 inches, then you may lose some of the clarity experience and not be able to view the full screen all at once.
Identify 2 Things to Find Perfect TV Size:
- Measure the distance between your sofa and the TV.
- Decide the Resolution of the TV
Check the table alongside to find the recommended TV for your viewing distance.
Viewing Distance (Feet) | Screen Sizes (Inches) | Resolution |
3-6 | 24" | HD Ready |
4-8 | 32" | HD Ready |
5-10 | 40"-43" | Full HD |
6-12 | 49" | Full HD |
8-13 | 55" | Full HD or 4K |
8-15 or above | 65" or above | 4K |
OLED
Not every TV available on the market comes with a LED screen as some of them are now equipped with the latest technology of screens i.e. Organic Light-emitting Diode (OLED). These TVs are actually very different than LCD or LED TVs. This technology uses colored LED lights to create the image, which means you save more power than compared to LED TVs.
There are also many other benefits involved with the OLED screens as the image quality is relatively higher on the OLED TVs and much brighter, so they may be best for those who wanted to watch TV a lot during brighter hours. The OLED TVs also come with high contrast ratios, as black pixels will actually be emitting no light. This results in delivering great cinematic visuals.
OLED TVs are more costly to make, so you will pay a higher price than the typical LED TVs of similar screen size and features.
Screen Resolution
This is another important thing that must be considered while buying an LED TV. However, most people overlook this point as they are concerned about giving more attention to the screen size. Of course, screen size is important, but screen resolution is also very important as this defines your image clarity and overall TV watching experience. The resolution describes the number of pixels that make up the picture on a display for example 1020p, HD, 4K or 8K.
The more pixels your TV screen has, the higher and better will be your picture quality, so higher resolution is (almost always) better.
Earlier in the past, people would prefer buying HD TVs with 1920 x 1080 resolution, but the technology has changed and now we have the higher resolutions like Ultra HD, also known as 4K that come with 3840 x 2160 pixels of screen resolution. But, that’s not enough as you also have better option like 8K where you get the premium quality of TV watching experience without any issue.
High Dynamic Range or HDR
For those who like to watch the TV with natural and rich colours, the TV manufacturers bring HDR technology. This is a new feature of 4K Ultra HD sets, which offers your TVs the ability to deliver more colors, more contrast levels and increased brightness. This is mostly known as an upgrade to the 4K, or Ultra HD.
Smart or Non-Smart TVs
This has been the most common thing that troubles the TV buyers from over the past many years. The reason here is that Smart TVs are costlier than those with non-smart features. The smart TVs come with the ability to connect your device with Wi-Fi for connecting Internet-based services like Netflix or YoutTube for streaming videos. Also, these smart TVs come with Android platform so you can run apps for watching special-interest programs, downloading on-demand movies, etc. When you are buying the LEDs with 32 inches screen size, then you may be in conflict to whether or not buy a smart TV, but if you are planning to buy one with higher screen size, then you may not have the option to buy non-smart TV as most of them come with default smart features.
If you love watching online videos, then the smart TVs are the right choice as they let you keep the entertainment alive even without the cable connection. The only concern is whether your internet connection can provide enough bandwidth.
Audio Quality
This is something that you may be disappointed about even when buying the premium quality LED TVs as they are getting simmer thus the sound quality is reducing. If you want to enjoy a better and clear sound quality with added bass, then buying an additional Sound Bar may be a great choice.
Soundbars are popular because they come in budget and take no additional space in your home. Unlike the home theatre systems, the sound bar can be easily mounted on the wall and give your TVs additional beauty. Newer sound bar models are thin enough to fit under a TV stand and many also come with wireless connectivity so no hassles of wires anymore.
LEDs or LCDs
Of course, we are talking about the LEDs here in this LED buying guide, but many times people get confused as the LCDs are relatively low priced. However, it’s not just the price that gets reduced, but also it’s your TV watching experience The better image quality and wide angle watching experience, it is always preferred to go with LEDs as the LCDs can be viewed only from a straight angle and the quality of image is also very low on LCDs.
Connectivity
Unless you have decided to not use anything beyond your cable connection, it is always good to have some extra connectivity options. Many LED TVs come with HDMI connectivity and even more if you know you will be connecting multiple devices like a USB device, gaming console, etc. If you are not in a mood to spend too much on a TV just because of the additional connectivity features, it is always good to have at least one USB port, which can be used to play videos and other media. Also, it can empower your regular and non-smart TV into a better version with a Chromecast or other dongle.
It is also important to check of the connectivity ports are easily accessible as you would not want to un-mount your TV from the wall just to use a dongle or an HDMI cable. Ideally, the ports should not be facing the wall. It shall be placed on the right or left side of the TV as these areas are easy to reach for the connectivity once you mount the TV on your wall.
Best TVs to Buy
Best Smart TVs Award Winners
So, now that you know what to look for in a TV when buying, let’s explore some of the options available. We have prepared a list of the best options available and classified them according to their USP i.e. their prime feature so you can easily reach the final decision.
Here comes the winner of the countdown as the TCL 40S305 40-inch 1080p LED TV offers a superb smart TV interface courtesy of Roku. This is not just the best bargain option, but also a great experience for those who like to enjoy their TV watching experience. It comes with really attractive features like a native 60Hz refresh rate and a 1080p Full HD picture. This smart TV makes things easier even for the first-time smart TV buyers and users as it comes with a powerful search by title, actor or director, plus voice search option.
Also, you are facilitated with a mobile app on both iOS and Android that does it all. You can easily stream videos using your smartphone and cast movies and Web videos via Netflix and YouTube mobile apps. The best part about this smart TV is it’s smart remote that comes with a simplified set of just 20 buttons for quick navigation.
Additional Features:
- Roku TV Streaming Platform
- Lifelike picture with 1080p Full HD resolution
- Direct-lit LED produces great picture quality
- Alexa and Google Assistant compatible
- Easy to use remote control
The next one of the best smart TVs available online comes from the house of Insignia. The Fire TV addition from the brand maintains a reasonable price tag without skimping on quality. It is prepared to deliver great image quality using the premium 4K ultra-HD resolution with more than eight million pixels. So, with this TV you can be sure that you are getting the best image quality with your smart TV. It’s also the first line of Insignia TVs to support HDR, which means that it produces more vivid, true-to-life colors.
Just like all other smart TVs available on the market, Insignia Fire gives you immediate access to thousands of channels and streaming services. You can easily watch videos on Netflix, Hulu, SHOWTIME, HBO, and more. Also, it is compatible to Amazon Alexa, which means that your smart TV also serves as your smart-home hub. Voice command is additional benefit that you get with Insignia Fire TV Edition. Just say what you want to listen or watch and it will stream the right things for you.
It also comes with three HDMI inputs to add third-party media players like gaming consoles, sound bars, or a cable box.
Additional Features:
- True-to-life 4K Ultra HD picture quality
- Built-in tens of thousands of channels
- Live over-the-air TV and streaming channels
- Easily control remote with voice command
- Connectivity: 3 HDMI ports, Wi-Fi
- Alexa compatible
Samsung has been one of the favorite brands of homeowners as this brand offers a wide range of home appliances like ACs, washing machines, refrigerators, and of course LED TVs. The Samsung QN55Q6F QLED 4K TV Smart TV stands out from the crowd with Q smart technology that adds a beautiful way to discover and stream live television programming. This series comes with a universal guide that is designed to add a bevy of apps including Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, HBO and more.
One of the best parts about this smart LED TV is Samsung’s streamlined OneRemote that makes navigating the search function is as easy as ever. And its Bixby Voice makes things even easier to search for the content online.
It that’s not enough for you, then Samsung has something more to offer. Its picture quality is sure to win your heart. This LED TV comes with QLED technology for better movie-theatre-quality color in your home. And its screen offers natural colors with deep blacks that are unmatched in the category. This smart LED TV is powered by the Q engine which helps optimize each piece of content for 4K quality.
Additional Features:
- Q Contrast for better, dramatic depth from the darkest to brightest scenes
- Ambient Mode to elevate your living room with decorative content
- Smart TV with Bixby Voice
- 4K ultra HD image quality experience
- OLED screen type for better picture
- OneRemote and voice assistance
This one is another option to go for when you are on a hunt to shop for a Smart LED TV this year. The TCL 50S425 TV gives you all the smart TV features that you would expect from a smart device in your home. It comes with the ultra screen resolution of 4K and HDR10 for great picture quality that’s typically seen in much more expensive TVs. And the best part here is that you get it all in your budget.
Additionally, with TCL 50S425 50-Inch 4K Roku TV, all your favorite shows and movies will look great on this screen. When talking about the connectivity, you get three HDMI ports, a USB port, Optical Audio Out ports and an Ethernet port to connect everything that you want to. This is also suitable for the gaming lovers as this TV comes with Game Mode which reduces the input lag for video games.
Overall, if you’re looking for a great smart TV with the better image quality of 4K and don’t want to spend too much for it, TCL 50S425 is the right choice.
Additional Features:
- Pairs 4K Ultra HD picture clarity with the contrast, color
- Direct-lit LED for better image quality
- Inputs: 3 HDMI 2. 0 with HDCP 2. 2, 1 USB
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
If you have been missing LG brand in the countdown, then here it comes with the Signature OLED65G7P. This LED TV is designed for the perfect watching experience with 4K Smart TV technology. It comes with a premium quality OLED screen that ensures you enjoy better quality while its 60-watt soundbar is responsible for the great audio it delivers. Additionally, this LED TV comes with WebOS 3.0 interface that offers a redesigned Magic Motion remote, as well as Magic Zoom. So, if you are thinking the image or video is quite small, then just Zoom it with Smart Zoom feature.
The Magic Motion technology on your remote offers numerical keys and dedicated control buttons for a DVR. And it comes with the Magic Mobile connectivity feature, which means the connectivity to any Android smartphone is quite easy. At the same time, it also offers Wi-Fi network connectivity for online content browsing.
Additional Features:
- WebOS 3.5 Smart functionality
- Pairs 4K Ultra HD picture clarity with the contrast, color
- OLED technology for better image quality
- Individually lit OLED pixels for outstanding contrast
Best 4K LED TVs
If you are planning to buy a widescreen LED TV for your home or office and want to ensure better picture quality, then you must be thinking about buying a 4K LED TV for sure. So, we have collected the best options available for you to ensure you have the right choice.
This is one of the best options we have found online while exploring the best 4K LED TVs. While this doesn’t matter which model or brand you go with when investing in a 4K LED TV, but when you are getting the quality from a reliable brand like LG, you can be double sure about the quality. The LG C8-SERIES 4K OLED TV happens to sit at the ideal intersection of size, features, and cost.
With the C8 series of LG, you get multiple options in screens like 77-inch, 65-inch and 55-inch. While the 77-inch model may be very much costly, its 65-inch and 55-inch models are much cost effective and reliable options to go with. With these models, you not only get a 4K Ultra HD display, but the TV is also powered by LG’s solid webOS smart TV interface. The The LG C8-SERIES 4K OLED TV boasts great picture quality at a price lower than many other OLEDs.
Additional Features:
- Display Options: 55 inch, 65 inch, 77 inch
- Resolution: 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160p)
- Display: OLED Display
- Smart TV Features: ThinQ AI, Magic Remote, Netflix Recommended
- Connectivity: Built-in WiFi, Mobile Connection Overlay, 4 HDMI ports, 3 USB ports
- Audio: 40 Watts Output
If there is something that can give a strong competition to the LG OLEDs, it’s only Master Series A9f from the house of Sony. What makes this series a perfect choice is Sony’s ability to deliver amazing sound quality with picture quality that surpasses your expectations. When you compare any TV with Sony Master Series A9f OLED TV, you will actually notice how much the HDR highlights matter.
Sound is another important thing that makes it the right pick, which comes from the screen itself. Sony has creatively put actuators on the back of the screen itself to provide sound extremely amazing. Additionally, this TV also comes with a new third actuator and a second woofer mounted on the back of the television, which means the sound quality is surprisingly good. Don’t just go with the reviews available online, but make sure to go in person and check the quality and what makes it stand out in the competition.
It’s the most impressive picture quality we’ve seen, full stop.
Additional Features:
- Display Options: 55 inch, 65 inch
- Resolution: 4K Ultra HD (Ogled TV – 8 million self-illuminating pixels)
- Display: OLED Display (120Hz refresh rate)
- Triluminos Display & 4K HDR Super Bit Mapping
- Connectivity: 4 – HDMI, 2 – USB2. 0, 1 – USB3. 0, 1 – composite
- Audio: Acoustic Surface Audio+
- Audio: 40 Watts Output
If you believe that OLED is the future of smart TV revolution, you very well could be right, but that’s not just the only way available to make the TV watching experience a great one. This is something that Sony’s Master Series Z9F turns possible. The Sony Master Series Z9f TV is a direct competitor to Samsung’s QLED series and aims to replicate everything OLEDs are known for. Whether it is the wide viewing angles or deep blacks, this LED TV has everything. This series comes with the same X1 Ultimate processor as its A9F OLED series.
Sony Master Series Z9f TV comes with a unique X-Wide Angle technology to combat the off-angle washout that plagues many LCD TVs. No matter from what angle you watch the TV, the experience is going to be the same as you have from directly in front. Experience beautiful night shots, full of dazzling lights and deeper blacks from every angle.
This brings you the excitement of movies and games in 4K HDR. It can handle almost every video format, including HDR10, Hybrid Log-Gamma and Dolby Vision™.34
Additional Features:
- Meticulously engineered for excellence
- Close to 4K HDR with the Picture Processor X1 Ultimate and 4K X-Reality PRO
- Connect Alexa-enabled devices for seamless hands-free control
- Enjoy studio quality with Netflix Calibrated Mode
- X-Wide Angle technology for wide angle viewing
If you are looking for a fantastic display that will seamlessly blend into their home, Samsung Q9FN 4K QLED TV is the right choice. This model by Samsung is a step ahead of the Sony’s Z9F as it comes with an advanced and revolutionary QLED technology for better picture quality experience. While it is more preferred to go with Z9F, the Q9FN’s picture is plenty amazing.
The first thing you will surely notice about this QLED TV is its design and appearance. Samsung tried going all edge-lit for 2017 and it backfired. But the company has made it possible this time with Q9FN.
The Samsung Q9FN 4K QLED TV comes with a unique Ambient mode that lets the TV blend into your living room like a chameleon when you’re not watching it. It’s available in multiple screen size options like 65- and 75-inch. You’ll be hard-pressed to find another premium TV as this will you’re your requirements for sure.
The Q9FN includes the best of Samsung’s QLED display technologies, which means that you have access to excellent display quality. The Samsung Q9FN QLED TV is one of the best TVs you can buy in your budget.
Additional Features:
- Display Sizes: 65 inch and 75 inch
- Q HDR EliteMax
- Q Contrast EliteMax
- Push boundaries of color with Quantum Dots
- Ambient Mode: You won’t notice the TV on the wall as it blends perfectly with décor.
- Smart TV with Bixby voice to find streaming and live TV shows
- Q Smart technology
We have already mentioned this brand on the Best Smart LED TVs countdown and this has again made its way to the list of the best 4K LED TVs available. TCL 6-Series Roku TV is one of the best options available from every perspective – picture quality, budget, size and everything else
The TCL 6-SERIES ROKU TV comes with a simple interface and extensive streaming app support with ability to handle both HDR10 and Dolby Vision high dynamic range sources. It comes in multiple screen sizes, including 55 inch, 65 inch and 75 inch. Beyond great image quality, the TCL 6-SERIES ROKU TV also offers many other benefits like smart TV system, Roku TV. No more pushing those buttons on your remote as this LED TV comes with a remote having built-in mic for voice functions, which means you can communicate with the TV without needing to push the buttons.
Of course, it’s not as effective as Amazon Alexa, but it works fine for searches, app launching, switching inputs and tuning to an antenna channel.
Additional Features:
- Connectivity: 3 HDMI, 1 USB Port (2.0)
- Smart remote with built-in mic
- Smart Functionality to access thousands of streaming channels
- LED backlighting with contrast control Zones
- Compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
- Screen sizes: 55 inch, 65 inch, 75 inch
Best OLED TVs
In the current times, OLED is the most advanced technology available that delivers outstanding TV watching experience. The OLED displays are designed to offer a better and soothing experience to your eyes. For example, if you are watching TV in a dark room, OLEDs can display perfect blacks, which means you will have a better experience with enhanced picture quality.
The best one that we have found in this series is the Sony A9F. This OLED TV is designed to deliver an excellent picture quality with perfectly deep blacks that so you have the same image quality even in the darkest room. Sony A9F OLED comes with a very good wide viewing angle so you have the same image quality from every angle of the room. Another best part about this TV is that it comes with excellent HDR performance.
The Sony A9F OLED can display scenes with rich, saturated colors. And you never deal with the blurred images as it has the great motion handling ability that leaves only as small blur trail. And it comes with Android 8.0 smart platform so you can enjoy unlimited entertainment without even using your mobile device. The Sony A9F is designed specifically for those who watch HDR movies and want color accuracy.
Additional Features:
- Screen sizes: 55 inch, 65 inch
- Close to 4K HDR picture quality
- x1 ultimate and 4K X-Reality Pro.
- Oled TV – 8 million self-illuminating pixels for deep black and color
- Enjoy smooth and vibrant colors
- Smartphone connectivity
- Dolby vision for incredible detail and clarity
- Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi, Ethernet, 4 HDMI, USB port
If you are a gaming lover and enjoy watching premium quality pictures, then LG C8 OLED is the right pick for you. Although the LG C8 has a little worse color volume than the Sony A9F, you will find its picture quality to be the excellent one. Similar to the other OLED TVs available, LG C8 OLED also comes with wide viewing angles and perfect blacks thanks to its emissive technology, which is able to deliver an outstanding dark room performance.
This OLED TV comes with wide color gamut and good brightness levels so you can be sure that the content is full of vivid colors and bright highlights. And there is virtually null blurred images or traces as it comes with excellent motion handling, thanks to the very fast response time.
Although it comes with the risk of temporary image retention and permanent burn-in, it is only expected when you display static images for a prolonged period of time. The LG C8 is an excellent OLED TV that has a remarkable performance in most usages.
Additional Features:
- Screen sizes: 55 inch, 65 inch, 75 inch, 77 inch
- LG OLED TV with AI (Artificial Intelligence)
- Built in Google Assistant
- α9 Intelligent Processor for enhanced sharpness and depth
- Dolby Atmos is the same audio technology developed for state-of-the-art cinemas
- LG OLED Display uses the latest panels
- Connectivity: Inputs: 4 HDMI, 3 USB, 1 RF, 1 Composite in, 1 Ethernet, 1 Optical,
If you are just impressed with the LG C8 OLED, but would like to go with a relatively cheaper option without compromising on the quality, then LG B8 OLED is the way to go. The LG B8 is equipped with a narrower stand than the C8 and it comes with last year’s Alpha 7 processor and not the new A9 processor found inside the LG C8.
Although both of these TVs come with excellent picture quality, and you have to place them side-by-side to compare the differences, the LG B8 is a better choice. Other reviewers who have tested the B8 have also found that the C8, is capable to produce brighter HDR highlights in comparison to its cheaper competitor but from the same brand.
However, since the price difference between these two displays is under 10 percent, it’s worth spending a little more amount to get the C8. But if you are concerned about the budget and would like to get not-so-perfect OLED display, then B8 is just the right pick that will fit your budget and offer the desired image quality.
The B8 and C8 are almost identical, and both are fantastic OLED displays.
Additional Features:
- Screen sizes: 55 inch, 65 inch
- LG OLED TV with AI (Artificial Intelligence) ThinQ
- α7 Intelligent Processor
- Pixel Level Dimming enables each of the 8.3 million individually lit pixels
- 4K Cinema HDR
- Dolby Atmos is the same audio technology developed for cinemas
- LG OLED Display uses the latest panels,
- Connectivity: Inputs: 4 HDMI, 3 USB, 1 RF, 1 Composite in, 1 Ethernet, 1 Optical
Conclusion
Whether you are a first-time TV buyer or a pro with experience in analyzing the wide range of LED TVs and have read a lot online about the technologies available for the modern TV technology, the above-mentioned options are sure to meet your requirements as they have been picked by the experts according to their specific features and the quality delivered to the users.
Before you make the final decision, it is recommended to consider the points that were shared in the beginning so you make the right choice with your individual requirements in mind.
If you are a budget-friendly buyer, the going with the products by TCL and LG may be a smart choice as these both companies ensure quality while offering product prices at the lower side. But, if you are looking for the premium experience with no compromise to quality at all, there are many brands with Sony being on the top. It is also important to keep the features and facilities in mind as just buying a TV because you are buying from a brand isn’t a smart decision. It shall be a calculated decision with everything in mind.