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Steven Cohen/Insider
If you're shopping for a new TV in 2023, there are lots of options. Retailers are packed with colorful 4K displays, cheap HDTVs, and razor-sharp 8K sets. But while picture quality and specific features vary depending on what kind of display you get, the best TVs all share one thing in common: a reliable viewing experience.
After extensive testing and research, we've selected the seven best TVs you can buy. The Samsung S95B is our top pick thanks to it high-contrast OLED panel, wide viewing angles, and vibrant colors. For the money, there simply isn't a better looking TV on the market. Shoppers aiming to spend less, however, should consider our budget pick, the Hisense U6K. Brightness and contrast can't match pricier sets, but its advanced backlight delivers better image quality than other TVs in its price range.
We've also got picks for high-end, midrange, 8K, and even HD models. With different budgets and viewing needs all accounted for, these are the best TVs you can buy right now.
Note: All of our picks are available in multiple screen sizes. You can select different sizes on each retailer's page. Features are typically carried over across sizes, but there may be slight performance differences.
Our top picks for the best TVs
Best overall: Samsung S95B 4K TV - See at Walmart
The Samsung S95B OLED delivers premium 4K image quality with top-of-the-line contrast and color performance at an unbeatable value.
Best high-end display: Sony A95K 4K TV - See at Best Buy
It's not cheap, but the Sony A95K OLED is the best TV you can get if you want the most accurate picture possible.
Best midrange model: Hisense U7H 4K TV - See at Amazon
Hisense's U7H 4K TV punches way above its weight class with excellent brightness performance for the money.
Best OLED on a budget: LG B2 4K TV - See at Amazon
OLED TVs aren't known for their budget-friendly prices, but the LG B2 is one of the most affordable models you can find right now.
Best QLED for budget buyers: Hisense U6K 4K TV - See at Amazon
The U6K proves that budget-friendly 4K TVs don't need to skimp on cool features like quantum dots and Mini LEDs with local dimming.
Best HDTV: TCL S3 Series HDTV - See at Amazon
TCL's S3 HDTV is a reliable and cheap option if all you need is a smaller smart TV for casual viewing.
Best 8K display: Samsung QN900C - See at Amazon
We're still not convinced that anyone actually needs an 8K TV right now, but there's no denying how gorgeous the QN900C looks, especially if you get an extra-large size.
Steven Cohen/Insider
Pros: OLED panel with quantum dots delivers excellent contrast and colors, deep black levels, wide viewing angles, lots of gaming features
Cons: No Dolby Vision support, interface isn't the snappiest
When it comes to the best TVs you can buy right now, the Samsung S95B is our top pick. This 4K display uses an OLED screen with quantum dots, which gives it nearly unrivaled contrast and color performance. But despite its top-of-the-line picture quality, the S95B is less expensive than comparable sets from Sony and LG. For the money, it's simply the best 4K TV on the market.
With a peak brightness of over 1,000 nits, the S95B delivers vibrant high-dynamic-range (HDR) images. Although that's still not as bright as what top QLED models can achieve, the display's OLED panel gives it pixel-level contrast control, which results in deeper black levels and more precise highlights without any distracting blooming. From an image quality perspective, it really doesn't get much better than this.
In fact, the only notable feature that the S95B is missing is Dolby Vision support. Dolby Vision is generally considered the best HDR format since it can give a TV scene-by-scene instructions for how to best optimize color and brightness. The S95B does support a similar format, called HDR10+, but HDR10+ isn't used on as many streaming services or 4K Blu-ray discs.
As a result, most of the HDR content you'll see on the S95B will end up defaulting to the standard HDR10 format. Though HDR10 won't look as fine-tuned as Dolby Vision or HDR10+, the difference is subtle, and the S95B's HDR10 performance is so good that most people won't notice a difference.
We wish onscreen navigation was a little smoother, but the S95B's smart TV interface works well and gives you access to all of the best streaming services. Gaming support is strong as well, and Samsung is the only TV manufacturer that supports the Xbox Game Pass app directly on its TVs. That means Game Pass members can stream Xbox games on the S95B without a console.
Samsung does sell more expensive OLED TVs that get brighter, like the newer S95C, but you can't beat the S95B's overall value. This is a 2022 model, however, so inventory is getting harder to find as the year goes on. If you're considering the S95B, we recommend grabbing it now while it's still available.
Read our Samsung S95B review.
Amazon
Pros: Best-in-class picture processing for high-end upscaling and top-notch image accuracy, Dolby Vision support
Cons: Pricier than direct competitors
For the best high-end TV you can buy, the Sony A95K should be on your shortlist. Like Samsung's S95B, it also uses an OLED screen with quantum dots to offer industry-leading color and contrast. But on top of that, the A95K benefits from Sony's picture processing to produce superior image accuracy and upscaling.
The differences are subtle, but the A95K does edge out other premium TVs with its precise HDR tone mapping. Unlike the S95B, it also supports Dolby Vision, which gives the TV scene-by-scene instructions for how to render color and contrast when watching Dolby Vision content on popular services like Netflix and Disney Plus.
The TV's proprietary picture processing does an excellent job upscaling lower quality sources as well, so cable TV and HD sources show fewer flaws. Samsung's most expensive OLED TV, the S95C, can get a bit brighter, but Sony is the leader when it comes to delivering a truly accurate picture for the best home theater experience.
The A95K's Google TV operating system works well too, so you can stream all your favorite services with simple navigation. A handy voice remote is included with Google Assistant, but unlike Samsung and LG TVs, it doesn't have Alexa built-in.
Though the A95K is the best premium TV you can buy right now, a new 2023 version of this display, called the A95L, will be available on October 20. Sony says the new model will deliver a whopping 200% increase in brightness. The 65-inch A95L will cost $3,500 when it launches, which is about $500 more than the A95K sells for right now. If your budget allows, we recommend waiting to snag the newer model.
Read our Sony A95K impressions.
Amazon
Pros: Excellent performance for the money, full-array local dimming and quantum dot color
Cons: Viewing angles aren't great, some blooming
The Hisense U7H is easily one of the best TVs you can buy for under $1,000. It has picture quality features that rival many displays that cost more, making it an excellent bang-for-your-buck value.
The QLED panel can produce up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness, which is fantastic for a TV in this price range. The screen also uses full-array local dimming to enable control of the display's contrast across multiple zones on the panel. This creates better black levels and more precise highlights than you'd get on a QLED or LED TV that doesn't have a dimming feature.
Considering its affordable price, the U7H does have a few drawbacks compared to more expensive QLED TVs, like the Samsung QN90B. HDR highlights can't get as bright, and local dimming isn't as precise, which can lead to some blooming around bright objects in dark scenes. The TV's viewing angles are also mediocre, so color and contrast degrade if you're sitting off to the side.
Still, it's hard to fault the TV too much for these cons since it does so much right for such a great price. It even has a 120Hz panel with HDMI 2.1 so it can support high frame-rate and variable refresh rate (VRR) when gaming on a PS5 or Xbox Series X. You also get solid smart TV streaming capabilities via the display's Google TV interface and Google Assistant remote.
Hisense does have a new 2023 version of this TV, called the U7K, but it carries a higher retail price when it's not on sale. The main difference is that the new model uses a Mini LED backlight rather than regular-sized LEDs. This should provide even better dimming performance. If you can find the U7K for the same price as the U7H, we recommend the new model.
Amazon
Pros: Great price for an OLED, best-in-class contrast and black level performance for the money
Cons: Not as bright as pricier OLEDs, hard to find in stock
Though you can find plenty of affordable QLED and LED displays, cheap OLED TVs are harder to snag. Right now, LG's B2 is the closest thing there is to a budget OLED. You can pick up the 55-inch model for around $1,000. That's still not exactly cheap, but it's a good price for a display of this type.
Like the more expensive Sony and Samsung OLEDs we recommend, the B2 delivers an infinite contrast ratio with perfect black levels and wide viewing angles. On the downside, the B2 has a lower peak brightness level that hits a max of around 600-700 nits. HDR content still looks great, especially with Dolby Vision support, but highlights don't pop with the same vibrancy you'd get on the S95B or A95K. The lower brightness also makes the B2 less suited for spaces that have a lot of windows that let in sunlight.
On the plus side, the B2 still manages to offer a 120Hz panel and HDMI 2.1 ports. This means it can support high frame rate gaming on a PS5, Xbox Series console, or PC. It also support VRR (variable refresh rate). And the TV's webOS platform gives you access to plenty of apps.
Unfortunately, the B2 has become hard to find in stores and online. LG has a new B3 model for 2023, but it costs more and doesn't offer a big upgrade. The company also has an even cheaper A2 OLED, but it's not typically in stock. However, Best Buy sometimes has the 48-inch A2 model for just $650, which is an amazing price. Just keep in mind that the A2 isn't as good for gaming as the B2 since it only has a 60Hz screen.
If you can find it in stock, the B2 is the best TV in its price range for people who favor high-end black level, contrast, and gaming performance, but don't care about higher brightness capabilities.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Pros: Cheapest TV with Mini LEDs, features quantum dots and local dimming
Cons: Limited brightness, 60Hz panel, mediocre viewing angles, sluggish smart TV interface
The Hisense U6K is the most affordable TV you can buy that manages to include quantum dots and local dimming with Mini LEDs. The former feature enables a wide range of bright colors, while the latter gives the TV deeper black levels and better contrast than a regular LED display. Mini LEDs are especially rare on a TV in this price range, and they enable even more precise control of the panel's dimming.
Often on sale for just $550 at a 65-inch screen size, the U6K offers an incredible value. Sure, it has fewer dimming zones than step-up models like the U7 series, but the performance it delivers is nearly unmatched by rivals in this price range. Most budget TVs lack wide color support and often top out at around 300 nits, but the U6K offers an expanded color gamut and up to 600 nits of brightness. We generally recommend at least 800-1,000 nits for the best performance, but 600 is enough to start seeing the benefits of HDR.
Gamers, however, should keep in mind that the TV only has a 60Hz refresh rate rather than 120Hz. This means it can't support high frame rate gaming on a PS5 of Xbox Series X/S. The display's viewing angles are also mediocre, but that's to be expected for pretty much any TV you find in this class.
The U6K is a bit of an outlier in the TV market right now, hitting an especially appealing sweet spot between entry-level pricing and performance. However, if you want something even cheaper, you can still find the 2022 version of this set, called the U6H, on clearance at some retailers. That model is also an excellent value, but stock is dwindling and the 2023 U6K has even better dimming performance thanks to its Mini LED backlight, which the U6H lacks.
Read our full Hisense U6K 4K TV review.
Amazon
Pros: Cheap price, reliable Roku smart TV platform, basic HDR processing
Cons: Mediocre viewing angles, doesn't support wide color, can't match contrast or black levels found on LED or QLED TVs with local dimming, 60Hz rather than 120Hz panel
Buyers who just want a cheap HDTV in a smaller screen size should look no further than this affordable TCL display.
The new S3 Series is a basic 1080p smart TV that ranges in size from 32 to 43 inches. At such small screen sizes, you'd be hard pressed to see the full benefits of a 4K display, so the TV's Full HD resolution suits it just fine. Its smaller form factor also makes it a nice choice for cozier spaces like a bedroom.
When it comes to image quality, the S3 is nothing special. It doesn't use quantum dots or feature local dimming, so color, contrast, black level performance, and brightness won't be anywhere near what you'd get with any of the more expensive TVs we recommend. It does technically support HDR10 playback, but the TV's specs aren't really capable of showing the benefits of that format, so we don't think HDR is all that useful on a TV in this class. However, the S3's basic picture performance gets the job done, especially if you just want something for casual viewing.
For smart TV streaming, the S3 uses the Roku OS. Roku's interface is one of our favorites thanks to its simplicity and overall reliability. It's not the most modern looking platform, but it offers easy access to all of the most popular streaming services.
Home theater fans and gamers should look elsewhere, but buyers that need a cheap HDTV should be satisfied with the S3.
Steven Cohen/Insider
Pros: 8K panel offers higher PPI (pixels per inch) than 4K, industry-leading peak brightness, Mini LED backlight offers impressive dimming performance
Cons: 8K resolution benefits are hard to see, there's almost no native 8K content to watch
Samsung's QN900C is the company's top-of-the-line QLED TV for 2023. It boasts an 8K panel, which can deliver four times the total number of pixels compared to a 4K TV. It also uses a Mini LED backlight with exceptional local dimming capabilities to produce some of the best contrast and black level performance we've ever seen on an LCD-based display.
The QN900C is also one of the brightest TVs you can buy. During our tests, it managed a peak of around 2,300 nits in Filmmaker Mode. This results in fantastic HDR images. And though it still can't compete with the infinite contrast ratio of an OLED, the QN900C's higher peak brightness does give its specular highlight performance a bit more punch than an OLED. Best of all, the TV is able to hit this high brightness while maintaining deep black levels with minimal blooming. Viewing angles are also superior to most QLED TVs from other brands like Hisense, so colors and contrast degrade less when sitting off to the side.
Of course, what really differentiates the QN900C from Samsung's other high-end QLED TVs is its 8K screen, which offers a resolution of 7680 x 4320 versus the 3840 x 2160p resolution you'd get on a 4K TV. Though that is four times the resolution, the actual benefit of all those extra pixels is hard to see. Don't get me wrong, the QN900C is a razor-sharp display. But so are Samsung's top 4K TVs. The higher pixel density does give 8K sets like this a slight edge in clarity if you have a larger screen size and like to sit up close to the display, but otherwise we don't think 8K resolution is a huge selling point right now.
This is reinforced by the fact that there really isn't any native 8K content to watch. Outside of some YouTube videos, everything you'll find on major streaming services, discs, or cable will be in 4K, HD, or SD. The QN900C does an excellent job upscaling these lower resolutions to 8K, but again, the results aren't dramatically better than what you'll see on a much cheaper 4K model.
If you're set on getting an 8K TV, however, you can't go wrong with the QN900C. It's one of the best Samsung TVs you can buy, especially if you opt for a 75-inch model or larger. At that screen size, you're more likely to notice the subtle benefits that an 8K panel can provide.
Steven Cohen/Insider
We selected picks for our best TVs guide based on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by extensive expertise in the home entertainment product space. We evaluate displays across a series of testing factors, including image clarity, contrast, high dynamic range capabilities, peak brightness, color range, viewing angles, smart TV features, and overall value.
We use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter to measure a TV's brightness and use test patterns from the Spears & UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc to evaluate other objective display capabilities.
We also rely on an assortment of clips from movies and TV shows to get a better feel for how a TV actually performs under regular use. Clips are selected to focus on sequences that help demonstrate a TV's black levels, highlight performance, color range, and clarity. We also watch a mix of native 4K, high definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) content to see how a TV handles various resolutions through streaming, cable, and Blu-ray players.
Smart TV features and navigation are also tested to determine how long it takes for apps to load and how reliable overall stability is. Voice search and digital assistant performance is taken into account as well, along with other extra perks like ambient modes, smart home control, and game streaming support.
Steven Cohen/Insider
What TV brands should you consider?
There are lots of TV brands to choose from, but some are better for certain needs than others. Sony, Samsung, and LG are the cream of the crop if you're looking for the latest display technologies and best build quality. However, their midrange and entry-level TVs tend to be a bit overpriced compared to similar options from competing brands. If you want a high-end OLED or QLED TV, the above brands should be your first choice, but you can often get more bang-for-your-buck from other companies.
For instance, Hisense, TCL, and Vizio all sell affordable mid-tier QLED TVs that offer similar if not better picture quality than comparable options from Sony, LG,and Samsung. You'll still get better build quality and fancier design perks from those more expensive brands, but these value-geared companies deliver advanced features like quantum dots and local dimming without breaking the bank.
Roku and Amazon have also launched midrange and entry-level TVs to compete with Hisense, Vizio, and TCL. Their top models are solid buys if you can snag them on sale, but otherwise you can find options with slightly better specs for about the same price from other companies.
Buyers who just want a no-frills entry-level LED TV should also consider budget brands like Insignia and Toshiba. Both companies sell inexpensive 4K and HDTVs that use the Amazon Fire TV interface and they tend to get heavily discounted during sales like Prime Day and Black Friday. Generally, we recommend paying a bit more to get a TV from one of the other brands we've already mentioned, but these displays are fine for casual viewing, especially if you want a smaller screen size for a bedroom or dorm.
What size TV is best?
TVs come in various sizes, with some models offering options as small as 24 inches and others offering options as large as 100 inches or more. When deciding what size TV to get, you should consider a few factors, including the display's resolution, the size of the room it's going in, how close you plan to sit to it, and how much money you're willing to spend.
Typically, bigger screen sizes are pricier than comparable models in smaller sizes, and you'll need to have a big enough TV stand or wall to fit the TV you buy. Certain sizes are also better suited for certain resolutions.
For instance, HD resolution screens are still acceptable for smaller sizes of around 43 inches or under. In that range, it's difficult to see the benefits of a higher resolution from an average viewing distance. On sets 50 inches and larger, however, we recommend opting for a 4K set to get the best image quality, especially if you plan to sit close to your display. Meanwhile, the benefits of 8K resolution are best appreciated on extra-large TVs that are 75 inches or more.
Many companies use 65 inches as their flagship size to show off their best TV models, and we think this size offers a great balance between big-screen immersion and value, without getting too big for most living rooms. Check out our guide to the best 65-inch TV to see see our top recommendations at that size.
What smart TV interfaces does each brand use?
Pretty much any new TV you buy in 2023 will be a smart TV with built-in support for accessing various streaming services. However, different brands use different smart TV operating systems (OS).
Here's a breakdown of popular smart TV platforms and the brands that use them:
There are some slight differences in the selection of apps across each service, but every major smart TV platform offers access to all of the most popular streaming services. They all deliver similar features as well, but the style of navigation, personalization options, and extra perks all vary.
In general, we like Roku's interface the best since it's the most straightforward and reliable of the bunch. However, its design is a little outdated compared to other platforms that offer a more slick, content-focused style.
Which smart TV OS is best for your needs really comes down to personal preference and whether you're already plugged into a smart home ecosystem. For instance, a Google TV or Fire TV will pair more seamlessly with existing Google or Amazon accounts and devices you might already own.
If you don't like the interface that comes built into your TV, we recommend checking out our guide to the best streaming devices. You can choose a standalone streaming device with whatever OS you prefer. Standalone streaming players also tend to offer snappier performance than built-in smart TV interfaces. Roku and Fire TV devices are frequently on sale for as little as $20.
What's the difference between OLED, QLED, and LED TVs?
If you buy a TV in 2023, chances are it will be branded as one of four primary display types: OLED, QD-OLED, QLED, or LED. Though performance varies depending on which specific model you buy, each technology has its own strengths and weaknesses that could make it better suited for different kinds of viewers.
Here's a rundown of pros and cons for each:
*LG's G3 OLED TV uses Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, which enables it to match the peak brightness of top QD-OLED TVs.
*Sony still sells midrange and high-end TVs branded as just "LED" rather than "QLED." Some top Sony LED TVs include local dimming, Mini LEDs, and wide color support, which puts them in the same class as top QLEDs from other brands. But because Sony doesn't use "quantum dot" terminology for its wide color tech it doesn't brand these TVs as QLED.
Should I be worried about burn-in on my TV?
If you leave a static image on your TV for too long, some displays are susceptible to an issue called burn-in. When burn-in occurs, a faint outline of an image gets permanently stuck on your display. Thankfully, burn-in is rare on modern TVs so most people don't need to worry about it. However, there are some considerations you should be aware of.
First and foremost, OLED is the only current TV technology that is prone to burn-in. Though LCD-based TVs, like QLED and LED, are not 100% immune to burn-in, cases are so rare that they're not considered to be at risk in the same way an OLED TV is. But while OLED shoppers should be mindful of this risk, all OLED TVs have built-in features designed to prevent burn-in, including pixel-shift modes and pixel-refreshers.
Websites like Rtings have done long-term burn-in tests with various OLED models. Though their results do prove that burn-in can technically occur on even the best OLED TVs, their tests reveal that it's not really an issue for people with regular viewing habits. Burn-in only happens in extreme situations, like if you just watch the same cable channel with the same logo at the bottom of the screen all day long.
I've personally owned an LG CX OLED TV for two years. I stream various services, watch cable TV, and play video games (which have plenty of static elements) regularly, and the TV shows no signs of burn-in. Unless you're someone who plans to stay tuned to the same cable news channel 24/7, we don't think burn-in should be a primary factor when deciding between an OLED TV or another display type.
from All Content from Business Insider https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/best-tv
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