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The best Samsung TVs include OLED, QLED, and LED displays across all budgets.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
If you're shopping for a new TV, Samsung should be among the top brands you look at. The company is one of the most popular display manufacturers, and the best Samsung TVs deliver an excellent balance between picture quality and smart features.
To help narrow your search, we've rounded up the best Samsung TVs you can buy right now. Our top pick is the Samsung S90C, which uses an OLED panel with quantum dots to deliver high contrast and bright colors. Meanwhile, shoppers looking for a budget-friendly display should consider the Samsung CU7000. It can't match the image quality of the company's pricier sets, but it offers a reliable smart TV experience without breaking the bank.
Our guide to the best Samsung TVs also has picks for buyers who prefer QLED models, glare-free screens, or 8K displays. We selected our top recommendations based on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by more than a decade's worth of experience covering home entertainment products.
Note: All Samsung TVs we recommend are available in multiple sizes. Most stores let you select different sizes from each model's listing page. Performance may vary slightly depending on the size you choose.
Our top picks for the best Samsung TVs
Best overall: Samsung S90C OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
Best budget model: Samsung CU7000 Crystal LED 4K TV - See at B&H Photo
Best high-end QLED: Samsung QN90C Neo QLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
Best for reducing glare: Samsung S95D OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
Best for your wall: Samsung LS03D Frame QLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
Best 8K display: Samsung QN900C Neo QLED 8K TV - See at Amazon
Best overall
The S90C is the best Samsung TV you can buy for the money. In fact, we think it's the best TV you can snag right now from any brand. The display uses an OLED panel with an infinite contrast ratio and quantum dots for better color performance than similarly priced models from LG and Sony. It also boasts a high 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC to enable smooth gameplay.
Like all Samsung TVs, the display supports the HDR10 and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats, and it looks stunning when playing compatible movies and TV shows. Highlights sparkle from the screen, and the S90C produces deeper, more precise black levels than any of Samsung's QLED models. It also has better viewing angles than a QLED, so you can sit to the side of the TV without seeing any major loss in image quality.
The S90C is the best Samsung TV for the money thanks to its QD-OLED panel with excellent color and contrast.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
But while the S90C is fairly bright for an OLED, at a peak of about 1,000 nits, it still can't match the 2,000-nit peak of Samsung's top QLEDs, like the QN90C. However, since the S90C's pixel-level dimming enables much better contrast control than a QLED's backlight, we think this dip in brightness is a more than acceptable tradeoff.
Buyers should be aware that Samsung now sells a new 2024 version of this TV, called the S90D. We'll be testing the S90D soon, but upgrades are expected to be subtle. Since the new model is significantly more expensive, we think the cheaper S90C remains a better value while supplies last.
Note: Samsung's 83-inch S90C does not feature quantum dots, so its screen can't match the color performance of smaller sizes.
Best budget model
Samsung excels at high-end TVs, but its entry-level offerings tend to be a bit overpriced for what you get. At least compared to value-friendly options from TCL, Hisense, and Vizio. Though you can get more bang for your buck from one of those companies, the CU7000 is a solid budget pick for anyone set on sticking with the Samsung brand.
The CU7000 uses a regular LCD panel with an edge-lit LED backlight, and it's missing all the step-up picture quality features you'd find on QLED and OLED models. This means the TV can't produce a wide color gamut, and black levels won't be as deep or uniform across the screen. The display is also one of the dimmest options in Samsung's lineup. It technically supports HDR10 and HDR10+ processing, but it's incapable of showing off the true benefits of those formats.
On the plus side, the TV does support full 4K resolution for a sharp, clean image, and it plays standard dynamic range content in high definition just fine, so HD cable channels and all of the best live TV streaming services will look exactly like they're supposed to. Viewing angles are mediocre, however, so you'll want to sit at the center of the screen to get the best image.
This is a fine entry-level display for casual viewers who just want a capable smart TV and don't care about paying extra for better picture quality. But keep in mind, if you're willing to venture outside Samsung's lineup, you can find TVs with better contrast and color performance, like the Hisense U6K, for just a bit more money.
Best high-end QLED
Though we favor Samsung's OLED TVs for their superior contrast, the brand's high-end QLEDs are still impressive premium displays, especially if you need an extra-bright screen in your living room. Samsung's QN90C is easily one of the best QLED TVs on the market, offering a solid step up from the cheaper QN85C and a brighter alternative to Samsung's OLEDs.
Part of Samsung's "Neo QLED" series, the QN90C uses quantum dots for expanded color, along with a Mini LED backlight. In conjunction with full-array local dimming, the TV's Mini LEDs enable it to produce deep black levels with better contrast and brightness control than a typical QLED TV.
However, the QN90C's dimming still isn't as precise as an OLED, so some minor blooming (small halos around bright objects) could appear in certain scenes, particularly sequences with objects like candles. But, compared to cheaper QLEDs, the QN90C gets remarkably close to OLED-level contrast while delivering around 2,000 nits of peak brightness, nearly double what the S90C offers.
If you don't want one of Samsung's OLED TVs, the QN90C is an excellent QLED alternative. It's best for people who want an especially bright display and never want to think twice about burn-in.
Buyers should note that Samsung does sell a 2024 edition of this TV, called the QN90D. This model delivered similarly impressive performance during our testing. But it costs a lot more, and its improvements are minimal, so the cheaper QN90C remains a better buy.
Best for reducing glare
Samsung's S95D OLED boasts a new matte screen that significantly reduces glare and reflections in rooms with ambient light. The only other notable TVs with matte screens right now are Samsung's Frame and Hisense's upcoming Canvas TV, but neither of those models can match the S95D's high-end picture performance.
During our testing, the screen filter lived up to its claims, nearly cutting down glare entirely. This makes the S95D uniquely suited for bright rooms with lots of lights or windows where distracting reflections can be a problem.
However, the glare-free coating does cause black levels to look slightly elevated in a bright room, causing the image to lose some of the inkiness that OLEDs are known for. Black levels are still perfect in a dark room, but perceived contrast does take a hit when watching dim scenes with the lights on.
The Samsung S95D's matte screen can prevent glare and reflections better than any other TV we've seen.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
In addition to its impressive reflection handling, the S95D is the brightest OLED TV we've ever tested. We measured a peak of around 1,700 nits, about 700 nits more than the cheaper S90C. That's a notable increase, and it can make specular highlights and colors pop with a bit more intensity. However, we think the S90C's brightness capabilities are still great for most use cases, and that model remains a better overall value for most needs.
Like the S90C, the S95D supports up to a 144Hz refresh to get incredibly smooth gameplay when hooked to a PC. The S95D has a slightly more high-end design than the cheaper S90 series, using a separate One Connect Box to house all its HDMI ports. This gives it a uniformly thin profile of just 0.4 inches all the way down.
Buyers should note that you can still buy the 2023 version of this TV, called the S95C, for a lot less money. But that model can't get as bright and doesn't have the S95D's matte screen. If you're specifically looking for a high-end, glare-free experience, the S95D is the best Samsung TV to get.
Samsung's Frame TV is an excellent choice for anyone planning to wall mount their display. The unique TV is built to look like a piece of art hanging in your living room.
The Frame has a black border by default, but you can pay extra to get different bezel colors for the exact picture-frame look you want. Options include white, brown, teak, red, beige, and more. The add-on bezels magnetically snap onto the display for simple installation.
Like Samsung's S95 series OLEDs, the Frame TV uses an external One Connect Box to house its video ports, which enables the panel to maintain a one-inch profile from top to bottom. When paired with the included slim-fit wall mount, the TV can be hung flush on your wall, just like a framed work of art.
The Frame looks best mounted on a wall, but it can still be placed on a traditional stand.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
The display uses a matte finish that's similar but not identical to the one used on the S95D. This finish helps prevent reflections and gives the screen a more canvas-like appearance. When you're not watching TV, you can have it enter "Art Mode," which will cycle through various paintings and photographs you can pull from Samsung's Art Store (subscription required) or a USB drive. A built-in motion sensor can even toggle the Art Mode to activate when people are in the room.
While the Frame's unique design is its main selling point, the TV also benefits from using a QLED panel, albeit without all the bells and whistles that Samsung's best QLEDs have. The Frame can't hit the same peak brightness levels as our high-end picks, and it lacks local dimming for precise contrast control.
We don't recommend this TV for anyone focused on picture quality, but it still delivers a nice enough image for casual viewing. The Frame is really geared toward people who want the best Samsung TV that can double as an attractive design piece to hang in a living room, and in that sense, it excels.
This new 2024 version of the Frame isn't a major upgrade over the previous model, but it's sold for around the same price as the older set. If you can find the 2022 Frame model on sale for less money, it's still a good buy, but when they're around the same price, we recommend snagging this latest edition.
Note: The 32-inch Frame TV features a Full-HD 1080p screen rather than a 4K panel.
Best 8K display
The QN900 series is the pinnacle of Samsung's QLED TV lineup. It's an 8K TV, which means it boasts four times the total number of pixels as a 4K display, and it uses the company's most advanced Mini LED backlight system. The results are undeniably impressive, even if we still think 8K resolution is unnecessary for most people.
During our testing, the QN900C peaked at nearly 2,300 nits in Filmmaker Mode, making it one of Samsung's brightest TVs. High dynamic range highlights sparkle, allowing HDR content that's graded with peaks beyond 1,000 nits to come through with extra punch.
The TV's local dimming also works exceptionally well to keep black levels deep with minimal blooming. Samsung's OLED models still have an edge here, but the QN900C comes closer to OLED quality in a dark room than any of Samsung's other QLED TVs. Viewing angles are also great for an LCD-based display, with only small shifts in color and contrast when viewing from the side.
Samsung's QN900C is an incredible 8K TV, but we still think most buyers are better off with a cheaper 4K set.
Steven Cohen/Insider
But while the TV's 8K resolution means it has the potential to provide a sharper image than even the best 4K TVs, there really isn't any 8K content to play. Outside a few YouTube videos, any movies or shows you can watch right now are limited to 4K or HD resolution. This means the TV will simply upscale these videos to 8K. The QN900's upscaling looks good, but we don't think the resolution bump is worth the extra money to most people.
The perks of 8K resolution are particularly hard to see on displays that are 65 inches or smaller. Instead, 8K benefits are more noticeable on sizes 75 inches and up since 8K's higher pixel density can give images a cleaner appearance on larger screens.
The QN900C is one of the best-looking QLED TVs that Samsung offers, but it's not a huge leap over much cheaper 4K QLEDs like the QN90C. And despite having a lower resolution, we think Samsung's OLED TVs provide better overall picture quality thanks to their superior contrast. However, if you're set on purchasing an 8K TV, this is the Samsung model to get.
A new 2024 edition of this TV, called the QN900D, is available now, too. It also performed great during our tests but delivered very similar performance. Since the QN900C is often on sale for much less than the newer model, we still recommend the QN900C as the better buy.
How we test Samsung TVs
We evaluate TVs in various lighting conditions using curated demo material and test patterns.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
Our picks for the best Samsung TVs are based on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by a decade's worth of expertise covering the home entertainment market. Testing consists of several key evaluation points that we use to judge a TV's overall performance and value, including high dynamic range (HDR) quality, brightness, color gamut coverage, contrast, local dimming performance (if applicable), viewing angles, navigation speed, design, and price.
When measuring a TV's brightness and evaluating other technical picture quality attributes, we use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter with test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc.
However, test patterns only show one part of the equation, so we rely on real-world content to see how a TV looks when watching typical programs in bright and dark rooms. Our demo material is selected to feature scenes that show off black levels, highlights, color fidelity, and fine details with 4K Ultra HD, high definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) material. We also use various sources, including streaming services, cable channels, and a 4K Blu-ray player.
General usability and design are also considered. We get a feel for living with a TV for a few weeks while using its basic functions and smart TV features. If a TV has slow navigation or is missing key functions, that impacts our assessment, but we place expectations for each model within the context of its price range.
Samsung TV FAQs
The S95D OLED is Samsung's new flagship TV for 2024.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
Are Samsung's 2024 TVs worth it?
Samsung's new line of 2024 TV models is now available to purchase. However, the company's 2023 TVs will remain available as long as stock lasts.
In many cases, Samsung's 2024 TVs only offer minor performance improvements, and most new sets cost much more than their 2023 counterparts. With that in mind, many 2023 TV models still offer the best value for your dollar.
However, there are two notable exceptions. The first is the 2024 Frame TV, which is already selling for the same price as the older Frame TV. If you can find the older model on sale for less, it remains a better buy, but when they're the same price, grab the 2024 edition.
The other exception is the new 2024 S95D OLED, our pick for the best Samsung TV with a glare-free screen. Out of all of Samsung's 2024 TVs, the S95D offers the biggest upgrade over its 2023 counterpart, with a 30% increase in brightness and a new glare-free screen that nearly eliminates reflections. That said, the S95D costs about $1,000 more than the 2023 S95C, which is a big price difference. So, if the glare-free feature isn't a key selling point for you, the S95C remains the better value.
What kind of TVs does Samsung make?
Samsung's TV lineup can be best broken down into three categories: OLED, QLED, and Crystal UHD.
Samsung's OLED TVs use organic light-emitting diode panels capable of self-illuminating pixels. This means they don't need a backlight and can produce perfect black levels and an infinite contrast ratio. Most Samsung OLEDs also use quantum dots, which gives them an expanded color range. On the downside, in extreme cases, OLED TVs are technically susceptible to burn-in, and even the best models can't get quite as bright as top QLED TVs.
Samsung's QLED TVs use LCD (liquid crystal display) panels with LED backlights and quantum dots. They can't produce the pixel-level contrast and deep black levels of an OLED, but the best models can get brighter, and there's no risk of burn-in. Top Samsung QLEDs, branded as Neo QLED, also incorporate Mini LEDs with full-array local dimming, which enables them to get a lot closer to the contrast performance of an OLED.
For more details on how OLED and QLED TVs stack up, check out our full QLED vs. OLED comparison.
Finally, Samsung's Crystal UHD TVs use entry-level LCD panels with LED backlights. These displays lack the color, brightness, and contrast capabilities of Samsung's OLED and QLED sets. This series is meant for casual buyers who just want a basic smart TV and don't care about advanced picture quality.
All of Samsung's different displays are available in multiple sizes, often ranging from as small as 32 inches to as large as 98 inches. For recommendations at various screen sizes, check out our size-specific guides:
You can still find some older Samsung HDTVs in stock at several retailers, particularly in smaller screen sizes, but the company only has one notable HDTV model in its current lineup: the 32-inch Frame TV.
HDTVs in 32-inch screen sizes and smaller can still offer decent value for buyers who just want a cheap, compact TV for casual viewing. However, given how affordable entry-level 4K TVs have become, we recommend avoiding HDTV models larger than 32 inches.
Are Samsung TVs better than LG TVs?
Samsung and LG both make some of our favorite TVs, and it's difficult to say that one brand is better than the other. Instead, they both have pros and cons depending on your needs and which specific TV models you're looking at.
Regarding LCD-based models, the best Samsung TVs are branded as QLED, while LG's are branded as QNED. There are some differences in the panel technology each uses, but they're similar in overall capabilities. Samsung's high-end QLEDs, however, have traditionally had an edge over LG's best QNEDs thanks to their higher brightness and better local dimming performance. But that could change with the release of LG's 2024 QNED 90T, which impressed us with its improvements in contrast control during an early hands-on look.
Both companies also sell some of the best OLED TVs, and it's here where the competition gets tougher. Most of Samsung's OLEDs use quantum dots, which gives them an edge in color performance over LG's OLEDs. But LG's top OLEDs, the G3 and G4, use Micro Lens Array technology to boost peak brightness. LG also has more OLED models and sizes, with options for more budgets.
And no matter what type of TV you get, it's important to remember that LG's mid- and high-end TVs support Dolby Vision, while Samsung's support the competing HDR10+ format. Both high dynamic range formats offer similar capabilities, with scene-by-scene guidance for displaying contrast and color, but Dolby Vision is used on more streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs.
What smart TV interface does Samsung use?
Samsung uses a proprietary smart TV interface built using the Tizen operating system (OS). Unlike other interfaces such as Roku OS, Android TV, Fire TV, or Google TV, you won't find Samsung's Tizen platform on other smart TV models or streaming devices.
For many years, Samsung's Tizen OS featured a pop-up screen that displayed apps across a horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen, but Samsung updated its interface in 2022. Now, Samsung smart TVs use a full-screen homepage that organizes your favorite services and presents you with content recommendations. There's also a Gaming Hub section that lets you access cloud services like Xbox Game Pass, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna.
Samsung's smart TV interface works well across its lineup of TVs and offers access to all of the best streaming services, but it's not the smoothest OS we've used. Even high-end models, like the QN90C and S90C, are prone to hiccups and slight lag when navigating menus and content libraries.
Most buyers should be satisfied with Samsung's smart TV performance, and no major services or features are missing. But if you prefer a different interface with slightly snappier navigation, we recommend checking out our guide to the best streaming devices for other options.
Are Samsung TVs prone to burn-in?
Samsung's QLED and Crystal UHD TVs are not susceptible to burn-in, but the company's OLED models can experience this issue in extreme cases. Burn-in occurs if a static image is left on an OLED screen for hours on end — the CNN or ESPN logo in the corner, for example — which can cause a faint, ghostly image to get stuck on the screen.
Though Samsung OLED buyers should be aware of this risk, OLED TVs have built-in measures to prevent burn-in, including automatic pixel-shift modes and pixel-refreshers. Publications like Rtings have done long-term tests with many OLED TVs, including Samsung's models, and while results do show that burn-in is possible, the tests show that people with regular viewing habits don't need to worry about it.
As long as you don't plan on watching CNN all day long, burn-in shouldn't be a factor when deciding whether to buy an OLED TV. But if you tend to watch just one cable channel for several hours daily, you're better off getting one of Samsung's QLED or Crystal UHD models so you don't have to think twice about burn-in.
Do Samsung TVs support Dolby Vision?
Even the best Samsung TVs are missing Dolby Vision support. However, Samsung TVs do support a similar format called HDR10+. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are both dynamic metadata high dynamic range formats. This means that compatible movies and shows can include specific instructions for how your TV should handle HDR contrast and color on a scene-by-scene basis.
This is in contrast to the standard HDR10 format, a static metadata format that can only include one set of instructions for an entire video rather than scene-by-scene details. In practice, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ can deliver a more refined HDR experience with video quality that better matches the specific capabilities of your TV. However, these benefits over standard HDR10 are often very subtle.
Though Dolby Vision and HDR10+ both offer similar capabilities, Dolby Vision is supported on more streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs, which makes it the more desirable of the two formats.
Check out our HDR guide for more information about how these formats stack up.
Best overall: Samsung S90C
The S90C is the best Samsung TV for the money thanks to its QD-OLED panel with excellent color and contrast.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Pros: OLED with quantum dots for rich colors and infinite contrast ratio, wide viewing angles, 144Hz refresh rate for PC gaming
Cons: Not as bright as QLED TVs, risk of burn-in in extreme cases
The S90C is the best Samsung TV you can buy for the money. In fact, we think it's the best TV value you can snag right now from any brand. The display uses an OLED panel with an infinite contrast ratio and quantum dots for better color performance than direct competitors from LG and Sony. It also boasts a high 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC.
Like all Samsung 4K TVs, the display supports the HDR10 and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats, and it looks stunning when playing compatible movies and TV shows. Highlights sparkle from the screen, and the S90C produces deeper, more precise black levels than any of Samsung's QLED TVs.
And though Samsung's high-end QLEDs also have solid viewing angles, the S90C's OLED screen is even better. You can sit far off to the side of the TV without seeing any major loss in image quality. But while the S90C is bright for an OLED, at a peak of about 1,000 nits, it still can't match the 2,000-nit peak of Samsung's top QLEDs, like the QN90C.
However, since the S90C's pixel-level dimming enables much better contrast control than a QLED's backlight, we think this dip in brightness is a more than acceptable tradeoff.
*Samsung's 83-inch S90C does not feature quantum dots, so its screen is not expected to match the color performance of smaller sizes.
Best budget: Samsung CU7000
The Samsung CU7000 is a budget TV geared toward buyers who just want a basic display without advanced picture quality.
Target
Pros: Affordable, tons of screen size options
Cons: Lacks wide color support, contrast suffers without local dimming, mediocre viewing angles, 60Hz screen can't support high frame gaming modes
Samsung excels at high-end TVs, but its entry-level offerings tend to be a bit overpriced for what you get. At least compared to value-friendly options from TCL, Hisense, and Vizio. Though you can get more bang for your buck from one of those companies, the CU7000 is a solid budget pick for anyone who's set on sticking with the Samsung brand.
The CU7000 uses a regular LCD panel with an edge-lit LED backlight, and it's missing all the step-up picture quality features you'd find on QLED and OLED models. This means the TV isn't capable of a wide color gamut, and black levels won't be as deep or uniform across the screen. The display is also one of the dimmest options in Samsung's lineup. It technically supports HDR10 and HDR10+ processing, but it's just not capable of showing off the true benefits of those formats.
On the plus side, the TV does support full 4K resolution for a sharp, clean image, and it plays standard dynamic range content in high definition just fine, so HD cable channels and all of the best live TV streaming services will look exactly like they're supposed to. Viewing angles are mediocre, however, so you'll want to sit at the center of the screen to get the best image.
This is a fine entry-level display for casual viewers who just want a capable smart TV and don't care about paying extra for better picture quality. But keep in mind, if you're willing to venture outside Samsung's lineup, you can find TVs with better contrast and color performance, like the Hisense U6K, for just a bit more money.
Best midrange QLED: Samsung QN85C
Samsung's QN85C is the brand's most affordable QLED model with a Mini LED backlight.
Samsung
Pros: Good HDR performance, Mini LED backlight for great contrast, solid viewing angles for a QLED, no risk for burn-in
Cons: Not as bright as Samsung's top TVs, contrast not as precise as an OLED
The QN85C is an excellent QLED TV for anyone who wants to spend less than $1,500 on a 65-inch set. Though brightness and color volume aren't quite as impressive as Samsung's more expensive QN90C, the QN85C is still part of the company's "Neo QLED" lineup. The Neo QLED branding means that the TV boasts quantum dots for expanded colors and a Mini LED backlight for better contrast control than a typical QLED.
This upper-midrange set is ideal for buyers who want to save a little cash without sacrificing HDR quality. Samsung's S95C and QN90C can both get brighter, but make no mistake, this model is no slouch. You still get about 1,000 nits of peak brightness, which is the standard that a lot of HDR content is designed for, and is enough to deliver a punchy image in a living room that lets in a lot of light.
Contrast and black levels are strong, but the TV's local dimming performance can't match the pixel-level precision of an OLED TV. On the plus side, the TV has solid viewing angles, which isn't something you see in a lot of QLED models from other brands.
However, if you don't mind a narrower viewing angle, you can get more bang for your buck with cheaper Mini LED TVs from other companies, like the Hisense U7K. But the QN85C is the most affordable Mini LED TV that Samsung sells. The next step down in Samsung's lineup, the Q80C, uses a regular LED backlight and has far fewer dimming zones, which leads to less impressive contrast and lower brightness. When it comes to midrange QLEDs, the QN85C is the Samsung model to get.
Best high-end QLED: Samsung QN90C
The Samsung QN90C is one of the brand's top Neo QLED models.
Best Buy
Pros: Brighter than OLED models, Mini LED panel with full-array local dimming, no burn-in risk
Cons: Contrast can't match an OLED, some blooming visible
Though we favor OLED TV tech for its superior contrast, QLEDs are still great TVs, especially if you need a bright screen in your living room. Samsung's QN90C is easily one of the best QLED TVs on the market, and it offers a solid step up from the QN85C.
Part of Samsung's "Neo QLED" series, the QN90C uses quantum dots for expanded color and a Mini LED backlight. In conjunction with full-array local dimming, the TV's Mini LEDs enable it to produce deep black levels with better contrast and brightness control than regular QLED TVs.
The QN90C's dimming still isn't as precise as an OLED like the S90C, so you might see some minor blooming (small halos around bright objects) in certain scenes. But, compared to cheaper QLEDs, the QN90C gets remarkably close to OLED-level contrast while delivering nearly double the peak brightness of the S90C and QN85C.
The TV's high brightness capabilities make it an especially good choice for living rooms that let in a lot of ambient light. It also handles glare well, and unlike last year's QN90B, this model isn't prone to streaking rainbow reflections when light hits the screen at certain angles. And the QN90C has some of the best off-axis image quality you'll find on a TV of this type.
If you don't want one of Samsung's OLED TVs, the QN90C is an excellent QLED alternative for people who need an extra-bright display and never want to think twice about burn-in.
Best high-end OLED: Samsung S95C
The S95C is delivers the best overall picture quality of any Samsung TV right now.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
Pros: Samsung's brightest OLED, 144Hz panel for high frame rate PC gaming, thin design with One Connect Box
Cons: Pricey compared to the similar S90C, risk of burn-in in extreme cases
When it comes to the best image performance you can buy, the S95C is the current king of Samsung's 4K TV lineup. It takes everything we love about the S90C, pumps up the brightness, and packs it all in a thin, flat design. But given its high-end performance, it also comes at an equally high price.
Using Samsung's second-gen QD-OLED panel, the S95C manages to deliver a 30% increase in peak brightness over the S90C, with a max of about 1,360 nits. This can make specular highlights and colors pop with a bit more intensity while still offering perfect black levels.
Like the S90c, the TV also supports a 144Hz refresh rate versus the 120Hz rate you'll find on typical high-end displays from other brands. This means you can connect a computer to get incredibly smooth gameplay, so long as your PC is powerful enough to output 144 frames per second.
But unlike the S90C, the S95C has a uniformly slim profile. Though the S90C is technically slimmer at its thinnest point, that TV protrudes toward the bottom to accommodate all its video ports. The S95C, however, uses a separate One Connect Box to house all of its HDMI ports so that the panel can maintain a profile of just 0.4 inches all the way down.
Though we think the cheaper S90C is still a better overall value, the S95C is the best pick for buyers who want high-end OLED performance and a premium design but don't mind paying top dollar to get them.
Samsung's Frame TV has a matte screen and an art-frame border that make it a wonderful design piece.
Samsung
Pros: Unique art-frame design with matte-finish screen, hangs flush on wall, quantum dots for wide color support, customizable bezel options
Cons: Brightness and contrast can't match Neo QLED and OLED TVs
Samsung's Frame TV is an excellent choice for anyone planning to wall mount their display. The unique TV is built to look like a piece of art hanging in your living room.
The Frame comes with a black border by default, but you can pay extra to get different bezel colors for the exact picture-frame look you want. Options include white, brown, teak, red, beige, and more. The add-on bezels magnetically snap onto the display for simple installation.
Like Samsung's S95C OLED, the Frame TV uses an external One Connect Box to house its video ports, which enables the panel to maintain a 1-inch profile from top to bottom. When paired with the included slim-fit wall mount, the TV can be hung flush on your wall, just like a framed work of art.
The display itself uses a matte finish, which prevents reflections and helps give the screen a more canvas-like appearance. When you're not watching TV, you can have it enter "Art Mode," which will cycle through various paintings and photographs that you can pull from Samsung's Art Store (subscription required) or from a USB drive. A built-in motion sensor can even toggle the Art Mode only to activate when people are in the room.
While the Frame's unique design is its main selling point, the TV also benefits from using a QLED panel, albeit without all the bells and whistles that Samsung's best QLEDs have. The Frame can't hit the same peak brightness levels as our high-end picks, and it lacks local dimming for precise contrast control, but it does have wide color support.
We don't recommend this TV for anyone focused on the best picture quality, but it still delivers a nice enough image for casual HDR viewing. The Frame is really geared toward people who want the best Samsung TV that can double as an attractive design piece hanging in their living room, and in that sense, it excels.
*The 32-inch Frame TV features a Full-HD 1080p screen rather than a 4K panel.
Best 8K: Samsung QN900C
Samsung's QN900C is an incredible 8K TV, but we still think most buyers are better off with a cheaper 4K set.
Steven Cohen/Insider
Pros: 8K resolution provides high pixel density for large screens, one of Samsung's brightest TVs, great local dimming performance with Mini LEDs
Cons: 8K content is virtually nonexistent, the benefits of 8K versus 4K are subtle
The QN900C is the absolute cream of the crop of Samsung's QLED TV lineup. It's an 8K TV, which means it boasts four times the total number of pixels as a 4K display, and it uses the company's most advanced Mini LED backlight system. The results are undeniably impressive, even if we still think 8K resolution is unnecessary for most people.
During our testing, the QN900C peaked at nearly 2,300 nits in Filmmaker Mode, making it one of the brightest TVs on the market from any brand. High dynamic range highlights really sparkle, allowing HDR content that's graded with peaks beyond 1,000 nits to come through with extra punch.
The TV's local dimming also works exceptionally well to keep black levels deep with minimal blooming. Samsung's OLED models still have an edge here, but the QN900C comes closer to OLED quality in a dark room than any of Samsung's other QLED TVs. Viewing angles are also great for an LCD-based display, with only small shifts in color and contrast when viewing from the side.
But while the TV's 8K resolution means it has the potential to provide a sharper image than even the best 4K TVs, there really isn't any 8K content to play. Outside a few YouTube videos, any movies or shows you can watch right now are limited to 4K or HD resolution. This means the TV will simply upscale these videos to 8K. The QN900's upscaling does look good, but we just don't think the resolution bump is worth the extra money to most people.
The perks of 8K resolution are particularly hard to see on a 65-inch model, which is why we don't recommend any 8K TVs in our guides to the best 65-inch TVs or best 55-inch TVs. 8K benefits are more noticeable on sizes 75 inches and up since 8K's higher pixel density can give images a cleaner appearance on larger screens.
The QN900C is the best-looking QLED TV that Samsung has on offer right now, but it's not a huge leap over much cheaper 4K models like the QN90C. And despite having 4K resolution, we think Samsung's OLED TVs provide better overall picture quality thanks to their superior contrast. However, if you're really set on buying an 8K TV, this is the Samsung model to get.
How we test Samsung TVs
Samsung TVs use the Tizen smart TV platform with access to tons of apps.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Our picks for the best Samsung TVs are based on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by a decade's worth of expertise covering the home entertainment market. Testing consists of several key evaluation points that we use to judge a TV's overall performance and value, including high dynamic range (HDR) quality, brightness, color gamut coverage, contrast, local dimming performance (if applicable), viewing angles, navigation speed, design, and price.
When measuring a TV's brightness and evaluating other technical picture quality attributes, we use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter with test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc.
However, test patterns only show one part of the equation, so we rely on real-world content to see how a TV looks when watching typical programs. Our demo material is selected to feature scenes that show off black levels, highlights, color fidelity, and fine details with 4K Ultra HD, high definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) material. We also use a mix of sources, including streaming services, cable channels, and a 4K Blu-ray player.
General usability and design are also considered so we get a feel for what it's like to live with a TV for a few weeks while using all of its basic functions and smart TV features. If a TV has slow navigation or is missing key functions, that impacts our assessment, but we place expectations for each model within the context of its price range.
Samsung TV FAQs
Samsung sells OLED (pictured above), QLED, and Crystal UHD (LED) TV models.
Steven Cohen/Insider
When will Samsung's 2024 TVs be released?
Samsung revealed its 2024 TV models at the CES trade show in January. However, the company has not confirmed the exact pricing or release dates of each model just yet. But new TVs typically start rolling out to stores in the late spring of every year, so that's when we expect 2024 Samsung TVs to launch.
Samsung's 2023 TV models will also remain available throughout the year as long as stock lasts. Though the 2024 models will offer some performance improvements, they will likely cost quite a bit more than what Samsung's 2023 TVs are currently selling for. With that in mind, we still recommend picking up a 2023 TV to get the best value for your dollar.
What kind of TVs does Samsung make?
Samsung's TV lineup can be best broken down into three categories: OLED, QLED, and Crystal UHD.
Samsung's OLED TVs use organic light-emitting diode panels that are capable of self-illuminating pixels. This means that they don't need a backlight and can produce perfect black levels and an infinite contrast ratio. Most Samsung OLEDs also use quantum dots, which gives them an expanded color range. On the downside, in extreme cases, OLED TVs are technically susceptible to burn-in, and even the best models can't get quite as bright as top QLED TVs.
Samsung's QLED TVs use LCD (liquid crystal display) panels with LED backlights and quantum dots. They can't produce the pixel-level contrast and deep black levels of an OLED, but the best models can get brighter, and there's no risk of burn-in. Top Samsung QLEDs, branded as Neo QLED, also incorporate Mini LEDs with full-array local dimming, which enables them to get a lot closer to the contrast performance of an OLED.
Finally, Samsung's Crystal UHD TVs use entry-level LCD panels with LED backlights. These displays lack the color, brightness, and contrast capabilities found on Samsung's OLED and QLED sets. This series is meant for casual buyers who just want a basic smart TV and don't care about advanced picture quality.
Does Samsung still sell HDTVs?
You can still find some older Samsung HDTVs in stock at several retailers, particularly in smaller screen sizes, but the company only has one notable HDTV model in its current lineup: the 32-inch Frame TV.
HDTVs in 32-inch screen sizes and smaller can still offer decent value for buyers who just want a cheap, compact TV for casual viewing. However, given how affordable entry-level 4K TVs have become, we recommend avoiding HDTV models larger than 32 inches.
Are Samsung TVs better than LG TVs?
Samsung and LG both make some of our favorite TVs, and it's difficult to say that one brand is actually better than the other. Instead, they both have key pros and cons depending on your needs and which specific TV models you're looking at.
When it comes to LCD-based models, the best Samsung TVs are branded as QLED, while LG's are branded as QNED. There are some differences in the panel technology each uses, but they're similar in overall capabilities. Samsung's high-end QLEDs, however, have an edge over LG's best QNEDs thanks to their higher brightness and better local dimming performance.
Both companies also sell some of the best OLED TV models, and it's here where the competition gets tougher. Most of Samsung's OLEDs use quantum dots, which gives them an edge in color performance over LG's OLEDs. But LG's top OLED, the G3, uses Micro Lens Array technology to boost peak brightness. LG also has more OLED models and sizes to choose from, with options for more budgets.
And no matter what type of TV you get, it's important to remember that LG's mid- and high-end TVs support Dolby Vision, while Samsung's support the competing HDR10+ format. Both high dynamic range formats offer similar capabilities, with scene-by-scene control over contrast and color, but Dolby Vision is used on more streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs.
What smart TV interface does Samsung use?
Samsung uses a proprietary smart TV interface that's built using the Tizen operating system (OS). Unlike other interfaces such as Roku OS, Android TV, Fire TV, or Google TV, you won't find Samsung's Tizen platform on any other smart TV models or streaming devices.
For many years, Samsung's Tizen OS featured a pop-up screen that displayed apps across a horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen, but Samsung updated its interface in 2022. Now, Samsung smart TVs use a full-screen homepage that organizes your favorite services and presents you with content recommendations. There's also a Gaming Hub section that lets you access cloud services like Xbox Game Pass, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Amazon Luna.
Samsung's smart TV interface works well across its lineup of TVs and offers access to all of the best streaming services, but it's not the smoothest OS we've used. Even high-end models, like the QN90C and S90C, are prone to some hiccups and slight lag here and there when navigating through menus and content libraries.
Most buyers should be satisfied with Samsung's smart TV performance, and there are no major services or features missing. But if you prefer a different interface with slightly snappier navigation, we recommend checking out our guide to the best streaming devices for other options.
Are Samsung TVs prone to burn-in?
Samsung's QLED and Crystal UHD TVs are not susceptible to burn-in, but the company's OLED models can experience this issue in extreme cases. Burn-in occurs if a static image is left on an OLED screen for hours on end — the CNN or ESPN logo in the corner, for example — which can cause a faint, ghostly image to get stuck on the screen.
Though Samsung OLED buyers should be aware of this risk, OLED TVs have built-in measures to prevent burn-in, including automatic pixel-shift modes and pixel-refreshers. Publications like Rtings have done long-term tests with many OLED TVs, including Samsung's models, and while results do show that burn-in is possible, the tests show that people with regular viewing habits don't need to worry about it.
As long as you don't plan on watching CNN all day long, burn-in shouldn't be a factor when deciding whether to buy an OLED TV. But if you're someone who tends to watch just one cable channel for several hours every day, you're better off getting one of Samsung's QLED or Crystal UHD models so you don't have to think twice about burn-in.
Do Samsung TVs support Dolby Vision?
Even the best Samsung TVs are missing Dolby Vision support. However, Samsung TVs do support a similar format called HDR10+. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are both dynamic metadata high dynamic range formats. This means that compatible movies and shows can include specific instructions for how your TV should handle HDR contrast and color on a scene-by-scene basis.
This is in contrast to the standard HDR10 format, which is a static metadata format that can only include one set of instructions for an entire video rather than scene-by-scene details. In practice, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ can deliver a more refined HDR experience with video quality that better matches the specific capabilities of your TV.
Though Dolby Vision and HDR10+ both offer similar capabilities, Dolby Vision is supported on more streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs, which makes it the more desirable of the two formats.
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