Skip to Main Content
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing.

The Best TVs for 2024

No matter your budget or how large a screen you want, here's what to look for when shopping for a television, along with the top TVs we've tested.

By Will Greenwald
Updated February 22, 2024

Our Top 8 Picks

Hisense U8K

Best Overall Value
Jump To Details

Samsung S90C OLED TV

Best Midrange OLED TV
Jump To Details

Samsung S95C OLED TV

Best Premium OLED TV
Jump To Details

LG C3 Evo OLED TV

Best Samsung S90C Alternative
Jump To Details

Hisense U6K

Best Budget TV
Jump To Details

SunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series

Best Outdoor TV
Jump To Details

Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED

Best Fire TV
Jump To Details

Sony Bravia XR A95K OLED TV

Best for A/V Receiver Integration
Jump To Details

The Best TV Deals This Week*

*Deals are selected by our commerce team

The TV market continues to evolve, both in terms of technology and pricing. 4K has replaced 1080p, but 8K is (still) waiting in the wings. The long-running success of liquid crystal display (LCD) screens is increasingly being eroded by affordable competition from organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels. Let's not forget features like HDR or the steady evolution of HDMI cable standards.

But which TV should you buy? Here are the best ones we've tested, as well as the main points to consider when shopping.


Our Experts Have Tested 52 Products in the TVs Category in the Past Year
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.

Hisense U8K

Best Overall Value

4.5 Outstanding

Why We Picked It

The Hisense U8K is the follow-up to one of our favorite TVs from 2022, the Hisense U8H, and one of the brightest TVs we've ever tested. It's a little more expensive than the U8H, but it's still reasonably priced (especially at its semi-official "everyday" price), plus it offers loads of features and a fantastic picture. It shows more light bloom than we care to see, but its bright panel, wide colors, and Google TV platform with hands-free Google Assistant and Apple AirPlay make it an excellent deal.

Who It's For

This is a bit pricier than a budget TV, but not by much. If you're willing to spend around $1,100 for 65 inches, this is one of the best choices available.

PROS

  • Incredibly bright panel with deep blacks
  • Wide, accurate colors
  • 144Hz refresh rate with plenty of gaming features
  • Google TV with Google Cast and hands-free Google Assistant
  • Apple AirPlay

CONS

  • Colors desaturate somewhat with off-angle viewing
  • Can suffer from light bloom

SPECS

Panel Type LED
Screen Size 65 inches
Resolution 3,840 by 2,160
Video Inputs HDMI, Composite, RF, USB
HDR Dolby Vision, HDR-10
HDMI Ports 4
Streaming Services Yes
Screen Brightness 2114 nits
Black Level 0 cd/m^2
Contrast Ratio 2114000:1
Refresh Rate 144 Hz
VRR
Input Lag (Game Mode) 6.6 ms
AMD FreeSync FreeSync Premium Pro
Nvidia G-Sync None
Learn More
Hisense U8K Review

Samsung S90C OLED TV

Best Midrange OLED TV

4.5 Outstanding

Why We Picked It

The Samsung S95C is the best-looking, brightest OLED TV we've seen, but the S90C comes close for several hundred dollars less. It's also one of only two TVs we've tested that shows sub-millisecond input lag.

Who It's For

If you want one of the best pictures available but don't want to spend what Samsung asks for its flagship model, the S90C is an appealing alternative. Gamers will especially like its extremely low latency.

PROS

  • Wide, accurate colors
  • Bright for an OLED TV
  • Lowest input lag we've measured
  • Solar-rechargeable remote

CONS

  • Tizen Smart TV platform remains awkward
  • No Dolby Vision

SPECS

Panel Type OLED
Screen Size 65 inches
Resolution 3,840 by 2,160
Video Inputs HDMI, RF, USB
HDR HDR-10
HDMI Ports 4
Streaming Services Yes
Screen Brightness 726 nits
Black Level 0 cd/m^2
Contrast Ratio Infinite
Refresh Rate 120 Hz
VRR
Input Lag (Game Mode) 1 ms
AMD FreeSync FreeSync Premium
Nvidia G-Sync None

Samsung S95C OLED TV

Best Premium OLED TV

4.5 Outstanding

Why We Picked It

The Samsung S95C is the brightest OLED we've seen, addressing one of this panel technology's typical weaknesses compared with LED models: relative dimness. It also offers incredibly wide, accurate colors and has plenty of features, including AirPlay 2 and AMD FreeSync.

Who It's For

If you want a big, premium TV, the Samsung S95C offers class-leading picture quality. It's a technological marvel that's best for big spenders with spacious living rooms.

PROS

  • Incredibly bright for an OLED TV
  • Fantastic color performance
  • Low input lag
  • AirPlay 2 support
  • Amazon Alexa and Samsung Bixby voice assistants

CONS

  • Expensive
  • No Google Assistant support

SPECS

Panel Type OLED
Screen Size 77 inches
Resolution 3,840 by 2,160
Video Inputs HDMI, RF, USB
HDR HDR-10
HDMI Ports 4
Streaming Services Yes
Screen Brightness 888.9 nits
Black Level 0 cd/m^2
Contrast Ratio Infinite
Refresh Rate 144 Hz
VRR
Input Lag (Game Mode) 1.8 ms
AMD FreeSync FreeSync
Nvidia G-Sync None

LG C3 Evo OLED TV

Best Samsung S90C Alternative

4.5 Outstanding

Why We Picked It

LG's C-series OLED TVs have always stood out thanks to their slim panels and fantastic picture quality. The LG C3 is another excellent entry that supports Dolby Vision and relies on LG's intuitive webOS smart TV platform. Just keep in mind that it lacks an ATSC 3.0 tuner.

Who It's For

If you're looking for amazing OLED picture quality and don't want to shell out for a flagship model, the LG C3 is worth a look. A sub-millisecond input lag makes it just as appealing for gamers as the Samsung S90C.

PROS

  • Fantastic color and contrast
  • Incredibly low input lag
  • Slim, sleek design

CONS

  • No ATSC 3.0 tuner

SPECS

Panel Type OLED
Screen Size 65 inches
Resolution 3,840 by 2,160
Video Inputs HDMI, RF, USB
HDR Dolby Vision, HDR-10
HDMI Ports 4
Streaming Services Yes
Screen Brightness 651 nits
Black Level 0 cd/m^2
Contrast Ratio Infinite
Refresh Rate 120 Hz
VRR
Input Lag (Game Mode) 0 ms
AMD FreeSync FreeSync
Nvidia G-Sync G-Sync Compatible

Hisense U6K

Best Budget TV

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Hisense and TCL have both proven that you can get excellent picture quality and plenty of features out of a modestly priced TV (generally in the $1,000 to $1,300 range for 65-inch models). Below that price range, you need to make some compromises, but not too many. The Hisense U6K isn't the brightest TV, for instance, but its color performance is fantastic and it offers tons of useful features including Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, and hands-free Google Assistant. It's also frequently available for below its suggested retail price, which helps solidify it as one of the best budget-priced TVs we've seen yet.

Who It's For

The U6K is for shoppers who want to spend as little as possible without buying a piece of junk. At several hundred dollars less than the Hisense U8K, it's appealing if you're on a budget. This TV is also one of the least expensive big-screen models we can recommend; the 75-inch variant goes for a suggested price of $1,100.

PROS

  • Excellent color
  • Improved black levels and contrast from previous generation
  • Google TV, Google Cast, and hands-free Google Assistant
  • Apple AirPlay
  • Low input lag

CONS

  • Not particularly bright
  • Colors in Theater Day mode are inaccurate

SPECS

Panel Type LED
Screen Size 65 inches
Resolution 3,840 by 2,160
Video Inputs HDMI, Composite, RF, USB
HDR Dolby Vision, HDR-10
HDMI Ports 4
Streaming Services Yes
Screen Brightness 591 nits
Black Level 0.02 cd/m^2
Contrast Ratio 39,400:1
Refresh Rate 60 Hz
VRR
Input Lag (Game Mode) 3.7 ms
AMD FreeSync None
Nvidia G-Sync None
Learn More
Hisense U6K Review

SunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series

Best Outdoor TV

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Outdoor TVs are few and far between, and you can count on spending a fair amount for them. The rock-solid build quality of these models, which ensures that they can survive extreme temperatures along with rain, snow, and dirt, tends to be the reason for the extra cost. This doesn't mean you have to compromise on picture quality, though, and that's where the SunBriteTV Veranda 3 excels. Its color range and accuracy are excellent and, although the TV is designed for use in full shade, it does a solid job of reducing glare.

The Veranda 3 is also well-equipped because of its Android TV platform. It doesn't have hands-free Google Assistant like some of the TVs on this list, but you can still use the voice assistant by speaking into the remote. You also get Google Cast support and access to all the major streaming services.

Who It's For

If you want a TV for your (covered) deck or patio, and don't mind spending the money for the best picture for that purpose, the SunBriteTV Veranda 3 is the ideal pick. We've seen a few more affordable outdoor TVs, but none looks nearly as good or offers as many smart TV features.

PROS

  • Ruggedized for outdoor use
  • Wide, accurate colors with Dolby Vision support
  • Android TV provides phone mirroring, streaming media, and voice control
  • Low input lag

CONS

  • Expensive
  • Doesn't include a stand
  • High black levels

SPECS

Panel Type LED
Screen Size 55 inches
Resolution 3,840 by 2,160
Video Inputs HDMI, Composite, RF, USB
HDR HDR-10, Dolby Vision
HDMI Ports 4
Streaming Services Yes
Screen Brightness 722.53 nits
Black Level 0.2 cd/m^2
Contrast Ratio 3,631:1
Refresh Rate 60 Hz
VRR
Input Lag (Game Mode) 8.6 ms
AMD FreeSync FreeSync
Nvidia G-Sync None

Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED

Best Fire TV

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

Amazon's Fire TV Omni disappointed us last year because of its mediocre contrast and color performance. But the company stepped up its game significantly with the Fire TV Omni QLED, which offers a brighter picture and wider colors. You also get Apple AirPlay support on top of all of the useful Amazon Fire TV features such as hands-free Alexa. It still doesn't put out a ton of light, but we can recommend it to deal-seeking shoppers regardless.

Who It's For

This is the best Fire TV option on the list, though that isn't saying much. Otherwise, its low price makes it a good choice for people who want to add an Alexa-centric TV to their home without spending a ton of money.

PROS

  • Excellent color and strong contrast
  • Hands-free Amazon Alexa
  • Inexpensive

CONS

  • Not particularly bright
  • Light bloom can overpower shadow detail

SPECS

Panel Type LED
Screen Size 65 inches
Resolution 3,840 by 2,160
Video Inputs HDMI, RF, USB
HDR Dolby Vision, HDR-10
HDMI Ports 4
Streaming Services Yes
Screen Brightness 474 nits
Black Level 0 cd/m^2
Contrast Ratio 118,500:1
Refresh Rate 60 Hz
VRR
Input Lag (Game Mode) 3.2 ms
AMD FreeSync None
Nvidia G-Sync None
GET IT NOW

Sony Bravia XR A95K OLED TV

Best for A/V Receiver Integration

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The Sony Master Series A90J wowed us in the past with the kind of superlative contrast and excellent color performance OLEDs are capable of providing, along with a surprisingly crisp speaker system thanks to actuators behind the panel, and hands-free Google Assistant through the Google TV smart platform. The Bravia XR A95K features strong contrast and even wider colors than its predecessor, keeps the actuators and the hands-free Google Assistant, and adds Apple AirPlay 2 on top of it.

This isn't a completely positive upgrade, however, due to some new technology that enables its vivid colors. Like the Samsung S95C, the Sony A95K uses a quantum dot layer to expand its color range. It's effective, but its trade-off is that the quantum dots are so light-reactive that they can make the screen look just slightly less than perfectly dark with any ambient light around. The panel isn't emitting any light, but it's reflecting just a bit too much to really offer visually perfect blacks. Even with that caveat, though, this is a feature-packed TV with a great picture and some useful and unique features.

Who It's For

For pure picture quality and value, the Samsung S90C is our top OLED pick because of its nearly perfect colors that don't require a contrast-compromising quantum dot layer. However, the A95K has a few advantages that make it a worthwhile choice for high-end home theaters. This is one of the very few TVs that has spring clips for speaker wires, letting you connect it to your A/V receiver to function as the center-channel speaker, taking full advantage of the crisp, clean sound from the actuators to bring out dialog while letting you keep your favorite amp-driven stereo or satellite speakers. That's a pretty big boon for a custom installation.

PROS

  • Very wide color range
  • Google TV interface with Google Cast and hands-free Google Assistant
  • Apple AirPlay 2 support
  • Crisp, actuator-based sound system with speaker wire inputs

CONS

  • Colors aren't as accurate as some competing OLED TVs
  • Quantum dot layer compromises the perfect black levels OLEDs should provide
  • No AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync support for gaming

SPECS

Panel Type OLED
Screen Size 55 inches
Resolution 3,840 by 2,160
Video Inputs HDMI, USB, Composite, RF
HDR HDR-10, Dolby Vision
HDMI Ports 4
Streaming Services Yes
Screen Brightness 600.34 nits
Black Level 0 cd/m^2
Contrast Ratio N/A
Refresh Rate 120 Hz
VRR
Input Lag (Game Mode) 9.8 ms
AMD FreeSync None
Nvidia G-Sync None

What to Look for in a New TV

Resolution has long been a top consideration in buying a new TV, but the current TV landscape has seen a flattening of this trend. The TV resolution question used to be a choice between 720p (1,280 by 720 pixels) and 1080p (1,920 by 1,080 pixels). Then, it moved on to 1080p versus Ultra HD, or 4K (3,840 by 2,160 pixels, or over eight million pixels). Now, it's no longer a question: 4K is the standard for medium-sized and larger televisions from every major manufacturer.

The higher resolution no longer commands a price premium, and you can find a 65-inch 4K TV for under $1,000. You can even dig lower and build an entire home theater for $1,000 if you're willing to make some compromises. Realistically, you'd be hard-pressed to find a TV from a major brand larger than 40 inches that isn't 4K. In fact, every TV on this list (except one) is 4K.

Nearly all 4K TVs have connected features that let you stream 4K content. The Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, and Roku TV smart TV platforms have enabled many TV brands to add smart TV functions without developing first-party systems like LG, Samsung, and Vizio do. These platforms are full of features and offer access to most major streaming services, along with features like voice assistants, local media streaming, and a variety of apps. If you can't find the apps or services you want on your TV, you can connect a separate 4K media streamer to an HDMI 2.0 port to fill that gap.

Apple AirPlay 2 is now available on new TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, and Vizio, along with all Roku media streamers including Roku TVs. It's also available on several Google TVs, like those from Hisense and TCL. This feature lets you use your iPhone or iPad to stream content from iTunes to the TV. Apple also has the Apple TV app with its Apple TV+ service on all major smart TV platforms, so you can watch Apple video content on nearly any TV without an Apple TV 4K box, which was previously necessary.

5 Simple Tweaks to Get the Best Picture Settings for Your TV
PCMag Logo 5 Simple Tweaks to Get the Best Picture Settings for Your TV

4K content is now freely available on many streaming services and Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, even if it hasn't been widely adopted by broadcast or cable TV services yet (read more about the ATSC 3.0 standard for more details). If you have a fast internet connection, you can watch some excellent shows on Amazon and Netflix in 4K (and most new original programming on the services is produced at that resolution). New films are also coming out digitally in 4K through various on-demand streaming services.

Ultra HD Blu-ray discs are a physical media format that can store 4K HDR content and are readily available. Don't expect to play them on your current Blu-ray player, though; it's a separate format from Blu-ray, so you need a dedicated Ultra HD Blu-ray player, a Microsoft Xbox Series X (or Xbox One S/X if you can find one), or a Sony PlayStation 5 to handle the format. The good news is that Ultra UD Blu-ray stores 4K video with HDR (explained below), and it can even handle advanced surround sound audio if your speaker system supports it. It has a long-term edge over streaming since it's a piece of media you can physically own, and it doesn't require an internet connection or a service subscription. Ultra HD Blu-ray releases are relatively paltry outside of major new movies, though, so if you want to watch your favorite obscure film you might have to downgrade to 1080p or even 480p with a Blu-ray or DVD.


Should You Wait for 8K?

That one's easy: No.

Don't worry about 8K for now, despite what you might have heard about it and that the HDMI 2.1 standard supports it. 8K is 7,680 by 4,320 pixels, or four times the number of pixels of 4K. 8K TVs are currently available as premium models for significantly more money than their 4K equivalents (including OLED TVs, which are already pricy), but they aren't going to be meaningful for consumers for a few more years, and there's little reason to consider buying one yet unless you have lots of cash to burn.

Moreover, there's no consumer-ready 8K media available, and no major studios or distributors have even talked about releasing 8K movies or shows so far. There aren't yet physical or streaming media standards that could support 8K commercial releases either. Even if you can find an 8K TV, at best you might be able to watch upconverted 4K video on it. So, for the time being, don't worry about 8K suddenly replacing 4K. It won't happen anytime soon.


Is a 4K HDR TV Worth It?

4K is a no-brainer, but there's a next-step video technology to consider when you shop for a TV. High dynamic range (HDR) content pushes much more information to the display than a standard video signal. The resolution remains the same, but the range of color and amount of light each pixel can produce is significantly broader.

Because of improving LCD and OLED panel technology, high-end televisions can display wider color gamuts and finer gradients of light and dark than before. Standard video was built around the limitations of older cathode ray tube televisions, intentionally using a set range of color and light information in the signal. HDR breaks those limitations and uses expanded ranges with finer values between them. Basically, this means HDR displays can produce more colors and more shades of gray (or, rather, luminance values) than standard dynamic range displays.

Hisense U8H
Hisense U8H (Credit: Hisense)

There are three major HDR standards with commercially available content: Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HDR10+. HDR10 is an open platform that uses 10-bit color values. The UHD Alliance certifies televisions that meet the HDR10 standard, along with minimum brightness and contrast ratios, as UltraHD Premium. Dolby Vision is a closed standard from Dolby; it supports 12-bit color and determines ranges in the signal it provides to a display on the fly, based on the display itself and the needs of the scene. Televisions that support Dolby Vision note so on their packaging.

Some other HDR standards and variants are also available, but they've yet to see the broad acceptance of HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Hybrid Log Gamma (HLG) is a standard from the BBC and Japanese broadcaster NHK, which is backward compatible with standard dynamic range TVs.

Meanwhile, Samsung has HDR10+, which adds variable metadata to brightness, changing the range of bright and dark that video can display from scene to scene. It's basically Samsung's answer to Dolby Vision, which the company perplexingly refuses to put on its TVs in favor of its own standard.

HDR content is generally rarer than SDR UHD content, but it's still widely available, especially for new shows and films on major streaming services. Ultra HD Blu-rays, along with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Max, and other streaming apps all support HDR in HDR10 and/or Dolby Vision. Whether one standard is better than the other is difficult to determine at this point; HDR10 uses more concrete values and is easier to technically evaluate, but Dolby Vision is designed to specifically fit the needs and limits of whatever television you use. Whether it's HDR10 or Dolby Vision, HDR-capable televisions can produce a better picture than TVs that don't support the wider color gamuts or increased range of luminance information.


What Is the Best Time to Buy a TV?

Manufacturers typically announce new TVs in January (we saw several at CES 2024), but those models don't usually hit store shelves until spring or summer. That means there's a solid three- or four-month span in which you know what new TVs are coming out. If you can find deep discounts for the previous year's models during that period and you know they're good performers based on our reviews, you should go for them.

Keep an eye out for sales around big sporting events like the Super Bowl, or when football season is just starting. You might be able to find price cuts of a few hundred dollars or more. Like all sales, pay attention to which models are on sale; different tiers and series of TVs can perform wildly differently.

Huge price slashes on Black Friday often promote budget or midrange televisions with seemingly big discounts, but their pictures might not be nearly as good as higher-end models. Check the model numbers carefully against reviews for a good sense of whether the discount you see is worthwhile.


Are Cheap TVs Worth the Price?

Budget-priced TVs can be appealing, especially if you haven't yet made the jump to 4K and are daunted by $1,000-plus price tags. Be careful when you see a great deal on a TV, though, even if it says 4K HDR. It could be a steal, or it could be a disappointment.

Performance among budget TVs varies wildly and trends toward the mediocre. You might find a few good deals, like the Hisense U6K, that manage to combine excellent picture quality with a reasonable price. You are also likely to find a sea of cheap TVs that don't measure up in one way or another.

Don't count on big names to be reliably high-quality in their budget lines, either. Although companies like LG, Samsung, and Sony can make some incredible flagship TVs, their inexpensive models generally aren't any better than baseline models from more budget-centric brands like Hisense and TCL—and they're usually a bit more expensive. As always, our reviews (and the picture quality tests we perform) can help you find a screen that doesn't trade quality for the price.

For the top budget-friendly models we've tested, head over to our story on the best cheap TVs.


What Is the Best OLED TV?

Plasma TVs were the only flat-panel models available when they first came out nearly two decades ago. They're now a dead category, however, and you won't find a major television manufacturer that sells new plasma models. That means you likely must choose between LED-backlit LCD TVs (also simply called LED TVs), and much less common, much more expensive OLED displays.

First, a note: LCD and LED TVs are distinct types, even though both use LCD panels that require some sort of illumination. But whereas traditional LCD TVs rely on cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) for that task, the now more common LED TVs use LEDs.

LG C3
LG C3 (Credit: Will Greenwald)

There are further differences in the various designs. LED TVs can be either edge-lit or backlit. Edge-lit TVs light up their screens with arrays of LEDs along the edges of the panels, allowing the set to be thin and light. Backlit TVs use a large array of LEDs directly behind the panel. That design choice makes the screen a little thicker but enables more even illumination and, for high-end screens, the ability to adjust individual LEDs to enhance black levels. Very good edge-lighting systems can produce excellent pictures, though, and TV manufacturers are making backlit LED arrays smaller and thinner, so the distinction means less than in the past. No matter the technology, an LED TV's thinness and brightness are roughly proportional to its price.

OLED (organic light-emitting diode) displays are a rare and very expensive technology for TVs and, despite their name, are drastically different from LED-backlit televisions. In fact, they're closer to plasma screens in how they work. Each diode generates both color and light, like in plasma screens, but the diodes can be much smaller and thinner than even LED-lit panels. That makes it possible for them to produce very impressive black levels. For a few years, LG and Sony were the only television manufacturers that offered OLED models. However, Vizio entered the field three years ago, and Samsung dipped its toe in the OLED TV market in 2022. The latter released the brightest OLED TV we've seen yet, the S95C, in 2023.


What Size TV Should You Get?

A big TV that's too close can be just as uncomfortable to watch as a small one that's too far away, so don't assume that the biggest screen available is the best choice. There are a few different rules of thumb regarding TV screen size based on your distance from it.

Generally, the distance between your couch and your TV should be between 1.2 and 1.6 times the diagonal measurement of your screen. So if your couch is six feet away from your screen, you can comfortably watch a TV between 42 and 60 inches. If your couch is five feet away, a 37- to 52-inch screen should work well.

For more, see our stories on how to choose the right TV screen size, the best 65-inch TVs, and the best 75-inch (and up) TVs.


What Is a Good TV Refresh Rate and Contrast Ratio?

One of the biggest problems with narrowing your choices to a single TV is the sheer number of specs. To make your job a little easier, two of the biggies, refresh rate and contrast ratio, are safe to ignore.

TCL 6-Series
TCL 6-Series (Credit: TCL)

Refresh (or response) rate, the speed at which your TV's panel refreshes its image, is expressed in hertz (60Hz, 120Hz, 240Hz, 480Hz, or 600Hz). The theory is that a faster refresh rate results in a smoother image. But in reality, there are several reasons this simply isn't true, and it's not worth paying more for a set with a faster response rate. In many cases, 60Hz is just fine for films and TV, and 120Hz is plenty for video games and sports (though you should probably turn off those higher refresh rate modes when watching most shows and movies to avoid that jarring soap opera effect). Also, keep in mind that numbers above 120Hz (except for a few Samsung TVs with gaming monitor-like 144Hz refresh rates), tend not to indicate a panel's native refresh rate; they're usually numbers produced through various backlight flickering and other image processing tricks.

Contrast ratio, meanwhile, is the difference between the darkest black and the brightest white a panel can display. In theory, the highest contrast ratio possible is desirable since dark blacks and bright whites contribute to a high-quality picture. There isn't really a standard way for manufacturers to measure this spec, though, and vendors are all vying to come up with the highest ratios so their TVs seem more appealing. Previously, OLED TVs were the only models we've tested to actually produce an "infinite" contrast ratio with a perfect 0 black level, but recently mini LED backlight systems have enabled some TVs, like Samsung's flagship LED models, to also offer perfect black levels with no noticeable light bloom. We measure contrast ratios with a consistent process across all TVs, so you can trust our numbers.


What Is the Best Smart TV?

Almost all TVs now offer web apps and built-in Wi-Fi via a smart TV platform. These features let you connect your television to the internet and access online streaming services such as Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, and YouTube. Many also integrate social network services like Facebook and Twitter, and many manufacturers offer entire downloadable app ecosystems with other programs and games you can use on your TV. Some manufacturers like LG, Samsung, and Vizio develop first-party systems, while others like Hisense, Sony, and TCL use third-party systems like Google TV and Roku TV to give their TVs apps and online services.

Roku TV interface
(Credit: Roku)

These apps are on inexpensive media streaming devices, so they're not vital. But a friendly interface that unlocks the services you want to use is convenient and saves you from needing to buy anything extra.


What Are the Different TV Connections?

Ideally, a TV should provide enough video connections not only for now but also for the foreseeable future. The most important input is HDMI, which supports all major forms of digital video sources including Blu-ray players, game consoles, set-top boxes, and PCs through a single cable. Most TVs have three or four HDMI ports, but some might only have two. If you want a 4K screen, make sure the HDMI ports are at least HDMI 2.0. It's the current standard and supports 4K video at 60 frames per second; older HDMI ports can only handle 4K up to 30 frames per second, at best. HDMI 2.1, meanwhile, supports higher resolutions and faster refresh rates, though it isn't vital for most content currently available.

How PCMag Tests TVs
PCMag Logo How PCMag Tests TVs

As for cables, unless you have a huge home theater system and plan to run cables between devices at distances longer than 25 feet (and that's being generous), brands and prices don't matter. We've compared the performance of high-end cables and inexpensive ones and found that they all carry digital signals similarly. More expensive cables might have better build quality, but you won't see any performance advantages from them. Don't shop for HDMI cables at retail stores, and ignore any clerks who warn you of "dirty electricity" or "viruses" that can come with cheap cables (both claims I've witnessed). Hop online and find the least expensive cable at the size you need and snap it up.

Just make sure the cables are labeled HDMI 2.1, or labeled "Premium High Speed" or "Ultra High Speed." For more, see our story on what you need to know about HDMI cables.

HDMI also supports the highest-end home theater audio standards, though you'll generally have to give up a port as a video input to use it. Most TVs have an HDMI port with an audio return channel (ARC), clearly labeled on the back. ARC enables sound to be sent downstream to a connected soundbar or speaker system from the TV over HDMI and supports compressed 5.1-channel surround sound like optical connections do. However, recent TVs have enhanced ARC, or eARC, which offers even higher-quality audio and more features than optical or ARC can provide. eARC supports uncompressed multi-channel sound, including spatial audio like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. In fact, if you want to use those much more precise surround systems instead of discrete channel feeds, you need to use eARC.

If you have legacy devices from before the days of HDTVs, some new TVs might still support them. While they're not standard, many TVs have composite or component video inputs you can use to hook up VCRs and older game systems. Groups of full-sized RCA ports might be available, but you're more likely to find 3.5mm ports designed for use with included dongles that convert the 3.5mm connection to three RCA ports for composite video or five RCA ports for component video.


Should You Calibrate Your TV?

Most modern TVs are accurate enough out of the box that they don't need calibration. Just follow our five simple tweaks to get the best picture settings for your TV and you should be good to go.

Still, if you spent a lot on your new TV, you might want to calibrate it to obtain the best picture possible. Professional calibrations can cost hundreds of dollars, but if you have a high-end home theater (the kind you hired someone to build for you), it can be a worthwhile added expense. And if you don't, you can get a calibration Blu-ray and make some tweaks yourself. You can also use the Apple TV's Color Balance feature, though it doesn't come close to a professional calibration and only affects the Apple TV device's (not the Apple TV app) output itself.

And, of course, don't forget to turn off motion smoothing (the effect that makes everything look like a soap opera) unless you're watching sports.


Which Sound System Is Best for TV?

TVs have built-in speakers that function well enough in the sense that you can understand dialogue, but beyond that, they're typically pretty underwhelming. With few exceptions, you can improve your movie and gaming experience greatly by adding a speaker system, such as a soundbar or a dedicated multi-channel home theater system.

If space is at a premium or your budget is limited, a soundbar is your best bet. Soundbars are long, thin, self-contained speakers that sit under or over your TV. Small and simple to set up, they're less expensive than multi-speaker systems. Soundbars generally don't separate the channels enough to accurately place sound effects, but they've become quite good at producing a large sound field around you. Moreover, many soundbars pair easily with a subwoofer for that added thunder when watching movies.

Here are some of our favorite soundbars.


The Best Outdoor TVs

As a rule, TVs aren't rugged and you shouldn't use them outside. They aren't built to handle extreme temperatures or any significant amount of moisture or dirt. If you want a TV to put on your porch or deck, you need a specialized set designed for that location.

Companies like SunBriteTV make durable TVs that can function in a much wider range of temperatures than most consumer TVs and are protected against the elements. They're built to be left out in the rain and snow, with a heavy chassis and shielded connection bays. That extra protection is costly, though; most outdoor TVs cost at least twice as much as comparable indoor TVs. Our Editors' Choice, the SunBriteTV Veranda 3, costs $2,898.95 for the 55-inch model we tested.

Our Picks
Hisense U8K
See It
$999.24
at Amazon
Samsung S90C OLED TV
See It
$1,597.99
at Amazon
Samsung S95C OLED TV
See It
$3,597.99
at Amazon
LG C3 Evo OLED TV
See It
$1,596.99
at Amazon
Hisense U6K
See It
$698.40
at Amazon
SunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series
See It
$2,071.75
at Amazon
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED
See It
$699.99
at Amazon
Sony Bravia XR A95K OLED TV
See It
$2,279.00
at Walmart
Rating
Editors' Choice
4.5 Editor Review
Editors' Choice
4.5 Editor Review
Editors' Choice
4.5 Editor Review
Editors' Choice
4.0 Editor Review
Editors' Choice
4.0 Editor Review
Panel Type
LED OLED OLED OLED LED LED LED OLED
Screen Size
65 inches 65 inches 77 inches 65 inches 65 inches 55 inches 65 inches 55 inches
Resolution
3,840 by 2,160 3,840 by 2,160 3,840 by 2,160 3,840 by 2,160 3,840 by 2,160 3,840 by 2,160 3,840 by 2,160 3,840 by 2,160
Video Inputs
HDMI, Composite, RF, USB HDMI, RF, USB HDMI, RF, USB HDMI, RF, USB HDMI, Composite, RF, USB HDMI, Composite, RF, USB HDMI, RF, USB HDMI, USB, Composite, RF
HDR
Dolby Vision, HDR-10 HDR-10 HDR-10 Dolby Vision, HDR-10 Dolby Vision, HDR-10 HDR-10, Dolby Vision Dolby Vision, HDR-10 HDR-10, Dolby Vision
HDMI Ports
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Streaming Services
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Screen Brightness
2114 nits 726 nits 888.9 nits 651 nits 591 nits 722.53 nits 474 nits 600.34 nits
Black Level
0 cd/m^2 0 cd/m^2 0 cd/m^2 0 cd/m^2 0.02 cd/m^2 0.2 cd/m^2 0 cd/m^2 0 cd/m^2
Contrast Ratio
2114000:1 Infinite Infinite Infinite 39,400:1 3,631:1 118,500:1 N/A
Refresh Rate
144 Hz 120 Hz 144 Hz 120 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz 60 Hz 120 Hz
VRR
Input Lag (Game Mode)
6.6 ms 1 ms 1.8 ms 0 ms 3.7 ms 8.6 ms 3.2 ms 9.8 ms
AMD FreeSync
FreeSync Premium Pro FreeSync Premium FreeSync FreeSync None FreeSync None None
Nvidia G-Sync
None None None G-Sync Compatible None None None None
Where to Buy
$999.24
at Amazon
 
$999.99
at Best Buy
 
$1,597.99
at Amazon
 
$1,599.99
at Best Buy
 
$3,597.99
at Amazon
 
$3,599.99
at Best Buy
 
$1,596.99
at Amazon
 
$1,599.99
at Best Buy
 
$698.40
at Amazon
 
$498.00
at Walmart
 
$2,071.75
at Amazon
 
$2,898.95
at B&H Photo Video
 
$699.99
at Amazon
 
$2,279.00
at Walmart
 
$2,798.00
at Amazon
 

Like What You're Reading?

Sign up for Lab Report to get the latest reviews and top product advice delivered right to your inbox.

This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.


Thanks for signing up!

Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!

Sign up for other newsletters

TRENDING

About Will Greenwald

Lead Analyst, Consumer Electronics

I’ve been PCMag’s home entertainment expert for over 10 years, covering both TVs and everything you might want to connect to them. I’ve reviewed more than a thousand different consumer electronics products including headphones, speakers, TVs, and every major game system and VR headset of the last decade. I’m an ISF-certified TV calibrator and a THX-certified home theater professional, and I’m here to help you understand 4K, HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and even 8K (and to reassure you that you don’t need to worry about 8K at all for at least a few more years).

Read Will's full bio

Read the latest from Will Greenwald