Buying a TV today involves navigating a maze of technologies, formats, and buzzwords. With prices fluctuating as new brands challenge leaders like LG and Samsung, informed decisions are crucial—especially if you're shopping for a gaming TV. Drawing from years of hands-on testing, we're breaking it all down to help you choose wisely.
The market is dominated by two key technologies: LED-LCD (including QLED) and OLED. Matching the screen type to your viewing habits is key to optimal performance.
Most TVs use LCD panels with LED backlights, spanning budget options from TCL and Hisense to LG's NanoCell and premium Samsung QLED models. QLED panels incorporate a Quantum Dot layer for superior color range and vibrancy—the best among LCDs.
However, traditional LED backlights can lead to suboptimal blacks and edge light bleed. Advanced models employ Full-Array Local Dimming (FALD) to selectively dim zones for deeper blacks, though larger zones may cause halo effects.
OLED changes the game as a self-emissive technology: each pixel generates its own light without a backlight. This delivers perfect blacks and exceptional contrast. Drawbacks include potential burn-in and weaker near-black detail in some models.
OLEDs command a premium due to manufacturing costs, but flagships like LG's C9 and CX compete directly with Samsung's top QLEDs.
Mini-LED offers a compelling middle ground: traditional LCD with thousands of tiny LEDs for more dimming zones, rivaling OLED blacks with fewer compromises. Availability is limited—TCL leads in the US, with Samsung and others following soon.
Align your TV with your room's lighting and seating. LCDs (including QLED) achieve higher brightness thanks to LED backlights, ideal for bright rooms. OLEDs excel in darker settings with truer blacks.
OLEDs shine with wide viewing angles, perfect for group viewing with minimal color shift. LG NanoCell uses IPS panels for similar wide angles but lower contrast. Samsung's VA-based QLEDs prioritize contrast over off-axis performance.
For family movie nights or sports, factor in room lighting and seating layout.
HDR expands dynamic range from SDR's ~6 stops to over 20, revealing shadow and highlight details with wider colors and peak brightness—reducing banding for lifelike images.
HDR powers most new movies, shows, and consoles like Xbox Series X/S and PS5. Key formats include:
A $600 TV won't always outperform a $1,200 one—features make the difference. Prioritize what matters to you.
Superior image processors upscale low-res content smoothly and handle 24p film without judder. Sony excels here; budget models often falter.
HDMI 2.1 unlocks 120Hz for PS5/Xbox/PC gaming. High refresh rates and VRR (like FreeSync/G-Sync) reduce tearing, but new consoles use HDMI VRR natively.
Modern smart platforms—Android TV, webOS, Tizen, Roku—offer intuitive interfaces; test them in-store.
Ultra-slim designs prioritize visuals over acoustics, resulting in weak down-firing speakers. Sony's acoustic glass and some TCL soundbars are exceptions.
Budget for a soundbar supporting eARC and Dolby Atmos to transform your setup without breaking the bank.
With 4K and HDR now standard, skip 8K—native content is scarce, gains are marginal beyond close viewing, and bandwidth demands are high.
Early 4K faced similar hurdles; wait for 8K maturity.
Trust sites like Rtings.com for rigorous, objective testing. Tailor results to your space and habits—there's no one-size-fits-all TV. Avoid common pitfalls for regret-free buying.
