The best 10 TVs in comparison

TVs have a place in almost every home, and each year brings new models with larger and better screens. Unlike home appliances, TVs are being replaced every two or three years on average. Sooner or later, you will ask yourself which TV you should buy and what matters when choosing a new TV.

Buying a TV can be tricky and navigating through the spec sheets is often confusing because they are filled with technical terms that seem complicated. What is the difference between an OLED and QLED screen? Are the UHD and 4K resolutions really that different? And does it make sense to shell out a significant amount of money for a 4K or 5K TV?

To answer these questions and to help you choose the right TV for your needs, we have compiled a list of key features and specs that you should consider when shopping for a new TV.

1. Screen

Screen size

The TV's screen size is for many people the crucial factor when deciding which device to buy. It can have a massive impact on your viewing experience, and it should be carefully considered. Larger screens are, of course, preferable, but TVs with large screens are also the most expensive. Besides, a large TV won't fit in any room, taking into account that some health experts recommend a viewing distance twice as large as the diagonal length of your TV's screen. There is no set guideline for the perfect viewing distance, but, in general, the larger the screen, the further away you have to sit to enjoy a pleasant viewing experience. For a TV with 50 inches, for example, the minimum distance should be around 6.3 feet (approximately two meters). You can read more about this in our detailed explanation of screen size.

The screen size also depends on the purpose of your purchase. If you want a cinema-like feeling at home or you like to play games on a console, a bigger TV an provide a more immersive experience.

Screen types

The screen type makes a real difference for your viewing experience, but which one is the best? Opting for a specific screen technology depends on what you expect from your TV and, of course, on your budget. There are the traditional liquid crystal displays (LCDs) that adjust the amount of light that passes through each liquid crystal layer, organic light-emitting diode displays (OLED) screens that emit light directly, and plasma display panels (PDPs). LCD displays are available in many variations: LED, QLED, quantum dot, IPS, and more.

LED is an updated version of LCD using similar technology, but a different kind of illumination. LCDs are lit by a fluorescent bulb from behind, while LEDs are lit by an array of light-emitting diodes, which makes them far more efficient and allows manufacturers to opt for slimmer form factors. Although LEDs do not provide the highest image quality, they have been extremely popular for a long time because of their excellent price-quality ratio.

Plasma screens have two sheets of glass with a mixture of electrically charged ionized gasses in between. Gases are sealed in plasma form and cause illumination in the pixels when charged with electricity, providing better contrast and color accuracy compared to LCDs and LEDs.

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays are formed of organic materials that emit light. They have higher contrast ratios and wider viewing angles compared to LCDs. AMOLED and POLED are types of OLED displays.

Here are some advantages and disadvantages of OLED and LCD screens:

OLED
+ Fast response time
+ High contrast ratio
+ Vivid colors
+ Energy efficiency
- Supra-saturated colors
- Limited lifetime (due to the use of organic materials)
- Higher cost

LCD
+ Thin and lightweight
+ Low refresh-rate flicker
+ Cheaper to produce
- Loss of contrast in high-temperature environments
- Low viewing quality in direct sunlight
- Limited viewing angles

HDR

High dynamic range (HDR) is an imaging technology used to reproduce luminosity very accurately, therefore delivering a broader and richer range of colors, as well as improved contrast levels. HDR is an upgrade of 4K Ultra HD and exists in two formats. The UHD Alliance's version is called Ultra HD Premium or HDR10 and is an open standard format, which leads to more manufacturers implementing it. There is also the version developed by Dolby Vision, with higher technical standards, but with the downside that manufacturers have to pay to get their products certified. Therefore, the Dolby Vision HDR 4K video format is way less frequent compared to the HDR10 format.

Compatibility is, therefore, a critical factor when buying an HDR TV, since some TVs (like Vizio's products) are only Dolby Vision-compatible, while other TVs (such as most Samsung models) are Ultra HD Premium-compatible. LG TVs generally support both versions. HDR content must be processed for compatibility, which is possible with Ultra HD Blu-ray and the creation of HDR content by streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Curved screen

Some screens are also available in a curved form, giving you the feeling of being immersed in the image. It is essential to consider that, depending on the viewer's angle, images may be distorted. Many gamers prefer curved screens because they expand on peripheral vision and are well-suited for first-person games.

2. Image quality

Besides the screen type, there are other factors to take into account when choosing a new TV: resolution, pixel density, contrast ratio, refresh rate, and viewing angles.

Resolution

A TV's resolution is the number of pixels in horizontal and vertical lines that the TV can display. HD models typically have 1,280 x 920 pixels, while 4K models, also known as UHD, go up to 3,840 × 2,160 pixels. The more pixels, the sharper the picture. Most current TVs have a 1080p HD format (called Full HD), with 1,080 vertical pixels. If you have the budget, 4K TVs might be the right choice since they have four times the pixels of Full HD models, which means more details and more lifelike and vibrant images. In the past years, manufacturers have been developing 5K and even 8K TVs.

Pixel density

Measured in pixels per inch (PPI), pixel density relates to the sharpness and clarity of an image. A high pixel density is desirable, as it translates into sharp and clear images. The pixel density depends on the resolution and screen size.

Contrast ratio

The contrast ratio is the difference between the lightest and darkest areas of an image. A TV with a low contrast ratio shows a washed-out grey instead of a deep black. There are two types of contrast ratio, static and dynamic. Not all manufacturers provide both values in their spec sheets, so it is sometimes difficult to tell if the TV has a good enough contrast ratio compared to others. If you get the chance, test the TV before buying it and see how high contrast images are being displayed.

Refresh rate

The refresh rate represents the frequency at which the images are shown on the screen. Measured in Hertz (Hz), a higher refresh rate results in less flickering and less blur, providing a more natural representation of movement in action-intense scenes. Most TVs support a 60Hz refresh rate, although some TVs have 120Hz, 240Hz, or even 800Hz.

Viewing angles

Horizontal and vertical viewing angles are the maximum angles at which images can be displayed clearly, without compromising image quality. Side angle viewing or off-axis viewing describes the situation when you are not placed right in front of the center of the screen. Wide viewing angles guarantee good image quality even when watching TV from a side angle.

LCDs tend to have limited viewing angles, making it hard to watch TV if you are placed off-axis. In contrast, plasma TVs often have wider viewing angles and no color distortion, making it easier for multiple people to sit around the screen and enjoy clear pictures from any angle. If you intend to watch TV with many of your friends, this is one of the specs you need to check.

3. Audio

TVs with powerful speakers deliver better sound quality, but due to flat designs, there is not enough space for integrating large speakers. This means that most TVs have just two small speakers. If you're seeking outstanding audio quality, you'll definitely need external speakers such as a soundbar or a home-cinema sound system. If you are a gamer or you want to enjoy a movie on your own, you can also connect headphones to your TV using USB or AUX out ports.

If you don't like cables, or you don't have enough room for a whole system, a wireless soundbar with a subwoofer is a good choice, since they are relatively small and usually fit the slim design of TVs. The same goes for stereo speakers, which come in a variety of forms, such as bookshelf speakers or floor-standing speakers.

A component surround sound system provides the best sound, but this takes the most space and requires cables. This kind of system typically consists of a home theater receiver, a subwoofer, and several speakers, usually five. A pre-matched surround sound system also includes five compact speakers and a control center, which is generally built into a DVD or Blu-ray Disc player.

4. Connectivity and ports

Wi-Fi connectivity

Most TVs nowadays are Smart TVs, which means they can be connected to Wi-Fi, enabling you to browse the internet and use a variety of apps for streaming music or videos. Many TVs come with apps like Youtube or Netflix built-in. In case you need help choosing a video streaming service, you can check out our guide to streaming services.

HDMI and USB ports

HDMI ports are the new standard meant to replace the old, bulky A/V cables. HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface, and it's the primary interface for connecting DVD or Blu-ray players, projectors, and other devices. It's a convenient all-in-one connection for high-quality audio and video that should be your first choice for connecting your gear. USB ports are also useful for connecting peripherals. Most TVs have at least two standard USB ports. Before buying a TV, we also recommend checking the number of ports while considering the devices that you want to plug into your TV – game consoles, projectors, laptops.