Best Sony TVs of 2026

I review TVs for a living, and year after year, Sony's top models stand out for their excellent image quality. The best Sony TVs aren't cheap, but in return, you get some of the most accurate picture performance available. If you care about how movies and shows are supposed to look, Sony's high-end sets are worth the extra spend.

After putting the brand's latest display models through my rigorous testing process, the Bravia 7 II True RGB TV stands out as the best Sony TV for most people. It uses Sony's new RGB backlight technology to deliver enhanced color and comes close to matching the performance of Sony's pricier TVs while costing less. However, if you want the absolute best image quality Sony offers, the flagship Bravia 9 II True RGB TV is even better, with a brighter picture and an impressive anti-reflective screen.

Sony also makes cheaper TVs, but I haven't included them as picks. While the brand absolutely nails premium performance, its entry-level models don't offer the same value as those of other brands. With that in mind, this guide focuses on the Sony TVs that truly showcase what the company does best.

Our top picks for the best Sony TVs

Best overall: Sony Bravia 7 II True RGB TV - See at Sony

Best high-end: Sony Bravia 9 II True RGB TV - See at Sony

Best OLED: Sony Bravia 8 II OLED TV - See at Amazon

Best overall: Sony Bravia 7 II

An angled view of a Sony Bravia 7 II True RGB TV on our reviewer's media console in their home office.

What we love: It offers excellent local dimming and color performance powered by Sony's advanced True RGB technology, while coming in at a lower price than the brand's flagship TVs.

Drawbacks: Pricier OLEDs still have an edge in contrast and viewing angles, and Sony's step-up Bravia 9 II offers a brighter image and better anti-glare screen.

The Bravia 7 II is one of Sony's brand-new True RGB TVs. It can't quite match the overall image quality of the company's more expensive models, but it comes remarkably close at a lower price. This balance of premium performance and relative value makes it the best Sony TV for most people.

A big part of what makes the Bravia 7 II so impressive is its True RGB backlight system. Rather than relying on white or blue light like a typical Mini LED TV, the Bravia 7 II uses separate red, green, and blue diodes. This allows the display to produce purer, more vivid colors across a wider range. You can learn more about how the technology works in our RGB LED vs. Mini LED comparison.

The Bravia 7 II's color performance is exceptional in practice. During testing, I measured coverage of around 87% of the expansive BT.2020 color space and nearly 100% of the more commonly used P3 gamut. Most movies and shows don't yet take full advantage of BT.2020, but this gives the TV plenty of room to handle more advanced content in the future. More importantly, its rich colors look gorgeous with the HDR material you can watch right now.

Sony's True RGB system also helps the Bravia 7 II deliver some of the best local dimming I've seen. Though an OLED's pixel-level precision remains superior, the Bravia 7 II's black levels look deep and can virtually disappear in a dark room. I noticed a slight amount of light bleed in the black bars of a few widescreen movies, but distracting halos around bright objects were practically nonexistent. Peak brightness reached about 2,243 nits, giving HDR highlights plenty of impact.

Viewing angles are also solid for a display of this type. Colors remain much more consistent when you move away from the center of the screen than they do on regular Mini LED TVs. Again, Sony's OLED models still have an edge in this regard, but the Bravia 7 II is a noticeable improvement over the company's older QLEDs.

Like all of Sony's current models, the Bravia 7 II runs Google TV. The interface is responsive, straightforward to navigate, and includes Gemini-powered voice controls. Sony also bundles the TV with its distinctive Mirage Stand, which uses optical refraction to conceal cables running behind it. The effect makes the wires appear almost invisible, giving the setup a cleaner look.

The Bravia 7 II isn't Sony's most advanced TV, but it's the ideal fit for anyone who wants an outstanding combination of color, contrast, brightness, and viewing angles without paying ultra-premium prices.

Check out our first-look breakdown of the Sony True RGB TV lineup.

Best high-end: Sony Bravia 9 II

A Sony Bravia 9 II True RGB TV on a media console displaying an image of a rocky shore.

What we love: Its image closely matches that of a professional mastering monitor, and the TV's anti-reflective screen is a game changer in bright rooms.

Drawbacks: OLEDs still deliver higher contrast and wider viewing angles, and the benefits of the display's wide color gamut can be subtle.

The Bravia 9 II True RGB TV is Sony's ultimate high-end display for viewers who want an exceptional picture in virtually any room. Though I typically give OLED models an edge in overall image quality, the Bravia 9 II has a few benefits over Sony's top OLED that help it cement this spot. Most notably, it's dramatically brighter and much better at controlling reflections. Add in its expansive color performance and strong contrast, and this is the top Sony TV I'd choose for a premium setup.

Like the Bravia 7 II, this model incorporates Sony's new True RGB backlight system with red, green, and blue diodes to produce an expanded range of rich colors. In my tests, it covered around 89% of the wide BT.2020 color space and nearly all of the more commonly used P3 gamut. Those measurements translate to outstanding real-world performance.

I compared the Bravia 9 II directly with a professional Sony broadcast monitor used by Hollywood filmmakers to master their movies. Though a consumer TV can't perfectly replicate that kind of reference equipment, the Bravia 9 II came incredibly close. Colors looked rich without appearing exaggerated, dark scenes maintained impressive depth, and HDR highlights had tremendous intensity.

In its most accurate picture mode, I measured a peak of 4,122 nits. That's around double the brightness of the Bravia 7 II True RGB TV and nearly triple the brightness of Sony's Bravia 8 II OLED. Just as importantly, Sony pairs that searing brightness with superb backlight control. Black levels are deep and convincing, while small highlights remain bright without producing obvious halos. The Bravia 9 II still can't replicate the pixel-level precision of an OLED, but its contrast is the best I've seen from a TV with a backlight.

The Bravia 9 II's impressive performance maintains its sheen whether you're watching TV in a dim or sunny room. Sony equips the Bravia 9 II with an anti-reflective filter called Immersive Black Screen Pro, which uses a matte-like finish to diffuse glare. My sunny living room is a torture test for glare, with uncovered windows that create mirror-like reflections on glossy TVs. The Bravia 9 II essentially eliminated those reflections, keeping the image clear and vibrant during the day.

There is a tradeoff to that anti-glare treatment. Under particularly intense light, black levels rise slightly, and the screen can take on a faintly hazy, frosted appearance. But for people who regularly watch TV in a room filled with sunlight, the benefits greatly outweigh that minor drawback.

The rest of the package feels appropriately premium. Like the Bravia 7 II, the Bravia 9 II comes with Sony's transparent Mirage Stand, which uses optical refraction to hide cables routed behind it, creating the illusion that the wires have disappeared. The included remote is rechargeable and has backlit buttons, while the Google TV interface is responsive, intuitive, and packed with streaming and smart features.

Home theater enthusiasts who primarily watch movies in a dark room may still prefer the Bravia 8 II OLED, since its self-illuminating pixels technically provide superior contrast precision. But the Bravia 9 II has the advantage in brightness, color volume, reflection handling, and screen size options. For buyers who want Sony's most impressive all-around performance and are willing to pay for it, the Bravia 9 II is the high-end model to get.

Visit our guide to the best TVs for picture quality.

Best OLED: Sony Bravia 8 II

A Bravia 8 II OLED TV on a media console with an image of a leopard displayed on the screen.

What we love: It delivers one of the most accurate images on the market with high contrast, bold colors, and wide viewing angles.

Drawbacks: It's available in only two sizes, and it's dimmer than Sony's True RGB models.

The Bravia 8 II is Sony's top-tier OLED TV, offering all the key benefits OLEDs are known for, including an infinite contrast ratio and wide viewing angles. This is the best Sony TV for people who prioritize dark-room performance.

Like all OLED displays, it delivers pixel-level dimming with true black levels. This means that bright elements of an image pop from the screen with pinpoint precision, while dark elements remain deep and inky without any halos or backlight inconsistencies.

The Bravia 8 II's OLED screen also incorporates quantum-dot color technology. When used in an OLED, quantum dots enable a TV to produce a brighter image and help the display maintain high saturation when displaying bright colors. The results are gorgeous, but not quite on par with Sony's True RGB color capabilities.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) movies and TV shows look exceptional, with rich colors, sharp detail, and bold specular highlights. Using an industry-standard test pattern with the TV set in its most accurate mode, I measured peak brightness of about 1,560 nits on a 10% window. That's solid brightness for an OLED.

That said, it isn't the brightest OLED on the market. I've measured much higher levels on premium Samsung and LG models, like the Samsung S95H and LG G5. Likewise, Sony's True RGB TVs can get noticeably brighter. The Bravia 9 II can also reduce reflections much better than the Bravia 8 II, which has a glossy screen. This makes the Bravia 9 II better suited for mixed use in both dark and light environments.

Like all Sony TVs, the Bravia 8 II runs Google TV OS, which provides smooth navigation and access to the best streaming services. The TV also comes with a Google Assistant voice remote and supports hands-free voice control. However, I'm disappointed that this model dropped the backlit keys that Sony offers on some of its other flagship models. It also no longer comes with Sony's Bravia Cam, which was included with the older A95L TV this model replaces.

The Bravia 8 II is only available in 55- and 65-inch models, which is a bummer for home theater fans who want a larger OLED TV. However, you can still purchase Sony's older A95L OLED in a 77-inch screen size. The A95L is a similar TV, but its HDR performance isn't as bright.

For more details on the pros and cons of OLED tech, check out our OLED vs. QLED comparison.

Why don't we recommend budget Sony TVs?

Although Sony does make some entry-level TVs, I don't recommend them as picks in this guide. Generally speaking, the best Sony TVs are the brand's upper-midrange and high-end models, as their performance is good enough to justify their high cost. However, the company's lower-end offerings, such as the Bravia 2 II, Bravia 3, and Bravia 3 II, are simply too expensive for what you get.

For instance, the 65-inch Bravia 2 II costs around $700 but fails to match the contrast and brightness performance of cheaper sets from budget-friendly rivals, like the TCL QM6K.

However, this might change in 2027, as Sony and TCL are teaming up to launch a new joint venture called Bravia Inc. By leveraging TCL's manufacturing and Sony's display technology, Bravia Inc. could offer more affordable Bravia TVs that better compete with budget models from other brands.

How we test Sony TVs

A Sony Bravia 9, broadcast monitor, and a Sony Bravia 9 II TV side-by-side.

To find the best Sony TVs, we employed hands-on testing informed by over a decade of experience reviewing home entertainment products. Our testing process involves evaluating a TV's picture quality, smart features, and overall usability through objective measurements and general use.

To determine a TV's peak brightness and color capabilities, we use meters and test patterns. However, these measurements can only reveal so much; it's also important to watch real-world content to see how a TV handles different types of movies and shows. We use a curated selection of demo scenes from various films and series to showcase different elements of image quality, including black levels, HDR contrast, color gradients, upscaling, and motion. We use a mix of sources, including 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, streaming services, cable TV, and gaming consoles.

Generally, we live with each TV we review for several weeks and use it as we would any TV we'd buy ourselves. This allows us to see how a TV performs day to day over an extended period, so we can assess its ease of use and smart TV navigation, and look out for glitches or other anomalies.

For our guide to the best Sony TVs, we also focused on how each Sony model performed relative to other TVs in the company's lineup and to the best TVs from rival brands. With that in mind, we attend annual Sony product launches and showcases from other TV brands, which often include side-by-side comparisons with various models. This helps us address specific pros and cons across Sony's lineup, enabling us to determine which models are best suited to different uses and budgets.

Meet the expert behind this guide:

Steven Cohen, senior tech editor: I've spent more than a decade reviewing home entertainment products, and my team and I test the latest TVs from brands like Sony year-round. I also attend industry events and product briefings to get early insight into new display tech before it reaches stores. I studied film production, which basically means I'm picky about picture accuracy. I want movies and shows to look the way their creators intended, and Sony excels in this area. Beyond testing with calibration tools and benchmark content, I spend real time living with every Sony TV I review. My goal is to cut through the specs and marketing speak to help you find the best Sony TVs for your setup.

Learn more about the Reviews team at Business Insider.

Sony TV FAQs

An angled view of a Sony Bravia 9 II True RGB TV on a media console.

Are TCL and Sony partnering to make Sony TVs?

TCL and Sony have entered a definitive agreement to form a strategic partnership to run Sony's home entertainment business, including its TVs. The partnership will take the form of a new joint venture called Bravia Inc. TCL will hold 51% of the new subsidiary's shares, while Sony will hold 49%. Bravia Inc. is set to start operations in April 2027, with its headquarters at Sony's Osaki office in Tokyo, Japan. New products released by Bravia Inc. are expected to be branded under the Sony and Bravia names. More details are available at the Sony website.

Though it remains to be seen what impact this new partnership will have on the quality of future Sony TVs, it's at least promising on paper. A Sony representative told us, "Bravia Inc. brings together Sony's high-quality picture and sound technology, premium brand value, and operational expertise, alongside TCL's advanced display technology, global scale, manufacturing footprint, end-to-end cost efficiency, and vertically integrated supply-chain capabilities."

Indeed, Sony is well-known for its high-end image processing, while TCL excels at delivering great value. And though Sony is an industry leader in premium performance, its mid- and entry-level TVs have struggled to compete with TCL's lower-priced alternatives. If Bravia Inc. can combine the two companies' strengths without losing Sony's unique identity and high standards, this could be a win for consumers.

What size TVs does Sony sell?

Sony's current 4K TV lineup ranges in size from 43 inches to 115 inches. The company also sells an older 32-inch HDTV model, called the W830K.

For TV recommendations across certain sizes, check out our size-specific buying guides:

What smart TV interface does Sony use?

All of Sony's current TVs use the Google TV interface. Google TV is one of our favorite smart TV platforms, thanks to its wide range of features, attractive layout, and seamless integration with an existing Google account. Certain newer models also feature Gemini, Google's AI-enhanced voice assistant.

For more details about different smart TV platforms, check out our guide to the best smart TVs.

Does Sony make 8K TVs?

Although Sony has released 8K TVs in the past, it does not have any in its current lineup. However, some stores still have stock of the brand's 75-inch Z9K 8K TV, which was first released in 2022. While the Z9K is still an impressive display, the benefits of 8K resolution are extremely subtle, and we recommend shoppers opt for one of Sony's newer high-end 4K TVs instead.

Are Sony TVs good for gaming?

The best Sony TVs are good gaming displays, especially if you plan to pair them with a PS5.

The brand's top models feature gaming-centric capabilities, including support for a 120Hz refresh rate, Auto-Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). Likewise, they have exclusive features designed to optimize performance on PS5 consoles, including auto-HDR tone mapping. This feature automatically sets the console's HDR settings to match your Sony TV's capabilities, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. All of our picks in this guide support the features listed above.

However, there's one area where even the best Sony TVs fall short of thetop gaming TVs from rival brands: max refresh rate. Many competitors offer TV models that can support a 144Hz refresh rate, and some high-end models even support 165Hz. Meanwhile, Sony doesn't offer any TVs that go beyond 120Hz. Refresh rates above 120Hz are only beneficial for PC gamers with powerful graphics cards, but if you fall into that category, you should consider TVs from other brands.

Check out our other TV guides for options that support higher refresh rates:

Do Sony TVs have good sound quality?

Generally speaking, most TVs have mediocre sound quality compared to a solid soundbar or speaker system. Typical displays feature limited audio drivers to fit a flat-panel form factor, which limits overall depth and clarity. However, some of the best Sony TVs have more advanced audio systems than a lot of competing options.

Most notably, the Bravia 8 II OLED utilizes acoustic actuators within the panel itself, enabling sound to be emitted directly from the screen. These speakers offer better quality than many TVs from other brands. That said, you'll still get a noticeably bigger, richer sound from a good dedicated soundbar or surround-sound setup.

Check out our audio buying guides for our top recommendations:

What other Sony products do we recommend?

In addition to TVs, Sony makes some of our favorite headphones, including over-ear and earbud-style models. In particular, the brand's WH-1000XM5, WH-1000XM6, and WF-1000XM6 are among the most impressive headphones we've tested. The brand also makes impressive speakers and soundbars, including multi-piece surround-sound systems.

For more details, check out our full guide to the best Sony headphones.

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