The 4 best TVs of 2025, tested by experts

There's no shortage of TVs to choose from, but performance can vary wildly between different models. To help you find the right fit for your needs, I reviewed top TVs from every major brand. After putting them all through a rigorous testing process, I've picked the four best TVs you can buy right now.

The Samsung S90D earns my highest recommendation overall. This OLED offers an impressive balance between price and performance, with deep black levels that disappear into a dark room, vibrant colors, and solid smart features. However, enthusiasts who want the best TV for high-end image quality should consider splurging on the premium LG G5. The G5 can get even brighter than the S90D, offering bolder images with more impact.

While the four models in this guide represent my top recommendations for most needs, several other worthwhile displays are available for those who want to dive deeper or have more specialized needs. Check out our full suite of TV buying guides for more picks covering specific sizes, display types, features, and brands.

Our top picks for the best TVs

Best overall: Samsung S90D 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best picture quality: LG G5 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best budget model: TCL QM6K 4K TV - See at Amazon

Best midrange option: TCL QM7K 4K TV - See at Amazon

How we choose the best TVs

To select the best TV, I focus on picture quality, smart features, design, and overall value. Here's a breakdown of how I go about evaluating each.

Picture quality: My TV testing process involves objective measurements and real-world viewing to evaluate image performance. Though test patterns are important to get an idea of what a TV is capable of, it's also essential to evaluate how a TV looks when watching actual content on a day-to-day basis. After all, most people aren't tuning into color bars and grids. Whenever possible, I spend several weeks with each TV so I can watch a wide range of material, which helps me spot inconsistencies. Image quality is judged relative to a TV's price, so expectations are different for budget-friendly models than they are for high-end options.

Smart features: All of the best TVs sold nowadays are smart models with internet connectivity. There are a few different smart TV platforms, and they all have certain pros and cons. I spend time using the built-in interface on every TV I test, evaluating navigation speed, digital assistant performance, app selection, and organization. I also pay attention to how obtrusive ads are and play around with any unique features to see if they're a selling point.

Design: Some TVs are built a bit better than others, with higher-end materials and more attractive designs. I don't hold cheaper construction against more budget-friendly models, like the TCL QM6K, but I keep an eye out for major issues. Expectations are higher for pricier displays, though, so I look for premium touches like thin screens, metal finishes, and sturdy stands. It's also nice when TVs include stands with multiple height options and remotes with perks like backlit keys.

Value: The best TVs offer exceptional value, with an excellent balance between price and performance. If a TV is expensive, like the LG G5, it needs to justify that cost with image capabilities that you can't get on more affordable options. Likewise, when testing budget-friendly and midrange TVs, I look for models that include features that many similarly priced competitors lack.

Best overall

The Samsung S90D hits just the right sweet spot between price and performance. The 65-inch model is often on sale for as low as $1,200 and offers image quality that beats every other TV in its price range. It also boasts a healthy assortment of smart features and a handsome design.

The S90D uses a QD-OLED screen, which allows it to control contrast on a pixel basis so black levels are truly black and bright highlights pop with pinpoint precision. Even the most expensive LED and QLED TVs struggle in this area. The S90D also uses quantum dot technology to provide a brighter and wider range of colors than competing midrange OLEDs from LG. Sony is the only other brand that sells an OLED with quantum dots, but it costs around double the price of the S90D.

In my testing, I measured a peak brightness of around 1,200 nits, which makes the S90D an excellent TV for watching high-dynamic-range (HDR) content. Many HDR videos are mastered with 1,000 nits in mind, so the S90D is capable of showcasing HDR highlights (like explosions) with the intensity that filmmakers intended. This all translates to gorgeous image quality with bold colors and sharp details.

Another area where the S90D excels is viewing angles. Many LED and QLED sets look great from a centered position, but their image quality washes out when you sit to the side of the screen. The S90D offers consistent picture performance even if you sit at an angle, so it's a great fit for all kinds of rooms. The TV is also an excellent gaming display since it supports a 144Hz refresh rate with a PC or 120Hz with a PS5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch 2. This enables smoother gameplay with compatible titles.

Samsung's smart TV interface even includes access to the Xbox app, which allows Game Pass subscribers to play Xbox games through the cloud. Samsung is one of the few TV brands to support this app. The TV's interface also offers a great assortment of streaming apps, but I do wish the navigation speed were more consistent. I also ran into an issue where the TV would display annoying notifications for various terms of service updates while watching content. I disabled notifications in the menu, but this didn't stop them. Ultimately, this was a small inconvenience, and it's something that's likely been fixed with firmware.

It's also worth mentioning that, like all Samsung TVs, the S90D lacks Dolby Vision support. Dolby Vision can provide a slightly better HDR image when watching supported content through services like Disney Plus and Netflix, but its benefits are subtle on upper-midrange TVs like the S90D. With that in mind, I don't consider Dolby Vision a must-have on a TV in this class. Check out our HDR TV guide for more information.

The S90D is available in many sizes, from 42 to 83 inches. However, keep in mind that the 42-, 48-, and 83-inch S90D models don't use quantum dots. They still offer excellent image quality, but their color performance can't match that of the 55-, 65-, and 77-inch sizes.

Samsung also sells a 2025 version of this TV, the S90F, that can get a little brighter but costs more. The S90F will come down in price as the year goes on, but for now, the cheaper S90D is a better buy.

Best picture quality

The G5 is the most impressive high-end TV I've tested, besting my previous pick in this category, the Sony A95L. Though Sony's premium OLED is still a fantastic display, the G5 offers a brighter image with more impact while maintaining the pixel-perfect contrast that OLEDs are celebrated for.

Using an industry standard 10% test pattern with the TV set in its most accurate setting, I measured a peak brightness of around 2,400. That's a record for an OLED and more than 1,000 nits brighter than many midrange models, like the Samsung S90D.

Of course, test patterns can only reveal so much. What's actually important is how the TV looks when watching real-world content. And in a word, the G5 is stunning. High-brightness HDR movies like "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Aquaman" pop from the screen in ways I've never seen on an OLED, taking full advantage of the G5's nearly unmatched combination of intense peak highlights and infinite contrast. Viewing angles are wide as well, so you can sit to the side of the screen without any major shifts in contrast and color. Gamers even get a high 165Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC.

But while incredible on many fronts, the G5 isn't quite perfect — no display is. The TV initially had issues with banding/posterization (blocky rather than smooth gradations of color and dark shades) when watching certain types of HDR content. In April and June, LG released firmware updates to minimize this.

Through weeks of testing, banding occurred so rarely that I don't consider it to be a major issue. Those highly sensitive to spotting posterization may want to consider other high-end TVs that are less prone to it (like the Samsung S95F). But when evaluating the TV's image quality as a whole, the G5 has the best picture performance I've seen.

The G5's webOS smart TV interface works well enough, but it isn't my favorite platform. The homepage is a bit barebones in design and features shopping recommendations too prominently. But you still get access to all of the best streaming services, and general navigation and usability are solid. I did run into some errors with hands-free voice search, but it works better when using the remote.

The TV has a handsome build with sturdy materials and a thin profile. It comes with a flush wall mount that lets you hang the panel up with virtually no gap. But the tradeoff is that the display doesn't include a traditional stand at all. If wall mounting isn't doable in your room, you'll have to purchase a separate stand.

There are a few competing OLEDs that handle some of the G5's flaws a bit better. Most notably, Sony's Bravia 8 II offers better processing and gradation performance. But that model falls short in other areas, like peak brightness, and it's only available in two sizes. As such, I still give an edge to the G5. That said, there is one TV that could surpass the G5 in overall picture quality: Panasonic's new Z95B. I'll be testing that model soon and will update this guide with details on how it stacks up.

Read our LG G5 4K TV review.

Best budget model

The QM6K is TCL's top entry-level QLED TV for 2025. When the display launched earlier this year, its list price was a bit high, but recent discounts have made it the best TV on a budget. The 65-inch size is often on sale for $650 or less, which is an excellent value for a TV in this class.

What sets the QM6K apart from most similarly priced TVs is its use of a Mini LED backlight with local dimming and quantum dots. These features are usually reserved for pricier sets, and they allow the QM6K to produce higher contrast and better colors than most of its rivals.

When reviewing the TV, I was impressed by its backlight control, which produced minimal blooming (halos around bright objects). It also offered an overall solid HDR image with great saturation. However, as a budget-friendly TV, the QM6K has some limitations. The display's black levels are a little lighter than what I've seen on more expensive QLEDs, and the panel's brightness is limited compared to midrange and high-end sets.

I measured a peak of 557 nits on a 10% HDR test pattern and about 736 nits on a larger 50% test pattern. Those are decent numbers for an entry-level Mini LED TV, but they're notably lower than the levels offered by my other picks in this guide. As a result, bright highlights in some movies and TV shows don't have as much impact as they're supposed to. And though viewing angles have been improved over last year's Q65 series, they're still much narrower than they are on an OLED TV.

On the plus side, the QM6K has received a big gaming upgrade over its predecessor, as this model supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate. This makes the QM6K one of the cheapest TVs that can display 4K/120Hz signals from a PS5 or Xbox Series X, which enables smoother motion when playing certain games.

The QM6K's Google TV interface is easy to use and snappy to navigate, with only minor hiccups. When reviewing older TCL TVs, I encountered lots of little glitches here and there, but the QM6K was completely free from bugs during several weeks of testing.

All things considered, the QM6K is the perfect starter home theater TV for anyone who wants a budget set that still offers worthwhile HDR performance.

Read our TCL QM6K 4K TV review.

Best midrange option

TCL's QM7K is the brand's latest midrange QLED, and it's one of the best TVs in its price range. This model replaces last year's QM7, which is now hard to find in stock. Though both displays offer similar performance, the QM7K has a few improvements in backlight control and viewing angles.

Like the company's cheaper QM6K, the QM7K uses a Mini LED backlight with quantum dots and local dimming. It also supports up to a 144Hz refresh rate and uses the Google TV operating system for snappy access to tons of streaming services. But what sets this pricier model apart from its cheaper sibling is its peak brightness.

The QM7K can get more than twice as bright as the QM6K. I measured a peak of around 1,800 nits on a 10% test pattern. That's more than enough to give specular highlights (like explosions) ample intensity in HDR movies and TV shows. That said, the QM7K isn't much brighter than its predecessor from 2024, the QM7. But the QM7K does have other upgrades up its sleeve.

TCL has implemented an improved backlighting system in this year's model, and the results are impressive. While I noticed some light fluctuations and patchy brightness in dark scenes when reviewing last year's QM7, the QM7K is almost entirely free from these kinds of flaws. Likewise, halos around bright objects are almost nonexistent. Similarly, viewing angles have been notably improved. This is still a QLED, so color and contrast do wash out from an extreme angle, but you can veer further from the center without the TV's quality degrading as much.

However, black levels aren't quite as deep as I've seen on some pricier QLEDs, and the QM7K's backlight still can't match the pixel-level precision of an OLED. But given its place in the market, the QM7K is an excellent midrange TV option. The 65-inch model is often on sale for $1,000 or less, which makes it ideal for people who want a bright QLED TV that's under a grand.

The best TVs compared

Here's a rundown of key specifications for each of our top TV picks to offer an overview of how they compare.

Check out our other TV buying guides

Our guide to the best TVs is designed to keep things simple, with our four top picks categorized by overall performance. But these aren't the only models we recommend. If you want to dive deeper into additional TV options, visit our supplemental buying guides, which focus on picks across specific sizes, display types, budgets, brands, and features.

• Best smart TVs
• Best 4K TVs
• Best OLED TVs
• Best sports TVs
• Best frame TVs
• Best budget TVs
• Best TVs under $500
• Best 100-inch TVs
• Best 85-inch TVs
• Best 75-inch TVs
• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 55-inch TVs
• Best 50-inch TVs
• Best 43-inch TVs
• Best TCL TVs
• Best LG TVs
• Best Samsung TVs
• Best Roku TVs

Other TVs we reviewed

Though they didn't quite make the cut for this guide, my team and I reviewed several other display models in our efforts to find the best TVs. Here's a rundown of some other notable TVs we tested, along with details on why they didn't make our top four picks.

Samsung S90F 4K TV - See at Amazon
The S90F is the 2025 version of Samsung's S90D, which remains our top pick for the best TV overall. The S90F can get a bit brighter, which enables slightly better HDR performance. Otherwise, both TVs offer very similar image quality and features. Since the S90D is less expensive, it's the better value of the two. But that will change over the coming months as the S90D sells out and the S90F drops in price.

Read our Samsung S90F review.

LG G4 OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
LG's G4 is an incredible high-end TV with stunning contrast. However, LG's new G5 offers a substantial brightness upgrade. The G4 is still a great alternative for people who want a less expensive premium OLED, but the G5 is a better buy for enthusiasts who crave the best image quality.

Read our LG G4 review.

Samsung S95F OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
The S95F is another excellent high-end TV alternative to the G5. It can't get quite as bright, but it's capable of offering slightly richer colors in some content. However, the S95F uses a divisive matte screen rather than a typical glossy screen. The matte panel does a fantastic job of combating reflections, but it causes black levels to look elevated in a bright room. Ultimately, we prefer how the G5 preserves inky black levels. But if you have trouble with ambient light, the S95F could be a better fit. Samsung also sells an older, less expensive version of this TV, the S95D, that offers similar performance but is a little dimmer.

Read our Samsung S95F review and Samsung S95D review.

LG C4 OLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
The C4 is LG's midrange OLED model from 2024, and it's an excellent TV. In fact, its performance is nearly neck and neck with our top pick in this guide, the Samsung S90D. However, the C4 doesn't use quantum dots while the 55-, 65-, and 77-inch S90D models do. This feature gives those S90D sizes slightly better color capabilities. Since both TVs are often sold for the same price, we give an edge to the S90D. LG also sells a 2025 version of the C4, called the C5, and though it gets a bit brighter, it costs more and still can't quite match the S90D's color performance.

Read our LG C4 review and LG C5 review.

TCL QM8K QLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
TCL's QM8K is the brand's top QLED model for 2025. It delivers excellent performance that's on par with many high-end sets from pricier brands. In particular, the QM8K has impressive brightness and better contrast control than similar QLEDs. However, overall image quality is still beaten by OLED models, like the Samsung S90D. That said, if you want a high-performance QLED TV for a bright room, the QM8K is a great choice.

Read our TCL QM8K review.

Samsung Frame Pro 4K TV - See at Amazon
The Frame Pro is Samsung's premium version of its popular Frame TV. Like the standard Frame, the Frame Pro is designed to look like a hanging piece of art when not in use as a TV. It accomplishes this with a matte screen that mimics the look of canvas, a flush wall mount, interchangeable bezels, and access to tons of art that can be displayed on screen (subscription required). This high-end model can get brighter than the standard Frame, and its black-level control is better thanks to edge-lit local dimming. It also uses a wireless connection box, which opens up placement options in your room. But while this is a great option for design-focused buyers, its overall picture quality is still lacking compared to the best TVs in this guide.

Read our Samsung Frame Pro 4K TV review.

Roku Pro Series QLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
Roku's Pro Series TV is an excellent midrange QLED with image quality that's similar to the TCL QM7K. We ultimately give an edge to the QM7K when it comes to picture performance for the money, but we do prefer Roku's smart TV interface over the QM7K's Google TV system.

Read our Roku Pro Series 4K TV review.

Vizio Quantum Pro QLED 4K TV - See at Walmart
The Quantum Pro is a decent midrange QLED with superior viewing angles than most competitors in this class offer. However, its contrast is lacking compared to similarly priced options from TCL and Hisense.

Read our Vizio Quantum Pro 4K TV review.

Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini LED - See at Amazon
The Omni Mini LED is Amazon's new flagship TV. This model uses a Mini LED backlight to provide higher contrast and brightness than the brand's cheaper offerings. It stacks up well against other TVs in its class, like the QM7K, but its list price is a bit high, and we prefer other smart TV systems over Amazon's Fire TV interface.

Read our Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini LED review.

Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED - See at Amazon
The Omni QLED is Amazon's midrange smart TV model. It offers convenient hands-free Alexa control, but its picture quality is beaten by similarly priced sets like the Roku Plus Series.

Read our Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED review.

Amazon Fire TV Omni - See at Amazon
Amazon's standard Omni series 4K TV delivers mediocre picture performance for the money. If the TV's Alexa integration is a selling point, we recommend getting the Omni QLED instead since it delivers much better image quality for nearly the same price.

Read our Amazon Fire TV Omni review.

How we test TVs

To select the best TVs, our team relied on hands-on testing informed by more than a decade of experience covering home entertainment products. We evaluate displays across a series of testing factors, including image clarity, contrast, high-dynamic-range capabilities, peak brightness, color range, viewing angles, smart TV features, and overall value.

We use a colorimeter to measure a TV's brightness and test patterns from the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc to evaluate other objective display capabilities.

We also rely on an assortment of clips from movies and TV shows to get a better feel for how a TV actually performs under regular use. Clips are selected to focus on sequences that help demonstrate a TV's black-level quality, highlight performance, color range, and clarity. We also watch a mix of native 4K resolution (Ultra HD), high definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) content to see how a TV handles various resolutions through streaming, cable, and Blu-ray players. Viewing is conducted in both bright and dark rooms.

Smart TV features and navigation are also tested to determine how long it takes for apps to load and how reliable overall stability is. Voice search and digital assistant performance are taken into account as well, along with other extra perks like ambient modes, smart home control, and game streaming support.

For more details on our review process, check out our breakdown of how we test tech products.

What to look for in a TV

If you buy a TV in 2025, it will likely be branded as one of four primary display types: OLED, QD-OLED, QLED, or LED. Though performance varies depending on which specific model you buy, each tech has its own strengths and weaknesses.

Below is a rundown of the pros and cons of each, along with guidance on different smart TV platforms and size options. For a more detailed breakdown of TV panel technology, check out our QLED vs. OLED comparison.

What is an OLED TV?

An OLED (organic light-emitting diode) TV uses self-illuminating pixel technology to display its images without a backlight.

Who it's best for: OLED TVs are best for people who want high-end picture performance in a space that doesn't let in a ton of ambient light. Though they still look good in most living rooms, some models can be too dim for areas filled with direct sunlight.

Pros:

• Infinite contrast ratio
• True black levels
• Wide viewing angles
• Expanded color gamut
• Overall performance is similar across different models

Cons:

• Peak brightness is typically dimmer than top QD-OLED or QLED TVs*
• Color volume can't match TVs with quantum dots
• Some risk of burn-in in extreme cases
• Limited sizes and budget tiers to choose from

*Some newer OLED TVs use MLA or four-stack panel technology, enabling them to match top QD-OLED TVs in peak brightness.

What is a QD-OLED TV?

A QD-OLED TV is a type of OLED TV that adds a filter of quantum dots to its panel to enable better color and brightness performance.

Who it's best for: QD-OLED TVs are great for people who want the absolute best picture quality. Since they're brighter than regular OLEDs, they're suited for home theaters and average living rooms alike, and they deliver a bit more HDR punch in highlights.

Pros:

• Infinite contrast ratio
• True black levels
• Wide viewing angles
• Expanded color gamut
• Brighter than a regular OLED
• Better color volume than a standard OLED

Cons:

• Peak brightness still can't match top QLED TVs
• Some risk of burn-in in extreme cases
• Limited sizes and budget tiers to choose from

What is a QLED TV?

A QLED is a TV that uses an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel with an LED (light-emitting diode) or Mini LED backlight and a filter of quantum dots. QLED TVs may or may not include local dimming, which enables contrast control over specific LEDs on the screen. To get the best performance on a QLED TV, you should look for models with local dimming and a Mini LED backlight.

Who it's best for: QLED TVs are good for people who favor high brightness to get the best performance in rooms that let in a lot of outside light. High-end models can also deliver excellent overall picture performance with vibrant HDR highlights, but we still prefer OLED technology for the best quality in a home theater.

Pros:

• Top models have industry-leading brightness and color volume
• Models with local dimming and Mini LEDs can provide great contrast
• No risk of burn-in
• Lots of sizes and budget tiers to choose from

Cons:

• Even top Mini LED models can't match the contrast of an OLED
• Black levels are lacking on models without local dimming
• Viewing angles are typically mediocre
• Performance varies a lot across different models and budget tiers

What is an LED TV?

An LED TV uses LCD panel technology with an LED backlight. Backlights can either be direct or edge-lit. The main difference between an LED and a QLED TV is that LED TVs don't use quantum dots. Most TVs branded as LED are budget-focused models without local dimming or wide color support, but some exceptions exist.

Who it's best for: LED TVs are best suited for budget shoppers. Most of these displays only offer basic image quality and lack the color and contrast performance you'd get on a QLED or OLED.

Pros:

• No risk of burn-in
• Lots of sizes and affordable options

Cons:

• Typically lacks wide color support
• Contrast is mediocre without local dimming
• Edge-lit backlights can lead to uneven black levels
• Viewing angles are usually mediocre

What size TV is best?

TVs come in various sizes, with options as small as 24 inches and as large as 100 inches or more. When deciding what size TV to get, you should consider a few factors, including the display's resolution, the size of the room it's in, how close you plan to sit, and how much money you're willing to spend.

Typically, bigger screen sizes are pricier than comparable models in smaller sizes, and you'll need to have a big enough TV stand or wall with a mount to fit the TV you buy. Certain sizes are also better suited for certain resolutions.

For instance, HD resolution screens are acceptable for smaller sizes, around 43 inches or under. In that range, it's difficult to see the benefits of a higher resolution from an average viewing distance. On sets 50 inches and larger, we recommend opting for a 4K set to get the best image quality, especially if you plan to sit close to your display. Meanwhile, the subtle benefits of 8K resolution are best appreciated on extra-large TVs that are 75 inches or more.

Many companies use 65 inches as their flagship size to showcase their best TV models, and we think this size offers a great balance between big-screen immersion and value without becoming too big for most living rooms.

What smart TV interfaces does each brand use?

Pretty much any new TV you buy in 2025 will be a smart TV with built-in support for accessing various streaming services. However, different brands use different smart TV operating systems (OS).

Here's a breakdown of popular smart TV platforms and the brands that use them:

• Android TV: Older models from Sony, TCL, and Hisense
• Fire TV: Amazon, Panasonic, Toshiba, Insignia, Pioneer, Hisense
• Google TV: Sony, TCL, Hisense
• Roku TV: Roku, TCL, Hisense
• SmartCast: Vizio
• Tizen: Samsung
• webOS: LG

Although the selection of apps across each OS is slightly different, they all offer access to the most popular streaming services. They also deliver similar features, but the style of navigation, personalization options, and extra perks vary.

We generally like Roku's interface the best since it's the most straightforward and reliable. However, its design is a little outdated compared to other platforms that offer a more modern, content-focused style.

Which smart TV OS is best for your needs depends on personal preference and whether you're already plugged into a smart home ecosystem. For instance, a Google TV or Fire TV will pair more seamlessly with existing Google or Amazon accounts and devices you might already own.

If you don't like the interface built into your TV, we recommend checking out our guide to the best streaming devices. You can choose a stand-alone streaming device with whatever OS you prefer. Stand-alone streaming players also tend to offer snappier performance than built-in smart TV interfaces. Reliable Roku and Fire TV devices are frequently on sale for as little as $20.

Do you need a TV with HDMI 2.1?

Many midrange and high-end TVs feature inputs that use the HDMI 2.1 specification. HDMI 2.1 ports can display signals at up to 4K/120Hz (some TVs also enable 144Hz or 165Hz with a PC), along with support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM). These features are primarily geared toward gamers since they enable smoother gameplay while minimizing lag and screen tearing.

In order to enable HDMI 2.1 features, every device in your entertainment chain must support HDMI 2.1, including your TV and gaming console/PC. Likewise, if you use video passthrough on a soundbar or AV receiver to connect your gaming system to your TV, that audio device must also support HDMI 2.1.

Finally, your HDMI cables must be rated for 48Gbps to ensure they are able to transmit the full bandwidth needed for HDMI 2.1. Check out our guide to the best HDMI cables for our top recommendations.

TV FAQs

Should you buy a 2024 or 2025 TV model?

Several 2025 TV models are available from every major brand. That said, it's important to remember that 2024 TV models will remain available to purchase for the better part of the year, and they cost substantially less than their 2025 counterparts. With that in mind, we continue to recommend certain 2024 TV models as long as they remain a better value and are readily in stock.

You can learn more about new models in our 2025 TV roundups:

• Top TVs from CES 2025
• Top 2025 TV trends
• LG C5 and G5 OLED TV details
• Samsung OLED and QLED TV details

When is the best time to buy a TV on sale?

If you're shopping for a new TV, the best time to purchase a display on sale is during big deals events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Amazon Prime Day. TVs often drop to their lowest prices during these sales. You can also find big discounts in the weeks leading up to sports events like the Super Bowl and March Madness, and sales tied to holidays like the Fourth of July and Memorial Day.

What TV brands should you consider?

There are many TV brands to choose from, but some are better for certain needs than others. Sony, Samsung, LG, and Panasonic are the cream of the crop if you're looking for the latest display technologies and the best build quality. However, their midrange and entry-level TVs are slightly overpriced compared to similar options from competing brands. If you want a high-end OLED or QLED TV, the above brands should be your first choice, but you can often get more bang for your buck from other companies.

For instance, Hisense, TCL, and Vizio all sell affordable mid-tier QLED TVs that offer similar, if not better, picture quality than comparable options from Sony, LG, and Samsung. You'll still get better build quality and fancier design perks from those more expensive brands, but these value-geared companies deliver advanced features like quantum dots and local dimming without breaking the bank.

Roku and Amazon have also launched midrange and entry-level TVs to compete with Hisense, Vizio, and TCL. Their top models are solid buys if you can snag them on sale, but otherwise, you can find options with slightly better specs for about the same price from other companies.

Buyers who just want a no-frills entry-level LED TV should also consider budget brands like Onn, Insignia, and Toshiba. Onn is Walmart's in-house brand, and its TVs use the Roku interface. Insignia and Toshiba use the Amazon Fire TV interface. All three brands feature lineups with inexpensive HD and 4K models. They also tend to get heavily discounted during sales like Prime Day and Black Friday. Generally, we recommend paying a bit more to get a TV from one of the other brands we've already mentioned, but these displays are fine for casual viewing, especially if you want a smaller screen for a bedroom or dorm.

Do Hisense and TCL QLED TVs use quantum dots?

Hisense and TCL sell several TV models advertised as QLED TVs, which means they should use a technology called quantum dots. Quantum dots refer to nanocrystals used in a display panel to help produce expanded color performance. However, two class-action lawsuits have been filed by individuals in the US who claim certain TCL and Hisense QLED models are either missing quantum dots or have such a small amount that they don't offer their proposed benefits.

In response, Hisense shared this statement with Business Insider. "Hisense stands by the high quality of its products and is confident that the complaint is without merit. Our products have been verified by tests conducted by an independent third-party lab that are consistent with our product claims. Per company policy, we will refrain from commenting further on this legal matter."

TCL also shared a statement with Business Insider. "TCL stands behind our high-performance lineup, which provides uncompromised color accuracy. TCL has definitive substantiation for the claims made regarding its QLED televisions and will respond to the litigation in due course. We remain committed to our customers and believe in the premium quality and superior value of our products. In the context of the ongoing litigation, TCL will validate that our industry-leading technologies meet or exceed the high bar that TV viewers have come to expect from us."

While buyers should be aware of these lawsuits, no rulings have been made, and these claims do not affect our current reviews. It's also important to note that there isn't an industry-wide QLED certification process that defines exactly what quantum dot specifications are needed to qualify a display as a "QLED TV." Until more is revealed, our recommendations stand. All of the TCL and Hisense QLED TVs we include in our buying guides delivered good image quality in our tests, and their performance represents a great value within their price range.

Do TVs offer good sound quality?

Generally speaking, TVs offer mediocre sound quality. To keep TVs thin and affordable, manufacturers use small speaker drivers, often positioned in areas with poor performance. This leads to weak sound quality with muddy dialogue, flat dynamics, and a lack of bass.

We recommend purchasing a soundbar or a full surround sound system to get the best sound quality with your TV. Check out our soundbar and speaker guides to see our top recommendations:

• Best soundbars
• Best budget soundbars
• Best Dolby Atmos soundbars
• Best soundbars with subwoofers
• Best Bose soundbars
• Best surround sound systems

For more details on the latest advancements in immersive surround sound technology, check out our guide to Dolby Atmos.

Can I watch free local channels on my TV?

Most TVs include integrated digital tuners that can receive free over-the-air broadcasts when paired with an antenna and a coaxial cable. Reliable digital antennas can cost as little as $20. Check out our guide to the best indoor TV antennas to see our top recommendations.

The exact number of channels you'll be able to pick up relies heavily on where you live, but so long as you're within a certain distance from local broadcast towers, you should be able to watch channels like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. You can check the available channels in your community through the AntennaWeb tool.

If you live in an area with poor antenna reception but still want an alternative to cable that provides access to popular channels, check out our guide to the best live TV streaming services.

Should I be worried about burn-in on my TV?

If you leave a static image on your TV for too long, some displays are susceptible to an issue called burn-in. When burn-in occurs, a faint outline of an image gets permanently stuck on your display. Thankfully, burn-in is rare on modern TVs, so most people don't need to worry about it. However, there are some considerations you should be aware of.

First and foremost, OLED is the only current TV technology prone to burn-in. Though LCD-based TVs, like QLED and LED, are not 100% immune to burn-in, cases are so rare that they're not considered to be at risk like an OLED TV. But while OLED shoppers should be mindful of this risk, all OLED TVs have built-in features designed to prevent burn-in, including pixel-shift modes and pixel-refreshers.

Websites like Rtings have done long-term burn-in tests with various OLED models. Though their results prove that burn-in can technically occur on even top OLED TVs, their tests reveal that it's not really an issue for people with regular viewing habits. Burn-in only happens in extreme situations, like if you just watch the same cable channel with the same logo at the bottom of the screen all day.

I've had an LG CX OLED TV in my own home theater setup for over three years. I stream various services, watch cable TV, and play video games (with plenty of static elements) regularly, and the TV shows no signs of burn-in. Unless you plan to stay tuned to the same cable news channel 24/7, we don't think burn-in should be a factor when deciding between an OLED TV and another display type.

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