There are so many things to consider when buying a TV: LED or OLED? What size fits in your space? Will your gaming consoles be compatible? And most importantly, what’s your budget?
At DailyNow&Then, I review TVs side by side in a state-of-the-art testing lab, taking hundreds of measurements with specialized equipment and comparing gaming, home theater and bright-room image quality. My 20 years of experience as a TV reviewer helps me determine which is the best TV overall and the best TV in your price range.
What is the best TV right now?
In a sea of TV choices this year, the TCL QM8 series has replaced the TCL 6-Series at the top of the list for several reasons. The QM8 offers superb picture quality overall, all the features you need in a modern television — including 4K/120Hz input and variable refresh rate that can get the most out of consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X — and an affordable price tag. When a friend asks me what TV to buy from 65 to 98 inches, I tell them the TCL QM8 series.
There are plenty of other excellent choices available, especially if you want a TV smaller than 65 inches. Although the QM8 is my current favorite, it might not be right for your preferences or budget.
TCL has topped our list of the best TVs for the last few years but the QM8 is something different, and even better than before. In my comparison tests, it stood out with superior brightness and impact while still maintaining excellent contrast: a combination no other TV could match at this price. The key is mini-LED tech and well-implemented full-array local dimming. It also has a sleek design with a center-mount stand. The operating system is Google TV, which I don’t like as much as Roku TV, but it’s still a solid smart TV. This model replaces the TCL 6-Series Roku TV from last year.
The main downside of the TCL QM8 is that it’s available only in large sizes (65 inches and up). If you’re looking for a 55-inch TV, I recommend the Hisense U8K instead. Note that prices shown here are for the 65-inch size in the QM8 series.
If you’re looking for the best TV for the money and the TCL QM8 is just too big, the Hisense U8K should be your go-to. I compared the two TVs side by side, and while I liked the QM8 just a bit better, the U8K has one medium-size advantage: a 55-inch screen option. If 65 is too large for your room, your budget or your tastes, the choice between the two is simple: Get the 55-inch Hisense UK8.
Both offer excellent image quality and affordable prices thanks to mini-LED backlights and full-array local dimming, as well as similar gaming features and the Google TV operating system. Both cost hundreds less than you’d have to pay to get similar image quality from a better-known brand.
Note that while I tested the 65-inch size in the U8K series, the prices shown here are for the 55-inch size.
The C3 has better picture quality than any non-OLED TV on this list at a higher price and it’s still not outrageously expensive. Its perfect black levels, unbeatable contrast and superb off-angle viewing kept it a notch above the mini-LED models in my comparison tests, and while its overall brightness isn’t quite as impressive, it’s still an incredible performer in all kinds of room lighting. The C3 is also one of the lightest TVs we’ve ever reviewed thanks to its carbon-fiber construction; the 65-inch version weighs just 37 pounds with its stand.
We also reviewed this year’s C4, which performed well. You can read that review here. For now, we recommend buying the C3 as long as it’s in stock, as not much changed between the C3 and C4, yet the C3 offers substantial cost savings.
The prices shown here are for the 65-inch size of the LG C3 series.
The picture quality of the TCL 4-Series Roku TV proved impressive for its price in our budget TV test. But as a more affordable TV, the 4-Series lacks some features including Dolby Vision, Bluetooth connectivity and AMD FreeSync with a variable refresh rate.
The 4-Series’ main advantage is that it has the Roku Smart TV system built in. That makes it a great choice for those looking for a one-stop smart TV solution, without adding an external streaming device.
Note that TCL has been selling the 4-Series for the last few years with little to no change in image quality or features in our tests, although it has recently added some larger screen sizes, including an 85-inch option.
The prices shown below are for the 55-inch size.
The Samsung S95D’s matte finish does more than reduce reflections, it nearly eliminates them, improving image quality in bright rooms more than any OLED TV we’ve tested. Some non-OLED models have matte screens, but this is the first time they’ve been available in an OLED TV, a display technology that has always delivered the best picture available. That matte finish really works, reducing windows and other glare to dimmer blobs instead of super-bright, mirror-like distractions. The S95D also has an external box, allowing for a cleaner look with the option to store HDMI connections and the power cord out of sight.
Between its versatile matte screen and awesome picture overall, the Samsung S95D delivers the best image quality of any TV we’ve tested, beating both the G4 and last year’s winner, the G3, as well as any other non-OLED TV. But it also costs a ton, and most people — even those with bright rooms — will be perfectly happy with a less expensive TV.
In our tests over the years, Vizio TVs have produced very good picture quality without breaking the bank. The Vizio Quantum Pro continues this trend: it’s a solid midpriced TV option, though not without a few notable drawbacks.
In side-by-side comparison tests in our lab, the Quantum Pro performed well for the money, with better contrast than the similarly priced Roku Plus Series, for example. On the other hand, as expected, slightly more expensive models like the TCL QM8 and Hisense U8K were better, with brighter images and higher contrast.
One major drawback is the Quantum Pro’s lack of size offerings; it comes only in 65- or 75-inch sizes. We reviewed the 65-inch model, but the review also applies to the 75-inch version since the specs and picture quality should be similar regardless of size.
If you’re looking for a smaller TV in this price range, you might instead turn to the Roku Plus Series, which offers a 55-inch model and a superior smart TV system. Vizio will also continue to offer this TV’s predecessor, the M-Series Quantum X, in the 50-inch size.
Competition among TVs in the middle pricing band is heating up, and the Plus Series is the latest entrant. Unlike the TCL Roku TVs higher on this list, this one is all Roku, with no other brands on board. It adds a couple of step-up extras, including QLED and full-array local dimming, which help deliver a better picture than the TCL 4-Series, for example.
This is the first TV Roku has produced under its own brand, as opposed to partnering with a brand like TCL, Sharp, Pioneer or Hisense. The company also released a version with fewer features and no local dimming, called the Roku Select Series.
The price shown below is for the 65-inch size.
