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If you're looking for a smart TV, you have many options depending on your budget. Most TVs have a dedicated smart interface, and whether you prefer one over the other is subjective, as they're all quite good. This means that the overall image quality of the TV is a bigger differentiator than its smart platform.
We've compiled a list of the best models you can buy, from the amazing Sony A95L OLED to the budget-friendly Hisense U68KM. The primary distinction between the pricier and the more affordable models lies in their capabilities: the higher-end options offer the brightest, most vibrant viewing experience possible, and many of the best models are OLEDs with perfect blacks in dark rooms. Cheaper models don't quite offer the same overall image quality, but they still offer tremendous value for the price. Let's highlight each model to see which TV is the best match for your needs.
The Sony A95L OLED is one of the best TVs we've tested. The integrated Google TV smart interface and compatibility with Google Chromecast provide a seamless user experience that will surely please anyone. Its exceptional image processing smoothes out content from both lower-resolution and lower-bitrate sources, like content from streaming apps. It supports Dolby Vision HDR, ensuring the best possible HDR experience in content that uses it, and its eARC port delivers high-quality advanced audio from Dolby or DTS for optimal sound regardless of the source.
This model offers remarkable accuracy, faithfully presenting movies as intended by their creators. Equipped with QD-OLED technology, it delivers perfect, deep blacks and vivid colours without any blooming around bright elements, such as highlights or subtitles. Gamers will appreciate its two HDMI 2.1 inputs, both supporting up to 4k @ 120Hz gaming with low input lag and variable refresh rate (VRR) technology to minimize screen tearing. Unfortunately, as one of its HDMI 2.1 ports doubles as the TV's eARC port, this can complicate matters if you have multiple consoles or HDMI 2.1 devices to connect to the TV. Available in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch sizes, the Sony A95L OLED is truly the best TV on the market.
For optimal streaming performance in brightly lit rooms, consider the Sony X93L. It doesn't deliver the best performance in darker settings due to increased blooming around bright objects and subtitles. Still, it excels in well-lit environments thanks to its bright mini LED backlight and superb reflection handling. Boasting Sony's renowned image processing capabilities, it ensures streaming content appears at its best. It supports Dolby Vision for the best possible HDR experience from supported content. It can pass through advanced audio formats from DTS and Dolby, so you truly get the best of your physical media with this TV. Its user-friendly Google TV interface makes accessing a vast array of streaming apps seamless.
It's a very capable TV for gaming with two HDMI 2.1 ports that are both capable of up to 4k @ 120Hz, although again, one of the ports doubles as an eARC port, limiting the amount of available high-speed ports if you have a soundbar connected to the TV. If you're not yet ready to invest in OLED technology, the Sony X93L is the premier LED TV choice for most users. Available in 65-, 75-, and 85-inch sizes, it offers versatility to suit various viewing preferences.
For the best possible value in the OLED market, consider the Samsung S90C OLED. It's a standout choice boasting exceptional picture quality and a rich array of features. Navigating through its features is a breeze with the intuitive Tizen OS interface, offering a diverse selection of streaming apps and games. In dark room settings, its nearly infinite contrast ratio and impeccable black uniformity ensure a mesmerizing viewing experience, free from distracting blooming around bright areas. HDR content shines on this TV thanks to its high peak brightness, wide colour gamut, and vivid, lifelike colours. It lacks support for Dolby Vision HDR, opting instead for Samsung's HDR10+ format, which delivers comparable HDR quality to Dolby Vision but isn't as widespread.
Unfortunately, this model also can't pass through advanced DTS audio formats, so it's not the best choice for fans of physical media as it tends to use DTS for its audio tracks. Still, gamers will appreciate its support for up to 4k @ 144Hz gaming across all four HDMI ports and variable refresh rate (VRR) technology to minimize screen tearing. Available in 55-, 65-, 77-, and 83-inch sizes, the Samsung S90C OLED caters to various viewing preferences, although the 83-inch model uses a different and less vibrant panel than the smaller sizes.
The LG B3 OLED stands out as the premier mid-range TV we've tested, offering high-end features at a more affordable price point. It serves as an excellent entry point into the OLED market while delivering exceptional picture quality, particularly in low-light environments, as it doesn't get as bright as the other OLEDs on this list. With its near-infinite contrast ratio, it achieves deep, rich blacks without any distracting blooming. Powered by the built-in webOS platform, this TV operates swiftly and is complemented by top-tier image processing capabilities. It upscales lower-resolution content from DVDs, cable boxes, and Blu-rays very well, ensuring a captivating viewing experience.
Additionally, it supports Dolby Vision HDR and can go through DTS and Dolby advanced audio formats, ensuring the enjoyment of physical media. Featuring a wide colour gamut and remarkable accuracy even without calibration, this TV ensures that movies are portrayed as intended by their creators. Gamers will appreciate its compatibility with various Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technologies, exceptional response time, and minimal input lag. However, it's worth noting that one of its HDMI 2.1 ports doubles as the TV's eARC port, potentially limiting high-speed options if you connect a soundbar through eARC. Available in 55-, 65-, and 77-inch sizes, this TV offers versatility to accommodate different viewing preferences and room sizes.
For those seeking top-tier performance without breaking the bank or for bright room viewing enthusiasts, the Hisense U78KM is a compelling option. Despite its more affordable price point, it doesn't compromise on picture quality, delivering remarkable visuals. Equipped with a stellar mini LED backlight, it balances dazzling highlights and deep, immersive blacks with minimal blooming around bright objects in darker scenes. HDR content shines on this TV, supporting Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10+ for an exceptional HDR experience. Enhanced by advanced audio formats like DTS:X over eARC, it ensures immersive sound quality for physical media consumption.
It boasts commendable image processing capabilities. However, its viewing angle falls short, limiting its suitability for wide seating arrangements. Fortunately, it compensates with the user-friendly Google TV interface, offering seamless navigation and a rich selection of streaming features. Available in sizes ranging from 55 to 85 inches, this TV provides the flexibility to cater to various room sizes and preferences, making it a versatile and budget-friendly choice for home entertainment setups.
The Hisense U68KM emerges as the optimal choice for those seeking a budget-friendly option. It delivers impressive performance at a more accessible price point. HDR highlights don't pop as vibrantly, but its full-array local dimming feature still ensures deep blacks, especially at this price point, for a good dark room viewing experience. Despite some noticeable blooming around bright objects, its HDR gradient handling faithfully renders scenes with many shades of the same colours.
Operating on the intuitive Google TV interface, this TV offers seamless navigation and a diverse range of streaming channels, mirroring the user experience of its pricier sibling. It doesn't have HDMI 2.1 like the other models on this list, but it still provides an excellent gaming experience, as each of its four HDMI ports is capable of up to 4k @ 60Hz gaming with variable refresh rate (VRR). This TV accommodates various room sizes and viewing preferences and is available in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch sizes, making it a versatile and cost-effective addition to any home entertainment setup.
There's no doubt that the Sony A95L OLED is the best TV on the market and likely the best TV we've tested. Unfortunately, it's costly, so it's only worth it for enthusiasts seeking the best possible product, no matter the price. For others, the other models on the list offer a tremendous variety of quality features at many price points, offering many options for all budgets. Choose wisely!
Written by Pierre-Olivier Jourdenais, RTINGS.com
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We'll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.