Finding the Perfect Picture: Your Guide to the Best Smart TVs for 2024
Choosing the right TV can feel overwhelming, with so many options and technical terms flying around. But fear not! This comprehensive guide will help you navigate the world of smart TVs, from budget-friendly options to cutting-edge technology. We’ll break down the key features, compare the best performers in different price ranges, and cover all the must-know info you need to make a smart decision for your entertainment needs.
What is the best smart TV right now?
After rigorous testing, the TCL QM8 series (2023) emerges as the top pick for most people. It boasts exceptional picture quality, offering superior brightness and impact while maintaining excellent contrast – a combination unmatched by other TVs at this price point. This impressive performance is due to its mini-LED technology and well-implemented full-array local dimming. The sleek design with a center-mount stand adds to its appeal. While the Google TV system isn’t as user-friendly as Roku TV, it’s still a solid smart TV experience. This model replaces last year’s popular TCL 6-Series Roku TV.
The main drawback of the TCL QM8 is its availability only in larger sizes (65 inches and up). If a 55-inch screen is more suitable for your space, the Hisense U8K is an excellent alternative.
Best smart TVs in 2024
Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best smart TVs across different price points and categories, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages:
1. TCL 65" Class QM8 Q-Class 4K Smart TV – Best Smart TV Overall
Read our full review: https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/tcl-qm8-review-tv-value-champ-gets-bigger-brighter-and-better/
- Likes: Relatively affordable, excellent overall image quality, best-in-class brightness and contrast, capable Google TV system.
- Dislikes: Not as accurate as some competitors, only available in 65-inch size and larger.
2. Hisense 55" Class U8 Series 4K Smart TV – Best 55-inch Smart TV
Read our full review: https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/hisense-u8k-review-a-blissful-balance-of-tv-picture-quality-size-and-price/
- Likes: Relatively affordable, excellent overall image quality, capable Google TV system, offers a 55-inch screen size.
- Dislikes: Not quite as bright or dynamic as some competitors, "Theater" picture modes engage motion smoothing by default.
3. TCL 55" Class 4-Series 4K Smart TV – Best Budget Smart TV
- Likes: Excellent value for money, solid picture quality, user-friendly Roku TV platform.
- Dislikes: Lacks Dolby Vision, Bluetooth connectivity, and AMD FreeSync with variable refresh rate.
4. Vizio V505M – Best Budget Smart TV for Picture Quality
- Likes: Superior picture quality in the budget category, balanced and accurate image, Dolby Vision support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth compatibility, variable refresh rate.
- Dislikes: Vizio SmartCast platform is crowded, slow, and riddled with ads.
5. Roku 65" Class Plus Series QLED 4K Smart TV – Best Midpriced Smart TV Runner-up
Read our Roku Plus Series Review: https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/roku-plus-series-tv-review-simple-smarts-meet-solid-picture/
- Likes: Simple and user-friendly Roku TV platform, QLED technology with full-array local dimming for enhanced picture quality, excellent value for the price.
- Dislikes: Lacks 120Hz refresh rate for gaming, overall picture quality falls short of some competitors.
6. LG 65" Class C3 Series OLED 4K Smart TV – Best High-end Smart TV
Read our full review: https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/lg-oled-c3-review-sets-the-standard-for-high-end-television-picture-quality/
- Likes: Superior picture quality compared to non-OLED TVs in this price range, perfect black levels, unbeatable contrast, excellent off-angle viewing, best-in-class gaming features, sleek design with an ultralight, thin panel.
- Dislikes: Pricey, not as bright as higher-end OLED TVs, limited improvements over the 2022 C2 model.
7. LG 65" Class G3 Series OLED 4K Smart TV – Best Smart TV Picture Quality
- Likes: The best image quality ever tested by CNET, brighter than other OLED TVs, superior antireflective screen for excellent performance in both bright and dark rooms.
- Dislikes: Significantly more expensive than other OLED TVs like the C3, the difference in picture quality might not be substantial for most users.
8. Samsung 65" Class S95C OLED 4K Smart TV – Best Smart TV Color Quality
Read our Samsung S95C OLED TV review: https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/samsung-s95c-qd-oled-tv-review-amazing-picture-high-price/
- Likes: Excellent color reproduction thanks to Samsung’s QD-OLED technology, unique One Connect input box simplifies installation.
- Dislikes: Pricey, slight color deficit compared to the G3.
9. Samsung 65" Class QN90B QLED 4K Smart TV – Best High-end Smart TV That’s Not an OLED
Read our Samsung QN90B review: https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/samsung-qn90b-review-this-qled-tv-from-the-futures-so-bright/
- Likes: Spectacular image quality with brighter performance than OLED TVs thanks to mini-LED QLED technology, excellent contrast rivaling OLED.
- Dislikes: Slightly less impressive contrast compared to OLED TVs, higher price point.
Beyond the Basics: What Matters When Choosing a Smart TV
When considering a new TV, you should consider a few key factors beyond the specific models mentioned above:
Price:
TV prices vary dramatically, from $100 to over $2,000. Smaller screens are generally cheaper, well-known brands tend to command higher prices, and spending more often translates to better image quality. While entry-level TVs deliver good enough picture quality for most, TVs last a long time, so investing in a higher-quality picture might be worthwhile in the long run. Fall is typically the best time to shop for TVs because prices are lower.
Screen Size:
Bigger is better! We recommend at least 43 inches for a bedroom TV and 55 inches for a living room or main TV. 65 inches or larger is ideal for an even more immersive experience. Upgrading your screen size is generally a better use of your money than minor improvements in image quality.
Capability:
Entry-level TVs should prioritize a solid smart TV system. Mid-range models should offer features like full-array local dimming, mini-LED, and a 120Hz refresh rate, which deliver tangible improvements in picture quality. For high-end TVs, OLED technology is the top choice for superior performance.
TV Sound:
Most TVs have poor built-in speakers, as thin cabinets don’t allow for high-quality audio components. For optimal sound, consider investing in an external audio system like a soundbar. Even a budget-friendly soundbar delivers significantly better sound than a TV’s built-in speakers.
Understanding the Jargon: Key TV Terms Explained
Here’s a breakdown of some commonly used terms to help you decode the tech specs:
- 4K: The highest resolution standard available for home TVs, offering four times the pixels of 1080p, for a crisper and more detailed picture.
- HDR (High Dynamic Range): This technology expands the range of light and dark tones displayed on the screen, creating greater contrast and more realistic visuals with richer colors. Dolby Vision is a popular HDR format that offers superior quality.
- LED: LED (Light Emitting Diode) refers to the backlight technology used in most TVs. It delivers excellent brightness and energy efficiency compared to older LCD TVs.
- QLED: QLED stands for "Quantum Dot LED". It’s a technology that enhances color purity and brightness using a layer of quantum dots. Samsung TVs are known for featuring QLED.
- Mini-LED: This technology uses smaller LEDs, packed more densely than traditional LED backlights. It enables better control over local dimming zones, resulting in deeper blacks and higher contrast ratios, along with impressive brightness levels.
- OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode): OLED technology uses individual self-illuminating pixels, enabling infinite contrast ratios, perfect blacks, and wide viewing angles. OLED TVs are known for their stunning image quality, albeit at a higher price point.
What’s the Best Smart TV System?
Here’s the lowdown on the most popular smart TV platforms:
- Roku TV: Dominates the market for good reason – it’s simple, user-friendly, and free of distracting ads. It offers a wide selection of streaming apps and a smooth interface.
- Google TV: A solid choice with impressive integration with other Google services like Google Photos and YouTube TV. It’s also ad-free but can feel a bit more complex than Roku TV.
- Samsung TV: A decent option, but the interface can feel a bit cluttered. On the plus side, many TVs now offer both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa support.
- Amazon Fire TV: Offers a vast app selection and Alexa integration, but the heavy emphasis on ads can be frustrating.
- LG webOS: Not our favorite, as it tends to be cluttered and slow.
Remember, if you’re not happy with a TV’s built-in smart TV system, you can always connect a separate streaming device (like a Roku or Amazon Fire TV stick) for a more customizable and enjoyable streaming experience.
CNET’s Rigorous Testing Process
Our comprehensive TV reviews are based on a rigorous and unbiased evaluation process honed over nearly two decades of experience. We use specialized equipment to measure light and color, including a Konica Minolta CS-2000 spectroradiometer, a Murideo Sig-G 4K HDR signal generator, and an AVPro Connect 8×8 4K HDR distribution matrix. We utilize Portrait Displays CalMan Ultimate software to meticulously evaluate each TV’s performance.
During our tests, we compare three or more similar TVs side by side across various lighting conditions using different media, including movies, TV shows, and games. We evaluate a range of critical categories, from color accuracy to video processing, gaming performance, and HDR capabilities. Our reviews also take into account design, features, smart TV system performance, HDMI input compatibility, and other factors.
How We Measure Brightness: A Nits Explanation
One crucial aspect of image quality is overall brightness measured in nits. The number of nits indicates how bright a TV can get. Here’s how the brightness levels compare for select TVs from our list:
- TCL QM8 series (65-inch): Over 1000 nits
- Hisense U8K series (65-inch): Approximately 800 nits
- LG C3 series (65-inch): Around 700 nits
- Samsung QN90B series (65-inch): Over 1500 nits
Note: Higher nits are generally better for brighter rooms, especially during daytime viewing.
Common Smart TV Questions Answered
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about smart TVs:
Q: What’s the best smart TV system for streaming?
A: CNET’s favorite is Roku TV for its ease of use and lack of distracting ads. Google TV is a strong runner-up, offering impressive integration with Google services and an ad-free experience.
Q: What about Amazon Fire smart TVs?
A: Amazon offers a full range of Fire TVs, but their heavy reliance on ads is a downside for most users. We’ve often found other TVs with better picture quality than most Fire TVs.
Q: Do smart TVs come with Alexa and Google?
A: Many smart TVs come with built-in voice assistants. Amazon Fire TVs include Alexa, while Sony, TCL, and Hisense TVs powered by Google TV offer Google Assistant. Many Samsung and LG TVs include both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. However, Roku TV and Vizio TV support voice commands but don’t work specifically with Alexa or Google Assistant.
Q: How big a TV should I get?
A: Bigger is usually better! We recommend at least 43 inches for a bedroom TV and 55 inches for a living room or main TV. The ideal size also depends on your room size and seating distance. If you have a large room and sit farther away, you’ll want a bigger TV.
Q: How do I get the best TV sound?
A: Most TVs have poor sound quality due to their thin cabinets, which limit the size and quality of the speakers. Investing in an external audio system like a soundbar is essential for optimal sound.
By considering these factors and understanding the technical terms, you’ll be well on your way to finding the perfect smart TV to enhance your home entertainment experience!
