Shopping for the best TV or home entertainment device can be daunting. TVs often look the same, sound the same, cost the same amount and have names that sound like a string of random numbers and letters. Learning more about TVs can be tough too, with terms like OLED, QLED, and HDR shared leniently.
That’s why I spoke with tech and retailer experts, to learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of each TV brand, without drowning in specifications. I also used my own expertise as a tech reporter to find the best options for you. After narrowing down my options to the best brands, I selected top models from each one to recommend.
SKIP AHEAD Sony TV | Samsung TV | LG TV | TCL TV
Sony is known for amazing picture quality and color accuracy, says Carl Prouty, the technologist at Abt, a national electronics and appliances retailer based in Glenview, Illinois.
The brand also has decades of experience creating imaging equipment for professional cinematographers and videographers, says Mark Steinberg, the senior technologist at B&H Photo & Video, a national electronics retailer in New York City. Other TV brands don’t have this history, and it shows in Sony’s superior image quality, says Steinberg.
Sony models have excellent built-in audio, especially in their top-end smart TVs, according to our experts. Plus, most of its televisions have Google TV built-in, which is one of the easier interfaces to use, in my experience.
Sony TVs tend to be slightly more expensive than similar models from competing brands, however.
The 2023 AL80 Series isn’t Sony’s latest TV, but it has most of the brand’s best qualities, including a vivid 4K OLED screen, fast 120Hz screen and easy to use Google software, in a fairly priced package that’s great for most shoppers.
OLED TVs are known for rich color accuracy and contrast, which plays into Sony’s main strength: superior image quality. The A80L also has Sony’s advanced audio system (called Acoustic Surface Audio+) where speakers project sound from the screen itself, with much richer audio quality than traditional speakers that are restricted to the TV’s frame, according to our experts.
Screen sizes: 55, 65, 77, 83-inch | Resolution: 4K | Panel type: OLED | OS: Google TV
What we like
Sony also makes one of the best gaming consoles: the PlayStation 5. The Sony X90L pairs well with the PlayStation — it has 4K resolution, a very bright LED screen, high dynamic range and, most importantly, a fast 120Hz screen with low input lag. It doesn’t have as rich colors as the A80L, but it can get much brighter, making it a better fit for rooms with natural light.
Screen sizes: 55, 65, 75, 85, 98-inch | Resolution: 4K | Panel type: LED | OS: Google TV
What we like
I use the 43-inch version of this TV at home — I needed a small TV for my living room cabinets, and this is one of the only Sony TVs that would fit. Despite the $600 or so I paid, it has decent 4K picture quality that gets very bright, plus a fast 120Hz screen that’s great for gaming.
Screen sizes: 43, 50, 55, 65, 77, 85-inch | Resolution: 4K | Panel type: LED | OS: Google TV
Samsung is another well-regarded brand that makes excellent TVs, some with unique designs. Its quantum dot LED (QLED) TVs are extremely bright, and are a great fit for group watching in rooms that have a lot of ambient light or glare, according to our experts.
Another standout from the brand is its The Frame TV, a TV with a matte finish on the screen that when turned off displays art that looks real. It can blend into your space instead of looking like a blank void.
Most Samsung TVs have the Tizen interface built-in, which is Samsung’s custom TV operating system. It’s what you use to manage applications and other software for your television — its menus can be a little less intuitive than those on Google TV and Roku, says Steinberg (and in my experience).
What we like
This 2023 model is very bright and comes in a range of sizes that make it easy to fit in all kinds of spaces. It has advanced mini-LED lights in the panel that display a vivid, bright picture across a wide viewing angle, according to the brand. That means it’s a good fit for group daytime programming like sports.
Like most of the TVs on our list, it has a 4K resolution, multiple HDMI 2.1 ports, a fast refresh rate and HDR support.
Screen sizes: 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85-inch | Resolution: 4K | Panel type: QLED | OS: Tizen OS
What we like
Something to note
One of Samsung’s most popular TVs is The Frame Series. The screen has a matte finish that makes it less reflective than traditional screens. When turned off, it becomes a digital art frame of sorts, displaying different artwork curated by the brand. You can also upload your own images or access additional artworks from the Samsung’s Art Store (for a fee).
You can pick from different colors for the frame around the TV, and it comes with slim fitting wall mounts in the box.
Screen sizes: 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85-inch | Resolution: 4K | Panel type: QLED | OS: Tizen OS
LG TVs are great for all forms of media, but they are particularly loved by gamers, according to our experts. The brand’s OLED TVs have an especially striking, vibrant image (though its image quality may not be as dynamic as Sony models, says Steinberg).
The brand also has Filmmaker Mode built into its TVs: It automatically sets the picture settings to better match the TV show or movie you are watching, according to the brand. LG TVs also use the Web OS interface for its menus and control — it’s relatively simple and intuitive to use (though not my absolute favorite).
LG TVs are typically a little less expensive than Sony and Samsung TVs, says Steinberg.
What we like
Something to note
LG launched the LG G4 and LG C4 TVs this year, but this 2023 LG C3 TV is more affordable, often on sale and has most of the same key specifications as the 2024 models.
The OLED screen on the C3 Series looks good from nearly any viewing angle, and, like most OLED panels, can display nearly perfect color contrast, according to the brand. Great colors, wide viewing angles, a fast screen and ample connectivity make it a good fit for movies, sports and gaming.
Like most OLED TVs, the C3 is not a great fit for bright rooms — consider Samsung’s QLED TVs if your TV is in a bright space.
Screen sizes: 42, 48, 55, 65, 77, 83-inch | Resolution: 4K | Panel type: OLED | OS: WebOS
What we like
Something to note
The LG B4 Series televisions is an entry level model and a good option, if the C3 Series is out of your budget. The B4 series is brighter than last year’s B3 edition, according to the brand. It still has a 4K OLED panel with wide viewing angles, vivid colors and deep contrast, but has a slightly older processor and dimmer brightness compared to the C series, which isn’t shocking given it’s designed as an entry level model. You still get the same webOS smart platform, Filmmaker Mode, good gaming connectivity and compatibility with smart home devices.
Screen sizes: 55, 65, 77, 83-inch | Resolution: 4K | Panel type: OLED | OS: webOS
There are a lot of budget-friendly TV brands (Vizio, Hisense, Insignia and Spectre to name a few), but TCL is one of the best, says Steinberg. Its TVs usually cost less than those from Sony, Samsung and LG, but still have essential features like a 4K HDR image, fast 120Hz refresh rates, modern connectivity and more.
Many TCL TVs have Google or Roku OS built-in, two of our favorite interfaces to use. Roku in particular is one of our, and our experts’, favorite streaming devices.
Most TCL TVs have narrow viewing angles, meaning they don’t look as good when viewed off-center. If you are looking for a TV to host a sports party, consider one of our other recommended brands.
What we like
TCL sells more premium models, but the Q7 Series is an excellent value for the features. It has a QLED screen with more than 200 local dimming zones that create deep, isolated contrast that doesn’t bleed across the screen, according to the brand. For gamers, it has fast HDMI connectivity and a refresh rate of up to 120Hz.
It also has Google TV with Google Assistant built-in, meaning you can control the TV with your voice.
Screen sizes: 55, 65, 75, 85-inch | Resolution: 4K | Panel type: QLED | OS: Google TV
What we like
If budget is your top priority and terms like quantum dot LED, quad-OLED and local dimming zones make you want to fall asleep, the TCL S4 Series is accessible and affordable. It has a 4K image and an easy to use Roku interface built-in. It cannot compete with the image quality of our other picks, but it’s the most affordable on our list.
The S4 Series comes with either Roku TV, Google TV or Amazon Fire TV built-in — we’ve linked the Roku TV version above.
Screen sizes: 43, 50, 55, 65, 75-inch | Resolution: 4K | Panel type: LED | OS: Amazon Fire TV
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I am a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on smartwatches, running shoes, over-ear headphones and more. For this piece, I spoke with television industry experts to learn more about TV brands and what makes them notable.
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