9 Best TVs in 2020

If you’re in the market for a new TV, all it takes is a quick visit to your local big-box store for you to get confused and flustered about all the different options.

The sales rep you work with will no doubt show you some amazing devices that cost a small fortune, but he or she will also show you some budget options that really don’t look all that bad. Then they will throw some words at you, such as nits and lumens, to describe the TV’s capability, but this will probably just make you question if you crossed into an alternate universe when you entered the store.

All of this means that if you’re not careful, you could wind up spending more money than you wanted to, or not getting enough of the features that you were hoping to get. And since we all use our televisions so much, we should take the time to find the best one.

To make this process go more smoothly, we’ve put together a list of the 9 best TVs on the market in 2019. We’ve split the list up into “high-end,” “mid-range,” and “budget,” so that you can more easily navigate to what you’re looking for.

But before going into our review of each device, we’ve put together a brief summary of the key features of a great TV. This will make it easier for you to compare the different options and find the best one for you, and it will also help you measure up TVs you find that aren’t on this list to see if there is something else out there that could be more suitable.

We hope this will make it easier to avoid the stress that can come from making such a big purchase and ensure you find the right television for you.

9 Best TVs of 2019 At a Glance

Below you will find a detailed guide of what to look for in a great TV, as well as in-depth reviews of each of the models we have chosen for our list. But to get you started, here’s a rapid-fire breakdown of the TVs that earned a spot on our list of the 9 best TVs of 2019:

 

Key Features of a Great TV

Televisions have come so far over the years that we could easily do an entire guide just on the features they offer. However, to make a smart purchase, you don’t need to know about the evolution of TVs over the years and how much more than can do than before. But you do need to know more than just the size and the price, although these are important.

Below is a list of the key features you will need to consider when purchasing your TV, as well as a short description of each. We promise that once you grasp these concepts, it will be much easier for you to be an informed consumer and make the right choice for you. 

Screen Type:  LED LCD vs. plasma vs. OLED

For us as viewers, a TV essentially is a screen. Of course, there’s a lot more that goes into it, but when talking in terms of pure functionality, the screen is one of if not the most important aspect of your television.

This is because the type of screen you have will affect a variety of different factors that will have a serious impact on the functionality of your TV, such as color, brightness, viewing angle, contrast, etc.

As a result, it’s important to understand the different screen types out there and what they have to offer, as this will make it considerably easier for you to narrow your choices and choose the right device for you.

In general, there are three (but really just two) types of screens you can buy. They are:

LED LCD

This stands for Light Emitting Diode Liquid Crystal Display. Essentially, these TVs have a layer of liquid crystals on the surface that is lit by a backlight (the LED). This allows these TVs to be considerably brighter than other televisions, but they don’t offer as much contrast in colors, which means picture definition will be slightly lower.

Also, LED LCD TVs look best when you’re looking straight at them, meaning the picture gets worse if you’re watching from an angle.

However, LED LCD TVs can still deliver an excellent picture, and because this technology has been around for quite a while, television manufacturers can offer it to you at great prices, making these TVs an incredible value.

Lately, television manufacturers have been putting layers of quantum dots in their LED LCD TVs which allows them to control the brightness of the pixels in the LCD, which makes it easier to deliver sharper contrast and better picture definition. Samsung has been the leader in this technology for some time, but other manufacturers, such as Vizio, are entering the fray to compete and keep up.

OLED

Also known as Organic Light Emitting Diode, the main difference between OLED and LCD LED is that OLED screens are made up of pixels that illuminate on their own. In other words, there is no backlight behind the pixels needed to light up the screen.

The main advantage of this is that each individual pixel can be turned off, which creates a true black and an infinite contrast ratio (more on this later), which makes images sharper and helps produce truer colors.

For example, while watching a video of the clouds on an OLED screen, you would be able to see the different shades and layers much more easily than on an LED LCD TV. In addition, OLED TVs boast wider viewing angles because they do not rely on a backlight.

However, OLED TVs are much less bright than LED LCD TVs, and they are considerably more expensive. Also, they only come in 55-inches and above, meaning they are only good for large rooms. But many people feel OLED is the future of television, especially as new technologies continue to allow for higher definition images.

Plasma

In many ways, plasma was the precursor to OLED, and if you haven’t bought a TV in the last five or so years, you may still have it in your mind that plasma TVs are the best available.

These screens had a plasma that contained diodes that could be lit individually with an electric current. This mirrors what OLED does in that it could produce better blacks and higher contrast by controlling the brightness of each individual pixel. Plasma TVs also have better viewing angles.

However, very few manufacturers still make plasma TVs. In fact, in the United States, it’s almost impossible to get one. So if you have it in your mind that you want a plasma TV, you will probably be out of luck.

OLED is really the new plasma, so if you want the functionality of the old plasma TVs, this will probably be the route for you.

Resolution: 1080p vs. Ultra HD/4k

Another thing you need to consider is the resolution of the television. This refers to the number of pixels on the screen. In theory, more pixels means a better picture. But as we will discuss later, there are more factors that impact the overall quality of the image your TV projects.

Fortunately, understanding screen resolution is pretty easy: the higher the number, the better the resolution. On the lower end of things is 720p, but most TVs these days have a much higher resolution.

The industry standard used to be 1080p. This refers to the number of pixels running lengthwise across the screen (the total amount is much larger) but for our purposes, know that 1080p is average.

However, the newest rage is Ultra HD television, also known as 4K, which has nearly four times the pixels as a 1080p TV. As a result, colors and picture quality tend to be much better, but only if the TV does well in several other areas, which we’re about to discuss.

It’s a quantity vs. quality thing. Of course, having more pixels is good, but only if the rest of the TV makes use of those additional pixels in a way that improves the picture.

Contrast

Contrast is probably the most important thing to consider when comparing picture quality between TVs. Think about it: what really provides the definition of images? Colors and brightness are important, but it’s the difference between the colors that makes a difference and makes images look more real.

Just think about real life. When you stare out at the sea, you don’t just see blue. Instead, you see a shimmering mix of blue, green, and white, and within each color is a wide range of different colors that helps add depth and beauty to what you’re watching.

As a result, to get the best possible picture quality, you must have a high contrast ratio. This ratio is measured by dividing the brightness of the whitest white by that of the darkest black. The bigger the ratio, the greater the contrast, and the better the picture.

OLED TVs are said to have infinite contrast because their darkest black emits no light at all; the pixels are simply turned off. As a result, you’re dividing a very high number by 0, which we know to be impossible. Because of this, OLED TVs have the best contrast ratios, as well as the best picture quality, despite having a lower overall brightness level.

However, to help improve the contrast capabilities of their TVs, manufacturers, especially those of LED LCD displays, will include local dimming options that allow you to play with the potency of the backlight.  This can improve contrast and help produce a better image, although it will make the overall image less bright.

Brightness

We’ve mentioned it a few times already as it relates to other features, but it does deserve its own category because the general consensus is that brighter TVs have better picture quality. But this isn’t so much because brighter images are better but rather because a TV that can get brighter can produce a greater difference between lights and darks, which means better contrast and a crisper image. See! It’s almost all about contrast!

Brightness also matters when the TV is located in a bright area, such as a room with lots of sun or outside. Brighter TVs will make it easier to see the picture with sunlight, but they can also put a strain on your eyes if you watch them for too long.

Brightness is measured in lumens and nits, which are related in that a nit is equivalent to about 3.4 lumens. The mathematical concepts behind both measures are complicated, but for our purposes, they aren’t all that important. Just know that the higher the number, the brighter the TV.

To give you an idea, TVs that are HDR-ready (more coming in a second) typically need to be able to emit 1,000 or more nits, but OLED TVs can reproduce HDR images with just 540 nits because of their higher contrast capabilities.

Before things get too confusing, just remember that brighter is usually better, and here’s more on HDR.

HDR

HDR stands for high-dynamic range and it is an upgrade from high-definition (HD). It works by making use of metadata stored on the content that tells the TV more information about how to display colors, which leads to a more accurate picture and more sharply contrasted images. This means that HDR TVs come outfitted with a more complex processor that can handle this overload of information.

However, for HDR to work, having an HDR TV is just the first part. You also need to be watching content that was designed for HDR. Nowadays, Netflix and other streaming services are offering more and more HDR-ready content, and Blu-Ray discs are also coming outfitted with HDR content.

In general, we’re still in the early stages of HDR, but we can expect it to grow in the coming years, meaning investing in an HDR TV now is probably a good idea. In fact, any TV worth buying today must have at least some HDR capability.

Remember, though, that not all HDR TVs are the same. Without the right processor and contrast capabilities, HDR content can actually look worse than traditional images since it will be processing and trying to display information it is not physically capable of doing. Yet if you go with a mid-range or higher-end TV, this most likely won’t be an issue.

HDR 10

Just as the world has started to get more comfortable with the concept of HDR, TV manufacturers have gone and introduced new formats that make things even more confusing. This is because we are still in the early years of HDR, and there is a fight going on for who will own the technology everyone uses. A similar thing occurred when Blu-Ray and HD DVD were fighting over the high-def disc market.

In short, HDR is the base technology that works to mimic the contrasts and colors we see in real life. It is now being referred to most often as HDR 10, so if you see this as part of a TV’s specifications, know that it’s referring to basic HDR capability.

Dolby Vision and HDR+

However, most HDR content is shot on a scene-by-scene basis, meaning your television only processes the data when, say, the camera angle changes. This is good, but it obviously puts some limitations on the quality of the image, which some companies have tried to tackle by releasing versions of HDR that analyze the image on a frame-by-frame basis.

The leader right now is Dolby Vision, which was developed alongside Dolby Atmos for theaters but has been adapted for the small screen. Right now, HDR10 and Dolby Vision are compatible, and the amount of content produced with Dolby Vision is smaller. But this could change in the future, and many TVs are outfitted for both, which helps ensure you get the best possible television experience.

HDR+ is essentially the same thing as Dolby Vision, but it refers to the specific technology developed by Samsung. They plan to license this technology out and compete with Dolby Vision, and it seems to be doing well. At the moment, Samsung has secured contracts with Panasonic, 20^th Century Fox, and Warner Bros. to start creating HDR+ content.

HLG

Lastly, there is HLG, which is the HDR technology used for live broadcasts. This version of HDR is still in its nascent stages, but it will most likely become quite important, especially for sports fans, in the next few years, so it might be worth it to invest in an HLG-ready TV now if you’re ready to ride the wave of the future.

Ports and Connections

A lot of tech companies (Apple, for example) are moving away from including traditional hardware ports on their devices in favor of wireless connections. With some TVs, this is also the case, although there is still a demand for traditional ports and connections, and this is something you should consider when making your TV purchase.

The most important ports are HDMI, as these are how you will connect Blu-Ray Players, Chromecasts, and gaming consoles, but other things to look for are USB and SD card connections, which make it easy for you to watch videos and view photos from your phone or camera. Some devices still have component in and VGA ports, which may or may not be useful to you. B it’s something to consider before making a purchase.

Smart Capability

Another thing you will want to decide before you make your television purchase is how smart you want your device to be. Most TVs these days come equipped with WiFi capabilities so that you can more easily watch Netflix and YouTube, but a lot of models are going further with voice control, either with their own software or with third-party programs such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

Size

It’s also important you choose the right size for your TV. We usually have the idea that bigger is better, but this is not always true, especially if you’re going to be putting the TV in a relatively small room.

OLED TVs are only sold in 55-inch models and above, whereas LED LCD TVs are available in virtually any size. So, if you want a new TV but don’t have the space for a massive outfit, then you’ll need to settle for an LED LCD TV, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

The best thing to do here is to at least visit a store and see for yourself how big the TV you’re considering actually is. Then, measure your home and consider how prominent you want your TV to be in the room where you put it.

Cost

Lastly, you must make a budget for yourself before you start looking up options, otherwise, you run the risk of falling in love with a device you simply can’t afford, leading to disappointment and/or credit card trouble.

There are many different models out there, and this means you can either spend a lot of money or not too much. But to give you an idea, know that OLED TVs and similar models are usually at least $1,500, but they are often more than $2,000. Some are crazy expensive and are really more introductory prototypes than actual consumer products. Yet if you want to spend $10,000 on a TV, you most certainly can.

LCD LED TVs can range from just a few hundred dollars to several thousand, but they are typically more affordable than OLED TVs, although some of the more advanced models rival the OLEDs in price.

As a result, if you’re looking to get a new device for less than $1,000, you’ll probably want to focus on the LCD LED options available to you.

The 9 Best TVs of 2019

Okay, now that we have enough background to make sense of an analysis between the best TVs out there, we want to present our list of the 9 best TVs on the market.

We’ve divided them up into three categories: High-end, Mid-Range, and Budget.

We did this because we know that each person is different, and although more money typically gets you a better TV, there are still plenty of great TVs out there for less money.

High-End

For those looking for the best of the best, and who are willing to shell out some dollars for the most advanced technologies, you can’t go wrong with any of the following choices:

LG E9 OLED

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LG owns the proprietary technology for all OLED screens, meaning if you buy an OLED TV, it will come with LG tech. As a result, it should come as no surprise that one of the best TVs you can buy is the LG E9 OLED.

However, in terms of display, the E9 is not much different than some of LG’s other OLED models, but what makes this one better, and more expensive, is the a9 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor, which can handle more metadata and therefore produce better images with less lag.

The E9 also has a slightly better sound system than the next models offered by LG, which is important if you don’t plan to set up your TV with a surround sound system.

The E9 series also comes with wide-angle viewing capability, which makes it a great option if you plan to put the TV in a large room where people will be watching from many different places.

But if you think this is the TV for you, be ready to break the bank; the 55-inch model, the smallest one available, costs more than $2,000.

Here’s a breakdown of all the specs on this TV:

• Screen type: OLED
• Resolution: 4K Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160 pixels)
• Contrast: Infinite with Pixel Level Dimming for even better clarity
• Brightness: 790 nits (significantly higher than the 540 required for HDR)
• HDR: HDR, 4K Cinema HDR (Dolby Vision), and HLG
• Ports: 4 HDMI ports, 3 USB, 1 Component In, 1 Cable/Satellite jack, 1 Ethernet jack.
• Capabilities: WiFi and Bluetooth
• Smart: Yes (Google Home, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa compatible)
• Sizes: 55’ and 65’ models available
• Price: $2,299 (55”) or $3,299 (65”)

Sony A9F Master Series

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Sony has long been a leader in the world of television and home entertainment, and this is still true today than at any other point. As one of the only other manufacturers to also offer an OLED TV (although they use the same core technology as LG), Sony has managed to set itself apart with its A9F Master series.

In terms of functionality, the Sony A9F Master series rivals the LG E9 series, although this model does not come with wide-angle viewing.

However, Sony beats out LG with its sound system, something we should probably expect due to Sony’s history, and it also offers a more streamlined smart TV experience by making use of Android TV 8.0. It also has a built-in Chromecast, which makes it far easier to stream videos from your mobile devices.

The only knock against this TV is its price. The 55” model starts at around $2,800, and it’s another $1,000 for the 65” model. But if you’re prepared to spend this kind of cash, then you really can’t go wrong with this TV.

• Screen type: OLED
• Resolution: 4k (3,840 x 2,160 pixels)
• Contrast: Infinite with Dynamic Contrast Enhancer, Object-based HDR remaster, and Pixel Contrast Booster for even greater depth.
• Brightness: 720 nits
• HDR: HDR 10, Dolby Vision, and HLG
• Ports: 4 HDMI ports, 2 USB ports, 1 composite, 1 cable jack, 1 VGA input, 1 headphone jack
• Capabilities: WiFi,  Bluetooth and built-in Chromecast
• Smart: Yes (Android TV 8.0). Compatible with Google Assistant, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa)
• Sizes: 55’ or 65’
• Price: From $2,799 (55”) to $3,799 (65”)

Samsung Q90R QLED TV

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The last TV in the “high-end” category is the Samsung Q90R QLED TV. At first glance, you might think this is another OLED TV, but it’s actually not. QLED stands for Quantum Light Emitting Diode, and it is the name Samsung has given to its proprietary quantum dot technology.

Basically, they add a “quantum” layer to the TV screen which allows the device to control colors similarly to an OLED TV, although they cannot turn completely off, something which affects contrast.

However, the contrast ratio on this TV is still impressive, and it’s more than enough to deliver a crystal clear picture. It’s slightly lower than you might see with some other TVs, though, because Samsung has made viewing angle a priority with this TV, something that sacrifices contrast. However, it still projects a super sharp image, and the wide-angle capability just makes this TV all that much more impressive.

One might wonder why Samsung did not just make an OLED TV, but it would appear they’ve developed this technology to be able to provide an OLED-esque image with the brightness of an LED LCD TV, something we’ve mentioned is a shortcoming of OLED TVs.

Samsung also uses a Quantum Image Processor which is one of the most advanced on the market, allowing it to deliver excellent image quality on demand.

Of course, if you’re looking to be part of the wave of the future, i.e. OLED, this TV will leave you out. But the technology behind the Q90R is as advanced as it gets and won’t disappoint. Furthermore, there are more size options with the Q90R, meaning bigger, which might make this the best option for you.

But despite not being an OLED TV, this device still comes with the OLED price tag. The smallest version, the 65”, retails for $2,799, and the next two models, the 75” and the 82” cost $4,499 and $5,499, respectively.

• Screen type: LED with Samsung’s proprietary Quantum dot technology.
• Resolution: 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels)
• Contrast:  3,249:1 (native) and 11,200:1 (with
• Brightness: 1,510 nits (notice the difference from the OLED models)
• HDR: HDR 10, HDR+, and HLG
• Ports: 4 HDMI ports, 3 USB, 1 RF In for cable and 1 for satellite
• Capabilities: WiFi and Bluetooth
• Smart: Yes (Bixby voice control, Google Assistant, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa)
• Sizes: 65”, 75”, and 82”
• Price: $2,799, $4,499 and $5,499

Mid-Range

As you can see, the TVs in the “high-end” categories are pretty impressive. However, for as nice as they are, few of us can honestly afford to shell out more than two grand for a television.

But the good news is that you don’t have to. There are plenty of mid-range options that offer excellent image quality and similar features for less money.

LG C9 OLED

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For those looking for an OLED TV without the price tag of the LG E9 series, the C9 from LG is going to be your best bet.

The only real differences between the C9 and the E9 are the picture processor, which is slightly slower on the C9 than the E9, and the sound system, which isn’t quite as advanced on the C9 as it is on the E9.

The C9 is also slightly less bright than the E9, but the difference is only about 50 nits, which can be detected by the naked eye, but not so much so that you will suffer with the C9.

However, almost everything else is the same, and the C9 is on average $1,000 less than the same-sized model of the E9 series. Additionally, with the C9 series, you have the option of buying a 77” TV, which is not available on E9 models.

• Screen type: OLED
• Resolution: 4K Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160 pixels)
• Contrast: Infinite with Pixel Level Dimming for even better clarity
• Brightness: 790 nits (significantly higher than the 540 required for HDR)
• HDR: HDR, 4K Cinema HDR (Dolby Vision), and HLG
• Ports: 4 HDMI ports, 3 USB, 1 composite, 1 mini-jack, the ethernet jack and one RF connection for antennas/cable
• Capabilities: WiFi and Bluetooth
• Smart: Yes (Google Home, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa compatible)
• Sizes: 55”, 65”, and 77” models available
• Price: $1,599 (55”), $2,499 (65”), or $5,499 (77”)

Vizio P-Series Quantum

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Vizio has built a name for itself in the television industry as the maker of quality TVs at affordable prices. But Vizio has come a long way from being more of a budget option to being one of the leaders, especially with their P-Series Quantum TVs, which are some of the best on the market.

In general, P-Series Quantum TVs can do everything the other devices on this list can and more. In fact, they even have a slightly better contrast ratio than the Samsung Q90R, which we’ve identified as one of the premium TVs on the market. However, you don’t get the same wide-angle capability as you do with the Q90R, so there are some sacrifices to be made with this product.

This TV also has multiple HDMI 2.0 ports, which makes it a good option for gamers. And at around $1,000 for the base model, the P-Series is one of the best value TVs on the market.

• Screen type: LED LCD
• Resolution: 4k (3,840 x 2,160 pixels)
• Contrast: 6,084:1 (native) and 15,329:1 (with local dimming)
• Brightness: 1100 nits
• HDR: HDR 10, Dolby Vision, and HLG
• Ports: 5 HDMI, 1 USB, 1 Ethernet, 1 composite In, and 1 cable/satellite jack
• Capabilities: Bluetooth and WiFi
• Smart: Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa compatible. No voice controls.
• Sizes: 65” and 75”
• Price: $1,400 (65”) and $2,200 (75”)

Samsung Q70 QLED TV

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This mid-range model from Samsung offers similar picture quality as its top-of-the-line Q90 QLED TV with some missing features that make it considerably less expensive without sacrificing too much.

In short, the only things missing from this model are:

• No Wide Angle Viewing: This feature has been removed for the Q70 model, which means you will need to be sat right in front of the screen to get the best picture quality. But if this isn’t an issue, then you might not notice much of a difference between this model and the more expensive Q90.
• Slightly less brightness: With a maximum brightness of 800 nits, the Q70 is slightly less bright than the Q90, although it’s still bright enough to produce a stunning image.

However, one advantage of the Q70 QLED is that it has many more size options than the Q70.It comes in 49, 55, 65, 75, 82, and 85-inch models. The smallest versions are quite affordable (less than $1,000), but the larger models end up costing around what you would pay for a higher-end TV.

For example, the 82” model is $2,999. If you’re going to spend this kind of money, you would probably be better off getting a smaller version of one of the high-end models out there, unless of course, you must have a TV of this size.

Here’s the rest of the specs for the Samsung Q70 QLED:

• Screen type: LED LCD (QLED)
• Resolution: 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels)
• Contrast: 7,250:1 (Native) and 8,056:1 (with local dimming)
• Brightness: 775 nit maximum brightness
• HDR: HDR 10
• Ports: 4 HDMI ports, 2 USB, one Ethernet jack and one RF connection for antennas/cable
• Capabilities: WiFi and Bluetooth
• Smart: Yes (Google Home, Google Assistant, and Amazon Alexa compatible)
• Sizes: 49”- 85”
• Price: $899-$3,4999

Sony XBR X900F

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If you’re in the market for a Sony TV, but you don’t want to shell out for the A9F OLED model, the XBR X900F is an excellent LED LCD alternative that delivers a fantastic picture for much less money. It also boasts many of the same features as the A9F, such as a built-in Chromecast and a 4k HDR Processor.

The X900F series also delivers excellent contrast, although the picture won’t be quite as sharp as OLED models purely because of the difference in technology. But a powerful local dimming option keeps this TV as one of the best on the market.

As is often the case when downgrading from the high-end model, the Sony X900F loses its picture when you view it from an angle as it doesn’t have the same OLED and Wide Angle Viewing option as it’s more expensive counterpart.

These modest shortcomings become considerably less important when we consider the savings you can enjoy by going with this model. The 65” X900F ($1,699) is more than $1,000 less than the 55” A9F ($2,799). Going this route will allow you to get great value as the X900F is still an excellent TV.

Here is a summary of the X900F’s specifications. 

• Screen type: LED LCD
• Resolution: 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels)
• Contrast: 5,089:1 (native) and 5,725:1 (with local dimming)
• Brightness: 988 nits maximum brightness
• HDR: HDR, Dolby Vision, and HLG
• Ports: 4 HDMI, 3 USB, 1composite in (needs adapter), 1 cable/antenna jack, 1 Ethernet
• Capabilities: WiFi, BlueTooth, Built-in Chromecast
• Smart: Google Assistant, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa compatible    
• Sizes: 49”, 55”, 65”, 75”, and 85”
• Price: $999-$3,999

Budget

While there is some great technology out there that can deliver you a truly incredible television experience, not everyone wants to or can spend $1,000 or more on a television. But in reality, you don’t need to. High definition TVs have been around for a long time, and they are quite good. And newer brands, such as TLS, have stepped up to be the “budget” brand.

However, just because they are labeled as budget does not mean they are bad. Instead, you save by skipping over some of the frills and fuss and newer technologies that are just coming onto the market, which leaves you with a high-performing TV for a fraction of the cost.

Here are our choices for the four best budget TVs on the market.

Vizio M Series Quantum

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As we’ve mentioned, Vizio has long been the primary brand for high-quality yet affordable TVs. In recent years, they have made moves to enter the high-end market, with their P Series Quantum TVs leading the way. However, the company still understands its roots, and with the M Series Quantum, it has produced an excellent television that can be had for less than $1,000.

The M Series offers 4K resolution, excellent contrast, and HDR capability, which means it gives you more or less the same performance we expect from a high-end TV, although none of these features quite match up to the P Series or its competitors.

Probably the biggest thing missing from this television is brightness. With a maximum brightness level of around 700 nits, the TV is bright enough to deliver a great picture, but not bright enough to give you the full HDR effect. Another knock on this TV is that the picture degrades considerably when you view the television from an angle, so only go for this TV if you will be able to place it in a central location.

However, despite these minor issues, this is still a great TV with an excellent contrast ratio that is made even better with the TV’s local dimming option, nice color, and a fan-friendly price, although it’s still not the cheapest available.

Here’s a breakdown of the specs

• Screen type: LED LCD with Quantum Dots
• Resolution: 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels)
• Contrast: 4268:1 (native) 9253:1 (with local dimming)
• Brightness: 700 nits maximum brightness
• HDR:  HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and HLG.
• Ports: 5 HDMI. 1 Component In. 1 Composite In. 1 Cable/Satellite Jack. 1 Ethernet
• Capabilities: WiFi and Bluetooth.
• Smart: Google Home and Amazon Alexa compatible
• Sizes: 50”, 55”, and 65” models
• Price: $529-$999

TCL 6 Series

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That the TCL 6 series is labeled a budget option speaks to how far we’ve come in the world of television tech. This really is a fully featured TV, but it comes with a much less daunting price tag than that of some of the higher-end models.

However, despite the great performance of this TV, it doesn’t quite match up to those at the top of the list. Contrast is great, but it’s not as great as it could be. But it does have superb peak brightness, which helps make the HDR experience that much more exciting.

The 6 Series has also been lauded as a gamer’s TV because of its low lag and fast refresh rates. It also comes equipped with the Roku TV platform, which makes it super easy for you to navigate between your different entertainment suites.

The only noticeable downsides to this TV are its somewhat less than average uniformity, meaning shots meant to be all one color may appear to be shaded or off-color, something known as the dirty screen effect, and also the viewing angle; picture quality degrades considerably at an angle. Also, this TV does not support HLG, which will slightly harm the HDR experience.

However, these negatives are minor at best and considering the 55” model costs only $599, it’s tough to get too picky. All in all, this is an excellent TV, and it’s one that won’t break the bank.

• Screen type: LCD LED
• Resolution: 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels)
• Contrast: 5182:1 (native) and 6052:1 (with local dimming)
• Brightness: 1100 nits maximum brightness
• HDR: HDR and Dolby Vision. No HLG
• Ports: 3 HDMI, 1 USB, 1 Composite In (adapter required but included), 1 Cable/Satellite jack. 1 Ethernet.
• Capabilities: WiFi and BlueTooth
• Smart: Roku TV, Google Home, Amazon Alexa. No built-in voice control.
• Sizes: 55”, 65”, and 75”
• Price: $599, $899, and $1,399

Conclusion

Given how important the television is to our daily lives, it should come as no surprise that there are so many choices out there. And when you consider how quickly the technology is advancing, it’s almost impossible for anyone who’s not a tech expert to distinguish between true trends and mere fads.

Our aim with this guide was to distill the important things to look for in a TV, such as resolution, contrast, HDR capability, etc., and then point you in the direction of nine different options that will meet your needs and your budget.

Of course, there are many more TVs to choose from, and we encourage you to do your own research but know that we’ve spent the time to review and test these products so that you can move forward with the buying process looking at the best. Good luck and happy watching!