Movie nights, ball games, the premier of a new season of your favorite show on Netflix—there are a host of reasons to want a big screen TV with ample features and high definition image quality. The good news is that you don’t have to break the bank in order to achieve a home cinema level setup if you know where to look. That’s where we come in.Not all TVs are made equal and some are better than others for specific use cases; an OLED screen will cost more than an LED, for example, but the darker contrast and higher picture quality is often worth the tradeoff. And don’t forget to compliment your TV with a soundbar to really expand your home cinema setup and really deliver the high octane excitement of watching your favorite teams go head-to-head.
The Best Deals on TVs 43-60 Inches
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
The Best Deals on TVs 65-85 Inches
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
If you’re looking to upgrade, the price difference between a 50-, 55- and 65-inch TV usually isn’t that huge, though prices start to creep upward for 75-inch-and-larger screens. It’s important to fit your screen size to your room: Don’t squeeze a 55-inch set in a bedroom where a 32-inch will do, especially for an hour or two of late-night TV. For modern resolution, we recommend at minimum a 1080p screen, but most of us probably prefer to take advantage of all the 4K programming on streaming and cable these days. The number of inputs for game consoles and other devices also makes a difference.Gamers considering a TV for their PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X should look for TVs with the following features:120Hz native refresh rateHDMI 2.1 ports for resolutions up to 4K 120Hz VRR (variable refresh rate) supportHDR (high dynamic range) support. Not all games require 4K 120Hz or VRR, but it may become the standard for most AAA games in the future, because developers love to push the envelope of hardware.43-Inch to 60-Inch TVs50-Inch TCL Class S4 S-Class 4K HDR Smart TV
(Credit: Amazon)
As far as budget TVs go, this TCL Class S4 S-Class TV ticks a lot of boxes. The 4K Ultra HD resolution renders lifelike image quality and HDR PRO support makes that doubly true. Three HDMI ports enable you to connect multiple devices simultaneously, and an auto game mode lowers input lag and latency. This operates on the Google OS, meaning you’ll have a ton of options in terms of streaming services, and it also has built-in Chromecast for even more apps, including songs, videos, and games. Key Specs:4K Ultra HD resolution with HDR (HDR 10, HLG) support60Hz refresh rateBuilt-in Chromecast3x HDMI ports, 1 with eARCCompatible with Bluetooth headphonesGoogle TV Smart OS with built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant55-inch Hisense U8 Series Mini-LED 4K QLED Smart TV
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Our expert named the Hisense U8 the Editors’ Choice for budget TVs due to its value and performance. While the black levels aren’t as strong as you’d find in an OLED panel, this TV still has impressive brightness and color quality. It also offers a lot of features for the price, including a dedicated game mode, hands free controls via a voice assistant, HDR+ support, and more.Key Specs:4 HDMI 2.1 Ports, 1 with eARC support144Hz refresh rateQLED panel with Quantum Dot technology4K Ultra HD resolution with HDR+ (HDR 10, HLG) support55-inch Samsung Q80C Series 4K Quantum QLED Smart TV (2023 Model)
(Credit: Amazon)
This 55-inch 4K TV is backlit via direct full array, which controls the amount of lighting across every part of the panel to provide intense contrast even in brightly lit rooms. Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound Lite creates 3D surround sound from your television’s built in speakers by following movement on screen. Speaking of audio: When paired with a Samsung soundbar, this TV takes advantage of Samsung’s Q-Symphony technology so that soundbar and TV work in perfect harmony. No pun intended.Key Specs:4 HDMI Ports, 1 with eARC support120Hz refresh rateQLED panel with Quantum Dot technology4K Ultra HD resolution with HDR+ (HDR 10, HLG) supportSmart TV with multiple streaming platforms built-in65-Inch to 86-Inch TV Deals65-Inch LG C3 Series OLED evo 4K HDR 120Hz Smart TV
(Credit: Best Buy)
The LG C3 is the perfect companion for console gamers thanks to four HDMI 2.1 ports and a 65-inch OLED panel with a native 120Hz refresh rate that supports true 4K @ 120Hz passthrough. The slim bezel makes the most of your screen real estate and the 4K resolution paired with wide viewing angles means on-screen content will look good no matter where you’re sitting. Also noteworthy is the built-in voice control via your smart assistant and the included magic remote, which makes powering up your TV and finding the perfect show to watch a no-brainer. For its excellent color and contrast and sleek design, our expert gave it an “outstanding” rating. Key Specs:
Recommended by Our Editors
120Hz refresh rateOLED panel with individually lit pixels for rich black levels4K Ultra HD resolution with HDR and HDR 10 support4 HDMI 2.1 ports with eARC and Dolby Atmos passthroughGaming mode with AMD FreeSync Premium65-Inch Hisense R6 Series 4K HDR Roku Smart TV
(Credit: Amazon)
The Hisense R6 series features High Dynamic Range (commonly known as HDR) to boost color and contrast, plus Motion Rate 120 technology which better tracks quick movements such as action scenes. This TV will be the heart of your family room entertainment system, especially since the built-in Roku TV OS gives you access to hundreds of thousands of things to watch.Key Specs:60Hz refresh rate4K Ultra HD resolution with HDR and HDR 10 support3 HDMI ports (4K@60Hz), 1 with HDMI ARC supportRoku operating system with Google Assistant built-in65-Inch Amazon Fire TV Omni 4K HDR TV With Dolby Vision
Alexa fans will like the hands-free control available on this TV as well as the opportunity to easily connect with Echo speakers for surround sound. Sixty-five inches is a decent size for your living room or bedroom with enough screen space to accommodate multiple viewers.Key Specs:4K Ultra HD resolution with HDR (HDR 10, HLG) support4 HDMI ports, 3 HDMI 2.0 + 1 HDMI 2.1 with eARC60Hz Native refresh rate. Direct LED backlightFire TV smart TV functionality with Alexa voice remoteDolby Digital Plus audio support (via Dolby-encoded audio)16-Watt stereo audio (8W+8W)85″ TCL Class Q7 Series QLED 4K Smart TV
(Credit: Will Greenwald)
Bigger is better if your living room is the place to be on movie and game nights and this huge 85-inch TCL 4K smart TV will be the life of the party. With a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR Ultra support, image quality is bright and vibrant. Our reviewer rated the TCL Q7 a 4 out of 5, citing, “the TCL Q7 Class TV doesn’t live up to its predecessors’ brightness or value, but still offers a good picture at a reasonable price.”Key Specs:4K Ultra HD resolution with HDR Ultra (Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, & HLG) support4 HDMI ports; 1 @ 144Hz, 1 @ 120Hz, and 1 with eARC.120Hz refresh rate.Smart TV with streaming platforms built-in.More TV Deals
FAQ
Which TV brand is the Best Value for the Money?If you can’t afford to spend thousands of dollars on a new TV, TCL and Hisense offer high quality at affordable prices. The Hisense U8N LED TV, for example, offers flagship-level performance and an impressive array of features for a modest price. And the Amazon Fire TV Omni is a decent budget TV with a brighter QLED panel that offers high contrast and better color than its predecessor. What is a Good Month to Buy a TV?In the US, retailers will often offer deals ahead of the Super Bowl, so keep your eyes peeled in January and February if you didn’t snag a discount on Black Friday, another popular time to get a discount on a huge TV. If you want the best TV versus a discounted one, the spring is often when new TV models arrive in stores.How do we Test TVs?PCMag’s testing incorporates technical laboratory tests as well as real-world viewing experience. The tests include: light and color output, black level, peak brightness, input lag, and more. We test TVs using their most color-accurate picture mode available, which is typically a Movie or Cinema mode. Other default modes like Standard or Vivid can appear brighter, but they tend to skew colors significantly, and we recommend the Movie mode for watching most content. What is the Best Budget Smart TV for Picture QualityOur expert named last year’s Hisense U6K the “best picture for the price” and it was named PCMag’s Editors’ Choice for budget televisions. It normally costs $799.99, but you can snag one on sale for as low as $500. It’s being phased out for the newer U6N, which we’ve yet to test, but you can still find it from many retailers. Amazon’s Fire TV Omni QLED is another strong choice in this price range, and you can also find more budget TV options in our Best Cheap TVs article.
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