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Smart TV features are also robust, with access to every popular app and Alexa and Bixby voice control. Though we wish navigation was a little smoother, the interface is solid. It even includes a Gaming Hub that lets you access services like Xbox Game Pass to stream games without a console. If you pair the TV with a gaming PC, it can support a smooth 144Hz refresh rate.
The only notable con is the TV’s lack of Dolby Vision support. Most Dolby Vision content will instead play in standard HDR10, which isn’t quite as precise, but the TV’s HDR10 performance is so strong that most people won’t notice a difference. Check out our HDR TV guide for more details on how Dolby Vision compares to other formats.
Though there are better-looking TVs on the market, including Samsung’s own S95C and S95D, they cost a lot more. There’s also a new 2024 version of this display, called the S90D, that can get a bit brighter, but again, it’s much more expensive. With deal prices as low as $1,500 for the 65-inch model, the S90C is still the best 4K TV — and the best TV period — that you can get for the money.
Check out our Samsung S90C 4K TV review.
Check out our guide to the best Samsung TVs.
Note: The 83-inch version of the S90C does not use quantum dots, so its color performance can’t match that of smaller models.
Best on a budget
The Hisense U6K is the best 4K TV for anyone who wants an affordable QLED display that doesn’t skimp on picture quality.
The TV uses quantum dots and full-array local dimming, which are features typically reserved for midrange and high-end display models. Even better, the U6K also uses a Mini LED backlight, which gives it better control over its light output. At a typical sale price of just $550 or less, the 65-inch U6K is the most affordable Mini LED TV we’ve ever seen.
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The A95L’s Google TV operating system also works well, allowing you to stream all your favorite services. A voice remote is included with Google Assistant voice control, and it has a handy backlight that turns on when you pick it up. The TV’s stand can even be set up in either a high-profile arrangement (if you want to put a soundbar in front) or a low-profile mode for a flush look on your entertainment console.
It’s expensive, but the Sony A95L OLED is the best 4K TV for high-end performance. Most people will be satisfied with something cheaper, like the Samsung S90C, but if you can afford it and want a premium TV that does it all, the A95L is the display to buy. The only notable downside is its lack of a 144Hz mode, but that feature only benefits dedicated PC gamers.
Best midrange OLED
LG’s C3 is easily a contender for the best 4K TV you can buy. In fact, if it weren’t for the Samsung S90C’s competitive price, the C3 would likely earn the top spot on this list. While it lacks the quantum dot tech that gives Samsung’s OLED a boost in brightness and color volume, the C3 still delivers great picture quality and reliable smart TV performance.
Like all OLED displays, the C3 has an infinite contrast ratio with deep black levels that look fantastic when watching movies in a dark room. It also has wide viewing angles, so the image doesn’t distort or fade if you’re sitting toward the side of the TV. Peak brightness is solid for a midrange OLED, at around 800 nits, but it can’t match the 1,000+ nits that more expensive OLEDs can achieve.
On the plus side, the C3 does have one picture-quality perk that our top pick lacks: Dolby Vision support. Dolby Vision is regarded as the best HDR format since it can more precisely tell your TV how to display contrast and colors. However, its benefits are subtle, especially on TVs in this class. We don’t consider Dolby Vision to be a must-have feature, but it is a nice inclusion.
LG’s webOS platform also provides easy access to popular apps, and the TV’s unique Magic Remote allows you to navigate menus by pointing at the screen to move a cursor.
The Samsung S90C’s image performance has an edge over the C3 at this price point, but the C3 is an excellent alternative for buyers who prefer the LG brand or consider Dolby Vision essential. Shoppers should also note that LG now sells a 2024 version of this TV, called the C4. We got a hands-on look at the C4, and it’s a great TV with a slightly brighter picture. However, it costs much more than the C3 and doesn’t offer a huge upgrade. As a result, we still recommend the C3 as the better value.
Best smart TV system
The Roku Pro Series is an excellent 4K TV for anyone who wants a simple and straightforward smart TV experience. The display is one of the few QLEDs in the upper-midrange class to come with the Roku OS (operating system) built-in. Roku OS is our favorite interface thanks to its streamlined navigation and reliable performance.
Roku’s home screen focuses on apps with access to every major streaming service there is. Apps are arranged via large icons that you can order however you like. Unlike other smart TV systems, like the Fire TV OS, Roku doesn’t bombard you with content recommendations on the homepage, but you can always jump into the “What to Watch” section on the sidebar menu to see various recommendations across different categories.
The TV’s assembly is also convenient with left and right feet that can be attached without any tools. Instead, they have knobs that can be turned to keep them in place. You can also choose between a low or high position to accommodate a soundbar.
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This is especially true if you watch TV from an off-center position. Viewing angles are lacking, so contrast fades, and color accuracy distorts if you sit to the side of the display. The TV’s anti-reflective coating also has a side effect that’s worth noting. While the QM8’s high brightness allows it to perform exceptionally well in rooms with a lot of ambient light, the panel can exhibit a rainbow-streak effect when reflecting certain overhead lights. Samsung’s similarly bright QN90C QLED TV doesn’t have this issue, but it costs at least $600 more.
Gamers will find all the latest features, including support for a fast 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC. And like most TCL models, the QM8 uses the Google TV interface and includes a Google Assistant voice remote. We encountered smooth navigation during our review and noticed slightly snappier performance than the competing Hisense U8K provides.
That said, we ran into a strange WiFi error several times during testing. The TV would often display a “WiFi Not Connected” message despite no problems with our connection. This seems to be an isolated glitch with our internet setup, however, so we don’t expect it to be a recurring issue for most buyers.
The 65-inch QM8 is often on sale for just $1,000, which is an incredible price for this level of performance. However, buyers should note that TCL now sells a new 2024 QM8 that can get even brighter. That said, we don’t think most viewers will need the new model’s higher brightness capabilities, and since the 2023 edition is cheaper, we still recommend the older set.
Check out our TCL QM8 4K TV review.
Best anti-glare display
Samsung’s 2024 S95D is the brightest OLED TV we’ve ever tested. It also boasts an anti-glare screen with a matte finish to combat reflections better than any other display in this guide. These two qualities make it an ideal OLED for buyers who have bright rooms plagued by glare from windows and lights.
With the S95D set in Filmmaker mode (the TV’s most accurate picture preset), we measured a peak brightness of 1,700 nits. That’s 200 nits more than we measured on top OLED models from Sony and LG. Though the S95D can only sustain that number briefly before dimming significantly, most HDR highlights that need to get that bright (like an explosion) only appear on screen for quick flashes. As a result, we don’t consider this behavior to be a big deal.
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And thankfully, the display’s picture performance is just as impressive as its elegant styling. The panel doesn’t use quantum dots like Sony and Samsung OLEDs, but instead uses “Micro Lens Array” (MLA) technology to produce similar peak brightness levels. We measured a peak of around 1,470 nits, just under the highest measurement we got with the Sony A95L. On the downside, the G3’s lack of quantum dots means that color volume isn’t as high as what you’d get on the A95L or Samsung’s OLEDs.
It’s also important to note that the G3 is built for wall mounting — so much so that it doesn’t even come with a traditional TV stand. You can buy one separately, but that adds to the cost, and we don’t love how the screen tilts back slightly when placed on the stand.
However, LG does have a new 2024 edition of this display, called the G4, that includes a stand with the 55- or 65-inch options. This new stand doesn’t cause the TV to tilt back. We’ve tested the G4, and it’s a gorgeous display, but it only has minimal performance improvements over the G3. If you plan to wall mount your TV, the cheaper G3 remains a better buy.
How we test 4K TVs
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Are 2024 4K TV models worth it?
New 2024 4K TV models are now rolling out to stores. However, 2023 models will remain available throughout the year while supplies last.
Most 2024 TV models only offer modest performance upgrades, and their prices are much higher than what their 2023 counterparts sell for. There are exceptions, but generally, we think 2023 4K TV models remain a better value for most buyers.
What are the best brands for 4K TVs?
LG, Samsung, and Sony are among the top TV brands. Though typically more expensive than other options, these companies’ TVs are known for delivering cutting-edge technology, modern designs, and great quality control. If you’re in the market for a premium TV, you can’t go wrong with flagship models from these manufacturers.
Meanwhile, brands like TCL, Hisense, and Vizio are top midrange and value-priced TV market players. Though build quality isn’t always on par with more expensive brands, these companies offer advanced features, like quantum dots and Mini LED dimming, for less than the competition. If you want the best bang for your buck in a midrange TV, these are the brands you should consider first.
Companies like Amazon and Roku have also started manufacturing entry-level and midrange TVs with mixed results. Their flagship offerings are decent options when on sale, but you can typically find better displays for less money from TCL, Hisense, or Vizio.
Finally, budget brands like Toshiba and Insignia are known for selling entry-level LED displays that use Amazon’s Fire TV operating system. Though inexpensive, these sets are about as basic as TVs get. We typically recommend paying a bit more to get one of our picks for the best 4K TVs listed above, but these displays are decent enough if you just want a cheap TV for casual viewing, especially in a smaller screen size.
What size 4K TV should I get?
What size 4K TV you should buy depends on how much space you have, how far you will sit from your display, and your budget. In general, bigger TVs cost more than smaller ones with comparable features, and you’ll need to have enough wall space or a large enough TV stand to accommodate whatever display you get.
TV sizes start as small as 24 inches and reach around 98 inches. A few manufacturers have premium models that are even larger. Many companies reserve their best picture quality and design features for their bigger sizes. Though not a hard rule, midrange features are often reserved for models that are 50 inches or larger, and high-end features tend to start in 55-inch models.
Most companies use 65 inches as their flagship size to highlight their best 4K TVs, and for many people, 65 inches hits just the right sweet spot to offer a solid home theater experience without taking up too much real estate or totally breaking the bank.
If space and budget aren’t a concern, what size 4K TV you should get can be best determined by how far you plan to sit from your display. This is because the benefits of 4K resolution become most noticeable when you sit at a distance of about one to 1.5 times the size of your TV. For instance, to get the most out of a 65-inch 4K TV, you should sit between 5.4 and 8.1 feet from your TV. Crutchfield has a handy chart recommending 4K TV sizes based on your seating distance.
For 4K TV recommendations tied to certain sizes, check out our size-specific guides:
What are the best smart TV interfaces?
Practically any new 4K TV you buy will be a smart TV, which means it features built-in support for accessing popular apps and streaming services. However, different companies use different smart TV interfaces. Here’s a rundown of the different platforms that each brand uses.
- Tizen: Samsung
- webOS: LG
- SmartCast: Vizio
- Google TV: Sony, TCL, Hisense
- Roku TV: Roku, TCL, Hisense
- Fire TV: Amazon, Toshiba, Insignia, Pioneer, Hisense
Though a few services may be missing here and there, all major streaming players are supported across every platform. However, each system’s navigation style, personalization options, and extra features differ.
We prefer Roku’s interface for being the simplest, most user-friendly, and most reliable of the bunch, but its visual style is a bit outdated compared to other operating systems that present a more content-focused approach. Ultimately, every system has pros and cons, but they all get the job done.
If you’re unhappy with your TV’s built-in interface, you can purchase a separate streaming device with your preferred platform. Roku and Fire TV options are often sold for as low as $20. Check out our guides to the best streaming devices and best Fire TVs for more details.
What’s the difference between OLED and QLED?
OLED and QLED TVs are two of the most popular display types on the market, and they each have their own pros and cons.
OLEDs have self-illuminating screens. This means they can precisely dim and brighten each pixel to create an infinite contrast ratio. This makes OLED the ideal choice for people who want the absolute best image quality, especially if you like watching movies in a dark home theater.
QLED TVs, meanwhile, are a type of LED TV that relies on older LCD panel technology that requires a backlight to illuminate their pixels. These backlights can include multiple zones to brighten and dim specific areas, but even the most advanced QLED models can’t match the pixel-level contrast of an OLED. This can cause an uneven look in dark scenes where you can see halos around bright objects or washed-out black levels that look gray.
Where QLED TVs have an edge, however, is with max brightness. Midrange and high-end QLED TVs can get brighter than most OLEDs. QLED models also tend to be less expensive than OLED TVs, and they present no risk for burn-in. For more details on the differences between each panel type, check out our QLED vs. OLED comparison.
What is burn-in?
Even the best OLED TVs are technically susceptible to an issue called burn-in. If a static image is left on the screen for hours on end — the CNN or ESPN logo in the corner, for example — a faint, ghostly image can get left stuck on the TV.
Though OLED owners should be aware of this risk, OLED TVs have specific measures built-in to prevent burn-in, including pixel-refreshers and pixel-shift modes. Publications like Rtings have conducted long-term tests with OLEDs, and while their results do show that burn-in is possible, their tests show that people with regular viewing habits don’t need to worry about it.
I’ve owned an LG CX OLED TV for over two years, and the display has no signs of burn-in. Though burn-in is something that QLED TV owners don’t have to think twice about, in my experience, as long as you don’t plan on watching CNN all day long, burn-in shouldn’t be a factor when deciding whether to buy an OLED.