Finding a new TV is not an easy task with so much jargon and techy standards to get your head around like 4K, Ultra HD, HDR and so on. Don’t worry though because our smart TV guide is here to take you through everything you need to know to pick the right set.
There are various things to consider, especially when you can spend under £300 or over £2,000 on TVs that on the whole look like they offer the same thing. We’ve got a mix of prices here but you can check our dedicated chart of the best budget TVs if you haven’t got much to spend.
Do you need OLED screen? What is Mini-LED? Should you go with Philips to enjoy Ambilight? Should you buy a TV with Roku or Fire TV software built-in? All questions you’ll need to consider before hitting buy.
‘Best’ is subjective as it depends on what is most important to you, so we’ve reviewed and ranked a range of different TVs covering budget and premium prices and various features from various manufacturers including Sony, Sony, Samsung, LG, Philips and Hisense.
Find the best Samsung TV for you.
Remember that we can only test one size (typically 55in if we can) but specs can vary slightly between models. Note that we’re adding 2021 models as and when we test them, but 2020 TVs are still good and discounts might mean you can pick up a bargain so check our live prices from the top retailers.
Also, check out the latest TV Deals to find the best discounts available right now.
Best 4K Smart TVs
Samsung QN95A (2021) – Best Overall
Mini-LED technology is here and it does not disappoint in Samsung’s new Neo QLED panel.
This offers dazzling brightness along with captivating contrast and colour reproduction. It really does pop and you don’t have to worry about the screenburn that OLED rivals are susceptible to.
As well as stunning picture quality, the QN95A has excellent gaming credentials with 120Hz support via four HDMI 2.1 ports and a useful Game Bar tool. The integrated Tizen interface is easy to use and give you access to a wealth of streaming content.
It’s even relatively affordable at the smallest 50in size, so the main issue is the chunky One Connect Box where the benefit is only tangible when wall-mounting the TV.
Read our full Samsung QN95A review
LG C1 (2021) – Best OLED
The top-of-the-range G1 might have a new brighter Evo panel but the C1 doesn’t really suffer by not having it.
In fact, it makes for a better value and more well-rounded package with a still brilliantly bright and detailed 4K HDR image, backed up by powerful processing, available in a range of sizes.
As well as having an excellent OLED screen, the C1 offers a sleek design, HDMI 2.1 for 120Hz gaming, low input lag and a useful Game Optimizer menu.
Gaming aside, the new webOS interface is improved – although lacking some customisation and Freeview Play is also built-in so you’re set up for gaming and streaming.
Really the only downside we can find is the lack of HDR10+ support used on Amazon Prime Video.
Read our full LG C1 OLED (2021) review
Samsung Q80T – Best 2020 Model
If you want a high-end TV but don’t want to empty your savings account then the Q80T offers a well-rounded balance.
This QLED model from Samsung’s 2020 line-up almost has everything that the Q90T has but at a price that more people will be able to stomach.
That set might have more dimming zones and even brighter HDR but that is an unnecessary luxury for most. The Q80T is also ready for next-gen consoles for 4K gaming at 120fps.
The Q80T is a stylish set with stellar performance that’ll bring your living room to life without fail.
Read our full Samsung Q80T review
LG G1 (2021) – Best Picture
If you can afford it – starting at a couple of grand for the smallest 55in size – the LG G1 is one of the best TVs you can buy in 2021.
For starters, it looks great with a 2cm uniform depth and excellent build and finish in all aspects. This really is a premium TV deserving of its flagship status. You should primarily buy it for the amazing 4K HDR picture quality, though.
With a new Evo panel for high brightness and next-gen processing, it really has the wow factor. It also boasts a new version of webOS, Freeview Play is back and best-in-class connectivity.
One of the main issues here is whether you plan to wall-mount the G1 as buying feet or the Gallery Stand costs extra. Audio performance is also nothing special.
Read our full LG G1 OLED (2021) review
Sony AG9 – Best Sound Quality
If you’re looking for a premium Ultra HD TV then the Sony AG9 is a real standout with class-leading picture quality. This really is a stunning TV with amazing colour, contrast and localised brightness and this is despite the lack of HDR10+.
The design, as you would expect, is sleek and luxurious and having Android TV and Chromecast built-in add extra value even if loading the Android interface cuts off what you were watching. The sound is also impressive and Sony knows it since you can use the TV as an audio input.
The only issue is whether you can afford this set, even at the cheapest 55in size when there are several cheaper options out there to choose from so you’ll need to consider whether you’ll appreciate the difference.
Read our full Sony KD-55AG9 review
JVC Fire TV Edition – Best Budget Model
JVC has partnered with Amazon to create an excellent budget TV with the Fire TV operating system built-in, so there’s no need to buy a stick or box to plug-in.
It’s one for the Alexa fans with even a voice-enabled remote control. The interface is better than most cheap TVs and there’s plenty of app support, too, including Disney+.
All models are 4K with decent HDR support and picture quality is good for this price, but avoid the 40in size unless you’re tight on space as it has weaker brightness and contrast compared to the others.
Audio isn’t too bad either and you get four HDMI ports, too. Performance can be a little laggy at times, though.
Read our full JVC Fire TV Edition review
Hisense Roku TV – Best for Streaming
Hisense has updated its budget TV running Roku OS software for 2021 and it’s another cracker.
While it can’t quite beat the value of the JVC Fire TV Edition, there’s plenty to like here with almost endless streaming at your fingertips without having to plug anything into the TV.
Brightness isn’t great for HDR content but it’s acceptable at this price and the picture quality is good overall. Input lag is impressively low making it a good value choice for gamers who can’t afford a 120Hz model.
The remote is flimsy but you’re still getting a great all-rounder without breaking the bank here.
Read our full Hisense Roku TV (A7200UK) review
LG GX6LA – Most Stylish
If it’s a wall-mounted TV with bags of style you’re looking for then the LG GX is just the ticket.
The Gallery style is one of the main lures here along with top-notch performance partly thanks to LG’s new AI-enhanced sound and vision processing technologies. And this is a future-proof choice if you plan to buy a next-gen games console thanks to 4K 120fps support.
The downsides here are the price tag when you can get OLED panels for a lot less. It’s also a shame to see no Freeview Play support and webOS take a dip.
Read our full LG GX6LA review
Panasonic HZ1000 – Best for Film
Lacking HDMI 2.1 for 4K at 120fps, the Panasonic HZ1000 isn’t the best choice for those wanting to get the most out of a PS5 or Xbox Series X.
However, there’s lots to like here particularly if you’re a film fan. OLED performance is top-notch and the panel has been tuned by a Hollywood colourist who’s worked on titles like Star Wars. Your eyes are in for a treat with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision IQ support.
Furthermore, the My Home Screen v5.0 smart platform is excellent, easy to use and has plenty of streaming services available. And there’s Freeview Play, too.
Read our full Panasonic HZ1000 review
Samsung Q70T – Best Value for Next-gen Consoles
It’s yet another great TV from Samsung as the Q70T provides a nice balance of price, design, features and performance.
This is one of the cheapest ways of getting QLED technology and the Q70T has HDMI 2.1 so you’re all set for 4K gaming at 120fps on next-gen consoles.
It’s also stylish and has plenty of streaming options via the Tizen OS. Just bear in mind that it doesn’t have local dimming like the Q80T so HDR doesn’t look as good.
Read our full Samsung Q70T review
4K Smart TV buying guide
4K TVs have a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels, which is exactly four times more than Full HD. You should look for a model that has several inputs – not just one – that can handle incoming 4K content sources. These can be Ultra HD Blu-ray players, games consoles and media streamers such as the Apple TV 4K and Amazon Fire TV 4K.
The key specification to look out for is HDMI version 2 input with HDCP 2.2 support. The latter is a version of copy protection used by all external 4K sources, so the more inputs that support it the better. If you buy a budget TV, it most likely will only have one HDCP 2.2-compliant input. Learn more about HDMI ports here.
This means you can only connect one 4K device to the TV, which is not ideal. The prices of 4K UHD TVs have fallen dramatically, so most cost the same as HD models did a couple of years ago.
While the extra resolution that 4K offers is best appreciated on a large screen (50in or more), that hasn’t stopped smaller panels appearing. While there’s no reason not to buy a 4K TV at 40 inches, and the performance can be excellent, don’t expect to see overt picture improvements if you’re sitting the typical 8-10 feet away.
If you want 4K resolution at 120fps (or 120Hz) to make the most of the PS5 and Xbox Series X then you’ll need HDMI 2.1. Find out more about next-gen console compatibility here.
All the TVs tested here have 4K resolutions. These UHD (Ultra HD) sets are the ones to buy now. Only go for a Full HD (1920×1080 pixels) set if you can’t afford a 4K model or you’re buying something under 40in.
4K content is becoming more widely available with broadcasters gearing up to show a lot of sport and drama in 4K. 4K is also available over your broadband connection as long as it’s quick enough.
Around 15Mb/s should provide you with a source of 4K video from Amazon, Netflix, YouTube and Sky Q. Alternatively you can buy a 4K Blu-ray player and 4K UHD Blu-ray discs.
BT also broadcasts sport in 4K (football, rugby, Moto GP, squash, to name but four) via its Infinity broadband. Because this streams at 2160/50p a much faster broadband connection is required. BT will generally refuse to offer a 4K set-top box to those Infinity customers on less than a 45Mb/s connection.
4K? What about 8K!
Just as 4K is starting to become mainstream, manufacturers are now beginning to shout about 8K. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy a 4K TV.
8K broadcasts are a long way off, and there is almost no 8K content to watch. But just like 4K TVs, 8K models will upscale video so it looks sharper. But the same rules apply about screen size: you need a very, very large screen to notice the extra detail.
Unlike previous leaps in TV quality (black and white to colour, SD to HD), both 4K and 8K started off without proper, agreed standards. This is another reason why 4K is a more sensible purchase now: modern sets have the necessary H.265 support to decode broadcasts, but some early models didn’t.
You can plump for 8K now to future-proof and you’ll get HDMI 2.1 by default supporting next-gen consoles, but you won’t get 120fps as you’ll be limited to 60Hz.
HDR
A new generation of HDR (High Dynamic Range) UHD TVs arrived in 2017 which offer higher peak whites and better colour depth than what came before. However, to appreciate these capabilities you need to feed your HDR 4K TV with HDR content, and there aren’t masses around although it’s on the rise.
You’ll find UHD Blu-rays such as Planet Earth II, and content on Amazon and Netflix, but the rest is likely console games rather than TV shows and films. HDR comes in different standards including HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision.
There’s plenty of HDR content around now but the different versions make it a little tricky. Also note that while cheaper sets support HDR, they tend to have much lower-grade panels. They particularly struggle to offer enough brightness to really show HDR content properly.
Make sure you read our full reviews to see how each TV performs.
Voice commands
The Google Assistant, Bixby and Siri are assistants that originated in smartphones but are gradually finding their way into TVs.
With a voice-activated assistant onboard, you’ll be able to adjust the volume and change the channel on the TV, but also control anything else within its scope, such as smart lights and heating. It’s certainly a nice feature to have, but it’s not a deal-breaker if it’s missing.
If you can’t install your TV yourself, note that Amazon now offers services including wall-mounting from around £100. What you can do yourself is to tweak the settings using our guide on how to get the best picture from your TV.
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