With all of the new models and information at CES 2023, the future of TV technology is promising. Among the incredible technology we saw were huge OLED panels and entirely wireless sets. Although the exact release date of these innovations is unknown, they will undoubtedly be costly.
Fortunately, there are several high-quality TVs that are being offered at affordable costs. This is due to the fact that the best TV sales cycle through the autumn and into the winter when retailers reduce prices and TV manufacturers battle for your money. What TVs are the best, though? To pick the best TV for you, from expensive OLED and QLED models to low-cost LCD TVs and everything in between, use our list, which compares TVs we’ve tested side by side.
TCL 6-Series Roku TV
The TCL 6-Series, commonly known as the R655 series, has been our favourite affordable TV for the past five years, and the 2022 model is no different. Mini-LED technology and well-executed full-array local dimming make this TV outperform nearly every other TV at this price point in terms of image quality. The new 85-inch size has normal legs, but the R635 series is enhanced with better gaming accessories and a redesigned center-mount stand that can be raised to accommodate a soundbar. Finally, our top pick for an operating system is Roku TV.
It should be noted that several 6-Series models, in addition to the R635, which this TV replaces, were introduced in 2021 and are still available. The R646 series has comparable specs to the R655 devices examined here, however it runs on the Google TV operating system. The R648 series is substantially more costly and boasts 8K resolution.
The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.
LG OLED C2
The C2 offers the highest level of picture quality at a price that is, although expensive, not outlandish. With its flawless black levels, unmatched contrast, and excellent off-angle viewing, it surpasses every non-OLED TV on our list, including the Samsung QN90B below. Additionally, it offers excellent gaming capabilities that make it the ideal mate for an Xbox Series X or S, PlayStation 5, or both. The C2 is also available in a range of sizes, however the larger variants are more costly.
The 65-inch model we examined weights about 37 pounds with its stand, compared to 72 pounds for the 65-inch C1; improvements over the C1 from the previous year include further changes to game mode and a new “always ready” function. Carbon-fiber construction allows for up to 47% less weight.
The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.
TCL 4-Series
In our test of cheap TVs, the TCL 4-Series Roku TV’s image quality lagged the Vizio V-Series, but the variations between the two are so minute that you’d have to compare them side by side to tell any difference at all. The Vizio provides Dolby Vision, Bluetooth, and AMD FreeSync with a variable refresh rate, all of which are absent from the 4-Series.
The superb Roku Smart TV system is incorporated into the 4-Series, giving it an edge over the Vizio. It is therefore a fantastic option for anyone seeking a complete smart TV solution without the need to add an additional streaming device.
The prices shown below are for the 50-inch size.
Samsung QN90B
Don’t want an OLED but want a high-end TV with amazing visual quality? Your best option is the Samsung QN90B. For a brighter image than any OLED TV, this TV employs mini-LED technology in addition to QLED TV technology. In our side-by-side testing, OLED’s stunning contrast still prevailed, but the QN90B QLED screen came closer than ever.
The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.
Hisense U8H
In our side-by-side assessment of mid-priced devices, we somewhat preferred the TCL 6-Series, but this Hisense is a solid competitor. Best-in-class brightness, which enhances picture quality in bright environments and makes HDR TV movies, programmes, and games really shine, is the foundation of its exceptional image quality. Although it is brighter and has higher contrast than the TCL, the TCL ultimately won out because of its slightly more realistic image. In contrast to the TCL, the Hisense utilises Google TV instead of Roku, and the U8H has an ATSC 3.0 tuner. Actually, any one is a good choice.
The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.
Vizio MQX
One of the more affordable TVs with full-array local dimming is the Vizio MQX, which reproduces TV episodes, movies, and video games with sufficient contrast and pop to do HDR credit. The MQX offers 16 zones on the 50-inch screen, 30 on the 65-inch screen, and 42 on the 75-inch screen, which is more than enough for excellent overall picture quality with bright highlights, dark black levels, punchy contrast, and accurate colour. The MQX has fewer dimming zones than more expensive TVs like the TCL 6-Series and Hisense U8H, but it does so at a lower cost.
The MQX, which differs from the M7 from 2021 in having a real 120Hz refresh rate, performed admirably in our tests and is compatible with 4K/120Hz transmissions from gaming consoles including the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. Both of the popular HDR standards, HDR10 and Dolby Vision, are supported by Vizio in the M-Series. The Vizio MQX is a great compromise if you can’t save up for a TCL or Hisense but still want a better picture than the TCL 4-Series or Vizio V-series.
The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.
Samsung Q60B
Samsung is the brand that sells more TVs than anyone, and one of its most popular is the Q60 series. Its sleek QLED screen design stands out compared with the other TVs on this list — even though the ultrathin OLED models are sleeker — and it offers better features, image quality and more sizes than models like the TCL 4-Series and Sony X80K. The TVs listed in this article are all superior values, but if you want a Samsung TV and can’t afford the QN90A, this is a great choice.
The prices shown below are for the 55-inch size.
Vizio V-Series
The visual quality of Vizio’s V-Series stood out as the finest when we side-by-side evaluated the top budget TVs. During our evaluations, the Vizio provided the most realistic and balanced image, and it has some convenient additions like Dolby Vision support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth connectivity, and variable refresh rate for perhaps smoother gaming. The Vizio’s smart TV platform, Vizio SmartCast, is by far its largest drawback. It’s clogged up, sluggish, and covered in adverts for services like Tubi and Kidoodle TV. The V-Series, however, continues to be the finest all-around entry-level TV that we evaluated, even after accounting for the price of introducing a new streaming device.
The prices shown below are for the 50-inch size.
Other TVs we’ve tested
The Sony KD-X80K series: Sony is a well-known company, and its higher-end TVs, such the X90J, receive positive evaluations. However, the X80K, which is the entry-level TV in its portfolio for 2022, was left off the list. It had a similar price as the Samsung Q60 and TCL 6-Series TVs, but it had a poorer picture than either of them, with softer black levels and contrast. Although we appreciated its Google smart TV system, colour accuracy, and connection, it’s clear that you can get a better TV for the money. Read our review of the Sony KD-X80K line.
Panasonic c350 Amazon Fire TV model C350: One of numerous Fire TVs for sale, it has mediocre image quality and a less advanced smart TV platform than Roku and Google TV. Choose the TCL 4-Series instead unless you’re a huge fan of Alexa or can find this TV for an extremely low price. Read our review of the Toshiba Amazon Fire TV C350 series.
LG OLED G1 series: While the G1 is a wonderful TV overall, we don’t believe it’s worth the additional cost over the C1 and C2. The only difference in image quality between it and those two versions is in its ultrathin, wall-hugging “gallery” design, which costs more. However, if the price difference is little enough—for instance, occasionally a G1 costs just $100 more than a C1—you could find it advantageous. The 2022 LG G2 claims a brighter picture than this TV, but we haven’t examined it yet so we can’t confirm that.
TV FAQs
We’ll post the answers to commonly asked TV questions below. If you have any others, feel free to reach out on Twitter (@dkatzmaier). Doing so will let you send a message straight to my inbox.
How much should I spend on a TV?
Prices vary widely by size and features, from less than $100 for basic 24-inch TVs to more than $2,000 for big OLED models. TVs last a long time, however, so we think it’s worthwhile to spend a little extra beyond the bare minimum to get a bigger screen, better picture quality or better features. With that in mind, here’s some ballpark prices that will get you a very good TV in 2023.
- 55-inch: $700
- 66-inch: $1,000
- 75-inch: $1,300
You could pay (much) more or less. The fact is just about any TV will produce a picture decent enough to satisfy most viewers. Most complaints you read in user reviews aren’t about picture quality. Instead they’re about ease of use, smart TV menus or sound (or a broken TV).
What size TV should I buy?
In our opinion bigger is better, and your money is best spent on large screen sizes rather than a slight upgrade in image quality. The answer also depends on room size and seating distance: If you have a big room and sit farther away, you’ll want a bigger TV
Which is better, OLED or LED?
In our reviews, OLED TVs, which use organic light-emitting diode technology, have always had better picture quality than LED TVs, which are basically LCD TVs that use LED backlights. The main reason is that OLED TVs can produce a perfectly dark shade of black with no stray illumination of blooming, which leads to better contrast and pop. LED TVs can get brighter, however, and usually cost less than OLED TVs.
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