Smart TVs have become incredibly popular over the last few years, with more features and streaming capabilities than ever before. With so many options on the market, it can be tricky to determine which smart TV is actually the best fit for your needs and budget.
In this guide, we‘ll break down the top 6 smart TVs you can buy today based on performance, value, gaming capabilities, and more. We‘ll also provide an overview of what to consider when shopping for a smart TV.
Key Things to Consider When Buying a Smart TV
Display Quality: The whole point of a TV is a good viewing experience, so display quality is paramount. Key factors here include resolution, contrast ratio, color accuracy, viewing angles, refresh rate, and peak brightness. Generally, 4K resolution is recommended, along with technologies like OLED for deep blacks.
Smart Platform: All smart TVs allow you to stream content and access apps, but the software, interface, and amount of content varies. Look into smart platforms like Roku TV, Google TV, webOS, and Tizen to see differences in usability and app selection.
Connectivity: To take full advantage of your smart TV, you’ll want the latest HDMI inputs for devices plus Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity. Consider how many devices you plan to connect and if you‘ll need older inputs like component or composite.
Audio Quality: Don’t forget about sound! Poor audio can ruin an otherwise great viewing experience. Many smart TVs now come equipped with impressive built-in speakers, surround sound capabilities, or support audio passthrough via HDMI ARC/eARC to soundbars.
Gaming Features: Gamers should look for smart TVs with HDMI 2.1, high refresh rates up to 120Hz, VRR support, and low input lag. These features allow you to take full advantage of the latest consoles and gaming PCs for super responsive gameplay.
By weighing factors like these, you can narrow down the best smart TV to suit your household’s needs – whether that’s an emphasis on VALUE, stellar PICTURE quality, top-notch GAMING performance, and more. Now let‘s get into the top recommendations across various use cases and budgets.
1. Best Overall: LG C2 OLED
Sizes: 42" – 83" | Display Type: OLED
The LG C2 OLED stands out as the best overall smart TV you can buy thanks to its sublime picture quality paired with an impressive smart platform and future-proof gaming credentials.
LG‘s latest OLED evo panel produces exceptional contrast with perfectly deep blacks since each pixel emits its own light. This also allows for ultra-wide viewing angles without any washed-out colors, so everyone in the room can enjoy a great picture. An upgraded a9 Gen5 AI Processor powers the 4K visuals, leveraging machine learning to optimize upscaling and object enhancement on the fly.
Gamers are also well catered to with four HDMI 2.1 inputs supporting 4K 120Hz gameplay, VRR, ALLM, and ultra-low input lag. The new LG Game Optimizer menu gives quick access to these gaming features plus specialty modes tailored for different genres.
The user-friendly webOS platform makes it a breeze to access popular streaming apps and control your smart home devices. ThinQ AI even allows for hands-free voice control using built-in mics. For the price, no smart TV even comes close to matching the LG C2 overall.
Key Features:
● Stunning OLED Display with Infinite Contrast
● Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos Support
● a9 Gen5 AI Processor for Optimization
● 4x HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, Ultra Low Input Lag
● Intuitive webOS Platform with ThinQ AI
Pros
- Best picture quality of any TV
- Fluid, responsive smart platform
- Future-proof HDMI 2.1 gaming features
Cons
- Brightness can‘t match LED/QLED TVs
- Most expensive option
The LG C2 clearly delivers the complete premium smart TV package without any significant weaknesses. Unless you‘re on a tight budget, it’s an easy choice for the best smart TV available today.
2. Best Budget Smart TV: TCL 5-Series
Sizes: 50" – 75" | Display Type: QLED
It‘s incredible just how much technology TCL can stuff into the affordable TCL 5-Series. Costing hundreds less than the competition, you still get a bright, vibrant 4K QLED display with Dolby Vision HDR support plus Roku‘s excellent smart platform.
The 5-Series‘ iPQ Engine optimization helps unlock deep color and detail in the QLED panel. Contrast control zones also boost brightness in highlights against shadowy blacks. Gamers benefit from Auto Game Mode which detects when a console is connected to automatically enable low latency without you having to change settings.
Since it runs the Roku TV interface, you get a straightforward smart platform with every streaming app you could ask for from one simple home screen. Controls are lightning quick thanks to the quad-core processor, and you can even control the TV through voice commands using the microphone-enabled remote.
If you want premium features without the premium price tag, the TCL 5-Series should be at the top of your list. Few TVs offer this much bang for your buck.
Key Features:
● Vibrant 4K QLED Display with Dolby Vision
● iPQ Engine for Optimization
● Auto Game Mode for Low Latency
● Roku TV Interface Built-in
● Voice Remote Control Included
Pros
- Excellent picture quality for the price
- Smooth Roku smart platform
- Great gaming features
Cons
- Mediocre built-in audio
- No next-gen gaming support
While it does cut some corners to meet the lower price point, the TCL 5-Series has all of the essentials covered for an incredible value.
3. Best TV for Gaming: Samsung S95B OLED
Sizes: 55" – 65" | Display Type: OLED
Gamers who want the best-looking visuals paired with ultra-responsive performance need to check out the Samsung S95B. It‘s currently the most advanced gaming TV that Samsung offers.
You get the exceptional picture quality that OLED is known for with perfect blacks and pixel-precise highlights. Samsung‘s Neural Quantum Processor 4K powers the rapid upscaling and detail enhancement. But where the S95B really shines is its next-generation gaming capabilities – all four HDMI ports are HDMI 2.1 enabled for 4K 120fps gameplay with VRR, ALLM, and an extremely fast sub-5ms input lag in Game Mode.
The brand new Gaming Hub also integrates services like Xbox Cloud Gaming, Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now, and Utomik into an easy dashboard. And the clean, fast Tizen interface gives you access to all your favorite media apps too. If you game on the latest consoles or PC hardware, the S95B is unmatched.
Key Features:
● Stunning OLED Display with Quantum HDR
● Neural 4K Processor for Visuals
● 4x HDMI 2.1 Ports with Ultra Low Latency
● Gaming Hub with Cloud Streaming Integration
● Sleek Tizen Platform for Apps
Pros
- Best gaming performance
- Next-gen ready HDMI 2.1 ports
- Advanced upscaling and optimization
Cons
- Few size options
- Expensive
For the ultimate big-screen gaming experience, the Samsung S95B OLED is your best bet with its perfect blend of jaw-dropping visuals and lightning-quick response.
4. Best 8K Smart TV: Samsung QN900B Neo QLED
Sizes: 65” – 85” | Display Type: QLED
While 4K TVs dominate the current market, more and more 8K resolution content is right around the corner. For the early adopters who want to future-proof with 7680 x 4320 pixels, look no further than the Samsung QN900B.
Samsung‘s Mini-LED powered "Neo QLED" display features precision dimming zones for the inky blacks of OLEDs and higher peak brightness than any smart TV available. That means both dark and bright picture elements will pop with fantastic HDR contrast. The 8K upscaling is also shockingly impressive at enhancing lower resolution content thanks to the powerful Neural Quantum 8K chip.
With features tailored for next-gen gaming like four HDMI 2.1 ports, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support, and 5.1ms input lag in Game Mode, the QN900B makes sure those extra pixels don’t slow things down. And Samsung‘s Tizen operating system provides fluid navigation between your favorite apps.
Key Features:
● Incredible 8K Neo QLED Display
● Quantum 8K Processor with AI Upscaling
● Full-Array Local Dimming Zones
● Quantum HDR for Amazing Contrast
● 4x HDMI 2.1, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
Pros
- Cutting-edge 8K resolution
- Bright, colorful HDR image
- Great smart features
Cons
- Very expensive
- Limited 8K content sources
If you want to invest in a TV that‘s built for the future, look no further than the Samsung QN900B Neo QLED 8K smart TV. Stunning design and picture performance.
5. Best Value QLED: Hisense U8H
Sizes: 55” – 75” | Display Type: QLED
It’s remarkable just how far Hisense has come in recent years, and the Hisense U8H offers a seriously impressive blend of performance and affordability.
Leveraging over a thousand local dimming zones, this 4K Mini-LED QLED panel outputs searing peak brightness in HDR highlights against inky shadows for stunning contrast that give far more expensive OLEDs a run. The ULED Boost5 processor handles advanced upscaling and optimizes streaming quality on the fly. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos translate to an immersive viewing experience.
For gamers, there’s a dedicated Game Mode Plus with HDMI 2.1 inputs supporting 4K 120Hz VRR gameplay at under 15ms input lag. Smooth Android TV navigation and Google Assistant voice control round out a very well-rounded package.
Key Features:
● Bright 4K Mini-LED QLED Display
● Full Array Local Dimming Zones
● Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos
● ULED Boost5 Processor
● HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, Auto Low Latency Mode
Pros
- Excellent contrast and brightness
- Great smart and gaming features
- High value
Cons
- Mediocre off-angle viewing
- Subpar built-in speakers
For shoppers who want close to flagship performance without the lofty price tag, the feature-packed Hisense U8H QLED TV is easily one of the best values this year.
6. Best Design: LG G2 Gallery Series
Sizes: 55", 65", 77", 83" | Display Type: OLED
Let‘s wrap things up with the unique LG G2 Gallery Series. Beyond just being a superb OLED TV, the Gallery Series features an ultra-slim profile and minimalist design so that it almost looks like a work of art hanging on your wall.
LG‘s latest evo OLED panel with anti-reflective coating produces perfectly deep blacks with precise color accuracy and detail. The upgrade α9 Gen6 processor leverages deep learning to optimize every piece of content in real-time. You also get Dolby Atmos sound with virtual surround built-in.
While priced at a premium and lacking next-gen gaming features, there’s no denying the LG G2 makes a serious aesthetic statement. Rotating wall mount included for easy switching between landscape and portrait orientation too.
Key Features:
● Stunning Gallery Design TV
● Self-Lit OLED evo Display
● α9 Gen6 AI Processor
● Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos
● Rotating Wall Mount Included
Pros
- Incredible OLED picture
- Gorgeous, customizable design
- Great built-in sound
Cons
- Lacks next-gen gaming features
- Most expensive model
With its unique Gallery aesthetic allowing you to display art or photos when powered off, the LG G2 is perfect for design enthusiasts who still want best-in-class visual performance.
What Smart TV Is Right For You?
When it comes to shopping for a new smart TV in 2023, there are clearly more great options than ever catering to all use cases.
The LG C2 OLED leads the pack as the overall best performer with its impeccable display, premium smart features, and future-proof specifications. Gamers should hone in on the lightning-fast Samsung S95B OLED or consider upgrading to 8K with the QN900B Neo QLED. And the TCL 5-Series stands tall when it comes to incredible VALUE.
No matter your priorities – whether it’s the best visuals for movies & streaming, best-in-class gaming speed, or maximizing price/performance – there’s a smart TV here capable of satisfying your needs. Hopefully breaking down the top options today assists you in upgrading your entertainment experience.
