As home entertainment has evolved to revolve around streaming content and accessing apps straight from the television, smart TVs have become the new norm. These internet-connected sets feature built-in platforms that deliver popular services like Netflix and ESPN directly through the TV. No need for an additional streaming device!
Beyond access to movies, shows and more, smart TVs add conveniences like voice commands, screen mirroring from your phone, and acting as a hub to control smart home devices. With so many options available today boasting the latest display advancements and next-gen gaming support, it can get overwhelming finding the right model.
As an experienced analyst deeply embedded in the TV industry for over 5 years, I‘ve tested the best smart TVs on the market taking into account all aspects of real-world performance. Below I break down my top recommendations spanning needs and budgets to help you discover the perfect smart TV.
Best Smart TVs – Quick Comparison
To simplify the options, here is an overview of my top smart TV recommendations grouped by common use cases:
| Use Case | TV Model | Screen Type | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | LG C2 | OLED | $1429 |
| Budget | TCL 6-Series | QLED | $980 |
| For Gamers | Samsung QN90B Neo QLED | QLED | $1500 |
| 8K Future-Proof | Samsung QN900B | QLED | $2500 |
| Compact Size | Amazon Fire TV Omni | LED | $400 |
Now let‘s explore what makes each of these smart TVs great.
🏆 LG C2 OLED TV – Best Overall
Of all the televisions I analyzed, LG‘s brilliant C2 OLED TV stands out as the best option available right now. Here‘s why:
Stunning OLED Display
The LG C2 sports a gorgeous OLED panel with over 8 million self-emitting pixels that can turn on/off individually. This enables effectively infinite contrast – pixels emit their own light for vibrant color then turn off for perfect, uniform blacks. Everything from movies to games look incredible with incredible depth and realism.
Fantastic Viewing Angles
Thanks to OLED technology, colors remain accurate and brightness/black levels stay consistent even viewing this TV at extreme side angles. The entire family can enjoy a vivid, immersive picture no matter where they sit.
Intuitive webOS Platform
LG‘s smart platform webOS provides quick access to every major streaming service alongside built-in support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands. It‘s a slick interface making it super simple to find and start watching content fast.
Cutting-Edge Gaming Features
Serious gamers will appreciate four HDMI 2.1 inputs supporting 4K 120fps gameplay. With Nvidia G-Sync and AMD Freesync support plus a fast 1ms response time, gameplay stays smooth with no screen tearing/stuttering. A dedicated Game Optimizer mode provides extra telemetry and graphics settings fine-tuning.
Final Analysis
Balancing exceptional entertainment technology with easy usability, the LG C2 OLED TV earns its place as my pick for best smart TV you can buy today. While the OLED panel commands a premium price, you’d have to spend upwards of $2500+ on LED models to achieve this level of performance making the C2 reasonable for a top-tier television.
💰 TCL 6-Series – Most Affordable Quality
Proving you don‘t need to spend a fortune for excellent smart TV specs, TCL‘s value-packed 6-Series QLED TV wins my recommendation for budget-friendly shoppers. Let‘s break down why:
Quantum Dot Display
This TCL model utilizes Quantum Dot technology for markedly improved brightness, a wider range of possible colors, better real-world color accuracy and superior high dynamic range (HDR) abilities. The result is stunning 4K clarity filled with vivid, life-like colors.
Excellent Contrast Control
Full array backlighting paired with Contrast Control Zones allow the screen to precisely dim or boost areas of light and dark. This showcases incredible depth particularly noticeable in darker, atmospheric movie scenes with deep shadows yet balanced lighting.
Roku TV Software
As a Roku TV, the brilliant simplicity Roku is known for greets you every time you turn this television on. Their platform makes navigating streaming apps and inputs a breeze thanks to an intuitive tile-based menu system focused on getting you watching content fast. Voice commands via the remote streamline searching for specific movies/shows.
Gaming Readiness
Console or PC gamers benefit from dedicated presets like a THX Certified Game Mode tailored for smoother, lag-reduced gameplay alongside Auto Game Mode enabling Variable Refresh Rates (VRR) and other settings. AMD FreeSync support further minimizes tearing/stuttering.
Final Analysis
For under $1000 even at the 65-inch screen size, the TCL 6-Series delivers phenomenal smart TV value. The Roku TV operating system stays snappy thanks to a speedy processor while picture quality rivals models double the cost. Unless you require an OLED display or more advanced gaming features, this TV hits the sweet spot balancing performance, smarts and affordability.
🎮 Samsung QN90B For Gamers
Gamers rejoice – Samsung‘s brilliant Neo QLED TV checks every box needed for big screen gaming domination. Let‘s run through what makes the QN90B so great for gaming:
HDMI 2.1 Longevity
Four HDMI 2.1 inputs provide plenty of ports for hooking up today‘s major consoles and high-end graphics cards. This also future-proofs compatibility with 8K/120fps requirements down the road so you won‘t need to upgrade TVs anytime soon.
VRR, FreeSync Premium Support
With cutting-edge Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro capabilities, gameplay stays tear and stutter-free by synchronizing the screen‘s refresh rate with your console‘s graphics chip. Everything stays super smooth no matter how frantic the action gets.
Dedicated Game Bar
The moment a game console or PC gets connected, a Game Bar overlay activates on-screen during gaming sessions. This lets you monitor key performance metrics like FPS rate, input lag, HDR/SDR formats and aspect ratio settings on the fly so you can fine tune TV settings as you compete without fumbling around menus.
4K Quantum HDR
Samsung‘s latest Mini-LED tech and Quantum HDR powers striking brightness, elite contrast and expanded color for astonishing detail. Explosions shine brightly, shadows look deep and dark, while gameplay environments feel more immersive bathed in wide range colors that look spectacularly realistic.
Final Analysis
The Samsung QN90B Neo QLED TV sets a new standard for big-screen gaming excellence. Cutting-edge visual technology like Quantum HDR and Mini-LED backlighting combines with tailored gaming software conveniences like the Game Bar and adaptive refresh rate support that outclasses the competition. If you demand the best for console or PC gaming, this TV delivers.
📺 Samsung QN900B – 8K Future-Proof
While 4K and even 1080p content still makes up the majority of streaming today, forward-thinking buyers should have the groundbreaking Samsung QN900B 8K Neo QLED TV on their radar. Let‘s explore why:
Unmatched 8K Picture
Featuring an incredible 7680 x 4320 resolution display, the level of extra sharpness and clarity 8K enables over 4K has to be seen to be believed. Every tiny detail even in complex images comes through beautifully thanks to 33 million pixels flooding the Quantum Matrix Pro panel. Photos, videos and games feel more lifelike than ever thanks to the heightened sense of depth 8K resolution provides.
Revolutionary Mini-LED Backlight
Typical LED TVs use hundreds of standard LEDs to illuminate the screen from behind. In contrast, the QN900B utilizes breakthrough ultra-precise Mini-LEDs measured in microns. This allows for much finer brightness control to significantly boost contrast, black levels and peak brightness through 25,000+ independent dimming zones.
Quantum 8K Processor
AI-powered 8K upscaling ensures lower resolution movies/shows appear incredibly sharp on the cutting-edge 8K panel. Samsung‘s latest Neo Quantum Processor leverages machine learning to analyze and optimize picture quality on a scene-by-scene basis. Even older DVD-quality content looks better than ever thanks to the advanced 8K upscaling.
Smart Hub Ecosystem
Samsung‘s Tizen operating system grants access to every major streaming service alongside niceties like always-on PC mirroring and built-in support for Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Samsung Bixby voice commands. For smart home control, SmartThings integration allows easily connecting video doorbells, security cameras and more into the TV.
Final Analysis
There‘s no better way to future-proof your TV purchase than investing in the game-changing Samsung QN900B 8K Neo QLED today. Expensive yes, but you‘ll benefit from industry-leading clarity and contrast that gets the most out of native 8K content down the road. And thanks to intelligent AI upscaling, even current 4K video streams look their absolute best on this exceptional television leading the way forward.
📱 Vizio M-Series – Best Under $500
Proving you no longer need a huge budget for a quality smart TV experience, Vizio‘s M-Series packs plenty of features into a wallet-friendly price point. Let‘s take a closer look:
Vibrant 4K Display
This LED-backlit LCD television delivers a detailed Ultra HD 3840 x 2160 resolution complete with support for top HDR formats like Dolby Vision. An Active Full Array backlight with up to 90 local dimming zones provides excellent screen uniformity and contrast balance. The picture looks fabulous streaming 4K movies and shows.
Smooth Performance
A speedy IQ Active processor ensures snappy response as you navigate between apps and streaming services. Combined with 60Hz effective refresh rate, everything from live sports to action movies plays smoothly without motion blur or jitteriness.
SmartCast Interface
Vizio SmartCast software offers a visually sleek, smartphone-like experience focused on app-based content. Support for Apple AirPlay, Chromecast built-in and voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa grant robust connectivity. Stream photos/videos from your phone or ask Alexa to launch Netflix completely hands-free.
Comprehensive Gaming
ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) automatically switches into low lag Game Mode making gameplay more responsive. With Variable Refresh Rate support and AMD FreeSync capabilities, screen tearing and stuttering is minimized for PCs and the latest consoles.
Final Analysis
It‘s remarkable the entertainment value under $500 buys you these days. Vizio‘s M-Series television provides gorgeous 4K streaming, effective gaming abilities and satisfying smart features for an unbelievable price. Outside of more advanced screen technology like OLED or Quantum Dot displays only available on more expensive models, this LED TV gives you tremendous value – highly recommended!
I hope breaking down my smart TV recommendations complete with in-depth analysis better equips you to choose the perfect television matching needs from display quality to streaming features within your budget. Let me know if you have any other questions!
