UNDER CONSTRUCTION!!!

Tech News

Keeping You Up To Date With The Latest Tech News & Virus Threats
Font size: +

The best TVs of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

Whether you're looking to upgrade your home theater setup with a high-end OLED screen ahead of the holiday season or pick up a budget-friendly TV for your bedroom, there are tons of high-quality options to choose from. The best TVs you can buy right now offer a great balance between features, screen size, connectivity, and, of course, price. 

Big brands like Samsung and Sony offer premium models with features like object-tracking sound, OLED panels, and cloud gaming support. And smaller brands like Hisense and TCL offer more mid-range and budget-friendly options that still provide core features like 4K resolution and HDR support to give them great value for the money. 

Also: The best sound systems you can buy

What is the best TV right now?

At ZDNET, we've extensively tested TVs from Samsung, Sony, TCL, and more. Our choice for the best TV overall is the Samsung S95D for its object-tracking sound, excellent picture quality, and integrated security chip. You can keep reading below to find out more about the Samsung S95D as well as my other top picks for the best TVs you can buy.

The best TVs of 2024

Show less

Samsung S95D

Best TV overall

The Samsung S95D is the brand's latest iteration of their OLED lineup, and it offers plenty of reasons to upgrade. Along with signature OLED picture quality, you'll get a base refresh rate of 120Hz that can be bumped up to 144Hz for gaming or smoother action during fast-paced movies, shows, or sports broadcasts. It works with both Dolby Atmos and Samsung's object tracking sound technology to create 3D virtual surround sound without the need for extra speakers or sound bars. 

Read more: Samsung's S95D OLED is the best TV of CES 2024 and the best in the world right now 

You'll also get built-in voice controls via Alexa, Samsung's Bixby, and Hey Google for hands-free use of your TV. ZDNET's editor-in-chief, Jason Hiner, got to check out the Samsung S95D for himself at CES 2024, and he not only named it the best TV of CES, but the "best in the world right now." He was very impressed by the anti-glare coating of the screen, which helps boost visibility in brighter rooms. He also praised the color accuracy and crisp text the QD-OLED panel can produce. And verified reviews from Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung's own site agree that the picture quality is some of the best on the market and highlight that the TV's quality is well-worth the price.

Samsung S95D specs: Screen size: 55-77 inches | Panel type: OLED | Refresh rate: Up to 144Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: OLED HDR Pro | Audio: Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound+ | Voice controls: Alexa, Bixby, Hey Google

Samsung 77-inch OLED TV S95D (2024)

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

TCL Q65

Best budget TV

The TCL Q65 continues the brand's tradition offering quality smart TVs at affordable prices. You can pay as little as $250 for the 43-inch version, and even the largest size at an impressive 98 inches retails for around $2,000 making it one of the most affordable big-screen TVs you can buy. At any size, the Q65 offers great 4K resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support for smooth action and sharper contrast. 

It also supports Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound and a more immersive experience. You'll get built-in voice controls via Alexa, Hey Google, and even Siri via Apple HomeKit for hands-free TV use. Console gamers will love the dedicated gaming mode with automatic low latency and VRR support to prevent screen tearing and stuttering.  

TCL U65 specs: Screen size: 43-98 inches | Panel type: LED | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Dolby Vision IQ | Audio: Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X | Voice controls: Alexa, Hey Google, Apple HomeKit

A TCL Q65 TV on a grey background

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

LG C4

Best OLED TV

LG has updated its flagship OLED line with the C4. It features an improved OLED panel for a brighter picture as well as signature clarity, color accuracy, and contrast. It also has a base refresh rate of 120Hz that can be bumped up to 144Hz for console gaming or watching sports broadcasts, so you never miss a second of action to motion blur. 

The excellent picture is matched by Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound audio for a more immersive experience. You can also set up a custom home audio system with wireless Bluetooth connectivity or HDMI ARC inputs for cinema-quality sound at home. With Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, you can share content from your iOS or Android devices for more ways to watch videos, view photos, and stream music. 

LG C4 specs: Screen size: 42-83 inches | Panel type: OLED | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Voice controls: Alexa, Hey Google

An LG C4 OLED TV on a grey background

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

Samsung QN90D

Best TV for gaming

The QN90D is one of Samsung's latest additions to their Neo QLED TV lineup, and it's an excellent choice for both PC and console gamers. It is available in screen sizes from as small as 43 inches for use in shared spaces or as a monitor to as large as 98 inches for the ultimate gaming screen. It also has a base refresh rate of 120Hz that can be pushed to 144Hz, making it great for both console and PC gaming.

The QN90D supports both Dolby Atmos and Samsung's object tracking sound technology for 3D virtual surround sound that follows the on-screen action. This aims to give you a more immersive experience without the need for a headset or expensive, extra speakers. A dedicated gaming dashboard lets you have access to cloud gaming services like Xbox GamePass while also monitoring picture and audio settings to catch issues in real-time before they can ruin your game. And with support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR technology, the TV will automatically adjust its refresh rate to match your PC or console, preventing annoying screen tearing and stuttering.

ZDNET's Jason Hiner was able to get up-close and personal with the QN90D at a Samsung event, and was impressed with how bright the screen could get as well as the high-quality picture. He also praised the inclusion of Samsung's Knox security chip for better online privacy. 

Samsung QN90D specs: Screen size: 43-98 inches | Panel type: Neo QLED | Refresh rate: Up to 144Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Neo Quantum HDR+ | Audio: Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound+ | Voice controls: Alexa, Bixby, Hey Google

Samsung 8K QN900D TV with ZDNET on display.

Show Expert Take Show less

Show less

TCL QM8

Best big-screen TV

If you're looking for a quality big-screen TV for everything from watching local news to streaming new movies and console gaming, the TCL QM8 is a great option. It's available in screen sizes up to an impressive 98 inches, which means you can get a truly cinematic experience right in your own home. The updated QLED panel is capable of producing bold, bright colors, deep contrast, and sharp detailing that makes everything from old cartoons to the latest triple-A video games look amazing.

Read the review: TCL QM8 hands-on review

Along with a great picture, you'll also get a 120Hz native refresh rate for smoother playback of fast-paced scenes. And Dolby Atmos helps to boost dialogue and create more immersive audio for streaming movies and shows as well as when playing video games. I got to test the TCL QM8 myself, and I absolutely loved how well the upscaling worked for older TV shows like Teen Titans as well as the high refresh rate for playing games like Hades.

TCL QM8 specs: Screen size: 65-98 inches | Panel type: QLED | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Voice controls: Alexa, Hey Google

65 inch TCL QM8 Television

Show Expert Take Show less

More best TVs to consider

The Amazon Fire TV Omni Series QLED TV showing a still from the movie Emma

Great for streaming

Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED

The Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED is a great option for those who want a feature-packed TV with Alexa voice controls and Fire TV built-in.

View at Amazon

Close-up of the Hisense U8N showing a screen saver of a red rock canyon with a river flowing through it.

Great for gaming

HIsense U8N

With a 144Hz refresh rate and support for AMD FreeSync Premium VRR, you'll get crisp, clean motion during fast-paced gameplay and cutscenes.

View at Amazon

A Hisense U7N TV on a grey background

Budget-friendly big-screen

Hisense U7n

The Hisense U7N is available in screen sizes up to 85 inches and offers an excellent balance between price and features.

View at Best Buy

×
Stay Informed

When you subscribe to the blog, we will send you an e-mail when there are new updates on the site so you wouldn't miss them.

BlackCat Ransomware Successor Cicada3301 Emerges
I Turn Old Tech Into Keychain Charms (And You Can ...
 

Comments

No comments made yet. Be the first to submit a comment
Already Registered? Login Here
Tuesday, 22 October 2024

Captcha Image

I Got A Virus and I Don't Know What To Do!

I Need Help!