TV Buying Guide
Posted on February 01, 2023 By Alison PYou and your television have had some great times together, but you're ready to start a new chapter in your entertainment life and begin the search for a new TV. Browsing through your options may feel like getting buried in an avalanche of confusing capital-letter initials (LED, OLED, QLED, Neo QLED, Mini-LED), but we've got a handy guide of today's most common TV options to take some pressure off. Read on to find out about all of the TVs on sale in the modern market and some other key details you should keep in mind as you look for your own.
TV Size Guide
An important first step in choosing a television is selecting the proper screen dimensions. A good metric for television sizing is ten inches of screen for every foot of viewing distance. For example, if you'll be sitting five feet away from your TV, a 50" TV screen is roughly where you'd like to be; go much smaller, and you won't get the best viewing experience. Measure the distance between your television's future home and the spot from which you'll be viewing it most often, and use that to determine the optimal size of your new TV. If you've got a large living room, we've got good news: Large-screen televisions like a 75" TV, 85" TV and larger are now more accessible than ever, both in terms of selection as well as affordability. Even a 98" or 100” TV can be attainable if you shop during the right sale. Don't forget that a large screen will truly allow you to take in the superior detail that a high-resolution TV provides. For smaller spaces like a kitchen or small bedroom, a 32-inch TV is a common choice. When looking for a TV for your home, don't hesitate to peruse all the options. You may be pleasantly surprised!
Screen Resolution
4K Ultra HD TV- Boasting a screen with more than eight million pixels, a 4K television displays images at four times the resolution of a conventional HD television. As of this writing, 4K-resolution entertainment can be found on streaming services like Netflix or Hulu, Prime Video, and more! Many 4K televisions can also automatically upconvert lower-resolution content into a more highly-detailed picture. A 4K TV is much more mainstream than it was a few years ago, so don't hesitate to keep your sizing options open. You may be able to go larger than you think!
8K Ultra HD TV - These screens display four times the resolution of 4K and sixteen times the pixels of HD for a total of 33 million pixels. Modern gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are both capable of running your games at 8K. This means if you're a gamer who values visuals and you want to get the most out of your console, there's no beating an 8K TV. Just remember that you'll need an ultra-premium certified HDMI cable to connect your various devices to an 8K TV correctly and to have your content actually appear in 8K quality. It's not every day you buy a new TV, so going for the higher resolution will keep your technology more up to date for a longer time.
HDR TV (High Dynamic Range) - While we are including it under the "Resolution" heading, HDR is a feature that has more to do with contrast range than it does with resolution. These screens produce a wider color spectrum, enhancing the individual pixels to present a more dramatic range of color and a higher contrast between light and dark. The information to produce an HDR image is encoded directly in its video signal; while a regular TV simply ignores this metadata, HDR TVs have the capability to read it and give the image the high-contrast look its creators intended. As of writing, the best form of HDR is Dolby Vision, which is able to add even more detail and color quality to all of your favorite content. Check out our learning center to get more specific information about what HDR is.
Gaming TV - Gaming TVs are designed to be able to handle the demands of your most powerful gaming system. While gaming TVs bring many amazing features to the table, they are mainly known for their high refresh rates. If your TV has a high refresh rate, it will be able to display more images per second on its screen. This means you'll experience less lag in your favorite video games, or even while you're watching your favorite sport. Most gaming TVs have anywhere between a 60Hz refresh rate and a 120Hz refresh rate which are both considered to be solid numbers when it comes to gaming. If you really want a premium gaming experience, then you can even find TVs with 144Hz refresh rates, allowing you to have even less lag, making your gaming session even smoother.
8K Ultra HD TV - These screens display four times the resolution of 4K and sixteen times the pixels of HD for a total of 33 million pixels. Modern gaming consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are both capable of running your games at 8K. This means if you're a gamer who values visuals and you want to get the most out of your console, there's no beating an 8K TV. Just remember that you'll need an ultra-premium certified HDMI cable to connect your various devices to an 8K TV correctly and to have your content actually appear in 8K quality. It's not every day you buy a new TV, so going for the higher resolution will keep your technology more up to date for a longer time.
HDR TV (High Dynamic Range) - While we are including it under the "Resolution" heading, HDR is a feature that has more to do with contrast range than it does with resolution. These screens produce a wider color spectrum, enhancing the individual pixels to present a more dramatic range of color and a higher contrast between light and dark. The information to produce an HDR image is encoded directly in its video signal; while a regular TV simply ignores this metadata, HDR TVs have the capability to read it and give the image the high-contrast look its creators intended. As of writing, the best form of HDR is Dolby Vision, which is able to add even more detail and color quality to all of your favorite content. Check out our learning center to get more specific information about what HDR is.
Gaming TV - Gaming TVs are designed to be able to handle the demands of your most powerful gaming system. While gaming TVs bring many amazing features to the table, they are mainly known for their high refresh rates. If your TV has a high refresh rate, it will be able to display more images per second on its screen. This means you'll experience less lag in your favorite video games, or even while you're watching your favorite sport. Most gaming TVs have anywhere between a 60Hz refresh rate and a 120Hz refresh rate which are both considered to be solid numbers when it comes to gaming. If you really want a premium gaming experience, then you can even find TVs with 144Hz refresh rates, allowing you to have even less lag, making your gaming session even smoother.
LED and OLED
Types of OLED TVs
Standard OLED TV (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) - The screen of an OLED television is made up of millions of diodes in the form of pixels. What's unique about this type of television is that each individual pixel is self-lighting; in addition to dimming and brightening, the pixels can actually switch on and off. This produces the darkest black possible, creating superior contrast and colors that truly stand out.
QD-OLED TV - The QD in QD-OLED stands for quantum dot. The quantum dot layer inside this TV screen enhances images with greater brightness and a color spectrum of over a billion shades. This quantum dot layer works in tandem with the OLED self-illuminating pixels to create even brighter colors alongside true black, bringing you dazzling images every time you turn on your TV.
Types of LED TVs
Standard LED TV (Light-Emitting Diode) - LED actually refers to the screen's light source rather than the image itself; the LED is what provides the television's backlighting. There are different types of TV LED screens; an Edge Lit LED TV has its lights along the edge of the screen, while a Backlit LED obviously has the lights arranged behind the screen. Another style of backlit TV is a Full Array LED TV, available on select models of LED and QLED televisions. Instead of uniform illumination, a full array screen has hundreds of independently-operated LED lights spread throughout. This allows for pinpointed dimming and brightening on isolated parts of the screen, improving contrast and creating more lifelike images.
QLED TV (Quantum Dot LED) - The QLED TV is another kind of TV that makes use of a quantum dot layer. These TVs still rely on the LED backlight for a light source, but the quantum dot layer enhances the detail of the onscreen image itself. The QLED screen also allows clear visibility from every angle and is designed to keep glare to an absolute minimum.
QNED TV (Quantum Nano-Emitting Diode) - Though they are similar to QLED TVs, QNED TVs are a special type of TV from LG that combine both the quantum dot technology mentioned above, and LG's very own NanoCell technology. NanoCell tech blocks out excess light and generally enhances the contrast of these TVs, while the quantum dots work to create vibrant colors. With these two pieces of technology working together you'll end up with astounding visuals. To get a more thorough rundown on QNED TVs check out our blog: QNED: The LED TV with Amazing Color and Lots More.
Mini-LED TV - Mini LED TVs, as their name implies, make use of smaller LEDs to light up their screens which allows them to have more individual lights than a standard LED TV. This grants them both greater contrast and image quality as typically more LEDs means more brightness control. With all of these features, you'll notice greater contrast and exceptional brightness to better immerse you in your favorite movies and TV shows.
Neo QLED TVs - These TVs are made by Samsung and leverage the mini-LED and the Quantum Dot technology from above. The mini-LEDs help optimize the brighness and contrast of these TVs, while the Quantum Dots help add more detail to everything on screen. They're important to note as they use these two technologies to the fullest extent, giving you amazing visuals, and a great viewing experience.
Smart TVs
Buying a new TV isn't something you do often, so why not bring your home entertainment experience to the next level with a Smart TV? Depending on brand and model, you'll enjoy extra features like built-in WiFi to allow integration with your Smart Home network. Many models directly connect to streaming services like Hulu, Netflix or Prime Video, and many also come with an internet browser for easy web surfing directly from your living room couch. The TV's operating system may also offer the ability to use voice commands with a built-in Google assistant or Amazon Alexa. Some smart TVs can also sync with your Ring doorbell or Nest cameras so you'll be able to see who's at the door directly on your TV. Some of the best smart TV models even offer a screen-mirroring feature that can work with your smartphone or tablet. With this feature, you can watch a show on your phone during your commute, then connect to your TV at home and pick up right where you left off. You can also use your mobile device as a second TV screen or even as a remote control. We have a video about the benefits of smart TVs if you want to learn even more about these amazing TVs. You can check out our selection of smart TVs like our smart LG 65 inch TVs, Samsung 75 inch TVs, Sony TVs, and more!
Design-Focused TVs
Some TVs are designed to blend right into a room's decor. Design-focused TVs like the Samsung Frame TV, the LG Gallery, Hisense Frame, and TCL NXTFRame, are known for their elegant style and unique presence. These televisions offer beautiful, sleek designs as well as high-end technology, with features like 4K displays, realistic color quality and smart technology being standard in many models. Select styles will also come with passive viewing modes that allow you to display a single image in high definition when the TV is not in use, effectively turning your TV into a high-definition art piece.
Outdoor TVs
If you've been dreaming of adding even more function to your outdoor space, why not look into an Outdoor TV? Between the Samsung Terrace series, Furrion and SunBrite TV brands, there are a variety of options available for screen sizes as well as brightness levels to suit any outdoor venue. Many outdoor TV models have also started to include smart functionality, making it easier than ever to stream your favorite movies and TV shows outdoors. There are multiple different types of outdoor televisions to consider, and the type that's best for you will depend on where you intend on putting the TV. A full sun outdoor TV offers the brightest possible display; designed to be anti-glare even on the sunniest days, these models are ideal for placement near a pool or other active outdoor area. A partial sun outdoor TV functions well in a spot with occasional shade that still gets sunlight at certain times of day, like a patio or veranda. Full shade outdoor TVs are made to be placed in areas with no direct sunlight; their brightness levels are still higher than your average indoor TV, but they're best suited for shady areas. In other words, you're going to want to choose an option that best suits the spot you plan on putting your TV in. The amount of sun exposure should match the TV type.
TV Accessories
There are a number of TV accessories out there that you should own to make your setup even better. Some of the most helpful ones to own are:
Soundbars - A great pair of speakers, or a high-quality soundbar can really help amp up your TV's sound quality! Most TVs these days are made to be as thin as possible, thus leaving little room for larger, louder speakers. That's where speakers and soundbars come in. These devices can provide you with the audio quality that your favorite TV shows and movies deserve. Whether you want to hear the bombastic sounds of action in the latest blockbuster, or you want to be able to clearly hear some dialogue in a drama, a speaker or soundbar can give you the audio clarity you need. To learn more about soundbars specifically, you can check out our soundbar buying guide.
Cables - Of course, it's always good to have some extra cables on standby. HDMI cables are always helpful and are used to connect nearly every major device to your TV, whether it be a video game console, or anything else. Do bear in mind that HDMI cables have also come a long way over the years. Your cable from a few years ago might not be quite as effective as a new one, especially if you plan on using it for something like gaming. Make sure you update your cables to the latest versions every few years.
Antennas - You read right, TV antennas are actually still used today, and with good reason! Though they may not look like you remember, a modern TV antenna operates in much the same way as a classic model. They allow your TV to stream channels without having to pay for cable. Though their efficacy will always depend on where you are, these newer antennas tend to be able to reach farther, drawing in even more channels, and at higher quality., In some cases you can stream 4K content for free without the need for cable, or a paid service.
Remotes - Everyone's lost a TV remote at one point or another. Once it does, it can be a real pain to have to go back and forth to your TV every time you want to turn it on, change the channel or raise the volume. That's why it's always wise to have a spare universal remote on hand that can be programmed to control your TV as a backup remote. These handy devices are usually easy to set up and can really help out in a pinch.
TV Mounts and TV Stands - If you want to put your TV up on your wall, or just generally adjust your viewing angle, then a TV mount or stand would be very convenient. There are many different kinds of mounts out there that'll let you put your TV on whichever angle you want. There are also other distinctions to make between the various kinds of TV mounts. Ultra slim mounts are meant to fit close to your wall as possible, and can handle holding thin TVs. Tilt mounts are able to tilt in various directions, giving you access to various viewing angles. Full motion TV mounts are able to move around quite a bit, they can extend from the wall, tilt, and even swivel in some cases as needed to better watch your TV. As far as stands go, you can find models with shelving, and even some with built-in electric fireplaces to add some extra ambiance to your living room.
Soundbars - A great pair of speakers, or a high-quality soundbar can really help amp up your TV's sound quality! Most TVs these days are made to be as thin as possible, thus leaving little room for larger, louder speakers. That's where speakers and soundbars come in. These devices can provide you with the audio quality that your favorite TV shows and movies deserve. Whether you want to hear the bombastic sounds of action in the latest blockbuster, or you want to be able to clearly hear some dialogue in a drama, a speaker or soundbar can give you the audio clarity you need. To learn more about soundbars specifically, you can check out our soundbar buying guide.
Cables - Of course, it's always good to have some extra cables on standby. HDMI cables are always helpful and are used to connect nearly every major device to your TV, whether it be a video game console, or anything else. Do bear in mind that HDMI cables have also come a long way over the years. Your cable from a few years ago might not be quite as effective as a new one, especially if you plan on using it for something like gaming. Make sure you update your cables to the latest versions every few years.
Antennas - You read right, TV antennas are actually still used today, and with good reason! Though they may not look like you remember, a modern TV antenna operates in much the same way as a classic model. They allow your TV to stream channels without having to pay for cable. Though their efficacy will always depend on where you are, these newer antennas tend to be able to reach farther, drawing in even more channels, and at higher quality., In some cases you can stream 4K content for free without the need for cable, or a paid service.
Remotes - Everyone's lost a TV remote at one point or another. Once it does, it can be a real pain to have to go back and forth to your TV every time you want to turn it on, change the channel or raise the volume. That's why it's always wise to have a spare universal remote on hand that can be programmed to control your TV as a backup remote. These handy devices are usually easy to set up and can really help out in a pinch.
TV Mounts and TV Stands - If you want to put your TV up on your wall, or just generally adjust your viewing angle, then a TV mount or stand would be very convenient. There are many different kinds of mounts out there that'll let you put your TV on whichever angle you want. There are also other distinctions to make between the various kinds of TV mounts. Ultra slim mounts are meant to fit close to your wall as possible, and can handle holding thin TVs. Tilt mounts are able to tilt in various directions, giving you access to various viewing angles. Full motion TV mounts are able to move around quite a bit, they can extend from the wall, tilt, and even swivel in some cases as needed to better watch your TV. As far as stands go, you can find models with shelving, and even some with built-in electric fireplaces to add some extra ambiance to your living room.
With so many different kinds of TVs to choose from today, it can be hard to know exactly where to start your shopping. We hope this guide made the process just a little easier. We wish you luck on your TV shopping journey and to score a better deal we recommend you shop for TVs on sale.