Top Picks From LG, TCL, Sony, Samsung, and Hisense

TV FAQs

Is Cyber Monday a good time to buy a TV?

Cyber Monday is an excellent time to purchase a new TV. We often see displays across all budget ranges and sizes hit new all-time low prices. However, you should keep in mind that TV manufacturers typically announce new display models in January and then start rolling them out to retailers in March. As a result, we also tend to see big TV deals in February right before the Super Bowl as stores try to sell older models to make room for new ones. These deals are usually similar to what we see on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. Ultimately, if you see a great Black Friday TV deal we recommend snagging it, but if you end up missing any, you’ll likely get another shot at similar deals in February. 

What TV brands should you consider?

There are lots of TV brands to choose from, but some are better for certain needs than others. Sony, Samsung, and LG are the cream of the crop if you’re looking for the latest display technologies and best build quality. However, their midrange and entry-level TVs tend to be a bit overpriced compared to similar options from competing brands. If you want a high-end OLED or QLED TV, the above brands should be your first choice, but you can often get more bang-for-your-buck from other companies. 

For instance, Hisense, TCL, and Vizio all sell affordable mid-tier QLED TVs that offer similar if not better picture quality than comparable options from Sony, LG,and Samsung. You’ll still get better build quality and fancier design perks from those more expensive brands, but these value-geared companies deliver advanced features like quantum dots and local dimming without breaking the bank.   

Roku and Amazon have also launched midrange and entry-level TVs to compete with Hisense, Vizio, and TCL. Their top models are solid buys if you can snag them on sale, but otherwise you can find options with slightly better specs for about the same price from other companies. 

Buyers who just want a no-frills entry-level LED TV should also consider budget brands like Insignia and Toshiba. Both companies sell inexpensive 4K and HDTVs that use the Amazon Fire TV interface and they tend to get heavily discounted during sales like Prime Day and Black Friday. Generally, we recommend paying a bit more to get a TV from one of the other brands we’ve already mentioned, but these displays are fine for casual viewing, especially if you want a smaller screen size for a bedroom or dorm.  

What size TV is best?

TVs come in various sizes, with some models offering options as small as 24 inches and others offering options as large as 100 inches or more. When deciding what size TV to get, you should consider a few factors, including the display’s resolution, the size of the room it’s going in, how close you plan to sit to it, and how much money you’re willing to spend. 

Typically, bigger screen sizes are pricier than comparable models in smaller sizes, and you’ll need to have a big enough TV stand or wall to fit the TV you buy. Certain sizes are also better suited for certain resolutions.

For instance, HD resolution screens are still acceptable for smaller sizes of around 43 inches or under. In that range, it’s difficult to see the benefits of a higher resolution from an average viewing distance. On sets 50 inches and larger, however, we recommend opting for a 4K set to get the best image quality, especially if you plan to sit close to your display. Meanwhile, the benefits of 8K resolution are best appreciated on extra-large TVs that are 75 inches or more.

Many companies use 65 inches as their flagship size to show off their best TV models, and we think this size offers a great balance between big-screen immersion and value, without getting too big for most living rooms. Check out our guide to the best 65-inch TV to see see our top recommendations at that size. 

What smart TV interfaces does each brand use?

Pretty much any new TV you buy in 2023 will be a smart TV with built-in support for accessing various streaming services. However, different brands use different smart TV operating systems (OS). 

Here’s a breakdown of popular smart TV platforms and the brands that use them:

There are some slight differences in the selection of apps across each service, but every major smart TV platform offers access to all of the most popular streaming services. They all deliver similar features as well, but the style of navigation, personalization options, and extra perks all vary.

In general, we like Roku’s interface the best since it’s the most straightforward and reliable of the bunch. However, its design is a little outdated compared to other platforms that offer a more slick, content-focused style. 

Which smart TV OS is best for your needs really comes down to personal preference and whether you’re already plugged into a smart home ecosystem. For instance, a Google TV or Fire TV will pair more seamlessly with existing Google or Amazon accounts and devices you might already own. 

If you don’t like the interface that comes built into your TV, we recommend checking out our guide to the best streaming devices. You can choose a standalone streaming device with whatever OS you prefer. Standalone streaming players also tend to offer snappier performance than built-in smart TV interfaces. Roku and Fire TV devices are frequently on sale for as little as $20. 

What’s the difference between OLED, QLED, and LED TVs?

If you buy a TV in 2023, chances are it will be branded as one of four primary display types: OLED, QD-OLED, QLED, or LED. Though performance varies depending on which specific model you buy, each technology has its own strengths and weaknesses that could make it better suited for different kinds of viewers. 

Here’s a rundown of pros and cons for each:

*LG’s G3 OLED TV uses Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, which enables it to match the peak brightness of top QD-OLED TVs.

*Sony still sells midrange and high-end TVs branded as just “LED” rather than “QLED.” Some top Sony LED TVs include local dimming, Mini LEDs, and wide color support, which puts them in the same class as top QLEDs from other brands. But because Sony doesn’t use “quantum dot” terminology for its wide color tech it doesn’t brand these TVs as QLED. 

Should I be worried about burn-in on my TV?

If you leave a static image on your TV for too long, some displays are susceptible to an issue called burn-in. When burn-in occurs, a faint outline of an image gets permanently stuck on your display. Thankfully, burn-in is rare on modern TVs so most people don’t need to worry about it. However, there are some considerations you should be aware of.    

First and foremost, OLED is the only current TV technology that is prone to burn-in. Though LCD-based TVs, like QLED and LED, are not 100% immune to burn-in, cases are so rare that they’re not considered to be at risk in the same way an OLED TV is. But while OLED shoppers should be mindful of this risk, all OLED TVs have built-in features designed to prevent burn-in, including pixel-shift modes and pixel-refreshers. 

Websites like Rtings have done long-term burn-in tests with various OLED models. Though their results do prove that burn-in can technically occur on even the best OLED TVs, their tests reveal that it’s not really an issue for people with regular viewing habits. Burn-in only happens in extreme situations, like if you just watch the same cable channel with the same logo at the bottom of the screen all day long. 

I’ve personally owned an LG CX OLED TV for two years. I stream various services, watch cable TV, and play video games (which have plenty of static elements) regularly, and the TV shows no signs of burn-in. Unless you’re someone who plans to stay tuned to the same cable news channel 24/7, we don’t think burn-in should be a primary factor when deciding between an OLED TV or another display type.