Every year, a host of new TVs are introduced at CES in January, and these models are starting to hit shelves and online retailers right now. However, the majority of TVs on sale are from last year, and most are available for significant discounts. This is all part of a predictable TV cycle, although potential tariffs might drive up prices soon. With all of that in mind, here are the best TVs CNET has reviewed, from high-end QLED and high-end OLED to midrange mini-LED and cheap 4K smart TVs.
Some of the models we recommend below are older, but that doesn't mean they're outdated. TVs are a pretty stable technology. We don't expect the 2025 sets to be much better than the ones below, even though they'll cost much more. Look out for more reviews to come very shortly.
Read more: Best TVs under $1,000 in 2025
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What is the best TV?
Given the multitude of options, the latest TCL QM8 series has replaced the 2023 model at the top of our best TV list for a number of reasons. The TCL QM851 offers a number of upgrades on the previous year, including a better backlight, superb picture quality overall and an affordable price tag. When a friend asks me what TV to buy from 65 to 98 inches, I tell them the TCL QM8 series.
Although the QM8 is my current favorite, it may not be more than you want to pay. If you want the best budget TV, the Samsung DU7200 series is the best I've tested.
Best TVs for 2025
Best overall TV
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- Excellent overall image quality
- Best-in-class brightness and contrast
- Capable Google TV system
Cons
- Not as accurate as some competitors
- Available only in 65-inch size and larger
TCL has topped our list of the best TVs for the last few years and the QM8 is even better than before. In my comparison tests, it continues to stand out with superior brightness and impact while still maintaining excellent contrast: a combination no other TV could match at this price. The key is mini-LED tech and well-implemented full-array local dimming. It also has a sleek design with a center-mount stand. The operating system is Google TV, which I don't like as much as Roku TV, but it's still a solid smart TV.
The main downside of the TCL QM8 is that it's available only in large sizes (65 inches and up). If you're looking for a 55-inch TV, I recommend the Hisense U8N instead. Note that prices shown here are for the 65-inch size in the QM8 series.
Best budget TV
Pros
- Cheap
- Excellent black levels and shadow detail
- Plenty of streaming options
Cons
- Desaturated reds
- Interface is less user-friendly than a Roku TV
If CNET had a best bang-for-buck award one of the first winners would be the Samsung DU7200, a TV which delivers a really good picture for an affordable price. The black levels and shadow detail are excellent for the money, and while our test unit looked a little desaturated out of the box that's easily fixed by adjusting the Color control. It has onboard streaming and the sound quality isn't too bad either. If you're looking for a bedroom unit or a gaming TV then the Samsung DU7200 is the model we would choose.
Best 55-inch TV
Pros
- Relatively affordable
- Excellent overall image quality
- Capable Google TV system
- Offers a 55-inch screen size
Cons
- Not quite as bright or dynamic as some competitors
- Shadow details "crush" in HDR mode
If you're looking for the best TV for the money and the TCL QM8 is just too big, the Hisense U8N should be your go-to. I compared the two TVs side by side, and while I liked the picture quality of the QM8 better, the U8N has one medium-size advantage: a 55-inch screen option. If 65 is too large for your room, your budget or your tastes, the choice between the two is simple: Get the 55-inch Hisense U8N.
Both offer excellent image quality and affordable prices thanks to mini-LED backlights and full-array local dimming, as well as similar gaming features and the Google TV operating system. Both cost hundreds less than you'd have to pay to get similar image quality from a better-known brand.
Note that while I tested the 65-inch size in the U8N series, the prices shown here are for the 55-inch size.
Best high-end TV
Pros
- Better picture quality than any non-OLED TV we've tested
- Superior contrast and off-angle image
- Best-in-class gaming features
- Sleek styling with ultralight, thin panel
Cons
- Expensive
- Not as bright as higher-end OLED TVs
- No major improvements over the C3
The C4 has better picture quality than any non-OLED TV on this list at a higher price, and it's still not outrageously expensive. Its perfect black levels, unbeatable contrast and superb off-angle viewing kept it a notch above the mini-LED models in my comparison tests, and while its overall brightness isn't quite as impressive, it's still an incredible performer in all kinds of room lighting.
The C4 replaced the C3, and while we'll almost always recommend buying last year's version of a TV, the C4 is available for around the same price and so is the model to go for.
The prices shown here are for the 65-inch size of the LG C4 series.
Best picture quality TV
Pros
- Best overall image quality we've tested
- Best-in-class glare reduction in a bright rooms
- Superior contrast and off-angle viewing
- Ultrathin panel with external input box
Cons
- Expensive
- Slightly diminished contrast in bright rooms
The Samsung S95D's matte finish does more than reduce reflections, it nearly eliminates them, improving image quality in bright rooms more than any OLED TV we've tested. Some non-OLED models have matte screens, but this is the first time they've been available in an OLED TV, a display technology that has always delivered the best picture available. That matte finish really works, reducing windows and other glare to dimmer blobs instead of super-bright, mirror-like distractions. The S95D also has an external box, allowing for a cleaner look with the option to store HDMI connections and the power cord out of sight.
Between its versatile matte screen and awesome picture overall, the Samsung S95D delivers the best image quality of any TV we've tested, beating both the G4 and last year's winner, the G3, as well as any other non-OLED TV. But it also costs a ton, and most people -- even those with bright rooms -- will be perfectly happy with a less expensive TV.
Best midrange smart TV
Pros
- Affordable
- Good picture quality thanks to local dimming
- Great smart TV system
Cons
- Lacks 120Hz refresh rate and other gaming extras
- Not as bright as some similarly priced TVs
Competition among TVs in the middle pricing band is heating up, and the Plus Series is the latest entrant. Unlike the TCL Roku TVs higher on this list, this one is all Roku, with no other brands on board. It adds a couple of step-up extras, including QLED and full-array local dimming, which help deliver a better picture than the TCL 4-Series, for example.
This is the first TV Roku has produced under its own brand, as opposed to partnering with a brand like TCL, Sharp, Pioneer or Hisense. The company also released a version with fewer features and no local dimming, called the Roku Select Series.
The price shown below is for the 65-inch size.
Factors to consider when choosing a TV
With all of the TVs available today, and all of the technical terms and jargon associated with television technology, it can be tough to figure out what's important. Here's a quick guide to help cut through the confusion.
Screen size: Bigger is better in our book. We recommend a size of at least 43 inches for a bedroom TV and at least 55 inches for a living room or main TV -- and 65 inches or larger is best. More so than any "feature," stepping up in TV screen size is the best use of your money. One of the most common post-TV-purchase complaints we've heard is from people who didn't go big enough. And we rarely hear people complain that their TV is too large.
Price: TVs range in price from $100 to more than $2,000. Smaller screens are cheaper, well-known brands are more expensive and spending more money can also get you better image quality. Most entry-level TVs have a good enough picture for most people, but TVs last a long time, so it might be worth spending more to get a better picture. It's also best to shop for a TV in the fall when prices are lower.
Capability: Among entry-level TVs the most important feature is what kind of smart TV system the TV uses. Among midrange models, look for a feature including full-array local dimming, mini-LED and 120Hz refresh rate, which (unlike some other extras) do help improve the picture in our experience. Among high-end TVs, OLED technology is your best bet.
How CNET tests TVs
Our TV reviews follow a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process honed over nearly two decades of TV reviews. Our primary TV test lab has specialized equipment for measuring light and color, including a Konica Minolta CS-2000 spectroradiometer, a Murideo Sig-G 4K HDR signal generator and an AVPro Connect 8x8 4K HDR distribution matrix. We use Portrait Displays CalMan Ultimate software to evaluate every TV we review. In every CNET TV review, three or more similar TVs are compared side by side in various lighting conditions playing different media, including movies, TV shows and games, across a variety of test categories, from color to video processing to gaming to HDR. Our reviews also account for design, features, smart TV performance, HDMI input and gaming compatibility, among other factors.
Other TVs we've tested
LG C3: When we reviewed the C3 in 2023 it was one of our favorite TVs, and this impression continued into the following year. It's still a great TV, but with the pricing on this and the C4 being identical right now it makes sense to go for the newer TV.
Samsung S90D: The S90D performed well, but it suffered some contrast loss compared to the C4. Any differences between the C4 and S90D were subtle.
One important aspect of image quality we test is overall brightness. Here's how brightness compares in nits across select TVs listed above.
Light output in nits
| TV | Brightest mode (HDR) | Accurate mode (HDR) | Brightest mode (SDR) | Accurate mode (SDR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCL QM8 | 1,975 | 1,975 | 1,739 | 1,448 |
| Samsung QN65Q90B | 3,316 | 1,981 | 2,625 | 974 |
| Hisense U8N | 3,175 | 3,175 | 3,168 | 1,112 |
| LG OLED C4 | 1,213 | 968 | 414 | 390 |
| Samsung S95D | 1,734 | 1,666 | 544 | 268 |
| Vizio Quantum Pro | 1269 | 1063 | 1382 | 221 |
| Roku TV Plus | 514 | 455 | 579 | 404 |
Check out How We Test TVs for more details.
For more TV buying advice check out How to Buy a TV.
TV-buying FAQs
We'll post the answers to commonly asked TV questions below. If you have any others, feel free to reach out on Twitter (@dkatzmaier), or by clicking the little envelope icon on my CNET profile page. Doing so will let you send a message straight to my inbox.