The Best TV Brands: Build Your Home Theater

If you’re looking for the best model Samsung has to offer and price doesn’t factor into your decision, the QN900C is the panel you want in your living room or home theater. The 8K resolution TV from Samsung features Neo QLED technology. Its Infinity screen design provides a crystal clear picture thanks to the 33-million pixels that bring lifelike colors, intense contrast and detail that sets itself apart from other brands on the market.

While there’s currently very little native 8K resolution programming, the QN900C uses AI-based upscaling, a Neural Quantum processor and Neo Quantum HDR to make whatever your watching appear as close to 8K as possible. All this is complemented by Dolby Atmos sound support. If you’re looking for the absolute latest and greatest TV technology that’s currently available, look no further than the Samsung Neo QLED 8K smart TV. It’s a perfect example of why we chose Samsung as the industry leader in innovation.

What our editors say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs says, “Having had a chance to watch Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on this TV, I can safely say that this panel offers a new gold standard for viewing. My recommendation? Check out any David Attenborough documentary on this panel. Wildlife looks particularly stunning on the Infinity Screen.”

We get it—spending more than $2,000 on a cutting-edge TV is well outside most budgets. You don’t need to spend that much to get a great picture. Samsung also offers budget-friendly TVs that offer the same innovative technologies. Case in point: This 65-inch Neo QLED 4K smart TV. It displays more than 8-million pixels with the signature Samsung Quantum Matrix QLED technology to display a consistently sharp picture with bright, lifelike colors and impressive contrast. In this case, the TV’s Neural Quantum processor handles 4K upscaling to make whatever you’re watching appear as close to 4K resolution as possible.

Between the Neo Quantum HDR+ and an ultra-wide viewing angle, the QN90C suits your needs without breaking the bank. Best of all, if you prefer a different size from the 55-inch TV we’ve recommended, sizes range from 43-inches up to an 85-inch panel.

Part TV, part portrait, Samsung’s The Frame TV sits flush with your wall to mimic a painting or artwork. And since we’re talking about its great design, you can choose from multiple frame colors so it matches your home’s décor. Anytime you’re not streaming TV shows or movies from the built-in Smart Tizen OS, The Frame displays your choice of famous works of art, transforming your home into a virtual art gallery. It's also possible to showcase your own digital photos if you prefer to enjoy your favorite family moments.

Every year, Samsung releases an update to The Frame and 2023 is no exception. This model displays 4K resolution video using HDR10+ and QLED technology, with more than a billion colors which showcasing impressive contrast. What you’re watching always looks as clear, detailed and authentic as possible—all from an upgraded anti-glare display with a matte finish. Now that the 2023 edition has fully released, you can get this panel in multiple sizes ranging from 32 inches to 85 inches. Samsung also released a special Disney version of The Frame, too, that you can add to your home if you’re a fan of the Mouse.

Around $1,100 buys you an impressive, 65-inch ULED TV that offers 4K resolution and a generous collection of features, including mini-LED and Quantum Dot technology. For brightness, you get up to 1,500 nits. The TV also offers a 120Hz refresh rate with support for Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio. A major perk to this model? The dedicated Filmmaker Mode which takes movies, disables the motion smoothing, and automatically adjusts the colors and contrast so you can enjoy watching movies the way the directors intended.

For gamers, the Game Mode Pro automatically adjusts TV settings to offer smooth and uninterrupted play with automatic low latency. You also get a voice controlled remote. And it’s all powered by the Google TV OS, so streaming content from just about any service is a breeze. No matter how hard you look, you won’t find a TV with this caliber of features at this price point from any other major TV brand.

From our review: Tech expert Adam Doud reviewed the Hisense U8K TV and says, “Images, videos and movies look crystal clear on this TV—so much so that it really makes you stand back and admire your picture. The near bezel-free design feels immersive and draws you into the action, whether you're watching a movie like Equilibrium or taking in a Chicago Cubs game.”

The Hisense ULED Premium U7 Series TV comes in both a 55-inch and 65-inch model. Like its sibling, the U8 Series, the U7 also uses Google TV OS and takes full advantage of QLED technology with a 120Hz refresh rate to showcase a really impressive 4K resolution picture.

Hisense’s quantum dot wide color gamut supports ULED technologies that boost color, contrast and the smoothness of motion—while consistently offering a bright picture. In fact, you get a whopping 120 local dimming zones to beautifully produce HDR content. With both Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos support, this TV is yet another example of how Hisense packs a ton of useful technology into its TVs—yet makes them as affordable as possible without compromising quality.

Sony’s A95L 4K TV uses OLED technology, and combined with the Google TV OS, offers high-quality and immersive viewing—whether you’re watching a movie, your favorite TV show or playing a PlayStation game. You get Dolby Vision HDR support, as well as an input lag of just 8.5ms with auto HDR tone mapping, making it one of the best gaming TVs, too.

In addition, Sony uses Cognitive Processor XR to deliver the best possible contrast, featuring true blacks and natural colors for added depth and better brightness. As an added perk, you get an impressive selection of free Sony movies and TV content available for streaming via the Bravia Core app. This is Sony’s fastest OLED model which becomes obvious when you watch movies and TV shows, or play your favorite games.

If you’re looking to upgrade your TV to one that offers OLED display technology, this Sony Bravia XR A80L is a budget-friendly model that offers a great 4K resolution. In addition to support for Google TV OS for easy content streaming, this TV also pairs well with PlayStation 5 thanks to some exclusive features like Auto Genre Picture Mode to give you the best picture whether you’re playing Aloy in Horizon Forbidden West or other PlayStation 5 games. You’ll also get a 120Hz refresh rate, a low (8.5ms) input lag and auto HDR tone mapping.

When watching TV shows or movies, you get extra brightness combined with life-like colors and excellent picture detail. Watch any movie while experiencing Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, or a dedicated Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode. At the same time, you’ll hear built-in Dolby Atmos audio so you can hear and enjoy the dialogue.

The TCL Q7 smart TV ticks all our boxes for a great panel: It features the user-friendly Roku OS, has a super bright picture and comes with dedicated game modes for console gamers. For those looking for the best value for the price, these features are packed into a display that costs less than four figures.

With Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10 and HLC, you’ll get a great picture on this panel. Plus, it’s IMAX enhanced certified and compatible with Dolby Atmos soundbars. With built-in Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility, you can connect your favorite streaming devices, too.

What our editors say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs tested the Q7 and says, “The TCL Q7 displays gorgeous picture whether you have a sunny living room or a darken home theater space. The Game Mode looked great when playing AAA titles like Horizon Forbidden West.”

If you’re seeking a true budget-friendly model for under $500—say, for a dorm room or small apartment space—the TCL 6-Series is a great option. You still get Dolby Vision HDR and 240 localized dimming zones to create a gorgeous contrast. Plus, you also get HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG for both gaming and streaming. The AiPQ Engine analyzes your video in real time to display an optimized picture, too.

With compatibility with Chromecast and Amazon Alexa, you can use voice controls to navigate around your TV. Plus, once you set it up, you can game using the Auto Game Mode which promises an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate.

The LG OLED C3 represents a top-of-the-line TV, the TV is powered by the 6th generation a9 AT processor, an exclusive for LG panels. This processor auto-boosts brightness and adjusts contrast to generate a luminous picture that can be easily seen even in well-lit rooms. Powered by LG’s WebOS, its AI Super Upscaling enhances whatever you’re watching, including over 300 free TV channels.

With built-in NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium, VRR and LG Game Optimizer, it’s our top choice for gamers. Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG support round out the impressive specs packed into this TV, and with four HDMI ports, connect all of your consoles and game to your heart’s content.

The C3’s predecessor, the C2, also takes full advantage of OLED technology to make whatever your watching or playing look and sound immersive and visually appealing. You’ll get a 120Hz refresh rate along with AI 4K upscaling, plus support for Cinema HDR, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG and Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro. It still boasts the impressive α9 Gen5 AI Processor 4K that will give you the extra gaming boost you’ll need when playing smash hits like Halo: Infinite on Xbox.

When it comes to gaming, the Game Optimizer mode works with FreeSync Premium and G-Sync to provide a variable refresh rate with a less than 1ms response time. For cloud-based gamers, NVIDIA GeForce Now makes those games look extra smooth and detailed. Whether you’re a gamer or just an avid TV and movie buff, this LG OLED TV will serve you well—without your bank account taking too much of a hit.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly LED TV with 4K resolution, Amazon’s Class 4-Series Fire TV supports 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, HLG and Dolby Digital Plus. It also comes with a Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote that not only controls the TV, but it can also be used to control other Alexa-compatible smart devices within your home. If you’re not feeling it for privacy reasons, you can manually shut off the mic for peace of mind.

Check reminders, catch the latest episode of the Amazon hit series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and more with this everyday entertainment model designed for casual viewing. While the 60Hz refresh rate isn’t as high as other models on the market, you’ll still get solid picture when playing games on Amazon’s cloud-based service, Amazon Luna. The TV includes three HDMI ports, making it easy to connect your favorite consoles.

For a slightly larger investment, this Amazon Fire TV offers a 65-inch display with 4K resolution. When you plug in an optional webcam, the TV can also be used for two-way video calling and meetings. Thanks to 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Digital Plus, HDR10 and HLG, you get impressive picture quality whether you’re watching broadcast TV or streaming content. The included voice remote makes it easy to find programming to watch, or you can use the hands-free voice control to play your content.

Apple users, this TV offers some extra perks. You can use Airplay to share music, photos and video from your iPad.