With all the televisions available today and all the technical terms and jargon associated with television technology, it can be difficult to understand what's important. Here's a quick guide to help clear up the confusion.
Price: TVs range in price from $100 to over $2,000. Smaller screens are cheaper, well-known brands are more expensive, and spending more money can also get you better picture quality. Most entry-level TVs have a good enough picture for most people, but TVs last a long time, so it may be worth spending more to get a better picture. It's also better to buy a TV in the fall, when prices are lower.
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 master TV – and 65 inches or larger is best. More than any other “feature,” increasing the TV screen size is the best use of your money. One of the most common post-TV purchase complaints we've heard comes from people who didn't try hard enough. And we almost never hear people complain that their TV is too big.
Aptitude: When it comes to entry-level TVs, the most important feature is the type of smart TV system the TV uses. Among mid-range models, look for a feature including full local dimming, mini-LED, and a 120Hz refresh rate, which (unlike some other extras) help improve the picture, in our experience. And among high-end TVs, OLED technology is your best option.
For more TV buying advice, check out How to buy a TV.