The best TVs of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

4 months ago 24

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Whether you're looking to upgrade your home theater setup with a high-end OLED screen to watch the 2024 Summer Olympics or pick up a budget-friendly TV for your bedroom, there are tons of high-quality options to choose from. The best TVs you can buy right now offer a great balance between features, screen size, connectivity, and, of course, price.

Big brands like Samsung and Sony offer premium models with features like object tracking sound, OLED panels, and cloud gaming support. And smaller brands like Hisense and TCL offer more mid-range and budget-friendly options that still provide core features like 4K resolution and HDR support to give them great value for the money.

Also: The best sound systems you can buy

What is the best TV right now?

My fellow ZDNET experts and I had the opportunity to go hands-on with TVs from Samsung, Sony, TCL, and more. And my choice for the best TV overall is the Samsung S95D for its object tracking sound, excellent picture quality, and integrated security chip. You can keep reading below to find out more about the Samsung S95D as well as my other top picks for the best TVs you can buy.

The best TVs of 2024

Pros

Up to 144Hz refresh rate Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+ Anti-glare screen coating

Cons

Expensive at larger screen sizes No Dolby Vision support

The Samsung S95D is the brand's latest iteration of their OLED lineup, and it offers plenty of reasons to upgrade. Along with signature OLED picture quality, you'll get a base refresh rate of 120Hz that can be bumped up to 144Hz for gaming or smoother action during fast-paced movies, shows, or sports broadcasts. It works with both Dolby Atmos and Samsung's object tracking sound technology to create 3D virtual surround sound without the need for extra speakers or sound bars.

You'll also get built-in voice controls via Alexa, Samsung's Bixby, and Hey Google for hands-free use of your TV. ZDNET's editor-in-chief, Jason Hiner, got to check out the Samsung S95D for himself at CES 2024, and he not only named it the best TV of CES, but the "best in the world right now." He was very impressed by the anti-glare coating of the screen, which helps boost visibility in brighter rooms. He also praised the color accuracy and crisp text the QD-OLED panel can produce. And verified reviews from Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung's own site agree that the picture quality is some of the best on the market and highlight that the TV's quality is well-worth the price.

Pros

Affordable at any size Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support Built-in voice controls

Cons

Only 60Hz refresh rate No G-Sync or FreeSync VRR support

The TCL Q65 continues the brand's tradition offering quality smart TVs at affordable prices. You can pay as little as $250 for the 43-inch version, and even the largest size at an impressive 98 inches retails for around $2,000 making it one of the most affordable big-screen TVs you can buy. At any size, the Q65 offers great 4K resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision support for smooth action and sharper contrast.

It also supports Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound and a more immersive experience. You'll get built-in voice controls via Alexa, Hey Google, and even Siri via Apple HomeKit for hands-free TV use. Console gamers will love the dedicated gaming mode with automatic low latency and VRR support to prevent screen tearing and stuttering.

Pros

Excellent picture and sound quality AirPlay and Chromecast support Up to 144Hz refresh rate

LG has updated its flagship OLED line with the C4. It features an improved OLED panel for a brighter picture as well as signature clarity, color accuracy, and contrast. It also has a base refresh rate of 120Hz that can be bumped up to 144Hz for console gaming or watching sports broadcasts, so you never miss a second of action to motion blur.

The excellent picture is matched by Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound audio for a more immersive experience. You can also set up a custom home audio system with wireless Bluetooth connectivity or HDMI ARC inputs for cinema-quality sound at home. With Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast, you can share content from your iOS or Android devices for more ways to watch videos, view photos, and stream music.

Pros

Up to 144Hz refresh rate AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+ Up to 98-inch screen size

Cons

No Dolby Vision support Cloud gaming services require extra subscriptions

The QN90D is one of Samsung's latest additions to their Neo QLED TV lineup, and it's an excellent choice for both PC and console gamers. It is available in screen sizes from as small as 43 inches for use in shared spaces or as a monitor to as large as 98 inches for the ultimate gaming screen. It also has a base refresh rate of 120Hz that can be pushed to 144Hz, making it great for both console and PC gaming.

The QN90D supports both Dolby Atmos and Samsung's object tracking sound technology for 3D virtual surround sound that follows the on-screen action. This aims to give you a more immersive experience without the need for a headset or expensive, extra speakers. A dedicated gaming dashboard lets you have access to cloud gaming services like Xbox GamePass while also monitoring picture and audio settings to catch issues in real-time before they can ruin your game. And with support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR technology, the TV will automatically adjust its refresh rate to match your PC or console, preventing annoying screen tearing and stuttering.

ZDNET's Jason Hiner was able to get up-close and personal with the QN90D at a Samsung event, and was impressed with how bright the screen could get as well as the high-quality picture. He also praised the inclusion of Samsung's Knox security chip for better online privacy.

Pros

Great picture quality Up to 98-inch screen size 120Hz refresh rate Decent audio quality

Cons

Expensive, especially at larger screen sizes No VRR support for gaming A bit heavy and cumbersome to set up

If you're looking for a quality big-screen TV for everything from watching local news to streaming new movies and console gaming, the TCL QM8 is a great option. It's available in screen sizes up to an impressive 98 inches, which means you can get a truly cinematic experience right in your own home. The updated QLED panel is capable of producing bold, bright colors, deep contrast, and sharp detailing that makes everything from old cartoons to the latest triple-A video games look amazing.

Read the review: TCL QM8 hands-on review

Along with a great picture, you'll also get a 120Hz native refresh rate for smoother playback of fast-paced scenes. And Dolby Atmos helps to boost dialogue and create more immersive audio for streaming movies and shows as well as when playing video games. I got to test the TCL QM8 myself, and I absolutely loved how well the upscaling worked for older TV shows like Teen Titans as well as the high refresh rate for playing games like Hades.

My choice for the best TV is the Samsung S95D for it's exceptional picture quality thanks to the updated QD-OLED panel and anti-glare coating. It also features virtual surround sound via Dolby Atmos and Samsung's Object Tracking Sound+ technology to give you a more immersive experience without having to set up extra speakers. And the base refresh rate of 120Hz can be bumped up to 144Hz for console and PC gaming or smoother action during fast-paced movies, shows, and sports broadcasts.

Best TV	Starting Price	HDR/Audio	Screen size
Samsung S95D	$4,100	OLED HDR Pro/ Object Tracking Sound+, Dolby Atmos	55-77 inches
TCL Q65	$450	Dolby Vision/Dolby Atmos	43-98 inches
LG C4	$1,800	Dolby Vision/Dolby Atmos	42-83 inches
Samsung QN90D	$1,600	Neo Quantum HDR+, Dolby Atmos/Object Tracking Sound +	43-98 inches
TCL QM8	$1,000	Dolby Vision IQ, DTS Virtual: X	65-98 inches

*MSRP at time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary on retailer, screen size, and available promotions or discounts.

After determining your budget, it's important to ensure that your new TV will fit comfortably in your space. Start by measuring the distance (in inches) between your couch and where the TV will be wall-mounted or placed on a stand. Divide that number in half to find the ideal TV size for your room. For example, if your couch is 120 inches (10 feet) away from your TV, the recommended TV size for your room would be about 60 inches.

Additionally, it's a good idea to consider accessibility features such as voice controls, screen readers, and closed captioning to ensure that everyone can enjoy the entertainment. These features can provide an enhanced viewing experience for those who are hearing or visually impaired, and they can be especially helpful for households with young children or elderly family members.

Buy this best TV...	If you need...
Samsung S95D	A high-quality TV for all your entertainment. The Samsung S95D has one of the best OLED panels you can buy right now, and it's expert calibrated for color accuracy to give you more lifelike images.
TCL Q65	A budget-friendly TV. The TCL Q65 offers Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support along with built-in Alexa controls and and updated LED panel for a price that won't break the bank.
LG C4	An OLED TV. The LG C4L is the newest OLED flagship model from the brand, offering an updated OLED panel, Nvidia G-Sync VRR support, and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Samsung QN90D	A TV for gaming. The Samsung QN90D has a base refresh rate of 120Hz that can be pushed to 144Hz for gaming. You can also get access to cloud gaming services like Xbox GamePass and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR technology.
TCL QM8	A big screen TV. The TCL QM8 features a bright screen that is great in almost any lighting environment, and it produces bold, bright colors for great picture quality.

While shopping for a new TV for your home theater or a second screen for your bedroom, there are a few factors to keep in mind:

Price: Not all budgets are created equal. And if you're working with a limited budget, that shouldn't mean you have to settle for a sub-par TV. Each TV model on this list has been chosen across a variety of price points to help accommodate different needs.Screen size: The most important factor to consider, after price, when shopping for a new TV is whether or not it will fit into your space. Each best TV on this list was chosen because they are available in a wide variety of sizes to suit different rooms.Picture and audio quality: A new TV doesn't mean much, even if it costs an arm and a leg, if it doesn't provide a great picture and clear audio. Each TV on this list has been ensured to support various HDR codecs, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision as well as enhanced audio software like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and object tracking sound.

While testing and researching each TV featured on this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:

Brand integrity: While it's tempting to snap up that ultra-cheap TV from a smaller or unknown brand in order to save money, you may end up paying more in the long run. And you could run into customer service issues when trying to make a return or troubleshoot an issue. Each TV on this list was chosen from a trusted brand with verified customer service options.Smart features: Customers have come to expect smart features like streaming apps and virtual assistants as-standard in their TVs. Each model on this list was chosen because it offers a host of features like preinstalled streaming apps, virtual assistant support, and Wi-Fi connectivity.Reasons to upgrade: Brands may release model updates almost yearly, but they don't always give you a real reason to upgrade. Each TV we chose offers upgraded panels, brighter pictures, and in some cases better online security.

IT depends on your personal preference. Both platforms have pros and cons. Roku TVs tend to be some of the most affordable on the market while still providing a great streaming experience via a suite of preloaded, popular apps. Roku TVs also have a simplified home menu with your most-used apps and HDMI-connected devices in one easy-to-navigate hub, so you never have to scroll through confusing menus or memorize input locations. The downside? They often don't have native voice control or support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision.

Android-based televisions are a bit more expensive, but you get more features, like built-in voice controls, Bluetooth connectivity, support for variable refresh rate technology, as well as Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos sound processing.

When comparing Roku and Android-based TVs, consider your must-have features so you can choose the model that best fits your needs and budget.

The best way to find your ideal TV screen size is to measure the distance (in inches) between your couch and where the TV will be wall-mounted or placed on a dedicated stand. Next, divide that distance by two. So if your couch is 120 inches (10 feet) from where the TV will be, the ideal size would be 60 inches.

You can always go a bit bigger or smaller depending on your budget and what's available, but you don't want to go wild and get a huge screen if you don't need to. Not only do you run the risk of having your new, expensive TV not fit your space, but a screen that's too big can overwhelm a room and even cause motion sickness. On the other end of the spectrum, while smaller screens tend to be more affordable, a TV that's too small for a room can make the space feel cavernous and force everyone to crowd around in order to see.

As of right now, we're inclined to say no. Not only are 8K televisions very expensive, but there isn't any 8K content available over broadcast, streaming, or gaming outlets to justify buying one. A conservative estimate would say that 8K streaming and gaming will be available within the next five years or so -- and it will require a very fast internet connection to handle the bandwidth needed to consistently stream in ultra-high definition.

If you've always been an early adopter of tech, want to get a jump on future-proofing your home theater, and have extra cash to spend, you might get more value out of an 8K television than someone who just wants to watch Succession on HBO Max.

If you're looking for an 8K panel, I personally recommend checking out the Samsung QN900C. I had a chance to check it out, and during my initial testing, I really, truly enjoyed the display.

OLED and QLED panel types use the same basic component to create images on screen: a power source, a light source, and a color source. The key differences are exactly how these panels get power, light, and color.

A QLED screen, mostly seen in Samsung, TCL, and Hisense models, uses a modified LED panel and a "quantum dot" screen to create images. The "quantum" in QLED seems to be more of a catchy marketing term than an allusion to actual quantum tech, but it does give you enhanced color and detailing over a regular LED display.

An OLED panel, found in LG, Sony, and Vizio TVs, uses an array of mini LED lamps that are individually lit along with organic substrates for color. The individual LEDs allow for true blacks to create stunning contrast and make colors pop. It's an expensive technology to produce, so OLED TVs are pretty pricey. But if picture quality is your top priority, it's a worthwhile investment.

The best TV for a living room can vary depending on the size of the room and your budget. However, some of the best options available include the Samsung QN90B, the LG C2, and the Sony X80K. These TVs provide excellent picture and sound quality, a range of features, and a variety of screen sizes to suit different room types.

It really depends on your preferences and the TV model you choose. Some TVs have excellent built-in speakers that provide ample sound quality for most viewers, while others may benefit from a separate soundbar or audio system for a more immersive audio experience. If you're a movie or gaming enthusiast, you may want to consider investing in a soundbar or dedicated audio system to complement your TV.

Also: The best soundbars

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris starts Friday (7/26) and runs through Sunday, Aug. 11, with both NBC and Peacock providing live coverage of the opening ceremony and closing ceremonies. For more information on how to stream the Olympic games, sometimes for free, check out our in-depth guide.