The Samsung NU8000 is a good mid-range TV, with a nice set of features and strong qualities. It is a great model for gaming, thanks to its low input lag, it has good colors and video processing and a really intuitive interface.
The Vizio P-Series is among the best ones launched by Vizio in 2018. You can opt for the 55, 65 or 75-inch size, you’ll enjoy an excellent picture quality and you’ll pay significantly less money than for similar sets from competitor brands.
The Samsung Q6F is more of a low end model from the Samsung’s QLED line up. It was released in 2018 and it is affordable, thin and with an elegant design. While it can’t really compete with premium models in terms of picture quality, the Q6F has a smooth, bright image, it’s smart, great for watching your favorite movies, for playing video games and even for being used as a PC monitor.
The Japanese have done it again with this Sony AE1 4K TV. The set has a gorgeous design, HDR, an astonishing picture and sound quality and a lot of smart features, including voice control. However, it is really pricey and Sony could still work some more when it comes to interface. All that aside, the Sony A1E remains one of the best UHD TVs money can buy.
The X900F is a solid choice when it comes to mid-priced 4K TVs. It has an impressive image quality right out of the box and a high contrast ratio, it is among the brightest LED TVs out there and the Android TV platform is very complex. Aside from some minor flaws, there are really no important shortcomings or failings to be mentioned.
The LG OLED C7P is a high-end 4K TV with a minimal, elegant design, an incredible picture quality and motion blur. At the time of writing this review, the 65” version had a promotional price (the price dropped significantly by almost 50%), which makes the C7 a way more affordable option than most competitors in its range.
The B8 OLED from LG is a great TV set, with a fantastic image quality, infinite contrast ratio and a great overall performance. It is the cheaper alternative to the C8, only with a slightly weaker (barely noticeable) processor.
The TCL 55P607 is among the best 4K TVs on a budget. It is very affordable and yet it can compete with big players in the industry in terms of features and picture quality. The Roku TV platform is a joy to use and the HDR with Dolby Vision makes this TV a very competitive product.
The R617 is a real bargain. It is a budget-friendly TV with a full array panel, a fantastic image quality, a great operating system and an unbeatable price.
The Vizio M65 E0 is a mid-range UHD display. It doesn’t have a built-in TV tuner, but it does compensate with an incredible image quality, HDR (both HDR10 and Dolby Vision), WCG and plenty of smart features. It has a competitive price and a close to high-end TV quality.
Last updated April 19, 2024
TV sets have come a long way over the years. Nowadays, tube TVs are museum exhibits and even HD sets decreased in popularity. The reason for that are the new 4K (also known as UHD - Ultra High Definition) TVs that can be found on every shelf in electronics stores. Just like with every other gadget today, TVs have also gone ‘smart’ and when you’re talking about 4K sets, they can only be smart TVs, because even the most basic and affordable ones have smart features built in them.
Most 4K content today is provided by streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime are the most important) which strive to adapt their content to the new technology. You can also find 4K UHD Blu-ray movies now and if you are a passionate gamer, 4K gaming on consoles is what it’s all about these days (Xbox One X, PS4 Pro).
4K TV sets are basically 4 times better in terms of picture quality than the full HD ones, as they have four times more pixels.
Although most manufacturers describe Ultra HD and 4K as being one and the same thing, there is a small difference between the two. Regular consumer Ultra HD TV sets that you can buy at any specialized store have a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, while the real 4K screens that we see in cinemas, have a resolution of 4096 x 2160. However, they’re both referred to as ‘4K’.
While the technology in 4K is the best there is so far and is indeed much better than that used in full HD sets, to our human eyes, the difference isn’t that huge. It is true however that the more pixels, the better the image, so you will find 4K screens to provide a sharper, clearer, more detail image. If you want to see a noticeable difference, the content you’re watching should also be in 4K. Another important thing is how close you’re sitting from the TV set. The beauty of 4K screen is the fact that even if you are staying close to the screen, the image won’t deteriorate. On the contrary, the closer you sit, the more you’ll be able to enjoy the quality of 4K. Studies show that in order to benefit fully from this technology, it is advised to sit at a distance of approx. 5 feet, if you are watching a 68 inch TV.
When it comes to 4K TVs, the number of pixels is not all that matters. What matters is also the quality of those pixels. There are two terms you should familiarize yourself with when it comes to TV technology:
HDR (High Dynamic Range): it gives more depth to the image, by enhancing the difference between the darkest and lightest parts of the image. This translates into a more dramatic effect, more detail and a wider contrast range.
WCG (Wide Color Gamut): Most TVs that come with HDR also have WCG. The WCG feature increases the colors, thus offering a more realistic and high quality image. It will give you deeper basic colors such as green, blue and red and more shades of secondary colors, such as pink, purple, burgundy, magenta and so on. In order to benefit from the wide color gamut you have to have both a TV and a content capable of providing WCG. If your TV knows WCG but you are watching regular TV channels for instance, you’re not going to see that big of a difference.
The two main types of screens found in 4K TVs are LED LCD screens and OLED Screens.
LED LCD screens have a few sub types of their own: Edge-lit LED LCD, which are the most common and affordable ones, but not necessarily the best in terms of picture quality, Full-array LED LCD, offer a better contrast and are more expensive and Quantum Dots.
OLED Screens (Organic Light Emitting Diode) offer the best quality in terms of contrast and black levels. However, they are not as bright as LED LCDs and are also pricey.
Screens can also be categorized by their shape and there are two main types: flat and curved. Although curved TV sets may look more interesting and fashionable, their quality is not superior to flat ones.
Shopping for a 4K TV is a big a task as purchasing any other gadget today. You’ve got a plethora of options, brands, features and specs to pay attention to and it can get exhausting.
Here are some aspects to consider before making a purchase:
