What to Look For in a TV
Technology for televisions has come a long way in the last decade. You can now get smart TVs with a whole host of features meant to provide the latest and greatest in home entertainment. Whether you are a gamer or only intend to use it for movie nights with the family, a good TV is easier than ever to find at an affordable price.
We have written this buyer's guide to help you find the right TV set for you and your lifestyle. There are several factors to examine when shopping for a new television, including resolution, image refresh rate, size, compatibility with other devices, and built-in apps. We have narrowed down the list to the best televisions to accommodate any spending budget. First, you need to know a little more about what makes a good TV stand out.
Built-In Smart Features
Smart TVs are set apart from their troglodyte cousins by their ability to connect with the internet and access web apps for video, pictures, music, games, and more. There will be some apps already available when you purchase the device. Most can also download and add more popular ones such as YouTube, Spotify, Netflix, and others. App compatibility will depend on the brand and model.
Below are some common smart TV features.
- Compatibility with your favorite video streaming, music, and gaming apps
- The ability to connect an ethernet cord directly to your router for faster, more secure internet
- Universal search capabilities so that you can find out which apps include the content you are trying to find
- Smart suggestions for content you might enjoy based on your viewing history
- The ability to “cast” or “sling” content from other smart devices (smartphone, tablet, etc.) onto your television screen
- Video chat capabilities usually require a camera add-on for your television, but some sets come with a camera included for facial recognition
- Voice and motion control settings for increased accessibility
Resolution Capabilities
A television's resolution capabilities refer to how many pixels are used to create the image onscreen. Along with color and contrast, the resolution will help determine how good your picture quality appears on the screen. Here things get a bit tricky because there are many different resolution categories out there, including 4K, HD, 8K, and 1080p, among others.
Some platforms only accept certain resolutions, so your favorite video app might not even support 8K. One way to make sure you get the right TV for your needs is by checking out the video streaming and gaming sites you intend to connect to your smart TV. They will list what resolutions are compatible.
The most common option will be 4K Ultra HD, which is supported by most popular apps and provides excellent image quality for pictures, gaming, and video. If you intend to watch live television channels and the news frequently, then 1080p will work best since some live channels still do not support 4K resolution.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate will determine image smoothness. The standard image refresh rate is 60 Hz, which is perfectly serviceable for the action-heavy gaming sequence. This can be increased to between 120 Hz and 240 Hz. There is no need to go higher for games since most systems only support refresh rates of 60 Hz. However, for clear, crisp video streaming a 120 Hz is recommended. Some new televisions come with High-Frame Rate (HFR) support, ideal for watching live events like sports.
Audio
Most new televisions are going to be flat, and this impacts the sound. You might want to get external sound bars or speakers if you will be watching live sports or movies. Otherwise, the audio can be subpar even on more expensive televisions.
HDMI Ports For Add-Ons
The ability to connect multiple devices to your television is more important as add-ons become mainstream. For example, you might get a TV with only two HDMI ports. Then you will need to manually plug and unplug your Roku, audio bar, gaming systems, camera, etc. as needed. To avoid needing an HDMI splitter, you will want to check how many ports are available. There is an average of three to four HDMI ports available with most standard television sets. Newer devices are also including HDMI 2.1 formats, which are superior in terms of variable refresh rate.
Top 5 Smart TVs For 2021
Below are our top picks for smart televisions within a variety of price brackets. These have all of the most outstanding features and format standards. All specifications were taken directly from the product page to ensure accuracy.
Hisense
Class H4 Series LED Roku Smart TV with Alexa Compatibility
Price: $179.99
Size: 40 inches (also comes in 32-43 inches)
HDMI Ports: 4
Connections: Wireless
Resolution: 1080p
Display: LED
Features:
- Alexa and Google Assistant control capabilities
- Voice control capabilities
- One year manufacturer warranty
- Rated #74 in LED & LCD TVs on Amazon's bestseller list
- 60 Hz image refresh rate
- Built-in WiFi
- Roku TV platform with remote included
- You can control the TV from your iOS or Android smartphone using the Roku app
Summary: This Hisense TV comes with full Roku TV streaming, including approximately 5,000 channels and 500,000 movie options. If you are a fan of movies and television, then this smart TV has everything you need. You can add all your favorite apps, like Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, and more. This television is highly customizable with accessibility features and syncing abilities with both iOS and Android smart devices. You can conveniently cast images, videos, and music from your favorite handheld device onto this television.
Customer Feedback: 4.6 stars out of 5 from 2,007 ratings.
Samsung
Q60T Series 43-inch Class QLED Smart TV
Price: $427.99
Size: 43 inches
Ports: 3 HDMI, 2 USB
Connections: Bluetooth, HDMI, Wireless, USB, Ethernet
Resolution: 4K
Display: QLED
Features:
- Rated #4 in QLED TVs on Amazon's bestseller list
- Quantum Dot and Game Enhancer Technology for a crisper, smoother picture
- 60 Hz image refresh rate
- Alexa and voice control capabilities
- Connects to the SmartThings app
Summary: This is a great video, streaming, and gaming television. It has access to loads of apps. There are multiple ports to make it easier to connect to multiple devices at once. This allows you to enjoy superior image quality with over a billion color shades and backlighting for enhanced contrast at a very affordable price.
Customer Feedback: 4.5 stars out of 5 from 1,014 ratings.
LG
43UN7300PUF Alexa Built-In 43″ 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV
Price: $322.76
Size: 43 inches
Ports: 3 HDMI, 2 USB
Connections: Wireless, Bluetooth, USB, Ethernet, HDMI
Resolution: 4K
Display: LED
Features:
- Quad-Core Processor for superior image quality
- webOS platform with Magic Remote
- Voice and motion control capabilities
- Comes with build-in Apple Home Kit and Apple Airplay 2
- Supports both HDR10 and HLG
- Includes Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for less lag during gaming
- Rated #32 in LED & LCD TVs on Amazon's bestseller list
Summary: Another great television for gaming, live sports, and movie watching. This has a lot of capabilities for connecting with other smart devices, including Bluetooth speakers and smartphones. For sports fans, it also has Sports Alert, which allows you to easily move between different games without needing to switch through a lot of channels.
Customer Feedback: 4.5 stars out of 5 from 1,948 ratings.
Vizio
M558-G1 M-Series Quantum 55″ 4K HDR Smart TV
Price: $863.80
Size: 55 inches
HDMI Ports: 4
Connections: USB, Ethernet, HDMI
Resolution: 4K
Display: QLED
Features:
- Supports popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon Video, and YouTube
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Home Kit
- Voice control capabilities
- Supports both HDR10 and HLG
- Over 100 free channels available with WatchFree
- 120 Hz image refresh rate
Summary: This Vizio is highly compatible with most apps for videos and live streaming. The image is also highly customizable with 90 Local Dimming Zones, 4K UHD, and Dolby Vision HDR making it great for gaming. It has four ports allowing for more add-on devices like game and stereo systems.
Customer Feedback: 4.2 stars out of 5 from 960 ratings.
Sony
X800H 65 Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV with HDR and Alexa Compatibility
Price: $798.00
Size: 65 inches
HDMI Ports: 4
Connections: HDMI
Resolution: 4K HDR
Display: LED
Features:
- Triluminos display and Dynamic Contrast Enhancer
- Game Mode for clearer image and action sequences
- 60 Hz image refresh rate
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Home Kit, AirPlay, and Android TV
- Dolby Vision and Atmos
- Rated #40 in LED & LCD TVs on Amazon's bestseller list
Summary: Some great features make this particular television a good choice for gamers and anyone who watches a lot of live sports. The Motionflow XR technology cuts down on the blur during action scenes, and 4K HDR provides amazing image quality. There is also the ability to connect your TV with a live video feed from security cameras and other tools through the many compatible apps. This is an excellent all-around television and is our pick for favorite smart TV of 2021.
Customer Feedback: 4.6 stars out of 5 from 1,110 ratings.
