With the arrival of summer time, the annual TV pricing cycle has reached a excessive level. The new 2023 fashions, just like the LG C3 OLED TV, had been launched in spring, however their costs are excessive. However, many of the 2022 fashions are nonetheless in inventory, typically with related options and picture high quality, to not point out a lot decrease costs. Translation? A 2022 TV, such because the LG C2 OLED, is a greater deal. That’s why on this checklist, many of the fashions, which signify our prime suggestions, are the most effective TVs for 2023 that had been truly launched final 12 months.
At CNET, I overview TVs aspect by aspect in a state-of-the-art testing lab, taking a whole bunch of measurements with specialised tools, evaluating gaming, dwelling theater and bright-room picture high quality. My 20 years expertise as a TV reviewer helps me decide not simply the most effective TV general but in addition the most effective TV in your value vary.
Read extra: How We Test TVs
What is the most effective TV?
The TCL 6-Series Roku TV sits on the prime of our checklist of finest TVs for quite a few causes. It presents excellent image high quality, an reasonably priced price ticket and Roku, the most effective good TV system. It additionally consists of gaming options like 4K/120Hz enter and variable refresh fee that may get probably the most out of consoles just like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. When a pal asks me what TV to purchase from 55 to 85 inches, and cash remains to be an object, I inform them to get the TCL 6-Series.
There are loads of different wonderful selections on the market, nevertheless, so though the 6-Series is my present favourite for most individuals, it won’t be proper for your preferences or funds.
Best TVs in 2023
For the final 5 years, the TCL 6-Series has been our favourite TV for the cash, and the most recent model — also called the R655 collection — is not any exception. This TV has a superb picture due to mini-LED tech and well-implemented full-array native dimming that helps it run circles round nearly another TV at this value. It improves upon the earlier R635 collection with improved gaming extras and a brand new center-mount stand that you would be able to elevate to make room for a soundbar, though the brand new 85-inch dimension has normal legs. And lastly, the Roku TV working system is our hands-down favourite.
The C2 represents the head of image high quality, at a value that is admittedly excessive however not too loopy. It beats any non-OLED TV on this checklist, together with the Samsung QN90B beneath, with its good black ranges, unbeatable distinction and excellent off-angle viewing. It additionally has wonderful gaming options, making it an nice companion to an Xbox Series X or S, PlayStation 5 or each. The C2 is available in a wide range of sizes as nicely, although the larger fashions are costly.
Sizes 43-, 50-, 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-inchTV Technology LEDSmart TV Yes (Roku TV)Resolution 4KHDMI Ports 3
The image high quality of the TCL 4-Series Roku TV was a step behind the Vizio V-Series in our funds TV take a look at, however the variations between the 2 are slight sufficient that you just’d actually should have them arrange aspect by aspect to note something in any respect. The 4-Series lacks the Dolby Vision, Bluetooth connectivity and AMD FreeSync with a variable refresh fee, all of which the Vizio presents.
Sizes 43-, 50-, 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-inchTV Technology QLED with Mini-LEDSmart TV Yes (Tizen)Resolution 4KHDMI Ports 4
Looking for a high-end TV with spectacular picture high quality, however don’t need an OLED? The Samsung QN90B is your finest wager. This TV makes use of QLED TV tech augmented by mini-LED for a brighter picture than any OLED TV. The spectacular distinction of OLED nonetheless received out in our side-by-side assessments, however the QN90B QLED display screen comes nearer than ever.
Sizes 55-, 65, 75-inchTV Technology LED with native dimmingSmart TV Yes (Android TV)Resolution 4KHDMI Ports 4
Among midpriced fashions, we appreciated the TCL 6-Series just a bit higher in our side-by-side comparability, however this Hisense is a robust contender. Its wonderful picture high quality is anchored by best-in-class brightness that improves its bright-room image high quality and makes HDR TV motion pictures, exhibits and video games actually pop. It’s truly brighter than the TCL with higher distinction, however the TCL’s barely extra correct picture gave it the sting general. The Hisense makes use of Google TV as an alternative of Roku, and not like the TCL, the U8H consists of an ATSC 3.0 tuner. Frankly, you possibly can’t go fallacious with both one.
Sizes 55-, 65-, 75-inchTV Technology LED with native dimmingSmart TV Yes (Roku)Resolution 4KHDMI Ports 4
Competition amongst TVs within the center pricing band is heating up, and the Plus Series is the most recent entrant in 2023. Unlike the TCL Roku TVs larger on this checklist, this one is all Roku, with no different manufacturers on board. It provides a few step-up extras, together with QLED and full-array native dimming, which assist ship a greater image than the TCL 4-Series, for instance. It’s not as spectacular because the Vizio MQX, although, because it lacks 120Hz for gaming and worse image high quality general. If you worth these extras, then the Vizio is price saving for, but when not the Roku Plus Series is an excellent worth.
Sizes 43-, 50-, 55-, 60-, 65-, 70-, 75-, 85-inchTV Technology QLEDSmart TV Yes (Tizen)Resolution 4KHDMI Ports 3
Samsung is the model that sells extra TVs than anybody, and one in every of its hottest is the Q60 collection. Its modern QLED display screen design stands out in contrast with the opposite TVs on this checklist — though the ultrathin OLED fashions are sleeker — and it presents higher options, picture high quality and extra sizes than fashions just like the TCL 4-Series and Sony X80K. The TVs listed on this article are all superior values, however if you need a Samsung TV and cannot afford one thing just like the QN90B, it is a nice alternative.
Sizes 43-, 50-, 55-, 58- 65-, 70-, 75-inchTV Technology LEDSmart TV Yes (Tizen)Resolution 4KHDMI Ports 4
When we in contrast the most effective funds TVs aspect by aspect, the image high quality of Vizio’s V-Series clearly emerged because the chief of the pack. The Vizio supplied probably the most balanced and correct image throughout our comparisons, and it comes with some helpful extras corresponding to Dolby Vision help, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth compatibility and variable refresh fee for doubtlessly smoother gaming. The largest draw back of the Vizio is its good TV platform, Vizio SmartForged. It’s crowded, sluggish and suffering from advertisements for platforms corresponding to Tubi and Kidoodle TV. Even if you think about the price of including a brand new streaming system, nevertheless, the V-Series stays the most effective general entry-level TV that we examined.
Sizes 50-, 65-, 75-inchTV Technology LED with local dimmingSmart TV Yes (SmartCast)Resolution 4KHDMI Ports 4
The Vizio MQX is one of the least expensive TVs to feature full-array local dimming, which lets it reproduce TV shows, movies and games with enough contrast and pop to do HDR justice. The MQX has fewer dimming zones than more expensive TVs like the TCL 6-Series and Hisense U8H, but it offers 16 zones on the 50-inch, 30 on the 65-inch and 42 on the 75-inch, which is more than enough for excellent overall picture quality, with bright highlights, dark black levels, punchy contrast and accurate color.
Other TVs we’ve tested
LG C3 series OLED TV: As we mentioned above, the C2 from 2022 and C3 from 2023 were basically identical in our tests. Since the price difference between the two LG OLED TVs remains hundreds of dollars, we’re recommending the C2 over the C3 for now. Read our LG C3 OLED TV review.
Sony KD-X80K series: Sony is a prominent brand and its higher-end TVs like the X90J do well in reviews, but the entry-level TV in its 2022 lineup, the X80K, didn’t make the list. It costs around the same as the TCL 6-Series and Samsung Q60 TVs, and had a worse picture than both, with lighter black levels and contrast. It’s definitely not a bad TV, and we liked its Google smart TV system, color accuracy and connectivity, but you can definitely do better for the money. Read our Sony KD-X80K series review.
Amazon Fire TV 4-Series: One of many Fire TVs available for sale, this one is typical of the breed: so-so image quality and a smart TV system that lags behind Roku and Google TV. If you’re a big fan of Alexa voice, or see this TV at a really low price, it might be worthwhile, but otherwise go for the TCL 4-Series. Read our best budget TVs roundup.
How we test TVs
Our TV reviews follow a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process honed over nearly two decades of TV reviews. Our primary TV test lab has specialized equipment for measuring light and color, including a Konica Minolta CS-2000 spectroradiometer, a Murideo Sig-G 4K HDR signal generator and an AVPro Connect 8×8 4K HDR distribution matrix. We use Portrait Displays CalMan Ultimate software to evaluate every TV we review. In every CNET TV review, three or more similar TVs are compared side by side in various lighting conditions playing different media, including movies, TV shows and games, across a variety of test categories, from color to video processing to gaming to HDR. Our reviews also account for design, features, smart TV performance, HDMI input and gaming compatibility, and other factors.
One important aspect of image quality we test is overall brightness. Here’s how it compares in nits across select TVs listed above.
Light output in nits
| TV | Brightest mode (HDR) | Accurate mode (HDR) | Brightest mode (SDR) | Accurate mode (SDR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung QN65Q90B | 3,316 | 1,981 | 2,625 | 974 |
| Hisense U8H | 1,867 | 1,867 | 1,605 | 1,605 |
| TCL 65R655 | 1,387 | 1,194 | 1,292 | 624 |
| Vizio M65QXM-K03 | 939 | 742 | 958 | 608 |
| LG OLED65C2 | 812 | 759 | 413 | 389 |
| Roku TV Plus (65-inch) | 514 | 455 | 579 | 404 |
Check out How We Test TVs for more details.
How to choose a TV
With all of the TVs available today, and all of the technical terms and jargon associated with television technology, it can be tough to figure out what’s important. Here’s a quick guide to help cut through the confusion.
Price: TVs range in price from $100 to more than $2,000. Smaller screens are cheaper, well-known brands are more expensive and spending more money can also get you better image quality. Most entry-level TVs have a good enough picture for most people, but TVs last a long time, so it might be worth spending more to get a better picture. It’s also best to shop for 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 main TV — and 65 inches or larger is best. More than any other “feature,” stepping up in TV screen size is the best use of your money. One of the most common post-TV-purchase complaints we’ve heard is from people who didn’t go big enough. And we almost never hear people complain that their TV is too large.
Capability: Among entry-level TVs the most important feature is what kind of smart TV system the TV uses. Among midrange models, look for a feature including full-array local dimming, mini-LED and 120Hz refresh rate, which (unlike some other extras) do help improve the picture in our experience. And among high-end TVs, OLED technology is your best bet.
For more TV buying advice check out How to Buy a TV.
TV FAQ
We’ll post the answers to commonly asked TV questions below. If you have any others, feel free to reach out on Twitter (@dkatzmaier), or by clicking the little envelope icon on my CNET profile page. Doing so will let you send a message straight to my inbox.
How much should I spend on a TV?
Prices vary widely by size and features, from less than $100 for basic 24-inch TVs to more than $2,000 for big OLED models. TVs last a long time, however, so we think it’s worthwhile to spend a little extra beyond the bare minimum to get a bigger screen, better picture quality or better features. With that in mind, here’s some ballpark prices that will get you a very good TV in 2023.
What size TV should I buy?
Which is better, OLED or LED?
In our reviews, OLED TVs, which use organic light-emitting diode technology, have always had better picture quality than LED TVs, which are basically LCD TVs that use LED backlights. The main reason is that OLED TVs can produce a perfectly dark shade of black with no stray illumination of blooming, which leads to better contrast and pop. LED TVs can get brighter, however, and usually cost less than OLED TVs.
What is the best smart TV system for streaming?
At CNET our favorite is Roku for its simplicity, but different systems like Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung and LG have different strengths, in particular for voice commands. In any case, we don’t consider the built-in smart TV system that important because you can always connect a streaming device to any TV.
How do I get the most effective TV sound?
Most TVs sound horrible, as a result of their skinny cupboards haven’t got room for decent-size audio system or bass. If you need to get good sound you can purchase an exterior audio system. Even a cheap soundbar will ship significantly better audio high quality than a TV’s built-in audio system.