Other smart TVs available work with virtual surround sound technology like Dolby Atmos for room-filling sound without the need to buy extra speakers or soundbars; though you can use HDMI ARC inputs or Bluetooth connectivity to set up satellite subwoofers for enhanced bass notes or a wireless home theater configuration. Brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony have taken the next step in home entertainment and have released TVs capable of 8K resolution; however, these models are incredibly expensive, and there is virtually zero native 8K content available yet. But if you want to stay on the bleeding edge of home entertainment, they’re a worthy investment. We’ve rounded up our top picks below and broke down their features to help you decide which is right for your next smart TV. The integrated speakers use Samsung’s new SpaceFit Sound technology that works with eco sensors to create a custom virtual surround sound experience tailor-made for almost any room in your home. The voice-enabled remote works with Bixby, Alexa, and Google Assistant for hands-free controls. And the sleek, ultra-modern design and OneConnect compatibility lends a touch of sophisticated style to your home theater and gives you an ultra-clean-looking space. Size: 55-85 Inches | Panel Type: Neo QLED | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Quantum HDR 24X | Refresh Rate: 120Hz The 40-inch screen produces great 1080p resolution so all your favorite shows and movies look amazing. The Roku app turns your smartphone or tablet into a voice-enabled remote for easier searching and browsing, or you can connect your TV to your Alexa or Google Assistant-enabled smart speaker for expanded voice controls. The TV has a headphone jack for private listening and gaming when you don’t want to disturb others in your home, apartment, or dorm. Size: 40 Inches | Panel Type: LED | Resolution: 1080p HD | HDR: N/A | Refresh Rate: 60Hz The voice-enabled remote works with Bixby, Alexa, or Google Assistant for hands-free controls, or if you have a SmartThings hub, you can connect the TV to that to integrate the TV with your other Samsung smart devices. With object tracking sound and the new Space Fit Sound tech, no matter the size or shape of your living room or home theater, you’ll get incredibly immersive, room-filling sound without the need to set up sound bars or other home audio equipment. The improved Multi-View function now lets you watch up to 4 videos at once, and if you have Samsung mobile devices, you simply tap it on your TV to instantly share your screen. Size: 55-85 Inches | Panel Type: Neo QLED | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Quantum HDR 24X | Refresh Rate: 120Hz The Google TV platform gives you access to thousands of streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Spotify for tons of entertainment options; and with Chromecast and AirPlay 2, you can share your iOS or Android mobile device screen for more ways to view videos and pictures or listen to your favorite music. The voice-enabled remote works with Alexa or Google Assistant for hands-free controls, and you can also connect this TV to an Apple HomeKit device to use Siri for voice searches. If you’ve managed to get your hands on the new PlayStation 5, the Bravia XR supports variable refresh rate technology to sync your TV’s refresh rate with the console’s to reduce screen tearing and stuttering that can ruin a gaming session. Size: 55 & 65 Inches | Panel Type: OLED | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Dolby Vision | Refresh Rate: 120Hz The voice-enabled remote has Bixby and Alexa built in and works with Google Assistant so you can use your favorite virtual assistant with your new TV without an external smart speaker. With Bluetooth connectivity, you can wirelessly connect speakers, soundbars, and subwoofers for the ultimate home theater configuration, and with Apple AirPlay2 and SmartCast, you can screen mirror your iOS and Android mobile devices. The Ambient Mode turns your new TV into a work of art or piece of decor when not in use to blend into the room’s aesthetic or show off your favorite paintings and photos. The TU8000 has a V-Chip that allows parents to block inappropriate shows and movies from little ones, ensuring family-friendly entertainment. With a price tag under $2,000, the TU8000 is one of the more affordable large-format televisions available. Size: 85 Inches | Panel Type: Crystal UHD LED | Resolution: 4K | HDR: HDR | Refresh Rate: 60Hz The laser lamp produces 3,000 lumens of brightness, meaning you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies in even bright rooms, and with a lifetime rating of up to 25,000 hours, you won’t have to worry about changing the lamp bulb in the middle of your watch party. The remote features Alexa voice controls built in as well as quick-access buttons for Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video for easier streaming and searching. The projection unit features an integrated 40-watt Harman Kardon soundbar and includes a 60-watt subwoofer for room-filling sound without a complicated audio setup. Bluetooth connectivity means you can wirelessly connect extra speakers if you want them or stream content from your compatible laptop or mobile devices. Size: 100 Inches | Panel Type: Laser Projection | Resolution: 4K | HDR: HDR | Refresh Rate: 60Hz When you’re done streaming the latest episodes of Great British Bake Off, you can switch to the integrated digital TV tuner for local, over-air channels or plug your game console and playback devices into one of the three HDMI inputs to watch cable or satellite channels, fire up your new PS5, or watch a Blu-Ray. The screen gives you stunning 4K resolution and the speakers use DTS Studio Sound technology to give you a more cinematic experience whether you’re watching the latest action film or an old classic TV show. Size: 65 Inches | Panel Type: LED | Resolution: 4K | HDR: N/A | Refresh Rate: 60Hz The QLED panel features contrast zones and individually lit mini-LED bulbs that create OLED-level colors and details. With object tracking sound, you’ll get virtual 3D surround sound audio without the hassle of setting up extra home audio equipment like soundbars and subwoofers. The virtually invisible bezel gives you an edge-to-edge picture for a more immersive viewing experience and better viewing angles. The remote is solar-powered to help make your home theater more eco-friendly and voice-enabled for hands-free controls. Size: 65-85 Inches | Panel Type: Neo QLED | Resolution: 8K | HDR: Quantum HDR 48X | Refresh Rate: 120Hz If you work from home or use your desktop for gaming, you can use your TU8300 as a remote-access monitor so you can review reports, work on spreadsheets, or play a few rounds of Fortnite from the comfort of your couch or bed when you need a change of pace. Console gamers can take advantage of the automatic game mode and auto low latency input mode which prevent screen tearing and stuttering for smoother playback. If you use a virtual assistant, you can use the voice-enabled remote or an external smart speaker for hands-free controls. And with AirPlay2 support as well as Tap View, you can easily share your iOS or Android mobile device screen for more ways to entertain family and friends. Size: 55 & 65 Inches | Panel Type: Curved LED | Resolution: 4K | HDR: HDR | Refresh Rate: 60Hz
What to Look For in a Smart TV
The best smart TVs are rapidly becoming the new gold standard for home entertainment. They let you download your favorite streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Spotify right to the TV to have thousands of shows, movies, and songs at your fingertips. A lot of smart televisions now have hands-free voice control capabilities as well. They use voice-enabled remotes, dedicated apps, or a connection to a third-party smart speaker to give you expanded controls over your TV and make it easier to find new things to watch or listen to. There are a few different options for voice controls; most TVs support Alexa and Google Home with voice-enabled remotes or external smart speakers while others, like Samsung, have their own proprietary voice assistants or use Siri via iOS devices. Screen mirroring is another smart feature that more and more televisions are beginning to offer. This option lets you wirelessly connect your smartphone, tablet, or computer to your television and share what’s on the screen in order to view photos or watch short home videos. Some newer Samsung televisions let you screen mirror your devices while simultaneously watching a movie or show; perfect for watching videos from friends and family or catching up with news updates. With so many smart features available, it can be difficult to know what you may need for your home. We’ll break down some of the most important factors to consider when shopping for a smart TV to help you choose which one is right for you.
Brands
The place to start when deciding on the best smart TV to buy is the brand. There are dozens of television manufacturers out there, each with different size classes, price points, and smart features available. If you’re working with a budget, brands like TCL and Hisense are great brands with affordable options. They still offer quality streaming platforms like Roku or the Android TV operating system to give you access to thousands of apps as well as limited voice controls and connectivity options. Mid-range options are available from larger brands like Sony, Samsung, and Vizio. These models may come with a higher price point, but they offer many more smart features. Besides streaming and voice controls, you’ll also get local dimming zones in the screen for enhanced, scene-by-scene analysis of your favorite shows and movies for superior contrast, color volume, and detailing. Some may also use Dolby Atmos audio technology to produce virtual surround sound for a more immersive cinematic experience. High-end models from Sony, Samsung, and LG give you everything you could ever want in a smart TV. They offer larger screen sizes with more advanced picture technologies like QLED or OLED panels, AI-assisted rendering and upscaling, native voice controls, and ambient sound and light sensors that automatically change picture and sound settings to fit your environment. Knowing which brands offer what features in their televisions makes it easier to set a budget and narrow down your options.
Smart Features
For customers looking to put together a custom home theater, the best smart TVs feature ambient noise and light sensors that constantly monitor your environment and automatically adjust picture and sound settings to suit the room. They also feature Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio equipment setup and custom home theater configurations. For die-hard console gamers, a TV that features either AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G Sync technology is a must. These technologies automatically detect when you start playing a game and reduce input lag and motion blur while boosting color volume and contrast for buttery smooth action, beautiful visuals, and near real-time reactions to your controller inputs.
User Interface
Smart features are wonderful, but the user interface can make or break a home entertainment experience. Family movie night or watch parties with friends can be instantly ruined by having to navigate confusing menus and clunky interfaces just to access Netflix or Hulu. Roku-based televisions have a streamlined hub menu that puts all of your divides, apps, and inputs in one convenient location. Each input is clearly labeled with what is connected to it so you can quickly and easily access your game console, Blu-Ray player, or cable box without needing to remember input names. Televisions that use Android TV also have a clean, simple interface with clearly marked menu icons for browsing apps, accessing voice controls, or looking at recommended content. LG televisions use the webOS operating system and have an ultra-clean looking interface. Apps are clearly displayed in easy to recognize tiles for quick and easy access. Luckily, TV manufacturers have realized that as more and more people choose to stream their movies and shows, an easy to use interface is important. The clunky, confusing interfaces from older TVs are all but gone, leading to more enjoyable home entertainment.
