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The is here, which means . While this year’s  will push the prices of entry-level TVs higher, there are deep discounts on midrange and high-end TVs that have the best picture quality. We’ve reviewed many of the best TVs of the year and gathered our favorites in the list below.

TVs come in all sizes and prices, so I concentrate on picture quality for the money. LCD TVs with ,  or  TVs are usually less expensive than  televisions, and still perform well while supporting  with . Though an OLED television will give you the best picture, it’s expensive and might not be available in the . Based on my years of experience and side-by-side comparisons in , I’ve chosen the best TV of every type. We’ll keep tracking new deals all season long and update this list periodically to help you shop TVs like a pro. (.)

David Katzmaier/CNET

No TV I’ve ever tested offers this much picture quality for as little cash. The TCL 6 Series Dolby Vision HDR TV has an excellent image thanks to  and well-implemented  that helps it run circles around just about any other TV at this price. It’s also a with a THX mode that combines low input lag and high contrast. As if that’s not enough, the Roku TV operating system is our hands-down favorite.

This TV first came out in 2020 but will stay on sale throughout 2021 — in fact it just got its — and remains my top choice so far. TCL also sells an , but I don’t think it’s worth the extra money, as well as a  I have yet to review (although according to TCL its image quality is the same as this Roku version).

Sizes: 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-inch. (The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.)

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David Katzmaier/CNET

With picture quality as good as any TV I’ve ever tested and a price that’s not too crazy, the LG C1 OLED TV is my go-to pick for people who prioritize picture and are willing to pay for it. It on this list, including the Samsung QN90A below, with its perfect black levels, unbeatable contrast and superb off-angle viewing. It also has the best gaming features, making it the perfect companion to an or both. The C1 comes in the widest variety of sizes of any OLED TV, although the bigger models are really expensive.

Sizes: 48-, 55-, 65-, 77-, 83-inch. (The prices shown below are for the 55-inch size.)

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David Katzmaier/CNET

Looking for a high-end TV with spectacular image quality, but don’t want an OLED? The Samsung QN90A is your best bet. This TV uses QLED TV tech augmented by mini-LED for a brighter image than any OLED TV. The spectacular contrast of OLED still won out in my side-by-side tests, but the QN90A QLED screen comes closer than ever. 

Sizes: 50-, 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-inch. (The prices shown below are for the 55-inch size.)

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for live TV streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, and it’s even better baked into the TV. This TCL 4-Series can’t beat any of the models above on image quality — its 4K resolution and HDR performance don’t do much to help the picture — but it’s perfectly fine for most people, especially at this price. 

Sizes: 43-, 50-, 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-inch. (The prices shown below are for the 43-inch size.)

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Sarah Tew/CNET

What’s that you say? You just want the best TV and can afford whatever you want? Here you go. In my tests the LG G1 OLED TV and the cheaper C1 above were the best TVs I’ve ever reviewed, with unbeatable contrast, perfect wide viewing angle and excellent uniformity. The main advantage of the G1 is slimmer, more wall-friendly design compared to the C1, so if you value that style and can afford it, this is the TV to get. 

Sizes: 55-, 65-, 77-inch. (The prices shown below are for the 55-inch size.)

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Geoffrey Morrison/CNET

Vizio’s V-series is our favorite budget alternative to the TCL 4-Series Roku TV. We liked Roku’s smart TV system better (sound familiar?), but the V-series has some advantages, including a and more advanced . Picture quality between the two was basically the same, so if you don’t have a preference, it makes sense to get the cheapest one.

Sizes: 43-, 50-, 55-, 58- 65-, 75-inch. (The prices shown below are for the 55-inch size.)

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David Katzmaier/CNET

With excellent picture quality, anchored by full-array local dimming and plenty of brightness to make HDR content shine, the X90J is Sony’s answer to the TCL 6-Series and step-up Vizio models. This LED TV’s sleek looks and the  operating system score additional points, as does its  (it has 4K/120fps inputs and Sony promises VRR… someday) and built-in . This Sony TV is perfect for PS5 gaming and works with Alexa & Google Assistant. If you want an “S” brand, this is one of the best values we’ve tested.

Sizes: 50-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch. (The prices shown below are for the 55-inch size.)

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David Katzmaier/CNET

Samsung is the TV brand that sells more TVs than anyone and one of the most popular is the Q60A series. Its sleek OLED screen design stands out compared to the other TVs on this list — although the ultra-thin OLED models are even sleeker — it offers better features and image quality than budget models like the TCL 4-Series, and it comes in a vast array of sizes. The TVs above are all superior values, but if you want a Samsung TV and can’t afford the QN90A, this is a great choice.

Sizes: 43-, 50-, 55-, 60- 65-, 70- 75-, 85-inch. (The prices shown below are for the 55-inch size.)

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David Katzmaier/CNET

Most of the TVs on this list are bright enough for just about any room, but maybe you want a screen that’s as bright as possible. The U8G outshines others in its price range and was basically as bright as the significantly more expensive Samsung QN90A. Its image quality falls a bit short in other areas and its selection of sizes is limited, but if raw brightness is what you crave, the U8G delivers.

Sizes: 55-, 65-inch. (The prices shown below are for the 55-inch size.)

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How does CNET test TVs?

Our TV reviews follow a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process honed over nearly two decades of TV reviews. has specialized equipment for measuring light and color, including a spectroradiometer, a 4K HDR signal generator and an 4K HDR distribution matrix. We  software to evaluate and every TV we review. In every CNET TV review, three or more similar TVs are compared side-by-side in various lighting conditions with different content, 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 more.

TV FAQs

I’ll post the answers to commonly asked TV questions below. If you have any others, feel free to reach out on Twitter (), or by clicking the little envelope icon on . Doing so will let you send a message straight to my inbox.

How big a TV should I get?

In my opinion bigger is better, and your money is best spent on large screen sizes rather than a slight upgrade in image quality. The answer also depends on room size and seating distance: If you have a big room and sit further away, you’ll want a bigger TV. The .

What is OLED TV burn-in?

Burn-in is when part of an image — for example a channel logo, news ticker or a scoreboard on a TV — persists as a ghostly background no matter what else appears onscreen. Burn-in is possible with any OLED TV, but it’s not likely with normal use.  is to vary what you watch.

Do I need HDMI 2.1?

No. The latest HDMI standard is available on newer, higher-end TVs and works with the . Those features can deliver smoother gameplay, but the difference often isn’t massive, and TVs that lack HDMI 2.1 will work perfectly well with next-generation consoles.

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 .

How do I get the best TV sound?

Most TVs sound terrible because their thin cabinets don’t have room for decent-size speakers or bass. If you want to

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