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Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- General
- Tom's Guide
I've set up hundreds of TVs in my career — here are 6 mistakes people make when setting up a new TV
Buying a new TV is exciting — especially if it's been a while since you've made an upgrade. As anxious as you might be to crack open that box and to start streaming your favorite shows, make sure you're ready. Take it from someone who's been setting up TVs for over a decade: The decisions you make right now could affect your TV-enjoyment in the short and long term. Here's how to set up a TV safely, swiftly and smartly. It's a question that every TV-buyer inevitably asks themselves: Should I throw out my TV box? The short answer is, while everybody's living space is different, I highly recommend that you hang onto your TV's box (and its internal structural pieces) if you have the storage space to accommodate it. In the event that you move, donate or sell your TV in the coming years, having a way to transport it securely will offer tremendous peace of mind. Setting up a TV shouldn't be a solo job. This might seem obvious, but you'd be shocked at how many horror stories I've heard about people mishandling a TV while trying to set it up by themselves. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Heck, I've even suffered a gnarly back injury while setting up a TV, and I do this for a living. For bigger TVs — 65-, 75- and 85-inch sets — I would even recommend having a third person on hand to assist with lifting and moving. At these sizes, TV panels can get quite heavy, and the setup process involves several steps where the panel needs to be carefully placed. I can't stress enough how questionable it is to wall-mount a TV above a fireplace. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing where to place a TV: the distance between the screen and your seating area, the angle of the screen relative to light sources, and in some cases, the long-term safety of your TV. In our guide to choosing a TV size, we go over the ideal viewing distance for a TV based on the size of the screen, and it's worth reviewing before settling on a spot for the TV to live. For instance, when setting up a 65-inch TV, the ideal viewing distance is between six and seven feet. Another important factor is the location of light sources in the room. Depending on your layout, you might be limited in your placement options, but if you're choosing between several potential spots, consider angling the screen away from lamps, computer monitors and especially windows. Lastly, I can't stress enough how questionable it is to wall-mount a TV above a fireplace. For one thing, this almost always sets the screen at an angle that's too high up, which invites neck strain. In addition, the smoke, soot and heat of active fireplaces can severely damage your TV over time. Repeat after me: I don't need to spend a lot on HDMI cables, but I do need the right cables for the job. If you bought a mid-range or high-end TV, it almost certainly supports a spec called HDMI 2.1. In fact, if you've splashed out on one of the best TVs on the market (like the five-star LG C5 OLED), all four of the TVs HDMI inputs are 2.1. And, if you're upgrading a TV for the first time in years, your old TV almost certainly did not support this spec. It likely supported HDMI 2.0 instead. There's plenty to learn about the difference between HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1, but here's the basic gist: HDMI 2.1 compatibility allows for better audio support, higher refresh rates and additional gaming enhancements like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). Simply put, if you want to make the most out of your new TV — particularly if you're a gamer — you'll need HDMI cables that make the most of your TV's available HDMI 2.1 inputs. Fortunately, there's an easy way to make sure that you're buying the right cable. Just look for cables labeled 'Ultra High-Speed.' You'll know they're the right choice if they support a bandwidth of 48 Gbps. These ultra high-speed HDMI cables from Monoprice are affordable, braided for additional durability and capable of supporting your new TV's A/V- and gaming-related features. (Personally, I wouldn't spend more than this on HDMI cables.) In a pinch, you can still use the older, less-capable cables you might've paired with your previous TV. They'll support 4K resolution and HDR performance across most sources. But you won't be able to take advantage of certain sought-after audio- and gaming-related features until you upgrade those cables. So, you've set up your TV without injuring yourself, you've placed it in the perfect spot and your brand-new, high-bandwidth HDMI cables are jacked in. You're not going to screw up the maiden voyage by using Vivid mode, are you? There will be plenty of time to delve into the deepest sections of your TV's settings menu in the coming months. For now, here are four steps you can take to improve your TV's picture right out of the box: Regarding that last point: Some TVs (like recent sets from Hisense and Sony) do not automatically enable the capabilities of their HDMI 2.1 inputs, leaving that step up to the viewer. Typically, this setting can be found under the TV's settings menu pertaining to inputs and connected devices. Don't let that old set languish in the basement gathering dust, and definitely don't kick it to the curb outside of your home. Instead, consider alternatives that are more socially and environmentally friendly. Do you have any family, friends or neighbors who would appreciate a hand-me-down? Alternatively, Finding a Goodwill donation center near you is a great way to move it out of your home and into another relatively quickly. You can also check out the EPA's guide for donating electronics for resources on how to recycle a TV in your area.
Tom's Guide
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I test TVs for a living and the Switch 2 is a huge letdown when it comes to specs — here's why
It's launch day, and the hype for the Nintendo Switch 2 is at a fever pitch. The performance enhancements for base Switch games seems quite promising and the specs it offers in handheld mode, like 120fps with VRR support, are exciting. But as someone who tests TVs for a living, I wouldn't upgrade to a new one just for the Switch 2 — there's really no point. This is a console that might have a whole library of great console exclusives but that won't make up for the fact that it's missing out on the latest and greatest display technologies like HDMI 2.1, the Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos formats, and lacks the ability to stream movies and shows on the go. As a gamer, I'm excited to get my hands on a Nintendo Switch 2. But as someone who covers TVs for a living, there are a couple of the major setbacks that have me rethinking my Switch 2 preorder. One of the biggest blunders with the Nintendo Switch 2 is the absence of HDMI 2.1 support. Most of you might be able to simply look past this setback, as the Switch 2 wouldn't exactly be able to hit a stable 4K/120Hz and it's not exactly built to be a direct competitor to more spec-heavy consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X. But HDMI 2.1 provides so much more than just 4K/120Hz compatibility. Other important specs introduced with HDMI 2.1 were support for dynamic HDR (a feature we'll talk about in more detail in a second), 4:4:4 Chroma subsampling and uncompressed bit-stream audio. Had I been in Nintendo's shoes, I might've waited just another few months for HDMI 2.2 to hit the market and be the first to adopt that technology. Now, admittedly, not every gamer is going to have the AV hardware necessary to support these specs, but compared to the home-cinema-friendly Xbox Series X and PS5, the Nintendo Switch 2 won't deliver the same experience. Had I been in Nintendo's shoes, I might've waited just another few months for HDMI 2.2 to hit the market and be the first to adopt that technology. Because it doesn't go all-in with HDMI 2.1, the new Switch misses the boat on major audio enhancements, including Dolby audio passthrough and surround sound functionality, like Dolby Atmos. According to the Nintendo Switch 2 specs page, the device's audio support maxes out at a 5.1-channel PCM output. In the world of audio setups, that's a bit lackluster, especially if you want more immersive sounds in games and entertainment alike. And the real kicker for me is that the Switch 2 even has a special surround sound feature in handheld mode. It's like the company skimped on its docked potential, ignoring how much it could do on some of the best TVs. That's a huge setback for audio aficionados and Nintendo could have even rode the hype train on such enhanced specs with additional peripherals, like Nintendo-branded surround sounds speakers. That sounds a bit absurd, but remember that this is the same company that approved the design for a compatible Piranha Plant camera. If you thought those were a huge miss, this might be the nail in the coffin for movie and TV lovers: The Nintendo Switch 2 won't support streaming apps on launch, and that's a bummer for the on-the-ground crowd as much as it is for those who aim to keep the device mostly docked. This includes many of the best streaming services, from Hulu to Max. While the Switch 2 is primarily meant for gaming, a wider range of entertainment platforms would suit it nicely, ensuring you don't need to bring an extra streaming device with you or rely on a mobile device. The original Switch had a range of support for these platforms, so it comes as a yet another major letdown. Nintendo has never tried to appeal to home theater enthusiasts the same way Sony and Microsoft have. The latter helped usher millions of DVDs and Blu-rays into people's homes thanks to their support. Nintendo just focuses on its IP, not technology. I know I'm biased here, but I wish Nintendo cared a bit more about having better specs. No, I'm not expecting to play Metroid Prime 4 in 8K on a Samsung QN990F and have the highest resolution supported, but it feels like a miss that I won't even be able to play it at 4K/120 on my Hisense U8QG because it's so underpowered. As for the extra HDR and spatial audio features, they're pie-in-the-sky desires, but as someone who routinely enjoys playing games in Dolby Vision, Nintendo Switch games will always look a little duller without it. At least it has Duskbloods, and that's something I can't say about the Xbox Series X or PS5.
Tom's Guide
29-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
Samsung QN990F Neo QLED 8K TV review: Almost brilliant
Price: $8,499 / £9,499 / AU$13,799 Screen size: 85 inchesModel: Samsung QN990FResolution: 7,680×4,320HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, HLGRefresh Rate: 120Hz (native)Ports: 5x HDMI 2.1, 3 x USB-A, 1 x USB-CAudio: 90W, 6.2.4 channelsSmart TV Software: Tizen OSSize (without stand): 1877.4 x 1067.1 x 13.3mmWeight (without stand): 94.1 lbs / 42.7 kg In my estimation, the Samsung QN990F Neo QLED 8K TV is unquestionably the most advanced television ever produced by the South Korean manufacturer from a technical standpoint. However, a couple of quirks hold it back from being one of the best TVs, period. The QN990F boasts a number of clear advancements over last year's Samsung QN900D, though some of them may be seen as a double-edged sword when judged solely by the TV's unexceptional benchmark scores. Of course, context is everything. Arguably the most immediately obvious upgrade comes with the addition of Samsung's glare-free display tech, which blew my socks off on the Samsung S95F OLED TV recently. Needless to say, I consider this a welcome inclusion, though some A/V purists will disagree. Next, Samsung's One Connect Box has gone wireless this time around, meaning it can now transmit 8K/120Hz or 4K/240Hz signals to the screen from up to 10 metres away, so long as it isn't placed in a metal cabinet. Unfortunately, the move to a wireless signal means the introduction of significant input lag. Of course, there is a workaround to that involving an additional Micro HDMI 2.1 port on the panel itself, allowing gamers to bypass the One Connect Box entirely to achieve minimal lag, but that can only be used by one source at a time. In other words, it's not very convenient. My expectation going into this QN990F review was that it would effortlessly surpass last year's excellent QN900D. Surprisingly, I ended up discovering one particular advancement that I could've done without. The QN990F is still an impressive television, but it's no longer the GOAT in Samsung's stable. In the US and UK, Samsung's QN990F is available in 65-, 75- and 85-inch models, while in Australia, the 8K flagship is only offered in the largest 85-inch version. From an MSRP / RRP standpoint, pricing for the QN990F starts at $5,499 / £4,999 for the 65-inch model, followed by $6,499 / £6,499 for the 75-inch model, and $8,499 / £9,499 / AU$13,799 for the 85-inch model. However, many retailers are already selling the QN990F below the recommended price point. In the US, Best Buy and even Samsung itself are selling the 85-inch QN990F at a $500 discount, bringing its price down to $7,999. Meanwhile in Australia, retailers like JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys are selling the same model for AU$11,995 — a whopping AU$1,804 less than what Samsung is asking on its online store. Unsure about which TV size is right for you? Our 'What TV size should you buy?' guide can help. Judged purely on aesthetics, Samsung's 8K flagship is, in my opinion, the most beautiful TV in the world this year thanks to its thin design (the 85-inch model being reviewed here is just 13.3mm thick) and a near absence of bezels around its display. It also sports the same Infinity Air stand that came with last year's QN900D — it's flat, centered and makes the TV look like it's floating. Like Samsung's S95F OLED TV, the QN990F achieves its slim profile by moving most of its inputs to a separate One Connect Box, making it easier to access its HDMI and USB ports — especially when the TV is wall-mounted. However, the One Connect Box supplied with the QN990F differs from its OLED counterpart in a rather significant way: it's now capable of transmitting 4K/2400Hz (or 8K/120Hz) signals to the panel wirelessly rather than through a single cable. That also means that this time around, there's no way to create a physical connection between the One Connect Box and the display — signals are delivered exclusively over Wi-Fi. The decision to go wireless does provide one major benefit — it allows the user more flexibility in their living room layout. The new (much smaller) One Connect Box can now be placed anywhere within 10 metres / 30 feet of the display, meaning you can maintain a minimalist appearance for the screen itself while keeping any connected Blu-ray player or gaming consoles tucked away in a separate area. But while previous iterations of the One Connect Box also delivered power to the display along with audio and video signals, the new wireless version does not. That means the QN990F's screen and One Connect Box each require their own power source. Additionally, the ability to place the One Connect Box anywhere in the room may prove moot for those looking to use anything but a compatible Samsung soundbar with wireless Dolby Atmos capabilities — the Sonos Arc Ultra, for instance, will still require an HDMI connection, which defeats the purpose of placing the One Connect Box far away from the screen. Recently, I reviewed Samsung's S95F OLED TV and was blown away by its anti-glare display. Now, that same glare-free display technology has made its way over to Samsung's Neo QLED TV range, and it's just as impressive on the QN990F. Just like with the S95F, I tested the QN990F in a fully illuminated room with a chandelier positioned to potentially cause reflections. Once again, the glare-free display dispersed light in such a way that no discernible reflection was visible. At most, an extremely faint haze could be observed when the screen was black, but it was nothing close to the mirror-like reflection offered by my own television. Some A/V purists will argue that anything but a pure glossy display will result in image quality loss, but I can honestly say that hasn't been my experience with the QN990F (or the S95F for that matter). It's also not realistic to expect the majority of people to only watch television in complete darkness. As for the QN990F's remote, there's nothing new to report — it's basically identical to what we got with the last few generations of Samsung's top Neo QLED TVs. It's small, has a round directional pad and center button for getting around menus and selecting things, a settings button, a microphone button, a back button, a home button, a play/pause button, volume and channel rockers, and dedicated buttons for launching Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and Samsung TV Plus. Once again, there's a small solar panel on the back of the QN990F's remote to help keep it charged, and there's also a USB-C port at the base of the remote for when you need to top it up quickly. As previously mentioned, most of the QN990F's ports are located on the wireless One Connect Box, with the exception of an additional Micro HDMI 2.1 port and a USB-C port on the rear of the panel. On the One Connect Box itself, you'll find four HDMI 2.1 ports (one of which has eARC capability) alongside three USB-A ports, an ethernet (LAN) port, a digital optical audio output, and a RF input for good old terrestrial broadcasting. Unlike previous models, you won't find the standard One Connect cable port, as the new box will only transmit signals to the screen over Wi-Fi. Of course, it's worth noting that the One Connect Box is no longer required for the QN990F to function now that the panel has its own power source. In fact, if your plan is to exclusively watch content via streaming and catch-up services, or game via the fifth HDMI port on the panel's rear, you can skip the One Connect Box entirely. At Tom's Guide, we follow a standard testing protocol for every TV we review. Our benchmarks include technical and subjective tests designed to rate the set's performance. For our technical tests, we use a Jeti spectraval 1501-HiRes spectroradiometer, a Klein K10-A colorimeter, a Murideo 8K-SIX-G Metal pattern generator, and Portrait Displays' Calman TV-calibration software to take measurements. We also use a Leo Bodnar 4K Input Lag Tester for determining the TV's gaming prowess. Subjective tests vary based on the reviewer, but usually feature anecdotes from a diverse selection of movies, TV shows, and other content reflecting the types of things you may actually want to watch on the TV. For a more detailed look at what we do and how we do it, check out our 'How we test TVs' page. Samsung QN990F (2025) Samsung QN900D (2024) Samsung S95F (2025) LG C5 OLED (2025) LG G4 OLED (2024) SDR Brightness (10%, in nits) 285.4 281.4 267 335 358 Delta-E (lower is better) 2.1922 1.8413 1.1972 1.2468 1.4041 Rec. 709 Gamut Coverage 99.7322 99.83 106.8784 99.6677 98.5546 HDR Brightness (10%, in nits) 1402 2338 2138 1165 1488 UHDA-P3 Gamut Coverage 95.43 94.6 99.97 98.61 97.17 Rec. 2020 Gamut Coverage 75.81 70.83 90.26 76.18 72.91 Input Lag (ms) 36.4 10.4 9.5 12.9 12.9/9.2 Having grown accustomed to Samsung topping its own peak brightness records each year, it's surprising to see the QN990F's HDR peak luminance (in a 10% window in Filmmaker Mode) falls short of last year's QN900D by a significant margin. By default, the QN990F's Filmmaker Mode reached just 1,402 nits — well below last year's equivalent model, the QN900D, which reached 2,338 nits in the same test. It also failed to reach the 2,138 nits achieved by Samsung's top OLED of 2025, the S95F. Needless to say, it's a curious result for a panel backed by thousands of typically ultra-bright Mini LEDs. The QN990F did manage to reach a more respectable 2,109 nits (in a 10% window) outside of Filmmaker Mode, so maybe there's just something amiss with that setting. Alternatively, maybe Samsung just wants to encourage users to apply its Vision AI features. Finding the default Filmmaker Mode to be unusually dark, I set out to brighten it up by delving into the TV's expert picture settings, where I was able to set Contrast Enhancer to High and tweak a few other levels to improve the viewing experience. Sitting down with the QN990F, my first instinct was to capture the metrics that really matter, such as how the 2006 big screen adaptation of "Miami Vice" looks on it. Immediately, I was impressed by how the TV handled contrast in the film's opening scene, which opens with a silhouetted woman dancing against a large, bright screen of swirling colors. No obvious light blooming was present, although there was some loss of shadow detail around her arm, back and face. Of course, shadow detail can be tweaked in the QN990F's settings, though increasing it may come at the slight expense of the inky blacks this Mini LED TV is capable of. During my QN990F review period, I took the opportunity to catch up on the "Mission: Impossible" movies, starting with "Mission: Impossible III" in 4K and was flabbergasted by how punchy and vibrant the film looked for the majority of its runtime. Contrast and shadow detail were mostly excellent — particularly in the film's show-stopping bridge sequence, where explosions burn with vibrant orange intensity. However, the QN990F's backlighting system didn't handle the film's nighttime-set Shanghai sequence very well, with darker shots (particularly in close-ups) forcing the TV's Mini LEDs to overcompensate, resulting in swirling backlights and obvious blooming. In terms of color accuracy, Samsung's QN990F faired decently in the all-important Delta-E test, which is used to determine color error and where lower scores are favored, measuring 2.1922. That said, last year's QN900D performed better with 1.8413, while Samsung's flagship OLED of 2025, the S95F, achieved an exemplary 1.1972 measurement — the lowest color error reading of any TV we've tested this year. Of course, it's believed that a Delta-E score of 3 is where the threshold of perceptibility lies, so it's unlikely for anyone to notice any real difference in color accuracy between any of the models discussed above (at least not with the naked eye). In case you missed it, 'The Terminator' movies were wrong — it turns out we will look back on 2025 as the year that AI took over. Samsung's QN990F is a testament to that, given how much of a focus there is on the company's Vision AI technology, which offers more than mere upscaling advancements. Users can personalize the AI mode picture settings and UI through a screen-based interface. The customization process starts with selecting a scene type: sports, movie, or general. Subsequently, users are shown visual examples for brightness, contrast, color, and color tone, with four options available for each. Alternatively, users can choose to let Vision AI do its own optimizing based on your viewing environment and the content you're watching. I watched "Pulp Fiction" in 4K and used it to cycle through the AI modes offered by the QN990F. As you would expect, elements like color, shadow detail and tone all varied depending on which visual samples I selected, but I can say that image quality was exquisite in every instance. Now that I've looked at different AI-tweaked picture setting combinations across multiple Samsung TVs, I'm not entirely convinced by the results. In my experience, the AI gives films an appearance verging on artificial, reminiscent of the Dynamic setting on most modern televisions (this one included). I appreciate that the functionality is there, but I'm glad it can be switched off. Thankfully, the QN990F offers two Smart Calibration options through the SmartThings app for compatible smartphones. Basic Mode quickly optimizes white balance in about 15 seconds, while Professional Mode offers a more comprehensive calibration, taking several minutes and requiring a tripod-mounted phone in a dark room to perform a 20-point white balance adjustment, including gamma, grayscale linearity, and chromaticity fine-tuning. Despite this, Samsung's continued refusal to incorporate Dolby Vision 12-bit color is a letdown. The company has chosen to use its own HDR10+ format, which unfortunately restricts the QN990F from showcasing many TV shows and movies at their best. Samsung's QN990F features a 90W 6.2.4 speaker system, seemingly identical to last year's QN900D, delivering loud and high-quality audio with clear dialogue enhanced by Samsung's AI-powered Active Voice Amplifier Pro. As is typical with Samsung's Neo QLED TVs, speaker grilles are positioned along the top and side edges of the panel. The TV offers Dolby Atmos support, Object Tracking Sound+ (OTS+) technology and built-in height channels — all of which help to provide a subtle form of spatial audio. As always, you should probably consider purchasing one of the best soundbars available to achieve appropriately cinematic audio. During my review of the QN990F, I tested its Q-Symphony feature with Samsung's flagship HW-Q990F soundbar. This technology allows the TV's built-in speakers and the soundbar to operate in tandem, creating a richer audio experience with noticeably improved dialogue clarity. I should also note that Samsung's QN990F TV was able to transmit Dolby Atmos audio to the HW-Q990F soundbar wirelessly using Dolby Digital Plus, meaning eARC isn't required. That said, lossless Dolby Atmos TrueHD can only be achieved with a wired connection. The QN990F boasts specs and features that make it seem like a gamer's dream, and in some ways, it is. That said, it's worth noting that there are a few asterisks on Samsung's claims about what the TV is capable of. You may have read that the QN990F is capable of 4K/240Hz on all five of its HDMI 2.1 ports. However, the TV is actually using Samsung's Motion Xcelerator 240Hz technology to simulate a higher refresh rate via interpolation and VRR. This is because the QN990F's native refresh rate is only 120Hz. Unfortunately, the biggest stumbling block comes in the form of the QN990F's new wireless One Connect Box, which introduces higher-than-normal latency. Our tests revealed an input lag of 36.4ms, which is almost 4x what the S95F recorded, and 3.5x what last year's QN900D achieved. Granted, it's likely that the QN990F's fifth HDMI port, located behind the stand on the panel itself, would drastically cut down on said lag, however, I wasn't able to test this during my review period. Sure, casual gamers might not even notice the lag, but it still feels counterintuitive for a TV to boast about blisteringly fast refresh rates while simultaneously offering the highest latency of any TV in recent memory. Obviously, those who don't care about any of that stuff will be able to make their games look great without any fuss using the QN990F's AI Auto Game Mode, which automatically optimizes picture settings based on the detected game genre. However, serious players looking to fine-tune every aspect of their experience can still hold the remote's 'play' button to open the QN990F's Game Bar UI, providing access to a comprehensive range of settings. Here, users also quickly toggle through features like Virtual Aim Point, Minimap Zoom, and Game Motion Plus while viewing their game's resolution, FPS, and other relevant settings information. Samsung's Tizen smart TV platform continues to offer one of the most cluttered interfaces on any television, with way too much to sort through when you press the home button on your remote. I can see that Samsung's heart is in the right place as it tries to enable content discovery, but sometimes you just want a simple list of apps or devices. Instead, the home screen is split into three tabs: Discover (content suggestions), Live (currently streaming content from Samsung TV Plus channels), and Apps (recommended apps). In my review of Samsung's S95F, I mentioned that the Tizen smart TV platform features a cluttered interface with an overwhelming amount of options accessible from the home button. Well, the same can be said for the QN990F, which offers an identical UI. While Samsung aims to facilitate content discovery, I would personally prefer a straightforward list of apps and devices, and I have to imagine I'm not alone in that desire. Once again, the home screen is divided into three tabs: Discover (content suggestions), Live (Samsung TV Plus channels), and Apps (recommended apps). All apps and content sources are located within the 'Discover' tab that initially displays a 'Recent' content row, followed by a row listing installed apps and connected devices, and numerous content suggestions from these apps. A large portion of the home screen will often be taken up by marketing for shows and Samsung TV Plus channels you may have no interest in, and it's something I could do without. On a positive note, Samsung has refined other UI elements. For example, the QN990F's settings now appear as smaller, floating windows on the left, improving content visibility during adjustments. Additionally, Samsung has brought its Art Mode to more TVs than ever this year, and the QN990F is one of them. Along with the ability to access celebrated works of art and officially licensed content from the likes of Disney via the Samsung Art Store, the TV's Vision AI technology now lets you generate bespoke AI art through a series of prompts. Despite a host of improvements, the Samsung QN990F Neo QLED 8K TV has a few drawbacks that prevent it from being the best Samsung TV of 2025. I absolutely love its glare-free screen, but can appreciate that it won't be to everyone's taste. The main fly in the ointment for me, however, is that its new wireless One Connect Box causes significant latency on all but one HDMI port, located on the panel itself. That might appeal to PC gamers, but will likely turn off those of us with multiple consoles. Given the QN990F's hefty price, I would've liked for the One Connect Box to at least provide the option of a wired connection. While the QN990F is undoubtedly impressive in many ways, those seeking Samsung's top TV of the year might find the S95F a more suitable option.
Tom's Guide
26-05-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
Best Memorial Day TV sales: Top Mini-LED & OLED deals you can't miss
Memorial Day is here, and so are some of the best TV sales of the year. Retailers are rolling out major discounts on the best TVs, including models we've personally tested and highly recommend. One of the best TV sales is happening right now is at Amazon, where smart TVs start at just $69. You can find deals on both premium and budget TVs. A standout pick is the Hisense 6-inch U8 Mini-LED 4K QLED TV on sale for $899. This is an editor's choice model that we recommend to just about anyone. If you're looking to buy an OLED TV, Amazon also has the Panasonic 65-inch Z85 4K OLED TV on sale for $998. That's a record-low price on a TV that hit the market just last year. These aren't the only Memorial Day TV sales worth considering. Below, you'll find our top picks across various price points and screen sizes. Be sure to check back throughout the day — new deals are still going live. TV sale: deals from $69 @ AmazonAmazon has smart TVs on sale for as low as $69. Keep in mind, the cheap TVs tend to be smaller, 1080p models (which are more suitable for a children's room or guest room). However, the sale also includes larger sets. These are among the cheapest TVs we've seen from Amazon. By comparison, Best Buy is offering a similar sale with prices from $ check: from $69 @ Best Buy | from $88 @ Walmart The U6N is Hisense's most affordable Mini-LED TV, and this deal drops its budget-friendly price even more. In addition to its Mini-LED backlighting, the U6N also arrives with quantum-dot color, Dolby Vision support, and Google TV built right into the software. It's a terrific choice for folks who are shopping for a big-screen TV but don't necessarily need top-shelf performance. In our Hisense U6N Mini-LED TV review, we called it a great budget pick for viewing movies and shows. The TCL QM7K is a budget-friendly Mini-LED TV that is perfect for folks who want to upgrade to a truly impressive TV without breaking the bank. It features built-in Google TV with Chromecast, a slate of sought-after gaming features (such as HDMI 2.1 and 4K gaming up to 144Hz), and a bright, colorful picture worthy of movie night. In our TCL QM7K QD-Mini LED TV review we said the Editor's Choice TV is an affordable TV you can count on. You couldn't ask for a better discount on one of the hottest displays. In our Samsung S85D OLED TV review, we said the Editor's Choice TV is a serious value offering a 120Hz refresh rate on a WOLED panel. An ATSC 3.0 tuner also means you get access to NextGenTV and 4K broadcasts, plus Tizen OS is also home to a slew of game streaming apps, making the S85D a true all-arounder when it comes to features. And if its onboard access to content isn't enough, a total of four HDMI 2.1 ports is also ideal for your range of connected check: $899 @ Amazon The S90D is one of Samsung's 2024 OLED TVs. The OLED TV features Samsung's new NQ4 AI Gen2 processor, HDR10+/HLG support, 120Hz refresh rate, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and built-in Alexa. It also offers 4K AI Upscaling to ensure all programs are crisp and sharp. On the audio front, you get Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound Lite for 3D surround check: $979 @ Amazon | $999 @ Best Buy At a whopping 100 inches, the Hisense U7 ULED is a monster to behold. It leverages some exciting new specs, most tantalizing of all being gaming-centric proponents like a 144Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision Gaming support for cinematic experiences at over 60fps. Several other enhancements, like WiFi 6e, Google TV OS, and IMAX Enhanced, make it the perfect entertainment solution and an utter steal. Plus: Add this Hisense 1080p TV to your cart for free when you purchase the 100-inch check: $1,999 w/ free TV @ Best Buy The B4 is LG's entry-level OLED TV. This TV supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and has improved picture quality thanks to LG's A8 processor. For gamers, it features four HDMI 2.1 ports, a 120Hz refresh rate, a brightness booster, and Game Optimizer Mode. In our LG B4 OLED review, we called the Editor's Choice TV the value OLED TV of the year. The 48-inch model is a Best Buy exclusive. The C4 is LG's current flagship OLED TV. It's powered by LG's A9 processor and features a 120Hz panel, Dolby Vision/ HDR10/HLG support, built-in Amazon Alexa, four HDMI 2.1 ports and Apple AirPlay 2 support. It's also one of the few OLED TVs that can natively accept a 144Hz input from a PC. In our LG C4 OLED TV review, we said content looked colorful and dazzlingly bright on the new C4 series. It's the best version we've seen of the company's top-selling OLED TV range. Note: Amazon offers the same prices.48" for $89655" for $1,19665" for $1,29677" for $1,996 83" for $2,996 The LG C3 is one of the best mid-tier OLED TVs you can buy. In our LG OLED C3 review, we said the Editor's Choice TV delivers perfect blacks, thrilling contrast, and rich, accurate colors at every point across the visual spectrum. It's also perfect for gamers with a suite of Game Optimizer features and a 120Hz refresh rate. It offers Dolby Vision/HDR 10/HLG support, four HDMI 2.1 ports, built-in Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant/Apple HomeKit support, and LG's Magic Remote. Keep in mind that smaller sizes are coming in and out of stock.48" for $98955" for $1,14965" for $1,19677" for $1,97983" for $2,876 Panasonic TVs are making a comeback in the U.S. Built around Panasonic's HCX Pro AI Processor MKII, its new OLED TV offers support for HDR10/HDR10+/Dolby Vision/HLG and Dolby Atmos audio. On the gaming front, you get a 120Hz panel with VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, and NVIDIA G-Sync support. It comes in 55- and 65-inch size options. Part of LG's 2025 TV lineup, the LG C5 OLED is here as the value pick of the year. Offering a slew of features, like a range of HDR certifications and gaming specs for the PS5 Pro crowd, the C5 proves a major improvement over its predecessor. We called it "nearly flawless" and gave it a 5-star rating in our LG C5 OLED TV review. 42" for $1,29648" for $1,39655" for $1,596 65" for $2,296 77" for $3,29683" for $4,996 The TCL Q6 is a fantastic display, equipped with a 60Hz refresh rate in tandem with support for the range of HDR standards. While you might be missing out on the screen tearing technologies, like G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, it does still have support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The Roku Plus Series is an outstanding value. In our Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV review, we said it offers a great smart interface, HDR color, and excellent sound at an affordable price. This 75-inch model is the biggest TV in Roku's new lineup. It features a QLED screen along with full array local dimming. You also get Dolby Vision/HDR 10 Plus/HLG support, Apple HomeKit/Alexa/Google Assistant support, and four HDMI ports. Gamers take note that while it's reliable for casual play, you only get a 60Hz screen and no HDMI 2.1 support. Price check: $699 @ Amazon The QM6K is a quantum dot-enhanced Mini-LED TV that has a lot going for it. Its picture quality is impressive and it gets even better when you turn on picture settings like Filmmaker mode or Dolby Vision IQ HDR. In our TCL QM6K Mini-LED TV review we said its feature set, picture quality, and price point are the perfect combination for anyone looking for an affordable TV. Sporting Mini-LED with full array local dimming, the Hisense U7 promises incredible picture quality and brightness. Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, HDR10, HDR10 Plus, and HLG support are included. For gamers, this TV also has 144Hz Game Mode Pro and HDMI 2.1 support. Announced in November 2024, this is Amazon's first Mini-LED TV. It features a 144Hz refresh rate in tandem with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support to give gamers ample juice for fast-paced games. The TV also has an Ambient Experience feature, so when it's powered off it displays dynamic artwork. This is also the first Amazon Fire TV to support Dolby Atmos audio. With its ultra-thin bezel, the Samsung DU8000 will look great in just about any living room. It features HDR10+ support, built-in Alexa, and 3D surround sound. It has a 60Hz panel, but Samsung's Motion Xcelerator 120Hz helps keep those fast-paced scenes smooth and lag-free. This 55-inch Insignia TV offers impressive image quality no matter what you're watching. Thanks to its built-in Fire TV features, you can also stream all your favorite shows and movies and control them with your voice thanks to full Alexa support. Pioneer's budget TV offers a stunning picture for an amazing price. It comes with Dolby Vision/HDR 10/HLG support, a 60Hz refresh rate, three HDMI inputs, and Xumo TV OS. The 55-inch 4K display offers superior brightness and high color contrast that make this a perfect living room TV. The Roku Plus Series is an outstanding value. In our Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV review, we said it offers a great smart interface, HDR color, and excellent sound at an affordable price. It features a QLED screen along with full array local dimming. You also get Dolby Vision/HDR 10 Plus/HLG support, Apple HomeKit/Alexa/Google Assistant support, and four HDMI ports. Gamers take note that while it's reliable for casual play, you only get a 60Hz screen and no HDMI 2.1 support. Price check: $349 @ Amazon The Bravia 3 sits at the tail end of Sony's 2024 TV lineup, sporting a much more budget price point. It uses a 60Hz refresh rate on Sony's 4K HDR X1 processor, but gamers will enjoy the ALLM support and several PS5-specific features, like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Game Picture Mode. You also get HDR10/HLG/Dolby Vision support and Google TV. This Mini-LED TV just launched nearly a month ago, bringing with it several enticing upgrades for gamers. Built on a 165Hz refresh rate with a Game Mode Ultra mode, the Hisense U7QG is designed to be the best seat in the house for the PS5, Xbox Series X, and even your PC. Add to that one serious sound system in its 2.1.2-channel speaker and you've got a powerhouse of a TV with tons of flare. 65" for $99875" for $1,398 This 32-inch Roku TV maxes out at 1080p resolution, but it's an excellent TV for small spaces. It provides a bright picture, Apple AirPlay support, Apple HomeKit/Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant support, and three HDMI ports. Made by Roku, this TV also features Roku's platform for all your streaming needs. I have this TV in my bedroom and although resolution is only 1080p, I find it perfect for watching Netflix from check: $149 @ Best Buy If you don't need 4K resolution, this 2-Series is a budget smart TV with 1080p resolution and support for HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Audio. The included Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote lets you find your favorite content, get sports scores, control smart home devices, and more with the sound of your voice. The popular Amazon Fire TV 4-Series just got even better. A new ultra-slim bezel puts your entertainment front and center, while support for vivid 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus bring scenes to life. Plus, it operates on Amazon's Fire OS, which makes streaming your favorite apps easier than ever. If you're shopping on a strict budget, we recommend looking at TVs from the likes of TCL, Hisense, Roku and Amazon's Fire TVs. These TVs lead the charge when it comes to value. Expect Memorial Day TV sales from these brands to drop as low as $299 for a 55-inch 4K TV. In terms of stores to shop at, look for deals at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. Amazon and Best Buy tend to undercut each other and are your best bets for deals on inexpensive TVs. Value TVs we recommend include the Hisense U8 Mini-LED TV and the Roku Plus Series QLED TV. If you want a budget OLED TV, opt for the LG B4 OLED. These are among the best budget TVs and provide an excellent value for anyone shopping on a strict budget. These once prohibitively expensive TVs are now selling well under $999. For instance, the 48-inch LG B4 OLED has sold for as low as $599. Our top store for OLED TV deals is Amazon, although Best Buy tends to offer similar discounts.
Tom's Guide
21-05-2025
- Tom's Guide
I spent two weeks with MSI's 4K OLED 240Hz monitor — and it's a beast for gaming and productivity
How much are you willing to spend on a fantastic gaming monitor? If the answer is over $1,000, then the MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED might be the one for you. This is one of the most powerful monitors I've used, and it's an absolute beast, not just for gaming, but for productivity and photo editing too. With its 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, the MPG 272URX stuns with its performance across various games. Its 4K QD-OLED panel is sharp and clear, and it displays colors accurately. The 27-inch panel is big enough to navigate massive spreadsheets at work and get immersed in different gaming worlds in your downtime. Is it the best gaming monitor for you? Read my full MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED review to find out. Specs MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED Price $1,099 / £999 Display 27-inch Resolution 3840 x 2160 pixels (UHD) Aspect ratio 16:9 Refresh rate 240Hz Response time 0.03ms Panel type QD-OLED Color depth 10-bit DPI 166 Backlight OLED Inputs 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 2.1a, 1x USB-C, 2x USB-A, 1x USB-B, 1x 3.5mm audio out Dimensions 24.01 x 16.62 x 9.53 inches (with stand) Weight 24.04 pounds (with stand) From its stunning gaming performance and bright OLED panel to its sleek design and intuitive interface, the MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED is a powerful monitor. If you're a gamer who wants a high-performance monitor, the MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED will be right up your alley. There are numerous picture modes for both gaming and professional use, namely RPG, FPS, Anti-Blue, Adobe RGB, etc — so you can alter your viewing experience as needed. I played a few games on a Windows 11 machine plugged into the MPG 272URX, in the Premium User mode. Regardless of which game I played, I found myself lost in it because of how wonderful the colors looked and how smooth the transitions between scenes were. The neon lights in Cyberpunk 2077 were mesmerizing and looked much better on the monitor than on my TV. The colors appeared bright but not too oversaturated so that they looked fake. I also like that, in darker games, I didn't struggle to see blackened areas on the screen. Case in point: Lies of P, which usually appears so dark that you can't appreciate the level design — but I could, thanks to the MPG 272URX. It also made the monsters and enemies far scarier as I could clearly make out the finer details in character design. MSI MPG 272URX Alienware AW2752Q HP Omen Transcend 32 sRGB 131% 182.5% 187.6% DCI P3 97% 129.3% 132.9% Our lab tests showed that the MPG 272URX performs well when it comes to color coverage, as you can see above. While both the Alienware AW2752Q ($899) and the HP Omen Transcend 32 ($1,299) outclass the MPG 272URX when it comes to sRGB coverage, in practice, the colors look great, as my coworkers also agreed. Thanks to the 240Hz refresh rate, I didn't experience any choppiness during fast-paced games, especially in racing titles. And with the 0.03ms response time, I saw no ghosting during my testing either. I've been a photographer for years now, and I have the pleasure of reviewing some of the best cameras and the best drones as part of my job. It's difficult to appreciate the photos and videos I've taken on any old monitor, but the MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED has completely changed that. Not only is this a fantastic monitor for gaming, it's excellent for work and post-production too. MSI MPG 272URX Alienware AW2752Q HP Omen Transcend 32 Delta-E 0.15 0.06 0.31 Its 10-bit color depth means it's capable of showing 1.07 billion individual hues. We talked about color coverage, so let's talk about accuracy now. In the default standard mode, the MPG 272URX Delta-E score (a numerical representation of how much two colors differ) ranks well, as the lower the score, the better the color accuracy. It isn't as good as the Alienware AW2752Q but it's better than the HP Omen Transcend 32. Good news is that the MPG 272URX has dedicated color modes for sRGB, DCI-P3, and Adobe RGB for enhanced accuracy in photo/video editing. I had just started testing this monitor when I was also testing the DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone, and I was able to properly analyze the colors in the photos and videos because of it. I even color graded some 10-bit 4:2:2 log footage using Adobe Premiere Pro and it looked glorious — it easily outclasses my MacBook Air M2 and the Lenovo L27i-4B ($109). It's also difficult to assess how good 4K video taken on drones and mirrorless cameras looks unless you have a 4K monitor, and MSI's monitor with its 3840 x 2160 pixels is just that. All the footage I watched as part of the testing process appeared smooth and bright. The 27-inch display also made accessing all the controls in Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro much easier during post-production. I could also easily navigate large spreadsheets and a vast array of open tabs and windows. Thanks to its black, sleek, low-key design, the MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED doesn't look out of place in an office setting — trust me, that's where I've been using it. The 27-inch panel is held together by a body that measures 24.01 x 16.62 x 9.53 inches (with stand). The MPG 272URX is a little on the heavy side, weighing 24.04 pounds with the stand, but that means you won't accidentally knock it over. The monitor's interface is very clean and easy to navigate, too. You do this via the responsive joystick located around the back, in the centre. The no-frills menu lets you swap between different gaming and professional modes, adjust the monitor's brightness and contrast, and, at a glance, see the active settings. There are also a bunch of connectivity options at work here. The MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED's ports include: power, two HDMI 2.1, one DisplayPort 2.1a, a USB-C, a pair of USB-A ports, a USB-B port, and a 3.5mm audio out. Setup is a cinch, and it took me just a few minutes from unboxing to actually using the monitor. If you want to take advantage of the 240Hz refresh rate, remember to use the DisplayPort 2.1a port. There's also an anti-theft Kensington Security Slot just in case you're worried about someone running off with it — and you might be, considering how much the monitor costs (more on that soon). There aren't any major cons to the MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED, but it's worth noting that the monitor can appear slightly dim, and boy, is it expensive! As OLED monitors don't require backlighting like your usual LCD panel, they often suffer from brightness issues. And just like the Alienware AW2752Q and the HP Omen Transcend 32, the MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED is slightly dim. MSI MPG 272URX Alienware AW2752Q HP Omen Transcend 32 SDR Nits (brightness) 254 250.4 245 HDR Nits 263 260 241 Our brightness lab test results in the table above confirmed this. While MSI's offering performs the best out of the three in both SDR and HDR tests, it's not ideal for use in direct sunlight, for example. That said, in general use (i.e. not in our windowless testing lab), I haven't found this too problematic. There are large windows right behind where I sit in the office, so I often get bright, indirect sunlight hitting my screen directly — I haven't had any issues seeing what's on screen. Again, this problem isn't specific to the MPG 272URX, as other OLED monitors have this problem too, so it isn't a massive con — just something to keep in mind. If you want good — and I mean good — picture quality, you're going to be paying a premium. The MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED is a very capable monitor, and as you'd expect, it doesn't come cheap. The monitor retails for $1,099 / £999, and the lowest we've seen it drop to is $999 at Amazon (big savings, clearly). The MPG 272URX is cheaper than the HP Omen Transcend 32, which costs $1,299, but it's pricier than the Alienware AW2752Q, which retails for $899. If money is tight, I'd recommend the AW2752Q. We rated it just as highly, and it's a very impressive monitor. As gaming monitors go, the MSI MPG 272URX QD-OLED is up there among the best. Its 27-inch QD-OLED panel displays colors vividly and with great accuracy, perfect for gaming and productivity, especially if you deal with photo/video editing. In gaming, the 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response rate ensure smooth gameplay, free from ghosting. I also like that the monitor has a sleek, premium design that makes it fit right into any office space. There are many connectivity options, too. But as is the nature of OLED monitors, it might be difficult to use the MPG 272URX in bright, direct sunlight as the screen appears slightly dim, as confirmed by our lab tests. The monitor will also cost you an arm and a leg — but that's the price you pay for its beautiful screen.
