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Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I've been testing TVs for over over a decade — here's my top 5 picks for every budget
I've spent the last 10 years of my life looking for the best TVs. I've been lucky enough to see the vast majority of TVs from the likes of Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL and Hisense at various tradeshows, and even luckier to have dozens of them in my own home over the years I've got lots of hands-on time with them, but with new models coming every year, it can be hard to know exactly how much to spend when shopping for a new TV. Now, to help, I've put together lists of the best TVs under $500 and the best TVs under $1,000 — and these are great resources when you need them — but not everyone has the time to spend reading articles. Below, you'll find a truncated version of those lists. It's light on technical information (though it's all available if you click on each TV) but you can use this as a quick guide on what to buy and how much to actually spend when shopping for a new set. This is the TV price range most folks shop for — and there are a lot of good value options here. My favorite TV under $500 has to be the TCL QM7. It's a Mini-LED TV (basically an LED-LCD TV with far better control over its dimming zones) with a native 120Hz refresh rate. That refresh rate can be boosted up to 144Hz when connected to a gaming PC and it supports both major types of dynamic HDR, Dolby Vision and HDR10+. Alternatively, the Hisense U6N offers many of the same features (but lower brightness and color volume) for around $200 less, as do the lower-end TCL Q6 and the slightly older Roku Series Plus. I think it's worth paying the extra money for the better performance, but I totally understand if your budget doesn't stretch that far. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. All the TVs mentioned above are either available in a 55-inch or a 65-inch for under $500. Unfortunately, there's no 75-inch or 85-inch TV I could comfortably recommend at this price. If you don't need a 55-inch TV and want something a bit smaller, we're currently reviewing the Samsung F6000F Full HDTV that's on sale at Amazon for $200. It doesn't remotely compete with the TCL QM7 mentioned above, but it's a brand-new smart TV for a very tough-to-beat sticker price. At $1,000, picking a clear winner is much harder. Basically, you can either get an amazing OLED TV at its smallest size; a huge 75-inch budget TV; or a decent-sized mid-range model, all for under a grand. So let's walk through each scenario. No one ever sets out to buy a small TV. But once I explain what makes OLED so great, lots of folks then decide that they'd rather have a small, gorgeous-looking TV than a larger, lower-performing model. If you feel like you fit in that category, I recommend looking at the 55-inch LG B4 OLED. At 55 inches, it's still a pretty reasonable size, and its picture is unmatched at this price point. If 55 inches just won't cut it for your living room, go for the 65-inch Hisense U8N. This is my favorite TV from 2024, and I think it delivers performance that rivals TVs that cost twice as much. It's not an OLED, obviously, but thanks to its Mini-LED backlighting, its contrast is much better than your average LED-LCD screen and its color saturation is exceptional. It's a native 120Hz screen with support up to 144Hz with Dolby Vision and Atmos on-board. The same is true for the 65-inch TCL QM8 that's $100 less at $899. For larger screens under $1,000, you have a few options: There's the 85-inch Hisense U6N model I mentioned earlier, if you don't mind something from 2024, or the 75-inch TCL QM6K from 2025 if you want something fresh from the factory. Both are great Mini-LED models. Unfortunately, there's no 98-inch model under $1,000 yet — but maybe that will change in 2026. OK, now we're talking big bucks. If you're spending this much money, you're definitely getting a sizable OLED or a huge Mini-LED TV. At some point in the near future, the 65-inch LG C5 OLED should drop down to just under $2,000. Until then, last year's excellent LG C4 OLED is available in a 77-inch screen size for just $1,799. Given its size and performance, it's the TV I'd currently recommend buying. In a very close second place is the Samsung S90D OLED. It's also available in a 77-inch screen size, but it's $2,199. The extra $200 is worth it for the additional brightness, but if your hard limit is $2,000, the smaller 65-inch version is an option. You might be wondering where Sony TVs rank on this list — unfortunately the best Sony TVs cost well over $2,000. The best we can do at this price point is the 75-inch Sony Bravia 7. It's an exceptional Mini-LED TV, don't get me wrong, but it's no OLED. If you simply want the biggest TV for your buck without compromising on performance, there's the 85-inch version of the Hisense U8N I mentioned earlier or the 85-inch TCL QM8. Both are $1,699 and offer similar performance. I have a hunch you might be able to get one of the larger 98-inch versions for under $2,000 later — but we won't know for sure until Black Friday rolls around in November. The prices listed above are current as of June 2025. Amazon Prime Day 2025 is coming up from July 8 to July 11, and those prices could take a steep nose-dive. The same is true for Black Friday, though, that won't happen until November 28. Here's the good news: The dynamic links on this page will change when that happens, so just come back if you need the latest prices, or head on over to our Best Cheap TV Deals page to see what's on sale at this very second.
CNET
27-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Last Chance Memorial Day Deal: Act Fast to Get a Huge $1,400 Off a Massive 98-Inch TCL QLED 4K TV
Memorial Day deals are going to be completely over very soon, but there are still some excellent deals hanging around. There are some mind-boggling savings to be made if you know where to look, even if you're looking for something as substantial as the best TV for your home theater. If you're someone who's after size and quality, then you'll definitely want to have a look at this deal on Best Buy. That's because you can currently get a whopping $1,400 off this 98-inch TCL Q6 QLED TV, which means it's down to $1,600 for now. We're not expecting this deal to last for long through, so make sure you move fast to avoid missing out. Apart from an insanely large screen, this TCL Q6 TV has a 120Hz standard refresh rate that can go all the way up to 144Hz when needed, making it great for gaming. The screen is QLED with quantum dot technology, ensuring a high-quality picture. Plus, we can't forget about smart features like compatibility with Alexa and of course, easy access to all your favorite streaming services. This is a Google TV, so you can use Google Assistant too. Its built-in speaker supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio for a more immersive experience while you watch movies or play games. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. For more deals like this, take a look at our full roundup of the best Memorial Day TV deals you can shop right now. Also, don't forget to check out the full Best Buy Memorial Day sale too. Why this deal matters Big-screen TVs are typically a huge investment, so it's a pretty sweet deal if you can find one for nearly half off. Though this isn't the lowest price we've seen on this model, we aren't likely to see it at this price again until this year's upcoming Black Friday sales in November. So if you're interested, you'll want to pick up a 98-inch TCL Q6 QLED TV now before the deal expires.
CNN
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
The TVs, soundbars and streamers that are actually worth buying for the big game
We're just days away from yet another big championship matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, and all of your friends are coming over to watch the action. There's just one problem: you're still using your dingy old TV from 2010, and the words 'surround sound' have never even crossed your mind in your many years of binging sports. Don't worry. We're here to turn your football fiesta from a potential butt fumble to something truly trophy worthy. Having tested the top TVs, soundbars, streaming devices and home gadgets extensively, we've got recommendations for everything you need for the ultimate big game viewing experience. Better yet, this is all stuff you'll want to use long after the Lombardi trophy is lifted in New Orleans come Feb. 9. Whether you're looking to fully revamp your entertainment setup or just need a cheap TV in a pinch, we've got you covered. TCL 55-Inch Q7 QLED Buying a good TV for the big game no longer has to be as financially ruinous as betting on said game, and TCL's budget sets continue to prove that point time and time again. Contributing writer Michael Gowan praised the previous-generation TCL Q6 for offering impressive image quality and color for the price, and the newer TCL Q7 model offers an even more refined picture while staying affordable. It's currently on sale starting at just $400 for a 55-inch model, making it a great last-minute pickup for your living room — or even as a secondary screen for those hosting a big viewing party. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editorHisense 55-Inch U8N Mini-LED ULED 4K Google TV What if you want a true flagship-quality TV but still want to have some budget leftover for that massive order of catered buffalo wings? The Hisense U8N, our pick for the best midrange TV, is an excellent middle ground. This set's immersive picture, snappy performance (an impressive feat considering it runs the demanding Google TV platform) and strong built-in speakers combine for a package that "feels like it costs more than it does," according to our reviewer. It also comes fully optimized for modern game consoles, so you'll have the smoothest experience possible when you fire up Madden to get some revenge on your team that just lost. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editorRead our reviewSony Bravia XR A95L QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV If you watch so much sports that your friends and family find it concerning, it's worth investing in the best possible screen for it. And in our testing, the Sony Bravia XR A95L is that screen. This premium TV offers gorgeous OLED picture quality and does a great job upscaling regular ol' HD to 4K — perfect for sports nerds who like watching old games. Its built-in sound is about as good as it gets for a TV (we don't blame you if you blow your soundbar budget on this instead) and it even comes with a special webcam that allows the A95L to adjust picture and sound settings based on where you're sitting. It also supports video calls, so you can immediately talk trash to distant loved ones after the game. This high-end set certainly doesn't come cheap, but recent sales have knocked a good few hundred bucks off of its asking price. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editorRead our reviewVizio 5.1 Soundbar SE The easiest way to upgrade your home audio equipment comes from Vizio's shockingly affordable VIZIO 5.1 Soundbar SE setup, which is slightly misnamed as it's more than a soundbar. For around $200, you get a soundbar, a subwoofer and rear speakers. You won't find a better budget surround sound system than this, especially since it supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio. I can't guarantee the big game will sound more immersive, but at least your favorite movies will. – Henry T. Casey, electronics writerSony Bravia Theater Bar 8 If you want great sound quality instead of simply more immersive audio for the big game, I'd recommend you pay a little more for a great soundbar. This way, you'll hear all of the noises from every collision and celebration with a bit more oomph, without having to turn your volume up higher. Sony's Bravia Theater Bar 8 is my favorite soundbar for most people because not only does it produce excellent audio, but it works with all the right connectivity protocols for connecting your phone. Just like the Vizio soundbar, the Bravia Theater Bar 8 supports Dolby Atmos, but it also works with DTS:X and the Imax Enhanced standards as well. You can expand its sound with Sony's SA-SW3 and SA-SW5 subwoofers or its SA-RS3R and SA-RS5 rear speakers. – Henry T. Casey, electronics writerSonos Arc Ultra Just like the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8, the new Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar produced fantastic audio — and actually the best sound — in my testing. The big difference between the Arc Ultra and the Arc it replaces is that this newer model has stronger low-end audio, which is a big deal to the bass-heads out there, and it's enough that you might not need Sonos' new Gen 4 subwoofer. And while you can connect the Arc Ultra to Sonos' rear speakers and subwoofer like the Sony soundbar, Sonos lets you connect speakers in different rooms together for people who want to hear the big game throughout their house as they move from the den to the kitchen. This way you won't even miss a play if you go to the bathroom. – Henry T. Casey, electronics writerRead our reviewRoku Streaming Stick 4K The best affordable way to smarten up a TV in time for the big game is with the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, which is snappy, straightforward and will let you watch the game in 4K. At the very least, it will be in 4K on Fubo, which has a Roku app. Roku has historically also offered free ways to watch the game via various ad-supported services. I love the Roku Streaming Stick 4K for other reasons, including its fast performance and how it hides behind your TV. It's also good for streaming things other than football, thanks to its support for the Dolby Vision and Atmos video and audio standards. – Henry T. Casey, electronics writerRead our reviewApple TV 4K My personal favorite streaming device has most of the same perks as the Roku stick, though it costs a bit more and doesn't hide behind your TV. You'll get all the same video and audio standards, plus an Ethernet port for more reliable and stable streaming — which can come in handy when you're trying to watch the big game in 4K. But I prefer the Apple TV 4K because it's the fastest streaming device with the cleanest interface. It offers practically every single app that Roku and all the others offer, and can even play Apple Arcade games if you need to settle some scores during halftime. – Henry T. Casey, electronics writerGovee RGBIC Pro Strip Lights If you're looking for that last bit of flair for your Super Bowl party, strip lights are a great option — and Govee's are the best we've tested. Available in 16-foot, 32-foot and 64-foot variations, these strip lights make it easy to cover your home in vibrant LED lighting that you can easily customize with Govee's companion app; perfect for blanketing your football den with the colors of your favorite squad. Better yet, Govee's lights are compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant, making them easy to control hands-free with your smart home devices of choice. Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) A smart speaker is a great companion for any sports game, whether you want to quickly learn more about a player, control those aforementioned smart lights or ask Alexa for the score when you've stepped away from the TV to grab some ever-important snacks. The latest Echo Dot is our favorite pick for folks on a budget, complete with some great audio quality for pre-game jams and the ability to double as a Wi-Fi extender to keep the whole home streaming the action. As an alternative, you can pick up the adorable Echo Pop — which doesn't quite have all of the Echo Dot's smarts but still covers the essentials — in a special NFL edition featuring your favorite team's colors and logo. Cuisinart 8-1 Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven TOA-70 Seasoned hot wing chefs may scoff at this idea, but the air fryer is a great tool when it comes to making wings for your big game snacking. I've found great success with the Cuisinart TOA-70 Air Fryer. This 8-in-1 oven became an MVP around my house after I realized I could use it for reheating practically everything from pizza to cookies. Oh, and if you want a tried and true method, here's a strategy I've learned from chef J. Kenji Lopez-Alt and YouTuber LifebyMikeG. Make a wings seasoning with one teaspoon each of garlic powder, ginger powder, onion powder, cumin powder, chili powder, smoked paprika and black pepper, with a tablespoon of salt. Then, after coating your wings with that spice, coat them with all purpose flour. Now, while we're going to make a hot sauce next, start airfrying your wings at 380 degrees for 8 minutes, flip them, and once that's over, you'll fry the other side up for 400 my hot sauce, I melt down two tablespoons of butter at medium heat with two cloves of chopped garlic per pound of wings. Once it begins to bubble, add two tablespoons of a vinegar-based hot sauce like Frank's, and whisk together, turning the heat off once it all blends together and before it burns. – Henry T. Casey, electronics writer CNN Underscored's writers and editors thoroughly test all the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team with many years of product testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. Senior tech editor Mike Andronico and electronics writer Henry T. Casey have been reviewing tech products for a combined two decades, with Casey being a lead streaming writer (and spending many a big game weekend working) for much of his career. They curated this guide based on Underscored's own hands-on reviews as well as their own personal experience, so you can rest assured that every pick on this list is backed by real-world testing. Explore trending products Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1Read our review
CNN
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
The TVs, soundbars and streamers that are actually worth buying for the big game
We're just days away from yet another big championship matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, and all of your friends are coming over to watch the action. There's just one problem: you're still using your dingy old TV from 2010, and the words 'surround sound' have never even crossed your mind in your many years of binging sports. Don't worry. We're here to turn your football fiesta from a potential butt fumble to something truly trophy worthy. Having tested the top TVs, soundbars, streaming devices and home gadgets extensively, we've got recommendations for everything you need for the ultimate big game viewing experience. Better yet, this is all stuff you'll want to use long after the Lombardi trophy is lifted in New Orleans come Feb. 9. Whether you're looking to fully revamp your entertainment setup or just need a cheap TV in a pinch, we've got you covered. TCL 55-Inch Q7 QLED Buying a good TV for the big game no longer has to be as financially ruinous as betting on said game, and TCL's budget sets continue to prove that point time and time again. Contributing writer Michael Gowan praised the previous-generation TCL Q6 for offering impressive image quality and color for the price, and the newer TCL Q7 model offers an even more refined picture while staying affordable. It's currently on sale starting at just $400 for a 55-inch model, making it a great last-minute pickup for your living room — or even as a secondary screen for those hosting a big viewing party. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editorHisense 55-Inch U8N Mini-LED ULED 4K Google TV What if you want a true flagship-quality TV but still want to have some budget leftover for that massive order of catered buffalo wings? The Hisense U8N, our pick for the best midrange TV, is an excellent middle ground. This set's immersive picture, snappy performance (an impressive feat considering it runs the demanding Google TV platform) and strong built-in speakers combine for a package that "feels like it costs more than it does," according to our reviewer. It also comes fully optimized for modern game consoles, so you'll have the smoothest experience possible when you fire up Madden to get some revenge on your team that just lost. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editorRead our reviewSony Bravia XR A95L QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV If you watch so much sports that your friends and family find it concerning, it's worth investing in the best possible screen for it. And in our testing, the Sony Bravia XR A95L is that screen. This premium TV offers gorgeous OLED picture quality and does a great job upscaling regular ol' HD to 4K — perfect for sports nerds who like watching old games. Its built-in sound is about as good as it gets for a TV (we don't blame you if you blow your soundbar budget on this instead) and it even comes with a special webcam that allows the A95L to adjust picture and sound settings based on where you're sitting. It also supports video calls, so you can immediately talk trash to distant loved ones after the game. This high-end set certainly doesn't come cheap, but recent sales have knocked a good few hundred bucks off of its asking price. — Mike Andronico, senior tech editorRead our reviewVizio 5.1 Soundbar SE The easiest way to upgrade your home audio equipment comes from Vizio's shockingly affordable VIZIO 5.1 Soundbar SE setup, which is slightly misnamed as it's more than a soundbar. For around $200, you get a soundbar, a subwoofer and rear speakers. You won't find a better budget surround sound system than this, especially since it supports Dolby Atmos spatial audio. I can't guarantee the big game will sound more immersive, but at least your favorite movies will. – Henry T. Casey, electronics writerSony Bravia Theater Bar 8 If you want great sound quality instead of simply more immersive audio for the big game, I'd recommend you pay a little more for a great soundbar. This way, you'll hear all of the noises from every collision and celebration with a bit more oomph, without having to turn your volume up higher. Sony's Bravia Theater Bar 8 is my favorite soundbar for most people because not only does it produce excellent audio, but it works with all the right connectivity protocols for connecting your phone. Just like the Vizio soundbar, the Bravia Theater Bar 8 supports Dolby Atmos, but it also works with DTS:X and the Imax Enhanced standards as well. You can expand its sound with Sony's SA-SW3 and SA-SW5 subwoofers or its SA-RS3R and SA-RS5 rear speakers. – Henry T. Casey, electronics writerSonos Arc Ultra Just like the Sony Bravia Theater Bar 8, the new Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar produced fantastic audio — and actually the best sound — in my testing. The big difference between the Arc Ultra and the Arc it replaces is that this newer model has stronger low-end audio, which is a big deal to the bass-heads out there, and it's enough that you might not need Sonos' new Gen 4 subwoofer. And while you can connect the Arc Ultra to Sonos' rear speakers and subwoofer like the Sony soundbar, Sonos lets you connect speakers in different rooms together for people who want to hear the big game throughout their house as they move from the den to the kitchen. This way you won't even miss a play if you go to the bathroom. – Henry T. Casey, electronics writerRead our reviewRoku Streaming Stick 4K The best affordable way to smarten up a TV in time for the big game is with the Roku Streaming Stick 4K, which is snappy, straightforward and will let you watch the game in 4K. At the very least, it will be in 4K on Fubo, which has a Roku app. Roku has historically also offered free ways to watch the game via various ad-supported services. I love the Roku Streaming Stick 4K for other reasons, including its fast performance and how it hides behind your TV. It's also good for streaming things other than football, thanks to its support for the Dolby Vision and Atmos video and audio standards. – Henry T. Casey, electronics writerRead our reviewApple TV 4K My personal favorite streaming device has most of the same perks as the Roku stick, though it costs a bit more and doesn't hide behind your TV. You'll get all the same video and audio standards, plus an Ethernet port for more reliable and stable streaming — which can come in handy when you're trying to watch the big game in 4K. But I prefer the Apple TV 4K because it's the fastest streaming device with the cleanest interface. It offers practically every single app that Roku and all the others offer, and can even play Apple Arcade games if you need to settle some scores during halftime. – Henry T. Casey, electronics writerGovee RGBIC Pro Strip Lights If you're looking for that last bit of flair for your Super Bowl party, strip lights are a great option — and Govee's are the best we've tested. Available in 16-foot, 32-foot and 64-foot variations, these strip lights make it easy to cover your home in vibrant LED lighting that you can easily customize with Govee's companion app; perfect for blanketing your football den with the colors of your favorite squad. Better yet, Govee's lights are compatible with both Alexa and Google Assistant, making them easy to control hands-free with your smart home devices of choice. Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) A smart speaker is a great companion for any sports game, whether you want to quickly learn more about a player, control those aforementioned smart lights or ask Alexa for the score when you've stepped away from the TV to grab some ever-important snacks. The latest Echo Dot is our favorite pick for folks on a budget, complete with some great audio quality for pre-game jams and the ability to double as a Wi-Fi extender to keep the whole home streaming the action. As an alternative, you can pick up the adorable Echo Pop — which doesn't quite have all of the Echo Dot's smarts but still covers the essentials — in a special NFL edition featuring your favorite team's colors and logo. Cuisinart 8-1 Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven TOA-70 Seasoned hot wing chefs may scoff at this idea, but the air fryer is a great tool when it comes to making wings for your big game snacking. I've found great success with the Cuisinart TOA-70 Air Fryer. This 8-in-1 oven became an MVP around my house after I realized I could use it for reheating practically everything from pizza to cookies. Oh, and if you want a tried and true method, here's a strategy I've learned from chef J. Kenji Lopez-Alt and YouTuber LifebyMikeG. Make a wings seasoning with one teaspoon each of garlic powder, ginger powder, onion powder, cumin powder, chili powder, smoked paprika and black pepper, with a tablespoon of salt. Then, after coating your wings with that spice, coat them with all purpose flour. Now, while we're going to make a hot sauce next, start airfrying your wings at 380 degrees for 8 minutes, flip them, and once that's over, you'll fry the other side up for 400 my hot sauce, I melt down two tablespoons of butter at medium heat with two cloves of chopped garlic per pound of wings. Once it begins to bubble, add two tablespoons of a vinegar-based hot sauce like Frank's, and whisk together, turning the heat off once it all blends together and before it burns. – Henry T. Casey, electronics writer CNN Underscored's writers and editors thoroughly test all the products we cover and provide full transparency about how we test them. We have a skilled team with many years of product testing experience and ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. Senior tech editor Mike Andronico and electronics writer Henry T. Casey have been reviewing tech products for a combined two decades, with Casey being a lead streaming writer (and spending many a big game weekend working) for much of his career. They curated this guide based on Underscored's own hands-on reviews as well as their own personal experience, so you can rest assured that every pick on this list is backed by real-world testing. Explore trending products Samsung Galaxy S25+ Samsung Galaxy S25 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Fujifilm Instax Square SQ1Read our review
