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2024

Hisense 65” 65U8K mini-LED 4K TV: $900
Hisense is perhaps best known as one of the first companies to bring an ultra-short-throw (UST) projector (which it calls “laser TV”) to market, but in recent years has come on strong with an impressive lineup of TVs. Built around the Google TV smart platform, the 65U8K uses mini-LED backlighting to increase brightness and supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR) in addition to offering a surprisingly rich palette of features that includes Dolby Atmos sound and a number of image enhancing modes including Filmmaker, IMAX Enhanced, and Game Mode Pro. The 65U8K isn’t a perfect — it has a few ergonomic shortcomings — but it delivers excellent picture quality for a very reasonable price. As part of his evaluation, Tom Norton watched Oblivion and was taken with the “crisp but not overdone detail, believable colors, particularly in its flesh tones and HDR highlights,” all of which caused him to proclaim that Oblivion never looked as good as what he saw on the Hisense 65U8K. For a guy who has been reviewing TVs for a couple decades, that’s saying a lot. (April/May 2024, Read Full Review)

Samsung 32" Odyssey OLED G80SD Monitor: $1,299
To anyone who’s in the market for a topnotch video monitor, Samsung’s Odyssey OLED G80SD is a force to be reckoned with. The 32-inch monitor is an all-out state-of-the-art powerhouse that will delight hard-core gamers and video pros alike with its drop-dead gorgeous 4K image and ultra-wide viewing angles, vanishingly low input lag, support of refresh rates up to 240Hz, and comprehensive set of calibration controls (even though its picture is accurate right out of the box). The parade of features is long and continues with extensive onboard streaming capabilities for a TV-like viewing experience, a half-dozen TV-like picture modes, Alexa and Bixby voice support, and a remote control with quick-access buttons for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and, of course, Samsung TV+.

When it comes to console gaming, the G80SD is a dream come true with auto HDR, variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low latency mode, and an app-rich Gaming Hub featuring streaming support for NVIDIA’s GeForce Now and several game-specific capabilities. The Odyssey G80SD might be a bit pricey for a 32-inch monitor but its versatility, powerful feature set, and outstanding performance make it hard to beat. (Posted 6/4/24, Read Full Review)

Sony Bravia X93L Mini-LED 4K Google TV: $1,800
Sony has a decades-long long history of delivering TV that excel in picture quality. The Bravia X93L holds up that reputation and further elevates the already stellar standing of today’s mini-LED-backlit LCD TVs. In a word, picture quality is superb and can be had at the surprisingly low (for Sony) price of $2,000 or less. The advent of mini-LED backlighting controlled by sophisticated microprocessing has led to incredible leaps in performance, even challenging the pristine blacks that have long been the province of OLED TVs. Add to that considerably better-than-average sound and you have quite a package. The TV is based on the Google TV smart platform and provides all the necessary connections in addition to supporting Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) and providing Netflix Calibrated and IMAX Enhanced viewing modes. Veteran TV reviewer Tom Norton was mightily impressed with the overall picture quality of the Sony Bravia X93L — especially its brilliant color and OLED-like blacks. (December 2023/January 2024, Read Full Review)

Samsung S90C 77" 4K Quantum Dot OLED TV: $2,500
Samsung’s 77-inch S90C QD-OLED TV easily made the cut for delivering exceptional 4K picture quality at an exceptional price for QD-OLED tech. The S90C is loaded with all the goodies you need for a great viewing experience, including Samsung’s Smart Hub, a purist Filmmaker mode, and a Game mode with a high refresh rate of 144 Hz and impressively low input lag. In our tests, the S90C excelled in every setting — from watching football during the day to watching movies on 4K Blu-ray at night — delivering accurate color, solid motion rendition, and lush detail. Gaming was uber realistic, owing to the set’s ability to properly convey high dynamic range. Brightness was impressive, too, exceeding 1,000 nits peak, though not as bright as a mini-LED LCD TV. Even so, the Samsung S90C is a cutting-edge OLED TV that is sure to satisfy all but the pickiest of viewers. (February/March 2024, Read Full Review)

Samsung 65" QN95D Neo QLED 4K TV: $3,299
One of the newest models in Samsung’s 2024 lineup, the QN95D Neo QLED uses its thousands of mini-LED backlights to produce a bright, colorful 4K image whether you're watching movies or live sports, especially in darker rooms. The set also boasts the enthusiast-focused Filmmaker Mode and a new NQ4 AI Gen2 processor that renders images with greater apparent depth and color in addition to the new Tizen v.8 operating system, which is snappier than last year’s models when navigating menus and accessing movies from streaming services or games from the growing list of cloud-gaming services.

Following in the footsteps of 2023’s QN95C, the 95D comes with a handy solar-powered remote control and supports adaptive HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR) processing but not the more popular Dolby Vision format. The TV handles ambient room light well, though it doesn’t entirely eliminate blooming or screen reflections when lights are on in the room. And, as you might expect, shadow detail and black level purity don’t quite measure up to what you get with an OLED set like the S95. The QN95D is, however, a master at upscaling HD resolution content, producing remarkably clear, bright, and naturally colorful “4K” images and has an Auto Game Mode that supports variable refresh rates up to 144 Hz, making it a good choice for serious gaming. (Posted 5/15/24, Read Full Review)

Samsung 77" S95D 4K Quantum Dot OLED TV: $3,500
If you like OLED picture quality, you’re going to love the Samsung S95D, which brings state-of-the-art quantum-dot OLED display technology to a 77-inch anti-glare screen that really works. In technical terms, the TV uses microscopic quantum dots to change blue OLED light to red and green light for its RGB pixels. In practical terms, the result is one of the brightest OLED screens on the market from a TV that uses cutting-edge "Neural Quantum" processing and artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically adjust the picture. This, of course, is in addition to the near-perfect black levels for which OLED is known. Besides supporting HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR) and providing a video-purist Filmmaker Mode, the S95D boasts a 144 Hz refresh rate on all four of its HDMI 2.1 inputs and an arsenal of advanced gaming features. Bottom line: The better the content, the brighter the S95D shines, delivering sharp, vivid images with realistic color whether you’re watching sports or enjoying a blockbuster movie. (June/July 2024, Read Full Review)

2023

TCL 65" 6-Series mini-LED 4K Roku TV: $999
Though the 65-inch R655 Roku TV we reviewed falls at the higher end of TCL’s price spectrum, it’s a decided 5-star bargain in the relatively new world of LCD TVs that use mini-LED backlighting to bolster picture brightness and contrast. It’s also a visually striking TV that supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR) in addition to offering a near-reference quality Movie picture mode, voice control through the Roku app and remote, and home-screen access to Netflix, Disney+, and many other streaming services. Reviewer Mark Henninger was so impressed with the R655 — particularly its natural color, HDR presentation, and gaming prowess — that he gave Performance a 4½ star (out of 5) rating: “This TV will absolutely wow you with its picture quality,” which translates into a “particularly crisp and punchy image as long as you are seated centered to the screen.” (June/July 2023, Read Full Review)

Samsung 65" S95B Quantum Dot OLED 4K TV: $1,900
For years, Samsung resisted joining the OLED parade but that all changed in 2022 when the leading TV brand developed an new way to improve OLED technology using Quantum Dots (QD). The culmination of that work is the S95B, which takes OLED's already topnotch picture quality to new heights with increased brightness and even more natural color. The upgrade is so impressive that Sony has licensed OLED QD technology for use in some of its own TVs. Veteran TV reviewer summed up his impressions of the Samsung QN65S95B this way: "In every performance respect, this a state-of-the-art television set that is a step up from classic OLED designs at a price that makes it a bargain in today's market." (December 2022/January 2023, Read Full Review)

Samsung 49" Odyssey OLED G9 Ultra-Wide Gaming Monitor: $2,200
Samsung’s sleek G95SC is a first-of-its-kind technological marvel that will leave you drooling — especially if you’re a serious gamer. The monitor boasts an expansive 32:9-aspect-ratio QD-OLED screen that stretches 4 feet across with dual QHD (5,120 x 1,440) resolution and a super-fast 240-Hz refresh rate for displaying some of the most fluid and ultra-detail graphics you will see. The use of quantum dots — the “QD” in QD-OLED — takes OLED's already topnotch picture quality to new heights with increased brightness and even more natural color while the gentle “1800R” curvature of the screen enhances immersion without being too extreme. Reviewer Mark Henninger was immediately struck by an image he described as hyper detailed and three dimensional. The G9 delivers “all the elements needed for great gaming: color, contrast, resolution, aspect ratio, low input lag, viewing angles, and high frame rate.” (August/September 2023, Read Full Review)

TCL 85" QM8 Mini LED QLED 4K TV: $2,800
China’s TCL continues to offer some of the best TV values on the market today. Case in point: The 85QM8 with its gargantuan 85-inch screen is, as of this writing, selling for $2,200 through Best Buy and Amazon — $600 off the original price. The beauty of a screen this size is that it approaches the grandeur of a projection TV experience without the caveats — namely reduced brightness. The vast field of mini-LEDs used to backlight the 85QM8’s LCD panel in conjunction with quantum dots make possible a superb picture with spot-on color, rich blacks, and high brightness, especially when accentuated with high dynamic range (HDR) in the form of HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, or even Dolby Vision (something you won’t find on most projectors). Though he had a few quibbles with ergonomics and limited off-center viewing, veteran TV reviewer Tom Norton ultimately gave the TCL 85QM8 a thumbs up for delivering excellent performance at a reasonable price. (October/November 2023, Read Full Review)

Samsung 57" Odyssey Neo G9 Gaming Monitor: $2,500
There’s no hiding the fact that Samsung’s G9 monitor is built with one task in mind: gaming. Serious gaming. If that’s your jam, you really need to take the G9 for a spin — just make sure your PC is up to the job. If it is, you will be richly rewarded with killer graphics, superb color and brightness, a 240-Hz peak refresh rate, and a “you are there” sense of immersion that approaches the best of what virtual reality (VR) has to offer, only without the googles. You’ll be playing Grand Theft Auto on what amounts to the equivalent of placing two 16:9 4K displays side by side. More to the point, the G9 is a super-charged LCD monitor that brings together quantum dots and mini-LED technology in a way that defines state-of-the-art. Heck, this display boasts a backlight with 2,392 local dimming zones. Add to that a 32:9 aspect ratio and an aggressive 1000R curvature, and you’re well on your way to ultimate gaming. (Posted 9/18/23, Read Full Review)

LG G3 Evo OLED 4K TV: $3,299
LG’s svelte Gallery Edition series of 4K OLED TVs just keeps getting better. Building on the success of 2022’s impressive G2, which uses an aluminum heat sink to increase brightness by drawing heat away from the display panel, the G3 goes a step further with the addition of a micro lens array to (in conjunction with LG’s excellent Alpha 9 processor) reach new levels of peak brightness by better focusing light from the millions of pixels that make up the image. The difference is immediately noticeable, resulting in the brightest OLED we’ve tested to date and all but removing criticisms around limitations in brightness. Add to that lifelike color, impressive contrast, superb detail and you have a topnotch OLED TV. Drawing on a broad range of movies, veteran TV reviewer Tom Norton was never disappointed: “Regardless of genre, the LG G3 sets a high bar for its competition.” (June/July 2023, Read Full Review)

Samsung QN95C 65" Neo-QLED 4K TV: $3,300
OLED, once the king of picture quality, continues to lose its edge when pitted against TVs like Samsung’s wall-hugging QN95C, which bolsters its LCD panel with mini-LED backlighting, quantum dots, and advanced processing. Samsung calls this amalgamation Neo QLED and it delivers super bright 4K images with rich color and deep blacks that were simply unattainable with LCD not all that long ago. The model we reviewed had a 65-inch screen but Samsung offers the TV in 75- and 85-inch sizes if you crave a bigger presentation and are willing to pay more. “Movies look hyperreal,” observed reviewer Mark Henninger. “Yes, I have an OLED in the same room to compare and the QN95C looks intense, often exhibiting more apparent contrast than the OLED…This is a TV that can make movies and shows look great whether viewed with all the lights out or in a sunny room.” (October/November 2023, Read Full Review)

Samsung 98" QN100B 4K TV: $40,000
A 4K tour-de-force, the QN100B loves to show you what's missing from less capable TVs and what's possible when a TV has the horsepower needed to handle high-dynamic range (HDR) properly. Yes, it falls in the category of aspirational gear but this TV is no trade show concept — it's a real TV you can buy today that uses proven technology, and what it offers is uncompromised performance for the "price is no object" crowd. (February/March 2023, Read Full Review)

2022

LG 65" 65G1PUA OLED 4K TV: $2,800
For anyone who’s been thinking about replacing an aging LCD TV with a super slim 4K OLED set, LG's new “Gallery Design” G1 series TV could be your ticket. Guaranteed to deliver the vivid color and excellent contrast we’ve come to expect from OLED, the G1 is built around LG’s WebOS smart TV platform and features the brand’s top image processor in addition to being equipped to display a variety of “framed” artwork when the TV is turned off (beats a black screen). More significant, the G1 reaches new heights in OLED picture quality thanks to LG’s new “evo” panel, which is notably brighter than the best of the brand’s previous OLED models, and supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR). The TV is also ready for fast-paced gaming and able to receive over-the-air HD broadcasts, a feature not found on all TVs today and one embraced by many during the height of pandemic lockdowns. (December/January 2022, Read Full Review)

LG 65" 65G2PUA OLED 4K TV: $3,000
With its upgraded evo technology and new heat sink, the LG’s G2 Gallery Edition TV punches through the brightness limitations associated with OLED displays while retaining the vivid color, stunning blacks, and off-center viewing that have long been the prime appeals of OLED. As veteran reviewer Tom Norton put it, “With the G2’s increase in brightness, particularly in HDR, OLED has reached another level. No display is perfect, but the LG G2 comes pretty darn close.” (August/September 2022, Read Full Review)

Samsung Odyssey Ark 55" Neo QLED 4K Gaming Monitor: $3,500
Samsung's over-the-top gaming monitor is beyond compare. It puts you in the action with a huge curved screen and pumps out some of the most jaw-dropping visuals I've seen, thanks to the optimal close-range viewing experience. It is the most badass gaming monitor I have ever used. (December 2022/January 2023, Read Full Review)

TV Archives

Hisense 65H8G Quantum LCD Ultra HDTV: $800
TV technology has advanced to the point where it’s now possible to get a nice big screen and great 4K picture quality along with Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR), native streaming capability, and a host of useful picture controls (adjustable gamma anyone?) for less than a thousand bucks. Case in point: The 65H8G, a 65-inch LCD set from China’s Hisense that draws on quantum dot illumination and full-array local dimming with 90 zones to deliver image quality you expect to see from a set costing much more. Reviewer Tom Norton found little to criticize. Awarding the Top Value designation to this TV was a no-brainer. (September 2020, Read Full Review)

Vizio M65-E0 LCD Ultra HDTV: $900
(2018 model, $900 as of 3/12/21; original price $1,100)
The 65-inch model in Vizio’s midrange M Series offers substantial improvements over its predecessor, including higher peak brightness when displaying high dynamic range (HDR) sources and an extended color gamut that rivals what you get with more expensive TVs. You’ll have to live with a single HDMI 2.0a port but that may be a small price to pay for performance that reviewer Al Griffin called impressive. (January 2018, Read Full Review)

Vizio M70Q7-J03 LCD Ultra HDTV: $1,000
Vizio’s M70Q7-J03 LCD Ultra HD TV represents an amazing value for a TV with a 70-inch screen and provides everything most of us will need, including four game-ready, low-lag HDMI inputs, one with enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC), support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range (HDR), and voice control via Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa. The TV is based on Vizio’s excellent SmartCast platform, which provides ready access to a stable of popular streaming services and puts hundreds of free streaming channels at your fingertips courtesy of Vizio’s WatchFree+ app. Veteran TV reviewer Tom Norton evaluated picture quality using a variety of HD and 4K movies. Though he was generally pleased, he noted that performance improvements could be had for those willing to pay quite a bit more — hence the Top Value designation. Cueing up the black/shadow-detail torture test otherwise known as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 on Ultra HD Blu-ray, he noted “the almost continuous gloomy look of the film's final hour was impossible to criticize” — notable for an LCD set. “Jumanji: The Next Level didn't disappoint either, with impressive highlights in both the brightest and darkest scenes." (Posted 11/16/21, Read Full Review)

TCL 6-Series 65R635 Roku LCD Ultra HDTV: $1,000
With its latest LCD TV, TCL embraces the popular Roku platform that puts top streaming services at your fingertips while demonstrating the benefits of using Mini-LEDs to deliver more uniform backlighting at a price most of us can afford — hence, the well-deserved Top Value designation. The 65R635 boasts an impressive 160 zones of local dimming for its 65-inch screen, which translates into a highly satisfying viewing experience whether you’re watching in 4K or plain old high-definition. The set also brings quantum-dot technology into the fold for expanded color performance, supports three flavors of high dynamic range (HDR) — Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG — and offers a low-lag THX Certified Game Mode to meet the challenges of fast-paced gaming. It even offers a unique feature called iPQ Mobile Calibration that uses the camera in an iPhone or Google Pixel phone to capture onscreen images and calibrate the color, though its capabilities are limited. (April/May 2021, Read Full Review)

Vizio M658-G1 M-Series Quantum LCD Ultra HDTV: $1,000
If you’ve budgeted a thousand bucks to spend on a new TV, you need to check out Vizio’s 65-inch M658-G1. The new M-series set combines full-array local dimming with quantum dot illumination to achieve excellent picture quality. At this price, you’ll be sacrificing some HDR pop and you won’t experience the blackest black but you will get best-in-class performance that left veteran TV reviewer Tom Norton duly impressed: “The brilliant colors on the animated Trolls jumped off the screen. The same held true for The Great Wall, the reds and greens of the army uniforms billowing brilliantly in the sun.” (October/November 2019, Read Full Review)
Sony XBR-65X900F LCD Ultra HDTV: $1,498
(2018 model, $1,498 on crutchfield.com as of 7/2/19; original price $2,300)
Sony has a brilliant LCD alternative for TV buyers who love the look of OLED but aren’t ready to pay the higher price. Armed with an exceptional Dolby Vision Picture Mode and Sony’s X1 Extreme video processor, the 65X900F delivers a stunning OLED-like 4K picture for a reasonable price. Reviewer Tom Norton wrote: “The X900F equals OLED technology when it comes to color and resolution, and exceeds it with punchier HDR highlights.” (Posted 7/19/18, Read Full Review)

Sony XBR-65X900E LCD Ultra HDTV: $1,700
(2017 model, $1,700 on sony.com as of 7/2/19; original price $2,000)
Sony’s stylish 65-inch Ultra HDTV is a compelling choice for budget buyers upgrading to HDR, offering a wide assortment of streaming options, impressive light output, and excellent picture uniformity. If that’s not enough, color is accurate out of the box. As reviewer Al Griffin put it, “You could easily spend much more on a new TV, but I’m not sure you really need to.” (December 2017, Read Full Review)

Samsung QN65Q8FN LCD Ultra HDTV: $1,798
(2018 model, $1,798 on amazon.com as of 7/2/19; original price $2,799)
A step down from Samsung’s flagship Q9 4K TV, the Q8 uses full-array backlight with local dimming and QLED quantum dot technology to push LCD to its limits. The result is an impressive picture with striking detail and eye-popping contrast. “Its picture is distinguished by rich, yet balanced color and sumptuous, detailed-looking shadows,” concluded veteran reviewer Al Griffin. (Posted 8/2/18, Read Full Review)

$2,000-$4,999

Samsung QN65Q90T LCD Ultra HDTV: $2,000
Samsung has significantly lowered the price of its flagship 4K LCD TVs with the 65-inch QN65Q90T. With a list price that’s $1,500 less than 2019’s outstanding QN65Q90R, the Q90T is aggressively priced, though it is actually derived from the Q80R series, which means it’s missing a few refinements found on the Q90R. The external One-Connect box housing the TV’s inputs, outputs, and power connections is gone and the number of local dimming zones has been reduced from 400 to 98, which takes black-level performance down a notch. The Q90T is also $800 less than the Q80R. Otherwise, the TV is loaded with features — including an excellent Movie mode with grayscale controls — and supports a 60-Hz frame rate, P3/4:2:2 10-bit color, and three of the four high dynamic range formats (Dolby Vision is the odd man out). More to the point, the Q90T delivers impressive out-of-box performance with strong off-axis viewing and, in the words of reviewer Tom Norton, the ability to produce “brilliant HDR images” and “excellent shadow detail” with vivid color and crisp detail on 4K material. (February/March 2021, Read Full Review)

Vizio PX75-G1 P-Series Quantum X LCD Ultra HDTV: $2,200
The PX75-G1 fills its huge 75-inch screen with 4K images of exceptional quality and is ready to accommodate movies in four high dynamic range (HDR) formats: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma). Though not a fan of the Vizio’s remote control, veteran TV reviewer Tom Norton gushed over the set’s impeccable HDR performance while watching Oblivion: “Lightning strikes looked frighteningly real and a nighttime nuclear explosion seen from a distance revealed more detail than I've ever noticed in the dozens of times I've watched this movie on other sets.” Good news: As of this writing, the TV is available for $2,000 on vizio.com. (March/April 2020, Read Full Review)

Vizio PQ65-F1 LCD Ultra HDTV: $2,100
A lot can happen in a few years. In 2016, Vizio’s flagship 65-inch Ultra HD set carried a woe-is-me $6,000 pricetag. Today, the P-Series Quantum LCD — the most advanced and highest-performing Smart TV in Vizio’s line — lists for $2,100. More than just a super deal, the 65-inch PQ65-F1 is a fine performing TV that excels with high dynamic range (HDR) material. (December 2018/January 2019, Read Full Review)

Sony XR-65A80J OLED Ultra HDTV: $2,300
Sony continues to expand its presence in OLED TV, this time with a full-featured model built to deliver top-shelf video performance at a price most of us can afford. The XR-65A80J supports Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR), Google and Amazon voice control, and is equipped with HDMI 2.1 inputs and a surprisingly decent sound system. But what’s most intriguing is Sony’s new Cognitive Processor XR, which analyzes hundreds of thousands of picture elements in real time and makes tweaks to improve image quality. As veteran TV reviewer Tom Norton put it, “I can't say exactly how much Sony's Cognitive Processor XR adds to the A80J's stunning image quality, but I'd wager that its contribution is significant.” Though the Sony’s black-level performance wasn’t the best we’ve seen, Norton characterized shadow detail as “superb” and praised picture quality during bright scenes. (October/November 2021, Read Full Review)

LG OLED65C8PUA OLED Ultra HDTV: $2,500
(2018 model, $2,500 on amazon.com as of 7/2/19; original price $3,499)
If you’ve been pining for 4K OLED, LG’s new C8 series 65-incher could be your ticket to paradise. Buoyed by the brand’s latest picture technology and the well-executed webOS smart TV platform, the 65C8 not only exceeds the performance of last year’s C7 series TVs but costs considerably less. Highly recommended by resident video guru Tom Norton. (Posted 7/26/18, Read Full Review)

Samsung QN65QN90A NEO QLED LCD Ultra HDTV: $2,600
Samsung's flagship “Neo QLED” QN90A TV series cost more than equivalent LCD models in the company’s 2020 lineup but offer a serious bump in performance that elevates the LCD category to new heights. Upgrades include a marked improvement in one of LCD’s longstanding bugaboos — off-center viewing — and a full-array local dimming backlight that uses Mini-LEDs to substantially expand the number of dimming zones to upwards of 800. The TV’s central processor also draws on Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance images frame-by-frame in all picture modes, except for the purist Filmmaker Mode. And while the QN90A doesn’t decode Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) content, it supports the HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG formats and applies an effective dynamic tone mapping algorithm to the HDR10's static metadata to improve picture performance beyond what you would get with straight-up HDR10 processing. All these upgrades translate into a picture Tom Norton called “impressive” at its worst and “spectacular” at its best. While absolute blacks aren’t as quite as deep as what you’d see on a topnotch OLED set, Norton hailed HDR punch and contrast as “unequalled in my experience.” (October/November 2021, Read Full Review)

Sony Bravia XBR-65A8H OLED Ultra HDTV: $2,800
Sony jumped back into the OLED game in 2019, a full decade after it introduced the world’s first OLED TV in 2008, and continues to build on the resounding success of the Master Series XBR-65A9G, our 2019 Top Pick of the Year in TVs. The new XBR-65A8H costs a thousand bucks less than the 65A9G but retains all of the 4K picture perfection and cutting-edge sophistication of its predecessor while offering a slightly scaled back sound system. Watching the Disney animation Tangled, reviewer Tom Norton judged the image to be “as close to flawless as I ever expect to see” and was blown away by its ability to render true black and high dynamic range (HDR) highlights on the torture test Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2: “The results were gripping.” (October/November 2020, Read Full Review)

Samsung QN65Q80R LCD Ultra HDTV: $2,800
Apart from putting up an invitingly bright 4K image with excellent color rendering and superb high dynamic range (HDR), the 65-inch QN65Q80R is extraordinarily well equipped for a TV that sells for less than three grand, offering a full complement of features — including numerous picture adjustments, an Ambient Mode that displays photos and art when the TV is not in use, and a wealth of smart TV features, including voice control. (August/September 2019, Read Full Review)

Sony XBR-65Z9D LCD Ultra HDTV: $2,998
(2017 model, $2,998 on brandsmartusa.com as of 7/3/19; original price $5,500)
Sony draws on its decades-long history as a television innovator to create a TV that draws on 4K resolution and high dynamic range (HDR) processing to deliver “supremely real” images. Reviewer Tom Norton wrote, “In the dark, underground library scene in Oblivion — as Jack is chased by the Scavs and as flashes from his rifle land in your lap — you realize you’re not in Kansas anymore.” (January 2017, Read Full Review)

TCL 75Q825 8-Series Roku LCD Ultra HDTV: $3,000
Low prices — not high technology — is likely the first thing that comes to mind when you see or hear the letters TCL. But the Chinese company, which claims to be the fastest growing TV brand in America, has stepped up its game with the new 8-Series, which is built around the popular Roku streaming platform and brings full-array mini-LED backlighting with local dimming and Dolby Vision high-dynamic range (HDR) into the fold. Resident video guru Tom Norton was so impressed with the 75-inch 75Q825 that he gave it 4.5- and 5-star ratings across the board. (Posted 12/4/19, SoundandVision.com, Read Full Review)

LG OLED65E7P OLED Ultra HDTV: $3,498
(2017 model, $3,498 on valueelectronics.com as of 7/3/19; original price $5,000)
Think of LG’s 65-inch OLED65E7P 4K OLED TV as a lower cost, yet still excellent performing alternative to the the stunning, near-paper-thin W7 series OLED65W7P. How excellent? For veteran TV reviewer Tom Norton, picture quality was “as close to [perfect] as I’ve experienced” with superb resolution and high dynamic range (HDR) performance that adds realism without distracting from a movie’s story line. (September 2017, Read Full Review)

LG OLED65GXPUA OLED Ultra HDTV: $3,500
LG’s mid-line 65GXPUA OLED TV delivers a dazzling 4K picture and is loaded with features that will delight movie buffs and gamers. It has built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa voice control, supports three high-dynamic range formats — HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG — and includes an auto low latency mode (ALLM) for gaming and a Dynamic Tone Mapping control that optimizes HDR10 performance by adding dynamic metadata. The set also boasts the new Filmmaker picture mode introduced last summer and an HDR Effect setting that convincingly simulates HDR from standard (non-HDR) sources. Not one to mince words, reviewer Tom Norton was captivated by the set’s ability to convey vibrant (though not overdone) color and rich detail. Guardians of the Galaxy No.2, one of his go-to test discs, “never looked better than it did on the 65GX.” (Posted 5/6/20, SoundandVison.com, Read Full Review)

Samsung QN65Q90R LCD Ultra HDTV: $3,500
OLED is the TV technology to beat. Or is it? In the case of the 65-inch QN65Q90R, Samsung has worked hard to address LCD shortcoming, making numerous refinements and employing quantum-dot-based full-array backlighting with more than 400 local dimming zones and high-dynamic range (HDR) to deliver a picture that can go head to head with OLED. In a direct comparison with Sony’s outstanding XBR-65A9G 4K OLED TV, resident video expert Tom Norton said Sony edged out Samsung “by a nose,” leading him to characterize the Q90R as “superb.” If you’re in the market for a high-end Ultra HDTV, make sure the QR90 is on your list. (December 2019/January 2020, Read Full Review)

Sony XBR-65Z9F LCD Ultra HDTV: $3,500
Building on the success of its Z9D predecessor, Sony’s Master Series Z9F makes a strong claim for top-dog status in today’s 4K TV market. It’s a full-fledged smart TV that delivers a superb picture with spectacular high-dynamic range highlights and excellent off-axis viewing. It can handle HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG high-dynamic range (HDR) content and even upconverts SDR images to near HDR. (December 2018/January 2019, Read Full Review)

Sony Bravia XBR-65A9G OLED Ultra HDTV: $3,800
People tend to forget that Sony introduced the first (11-inch) OLED TV way back in 2008 and then disappeared from the scene for a decade. As far as we’re concerned, the more OLED TVs, the better, so it’s great to have Sony back in the game, this time with an award-winning 65-inch model. The XBR-65A9G is guaranteed to wow you with incredible detail, eye-popping color, lifelike contrast, and a surprisingly good onboard sound system. And we would be remiss if we didn’t mention that the 65A9G was also named top dog in the 15th Annual TV Shootout hosted by Value Electronics. (October/November 2019, Read Full Review)

LG OLED65E9PUA OLED Ultra HDTV: $4,299
Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology’s long streak of delivering the best overall picture quality among today’s 4K televisions continues with LG’s 65-inch OLED65E9PUA. Though not as bright as its LCD counterparts, the E9’s wafer thin screen comes as close to fully covering the P3 color gamut as we’ve seen from any TV, while delivering breathtaking images with superb black levels, outstanding color and detail, and almost unrestricted off-center viewing. (August/September 2019, Read Full Review)

$5,000 >

LG Signature OLED65W7P OLED Ultra HDTV: $5,000
(2017 model, $5,000 on brandsmartusa.com as of 7/3/19; original price $8,000)
The future has arrived in the form of LG’s flagship TV, an impossibly thin HDR-enabled 4K OLED model that will blow your mind with its sci-fi aesthetic and best-in-class performance. Designed strictly for wall mounting, the 0.15-inch screen offloads the speakers, processing circuitry, power supply, and AV connectors to a svelte soundbar that attaches via a flat umbilical cord. (June 2017, Read Full Review)

TV Mounting Accessories

MantelMount MM860 Motorized TV Mount: $1,999
People love mounting TVs over fireplaces but rarely stop to think about the downside: It almost always puts the screen too high for comfortable viewing. MantelMount addresses this dilemma with the remote controllable MM860 mounting system that pulls the TV away from the wall and lowers it to eye level so you don’t have to crane your neck. The mount has a 30-inch range of motion — enough to achieve an optimal level no matter how high the mantel — and you can create a preset for your preferred TV height. Resident custom installer John Sciacca found the 860’s operation to be smooth and quiet — a “perfect solution to improve your TV viewing.” Guaranteed to impress guests, the system even has a sensor that automatically retracts the screen if someone decides to watch TV while the fireplace is active. (Posted 5/5/20, SoundandVison.com, Read Full Review)