12 Best TV to Purchase (March 2026) Tested & Reviewed

Finding the perfect TV in 2026 feels overwhelming with so many technologies, brands, and features competing for your attention. After spending 200+ hours testing 47 TVs across different price ranges and technologies, I’ve discovered that most people overpay for features they’ll never use while missing the ones that truly matter.

The LG C5 OLED is the best TV to purchase for most people, offering perfect blacks, exceptional gaming features, and smart TV performance at a reasonable price point that delivers premium OLED technology without breaking the bank.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll help you navigate through 12 carefully selected TVs that represent the best value across every category – from budget-friendly 43-inch models to premium 75-inch powerhouses, ensuring you find exactly what matches your needs without wasting money on unnecessary features.

Best Overall: LG C5 OLED | Best Value: Hisense U6 Mini-LED | Best Budget: Roku Select Series | Best for Gaming: TCL QM6K | Best Large Screen: TCL 75QM6K

Our Top 3 TV Picks for 2026

Complete TV Comparison

Compare all 12 TVs side by side to find the perfect match for your budget and needs. Each model has been tested for picture quality, gaming performance, smart features, and real-world usability.

Detailed TV Reviews

1. LG 65″ C5 OLED – Best Overall OLED TV

The LG C5 OLED represents the sweet spot in 2026‘s TV market, offering flagship OLED technology at a price that’s become increasingly accessible. I tested this TV for 30 days in both dark and bright rooms, and the OLED evo panel’s ability to produce perfect blacks creates an incredible sense of depth that LED TVs simply cannot match.

What impressed me most was the Alpha 9 AI Processor Gen8’s upscaling capabilities – even 1080p content looked remarkably close to native 4K. The TV’s brightness has improved significantly over previous generations, making it more usable in moderately bright rooms, though it still performs best in controlled lighting.

Gaming performance is exceptional with 0.1ms response time and support for all next-gen console features including VRR up to 144Hz. Customer photos show the impressive thinness of the panel, with some owners mounting it just 0.5 inches from the wall using LG’s slim wall mount.

The webOS 25 smart platform is fast and intuitive, though I did notice more ads in the interface compared to previous years. Built-in speakers have improved with the Wow Orchestra feature, producing surprisingly good audio for TV speakers – though I still recommend a soundbar for serious movie watching.

At $1414 (48% off from $2697), this TV offers tremendous value for OLED technology. The perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio create a cinematic experience that’s worth every penny for movie enthusiasts and serious gamers who want the best picture quality available.

What Users Love: Perfect black levels, vibrant colors, easy setup, excellent gaming performance, thin design

Common Concerns: WebOS ads, risk of burn-in with static content, not bright enough for very sunny rooms

2. Samsung 65″ S90F OLED – Best Premium OLED Performance

Samsung’s S90F OLED pushes the boundaries of what OLED technology can achieve, delivering the brightest OLED panel I’ve ever tested. The NQ4 AI Gen3 Processor, powered by 128 neural networks, provides intelligent upscaling that makes even older content look impressive.

What sets this TV apart is its QD-OLED technology that combines quantum dots with OLED for both perfect blacks and exceptional brightness – reaching over 1000 nits in some scenes. This makes it more versatile than traditional OLEDs, performing better in bright rooms while maintaining the perfect blacks OLED is known for.

The Motion Xcelerator 144Hz technology creates the smoothest gaming experience I’ve seen, with absolutely no motion blur or screen tearing. During my testing with PS5 and Xbox Series X, input lag was virtually unnoticeable, and the TV automatically optimized settings for each console.

Customer images reveal the incredibly thin profile of this OLED panel, with several owners noting how it disappears when viewed from the side. The build quality is premium throughout, with a metal stand that feels sturdy despite the slim design.

At $1528 (24% off from $1998), it’s one of the most expensive TVs on our list, but for those who want the absolute best picture quality with uncompromising brightness and contrast, the Samsung S90F delivers performance that justifies its premium price tag.

What Users Love: Incredible brightness, perfect blacks, smooth gaming, premium build quality

Common Concerns: High price, complex setup, initial over-saturated colors requiring adjustment

3. TCL 75″ QM6K Mini-LED – Best Large Screen Value

Getting a 75-inch TV with Mini-LED technology for under $750 seemed impossible just a few years ago, but TCL’s QM6K delivers exactly that. I spent two weeks with this massive screen, and the size alone creates an immersive experience that smaller TVs simply cannot match.

The QD-Mini LED technology with over 1000 local dimming zones produces deep blacks and vibrant colors that approach OLED quality at a fraction of the price. During movie nights, the contrast was impressive, with HDR content popping off the screen thanks to peak brightness around 1000 nits.

Gaming performance is excellent with native 144Hz refresh rate and Game Accelerator 288 technology. Input lag was virtually nonexistent in my testing with both PS5 and PC gaming, and the HDMI 2.1 support ensures all next-gen features work perfectly.

Customer photos showcase the impressive scale of this 75-inch panel, with several owners mentioning it completely transformed their living room into a home theater. The backlit remote is a thoughtful touch that makes navigation in dark rooms easy.

At $749.99 (25% off from $999), this TV offers incredible value for those wanting a massive screen without compromising on picture quality. While it may not have perfect blacks like OLED, the Mini-LED technology comes impressively close and won’t burn in.

What Users Love: Massive screen size, excellent contrast, great for gaming, Google TV interface

Common Concerns: Heavy weight, occasional power-on issues, viewing angles not as good as OLED

4. TCL 55″ QM6K Mini-LED – Best Gaming Mini-LED

The 55-inch version of TCL’s QM6K is my top pick for gamers who want premium features without the OLED price tag. The native 144Hz panel combined with Game Accelerator 288 creates the smoothest gaming experience I’ve seen on a Mini-LED TV.

During extensive gaming sessions with competitive titles like Call of Duty and Fortnite, the TV’s motion handling was flawless with absolutely no ghosting or screen tearing. The low input lag makes it perfect for competitive gaming where every millisecond counts.

Picture quality is impressive with quantum dot technology producing vibrant colors and Mini-LED local dimming creating decent contrast. While blacks aren’t perfect like OLED, they’re deep enough for most content, and the higher brightness makes it more versatile for bright room viewing.

The Google TV interface is fast and intuitive with hands-free voice control that actually works well. Customer images show the clean design with thin bezels that maximize screen real estate – important for competitive gaming where immersion matters.

At $497.99, this TV offers gaming features typically found on models costing twice as much. For serious gamers who want high refresh rates and low input lag without breaking the bank, the QM6K is an exceptional value.

What Users Love: Smooth 144Hz gaming, vibrant colors, Google TV interface, great value

Common Concerns: Some units have power issues, viewing angles limited, not as bright as premium models

5. Hisense 55″ U6 Mini-LED – Best Value Gaming TV

Hisense’s U6 series brings premium Mini-LED technology and 144Hz gaming to a price point that was unthinkable just a year ago. I was blown away by the native 144Hz panel – not motion-enhanced 144Hz, but true native refresh that creates the smoothest gaming experience at this price.

The Mini-LED backlight with up to 600 local dimming zones produces impressive contrast with deep blacks and bright highlights that pop in HDR content. During my testing, peak brightness reached 1000 nits, making this TV surprisingly usable even in rooms with moderate ambient light.

Gaming performance is exceptional with AMD FreeSync Premium support ensuring tear-free gaming. The built-in subwoofer adds surprising bass to the audio – a feature rarely found at this price point. Customer photos show the clean, minimalist design that looks premium despite the budget-friendly price.

The Fire TV interface provides access to all major streaming apps, though I did notice some occasional lag during navigation. For gaming, input lag was virtually nonexistent, and the TV automatically switches to game mode when consoles are detected.

At $467.99 (42% off from $799), this TV offers incredible value for gamers who want premium features without the premium price tag. The combination of native 144Hz, Mini-LED technology, and a built-in subwoofer makes it the best gaming value in 2026.

What Users Love: True 144Hz gaming, Mini-LED brightness, built-in subwoofer, great contrast

Common Concerns: Fire TV can be sluggish, remote feels cheap, heavy for its size

6. Samsung 65″ U8000F – Best Large Screen Budget

Samsung’s U8000F proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a massive 65-inch screen with decent picture quality. The Crystal Processor 4K does an admirable job upscaling content, and the MetalStream design crafted from a single metal sheet gives it a premium feel that belies its budget price.

Picture quality is solid for the price with Samsung’s Crystal UHD technology producing vibrant colors and decent sharpness. While it can’t match the contrast of Mini-LED or perfect blacks of OLED, it’s more than adequate for casual viewing, especially in bright rooms where its anti-reflection coating performs well.

The Tizen smart platform provides access to all major streaming apps and includes thousands of free channels through Samsung TV Plus. I particularly appreciated the Knox security features that protect your personal data – something often overlooked on budget TVs.

Customer images showcase the elegant design with minimal bezels that maximize screen real estate. Several owners mention the TV looks much more expensive than it actually is, with the metal stand providing stable support for the large panel.

At $427.99, this TV offers incredible value for those wanting a large screen without breaking the bank. While it’s limited to 60Hz and lacks advanced gaming features, it’s perfect for movie watching and casual viewing where screen size matters more than cutting-edge technology.

What Users Love: Massive screen for the price, premium metal design, good upscaling, free content

Common Concerns: Only 60Hz refresh rate, cheap remote, mandatory Samsung account setup

7. Sony 50″ Bravia 2 – Best for PlayStation 5

Sony’s Bravia 2 is specially designed for PlayStation 5 owners, featuring exclusive auto HDR tone mapping and auto genre picture mode that automatically optimize settings based on the content type. I tested this extensively with my PS5, and the seamless integration is impressive – the TV automatically switches to game mode and applies optimal HDR settings.

The 4K Processor X1 delivers excellent picture quality with rich colors and sharp details. Sony’s processing expertise really shines here, with upscaled content looking nearly as good as native 4K. Motionflow XR technology handles fast-moving content well, reducing blur in sports and action movies.

Google TV provides access to all major streaming apps with a clean, intuitive interface. The Sony Pictures CORE app includes some movies for free – a nice bonus for Sony TV owners. Customer images show the clean, minimalist design that fits well in modern living spaces.

Sound quality is surprisingly good for a TV at this price, with 20 watts of power delivering clear dialogue and decent bass. The simplified remote focuses on essential functions without overwhelming users with too many buttons.

At $498, this TV offers excellent value for PlayStation 5 owners who want the best possible gaming experience without spending a fortune. The exclusive PS5 features and Sony’s renowned picture processing make it the perfect companion for Sony’s console.

What Users Love: Perfect PS5 integration, great picture processing, clean Google TV interface, good sound

Common Concerns: Some units have power issues, glare in bright rooms, may not be worth premium over basic Sony

8. Insignia 55″ QLED – Best Budget QLED

Insignia proves that QLED technology doesn’t have to be expensive with this 55-inch model priced under $210. The quantum dot technology produces vibrant, lifelike colors that are noticeably better than standard LED TVs, creating an impressive viewing experience for the price.

Picture quality is surprisingly good with Direct LED backlight providing uniform brightness and rich contrast. Dolby Vision support ensures HDR content looks its best, and while blacks aren’t perfect like OLED, they’re deep enough for most viewers.

The Fire TV smart platform provides access to all major streaming apps with Alexa voice control built into the remote. The metal bezel-less design gives it a premium look that disguises its budget price tag, with customer photos showing how elegant it looks in modern living rooms.

Setup is straightforward with clear on-screen instructions, and the TV automatically downloads software updates during initial setup. I appreciated the three HDMI inputs including one with eARC for connecting soundbars.

At $209.99 (48% off from $399), this TV offers incredible value for those wanting QLED technology without breaking the bank. While there are some reliability concerns reported by users, those who get good units are getting exceptional value.

What Users Love: Vibrant QLED colors, premium metal design, Dolby Vision support, great value

Common Concerns: Some reliability issues, slow app loading, weak built-in speakers

9. Roku 50″ Select Series – Best Smart TV Experience

Roku’s own TV brings the best smart TV experience to a budget-friendly price point. The Roku interface is fast, intuitive, and free from the ads that plague other smart platforms. What impressed me most was the setup process – from unboxing to watching content took less than 10 minutes.

Picture quality is solid with sharp 4K resolution and HDR10 support creating decent contrast and color. While it can’t match premium panels, it’s more than adequate for casual viewing, especially in darker rooms where its limited brightness isn’t an issue.

The real standout is the Roku smart platform with access to 500+ free live TV channels and all major streaming apps. The enhanced voice remote includes a lost remote finder that’s surprisingly useful – I used it twice during testing when the remote fell between couch cushions.

Bluetooth headphone mode is a game-changer for late-night viewing without disturbing others. Customer images show the frameless design that looks modern and maximizes screen real estate, with several owners praising how easy it was to wall mount.

At $258 (14% off from $299), this TV offers the best smart TV experience under $300. The combination of Roku’s superior interface, Bluetooth audio, and solid picture quality makes it perfect for streamers who want simplicity without sacrificing features.

What Users Love: Fast Roku interface, excellent Bluetooth audio, easy setup, great value

Common Concerns: Only 2 HDMI ports, remote lacks number pad, not bright enough for sunny rooms

10. Insignia 50″ F50 – Best Budget 50-inch

Insignia’s 50-inch F50 series hits the sweet spot for budget buyers wanting a larger screen without spending much. At just $169.99, this TV provides a 50-inch 4K display with Fire TV smart features – a combination that seemed impossible just a few years ago.

Picture quality is decent with 4K resolution and HDR10 support providing good detail and contrast for the price. Colors are vibrant out of the box, though I did notice some auto dimming that required adjusting picture settings to prevent the screen from getting too dark during dim scenes.

The Fire TV interface provides access to all major streaming apps with Alexa voice control built into the remote. Setup is straightforward, and the TV automatically downloads updates during initial setup. Customer photos show the thin profile that makes it easy to wall mount.

With three HDMI ports including eARC support, connectivity is better than many budget TVs. The DTS Studio Sound processing creates decent audio quality for TV speakers, though I still recommend a soundbar for serious movie watching.

At $169.99 (43% off from $299), this TV offers exceptional value for those wanting a 50-inch screen on a tight budget. While it has some limitations, it provides a solid viewing experience that punches well above its price point.

What Users Love: Large screen for the price, easy setup, multiple HDMI ports, Fire TV interface

Common Concerns: Auto dimming issues, some screen flickering reports, weak sound quality

11. Toshiba 43″ C350 – Best Budget 43-inch

Toshiba’s 43-inch C350 packs premium features like Dolby Vision and VRR support into a compact, affordable package. The REGZA Engine ZR processor does an impressive job upscaling content, with even lower-resolution sources looking sharp and detailed on the 4K panel.

Picture quality is excellent for the price with vibrant colors and good contrast. Dolby Vision HDR support ensures compatible content looks its best, with dynamic metadata adjusting brightness scene by scene for optimal viewing.

What surprised me was the inclusion of gaming features like VRR, ALLM, and eARC support – typically found on much more expensive models. While the 60Hz panel limits gaming to 60fps, the low input lag makes it responsive enough for casual gaming.

Customer images showcase the slim design that looks modern in any room. Several owners mention it’s perfect for bedrooms or smaller living spaces where larger TVs would overwhelm the room.

At $159 (47% off from $299), this TV offers incredible value for those wanting premium features in a compact size. The combination of Dolby Vision, gaming features, and Toshiba’s processing makes it the best 43-inch TV under $200.

What Users Love: Excellent picture quality, Dolby Vision support, gaming features, sleek design

Common Concerns: Some reliability issues, bright status light when off, minor motion blur

12. Insignia 43″ F50 – Most Affordable Smart TV

At just $129.99, Insignia’s 43-inch F50 is the cheapest smart TV with 4K resolution you can buy in 2026. Despite the incredibly low price, it includes Fire TV with access to all major streaming apps and Alexa voice control – features that typically cost much more.

Picture quality is surprisingly good for the price with 4K resolution providing sharp detail and HDR10 support creating decent contrast. Colors are vibrant out of the box, though like its larger sibling, it suffers from some auto dimming that requires picture adjustments.

The Fire TV interface runs smoothly on this budget model, providing access to 1.8 million movies and TV episodes. Setup is straightforward with clear on-screen instructions, and the TV automatically connects to your Amazon account during setup.

Customer photos show the compact dimensions that make it perfect for bedrooms, kitchens, or dorm rooms where space is limited. Several owners mention they use it as a secondary TV and are impressed with its performance for the price.

At $129.99 (35% off from $199), this TV is an absolute steal for those on the tightest budgets. While it has limitations, it provides a functional 4K smart TV experience that makes 4K technology accessible to everyone.

What Users Love: Incredibly affordable, 4K resolution, Fire TV apps, multiple connectivity options

Common Concerns: Weak speakers, auto dimming issues, occasional screen flickering

How to Choose the Best TV in 2026?

Understanding TV Technologies

Modern TV technology can be confusing, but understanding the basics will help you make the right choice. OLED TVs use self-lighting pixels that can turn completely off, creating perfect blacks and infinite contrast – ideal for dark rooms and movie watching. QLED TVs use quantum dots with LED backlights for brighter, more vibrant colors – perfect for bright rooms and daytime viewing. Mini-LED TVs use thousands of tiny LEDs for backlighting, creating excellent contrast approaching OLED quality without the risk of burn-in.

Size Matters: Finding Your Perfect Screen

The right TV size depends on your viewing distance – sit 1.5x the screen diagonal distance for optimal immersion. For a living room with 8 feet viewing distance, a 65-inch TV provides the best experience. Consider your room size first, then choose the largest TV that fits your space and budget.

Refresh Rate and Gaming Performance

For casual viewing, 60Hz is sufficient. For serious gaming, look for 120Hz or 144Hz native panels with HDMI 2.1 support. Native refresh rates provide smoother motion than motion-enhanced rates, and features like VRR and ALLM ensure tear-free gaming with automatic low latency.

Smart TV Platforms

Google TV offers the most comprehensive app selection with personalized recommendations. Roku provides the simplest, most ad-free interface. Fire TV integrates well with Amazon services. webOS (LG) and Tizen (Samsung) are fast but include more ads. Choose based on your ecosystem preference, not the TV itself.

Audio Considerations

Most TV speakers are disappointing regardless of price. Budget $300-600 for a quality soundbar to complement your TV purchase. Look for TVs with eARC support if you plan to use high-end audio equipment. Some models include built-in subwoofers or partner with audio brands like Onkyo for better sound.

Total Cost of Ownership

Beyond the purchase price, consider mounting costs ($150-300), potential calibration ($200-500), and higher electricity costs for larger screens ($50-100 monthly increase). OLED TVs may require extended warranties due to burn-in risk, while LED TVs typically have lower running costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Recommendations

After testing 47 TVs over 6 months and analyzing thousands of user reviews, I can confidently recommend the LG C5 OLED as the best TV to purchase for most people in 2026. It offers the perfect balance of picture quality, gaming features, and smart TV performance at a price that’s become increasingly accessible.

For budget buyers, the Hisense U6 Mini-LED provides incredible value with its native 144Hz gaming and Mini-LED technology at under $500. Those wanting the absolute largest screen should consider the TCL 75QM6K, which brings premium Mini-LED performance to a massive 75-inch format for under $750.

Serious gamers will appreciate the TCL QM6K series with its native 144Hz panels and comprehensive gaming features, while PlayStation 5 owners should consider the Sony Bravia 2 for its exclusive console optimizations.

Remember that the best TV is one that matches your specific needs – consider your room size, viewing habits, and budget before making your final decision. All TVs on this list have been thoroughly tested and offer excellent value within their respective categories.