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Buying Guide TVs

How to Choose a TV

Quick answer

Pick the size for your seating distance, OLED for dark rooms or Mini-LED for bright ones, and make sure gamers get HDMI 2.1. Budget for a soundbar.

By VerdictFox Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Start with size and distance

Measure from your couch to the wall. From about 7 to 9 feet away, 65 inches is the sweet spot. If you sit farther back, 75 or 85 inches feels more cinematic. Bigger is rarely regretted.

OLED vs Mini-LED

  • OLED: perfect blacks, wide viewing angles, best for dim rooms
    – Mini-LED: much brighter, great for sunny rooms and sports, cheaper at big sizes
    – Basic LED: fine for bedrooms and kids’ rooms on a budget

Features gamers need

  • HDMI 2.1 with 4K at 120Hz or higher
    – Variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low-latency mode
    – At least two HDMI 2.1 ports if you own a console and a soundbar

Smart platform and HDR

Google TV, webOS, Tizen, Roku and Fire TV all carry the major apps. Check HDR formats: Dolby Vision matters to Netflix and Disney+ fans, and Samsung TVs skip it.

Sound and setup

Thin TVs have weak speakers, so plan for a soundbar connected over HDMI eARC. Wall-mounting needs the right VESA mount and wall anchors rated for the weight.

Our picks

See all our best tvs for more options.

Frequently asked questions

How long do TVs last?

Most TVs last seven years or more. People usually upgrade for size and features before the panel wears out.

Is OLED burn-in still a problem?

It's rare with normal viewing. Avoid static logos for many hours a day, and let the TV run its pixel refresh.

When is the best time to buy a TV?

Black Friday and late January before the Super Bowl usually bring the lowest US prices.

VerdictFox Editorial Team

Part of the VerdictFox research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

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How to choose tvs: the short version

Pick the size for your seating distance, OLED for dark rooms or Mini-LED for bright ones, and make sure gamers get HDMI 2.1. Budget for a soundbar. This tvs buying guide explains the features that matter, the ones you can ignore, and which models we would buy or skip.

Our shortlist: the LG 65-Inch Class OLED evo C5 Series ($1,599–$2,499) for best picture for most. the TCL 65-Inch QM8K QD-Mini LED ($1,299–$1,999) for bright rooms. the Hisense 65-Inch Class U8 Series Mini-LED ($899–$1,399) for value Mini-LED.

How much should you spend on tvs? Budget models start around $379, while premium options reach $2,499. Spending more usually buys OLED contrast with great gaming features and vivid OLED picture with Samsung's gaming hub, but it is only worth it if you will use those features.

OLED gives the best contrast and viewing angles; Mini-LED gets brighter and costs less per inch. For PS5 and Xbox Series X, look for HDMI 2.1 with 4K at 120Hz and VRR. Pick size by distance: from about 8 feet away, 65 inches is the sweet spot for most living rooms.

OLED wins in dark rooms with perfect blacks and wide viewing angles. Mini-LED wins in bright rooms and costs less at big sizes. Most people are happiest with 65 inches in a living room. If you sit 9 feet or more away, consider 75 inches or larger.

The best TV prices in the US land on Black Friday and just before the Super Bowl, when the previous year's models get cleared out. Check retailer return windows, since a bad panel can show up in the first weeks.

Across the tvs we cover, typical prices run from $379 to $2,499. Prices on Amazon.com change often, so treat these as typical ranges and check the current price before you buy.

The Samsung 65-Inch Class OLED S90F typically costs $1,499–$2,299 and earns a Buy verdict. Buy it if you want OLED contrast with very vivid color and Samsung's Tizen smart platform. Skip it if you watch Dolby Vision content often; Samsung doesn't support it. Also worth a look is the Amazon Fire TV 55-inch Omni QLED Series, usually $379–$549, which is best for budget Alexa homes. Its standout feature is hands-free Alexa and local dimming at a low price; the main trade-off is 60Hz panel.

The Samsung 65-Inch Class The Frame typically costs $1,299–$1,999 and earns a Skip verdict. Buy it if you value the picture-frame look above everything else and plan to wall-mount it flush. Skip it if you care about picture quality per dollar; the TCL QM8K or LG C5 look far better for similar money.