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The best smart TVs you can buy
A smart TV can be an invaluable addition to your smart home. If you're looking for ways to watch shows, news, and sports without a cable or satellite provider, you've come to the right place. I rounded up the best smart TVs, which use the internet to access content for far greater capabilities that an average television.
Also: The top streaming devices compared: Apple TV vs. Fire TV vs. Roku and more
But before you invest, you need to research the best smart TVs -- that's where I can help. I scoured the market and compared prices and features to find the very best smart TVs for your home or office, whether you want to watch movies, sports events, or your favorite YouTube videos. If you are looking for a specific size, check out our picks for the best 50-inch TVs, best 65-inch TVs, and best 85-inch TVs.
My choice for the best smart TV is the Sony A95L for its updated QD-OLED panel, eco-friendly settings, and immersive audio. You can keep reading below to find out more about the A95L as well as the rest of my top picks for the best smart TVs.
Also: The best OLED TVs (and why they're so expensive)
- Excellent picture and sound
- Optimized for console gaming on PS5
- Eco Dashboard
- Voice controls
- Pre-order only
- Will probably be very expensive, especially at larger screen sizes
Sony A95L tech specs: Screen size: 55, 65, 77 inches | Panel type: OLED | Refresh rate: 120Hz | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos, Acoustic Surface Audio+ | Voice controls: Hey Google, Alexa, Siri
The A95L is part of Sony's newest line-up of TVs for 2023, and is one of the best smart TVs you can buy right now. ZDNET's Rebecca Isaacs saw the A95L OLED TV up close at the debut event, calling it "Sony's new crown jewel." On top of excellent picture quality from the updated OLED panel, you'll also get room-filling, virtual surround sound with Dolby Atmos and Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology; which also turns the entire screen into a speaker for near-perfect video and audio syncing. ZDNET's Rebecca Isaacs was able to see the A95L in person and praised its "crystal clear" image quality.
Movie buffs will love the IMAX Enhanced and Netflix Adaptive Calibrated modes which automatically analyze movies and shows scene-by-scene to boost color accuracy, contrast, and detailing so you can watch your favorites as they were meant to be seen. It's also optimized for console gaming with the PlayStation 5, featuring VRR technology to reduce screen tearing and stuttering, as well as a 120Hz native refresh rate for smoother playback. And if you're looking for ways to make your living room or home theater a bit more eco-friendly, the A95L has an Eco Dashboard, which shows all of your energy efficiency settings on a single screen to monitor and change things on the fly.
- Under $300
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
- Hey Google and Alexa support
- No AirPlay support
TCL S4 tech specs: Screen size: 50 inches | Panel type: LED | Refresh rate: 60Hz | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Voice controls: Hey Google, Alexa
If you're looking to upgrade the TV in your home theater or a second screen for your bedroom, and you don't want to spend a ton of cash, the TCL S4 is an excellent option. The 50-inch version retails well under $300, making it one of the most affordable on the market. And just because it's budget-friendly, that doesn't mean that it skimps out on features. You'll get support for both Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos for superior picture and sound quality, as well as support for both Alexa and Hey Google voice controls. With the Google TV platform, you'll get preloaded streaming apps like Netflix and Hulu as well as access to thousands more to turn your new TV into the ultimate entertainment hub. You can also share media from your mobile devices via Chromecast for more ways to entertain family and friends.
- Samsung Gaming Hub
- 4 HDMI ports
- Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+
- Slim One Connect support
- Pricey
- No Dolby Vision support
- No VRR support
Samsung S95C tech specs | Screen size: 55, 65, 77 inches | Panel type: OLED | Refresh rate: 120Hz | HDR: Quantum HDR OLED+ | Audio: Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound+ | Voice controls: Alexa, Bixby, Hey Google
The Samsung S95C is a TV that was practically made for gaming. The new Samsung Gaming Hub supports cloud-based gaming via Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now. It also integrates Twitch, YouTube, and Spotify so you can quickly pull up playlists for chill beats, walkthrough videos for tough puzzles, or live streams of your favorite eSports pros. The S95C also has 4 HDMI ports, letting you set up multiple gaming consoles at once and easily switch between them. It's also compatible with Samsung's Slim One Connect, which lets you use a single cable to connect multiple devices for a cleaner-looking, more organized gaming space. ZDNET's June Wan got to do some hands-on testing with the Samsung S95C, praising the blend of Samsung's Quantum Dot technology and the OLED panel for superior color accuracy.
The incredibly thin design also means that you can choose either flush wall mounting or a less bulky TV stand for placement options, which is good news for anyone with a gaming room that's on the smaller side. You'll get incredible audio and virtual surround sound with support for Dolby Atmos and Samsung's Object Tracking Sound+ for a more immersive experience. And if you have a Samsung soundbar, the Q Symphony feature allows it to work in tandem with the TV's integrated speakers for richer, more clear audio.
- 98-inch screen
- Great picture and audio
- Chromecast
- Voice controls
- Pre-order only
- Will probably be very expensive due to screen size
Sony X90L tech specs: Screen size: 98 inches | Panel type: LED | Refresh rate: 120Hz | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Voice controls: Alexa, Hey Google, Siri
Are you looking for a true big-screen TV to bring your home theater to the next level? The new X90L from Sony features an impressive 98-inch screen, which means it will absolutely be the focal point of any room you place it in. We all know that size isn't everything, so Sony packed this TV with all kinds of great features like voice controls via Alexa, Hey Google, and Siri for hands-free use of your TV and connected devices. It also works with Dolby Vision for crisp details, deep contrast, and more vivid colors, as well as Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound. ZDNET's Rebecca Isaacs got to see the Sony X90L up close and personal, praising the 120Hz refresh rate and sturdier aluminum frame over previous models.
It has a Voice Zoom 2 feature which boosts dialogue in movies and shows so you never miss a line, and Sony's Acoustic Multi-Audio technology turns the whole screen into a speaker for near-perfect video and audio syncing. With the Google TV platform, you'll get a suite of preloaded, popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video so you can start streaming right out of the box; but you'll also get access to thousands of other apps to turn your TV into a true entertainment hub. With Chromecast built-in, you can share photos, videos, and music from your mobile devices for more ways to entertain family and friends.
- Tons of premium features
- G-Sync and FreeSync Premium support
- Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support
- Art Gallery Mode
- Expensive
- Not many screen sizes available
LG G3 OLED tech specs: Screen size: 55, 65, 83 inches | Panel type: OLED | Refresh rate: 120Hz | HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10 | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Voice controls: Alexa, Hey Google, Siri
If you're willing to spend big in order to get the best of the best when it comes to smart TVs, the LG G3 OLED is an excellent option. This new iteration of the G-series features an updated OLED panel for a brighter picture than previous offerings from LG as well as a sixth-generation a9 processor. The processor works with artificial intelligence to analyze movies and shows scene-by-scene for the best upscaling, color, contrast, and detailing. It works with Dolby Vision for enhanced picture quality as well as Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound.
The G3 also automatically calibrates audio settings by monitoring ambient room sound and adjusts to deliver consistently clear audio. Console gamers will love the support for both Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR technology, while film buffs will appreciate the Filmmaker Mode, which allows you to see new and classic movies as they were meant to be. And when you're not actively using your new TV, you can switch to the art gallery mode to display photos, videos, and paintings for your own personal, curated art show.
What is the best smart TV?
My pick for the best smart TV is the Sony A95L. It features an updated QD-OLED panel for a brighter picture and more accurate colors than previous Sony OLED models. It also uses the Google TV platform to give you access to thousands of streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu as well as voice controls. It's even optimized for console gaming with the PlayStation 5 with a native 120Hz refresh rate, VRR, and Dolby Atmos for a smoother, more immersive experience.
Best smart TV | Cost | HDR | Display |
Sony A95L OLED | $2,800 | Dolby Vision | OLED |
TCL S4 | $350 | Dolby Vision | LED |
Samsung S95C | $3,298 | Quantum HDR OLED+ | OLED |
Sony X90L | $1,100 | Dolby Vision | LED |
LG G3 OLED | $3,300 | Dolby Vision, HDR10 | OLED |
*MSRP at time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary depending on available sales, deals, discounts, and coupons.
Which is the right smart TV for you?
These are our expert suggestions to help you find the best smart TV for your needs.
Choose this best smart TV... | If you want... |
Sony A95L OLED | A well-rounded smart TV with excellent picture and sound quality. It also features an OLED panel for superior color and contrast. |
TCL S4 | A budget-friendly smart TV. The TCL S4 retails for under $300, making it one of the most affordable on the market. |
Samsung S95C | A dedicated gaming TV. With the Samsung Gaming Hub, you'll get access to cloud gaming services like GeForce NOW and Xbox GamePass and enhanced input latency and VRR for smoother playback. |
Sony X90L | A truly large-screen TV. This 98-inch screen will command any entertainment space. |
LG G3 OLED | A high-end, luxury smart TV. It features an art gallery-inspired design, an upgraded OLED panel, and enhanced audio. |
How did I choose these best smart TVs?
I considered multiple factors when forming our list of the best smart TVs.
- Quality: I consider image quality, as well as factors like resolution, refresh rate, and sound, to ensure an overall stellar performance.
- Features: Some smart TVs have Bluetooth connectivity and voice assistants incorporated into their design. You may even connect one to your smart home hub.
- Cost: Budget is always at the forefront, so I chose the best smart TVs that accommodate a variety of budgets.
What is a smart TV?
A smart TV is one that includes web-based features and built-in streaming services, like Netflix and Amazon. It has the ability to connect to the Internet without the need for any additional equipment.
Do all smart TVs include Alexa and Google?
It depends on the model. While some TVs include Alexa, you can also buy an Amazon Fire TV that has Alexa already built-in and ready to go. Some TVs may incorporate multiple types of smart technology, including both Google and Alexa.
How much do smart TVs cost?
Smart TVs can range in cost significantly, depending on factors like size and technology. The best smart TVs range in price from about $650 to more than $1,700, depending on the option you choose.
Are there alternative smart TVs worth considering?
Just about any new TV that you'll see either online or in-stores is going to have some sort of smart feature: whether it's simply being able to connect to Wi-Fi for firmware updates or an entire suite of streaming apps, voice controls, and connectivity options. And while we're firm believers that there is a smart TV out there for everyone, I also know that not all of them are created equal. So here are a few alternative picks I thought were great, but didn't quite make our main list: