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12 gorgeous TVs to gift the binge-watcher in your life -- from $100 to $3K
Even outside of the holiday season as we head into Super Bowl Sunday and Valentine's Day, TVs are a big ticket item to gift. If you're unsure where to start, I have the perfect recommendations. As a Netflix binger and TV expert, I have reviewed last year's models (and am anxiously awaiting the 2023 model releases). Whether you're looking for a large living room addition or just a small TV screen to catch the evening news while meal prepping, you can find a TV for any recipient.
From Samsung to Amazon, the prices range all over -- and with good reason, since the specs on these panels can vastly range. They can also range in size, and so if you're looking for a larger or smaller TV, be sure to check the fine print.
While I've typically focused on 55- to 65-inch models, most of the panels listed below range in size, and I've listed the range so you can find the size you want for your space. But with my list, you can find a great model within your price point. And, if you add it to your cart today, you can still get it in time for the Big Game or just in time to cozy up for your at-home romantic date night.
Must read:
- The best cheap tech gifts for under $100
- The best cheap tech gifts under $75
- The best cheap tech gifts under $50
- The best cheap tech gifts under $25
The best TV gift ideas
Below are the best 8 TV gift ideas for the new year.
- Price: $1,150
- Features: Mini-LED screen | Google TV OS | Bezel-less design
Having tested this model myself, the Hisense U8H TV works best in a living room that may receive some afternoon sun to make it bright. It features a 4K Mini-LED screen that gives a near-bezel-less impression when I'm watching movies and TV shows.
It has a more narrow viewing angle, making it great for smaller living rooms. This Hisense model is one of the best on the market for the price point, making it a great choice for holiday gifting. FYI, it usually retails for $1,150, but I've seen the price fluctuating this holiday season. If you keep an eye out like us, you can score it for as little as $700.
Read the review: Hisense 4K U8H review
- Price: $1,500
- Features: QLED screen | Samsung Tizen OS | Matte screen finish
This Samsung model isn't just a TV. The screen features a specialized matte finish. Coupled with the customizable bezel, it looks like a portrait and can display famous artwork on the screen when it's in Ambient Mode. The recipient won't be using that mode much, because the Frame also comes with Samsung's Smart Tizen operating system, which makes it easy to pull up favorite apps and even watch some live TV.
Under the TV screen, the recipient will get a billion different color shades with 100% color volume. There's something for everyone in this TV, too -- with Samsung's Gaming Hub, the kids can stream Xbox games straight from the TV, no console required (but you'll have to pay a subscription). Sizes go as low as 32-inches and all the way up to 85-inches.
- Price: $2,600
- Features: QLED screen | Ultra Viewing Angle | 8K picture
Looking for the best of the best on the market right now? Get 8K picture right in your home with the QN800B. Like its other family member on this list, The Frame, the QN800B features the Samsung Smart Tizen operating system and 100% color volume. As a fan of the Ambient Mode, this model's viewing and background noise are unparalleled, too.
I found that when watching TV and movies, the picture clarity was unmatched for this TV, offering me vivid detail that automatically adjusts to the space's light. It also automatically upscales all content to 8K images for a beautiful picture, no matter if the TV displays a movie, video game, or TV show. Sizes offered are 65- and 75-inches (the 85 inch is currently out of stock).
Read the review: Samsung QN800B 8K smart TV review
- Price: $480
- Features: 4K screen | Ultra Viewing Angle | Intelligent Motion Handling
For the sports fan, the blur-free picture quality on this model from Sony will help your gift recipient enjoy their favorite games. The 4K Processor X1 gives a picture that's smooth, clear, and full of color, automatically upscaling older content.
Because it's a Google TV, this model comes with Google Assistant alongside the Google TV features, making it easy to organize content all in the home hub. This model offers 55- and 65-inch panels.
- Price: $2,200
- Features: 8K screen | AiPQ Engine | Built-in Roku home hub
TCL's Class 6 Series comes in both 75- and 65-inch options, and no matter which one you opt for, you're getting a great TV. It's packed with Dolby Vision HDR and a dedicated AiPQ Engine to display enhanced, bright colors on your screen. Coupled with that 8K QLED resolution that automatically upscales lower quality content, you'll enjoy a beautiful picture whichever screen size you choose.
Because it's a Roku TV, you won't even have to worry about adding that smart remote to the TV -- it's already built in. What's also built into this TV? The voice controls that work with Siri, Google, and Alexa, so you can plug this model into your smart home for optimal use. For gamers, you can enjoy Game Studio Pro mode for fast response gaming. Get it in 65- and 75-inch panels.
- Price: $1,696
- Features: 4K screen | NVIDIA G-SYNC built-in | OLED screen
Self-lit OLED pixels come together to create great picture quality on this OLED model. Designed for a darker space or for those that prefer a more cinematic experience, the A9 Gne5 AI Processor offers a 4K picture with automatic upscaling. Expect a bright picture with LG's signature Brightness Booster Max, too.
In addition to the 4K upscaling, the C2 series smart TV offers a specialized Filmmaker Mode that's enhanced with Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos. Movies and shows aside, this model brings out the best of console gaming with 120Hz variable refresh rates and the dedicated Nvidia G-SYNC software. We named this model as the best OLED TV for gaming this year to attest to how great it is while using it with a console controller. It comes in 42- to 83-inch displays.
- Price: $1,700
- Features: Object Tracking Sound | AMD FreeSync Premium Pro | 120Hz refresh rate
Samsung's Neo QLED model offers not only Dolby Atmos but also Object Tracking Sound+ technology to give your gaming a whole surround sound vibe. Considered our best pick for a gaming TV, the recipient can use the Multi-View feature to pull up a walkthrough while gaming to get through difficult parts of the game.
Having reviewed this TV myself, I felt impressed by the picture quality and the different modes including Film Mode, Intelligent Mode, and even EyeComfort Mode for late nights or long gaming sessions. It comes in 42-inches all the way up to 98-inches.
Read the review: Samsung 65-inch QN90B QLED TV review
- Price: $800
- Features: HDR10+ Adaptive | Adaptive Brightness | QLED
Amazon's latest and greatest TV model comes in two sizes -- 65 inches and 75 inches -- and was designed to do everything, from gaming to streaming. It not only comes with HDR10+ Adaptive, but HDR10, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Gaming, and HLG so you can game, stream, and enjoy your screen across an array of tasks.
It's the first in the line to offer the Fire TV Ambient experience, adaptive brightness, and a full array of local dimming. Those embedded into the Alexa smart home system will greatly enjoy the hands-free Alexa voice commands on this device.
- Price: $380
- Features: HDR Pro Pack with Dolby Vision | AiPQ Engine | Auto Game Mode
It's hard to beat the price for the specs that you get with this TCL model. Featuring a 50-inch screen and Auto Game mode, the gamer in your life can enjoy low latency and a dedicated picture setting for optimal picture.
When not gaming, the recipient can use the built-in Chromecast to stream shows, movies, and modes from an Android or iOS device. With 60 local dimming zones for extra contrast and QLED technology, this TCL TV combines the best of both gaming and streaming. It comes in 50-inches all the way up to 75-inches.
- Price: $100
- Features: Intelligent Motion Handling | HDR contrast | Google TV OS
For those that just need to catch up on the news while cooking dinner or like to have a super small TV in a small space, this Insignia is a great gift choice. It's a no-frills TV that offers 720p HD resolution for streaming shows, cooking videos, and more from the 32-inch screen.
The DTS TruSurround offers an immersive surround experience and is wall mountable. For those with kids, it comes with parental controls, too. Need a smaller size? It also comes in a 24-inch display size.
The latest TV deals you can gift
While TVs can run in the thousands, this is one of the best times of the year to buy a TV as stores clear out 2022 stock to make way for new 2023 lineups. Below we've rounded up the best deals on TVs you can buy right now. As a heads up, you'll want to check the sizing before you buy -- these deals are specifically to the sizes listed.
How did we choose these TVs?
We found an array of TVs knowing that everyone has different tastes and preferences, especially when it comes to their streaming and gaming on the big screen. For each of the products on this list, we took into consideration who might use each model. We also took into account the reviews on these products, and, if we've reviewed them, our own personal experiences make sure that the recipient of your gift will receive a quality product.
What should I look for in a TV as a gift?
In general, you'll want something that reflects the recipient's interest and take into account where the TV will be placed. As an example, if it's a darkened space, an OLED might be better, whereas the bright nature of the QLED models will be better suited to a living room.
Additionally, size is very important, as you don't want to get a 65-inch TV knowing that the TV stand can only handle up to 50 inches of space. The great news is that most of the TVs on this list come in multiple sizes, so if you see something on this list that catches your eye, you can just adjust the size for your needs.
What's the difference between an OLED and a QLED model?
OLEDs and QLEDs use the same general idea: Power, light, and color sources. Exactly how the panels operate and get these sources is what differentiates them.
QLED screens use quantum dot technology to create images. It will give you enhanced color and detailing on-screen compared to its LED counterparts, but it's not "quantum" in any way -- that's simply a marketing catchphrase to separate if from LED. These TVs are more suited for bright spaces.
LED screens, on the other hand, use mini LED lights that individually light, creating true blacks and helping colors pop on the screen. Because it's not a cheap panel to produce, they're usually pricier. These TVs are more suited to darkened spaces.
Which is better - 4K or 8K picture?
4K is the gold standard these days, and unless you plan to keep your TV for years or want the absolute best picture on the market, opt for the 8K graphics. As someone whose familiar with 8K models, the picture quality is stunning and for shows like House of the Dragon and The Rings of Power, it's worth the investment.
However, no streamer runs 8K content as of yet, and gaming consoles can't produce 8K graphics -- everything you see on the screen involves automatic upscaling as of right now. Realistically, you're better off enjoying the 4K models rather than spending an extra couple thousand on the 8K picture.
What are the best gifts for 2023?
ZDNET experts rounded up the overall best tech gifts of 2023.
But gifts can come in all shapes and sizes, so we also rounded up the best gifts by category, price, and retailer -- plus, the hottest tech toys for kids in 2023.
Gifts by category
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- Cooking gift guide: These smart kitchen tools went TikTok viral
- Tablet gift guide: iPads aren't the only option
- Useful smart home gifts, from plugs to thermostats
- Travel gift guide: Luggage, Liquid IV, and more
- TV gift guide: Gorgeous TVs for the binge-watcher in your life
- The best fitness gifts: Workout mirror, Whoop, and more
- Creative gifts for live streamers
- Gift ideas for coffee lovers (besides a Starbucks gift card)
Gifts by price
- The best cheap tech gifts under $100
- The best cheap tech gifts under $75
- The best cheap tech gifts under $50
- The best cheap tech gifts under $25
Gifts by retailer
- Top tech gifts on Amazon
- Best Buy tech gifts, from headphones to smartwatches
- The best tech gifts at Walmart
Gifts for kids