I tested the best art TVs for 2026: Did any of them defeat the Samsung Frame?

Ever notice that when your TV is off, it's just a soul-sucking black rectangle staring you in the face? Bo-ring! Why not use that screen estate for something cool, like a Monet painting or Ansel Adams photograph? That's an idea Samsung pioneered with its popular Frame TVs, which display such artwork when idle. And when wall-mounted and adorned with an actual frame, they really do look less like a TV and more like a piece of decor.

I have mad love for these things; the one in my living room has fully achieved prized-possession status. Yes, there are a few limitations to consider, especially with regard to placement: A TV that's high up on the wall and flush-mounted like framed art might not be optimally positioned for bingeing Severance .

Meanwhile, most TVs have screensavers that can display art and photos, so why pay extra for a "specialty" model? Trust me, it's not the same; you need the thin design, real frame, matte finish and more to elevate this from "meh" to amazing. Find out more below in the FAQ section.

So what's the best art TV for your wall? Samsung now has competition from Amazon, Hisense and TCL; see my reviews of all three below. And LG will soon join in with its Gallery TV ; we'll be testing that one soon. For now, let's look at the top options for giving your wall a museum-style makeover.

The best art TVs for 2026

Other art TVs we've tested

With one exception, these are perhaps better classified as "TVs that can display art," because they don't have physical frames or anti-glare displays — features that really "sell" the painting effect. But they do have art modes, and can therefore be part of the discussion. Plus, the TVs themselves tend to be much more affordable.

Roku Pro Series TV :Roku's Backdrops feature brings boatloads of art to this highly recommended TV (and other Roku devices), all of it free, all of it wrapped in that familiar, pleasant, easy-to-navigate interface. And with the company's optional wall bracket, you can get closer to a Frame-like flush mount than with most TVs. Backdrops is a good start, but Roku needs to add some mat options and pay closer attention to how artwork gets cropped. Read my Roku Pro Series TV review to learn more.

Xgimi Aura 2 :Not a TV — a projector! Xgimi's ultra-short-throw model is the first I've seen that offers an art mode — but it's up to you to supply a physical frame if you want one. And possibly a big one at that: The Aura 2 can produce a Dolby Vision-enhanced 4K image of up to 100 inches, all while parked right next to your wall (instead of from across the room or mounted to the ceiling). But it's expensive, and doesn't even support Netflix . Read my complete Xgimi Aura 2 review to learn more.

FAQs

What makes an "art TV" different from a traditional TV?

We need to address the LCD elephant in the living room: Can't your current TV do the same thing? I mean, we're just talking about an art-themed screensaver, right? Google TVs and Apple and Amazon streaming devices already have apps or modes that can show famous paintings, and Roku went all-in on this as well .

The answer is yes — to a point. It's not so much about the art itself, but rather how it's displayed. These TVs have actual frames that create a "framed art" aesthetic. The TVs reviewed above were all built with wall-mounting in mind, specifically flush-mounting to help create the illusion of something you'd see in a museum.

Furthering that illusion, Amazon, Hisense and TCL all provide magnetic frame pieces that border the screen. (Samsung's frames are optional and cost extra.) Beyond that, these TVs have low-glare, matte-finish displays; when you're viewing them from across the room, paintings look pretty darn real. Some use sensors to save energy (meaning the screen will turn off after a period of time if there's no activity in the room) and reduce brightness levels.

And to further enhance the simulation of paint on canvas, many of these TVs can overlay a virtual mat in different sizes, colors and/or textures. Put all these things together and you get something that pretty closely resembles the real deal — until you fire up Netflix for a new season of Bridgerton , of course. Then it's just a TV.

How hard is it to wall-mount these things?

It varies. The actual mounting isn't too complicated — screw a bracket into some studs, hang the TV from the bracket — but the real thing to consider is cords.

Unless there's an outlet in just the right spot (meaning behind the TV and deeply recessed), you'll have to contend with at least one cord — for power — running down the wall. Not a good look. You could hire an electrician to install an outlet behind the TV, or you could fish that cord — and any others you might need, like HDMI for a cable box or game console — through the wall. (Here's an inexpensive kit to help you with the latter project; it's exactly the one I used.)

Anything else I should know about wall mounting?

Much as I love the art modes on these things, I don't like watching a TV that's mounted too high up on a wall. If you're accustomed to a TV that sits lower, like on a stand, putting one over your fireplace or somewhere else that's "art height" may prove disappointing. What's more, these TVs all mount flush with your wall; they don't have the option of angling the screen toward, say, the couch. So give real thought to where your furniture is and where the TV is going to go.

Can I choose different frames for these TVs?

Depends on the TV. Samsung offers only a handful of choices for The Frame lineup, but you can find third-party sellers on Etsy and elsewhere with lots of larger and more decorative options. Hisense offers a few color choices as well, and TCL, well, it ends with what you get in the box. It's possible the Etsy community will start to support these brands, but at this writing, it hasn't happened yet.

Can I add my own art and photos?

Absolutely, and in fact these TVs can make for great monster-size digital photo frames. However, the process of uploading your own photos can be cumbersome, and in my testing I sometimes wound up with upside-down images — and no way to flip them. Worth noting: Roku's Backdrops feature lets you connect to a Google Photos account, arguably the fastest and easiest way to view personal collections on a TV.

Can I add an "art mode" to my existing TV?

It may already have one! Google-powered TVs offer an "Art gallery" option for the screensaver (though you get little say over what art is actually displayed), and Roku's aforementioned Backdrops feature is available on most Roku TVs and streamers. Just remember that these options aren't nearly as robust as what you get from a proper "art TV," and you'll also miss out on things like a physical frame and anti-glare screen.

Best art TVs specs comparison chart

Update, June 3, 2026: We checked all product prices and availability. We added the Amazon Ember Artline and Samsung Frame Pro 2026; the latter took the place of the 2024-model Frame and claimed the spot as our number-one pick for best art TV.