These 2 TV Brands Won Over CNET Editors and Readers

It's not every day that you upgrade your TV , so the one you choose has to have all the right features for your daily use. That means top-of-the-line picture quality, a smart TV interface and quality sound. Getting every feature right can be tricky when choosing from different sizes, display panels and brands. 

Which TV brand is worth buying these days, anyway? CNET readers recently shared how they feel about their TVs in our People's Picks survey , which is CNET's survey-powered awards program. And one TV brand stood out to readers above all the others. 

TV's star of the show 

If you're in the market for a new TV, you've probably seen a few LG TVs , but are they actually good? 

Over half of CNET readers with LG TVs said yes — 66.7% of LG owners gave LG a 5 out of 5 rating and would recommend it to a friend, while 21% gave it 4 out of 5. When it comes to specifications that make or break your viewing experience, most (71%) LG TV owners said LG has flawless, fast-moving content (71%) and picture quality (63.4%). 

The big takeaway is that LG owners are highly satisfied with their TVs. The brand earned the highest satisfaction rating. Even in areas where it's not perfect, it doesn't fall too short. 

For example, only 40% of LG TV owners said their TV's smart interface is fast, clean and easy to use, compared to over half (59%) of Roku TV owners who said the same. Some LG users said the interface was good but has too many sponsored ads and recommendations. LG also falls short in sound quality. Most respondents (50.1%) said it's adequate for casual watching but nothing special. Hisense earned higher marks for sound quality, with clear dialogue and decent bass. 

Most (82.4%) LG TV owners have OLED or QD-OLED models. To double-down on readers' perspectives, LG is a favorite among CNET editors, too. The OLED G5 won a Lab Award for its color accuracy in 2025 and offers outstanding image quality, with 40% higher brightness than earlier models, according to LG. 

Another option that stands out 

Samsung didn't win any awards from CNET's People's Picks , but it cuts close in several categories. 

Over half of respondents (51.8%) said their Samsung TV's gaming performance was flawless, very responsive and has great gaming menus. And 55% of Samsung TV owners said their TVs handle fast-moving content well, which is a plus for sports fans. Half (50.1%) of Samsung TV owners rated the brand 5 out of 5 and would recommend it to a friend, while 31.1% rated it 4 out of 5. 

However, it falls short in a few categories, including sound quality, and owners have mixed feelings about its smart interface, too. Less than half (47.3%) of readers with Samsung TVs said their picture quality was excellent during the day and when watching dark scenes. However, most Samsung TV owners said it reproduces color very well. 

Samsung users are split on certain specifications; some features may still be a selling point if you're considering a Samsung TV. Nearly half (45%) of Samsung TV owners have OLED or QD-OLED models. Oddly enough, CNET's top-recommended TVs are Samsung models, such as the OLED S90F , which editors say is fairly affordable and delivers excellent image quality. The OLED S95F is loved for its picture quality, glare reduction in a bright room and superior contrast. 

If you're deciding whether to buy a Samsung TV, keep in mind that Samsung's mainstream LED TVs don't offer the same value as its OLED TVs, and that their picture quality lags behind competitors'. For instance, budget-friendly TVs , such as the U8000F, don't have local contrast-enhancing dimming, where competitors such as the Hisense QD7 do, says CNET's TV expert Ty Pendlebury. The Frame TVs are an exception because they have great features with good image quality. 

Which TV brand do experts recommend?

What's interesting is that CNET's recommendations align with the TVs readers own, and they're satisfied with their decision. 

So which one should you pick? 

Pendlebury says that if you want an OLED TV, stick with Samsung or LG. The big decision boils down to whichever is the cheapest, depending on your budget and the size you want. There may be minuscule differences that depend on your preference. 

"For instance, choosing between LG's C5 and Samsung's S90F may be a close call. But CNET editors recommend Samsung's OLED for its fast motion and image quality," Pendlebury says. However, if you're deciding between an LCD and LED TV, Pendlebury would choose between a Hisense or TCL TV because they have improved technology at a better value.

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