These 4K TVs Make Your Shows, Movies, and Games Look Incredible
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Editor's Note: July 23, 2026:We've updated this guide with new recommendations from the past few months of testing, adding picks like the TCL QM8L and the Samsung S95H. In some cases, like our top pick, we've noted that we've tested a newer model, but still recommend the 2025 version because it is still available and highly affordable, while offering only slightly reduced performance.
There's more reason than ever to hold your TV to a higher standard. More and more streaming content is available in 4K UHD resolution, which has four times as many pixels as standard Full HD (1080p). Video games, including PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch 2 , support higher refresh rates that only TVs from the past few years support.
4K TVs are the standard, and have been for some time. Technically, 8K TVs are available, but there's no indication that anyone is making content to take advantage of them anytime soon.
While tech prices are abnormally high in 2026, the tech is still improving rapidly. And since most of us buy TV every five to 10 years, even last year's models will offer a huge upgrade, and are generally much more reasonably priced. There are new TVs out there for person, at every price point.
The Best 4K TVs
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Best Overall: LG C5 OLED 4K TV
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Best Mini-LED: TCL QM8L SQD Mini-LED 4K TV
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Best Under $1,000: Hisense U8 Mini-LED 4K TV
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Best Premium: Samsung S95H OLED 4K TV
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Best XXL: TCL X11L SQD Mini-LED 4K TV
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Best Amazon Fire TV: Amazon Ember Mini-LED Series 4K TV
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Best Roku TV: Roku Pro Series 4K TV
How We Selected
For this comprehensive guide, I handpicked the 4K TVs based on his testing and included options at various price points from current leading manufacturers: LG, Samsung, Hisense, and TCL. The selection process involved parsing through hardware specs, attending live demo sessions, and consulting with other industry experts.
In a previous version of this guide, contributor Stewart Wolpin wrote our guidelines for selecting a 4K TV. His experience spans more than four decades in consumer electronics.
Unless indicated otherwise, I usually test the 65-inch version of each TV, since I believe that usually represents the best balance between price and fidelity for the primary home entertainment center in your living room. Most sets are also available in smaller, less expensive versions. And many are available in even XXL formats, 75 inches and higher, for households with larger spaces and bigger budgets.
A note on these picks: Even though we're well into 2026, we still primarily recommend TVs that launched in 2025, even when a newer version is available. From what my colleagues and I have seen so far, I believe that last year's models represent the best possible value right now. In time, as last year's models sell out, the value proposition will change. But trust me when I say that these TVs provide the best value, and will make your shows, movies, and games look great for years to come.
1) LG C5 OLED 4K TV
The LG C5 remains our top TV recommendation for most consumers this year, despite the fact that the brand has released a successor model, the LG C6 . The 2025 mid-range OLED is impressively slim and elegant, capable of delivering a stunning picture with infinite contrast and vibrant colors, and equipped with an intuitive platform. And while the C6 offers some interesting improvements, especially in its largest sizes, the tech upgrades do not bridge the gap in price. The C5 remains the practical option, so long as it's still available.
With millions of individually backlit pixels, the OLED display of the C5 is a rock-solid contender for the best in its price range. The panel's flawless black reproduction delivers perfect contrast and vivid colors, making any content—from a newscast to a blockbuster movie to an AAA video game—look its best.
Speaking of gaming, the C5 is among the best on the market. In addition to being a wonderful companion for the latest gaming consoles, the TV can also double as a top-tier gaming monitor, courtesy of AMD FreeSync Premium and Nvidia G-Sync support. Unlike many of its rivals, it can also deliver high-powered gameplay via an Nvidia GeForce Now subscription.
As with previous years, the C5 also gets extra credit for its wide size range. Depending on your needs and budget, you can opt for a compact 42-inch , a private movie theater-worthy 83-inch model , or one of several additional sizes sitting in between.
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- Fantastic picture quality
- Excellent gaming performance
- Feature-rich platform
- Available in many screen sizes
- Not the best at handling light reflections
2) TCL QM8L Series SQD Mini-LED 4K TV
With a price cut shortly after launch, the TCL QM8L is our top pick among 4K mini-LED TVs. It looks incredibly sleek sans top and side bezels and has the picture quality to match. I've tested it and can confirm that, while OLED is still considered the superior display technology, especially in darker spaces, the QM8L gives it a run for its money.
With thousands of local dimming zones and an upgraded AI-powered processor to control them, the QM8L's super quantum-dot mini-LED screen delivers a captivating picture with rich colors and deep contrast. The TV's picture quality is not far from that of a top-tier OLED TV. Its higher peak brightness and lower cost sufficiently make up for its lack of individually backlit pixels.
In a head-to-head comparison with the LG C5 OLED TV, the TCL QM8L stands out by offering considerably higher peak brightness and broader HDR support at a similar or lower cost depending on the screen size. The former makes the TCL product better suited for use when a light source faces the TV. In contrast, the QM8L's Bang & Olufsen-tuned audio setup with a pair of subwoofers makes a compelling case for not spending extra on a soundbar. The LG C5 offers much wider viewing angles, superior gaming features and performance, and more screen sizes, but it can't match the TCL product in big-screen options and bang-for-the-buck.
Consider the TCL QM7L 4K TV if you are looking for a mini-LED 4K TV with SQD color proficiency on a tighter budget. As its model number suggests, the QM7L trades lower peak brightness and fewer local dimming zones for a much lower price.
TCL QM8L 4K SQD Mini-LED TV Review
TCL QM7L 4K SQD Mini-LED TV Review
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- Excellent picture quality
- Plenty of wired and wireless connectivity features
- Good sound out of the box
- Not great at handling direct light reflections
3) Hisense U8 Mini-LED 4K TV
The 2025 Hisense U8 is still one of the brightest, most feature-packed, and best-sounding LED TVs I've tested, thanks to a quantum-dot-enhanced mini-LED screen. It is more generously (and frequently) discounted than competitive sets, which makes the upgrade even sweeter.
Featuring a 165Hz refresh rate with variable refresh rate (VRR) and low latency for high-level gaming, the U8 supports all versions of HDR to improve the look of broadcast and cable TV programming. The display panel, in addition to its staggeringly high peak brightness, features a dedicated filter to reduce glare and reflections, resulting in a top-tier viewing experience in bright spaces.
Feature-wise, the U8 offers top-notch sound for its form factor, a robust set of up-to-date connectivity features, and an intuitive platform. It is available in multiple sizes, too. We also like that the TV has a two-year warranty, which is longer than its direct rivals'.
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- Bright and vibrant mini-LED screen
- 165Hz screen refresh rate is great for gaming
- Class-leading warranty
- Below average off-angle viewing
4) TCL QM6K Series 4K TV
TCL's QM6K is my favorite 4K TV on a budget. Spending less than $600 before additional deals and discounts gets you a TV with a sleek design, superb picture quality, a feature-packed platform, and an abundant set of connectivity options. With a high-performance game mode and support for variable refresh rate, the TV is also a top-notch gaming console display.
The overall picture quality and color rendering of the TCL QM6K are superb for a TV at such an agreeable price point. Its quantum-dot mini-LED display panel with hundreds of local dimming zones produces punchy colors and dramatic contrast that defy its price category. I can't think of a better 4K TV for the money.
On the audio front, the TV is as impressive as it is in terms of picture quality. Its speaker system, tuned by Onkyo, has a built-in subwoofer, allowing it to deliver immersive sound with surprisingly powerful bass.
TCL offers the QM6K in several screen sizes, with the 98-inch model as the largest. The biggest screen size costs a little over $2,000, which is quite a bargain for the full-blown private movie theater experience it provides. The 85-inch version at a tad above $1,000 is also a great value for money.
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- Fantastic picture quality for the price
- Top-tier gaming performance
- Available in many screen sizes
- No WiFi 6 connectivity
5) Samsung S95H 4K OLED TV
The Samsung S95H is the 4K TV to get if you want stunning design and picture quality to match. The TV's metal frame gives it a unique presence, especially when wall-mounted, and makes any rival look generic in comparison. Its super-bright QD-OLED display predictably produces vibrant colors and deep contrast. In addition, a highly sophisticated onboard processor with access to AI neural networks ensures lower-resolution content looks sharper and better than ever.
Most importantly, the Samsung S95H can effortlessly deliver this viewing experience from any angle, even in bright spaces. The TV's screen has a glare-free finish, which makes it practically impervious to light reflections. This means that its picture quality will remain superb even if it's facing a lamp, a window, or another light source. This quality alone makes the TV worth every penny.
In keeping with its price category, the Samsung S95H is also a bona fide gaming powerhouse, capable of delivering exceptional visuals when connected to a gaming console or a high-powered computer. Samsung's Tizen platform also supports cloud gaming, so all you need is a wireless controller and a monthly subscription to enjoy AAA titles.
We like that the TV's intuitive remote has a rechargeable battery that can be charged via a light source or a USB-C port, ensuring you never have to swap batteries. Its multi-speaker Dolby Atmos audio system, on the other hand, defies its form factor.
Samsung S95H 4K OLED TV Review
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- Fantastic picture quality regardless of the lighting
- Incredibly elegant design with a metal frame
- Great for any type of gaming
- Sleek solar remote
- No Dolby Vision
6) TCL X11L SQD-Mini LED 4K TV (85-inch)
The TCL X11L is the absolute best big-screen TV available today, featuring an elegant design, outstanding picture quality, and immersive sound tuned by Bang & Olufsen. We often think of TCL as the bang for your buck, but this set shows that the brand can also make something out of this world for folks who want to spend a lot for the best possible picture.
The secret is the X11L's first-of-its-kind SQD Mini-LED display—that's "Super Quantum Dot"—which blends the brightness-enhancing quantum dot technology and Mini-LED dimming zones, which enhance high-dynamic range. At $7,000, it's hard to imagine not insisting on an OLED TV, but color accuracy and contrast are both top-notch. The picture quality is comparable, and it offers tremendous, but controlled brightness that doesn't create blooming in bright scenes. Frankly, I'd take the TV over any OLED on the market today.
TCL X11L 4K SQD Mini-LED TV Review
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- Incredible picture quality
- Powerful and easily customizable sound
- Elegant design and top-tier build quality
- Sleek remote
- Only available in large screen sizes
7) Amazon Ember Mini-LED Series 4K TV
The Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series is unsurprisingly the best for most consumers who prefer the tech giant's own smart TV platform with deep Alexa integration. Amazon's powerful virtual assistant is available via a button on the TV's bundled remote or through direct voice commands.
Conveniently, the smart TV can also display feeds from compatible security cameras and smart doorbells. It can also double as a large smart display, showcasing artworks or providing convenient information like a calendar, weather, and connected home controls.
Like all mni-LED TVs, the Amazon Fire TV Omni delivers excellent picture quality with intense colors and deep contrast. However, it's important to note that the product can't match the similarly priced Hisense U8 Series in peak brightness and maximum refresh rate. I'd choose the Amazon product over its direct Hisense competitor if the Fire TV platform and seamless Alexa integration are top priorities.
A considerably more affordable Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED series is also available if you are shopping on a lower budget. On the other hand, the Panasonic S95B Series OLED TV with Amazon Fire TV is one of the best in its class. I've tested it and can confirm it is worth splurging on.
- Top-notch picture quality
- Outstanding Amazon Alexa integration
- Solid gaming performance
- You can get higher peak brightness for the money
8) Roku Pro Series 4K TV
If you are a longtime user of Roku's easy-to-use smart TV platform, the Pro Series TV from the same maker deserves a spot on your shortlist of upgrade options. In addition to providing a super intuitive user interface and bundled remote, the TV delivers excellent picture quality, top-notch sound for a product in its price category, a rich set of connectivity features, and an elegant design with a nifty cable management setup. The TV is also easy to integrate into any smart home platform.
The quantum-dot mini-LED display panel with local dimming of the Roku Pro Series delivers excellent picture quality with vibrant colors and stellar contrast. The TV is one of the best in its price range in this critical department, though it's important to note that similarly priced TCL and Hisense models are a step ahead in brightness and gaming-focused features.
Roku's signature remote for the Pro Series TV impressed me with backlit buttons and a convenient USB-C charging port. I also liked the gadget's integrated finder, which allowed me to track it down by pressing a button on the TV or via the Roku app.
You can order the Roku Pro Series TV in three screen sizes. A lower-priced Roku Plus Series TV is also available, but I recommend the Pro for its higher screen refresh rate and superior contrast.
- Excellent picture quality
- Elegant design
- Intuitive platform and remote
- Rivals' screens offer higher refresh rate
What to Consider
Though they all look like black slabs on the wall, the quality of the images produced by 4K TVs can vary dramatically from model to model. Many also have distinctive features that make them better for specific applications—like a high refresh rate for gaming. And, of course, all that impacts how much they cost. Here are the most important things to keep in mind while shopping:
Size
There is all manner of exotic formulae for determining the exact distance you should sit from a large screen TV—X-times the screen height, X-times the screen's diagonal size—but there isn't a right or wrong answer. The best rule of thumb is if the screen fills your frame of vision from where you're sitting, and you don't have to turn your head to see one side of the screen or the other, you're fine. (Note: Sitting too close to a 4K TV won't ruin your eyes despite what your mother may have told you.)
What size TV you choose, however, may be predetermined by your room geography and/or furnishings, such as the interior of an existing TV cabinet, or dictated by a spouse's objections to a larger-size set. If you plan to buy a new TV larger than your current set, measure the width, height, and depth of your home's TV space, and then check the actual width and height of the TV with stand, not the diagonal screen size. A flat panel 65-inch screen 4K TV usually measures less than 60 inches wide, less than 36 inches tall, and about 15 inches deep with the stand.
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TV Stand/Mount
Some TVs come with center stands, while many larger models have feet at either end of the set, which may be too widely spaced apart for your TV stand. Check the width of your TV tabletop and the space between the feet of your prospective TV purchase to make sure its feet will fit.
Planning to hang your TV on a wall? All TVs adhere to a version of the VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) wall mounting standard, which includes variations such as VESA MIS-D, MIS-E, and MIS-F, which mainly address a TV's rear mounting hole spacing, the supportable weight, and the size of a TV.
Virtually any VESA wall mounting kit can be used with virtually any wall-mountable TV, but double-check a TV's specifications just to be sure of any potential VESA variation.
Picture Quality
A 4K TV's display is composed of 3840 x 2160 pixels, but that's only the resolution of your screen. There is a dizzying array of screen technologies that create different levels of stunning 4K images. These technologies include:
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LCD-LED (light emitting diodes):This is the most common and least expensive TV screen technology, comprising a liquid crystal display panel backlit by an array of tiny but bright LEDs, often grouped into area-specific "local dimming zones." The more backlighting LEDs, the brighter the picture, and the higher the number of local dimming zones, the deeper the contrast and truer the colors.
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OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes):Each pixel of an OLED TV creates and illuminates its colors and light—no extra backlighting necessary. Since each pixel is self-illuminating, OLED TVs produce the most precise and deepest colors, the highest contrast for the clearest details in dark scenes, and the widest viewing angle of any TV technology—all of which is why OLEDs are the highest-priced 4K TVs available. OLED sets, however, are not as bright as LCD-LED or mini-LED sets, and OLED TVs look their best in more dimly lit rooms.
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Mini-LED:Just as their name implies, mini-LED backlights are 40 times smaller than standard backlighting LCD-LEDs. As a result, manufacturers can pack more mini-LED backlights behind the LCD panel, which translates to more precise lighting for brighter, more precise colors and higher contrast for better detail in dark scenes. Mini-LED sets approach—but don't quite reach—OLED picture quality level, but mini-LED screens are far brighter.
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QLED (Quantum dot Light Emitting Diodes):Quantum dot technology is a special screen coating made up of phosphorescent nanocrystals that boost both the color and the brightness of an LCD-LED, mini-LED, or even an OLED screen image.
Display Speed
The speed at which a TV screen produces an image is measured by its refresh rate, expressed in hertz, or Hz. This equates to frames flashed per second; by comparison, movie film is projected at 24 frames per second. Normal TVs refresh at 60 Hz, or 60 frames a second.
If you're a heavy gamer, you want a display that more accurately reflects the eye-blinking speed of the animated action, which means you'll want a TV with a refresh rate of at least 120 Hz or even 144 Hz, and a set equipped with VRR (variable refresh rate), which automatically adjusts the refresh rate depending on the content being displayed.
Another screen technology gamers want is low latency, or input lag, which is how quickly the display responds when you push a button on your control pad or joystick. Many higher-end TVs include an Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) that automatically switches your TV to a faster, more responsive mode, measured in milliseconds (ms).
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