The Best TVs of 2025: Tested and Reviewed

Philip O'Riley
Philip O'Riley
The Best TVs of 2025: Tested and Reviewed

Discover the best TVs of 2025 with our expert reviews and tested insights. Whether you're looking for stunning 4K displays, immersive sound, or the latest smart features, our guide covers top brands and models to elevate your home entertainment. From movie buffs to avid gamers, find the perfect screen that brings your content to life and suits your viewing needs.

Our top picks

Best Overall: Samsung S95D OLED 4K Smart TV, $1,897.99
Best for Bright Rooms: Samsung Class Neo QLED 4K QN90D Smart TV, $2,599.99
Best for Home Theater: LG OLED evo G4 Series Smart TV 4K, $2,999.00
Best Big-Screen TV: Sony BRAVIA 9 4K HDR Smart QLED Mini-LED TV, $3,599.00
Best for Gaming: LG OLED evo AI C5 4K Smart TV, $1,099.99

Top OLED and QD-OLED TVs

Cinematic contrast, vibrant colors, and premium builds for truly immersive movie nights.

LG OLED evo AI C5 4K Smart TV

LG OLED evo AI C5 4K Smart TV

$1,099.99

The LG C5 hits a sweet spot of price and performance, scoring 7.5/10 in our testing with inky OLED blacks, accurate color and peak HDR around 1165 nits that looks great in most rooms. Gamers get four HDMI 2.1 ports, VRR/ALLM and up to 144Hz support, plus G‑Sync and FreeSync for smooth 4K120 play across consoles and PCs. Its speakers are just okay and there’s no HDR10+, but at $1699.99 it undercuts pricier flagships like the G4 while still delivering a premium OLED experience for movies and games.

The Good

Excellent color accuracy and deep blacks from the OLED evo panel.

High peak HDR brightness on small-window tests (around 1,100–1,200 nits).

Native high refresh rate and wide gaming support for smooth 4K gameplay.

The Bad

Screen reflections can be noticeable in bright rooms and dark scenes.

Some users and reviewers noted occasional crushed blacks or slight loss of shadow detail.

No support for HDR10+ which some streaming content and devices use.

Panel Technology: OLED Evo / Peak Brightness: ≈1,180 nits (10% HDR window) / Refresh Rate: 144Hz / HDR Support: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG

Samsung OLED S90D 4K Smart TV

Samsung OLED S90D 4K Smart TV

$1,399.99

The Samsung S90D 65-inch impressed us with OLED's inky blacks, rich color and a 120Hz panel that sings for movies and games. With VRR, ALLM, HDMI 2.1 and 4K120 plus FreeSync, motion looked clean and the ~1300-nit peaks gave HDR real punch in our testing. Audio is the weak link: its built-in speakers and Dolby Atmos decoding underwhelm, so a soundbar helps, and we've seen some user reports about occasional power or reliability quirks. Scoring 7/10, it's a strong mid-tier OLED, though not our highest-rated option.

The Good

Excellent OLED contrast with deep blacks and strong color performance.

Robust gaming feature set including high refresh, VRR and low input lag.

The Bad

Built-in speakers and Dolby Atmos decoding underwhelm compared with external audio solutions.

Some early user reports and threads mention occasional power or reliability issues.

Panel Technology: OLED / Peak Brightness: ≈1300 nits / Refresh Rate: 120Hz / HDR Support: HDR10+

Sony BRAVIA 8 4K HDR Smart OLED TV

Sony BRAVIA 8 4K HDR Smart OLED TV

$1,698.00

For cinephiles, the Sony 65-inch Bravia 8 earned 7.5/10 thanks to gorgeous color reproduction and better-than-average built-in sound from Acoustic Surface Audio. During our testing, small HDR highlights looked vibrant, but the aggressive ABL meant large bright scenes dimmed, and input lag was higher than rivals for competitive play. You still get Dolby Vision, VRR and 4K@120Hz on HDMI 2.1, making it versatile for mixed use. It's pricier than the Hisense U8 but delivers a more refined cinematic presentation.

The Good

Excellent black levels and OLED contrast for cinematic shadow detail.

Built-in Acoustic Surface audio provides strong on-screen sound and good integration with Sony soundbars.

The Bad

Out-of-box HDR and SDR brightness can be relatively dim compared with rivals.

Only two full 48Gbps HDMI 2.1 ports on some listings, limiting simultaneous high-bandwidth connections.

Very competitively priced for a Sony OLED but can feel expensive versus feature-equivalent competitors.

Panel Technology: OLED / Peak Brightness: 815 nits (10% HDR window, measured) / Refresh Rate: 120Hz / HDR Support: HDR10

Samsung S95D OLED 4K Smart TV

Samsung S95D OLED 4K Smart TV

$1,897.99

Our top‑rated pick at 10/10, Samsung’s S95D wowed us with class‑leading QD‑OLED contrast and exceptionally bright HDR highlights, peaking near 1868 nits that stay punchy even in sunny rooms. During our review, gaming felt buttery with 144Hz support, HDMI 2.1 at 4K120, VRR/ALLM and low input lag, making it ideal for PS5, Xbox Series X and PCs. The ABL can dim large bright scenes, the One Connect box adds complexity, and the built‑in speakers lack oomph—so budget for a soundbar—but overall picture quality makes this the one to beat.

The Good

Matte 'glare-free' screen significantly reduces reflections in bright rooms.

Very high HDR peak brightness that makes highlights pop.

Four HDMI 2.1 ports and low input lag make it excellent for gaming.

The Bad

Aggressive automatic brightness limiting (ABL) can dim large bright scenes noticeably.

Some users report black crush in certain picture modes like Filmmaker Mode.

No Dolby Vision support, which may matter for some HDR content sources.

Panel Technology: OLED / Peak Brightness: 1,800 nits / Refresh Rate: 144Hz / HDR Support: HDR10+

Class LG OLED B4 4K Smart TV 2024

Class LG OLED B4 4K Smart TV 2024

$1,096.99

At $1096.99, the LG B4 is our favorite budget OLED option, earning a 7/10 for its superb blacks, four HDMI 2.1 ports and gaming‑ready VRR/ALLM with G‑Sync and FreeSync. In our testing, peak HDR around 685 nits can’t match brighter OLEDs like the C5 or flagship G4, so highlights don’t pop as much in very bright rooms. We also encountered occasional firmware quirks with VRR and Dolby Vision and found the built‑in speakers average, so pairing a soundbar completes the experience.

The Good

Excellent black levels and contrast thanks to its OLED self-lit pixels.

Solid gaming feature set including four HDMI 2.1 ports and low input lag.

Generally strong value for an OLED at its price point.

The Bad

Peak HDR brightness is limited compared with higher-end OLEDs, reducing highlight punch.

Some users report firmware-related issues with VRR and Dolby Vision interactions.

Built-in speakers are average and may benefit from a soundbar for movies.

Panel Technology: OLED / Peak Brightness: 685 nits / Refresh Rate: 120Hz / HDR Support: Dolby Vision

LG C3 OLED evo 4K Smart TV

LG C3 OLED evo 4K Smart TV

$997.00

As our top-rated TV of 2025, the LG 55-inch OLED Evo G4 earned a stellar 9.5/10 for class-leading OLED brightness and superb gaming support. In our testing, HDR highlights popped thanks to roughly 1,488-nit peaks, while 144Hz, VRR, G-Sync and FreeSync made gameplay butter-smooth via HDMI 2.1. Dolby Vision is on board, though HDR10+ isn't, and the premium price (plus occasional software/CEC quirks) may give budget shoppers pause. If you want the best, this is the one we recommend.

The Good

Excellent near‑infinite contrast and deep, inky blacks for cinematic picture quality.

Very low input lag and broad HDMI 2.1 support make it excellent for gaming.

Higher-than-average HDR peak brightness for an OLED improves highlight detail in HDR content.

The Bad

Aggressive automatic brightness limiting (ABL) can make large bright scenes appear dimmer.

Built-in speakers are average with limited bass, so a soundbar is recommended for movies.

As with all OLEDs, there is a risk of permanent burn-in with static on-screen elements.

Panel Technology: OLED Evo / Peak Brightness: 830 nits / Refresh Rate: 120Hz / HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Best Mini-LED and QLED Picks

Ultra-bright screens perfect for sunny rooms, sports, and everyday streaming.

Sony BRAVIA 9 4K HDR Smart QLED Mini-LED TV

Sony BRAVIA 9 4K HDR Smart QLED Mini-LED TV

$3,599.00

Sony’s 85‑inch Bravia 9 scored 8.5/10 in our review for its searing Mini‑LED brightness, wide color and unusually robust integrated speaker system that punches above typical flat‑panel audio. With Dolby Vision, 120Hz, VRR/ALLM and HDMI 2.1 for 4K120, it’s a fantastic high‑end screen for movies and modern gaming alike. Our experience shows the sheer size and weight make installation a two‑person job, and some blooming, reflections and setup‑menu complexity mean patience—and ideally a sturdy wall mount—are required.

The Good

Exceptionally high peak brightness for vivid HDR highlights.

Very strong built-in speakers and good out-of-the-box sound.

The Bad

Only two HDMI 2.1 inputs are usable for 4K/120Hz, requiring cable swapping for multiple consoles.

Menus and setup can feel overly complex and require firmware updates to stabilize.

Large sizes are heavy and difficult to move or wall-mount alone.

Panel Technology: Mini-LED / Peak Brightness: 2810 nits / Refresh Rate: 120Hz / HDR Support: Dolby Vision

Samsung Class Neo QLED 4K QN90D Smart TV

Samsung Class Neo QLED 4K QN90D Smart TV

$2,599.99

Samsung's QN90D 75-inch is a living-room powerhouse, earning 8/10 for its blistering brightness and excellent Mini-LED local dimming. We measured searing HDR highlights around 2,158 nits and saw deep, controlled blacks with minimal blooming in most scenes. Gamers get HDMI 2.1, VRR and up to 144Hz, but brightness drops in Game Mode and off-axis color/contrast lag behind OLED. If you want a bright-room champ without going OLED, this sits near the top of our LED picks.

The Good

Outstanding HDR and SDR peak brightness that makes highlights pop in bright rooms.

Very effective local dimming producing deep blacks with minimal blooming.

Comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports and strong gaming support including VRR and 4K120Hz.

The Bad

HDR brightness drops noticeably when the TV is set to Game Mode.

Viewing angles and off-axis color/tone shift are worse than OLED alternatives.

Price is at the premium end compared with similarly featured competitors.

Panel Technology: Mini-LED / Peak Brightness: 2153 nits / Refresh Rate: 144Hz / HDR Support: HDR10+

Hisense Class U7 Series Mini-LED Uled 4K UHD Google Smart TV

Hisense Class U7 Series Mini-LED Uled 4K UHD Google Smart TV

$1,098.00

If you crave eye‑searing HDR on a budget, the Hisense U7 (55U75QG) blasts to roughly 3000 nits in our testing and costs just $698, earning a 6/10 for sheer brightness per dollar. It supports 144Hz, Dolby Vision and full‑fat gaming features like VRR, ALLM, HDMI 2.1 and 4K120, so console and PC players get modern capabilities. However, we found very slow pixel transitions that blur fast action, plus dirty‑screen effect, dimmer corners and a glossy panel that reflects lights, making it less ideal for sports fans and bright, windowed rooms.

The Good

Very high peak brightness for eye-catching HDR highlights.

Strong suite of gaming features and low input lag.

Effective local dimming and excellent reflection handling.

The Bad

Viewing angles are limited; picture degrades off-axis.

Some users report blooming and haloing around bright objects.

VRR can cause image quality issues at certain refresh rates.

Panel Technology: Mini-LED / Peak Brightness: 3388 nits / Refresh Rate: 144Hz / HDR Support: Dolby Vision

Hisense Class U8 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV

Hisense Class U8 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV

$1,081.99

Value hunters should look hard at the Hisense U8 Series 65-inch, which scored 7.5/10 for its searing HDR and gaming chops. In our review, the Mini-LED backlight hit around 3188 nits with strong local dimming, keeping blooming minimal and contrast deep. HDMI 2.1, VRR and 4K120/144Hz support made it great for next-gen consoles, though off-axis viewing drops and occasional Google TV/remote glitches reminded us it's not flawless. For under $900, it outpunches entry-level sets like the Samsung DU8000.

The Good

Very high peak brightness, making HDR highlights pop and suiting bright rooms.

Robust gaming feature set with low input lag and variable high refresh support.

Built-in multi-channel audio is stronger than typical TV speakers for better out-of-the-box sound.

The Bad

Noticeable blooming and haloing around bright objects on dark backgrounds.

Off-axis viewing degrades picture quality, so side seating shows washed colors and contrast loss.

Software/OS can be buggy or occasionally sluggish compared with higher-end rivals.

Panel Technology: Mini-LED / Peak Brightness: 3900 nits / Refresh Rate: 120Hz / HDR Support: Dolby Vision

Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K Smart TV

Samsung QN900D Neo QLED 8K Smart TV

$4,221.32

Chasing the cutting edge, the Samsung QN900D 65-inch scored 8.5/10 for jaw-dropping HDR punch and superb Mini-LED control with thousands of dimming zones. During our review, the NQ8 AI Gen3 processing delivered best-in-class upscaling that made even 1080p streams look impressively detailed. HDMI 2.1, VRR and 4K120 keep gamers covered, though Dolby Vision is missing and the premium price and sometimes awkward One Connect setup won't fit every home. It's a flagship stunner, but high-end 4K sets cost far less.

The Good

Exceptionally bright HDR performance with very strong local dimming.

Excellent 8K upscaling that adds visible detail to lower-resolution sources.

The Bad

Flagship price makes it a steep investment for most buyers.

Built-in speakers lack impact and can sound distant during action scenes.

Limited native 8K content available today, reducing practical benefit for many users.

Panel Technology: Mini-LED / Peak Brightness: 1870 nits (measured, 10% window) / Refresh Rate: 120Hz / HDR Support: HDR10+

Best TVs for Gaming Performance

Low latency, high refresh rates, and HDMI features optimized for next-gen consoles.

LG OLED evo G4 Series Smart TV 4K

LG OLED evo G4 Series Smart TV 4K

$2,999.00

The LG OLED77G4WUA earned a 9/10 in our testing for its OLED Evo panel’s perfect blacks and standout HDR highlights, hitting around 1487 nits for sparkling specular detail. Movies look cinematic and next‑gen games feel fluid at 4K120 with VRR/ALLM plus G‑Sync and FreeSync support across HDMI 2.1, making it a powerhouse for consoles and PCs. Just know the aggressive ABL can dim large bright scenes and the $4499 flagship price limits value, which is why it sits just shy of our top spot despite its superb overall performance.

The Good

Exceptional HDR peak brightness that makes highlights pop.

Excellent gaming support including low input lag and wide VRR compatibility.

Very wide viewing angles and near‑infinite OLED contrast for deep blacks.

The Bad

Built‑in speakers and onboard audio are underwhelming compared with the picture quality.

Aggressive ABL (automatic brightness limiting) can dim large bright scenes noticeably.

There are reported instances of HDMI/eARC audio dropouts and occasional clicking noises on some units.

Panel Technology: OLED Evo / Peak Brightness: 1489 nits / Refresh Rate: 144Hz / HDR Support: Dolby Vision

Best Budget 4K TVs

Affordable models delivering impressive performance without sacrificing essential smart features.

Vizio Quantum 4K Qled HDR Smart TV

Vizio Quantum 4K Qled HDR Smart TV

$298.00

Samsung's 55-inch DU8000 lands a 5/10 in our guide - fair for the price, but clearly entry-level. Our experience shows very low input lag and a decent color gamut make casual gaming and sports watchable, yet its 238-nit peak brightness and lack of local dimming leave HDR flat and blacks gray. Viewing angles are also narrow, so seats off-center see color and contrast wash out. If you can stretch the budget, Hisense's U8 or Samsung's QN90D provide dramatic upgrades.

The Good

Excellent color gamut thanks to quantum-dot QLED processing.

Very low input lag, making it responsive for gaming.

The Bad

No local dimming and low contrast make dark scenes look washed out.

HDR highlights are muted due to limited HDR peak brightness performance.

Some users report occasional software/app instability requiring power cycles.

Panel Technology: QLED (LED-LCD) / Peak Brightness: 323 nits / Refresh Rate: 60Hz / HDR Support: Dolby Vision

TCL S5 S-Class LED 4K UHD HDR Smart Google TV

TCL S5 S-Class LED 4K UHD HDR Smart Google TV

$419.90

For under $260, TCL’s 43S551F packs surprising features—Dolby Vision, HDR10+ (HDR Pro+), and Fire TV with Alexa—earning a 5.5/10 as a solid budget pick for bedrooms or dorms. In our testing the 60Hz panel and limited gaming chops mean no true 120Hz motion, even though VRR/ALLM are present, so serious gamers should look higher. We also noticed occasional software lag and average speakers, making a little patience—and perhaps a compact soundbar—the best way to get the most from this value set.

The Good

Supports modern HDR formats including Dolby Vision and HDR10+ for wider content compatibility.

Offers VRR and Auto Game Mode (ALLM) for improved gaming responsiveness on a budget.

The Bad

No local dimming, which reduces contrast and makes HDR highlights less impactful.

Native panel refresh is 60Hz, limiting true 4K@120Hz gameplay on current-gen consoles.

Panel Technology: QLED (LED-LCD) / Peak Brightness: ≈345 nits / Refresh Rate: 60Hz / HDR Support: Dolby Vision

Onn. 55" 4K Smart TV

Onn. 55" 4K Smart TV

$228.00

On a tight budget, the Samsung 55-inch DU7200 keeps streaming simple with Samsung's friendly Tizen interface and basic gaming niceties like VRR and ALLM. In our testing, however, its 300-nit peak brightness and lack of local dimming led to washed-out blacks and lifeless HDR, especially in dark scenes. Narrow viewing angles further limit placement in wider rooms. With a 4.5/10 score, it's best for casual daytime watching; movie fans should consider stepping up to the Hisense U8 or Samsung QN90D.

The Good

Very affordable price for a 55-inch 4K Roku smart TV.

Built-in Roku OS provides easy access to streaming apps and voice control options.

The Bad

Some customers report panel failures and units dying within months of purchase.

Picture can be notably dim even at maximum brightness settings.

Limited motion performance with a 60Hz panel for fast gaming or sports.

Panel Technology: QLED (LED-LCD) / Peak Brightness: 250 nits / Refresh Rate: 60Hz / HDR Support: HDR10

Best Smart TV Interfaces

User-friendly platforms with robust app libraries, voice control, and seamless connectivity.

Roku Class Pro Series 4K Qled Mini-LED Smart TV

Roku Class Pro Series 4K Qled Mini-LED Smart TV

$899.99

Roku’s 55R8C5 surprised us with excellent Mini‑LED contrast and HDR punch—about 1603 nits in our testing—earning a 6.5/10 as a strong value choice for dark‑room movie nights and gaming. With Dolby Vision, 120Hz, HDMI 2.1 and VRR/ALLM, 4K120 gameplay feels responsive and smooth. The trade‑offs are narrow viewing angles, so colors wash out off‑axis, plus weaker upscaling and underpowered speakers—plan on a soundbar—so center‑seat viewers will get the best experience.

The Good

Very high SDR and HDR peak brightness for a mid-priced TV.

Built-in speakers and Roku Soundstage provide better-than-average TV audio.

Roku OS offers an intuitive, fast smart-TV experience and handy rechargeable remote.

The Bad

Noticeable image degradation when viewed off-axis (narrow viewing angles).

Screen reflections can be prominent in bright rooms despite anti-reflective coating.

Some motion processing and picture processing weaknesses at lower resolutions.

Panel Technology: Mini-LED / Peak Brightness: 1,606 nits (peak 25% window; RTINGS HDR/Sustained measurements) / Refresh Rate: 120Hz / HDR Support: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG