Best television to buy
Executive summary
The best television to buy in 2026 depends on use case: for most buyers seeking the top picture and feature set, premium OLED and QD‑OLED models lead the field, while mini‑LED and advanced LCDs offer superior brightness for sunlit rooms and better value options exist that punch above their price class [1] [2] [3]. Major reviewers converge on a short list—Sony, Samsung, LG, Hisense and TCL—each excelling in different niches, so choosing the single “best” set requires matching room, content and gaming needs to the strengths of the model families [2] [4] [3].
1. Best overall (picture quality and balance): Sony and Samsung flagships
Expert testing and roundup pieces place Sony and Samsung flagships at the top for overall picture processing, HDR handling and feature parity, with Sony’s BRAVIA series highlighted for its XR backlight mastery and Samsung’s S90F/S95F praised for vivid color and gaming features respectively [2] [1] [5]. What Hi‑Fi and Crutchfield both note Sony’s Mini LED backlight and precise local dimming as a clear advantage for contrast on bright scenes, and Samsung’s top models continue to lead in saturated, punchy images and gaming extras like high refresh modes [5] [2] [1].
2. Best for movie lovers and dark‑room viewing: OLED (LG’s G6 and similar)
OLED remains the go‑to for inky blacks and cinematic contrast, with LG’s G6 repeatedly singled out at CES for being brighter than previous generations and improving anti‑glare—making it one of the best OLED options for home theater viewing [6] [1]. Reviewers caution that OLED’s superiority in dark rooms is tempered by brightness limits in sunny rooms, which is why calibrations and room lighting should guide a purchase [2] [6].
3. Best for gamers: LG C5 / Samsung S90F series and high refresh support
Gaming‑focused reviews elevate LG’s C5 for low input lag and gaming credentials while Samsung’s S90F is recommended for contrast and color that also serve gamers well; both families offer high refresh support and platform features useful to console and PC players [5] [1]. Guides emphasize that modern TVs often add features like 120Hz panels, VRR and low latency modes—priorities for a gaming purchase rather than brand alone [1] [2].
4. Best for bright rooms and large sizes: Mini‑LED and advanced LCDs (Hisense, TCL, Samsung Neo QLED)
When daylight dominates the living room, reviewers point to mini‑LED and advanced QLED/LCD sets for higher peak brightness and color volume; Hisense’s U8QG and the new RGB mini‑LED Hisense 116UX are specifically called out as bright, color‑rich alternatives that deliver strong value versus pricier OLEDs [4] [3]. What Hi‑Fi and T3 stress that QLED/mini‑LED designs usually outperform OLED in ambient light and remain recommended for daytime watchers [5] [7].
5. Best value and budget picks: Hisense U8QG, Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini‑LED and midrange TCL
Wirecutter, T3 and PCMag consistently recommend the Hisense U8QG and Amazon’s Omni Mini‑LED models as best‑in‑class value picks that balance picture quality, smart platforms and price, while TCL’s offerings are noted for delivering big screen performance without premium premiums [4] [7] [3]. Consumer Reports and Business Insider also remind shoppers that last‑year’s flagship models frequently offer near‑top performance at lower prices during seasonal sales [8] [9].
6. Practical buying advice: match size to viewing distance, prioritize panel type by room, and watch seasonal deals
Buying guides uniformly advise selecting a screen size that fits the viewing distance and sightlines, choosing OLED for dark‑room cinema and mini‑LED/QLED for bright living rooms, and shopping major sales—many outlets note good discounts on 2024–2025 models as new 2026 sets roll out [2] [4] [8]. Independent testing sites recommend balancing features against future needs—HDR formats, HDMI ports, smart OS and gaming specs matter—because the “best” TV is the one that fits how the set will actually be used [4] [3].