The 8 Best Smart TVs of 2026

At a Glance

Category	Product	Why We Picked It
Best overall	Samsung S90H	OLED contrast, Glare Free screen, and up to 165Hz PC gaming
Best value OLED	LG C6 OLED	OLED contrast, Dolby Vision, and up to 165Hz PC gaming
Best budget-friendly	Hisense U6SF Pro	144Hz Mini-LED with reflection control and a built-in subwoofer
Best for gaming	TCL QM9K	High refresh rates and VRR support
Best Roku experience	Roku Pro Series OLED	120Hz OLED with a simple interface and remote finder
Also recommended	Sony Bravia 8 II	Upgraded QD-OLED with exceptional brightness for cinephiles
Also recommended	Amazon Ember Mini-LED	Great Alexa integration at a good price
Also recommended	LG G5 OLED	A brighter, premium OLED for the best picture

How we chose

We evaluated TVs based on real-world performance across different viewing scenarios. Picture quality was assessed in both bright and dark room conditions, with attention to color accuracy, contrast, and motion handling. Smart platforms were compared for ease of use, app selection, and voice control responsiveness. Gaming features like refresh rates and variable refresh rate support were also evaluated. Price-to-performance ratio was a key factor in every recommendation.

The best smart TVs right now

Samsung S90H - Best overall

The Samsung S90H combines OLED contrast with a Glare Free screen and up to 165Hz gaming on a compatible PC. Its NQ4 AI Gen3 processor handles 4K upscaling, making it a versatile choice for streaming, sports, and games.

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Key highlights

OLED display with Glare Free technology
Up to 4K 165Hz with a compatible gaming PC
NQ4 AI Gen3 processor with 4K AI Upscaling Pro
NVIDIA G-SYNC compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
Tizen smart platform with voice control

Pros

Glare Free screen helps reduce distracting reflections
165Hz support for compatible PC games
OLED contrast and AI-assisted upscaling

Cons

165Hz requires a compatible PC and game
No Dolby Vision HDR support

Who it is for: Viewers who want OLED contrast, reflection control, and high-refresh-rate PC gaming.

Skip if

You need Dolby Vision support.

LG C6 OLED - Best value OLED

The LG C6 OLED pairs self-lit OLED pixels with Dolby Vision and the Alpha 11 AI Processor Gen3. It keeps the C-series focus on movies and gaming, with Brightness Booster and up to 165Hz support for compatible PCs.

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Key highlights

OLED display with over 8.3 million self-lit pixels
Alpha 11 AI Processor Gen3 and Brightness Booster
Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and Filmmaker Mode
Up to 165Hz with a compatible PC
webOS smart platform

Pros

Self-lit pixels deliver deep black levels
Dolby Vision and Filmmaker Mode for movies
NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync Premium support

Cons

165Hz requires a compatible PC graphics card
LG account required for network-based smart services

Who it is for: Movie fans who also want high-refresh-rate PC gaming in an OLED TV.

Skip if

You want to use network-based smart services without an LG account.

Hisense U6SF Pro - Best budget-friendly

The Hisense U6SF Pro brings Mini-LED local dimming, a native 144Hz panel, and an anti-reflection screen to a budget-friendly price. The built-in subwoofer and Fire TV platform make it a practical option for everyday streaming and gaming.

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Key highlights

Hi-QLED Mini-LED display with local dimming
Native 144Hz refresh rate
Anti-reflection and Glare-Free screen treatment
Built-in subwoofer
Fire TV with Alexa+ and Dolby Vision IQ support

Pros

144Hz panel for fast-moving games and sports
Screen treatment helps reduce reflections
Built-in subwoofer adds bass
Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive support

Cons

Local dimming controls zones rather than individual pixels
144Hz maximum falls short of 165Hz PC displays

Who it is for: Budget-conscious viewers who want Mini-LED contrast, 144Hz gaming, and Fire TV.

Skip if

You need OLED pixel-level light control or PC refresh rates above 144Hz.

TCL QM9K - Best for gaming

The TCL QM9K combines high brightness with excellent gaming features, making it a top choice for console and PC gamers who want smooth performance without sacrificing picture quality. Its Mini-LED backlight delivers impressive HDR impact, paired with a native 144Hz panel.

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Key highlights

Very bright Mini-LED display with strong HDR impact
High refresh rates with gaming-focused features
Good local dimming for improved contrast
Google TV with broad app support
Useful connectivity for consoles and gaming PCs

Pros

Excellent brightness for HDR content
Smooth gaming performance
Strong color performance for the price
Good smart-platform feature set

Cons

Can be pricier than some similarly sized alternatives
Smart interface may feel sluggish at times
Black levels still trail OLED models

Who it is for: Gamers who want high refresh rates combined with bright, colorful HDR performance.

Skip if

You prioritize perfect black levels over brightness or want the simplest possible smart interface.

Roku Pro Series OLED - Best Roku experience

The Roku Pro Series OLED pairs the simple Roku interface with a 120Hz OLED display and Dolby Vision. Automatic picture adjustment and a backlit voice remote with a finder button keep everyday use straightforward.

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Key highlights

4K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate
Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support
Roku Smart Picture Max automatically adjusts the picture
Backlit voice remote with an on-TV remote finder button
Variable refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium

Pros

OLED pixels provide deep black levels
Simple Roku interface and automatic picture adjustment
Practical remote finder and backlit buttons
120Hz panel with VRR for gaming

Cons

Limited to 120Hz rather than 144Hz or 165Hz
Available only in 55-inch and 65-inch sizes

Who it is for: Viewers who want the Roku interface with OLED picture quality and straightforward gaming support.

Skip if

You need a screen larger than 65 inches or PC gaming above 120Hz.

Also Good

Sony Bravia 8 II - stunning QD-OLED upgrade with Dolby Vision for dedicated home theater viewers.
Amazon Ember Mini-LED - great Alexa integration at a good price.
LG G5 OLED - a brighter, premium OLED for the best picture.

How to Choose

Picture technology matters most

OLED delivers perfect blacks but can struggle in bright rooms, while QLED and Mini-LED offer more brightness at the expense of some contrast.

Smart platform preferences vary

Roku and Google TV prioritize simplicity, while webOS and Tizen add deeper feature sets.

Gaming features help long-term value

HDMI 2.1, VRR, and 120Hz support are worth prioritizing if you use modern consoles or gaming PCs.

Choose size for your space

A 55-inch model fits most rooms, while 65-inch and larger sets deliver a more cinematic experience.

Check HDR format support

Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support can affect how your favorite streaming apps look on different TVs.

FAQ

What's the difference between OLED and QLED?

OLED pixels produce their own light, allowing perfect blacks and infinite contrast. QLED uses a backlight with quantum dots for color enhancement, offering higher brightness but less perfect blacks.

Do I need HDMI 2.1?

HDMI 2.1 supports higher bandwidth for 4K at 120Hz, variable refresh rate, and other gaming features. If you use a PS5, Xbox Series X, or gaming PC, it's worth having at least one HDMI 2.1 port.

How important is the smart TV platform?

The platform determines which apps are available and how easy they are to use. Most major streaming services work on all platforms, but some have exclusive features or better integration with specific ecosystems.

What size TV should I get for my room?

A general guideline is to sit 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal screen size away from the TV. For a 65-inch TV, that's 8 to 13 feet. Consider both your seating distance and room layout.

Are more expensive TVs worth it?

Higher-priced TVs offer better picture quality, more features, and often better build quality. However, mid-range models provide excellent value, and budget options have improved significantly in recent years.

Published February 23, 2026 Last updated September 5, 2026