The 8 Best Smart TVs of 2026

At a Glance

Category	Product	Why We Picked It
Best overall	Samsung S90F	bright QD-OLED with great gaming features
Best value OLED	LG Evo C5	excellent picture quality at a reasonable price
Best budget-friendly	Hisense U65QF	solid performance under $600
Best for gaming	TCL QM9K	high refresh rates and VRR support
Best Roku experience	Roku Pro Series	simple interface with remote finder
Also recommended	Sony Bravia 8	top-tier picture for movie buffs
Also recommended	Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED	great alexa integration at a good price
Also recommended	LG Evo G5 OLED	a brighter, premium oled for the best picture

How we chose and tested

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

The best smart TVs right now

Samsung S90F - Best overall

The Samsung S90F strikes the perfect balance between premium performance and reasonable pricing, delivering bright, colorful images that work well in any lighting condition. Its QD-OLED technology combines the deep blacks of OLED with the brightness of quantum dots for a picture that outshines most competitors in its price range.

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Key highlights

QD-OLED panel with excellent brightness and contrast
144Hz refresh rate on PC and 120Hz support for consoles
Comprehensive smart platform with voice control
Multiple size options from 42 to 83 inches
Strong gaming features including VRR support

Pros

Excellent brightness for an OLED picture
Excellent color volume and accuracy
Smooth gaming performance
Multiple HDMI 2.1 ports

Cons

Lacks Dolby Vision HDR support
Higher price than some alternatives
Smart platform can feel cluttered

Who it is for: Viewers who want premium picture quality without paying flagship prices, especially those who watch in bright rooms or prioritize gaming features.

Skip if

You need Dolby Vision support or prefer a simpler smart TV interface.

LG Evo C5 OLED - Best value OLED

The LG Evo C5 delivers the OLED experience that made the technology famous, with perfect blacks and infinite contrast at a price that makes sense for most buyers. While not as bright as Samsung's QD-OLED models, it offers better value and includes Dolby Vision support that serious movie watchers will appreciate.

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Key highlights

LG Display OLED panel with perfect blacks
Dolby Vision and HDR10 support (but not HDR10+)
webOS smart platform with voice control
Four HDMI 2.1 ports with full gaming features
Brightness improvements over previous models

Pros

Excellent black levels and contrast
Comprehensive HDR format support
Good gaming features with 120Hz support
Reliable webOS interface

Cons

Not as bright as QD-OLED competitors
Some light bloom in certain scenes
Higher price than LED alternatives

Who it is for: Movie enthusiasts who value perfect blacks and comprehensive HDR support, especially in darker viewing environments.

Skip if

You watch primarily in very bright rooms or need maximum brightness for HDR impact.

Hisense U65QF - Best budget-friendly

The Hisense U65QF proves you don't need to spend a fortune to get good picture quality, offering bright, colorful images and solid gaming features at a price that's hard to beat. While it doesn't match the contrast of OLED models, it delivers impressive performance for the money.

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Key highlights

Bright, colorful Mini-LED picture
144Hz refresh rate with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
Apple AirPlay and Google Cast support
Multiple size options at affordable prices
Good smart platform with voice control

Pros

Excellent value for money
Bright picture works well in any room
Good gaming features for the price
Comprehensive streaming app support

Cons

Some blooming in difficult dark scenes
No hands-free voice control
Black levels are not as deep as OLED

Who it is for: Budget-conscious buyers who want good picture quality and gaming features without breaking the bank.

Skip if

You demand perfect black levels or watch primarily in completely dark rooms.

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 while supporting high refresh rates across all HDMI ports.

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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 - Best Roku experience

The Roku Pro Series delivers the platform's trademark simplicity with better-than-basic picture quality and useful quality-of-life features. It's a strong pick for people who value ease of use over spec chasing.

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Key highlights

Clean, easy-to-navigate Roku TV interface
Remote finder feature for misplaced remotes
Solid picture quality for mainstream viewing
Wide app support across major streaming services
Fast setup and straightforward day-to-day use

Pros

Very easy interface for all household members
Remote finder is genuinely practical
Good streaming app coverage
Simple setup and reliable everyday usability

Cons

Not as bright as top-tier Mini-LED and OLED rivals
Limited gaming features for enthusiasts
Fewer advanced picture controls

Who it is for: Viewers who prioritize simplicity and ease of use over maximum picture quality or gaming features.

Skip if

You need advanced gaming features or watch primarily in very bright rooms.

Also Good

Sony Bravia 8 - top-tier picture for movie buffs.
Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED - great alexa integration at a good price.
LG Evo 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.