CNN Underscored’s overall best premium pick, and for good reason: accurate, vivid picture across movies, shows, and games, with genuinely solid built-in sound for a TV this thin. Four HDMI 2.1 ports and 144Hz support make it just as at home connected to a console as it is streaming a Friday night movie.

A top-ranked QD-OLED at RTINGS, built on quantum-dot technology that pushes color volume beyond what standard WOLED panels can match. QD-OLED sets closed the brightness gap with newer OLED tech this year, so you get the deep, perfect blacks OLED is known for without sacrificing punch in a sunlit living room.

Sony’s brightest 4K TV yet, built around a dense Mini-LED backlight and the brand’s XR Backlight Master Drive for precise zone-by-zone light control. The XR Contrast Booster balances output across the whole panel, so bright scenes stay punchy without blowing out shadow detail nearby.

Samsung’s Neo QLED line pairs Mini-LEDs roughly 40 times smaller than conventional LEDs with the newest NQ4 AI Gen3 processor for precise local dimming and punchy contrast. Quantum dot technology delivers full color at full brightness, and 4K AI Upscaling Pro helps older, lower-res content look sharper than it has any right to.

RTINGS’ top overall pick this year, and the proof that you don’t need a premium-brand badge to get a genuinely great picture. Strong local dimming, solid brightness, and wide-enough viewing angles for a full couch of people to enjoy movie night without the edges of the screen looking washed out.

TCL’s flagship Mini-LED line consistently punches above its price at RTINGS, with dense local-dimming zones that hold their own against sets costing hundreds more. It’s the pick for anyone chasing near-flagship contrast and brightness without paying the flagship-brand premium.

CNN Underscored’s gaming standout, with strong color performance and some of the best built-in speakers of any TV in their test pool. It packs deep genre presets, flexible picture modes, and fluid performance across titles — the trade-offs are a reflective screen and the usual Google TV quirks.

CNN Underscored’s best-in-test for $500 or less, with brighter, more accurate color than most sets in its price range plus Alexa built right in. It won’t out-contrast an OLED, but for a first apartment, guest room, or kids’ room, it’s a lot of reliable 4K picture for very little money.

The entry point into true OLED black levels without the flagship price tag. AI-enhanced upscaling helps older streaming content look sharper, and Dolby Atmos support means dialogue stays clear even before you add a soundbar. It’s the pick for anyone who wants OLED’s picture quality as a first priority.

LG’s gallery-series flagship, engineered with a slimmer, flush-mount design meant to sit nearly flat against the wall like a piece of art. It carries LG’s brightest OLED panel tech for a richer, more accurate picture than the standard C-series — the design upgrade is the whole point here.