Finding the best 4K TV is only as good as the research you do on the front end. So, we researched the best TVs on the market today and did all the research for you. If you’re new to this resolution and are thinking, “What is a 4K TV?”, make sure you familiarize yourself with the concept. We watched movies, played video games, and explored smart TV features on each of these products to get a good idea of how they all shaped up to our expectations. During our research, we researched things like screen quality, color uniformity, black levels, and performance under high-stress situations like playing games or streaming 4K content via Netflix and Hulu.
Product
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True Score
|
Price | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
| 93 | $1,249.00 $2,200 SAVE $951 | |
| 2 |  |
| 93 | $1,046.99 $1,300 SAVE $253 | |
| 3 |  | 92 | |||
| 4 |  |
| 92 | $2,398.00 | |
| 5 |  |
| 91 | $2,479.00 $3,300 SAVE $821 | |
| 6 |  |
| 91 | $1,497.99 $1,898 SAVE $400 | |
| 7 |  |
| 91 | $1,999.99 |
Top 4K TVs
- Read Full Review → : LG G2 OLED TVLG
LG G2 OLED TV
Best for OLED
Considering its fast response time, wide viewing angles, and excellent brightness and black levels, the LG G2 OLED TV is worth the premium price for movies and gaming. However, mediocre upscaling performance, aggressive ABL, and purple tints from bright reflections can be a nuisance.
True Score
939512Experts
NR0Customers
Cosmic Wonder
SAVE $951$2,199.99$1,249.00Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Outstanding picture quality
It is ideal for movie watching and gaming in dark settings due to its best-in-class and movie-night-worthy black levels. Additionally, its wide color gamut (with 98.58% coverage on the DCI P3 xy color space) ensures lifelike images and subtle shades, although some colors may appear slightly muted.
- Good brightness and outstanding contrast ratio
Daytime movie viewing is satisfactory with its moderate peak brightness of 590.54 nits, which is higher than 45% of our tested TVs. The TV achieves precise distinction between black and white tones due to its inf:1 contrast ratio (which is among the best tested), resulting in vibrant and detailed picture quality.
- Fast refresh rate and VRR support
You can experience ultra-smooth visuals during the most action-packed moments, courtesy of the impressive 120 Hz refresh rate. Plus, you won’t have to deal with unsightly screen tearing since it is compatible with VRR.
- Quick response time and low input lag
For avid gamers in pursuit of a sharper, more immersive experience, the 2.3 ms response time and tested low input lag (5.3 ms at 1080p) are particularly enticing. Moreover, the input lag is among the best out of all our certified tested TVs.
- Wide viewing angles
Family movie nights will be great due to its excellent off-center viewing, with colors washing out at 68°.
Reasons to Avoid
- Extra strong ABL
Noticeable brightness fluctuations caused by the automatic brightness limiter (ABL) in well-lit rooms can be off-putting while watching your favorite content.
- Visible purple hue
Even with the TV’s anti-reflective coating, strong light sources appear as purple tints, affecting color accuracy.
- Dissatisfactory upscaling performance
Screening older videos may not offer the visual appeal you seek since the TV‘s processor falls short in converting old 480p content into vivid 4K.
Specifications
Backlight Type Full-Array Display Type OLED HDMI Inputs 4 HDR Format Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG HomeKit Compatible Yes LED Panel Type OLED Max Resolution 3840 x 2160 Refresh Rate 120 Hz Screen size 55", 65", 77", 83" Smart Platform webOS Sync Technology AMD FreeSync, G-Sync VRR Yes All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 99.24 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 72.98 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 72.98 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) 78.2 Color Gamut % (sRGB) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 709) 131.75 Color Gamut % (BT.2020) No Data Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) No Data Brightness (nits) 405.885 HDR Brightness (nits) 915.3333333 Input Lag (ms) 11.61 Response Time (ms) 2.3 Viewing Angle (Degrees) No Data Color Washout (Degrees) 68 Color Shift (Degrees) 25 Brightness Loss (Degrees) 68 Reflections (%) 1.4 Low-Freq Extension (Hz) 75.51 Freq Response StdDev @ 70db 4.65 Freq Response StdDev @ 80db 4.37 Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db 0.648 All Specs
All Retailers
$1,249.00$2,200Save $951Availability
Not availableFree Shipping
No
$1,676.99Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No
Our Verdict
Although the LG G2 OLED TV’s ABL causes brightness fluctuations, its peak brightness (590.54 nits) is excellent for lit rooms.
All four HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1, which is perfect for connecting consoles, and the TV has movie-night-worthy black levels. However, despite the anti-reflective coating, bright lights appear as slightly purple tints.
The tested 2.3 ms response time and 120 Hz refresh rate breathe life into fast-paced gaming, while VRR prevents screen tearing. With an inf:1 contrast ratio, colors pop, but the processor is mediocre at upscaling 480p content.
The remote’s hassle-free point-and-play function and voice command help navigate the user-friendly WebOS software, viewing angles are ultra-wide (color washout at 68°), and the low input lag (5.3 ms at 1080p) ensures responsive gaming.
- Read Full Review → : LG C2 OLED TVLG
LG C2 OLED TV
Best for Computer Monitor
Overall, the LG C2 OLED TV is a good mid-range TV. While there are some uniformity and software concerns, it’s a top-notch choice if you desire outstanding visuals and immersive gaming, though other brands now offer OLED alternatives with more features.
True Score
939412Experts
3928kCustomers
Cosmic Wonder
SAVE $253$1,299.99$1,046.99Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent picture quality
The self-admissive OLED tech provides high-quality visuals and is most beneficial for gaming, but it’s also great for sports HDR content. It also offers a wide 99.36% color gamut, providing rich, vibrant displays.
- Infinite contrast ratio
Delivers deep, true black levels, specifically when viewing HDR content in dark rooms. When tested, the contrast ratio of Inf:1, which is right at the top of the OLED category.
- Effective motion handling
It has a hyper-fast control input and produces virtually no blurriness or tearing during fast-paced scenes, given its tested 2.4 ms input lag and 0.2 ms response time.
Both metrics rank among the top of the OLED TV category.
- Excellent refresh rates
Fast-paced gaming visuals are smooth, given its 120 Hz refresh rate and VRR.
- Wide viewing angles
Provides excellent visuals, even at off-angle viewing, as it boasts 70-degree viewing angles.
Reasons to Avoid
- Weak peak brightness in certain settings
The TV’s brightness works fine for typical viewing, but during very bright scenes, it can appear dimmed in brighter rooms, given it maxes out at 810 nits, which is slightly below average for the OLED category.
- Unimpressive bass performance
Especially at higher volumes, the TV does not produce proper bass levels to match the higher frequencies
- Remote controls can be oversensitive
- Alexa integration can be unreliable and frustrating
- WebOS interface has ads and clutter
Specifications
Backlight Type Direct Lit Display Type OLED HDMI Inputs 4 HDR Format Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG HomeKit Compatible Yes LED Panel Type OLED Max Resolution 3840 x 2160 Refresh Rate 120 Hz Screen size 42", 48", 55", 65", 77", 83" Smart Platform webOS Sync Technology AMD FreeSync, G-Sync VRR Yes All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 98.326 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 71.875 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 71.875 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) 76.26 Color Gamut % (sRGB) 100 Color Gamut % (Rec 709) 134.45 Color Gamut % (BT.2020) No Data Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) 88.8 Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) No Data Brightness (nits) 340.62475 HDR Brightness (nits) 793.4 Input Lag (ms) 11.55285714 Response Time (ms) 2.4 Viewing Angle (Degrees) No Data Color Washout (Degrees) 65 Color Shift (Degrees) 27 Brightness Loss (Degrees) 70 Reflections (%) 1.5 Low-Freq Extension (Hz) 80 Freq Response StdDev @ 70db 2.29 Freq Response StdDev @ 80db 2.87 Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db 0.083 All Specs
All Retailers
- $1,046.99$1,300Save $253
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No
Our Verdict
LG C2 OLED TV provides a nearly infinite contrast ratio of 1, perfect blacks, and no blooming or haloing, making it ideal for dark room viewing. And with an 820 cd/m² white luminance, it has impressive brightness and reflection handling to suit bright rooms and wide seating arrangements.
Gamers will appreciate the low input lag, a tested blazing 2.4 ms 100% response time, four HDMI 2.1 inputs, and 120Hz gaming capabilities, enhancing the gaming experience.
However, it has flaws. Some users may find the aggressive automatic brightness limiting feature distracting, experience uniformity issues at angles, and face a slight learning curve with the menu settings. The TV’s lack of support for certain high-resolution audio formats could be disappointing for audiophiles.
Category Snapshot
TVs
- Total Brands/Products Tested
19 Brands, 163 Products
- Top 2 Brands
LG, Hisense
- Price Range (Budget-Premium)
$400-$2000
- Average True Score
70.76%
- Important Test Criteria
Brightness (cd/m2)
Contrast Ratio (1000:1) - Most Trusted Testers
- Top TV Experts
- Recommended Retailer
- Typical Warranty
1 year
- Covered by Insurance
Yes – AKKO
- Test Methodology
- Read Full Review → : Sony A90J OLEDSony
Sony A90J OLED
Sony’s A90J OLED TV is a strong, mid-range 4K HDR TV for mixed usage. Both games and movies benefit from the 4K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and wider color gamut. Watch out for any burn-in, however.
True Score
92936Experts
91416Customers
Absolutely FreshSnapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Black levels are virtually perfect
- Very accurate at wide viewing angles
- Handles motion superbly
- Solid audio performance
- Incredible contrast, color, and vast color gamut
Reasons to Avoid
- Burn-in is still a possibility
- Bright for OLED, but still dim compared to LCD/LED TVs
- Lacks VRR until a firmware update
Specifications
Backlight Type Motion Activated Display Type OLED HDMI Inputs 2 HDR Format Yes HomeKit Compatible Yes LED Panel Type WOLED Max Resolution 3840 x 2160 Refresh Rate 120 Hz Screen size 55", 65", 83" Smart Platform Google TV Sync Technology No VRR Yes All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 97.64 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 71.01 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 71.01 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) 72.77 Color Gamut % (sRGB) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 709) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.2020) No Data Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) No Data Brightness (nits) 277 HDR Brightness (nits) No Data Input Lag (ms) 17.5 Response Time (ms) 3.1 Viewing Angle (Degrees) No Data Color Washout (Degrees) 51 Color Shift (Degrees) 27 Brightness Loss (Degrees) 64 Reflections (%) 1.4 Low-Freq Extension (Hz) 75.51 Freq Response StdDev @ 70db 4.02 Freq Response StdDev @ 80db 3.92 Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db 0.042 All Specs
All Retailers
Availability
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Our Verdict
The Sony A90J OLED TV is a great mid-range 4K HDR TV for all your entertainment needs. Enjoy crisp 4K resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for gaming, plus a wider color gamut and near-perfect black levels for movies.
Its peak brightness could be better, but it’s still a great choice.
- Read Full Review → : Sony A95K OLED TVSony
Sony A95K OLED TV
Best for Gaming
The Sony A95K OLED TV boasts a fast response time, a high peak brightness, HDMI 2.1 support, and good reflection diffusion, making it a superb choice for AV enthusiasts and console gamers alike. But its lack of FreeSync will keep away more serious gamers.
True Score
929413Experts
25314Customers
Cosmic Wonder$2,398.00Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Remarkable picture quality
Impressive for movies and gaming, the TV’s terrific HDR color gamut (100% coverage on DCI P3 xy) exhibits true-to-life imagery and intricate details. Moreover, dark scenes are excellent with rich, deep blacks and perfect black uniformity (native std. Deviation of 0.157%).
- High brightness and contrast
It does a great job at eliminating glare in light-filled rooms with its tested 983 nits peak brightness, performing better than 83% of our tested TVs. Additionally, nighttime viewing is immersive, given its near-infinite contrast ratio (inf:1).
- Low response time and input lag
High-speed games display smooth visuals due to its near-instantaneous 0.2 ms response time. Moreover, casual gamers will find its reasonably responsive 16.9 ms input lag (4K at 60Hz), which ranks in the bottom third of our tested TVs, acceptable.
- Fast refresh rate and VRR support
On-screen content remains remarkably smooth thanks to its 120 Hz refresh rate and screen tearing is out of the picture with VRR compatibility.
- Wide viewing angles
Family movie nights allow for an equally immersive view from most areas of the room as colors wash out only after 70°, which means visuals remain fairly consistent.
Reasons to Avoid
- Relatively low SDR brightness
The 346 nits peak SDR brightness isn’t bright enough for daytime use and is more suited for dim or dark rooms.
Specifications
Backlight Type No Display Type OLED HDMI Inputs 4 HDR Format Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG HomeKit Compatible Yes LED Panel Type OLED Max Resolution 3840 x 2160 Refresh Rate 120 Hz Screen size 55", 65" Smart Platform Google TV Sync Technology No VRR Yes All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 99.2375 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 86.34 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 86.34 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) 91.28 Color Gamut % (sRGB) 99.9 Color Gamut % (Rec 709) 110.8 Color Gamut % (BT.2020) 89.35 Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) 91 Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) No Data Brightness (nits) 328.5493333 HDR Brightness (nits) 978.3333333 Input Lag (ms) 14.4 Response Time (ms) 4.1 Viewing Angle (Degrees) No Data Color Washout (Degrees) 70 Color Shift (Degrees) 70 Brightness Loss (Degrees) 70 Reflections (%) 1.1 Low-Freq Extension (Hz) 84.76 Freq Response StdDev @ 70db 3.89 Freq Response StdDev @ 80db 3.06 Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db 0.229 All Specs
All Retailers
- $2,398.00
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No - $2,479.00$3,000Save $521
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No 
$2,499.99$2,800Save $300Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No
Our Verdict
The Sony A95K OLED TV is a fantastic option for AV enthusiasts looking for a good QD-OLED model to display in their living rooms or movie dens, as it features an excellent peak brightness tested at around 983 nits.
It also boasts four HDMI ports and two of them have the recent HDMI 2.1 standard for console users. And it sports excellent deep black levels with an infinite tested contrast ratio, thanks to its Quantum Dot OLED tech, which helps HDR content look amazing.
Moreover, it comes with an excellent matte display which works well against reflections.
It also features a near-instantaneous response time which was measured at 0.2 ms. But it does not have NVIDIA G Sync or AMD Free Sync for hardcore gamers, despite having VRR.
- Read Full Review → : LG G3 OLED TVLG
LG G3 OLED TV
Best for Bright Room
The LG G3 OLED TV delivers stunning picture quality with near-infinite contrast and great brightness for SDR/HDR content. Despite minor flaws, the TV is a top-tier choice, offering a dazzling experience for those willing to invest in the premium option.
True Score
919315Experts
723kCustomers
Absolutely FreshSAVE $821$3,299.99$2,479.00Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent picture quality
The display delivers strong performance for HDR content, sports, gaming, and casual viewing. It’s fast and detailed, and its tested 99.13% DCI color gamut provides accurate, vibrant colors and is one of the best in the OLED category.
- Near-infinite contrast ratio resulting in perfect blacks
Black levels are perfect, meaning viewers experience heightened visuals, especially when watching HDR content in dark rooms, as it has an Inf : 1 contrast ratio.
- Extremely bright for an OLED
Visuals stay accurate and clear, even in brightly lit rooms, and tests confirm the TV has a 1449 nit peak brightness, making it one of the best in the OLED category.
- Fast motion handling
Gamers will enjoy rapid command inputs, as the TV has a stellar 9.2 ms input lag. Additionally, the pixels change without noticeable blurring or delay when viewing fast-moving objects, and its response time is at .2 ms. In both respects, the G3 ranks at the top of the OLED category.
- Exceptionally wide viewing angle
Off-angle viewing experiences no color washouts or inconsistency, given the TVs near perfect 70-degree viewing angles.
Reasons to Avoid
- Aggressive automatic brightness limiter
Overactive ABL can cause clarity issues when viewing in bright rooms.
- Subpar sound quality
Speakers struggle to produce accurate bass at high volumes, and sound slightly distorts when emitting single frequencies.
Specifications
Backlight Type n/a Display Type OLED HDMI Inputs 4 HDR Format Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG HomeKit Compatible Yes LED Panel Type OLED Max Resolution 3840 x 2160 Refresh Rate 120 Hz Screen size 55", 65", 77", 83" Smart Platform webOS Sync Technology No VRR No All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 97.54571429 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 73.65 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 73.65 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) 75.48 Color Gamut % (sRGB) 100 Color Gamut % (Rec 709) 99.7631 Color Gamut % (BT.2020) 74.4 Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) 94 Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) No Data Brightness (nits) 481.75 HDR Brightness (nits) 1361.714286 Input Lag (ms) 11.80625 Response Time (ms) 2.6 Viewing Angle (Degrees) No Data Color Washout (Degrees) 70 Color Shift (Degrees) 70 Brightness Loss (Degrees) 70 Reflections (%) 0.9 Low-Freq Extension (Hz) 89.8 Freq Response StdDev @ 70db 2.01 Freq Response StdDev @ 80db 2 Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db 0.143 All Specs
All Retailers
- $2,479.00$3,300Save $821
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No 
$2,496.99$3,297Save $800Availability
In StockFree Shipping
- $2,499.99$3,000Save $500
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes
Our Verdict
The LG G3 OLED TV has a near-infinite contrast ratio of Inf :1, delivering deep inky blacks without distracting blooming or haloing around bright objects.
The TV’s high peak brightness of 527 cd/m² and excellent reflection handling ensure optimal performance in any room.
Gamers will be pleased with the low input lag tested at 5.5 ms at its native refresh rate of 120 Hz and superb 100% response time of 2.6 ms, keeping action clear and crisp.
The 4.2 speaker setup with Dolby Atmos spatial sound technology complements the stunning visuals with immersive audio.
The TV also has many inputs, boasting 4 HDMI 2.1 bandwidth ports and 3 USB slots. However, the aggressive ABL is distracting, and the TV lacks HDR10+ support.
- Read Full Review → : Samsung S90C TVSamsung
Samsung S90C TV
Best for HDR Content
While the Samsung S90C lacks support for DTS audio formats, the overall picture quality and response time are great for games, sports, and movies. Considering the lower cost, the S90C is a compelling OLED budget option for those seeking an excellent TV upgrade.
True Score
91948Experts
92871Customers
Absolutely FreshSAVE $400$1,897.99$1,497.99Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Excellent picture quality
The TV excels for sports, gaming, and HDR content, as it provides stunning details, deeper blacks, and outstanding motion processing. The 99.95% DCI color gamut is super wide, delivering vibrant colors, which places it at the top of the OLED category.
(ref)
- The near-infinite contrast ratio for perfect blacks
Provides ultra-detailed, near-perfect black levels when viewing content in dark rooms, given its Inf :1 contrast ratio.
- High peak brightness
With a peak brightness tested at 2,000 nits, the TV is suitable for watching in bright rooms without sacrificing visual detail. The brightness sits near the top of the OLED category.(ref)
- Exceptionally wide viewing angle
Even at off-viewing angles, the TV displays accurate visuals, as it boasts a wide, 70-degree viewing angle.
- Low input lag/Response time
- Sharp upscaling
Reasons to Avoid
- Aggressive Auto Brightness Limiter (ABL)
Overactive ABL is distracting when watching content in bright rooms and even lowers the overall visual quality
- No support for DTS or Dolby Vision
- Experiences stuttering
Specifications
Backlight Type n/a Display Type OLED HDMI Inputs 4 HDR Format HDR10+, HLG HomeKit Compatible Yes LED Panel Type OLED Max Resolution 3840 x 2160 Refresh Rate 120 Hz Screen size 55", 65", 75", 83" Smart Platform Tizen Sync Technology AMD FreeSync Premium VRR Yes All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 99.975 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 86.37 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) 86.37 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) 91.59 Color Gamut % (sRGB) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 709) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.2020) 76 Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) No Data Brightness (nits) 316 HDR Brightness (nits) 1079.333333 Input Lag (ms) 8.52 Response Time (ms) 1.4 Viewing Angle (Degrees) No Data Color Washout (Degrees) 70 Color Shift (Degrees) 70 Brightness Loss (Degrees) 70 Reflections (%) 1.2 Low-Freq Extension (Hz) 84.76 Freq Response StdDev @ 70db 2.8 Freq Response StdDev @ 80db 3.63 Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db 0.133 All Specs
All Retailers
- $1,497.99$1,898Save $400
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
Yes - $1,497.99$1,500Save $2
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No - $1,499.99$1,600Save $100
Availability
In StockFree Shipping
No
Our Verdict
The Samsung S90C TV’s OLED panel provides a near-infinite contrast ratio of Inf :1, delivering perfect blacks and bright highlights without blooming.
The TV offers exceptional reflection handling and peak brightness at 381 cd/m². It has wide 70-degree viewing angles and a superb tested 100% response time of 1.2 ms, ensuring clear and sharp motion.
Also, it has a tested low input lag and response time of 5.5 ms at 120 Hz. The TV’s QD-OLED technology produces vibrant colors. The TV also has four HDMI 2.1 ports and two slots for USB cables.
The software, the TizenOS smart interface, also has a great selection of apps, games, and features. However, the aggressive automatic brightness limiter is distracting in rooms with lots of ambient light.
- Read Full Review → : Sony A80JSony
Sony A80J
Best for Sound Quality
Top experts agreed that the Sony Bravia XR A80J is well suited for movie buffs and concurred that the delayed support for VRR and high likelihood for burn-in might dissuade gamers and PC users from buying the TV.
True Score
91904Experts
902kCustomers
Absolutely Fresh$1,999.99Snapshot
Reasons to Buy
- Very high contrast ratio
- Two HDMI 2.1 ports
- Nearly instantaneous response time
- Great viewing angles
- Wide color gamut
Reasons to Avoid
- Might be subject to burn-in
- Variable Refresh Rate not supported yet
Specifications
Backlight Type No Display Type OLED HDMI Inputs 4 HDR Format Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG HomeKit Compatible Yes LED Panel Type OLED Max Resolution 3840 x 2160 Refresh Rate 120 Hz Screen size 55", 65", 77" Smart Platform Android TV Sync Technology AMD FreeSync, G-Sync VRR Yes All Specs
Test Results
Color Gamut % (DCI P3 xy) 99 Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 xy) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 2020 uv) No Data Color Gamut % (sRGB) No Data Color Gamut % (Rec 709) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.2020) No Data Color Gamut % (Adobe RGB) No Data Color Gamut % (BT.709) No Data Contrast Ratio (x:1) No Data Brightness (nits) No Data HDR Brightness (nits) 740 Input Lag (ms) 16.15 Response Time (ms) No Data Viewing Angle (Degrees) No Data Color Washout (Degrees) No Data Color Shift (Degrees) No Data Brightness Loss (Degrees) No Data Reflections (%) No Data Low-Freq Extension (Hz) No Data Freq Response StdDev @ 70db No Data Freq Response StdDev @ 80db No Data Weighted Total Harmonic Distortion @80db No Data All Specs
All Retailers
- $1,999.99
Availability
In stock Usually ships within 4 to 5 days.Free Shipping
No
Our Verdict
The Sony Bravia XR A80J is great for movie and TV show fans, with features like Netflix Calibrated Mode and decent HDR content brightness.
But gamers and PC users should look elsewhere – it doesn’t support Variable Refresh Rate, and can be prone to burn-in. For a better option, check out the Sony X75CH – it has glorious 4K pictures.
What to Look For in the Best 4K TV
√ Clarity: Of course, the first reason that anyone decides to upgrade to 4K is better picture quality, and pixel clarity leads the pack on what you want to look for most. While all 4K TVs on this list feature the same resolution, what really sets these apart is the clarity and quality of those pixels.
√ HDR10 or Dolby Vision: Like HD-DVD and Blu-Ray, both HDR10 and Dolby Vision are currently locked in a heated format war over who will dominate television screens for the next however-many years. After having thoroughly researched both, it’s my personal belief that HDR10 offers slightly more benefits that Dolby Vision can’t match, though this does come down to more subjective terms than anything since they both add a significant amount of vibrancy to any model that features either spec (plus some models still offer support for both, like the TCL P-Series).
√ Price: 4K TVs are still in a weird space right now, where the highest price doesn’t always mean it’s the best TV, and the lowest doesn’t mean it’s the worst. A great example is the TCL model in our number two slot, which, while not exactly cheap at $749.00, still delivers stellar picture quality that rivals many picks three to four times its cost.
√ Connectivity: This isn’t necessarily unique to 4K televisions, but it’s something you should still be sure to keep an eye on whenever you’re shopping for your next set. With so many devices that demand precious port space, always be certain that the 4K TV you eventually settle on has enough ports (with the proper speeds) to support the HDMI inputs you need for the ultimate viewing experience.
Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a 4K or UHD Television
⊗ Don’t skimp on cost: While price isn’t always directly indicative of the quality you should expect, it’s generally a good idea to avoid any “bargain basement” deals for 4K TVs. These feature refresh rates, contrast ratios, and display technologies that are well below the standard for what you should expect out of a 4K set, and the last thing you want to do is skimp on quality when upgrading.
⊗ Double-check the number of available ports: As we mentioned above, always double-check to be sure that your TV of choice has enough ports to support all your gaming consoles, streaming devices, and Blu-Ray players at the same time.
⊗ Don’t fall prey to marketing speak: Many manufacturers of 4K TVs today are relying on consumer ignorance to jack up the price on sub-par sets. Never assume that because a television comes with “Ultra-View” or “Super-Color,” it’s automatically better than anything else out there. Although, Nanocell technology takes things a step further, allowing for more intense colors that even outperform OLEDs in some cases.
Most Important Features of a 4K Television
Display Technology
- The display technologies that power today’s 4K TVs come in three different flavors: LED, LED-LCD, OLED, AMOLED, and QLED
- There’s still a lot of debate over which tech is best for 4K TVs specifically, but who’s right on either side of the argument will usually come down to the manufacturer of the TV itself
- LG is known for producing OLED TVs that can outperform most LED-LCDs. However, that performance doesn’t come cheap.
- Conversely, Samsung has put out some seriously high-quality QLED-based 4K sets that could put cheaper OLED sets to shame, all for a price that won’t leave your wallet limping on one leg when you walk away from the checkout counter
| Feature | Samsung TVs | LG TVs |
|---|---|---|
| Display Technology | Primarily QLED and LED | OLED, NanoCell, and LED |
| Smart TV Interface | Tizen OS | webOS |
| Price Range | Low: $200-$500 Mid: $500-$1,500 High: $1,500-$3,000+ | Low: $200-$600 Mid: $600-$1,800 High: $1,800-$5,000+ |
| Picture Quality | High-quality, especially with QLED models | Superior with OLED, good with NanoCell and LED |
| Innovations | Ambient Mode, MicroLED in premium models | AI ThinQ technology, rollable OLED displays |
- HDR is the newest addition to 4K TVs, and for our money, is basically an essential component at this point. An HDR TV makes colors significantly more vibrant than they were in previous years, and adds a whole new layer of depth to images that can’t be matched by sets without either HDR 10 or Dolby Vision on board.
- Local dimming is another major technology to keep an eye out for (no pun intended). 2023 is the year the display technology finally came down in price enough to start getting included in budget sets, but the difference that it makes in contrast, black levels, and overall clarity can’t be ignored.
Refresh Rate
- The refresh rate of any TV – 4K or otherwise – refers to how often the screen refreshes the picture it’s trying to display
- In general, 60Hz is enough for most movies and Blu-Rays, while 120Hz is made more for quick-moving action, as you’d find in a sports game.
- Some sets, like Samsung, claim refresh rates as high as 240Hz, though all of this basically boils down to marketing speak. In reality, it’s still 60Hz interpolated up to 240Hz, which can (and almost always does) result in the “soap opera effect.”
- This occurs when the source material was meant to be viewed at a standard 60Hz, but through interpolation, people’s movement and speech seem to be “sped up” in an unnatural fashion.
- Personally, I’m not a fan of the technology unless it’s only being used for sports viewing specifically, and recommend turning it off in all scenarios aside from that.
- These days you can find that option called something like “MotionFlow” or “SmoothMotion” or whatever the manufacturer decided to label it. Disable this, and you’ll see the soap opera effect disappear instantly.
Screen Design
- 4K TVs almost always come in the flat-plane design, though lately, more makers have started to import the “curved” design from standard HDTVs into this newer style of display.
- Curved displays are all well and good, but they can limit the viewing angles in some models and living room layouts, which can make watching from either side much more difficult for your guests.
- OLED has drastically reduced the overall thickness of most sets, though even standard LED and QLED sets have come down considerably in size from just a few years ago.
Contrast Ratio/Color Accuracy
- All those extra pixels you’re paying for won’t do you a lick of good if the set’s contrast ratio doesn’t have the specs to back it up.
- The resolution boost is only the start of what makes 4K TVs worth their increased price, and a 1080p HD screen with the best color accuracy and contrast ratio will still look miles better than a 4K TV with an opposite set of specs.
Which 4K TV is Right For You?
One of the best parts about a 4K TV is that no matter which size you eventually choose to go with, you’re guaranteed to get a picture resolution that looks great from any distance in the living room. Remember to double-check the size of your space so you get a TV that suits your space. If you already have an entertainment console that you want to put the model on, like a 65-inch but you’re thinking, “How wide is a 65-inch TV?”, check the console dimensions to make sure the TV will fit on it.
The higher the resolution, the better your movies, TV shows, and late-night video game marathons will look, all without the eyestrain and uncomfortable viewing angles that are prevalent on other measly 1080p HD sets. Of course, if you wish to be ready for higher definition content in the future, you can check out our buying guide on the best 8K TV and see if that would be worth it for you.
