How We Ranked The 3 Best Sony TVs

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Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Mar 6, 2024 1:19 PM
best sony tv guide that shows the top best tv model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

Sony TVs stand out as some of the top-rated TVs thanks to their exceptional color accuracy and impressive out-of-the-box performance, making them a premium choice for movie enthusiasts. With excellent EOTF (Electro-Optical Transfer Function) and a wide color gamut, these TVs ensure true-to-life visuals right from the start without the need for extensive calibration.

While Sony’s offerings come at a higher price point compared to other brands, the investment is justified by the quality of the viewing experience, particularly for cinematic content. However, it’s worth noting that for gaming or fast-paced sports, there might be more specialized options available. Our recommendations, meticulously curated based on extensive testing data, focus on Sony models that excel in delivering unparalleled picture quality for those who value a top-tier movie-watching experience.

How Did We Rank the Best Sony TVs?

To assess how high or low quality a Sony TV actually is, one must evaluate specific testing criteria against reference industry standards. Using our thorough TV Testing Methodology, we determined there are 6 criteria below (3 required, 3 nice to have) that ensure your content looks as good as the creator intended it.

? Test Criteria

  • SDR Brightness: Equal to or greater than 300 nits, ensuring a bright and clear display under any lighting conditions.
  • HDR Brightness: 1000 nits or more, to reveal the finest details in high dynamic range content.
  • Color Accuracy: At least 90% of the DCI P3 color gamut, providing rich and vibrant colors.

? “Nice To Haves”

  • Contrast Ratio: 10,000:1 or higher, offering deep blacks and bright whites for an exceptional viewing experience.
  • EOTF Accuracy: Delta E less than or equal to 0.018, for precise brightness and contrast across the board.
  • Fast Response Time: 10ms or less, ensuring smooth transitions without motion blur.

We’ve redefined TV buying guides, setting us apart from any other site on the planet. Our unique approach combines in-house verification with a comprehensive dataset from over 200+ trusted sites, focusing on key testing metrics to rank the top-rated Sony TVs. Testing data and specs include SDR brightness of at least 300 nits, HDR brightness of 1000 nits and above, and color accuracy with a minimum of 90% DCI P3 color gamut. We aggregate and analyze this data from 158+ TVs, ensuring our recommendations meet your specific needs. For the best Sony TV, this means delivering unparalleled resolution, exceptional brightness and color fidelity for an immersive viewing experience. Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. Commissions fund this mission. No bias. No BS.

Latest Updates

  • 03/06/2024: Completely and thoroughly overhauled the guide to include the best and latest Sony TVs.
  • 11/29/2023: Republished the list to include TVs based on our True Score system.

Top Best Sony TVs For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Sony A95L OLED TV

    Exemplifies peak color fidelity and accuracy with 99.96% DCI P3 coverage. Ideal for home theaters and sports, though premium-priced and less suited for competitive gaming.

    Sony A95L OLED TV Review →

    True Score

    91
    92
    6

    Experts

    94
    1k

    Customers

    $2,698.00
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Sony A90K OLED TV

    Offers vibrant colors and sharp response, making it great for sports and casual gaming in smaller spaces. A premium compact option with exceptional visual fidelity.

    Sony A90K OLED TV Review →

    True Score

    88
    87
    7

    Experts

    94
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $2
    $1,299.99
    $1,298.00

    Category Snapshot

    TVs

    • Total Brands/Products Tested

      17 Brands, 158 Products

    • Top 2 Brands

      LG, Hisense

    • Price Range (Budget-Premium)

      $400-$2000

    • Average True Score

      76.65

    • Important Test Criteria

      Brightness (cd/m2)
      Contrast Ratio (1000:1)

    • Most Trusted Testers

    • Recommended Retailer

    • Typical Warranty

      1 year

    • Covered by Insurance

      Yes – AKKO

    • Test Methodology

      TV Testing Methodology

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Sony Bravia X93L Mini LED TV

    Best for brightly lit rooms with high brightness and solid sports performance. Trades some color coverage for no burn-in risk, excelling in bright environments.

    Sony Bravia X93L Mini LED TV Review →

    True Score

    87
    85
    6

    Experts

    93
    476

    Customers

    SAVE $3,900
    $5,498.00
    $1,598.00

Our Approach to Testing Sony TVs

Evan Shepard/Gadget Review

Sony TVs offer exceptional color accuracy and out-of-the-box performance, ideal for movie enthusiasts with their impressive EOTF and wide color gamut. While they come at a premium price, the investment is justified for a top-tier cinematic experience, though other brands may be better suited for gaming or sports. Our recommendations, based on meticulous testing data, focus on Sony models that excel in delivering unparalleled picture quality for movie enthusiasts.

We collect and analyze testing data to simplify your decision-making process. Our guides ensure that all products listed meet the stringent requirements for your specific use case, like gaming with titles such as Call of Duty or other FPS games.

You may notice some of our graphs contain “Source: RTings”. This is to indicate that the data we’re showing off in a graph has come from a single source – because it’s the only source that actually tested the criteria and had data for it! Normally, our data is an average out of all of the various publications that test and provide data to give you a good idea of how a product is going to perform on average.

Which Criteria Matters for Testing Best Sony TVs?

By focusing on these criteria (3 required, 3 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these TVs and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a TV that will fit into your small or tight space.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
SDR Brightness300+ nitsYesAssess the luminance of your display when operating in Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) mode.
HDR Brightness1000+ nitsYesDetermine the luminance of your display in High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode.
Color Gamut (DCI P3 xy)>= 90%YesEvaluate the extent to which a TV can reproduce a specified spectrum of colors.
EOTF0.018No (nice to have)Standard that governs how a display interprets and renders brightness and color.
Response Time<=10msNo (nice to have)Time required for a pixel to transition from one color to another and then return to its original color.
Contrast Ratio>= 10,000No (nice to have)The ratio between the brightest white and darkest black that the screen can display.

Our Trusted Data Sources

(Publication category Score is 80%+)

We looked at 210+ TV reviewers and while 24 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating), we only use data from the testers that are “very trusted” which means a Trust Rating above 70%. The three we have listed below are our most trusted for TVs, along with our own in-house TV expert.

  1. Evan Shepard – Gadget Review
  2. Matthew Lopes – RTings, MuckRack
  3. Will Greenwald – PCMag, MuckRack, Twitter
  4. David Katzmaier – CNET, MuckRack, Twitter

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every TV review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Best Sony TVs Test Data & Results

1. SDR & HDR Brightness TV Test Results

In well-lit rooms, the brightness level of your Sony TV, quantified in nits, is key to a great viewing experience. A TV that doesn’t meet the brightness requirement will struggle against natural and artificial light, resulting in a dim, lackluster image. Essentially, nits measure how well your TV can stand up to light interference, with higher values ensuring a sharper, more vivid display.

For standard viewing on the best Sony TV, you should look for at least 300 nits to strike the right balance between clarity and color quality in standard dynamic range (SDR) content. For high dynamic range (HDR) content, which offers richer colors and greater contrast, a minimum of 1000 nits is ideal to truly appreciate the enhanced visuals. These brightness levels are recommended to ensure your TV performs well in bright settings, allowing you to enjoy your shows and movies without any loss in detail or quality. Aim for these minimums: SDR Brightness >= 300 nits; HDR Brightness >= 1000 nits for the optimal experience.

Discover the top Sony TVs, ranked from brightest to least.

SDR Brightness (in nits, higher is better)

HDR Brightness (in nits, higher is better)

2. Color Gamut (DCI P3 xy) TV Test Results

Color gamut defines the range of colors a TV can reproduce, directly affecting how vibrant and true-to-life the images look. A wide color gamut in a TV brings out richer, more vivid colors – from the lush greens of a garden to the bright colors of animated characters, enhancing your viewing experience to closely mimic real life.

This concept is technically measured against standards like the DCI P3 xy, a benchmark for high-quality visuals. A Sony TV covering a higher percentage of this color space can display colors more accurately and vividly.

For those who prioritize vibrant and immersive visuals, aiming for a Sony TV with a color gamut of 90% or higher on the DCI P3 xy scale is ideal. This ensures that the content you watch is as vibrant and lifelike as possible.

Below are the top Sony TVs, ordered by color gamut.

DCI P3 XY Color Gamut (as a %; high is better)

3. EOTF Test Results

The Electro-Optical Transfer Function (EOTF) plays a critical role in ensuring the content on your TV looks exactly as the creator intended. This technical feature adjusts your screen’s brightness levels, ensuring every scene, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights, is displayed with true-to-life accuracy.

In rooms flooded with light, a TV that nails EOTF calibration shines by preserving the intended contrast and detail in the picture despite the challenging conditions. It balances the brightness so that images remain vibrant and full of detail, unaffected by the glare of ambient light.

A TV that excels in managing EOTF offers an immersive and authentic viewing experience. It brings creators’ visions to life, accurately rendering every scene with the proper light and dark levels, no matter the lighting in your room. This means you get a consistent, realistic picture that captures the full spectrum of colors and contrasts, from the subtlest hues to the most intense explosions.

Below are all the small TVs on our list, ordered by EOTF.

EOTF (source: rtings.com – 0 = no data exists; lower is better)

4. Response Time TV Test Results

A slow response time on a TV during fast-paced scenes is like trying to watch a thrilling movie with a foggy lens. Imagine settling in for an action-packed sequence, only to have the swift movements turn into a blur, robbing you of the crisp, clear detail you crave. This isn’t just a minor annoyance; it’s a major detriment to your viewing experience, leaving you with a picture marred by motion blur and visual artifacts.

So, what exactly is response time? It measures how quickly a pixel on your TV can change from one color to another. In the context of watching fast-moving content or enjoying dynamic scenes on a TV, a low response time is crucial. A response time of 15 ms or lower is good, but if you plan on gaming on this set, aim for a response time of 10 ms or lower. At these levels, your Sony TV ensures smooth transitions and sharp visuals, making every scene come to life without any distracting blurs or delays.

Below are the top Sony TVs, ordered by response time, all exceeding our testing criteria.

Response Time (in milliseconds; lower is better)

5. Contrast Ratio Test Results

For Sony TV enthusiasts, a solid contrast ratio is crucial for enjoying your favorite TV shows or movies, especially in darker settings. This feature directly impacts how lifelike and dynamic the picture appears on your screen, ensuring that dark scenes are displayed with clear, crisp blacks instead of murky grays and bright scenes retain their detail without appearing washed out.

Put simply, the contrast ratio is all about the range of luminance a TV can produce, from the deepest blacks to the brightest whites. It’s what brings depth to the image, enhancing the realism of every scene. Watching a movie in the dark, for example, the difference between a TV with a poor contrast ratio and one with a high ratio is stark: the former struggles, blending shadows into a flat gray, while the latter delivers true black, making night scenes more immersive and detailed.

Ideally, a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 is what you should aim for in a small TV. This level of luminance variance ensures that you’re getting a picture quality that can handle the nuances of lighting in any scene, providing a viewing experience that’s both rich and engaging. Note: OLED TVs have infinite contrast ratio, indicated by “0.”

Below are the top small TVs, ordered by contrast ratio.

Contrast Ratio (higher is better)

Best Sony TVs: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Overlooking Size and Space: Overlooking the appropriate screen size for your space can lead to dissatisfaction with your viewing experience. It’s crucial to consider factors like the distance from the TV to your seating area and the layout of the room to ensure you choose a screen size that provides immersive viewing without overwhelming or underwhelming your space. For areas with limited space, the best small TV will provide an optimal viewing experience without dominating the room.

  2. Ignoring Lighting Conditions: Neglecting to consider the room’s lighting conditions may result in difficulties with glare or washed-out images. Assessing the ambient lighting in your viewing area helps determine whether you need a TV with anti-glare technology or higher brightness levels to maintain optimal picture quality under various lighting conditions. For instance, TV models like the one in our LG UN6950 review may be good overall, but their low brightness levels make them unsuitable for bright rooms.

  3. Overlooking Compatibility: Failing to research the TV’s compatibility with your preferred streaming services or gaming consoles can lead to frustration and limitations in your entertainment options. Ensure the Sony TV you choose supports the apps and services you regularly use and offers seamless connectivity with your gaming devices for an immersive gaming experience. Also, considering TV monitors as an alternative will provide a versatile solution for both work and play.

  4. Not Researching Brands and Models: Not comparing prices across different retailers may result in overspending or missing out on potential discounts. Take the time to shop around and compare prices from various retailers, both online and in-store, to find the best deal on your desired Sony TV model without compromising on quality or features. Additionally, looking into other brands, such as the best Samsung TVs or the top TCL TVs, could provide options that better suit your needs, enhancing your overall entertainment experience.

The Best Sony TVs Tests Compared

Product
True Score
SDR Brightness
HDR Barightness
Color Gamut
EOTF
Response Time
Contrast Ratio

Sony A95L OLED TV

  • Best for Dumb

91
  • 309.5 nits

  • 1,262 nits

  • 99.96%

  • 0.0022

  • 9.6 ms

  • 0

$2,698.00

Sony A90K OLED TV

  • Best for 50-inch

88
  • 288 nits

  • 593 nits

  • 99.38%

  • 0.004

  • 3 ms

  • 0

$1,298.00
$1,300
$2
87
  • 672 nits

  • 1,483 nits

  • 89.74%

  • 0.005

  • 7.9 ms

  • 73,818:1

$1,598.00
$5,498
$3,900

Sony TV Questions (FAQ)

Are Sony TVs better than Samsung TVs?

Both Samsung and Sony TVs are excellent brands that focus on different aspects. In general, Sony TVs are considered the more premium option. As such, they will cost more on average than Samsung TVs. However, with Sony TVs, you get more accurate colors out of the box, better black levels, and the option for OLED screen quality. If you would like, you can also compare these Sony TVs with our best Mitsubishi TV list.

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