TV Buying guide | 2025

The Ultimate TV Buying Guide – Everything You Need to Know in 2024

Buying a new TV can be overwhelming with so many brands, technologies, and features available. Whether you’re upgrading your old TV or buying one for the first time, this comprehensive TV buying guide will help you make the best choice based on your needs and budget.


Table of Contents

  1. Understanding TV Technologies
    • LED vs. QLED vs. OLED vs. Mini-LED
    • LCD vs. Plasma (Legacy)
    • MicroLED (Future Tech)
  2. Screen Size & Viewing Distance
    • How to Choose the Right Size
    • Best TV Sizes for Different Rooms
  3. Display Resolution Explained
    • HD (720p)
    • Full HD (1080p)
    • 4K UHD (2160p)
    • 8K UHD (4320p) – Is It Worth It?
  4. HDR (High Dynamic Range) Formats
    • HDR10
    • HDR10+
    • Dolby Vision
    • HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)
  5. Refresh Rate & Motion Handling
    • 60Hz vs. 120Hz vs. 240Hz
    • Motion Interpolation (Soap Opera Effect)
    • HDMI 2.1 & Gaming Performance
  6. Smart TV Platforms & Features
    • Android TV / Google TV
    • Tizen (Samsung)
    • webOS (LG)
    • Roku TV
    • Fire TV (Amazon)
    • Apple TV Integration
  7. Audio Quality & Sound Technologies
    • Built-in Speakers vs. Soundbars
    • Dolby Atmos & DTS:X
  8. Connectivity & Ports
    • HDMI 2.0 vs. HDMI 2.1
    • USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
    • eARC & ARC for Audio
  9. Gaming Features for Next-Gen Consoles
    • VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
    • ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
    • 4K @ 120Hz Support
  10. TV Brands Comparison
  • Samsung
  • LG
  • Sony
  • TCL
  • Hisense
  • Vizio
  • Panasonic
  1. Budget vs. Premium TVs – What’s the Difference?
  • Best Budget TVs (Under $500)
  • Mid-Range TVs (500–500–1500)
  • Premium Flagship TVs ($1500+)
  1. Where to Buy & What to Check Before Purchase
  • Online vs. Offline Buying
  • Warranty & Return Policies
  • Avoiding Scams & Fake Deals
  1. TV Accessories You Might Need
  • Soundbars
  • Streaming Devices
  • Wall Mounts & Stands
  • Surge Protectors
  1. Energy Efficiency & Longevity
  • OLED Burn-in Risks
  • LED Lifespan
  • Power Consumption
  1. Final Checklist Before Buying a TV

1. Understanding TV Technologies

LED-LCD TVs

  • Most common and affordable
  • Uses LED backlighting behind an LCD panel
  • Good brightness but limited contrast

QLED (Quantum Dot LED) – Samsung’s Flagship Tech

  • Uses quantum dots for better color & brightness
  • Better than standard LED but not as good as OLED for blacks

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) – Best Picture Quality

  • Perfect blacks (pixels turn off completely)
  • Infinite contrast
  • Thinner design but risk of burn-in

Mini-LED – Improved Backlight Control

  • Thousands of tiny LEDs for better contrast
  • Found in premium TVs like Apple Pro Display XDR

MicroLED – The Future (But Expensive)

  • Self-emissive like OLED but no burn-in risk
  • Currently only in ultra-premium TVs (Samsung’s The Wall)

2. Screen Size & Viewing Distance

Screen SizeRecommended Viewing Distance
32-inch4 – 6 feet
43-inch5 – 7 feet
55-inch7 – 9 feet
65-inch8 – 10 feet
75-inch10 – 12 feet
85-inch+12+ feet

Pro Tip: For 4K TVs, you can sit closer without seeing pixels.


3. Display Resolution Explained

HD (720p) – Budget TVs

  • Fading out, only in very small TVs

Full HD (1080p) – Still Decent for Small TVs

  • Good for 32-43 inch TVs

4K UHD (2160p) – The Sweet Spot

  • 4x sharper than 1080p
  • Best for 50-inch and above

8K UHD (4320p) – Overkill for Most?

  • Very few 8K movies/shows
  • Extremely expensive
  • Only useful for 75-inch+ screens

4. HDR (High Dynamic Range) – Why It Matters

HDR improves brightness, contrast, and color. The main formats:

  • HDR10 (Basic HDR, supported everywhere)
  • HDR10+ (Samsung’s dynamic HDR)
  • Dolby Vision (Best HDR, used by Netflix & Disney+)
  • HLG (Used in live broadcasts)

Best Pick: TVs with both Dolby Vision & HDR10+ for maximum compatibility.


5. Refresh Rate & Motion Handling

  • 60Hz – Standard for most content
  • 120Hz – Smoother motion, better for gaming
  • 240Hz+ – Mostly marketing, not much real benefit

For Gamers: Look for HDMI 2.1, VRR, and ALLM for next-gen consoles.


6. Smart TV Platforms Comparison

PlatformProsCons
Android TVHuge app selection, Google AssistantCan be slow on cheap TVs
webOS (LG)Smooth, easy to useFewer apps than Android
Tizen (Samsung)Fast, good for Samsung ecosystemAds in UI
Roku TVSimple, great for streamingLimited advanced features
Fire TVAlexa integration, affordableAmazon-heavy interface

7. Audio Quality – Do You Need a Soundbar?

Most TVs have weak speakers. For better sound:

  • Budget Option: 2.1 soundbar (100−100−200)
  • Premium Pick: Dolby Atmos soundbar ($500+)

8. Gaming Features Checklist

If you own a PS5, Xbox Series X, or gaming PC, look for:
✅ HDMI 2.1 ports (for 4K @ 120Hz)
✅ VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) – Smoother gameplay
✅ ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) – Reduces input lag
✅ Low Input Lag (<15ms) – Critical for competitive gaming

Best Gaming TVs: LG OLED C3, Samsung QN90C, Sony X90K


9. Best TV Brands in 2024

BrandBest ForTop Models
SamsungQLED, Bright RoomsQN90C, S95C OLED
LGOLED, GamingC3 OLED, G3 OLED
SonyBest ProcessingA95K OLED, X95K LED
TCLBudget 4K TVs6-Series (Mini-LED)
HisenseAffordable HDRU8K (Mini-LED)

10. Budget vs. Premium TVs – What’s the Difference?

Under $500 (Budget)

  • TCL 4-Series (Good for casual viewing)
  • Hisense A6 (Basic 4K HDR)

500–500–1500 (Mid-Range)

  • TCL 6-Series (Mini-LED, great value)
  • Sony X90K (Excellent upscaling)

$1500+ (Premium)

  • LG C3 OLED (Best for movies & gaming)
  • Samsung S95C (Best QD-OLED TV)

11. Where to Buy & What to Check

  • Online (Amazon, Best Buy): Better deals, easy returns
  • Offline (Store): See the TV in person before buying
  • Check: Dead pixels, backlight bleeding, warranty

12. TV Accessories You Might Need

  • Soundbar (Improves audio drastically)
  • Streaming Stick (If Smart OS is slow)
  • Wall Mount (Saves space)

13. Final Checklist Before Buying

✔ Right size for your room?
✔ 4K + HDR support?
✔ Good smart platform?
✔ Enough HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming?
✔ Good reviews & warranty?


Conclusion

Choosing the right TV depends on your budget, usage (movies, gaming, sports), and room size. For most people, a 4K OLED or QLED TV between 55-65 inches is the sweet spot. Gamers should prioritize HDMI 2.1 & VRR, while movie lovers should look for Dolby Vision & OLED.

What’s your next TV going to be? Let us know in the comments!

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