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
- Understanding TV Technologies
- LED vs. QLED vs. OLED vs. Mini-LED
- LCD vs. Plasma (Legacy)
- MicroLED (Future Tech)
- Screen Size & Viewing Distance
- How to Choose the Right Size
- Best TV Sizes for Different Rooms
- Display Resolution Explained
- HD (720p)
- Full HD (1080p)
- 4K UHD (2160p)
- 8K UHD (4320p) – Is It Worth It?
- HDR (High Dynamic Range) Formats
- HDR10
- HDR10+
- Dolby Vision
- HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)
- Refresh Rate & Motion Handling
- 60Hz vs. 120Hz vs. 240Hz
- Motion Interpolation (Soap Opera Effect)
- HDMI 2.1 & Gaming Performance
- Smart TV Platforms & Features
- Android TV / Google TV
- Tizen (Samsung)
- webOS (LG)
- Roku TV
- Fire TV (Amazon)
- Apple TV Integration
- Audio Quality & Sound Technologies
- Built-in Speakers vs. Soundbars
- Dolby Atmos & DTS:X
- Connectivity & Ports
- HDMI 2.0 vs. HDMI 2.1
- USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
- eARC & ARC for Audio
- Gaming Features for Next-Gen Consoles
- VRR (Variable Refresh Rate)
- ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode)
- 4K @ 120Hz Support
- TV Brands Comparison
- Samsung
- LG
- Sony
- TCL
- Hisense
- Vizio
- Panasonic
- Budget vs. Premium TVs – What’s the Difference?
- Best Budget TVs (Under $500)
- Mid-Range TVs (500–500–1500)
- Premium Flagship TVs ($1500+)
- Where to Buy & What to Check Before Purchase
- Online vs. Offline Buying
- Warranty & Return Policies
- Avoiding Scams & Fake Deals
- TV Accessories You Might Need
- Soundbars
- Streaming Devices
- Wall Mounts & Stands
- Surge Protectors
- Energy Efficiency & Longevity
- OLED Burn-in Risks
- LED Lifespan
- Power Consumption
- 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 Size | Recommended Viewing Distance |
---|---|
32-inch | 4 – 6 feet |
43-inch | 5 – 7 feet |
55-inch | 7 – 9 feet |
65-inch | 8 – 10 feet |
75-inch | 10 – 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
Platform | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Android TV | Huge app selection, Google Assistant | Can be slow on cheap TVs |
webOS (LG) | Smooth, easy to use | Fewer apps than Android |
Tizen (Samsung) | Fast, good for Samsung ecosystem | Ads in UI |
Roku TV | Simple, great for streaming | Limited advanced features |
Fire TV | Alexa integration, affordable | Amazon-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
Brand | Best For | Top Models |
---|---|---|
Samsung | QLED, Bright Rooms | QN90C, S95C OLED |
LG | OLED, Gaming | C3 OLED, G3 OLED |
Sony | Best Processing | A95K OLED, X95K LED |
TCL | Budget 4K TVs | 6-Series (Mini-LED) |
Hisense | Affordable HDR | U8K (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!