TV can It’s tricky to buy. Have you read us Exquisite Whether you get the best TV guide or not, you probably won’t find all the top models in your local Walmart, Best Buy or Costco. And, when you browse a retail website, it’s easy to feel like being spoken by marketing like HDR, QLED, or “local dispatch.” That’s why we’ve collected some tips, tips and terms to help you buy smarter when buying a new TV. Think of it as a list to consider before buying the next big screen.
Be sure to check out our guide to the best bookshelf speakers, the best soundbar, and our guide to how to buy Soundbar for additional useful tips on how to upgrade your home theater.
Updated June 2025: We have added the latest TV technical information, including RGB LED, New OLED display, HDMI 2.2, and updated prices and TV options.
Table of contents
What size of TV should you get?
When it comes to screens, bigger situations are better, right? Of course, but that doesn’t mean you should always pop up at the largest size. The price of larger numbers continues to drop, but it can still get out of control quickly, and you should always make sure you have all the space to record on your screen. If you are watching a budget, common cheap TV performance issues such as screen distortion, incorrect colors and medium image processing can be difficult to ignore larger canvas, so you need to balance your size and performance needs equally.
Less than 55 inches
Some high-end OLED TVs are smaller in size, so they can double as computer monitors, but today, most TVs under 55 inches are largely non-standard. Many manufacturers can still make models below this size, but you may not get the latest, best performance.
55-inch TV
This is the smallest standard size for modern TVs. Generally, it is considered ideal for small to average in a home or apartment, but if you have larger space, you may need a size. Note that this size and larger TV often have feet on both ends of the screen; if you don’t have a wall-mounted mount, make sure to measure the width of the TV stand to make sure it can accommodate a new TV. That said, even mid-range models we see are switching to adaptive feet and/or base racks more often.
65-inch TV
This has long been the default option for larger living rooms or spaces where you view many eyes at once. With TV technology rising and prices falling, the 65-inch model has begun to become the standard for many, although it should be noted that they may dominate your decor in smaller rooms to some extent. If you have extra cash and space, it’s worth upgrading for those who like to get closer to the details in movies and TV shows.
75 inches and above
I only recommend such a TV to people who have spacious rooms and are looking for a real movie experience, and it’s bigger. Buyers should be careful: the price on the TV can be very high (for high-end models, the price is well above $2,000). The cheapest ($1,000) may not look good due to the limitations of handling and panel lighting. Be ready to have professionals or a group of friends help you move and install the screen so big.
What screen resolution do you need?
Resolution refers to the number of pixels on the screen. Modern TVs come with 1080p “Full HD” resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels), 4K Ultra HD or “UHD” (3,840 x 2,160) and 8K “8K UHD” (7,680 x 4,320). There are relatively few TVs under or above 4K UHD resolution, but for the contrary: Full HD screens are now old technology for the smallest and cheapest models; 8K resolutions are primarily available for expensive large-screen TVs, and 8K content is still barely present.
What’s the difference? More pixels! The 4K TV has about four times the number of pixels that is 1080p screens, while the 8K TV has about four times the number of 4K models, or 16 times the number of 1080p (!). In theory, this means clearer than a 4K TV, but that’s not necessarily a reality. Since pixels in a standard size (55-65-inch) 4K TV are already densely packed into the display, you may not be able to see the difference between the 4K and 8K TVS unless you are watching from close range or on a very large screen (75-inch or higher).
The lack of 8K content also means that most of the videos you watch need to be scanned or the resolution of your TV is increased with its internal processing system. So if you are buying an 8K TV, you usually need to buy a more advanced model from the brand, which will be purchased regularly like Samsung’s QN900 series.
Unless you are a high roller, stick to the 4K UHD screen for the time being.
What is backlighting?
All TVs (Besides OLED and some professional micro LED models) pass through the multi-layer substrate using a combination of LED backlights. There are some layers that make the colors and images as well as the layers of the image shown in the image so that we can see the internal processing of the TV. These lighting systems have a big impact on your LED TV screen in terms of contrast (differences and definitions between dark and light objects) and color.
