This week we’re following a specific theme and discussing some of the top recommended TVs available. These questions came from viewers of our previous Best TVs video. So consider this a sequel.
This video covers our selection at three different price levels. As many have pointed out, there might be some holes. So I recommend checking this one out too to get the full picture.
This probably won’t be the last time we revisit the topic. It’s shopping season, and once 2026 TVs are announced and available, the best TVs for 2024 and 2025 could get even more discounts.
Should the Sony Bravia 7 be considered a mid-range model?
@bpowick asks: Should the Sony Bravia 7 be included in the mid-range list? I’m always confused about the opinions on this TV. So many reviewers say it’s so close in many ways to the Bravia 9, which many claim is the best mini LED TV you can buy, yet few reviewers recommend it.
Most reviews and comparisons tend to split hairs and many points are subjective. After seeing many of the best TVs since 2023, I think there was only one that made me feel “meh” and that could even put out a high quality picture if the content was good. Compared to the competition, it just struggled to improve scaling. That TV was the Vizio Quantum Pro.
In an ideal TV scenario where you can control the lights in the room, all of these TVs look great. They are excellent artists.
The Sony Bravia 7 is a great television. I dare say it’s better than what most people have at home. It looks great and has all the features you’d expect from a premium Mini LED TV. If it was the only option available there would be no complaints.
But subjectivity and comparisons are important. The Bravia 7 isn’t the only mini LED TV on the market, and it wasn’t priced competitively when it launched in 2024. With 2025 models now available, there are more attractive alternatives.
The Hisense U8N (2024) and U8QG (2025) are both brighter and handle reflections better. TCL’s QM8 models offer similar advantages. They can’t compete with Sony for HDR accuracy or image processing, but they’re generally hundreds of dollars cheaper.
Samsung’s top Mini LED options offer four HDMI 2.1 ports instead of Sony’s two and have a faster refresh rate. The Bravia 7 also has a narrower viewing angle.
As of now, the Bravia 7 is on sale for $1200, which changes the conversation. But when it was at $1700 to $1900, the competition offered better value for money.
The situation is similar in the camera world. Sony’s A7 V is phenomenal, but some criticize it because it’s not for everyone or because the competition offers better value for money. The Bravia 7 occupies the same space. There’s nothing wrong with that, and it’s definitely not the worst, but other options offer more or cost less, making it a harder recommendation.
Are there any top TVs that support Roku?
@aslan-og asks: Are there any top TVs that support Roku? I know it tends to be on the lower end, but I like the interface
I like it too. For years I used an LG TV with a Roku streaming stick for everything.
The Roku Pro Series TV is a solid option that fits well on the best TVs list. It deserves its own category as “best TV to run Roku’s operating system natively.”
It’s a 4K Mini LED TV with Dolby Vision and HDR 10 Plus, a rare combination these days. It has two HDMI 2.1 ports, a 120 Hertz refresh rate and VRR support. It’s a good-looking TV that retails for $1,200 at 65 inches, but can often be had for less.
If you want a brighter TV with better features and better build, you can always pair a Roku Ultra streaming box with another brand’s TV. You get the same format support including Dolby Vision, HDR 10 Plus, Dolby Atmos and DTS Digital Surround.
For flexibility with gaming consoles and external audio, consider the Samsung or LG models or the Hisense U75QG, all of which have four HDMI 2.1 ports. The Hisense U8QG has three.
What about really budget TVs and smaller sizes?
@larryhoffman7471 asks: They left out really budget TVs, like the QM6K or others in its price range or even slightly lower. There are a lot of people who want a new TV and $1,000.00 is just too much to spend on a 65 inch TV. And to call devices like the QM7K inexpensive is a bit too expensive. I know the top end costs a lot more, but a 65″ TV for $1,000.00 isn’t exactly budget friendly. There are many much cheaper. It would be helpful for many people to mention a few of them that are not a waste of money. There are so many cheap Samsungs, Hisense and TCLs etc that people buy. They could also use some guidance.
@borbetomagus asks: What if you can’t afford the “budget” options you mentioned – or want a cheaper option for a nursery? Lots of very affordable, lower priced TVs from Hisense, LG, Samsung, TCL (and other brands) that don’t have MiniLED or OLED (which many stores want to sell out around Black Friday/Cyber Monday), but rarely are these “basic” TVs ever considered. What are the best lower-end TV options with optimal screen size, picture quality, TV OS, processing power, limited advertising and durability, but priced between $200 and $500? Maybe the best budget gaming option or the best budget viewing option? Or how about the best TV options 50 inches and under for smaller rooms?
This is a legitimate criticism. The list may have been too short and did not take enough situations into account. I often worry that the list will be too long, but in this case it should have included more options. Choosing the best TV is about much more than just which 65-inch model is right for most people.
We can start looking into this now.
TV 50 inches and under
The premium selection in these sizes is limited, as many brands reserve top models for 55 inches and larger.
OLED:
The Samsung S90F and LG C5 remain excellent values. They offer great performance, lots of brightness and strong overall quality. Even if you want to save even more money, the LG B5 is ideal. It’s not that bright, but in a controlled space it’s an excellent premium option and often very competitively priced.
Mini LED:
Samsung’s QN90F is one of the few premium mini-LED devices of this size. Hisense, LG and Sony do not make their top mini LED models under 55 inches.
TCL offers the QM5K, a Best Buy exclusive that makes some compromises compared to the QM6K for an even cheaper price. It seems like a good option for a cheaper model that still has the key features, although I haven’t seen it in person yet.
Really inexpensive models
When it comes to very affordable TVs like Samsung’s Crystal UHD range, I simply haven’t spent enough time with them to make any reliable recommendations. I prefer to recommend televisions that I know well enough to stand behind.
I can say that I recently stayed in an Airbnb with a Samsung CU7000 and watched a Cowboys-Lions game on Prime without any issues. The brightness was fine and it worked well when playing sports in the SDR. That’s a useful data point, but I still wouldn’t generalize it to every scenario.
