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While there are a few smaller budget TVs with 1080p resolution, nowadays most TVs that you can buy have a 4K resolution. What is 4K? This is a count of the number of pixels across the screen: 3,840x2,160 to be exact. Yet, it's not even the resolution that's most interesting about this technology, as high dynamic range, peak brightness and ever-expanding color palettes make the latest TVs truly shine. The best-performing TVs in our reviews excel in all of these areas, and this ensures you can extract the best performance = from streaming services, 4K Blu-ray players and game consoles like the Xbox Series X and PS5.
Who is it best for: The TCL QM8K offers performance that approaches OLED but at a significant discount, making it suited to people want a great picture for the least amount of money.
Pros
- Great picture quality
- Very few haloing artifacts
- New Filmmaker mode helps create more accurate pictures
Cons
- Still bright, but dimmer than the TV it replaced
- Worse input lag with games
Who is it best for: Despite the existence of the newer, but similar C5 and C6, the LG C4 series stands out as an excellent choice for 4K TV enthusiasts and home theater fans. It's suited to a host of different uses including streaming, gaming and sports, thanks to its ultra-clear picture. The fact is supports Dolby Vision is also a great point in its favor.
Pros
- Better picture quality than any non-OLED TV we've tested
- Superior contrast and off-angle image
- Best-in-class gaming features
- Sleek styling with ultralight, thin panel
Cons
- Expensive
- Not as bright as higher-end OLED TVs
Who is it best for: If you're looking for the best possible picture and don't mind paying for it, the Samsung S95F stands out in the 4K OLED TV market. It's great for home theater fans, but is also suited for use in shared living areas due to its great performance in lit rooms.
Pros
- Best picture quality I've ever tested
- Reduces reflections better than other OLED TVs
Cons
- It's expensive
- Not as bright as the LG G5 in some cases
Who is it best for: If you want the best possible TV for the least possible money then your journey is over -- this is the TV for you. This is a bright TV for the money, with excellent contrast and it's great at gaming too.
Pros
- Full array local dimming
- Excellent contrast
- Fully saturated images
Cons
- Sound quality isn’t very good, especially at high volume
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- Best 4K TV for 2026
- What are the best 4K TVs right now?
- Best 4K TVs in 2026
- Best 4K TV for most people
- Best OLED TV for the money
- Best 4K TV for lit rooms
- Best 4K TV under $500
- Other 4K TVs CNET has tested
- Recent updates
- Factors to consider when choosing a 4K TV
- How CNET tests 4K TVs
- Best 4K TV FAQs
Read more: Best TVs of 2026
Watch this: These 4 TVs Have the Best Picture Quality in 2025
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What are the best 4K TVs right now?
When it comes to TVs, there's no shortage of options to choose from -- both online and in-store. Whether you choose a new version, or last year's or earlier (we still recommend 2024 TVs, if available, for the best value), the best 4K TV options encompass a wide variety of models at budget and premium prices. One of my favorite affordable 4K TVs is the TCL QM8K (2025), which starts at less than $1,000. For a more premium pick, I also love the LG OLED C4.
The following list represents the best 4K TVs that I've reviewed in CNET's test lab, where I compare them side by side.
Best 4K TVs in 2026
Pros
- Great picture quality
- Very few haloing artifacts
- New Filmmaker mode helps create more accurate pictures
Cons
- Still bright, but dimmer than the TV it replaced
- Worse input lag with games
Who is it best for: The TCL QM8K offers performance that approaches OLED but at a significant discount, making it suited to people want a great picture for the least amount of money.
Performance: TCL has topped our list of the best TVs for the last few years, but the most recent 2025 TCL QM8K raises the bar even higher, especially for fans of 4K resolution. In my comparison tests, the QM8K distinguished itself with superior brightness and impact without sacrificing the deep contrast that is crucial for 4K viewing. This performance is largely thanks to its combination of mini-LED technology, full-array local dimming and the Halo Control system which reduces backlight bleeding.
Overview: The TCL is great in a lot of ways, performance and affordability are at the top of the list, but if you're a gamer this may not be the best TV for you as it's a little slower than less-processing hungry TVs like the Roku Pro or LG C4.
Pros
- Better picture quality than any non-OLED TV we've tested
- Superior contrast and off-angle image
- Best-in-class gaming features
- Sleek styling with ultralight, thin panel
Cons
- Expensive
- Not as bright as higher-end OLED TVs
Who is it best for: Despite the existence of the newer, but similar C5 and C6, the LG C4 series stands out as an excellent choice for 4K TV enthusiasts and home theater fans. It's suited to a host of different uses including streaming, gaming and sports, thanks to its ultra-clear picture. The fact is supports Dolby Vision is also a great point in its favor.
Performance: The LG C4 offers better picture quality than any non-OLED TV on this list. The C4's perfect black levels and unmatched contrast enhance the depth and detail of 4K content, while its superb off-angle viewing ensures a great picture from almost any position in the room. Although it may not match the peak brightness of newer mini-LED models, the C4 is still an incredible performer in all kinds of lighting, making it a versatile choice for any home.
Overview: This TV is capable of fine picture quality and has an attractive price compared to other OLEDs -- especially the 2025 and 2026 models. While it's not the brightest TV out there, the LG G4 still represents excellent bang for buck.
Pros
- Best picture quality I've ever tested
- Reduces reflections better than other OLED TVs
Cons
- It's expensive
- Not as bright as the LG G5 in some cases
Who is it best for: If you're looking for the best possible picture and don't mind paying for it, the Samsung S95F stands out in the 4K OLED TV market. It's great for home theater fans, but is also suited for use in shared living areas due to its great performance in lit rooms.
Performance: As an OLED, the S95F boasts picture quality that is among the best you can get right now with saturated colors, excellent contrast and ultra-fine detail. If you're choosing between this and the LG G5, its the Samsung's practically reflection-free coating which makes it the best OLED TV for 4K viewing in brightly-lit rooms.
Overview: The Samsung S95F offers 4K image quality which is beating both the G5 as well as any other non-OLED TV. But it still costs a ton, and most people -- even those with bright rooms -- will be perfectly happy with a less expensive TV.
Pros
- Full array local dimming
- Excellent contrast
- Fully saturated images
Cons
- Sound quality isn’t very good, especially at high volume
Who is it best for: If you want the best possible TV for the least possible money then your journey is over -- this is the TV for you. This is a bright TV for the money, with excellent contrast and it's great at gaming too.
Performance: Key to the Hisense QD7’s success is full array local dimming -- something you usually only find in more expensive TVs. Adding to its superior picture was its higher brightness which was twice as bright as every other model. This boost was also beneficial in video games with a brilliant picture that was more immersive than the other TVs.The enhanced levels of contrast give images a solidity that meant the Hisense was unmatched among its peers.
Overview: The QD7 is the best budget TV I've ever tested, and while the price is volatile, it's the best-performing TV you will find for anywhere under $500.
Mar 18 2026: Added TCL QM8K, Hisense QD7 and Samsung S95F and updated also tested list.
Two Bravia 4K TVs from 2025
David KatzmaierIt's worth repeating here, but over 80% of all TVs sold in the world right now are 4K TVs, and the differences between them goes beyond pure resolution. With all of the technical terms and jargon associated with television technology, it can be tough to figure out what's important. Here's a quick guide to help cut through the confusion.
Picture quality: Broadly speaking, the type of display technology helps dictate how good a TV's picture quality is, but OLED is typically the best display technology, and this is followed by LCD (including QLED, and Mini LED). OLED tends to look the best because it doesn't need a backlight, and every pixel can be either on or off, leading to great black levels. In comparison, each LED in a backlight illuminates multiple pixels at a time so it isn't as precise -- it's not yet 1:1. Even so, look for full-array local dimming, mini-LED and 120Hz refresh rate, which (unlike some other extras) do help improve the picture in my experience. Additionally, if a TV uses Quantum Dots it often leads to better color performance, whether it's an OLED or an LCD.
Brightness: One of the biggest variables when buying a TV is how bright it can get. In general, LCD and LED tend to be the brightest types with up to 3,000 nits of brightness in my testing, which is very bright. As a comparison, HDR streaming on Netflix is usually capped at 1,000 nits, and this is enough for most people. Paying more for a TV usually means you're paying for a brighter picture, and 4K Blu-rays and consoles can make the most of this extra brightness.
Price: 4K TVs range in price from around $400 to more than $2,000. Smaller screens are cheaper, well-known brands are more expensive, and spending more money can also get you better image quality. Most entry-level TVs have a good enough picture for most people, but TVs last a long time, so it might be worth spending more to get a better picture. It's also best to shop for a TV in the fall when prices are lower.
Screen size: Bigger is better in our book. We recommend a size of at least 43 inches for a bedroom TV and at least 55 inches for a living room or main TV -- and 65 inches or larger is best. More than any other "feature," stepping up in TV screen size is the best use of your money. One of the most common post-TV-purchase complaints we've heard is from people who didn't go big enough. We rarely hear people complain that their TV is too large.
Features: Among entry-level 4K TVs, the most important feature is what kind of smart TV system the TV uses. Among midrange models, look for a feature including full-array local dimming, mini-LED and 120Hz refresh rate, which (unlike some other extras) do help improve the picture in our experience. Among high-end TVs, OLED technology is your best bet.
For more TV buying advice check out our page on how to buy a TV.
| Brightest mode (HDR) | Accurate mode (HDR) | Brightest mode (SDR) | Accurate mode (SDR) |
| 4520 | 2520 | 3930 | 262 |
| 4080 | 4070 | 4107 | 436 |
| 3011 | 3011 | 3038 | 196 |
| 2813 | 2297 | 1030 | 412 |
| 2150 | 2150 | 391 | 297 |
| 1466 | 1466 | 633 | 305 |
| 1213 | 968 | 414 | 390 |
| - | 618 | - | - |
In every CNET TV review, I compare three or more similar TVs side by side in a dedicated, light-controlled test lab. With each review I employ a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process that has been honed in more than two decades of TV reviews. I test TVs with a combination of scientific measurements and real-world evaluations of TV, movies and gaming content.
To ensure I can evaluate the picture quality of every TV I employ the use of an AVPro Connect 8x8 4K HDR splitter so each one receives the same signal. I test the TVs using various lighting conditions playing different media, including 4K HDR movies and console games, across a variety of test categories, from color to video processing to gaming to HDR.
In order to measure each TV, I use specialized equipment to grade according to light output and color. My hardware includes a Konica Minolta CS-2000 spectroradiometer and a Murideo Six-G 4K HDR signal generator. I use Portrait Displays CalMan Ultimate software to evaluate every TV I review according to their brightness, black levels and color.
My reviews also account for such things as features, design, smart TV performance, connectivity including HDMI inputs and gaming compatibility.
Read more: How CNET tests TVs
We'll post the answers to commonly asked TV questions below. If you have any others, feel free to reach out on X (@dkatzmaier) or by clicking the three dots then the little envelope icon on my CNET profile page. Doing so will let you send a message straight to my inbox.
At this point, yes, they are. Almost all new TVs are 4K TVs, so the chance that your next set will be in 4K is highly likely. As of now, you can easily find TVs that are 43 inches and above with a 4K display. They come in many different sizes and prices and are unquestionably the type of TV that we recommend. There are still non-4K TVs on the market, but they tend to occur at either the high or low ends of the price/size spectrum. Smaller, cheaper TVs in the 32-inch class and smaller still tend to offer HD-only displays, while a few 8K TVs are available in large sizes with corresponding price points. We don't think 8K TVs are worth it right now, as there is little content available to take advantage of the technology. HD-only displays are fine for small rooms, but you will likely be able to get a 4K TV for a similar sale price.
Are 4K TVs good for gaming?
Yes, they are. All 4K TVs will be able to display games in 4K resolution, although high-end 4K TVs will have extra gaming perks like a Variable Refresh Rate and 4K/120 fps, which are features that are made to take advantage of the latest gaming consoles. Even cheaper models can make good gaming TVs as they have specialized modes that offer low input lag for console gaming.
Are there downsides to a 4K TV?
Not really. 4K TVs from reputable brands will generally offer a solid viewing experience. All 4K TVs come with some kind of smart TV system, and some are better than others. You might consider it a downside If you've wound up with a TV with a less-than-stellar smart system. Luckily, you can mitigate this problem by connecting a streaming device to any TV. At CNET, our favorite is Roku for its simplicity, but different systems like Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung and LG have different strengths, in particular for voice commands.
What size 4K TV should I buy?
How much should I spend on a 4K TV?
Prices vary widely by size and features, from less than $100 for basic 24-inch TVs to more than $2,000 for big OLED models. TVs last a long time, so we think it's worthwhile to spend a little extra beyond the bare minimum to get a bigger screen, better picture quality or better features. With that in mind, here are some ballpark prices that will get you a very good TV in 2026.
- 55-inch: $700
- 65-inch: $1,000
- 75-inch: $1,300
You could pay (much) more or less. The fact is, just about any TV will produce a picture decent enough to satisfy most viewers. Most complaints you read in user reviews aren't about picture quality. Instead, they're about ease of use, smart TV menus or sound (or a broken TV).
Which 4K TV is better, OLED or LED?
In our reviews, OLED TVs, which use organic light-emitting diode technology, have always had better picture quality than LED TVs, which are LCD TVs that use LED backlights. The main reason is that OLED TVs can produce a perfectly dark shade of black with no stray illumination of blooming, which leads to better contrast and pop. LED TVs can get brighter and usually cost less than OLED TVs.
What is the best 4K TV for streaming?
At CNET, our favorite is Roku for its simplicity, but different systems like Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung and LG have different strengths, in particular for voice commands. In any case, we don't consider the built-in smart TV system that important because you can always connect a streaming device to any TV.
