When shopping for a TV, I look for quality and reliability, which can only be found from reputable brands. That’s why I’ll only buy a unit from either of these six manufacturers when I’m in the market for my next TV upgrade.
1
Samsung
Thanks to its continuous innovation in the space, Samsung is one of the best TV brands on the market. Its massive investment in pushing the boundaries in quantum dot technology and mini-LED backlighting gives Samsung displays some of the best available anywhere. Samsung pioneered QLED technology, which offers great color accuracy and higher peak brightness.
The company has also pioneered Neo-QLED, an improvement to QLED displays that offers better contrast ratios and finer local dimming control, like the QN85D QLED series and QN90D series. And if OLED is a must-have for you, the company sells various models with OLED panels, like the S90D.
Another key part that makes Samsung TVs attractive is the software side, with the company’s Tizen OS offering a feature-rich, user-friendly interface. The company also offers long-term updates and software support.
2
LG
LG pioneered OLED display technology and is still among the best manufacturers to buy your TV from if you need a self-emissive display with perfect blacks, wider viewing angles, and infinite contrast ratios. It doesn’t end there, though. With its OLED Evo display technology, the company has improved on traditional OLED with higher peak brightness and better efficiency. You can find these flagship display technologies on the LG G4 and C4, the company’s best TV models.
Another unique selling point of LG smart TVs is their support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, which offer superior HDR and audio quality. Regarding internal hardware, LG doesn’t cut corners—it includes its flagship alpha processors for the best performance. On the software side, LG TVs include webOS, one of the best smart TV platforms on the market.
3
Sony
Sony is a well-respected brand in the TV market for good reason. First, the company has distinguished itself by offering the best picture-processing technology of any modern TV brand through its flagship XR processors. While the company doesn’t produce its display panels, it sources them from the best in the market, like LG and Samsung Display. For example, the Sony Bravia 9 (the company’s 2024 flagship TV) uses a Samsung QLED panel.
Besides the processor and panel, modern Sony TVs use Android TV, the best smart TV platform. If you use Netflix to watch movies and TV shows, Sony offers a unique Netflix Calibrated Mode that ensures you watch content with the intended picture quality.
4
Hisense
Hisense is well known for its excellent value for money TVs, offering several high-end features at mid-range prices. The company’s U-series TVs offer solid picture quality for the price, thanks to the ULED display technology. Despite starting as a budget brand, the company has dramatically improved its product lineup and now competes with premium options from other brands.
With a tight budget, I’d pick the brand for its excellent picture quality at pocket-friendly prices. The company’s in-house VIDAA smart TV platform isn’t the best, but fortunately, it includes Google TV on select models like the U8N.
5
TCL
TCL is another solid budget TV brand offering excellent specifications for less, making it an easy pick if you don’t want your next TV upgrade to break the bank. Unlike incumbents, it hasn’t been around for long, but by following the same playbook as Hisense, it now has respectable TV models competing with the likes of Samsung, Sony, and LG.
The company has bet big on mini-LED backlighting technology, offering deeper blacks and high peak brightness. For the best gaming experience, TCL TVs also have great gaming features, such as a 240Hz refresh rate and a gaming mode with lower input lag, like the QM8.
6
Panasonic
Panasonic OLEDs are considered some of the best for pure cinematic quality. The only downside is that they’re only available in select regions. Panasonic TVs stand out because they partner with Hollywood filmmakers in color tuning to ensure the best picture quality.
If you want a TV tuned with the best color accuracy out of the box, go for Panasonic. Panasonic TVs also use Amazon’s Fire TV platform, one of the best options on the market. If you want the best from Panasonic, the Z95A is perfect, packed with all the bells and whistles.
While purchasing a TV, you should stick to reputable brands that have the best picture quality money can get or the best value for money. Avoid cheap no-name brand TVs as they may not offer the best quality or even a warranty if something goes wrong. If you buy from any of these six brands, you’re assured of an excellent TV that will serve you well for several years.
