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If you take the evolution diagram showing progression from ape to human and replace it with televisions, it would be a long line of big, heavy apes for about 60 years, and then a very fast turnaround into the thin, upright human that it is today. Smart TV.
Even a plasma TV I owned over a dozen years ago would be hairy. why? It likely didn’t have internet access or apps, and it certainly wasn’t streaming. Of course, if you get your movies in red envelopes mailed from Netflix, so it didn’t matter.
What made your TV go from stone tools to gadgets? In short, it’s integrated with your laptop, and in the process you’ve gained access to the internet, powerful processors, and easy-to-use software and applications. Old TVs that required a cable or other audio and video source evolved into devices that bring “Spider-Man: No Way Home” into your home just weeks after its theatrical release.
And just like smart humans, they love to hang out with smart friends. Smart TVs now have seamless integration with Alexa and/or Google Assistant, and can do bidding via voice commands. Some can control other smart devices in your home such as lights and your security system. Let’s see the old 100lb cathode ray tube monster with rabbit ear antenna do it!
So what makes the best smart TV? Honestly, the streaming capabilities and options are mostly the same. It boils down to the same criteria that TVs have been judged by since Milton Berle featured a 6-inch screen: picture quality, sound quality, ease of use, and price. OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) TVs have better picture quality, but are more expensive. Liquid crystal displays (LCDs), also known as LED TVs, are less expensive and better models still provide great, clear images.
Smart TVs require smart shopping. Here is a summary of our top recommendations.
The best of the best
LG OLED Evo G2 Series 77 inch 4K Smart TV
Courtesy of Amazon
If you’re going to be a hit, go big. This beauty with the six-foot-plus screen is from LG’s Gallery Edition line, and when you mount it to the wall—a process made much easier due to its thinness and relatively low weight (77.4 pounds) for its size—you’ll quickly see why that name is a good fit completely. The image, in short, is a work of art, with stunning contrast and color vibrancy across the entire giant screen. Add to Dolby Cinema mode, WiSA home theater technology, which when paired with WiSA-certified speakers that gives you unbeatable sound, and LG’s Game Enhancer, and you’ll have a TV that’s likely to be the best for years to come.
LG Oled Evo G2 Series 77 Inch 4K Smart TV
$3996.99
buy it
OLED picture, LED price
VIZIO 55 Inch OLED55-H1 Premium 4K Smart TV
Courtesy of Amazon
You don’t often find a really good OLED array for less than four digits, not to mention one that also has Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Pro Gaming Engine mode, and a blazing-fast 120Hz refresh rate. This Vizio model comes with most streaming apps preloaded, and if you’re upgrading from the LED array, you’ll notice perfect black levels and an overall improvement in color intensity right away. And if you can get it on Amazon’s current 26% off deal, you’ll also notice that your wallet isn’t quite emptied like it is with many other OLED sets.
Vizio 55 Inch OLED55-H1 Premium 4K Smart TV
buy it
Big picture, small price
TCL 75 Inch 6 Series 4K QLED Roku Smart TV (Model 2021)
Courtesy of Amazon
Don’t be alarmed by the “model 2021” tag — the tech improvements from last year to this one have been small, so you’re still buying peak TV experience. QLED stands for Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode. It’s still closer to LED than it is to OLED, but like we said, a good LED array still gives you a great picture, and this TCL array does just that, with Dolby Vision High Dynamic Range and a fast 120Hz refresh rate. Save half the money you would have spent on the LG OLED Evo G2 and get a set that’s less than two inches and offers a competitive picture.
TCL 75 Inch 6 Series 4K QLED Roku Smart TV
buy it
Best budget set
Amazon Fire 43 Inch 4-Series 4K Smart TV
Courtesy of Amazon
When you see an opportunity to get a full suite of powerful streaming options on a 4K Ultra HD monitor for under $400, you give it a long look. And when over 9,000 Amazon reviews give you an average endorsement of 4.5 stars, you’re in good company. This Amazon suite, of course, gives you built-in Alexa capabilities, voice functionality, and all the benefits of an Amazon Fire TV without a streaming stick. Will Rembrandt give you pictures like high-end OLED models? No, but it will greatly outperform, and it will be very stable and reliable performance.
Amazon Fire 43 Inch 4-Series 4K Smart TV
$369.99
buy it
Best LED array
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 4K Smart TV (Model 2021) – 19% off
Courtesy of Samsung
Samsung has brought out all its big guns to make this the best LED model we could find – Quantum Matrix and Quantum Mini LED technology to get this picture as close to OLED as you’ll find without making the leap, a Neo Quantum processor for 4K that’s rich in resolution no matter what you’re watching, and sound Object tracking + which kills any delay between image and sound. There is an 85-inch (!!!) 2022 model of this group with improved sound and contrast, but it’s literally more than three times the price of this 2021 model. Put the difference in his pocket and enjoy a truly great TV.
Samsung QN90A Neo QLED 4K Smart TV
buy it
Arsenal option
Sony 83 inch Bravia XR A90J HDR OLED with Google Smart TV
Courtesy of Best Buy
Step into a room with this wall-mounted monster and be ready to snap your jaw as it descends toward the floor. The list of features is almost as large as the screen, which is an inch short by seven feet in diagonal. Sony delivers the brightest OLED picture ever and combines it with XR technology that creates the toughest blacks and billions of natural, accurate colors. XR Motion Clarity means no distortion for fast-moving images like sports or action movies. Apple AirPlay means seamless connectivity from any of your Apple devices. And if you have a Sony PS5, there are gaming-exclusive optimizations for this console, and an input lag of ridiculously 8.5ms. If you hit a Powerball, buy a Lamborghini tomorrow – order a Sony Bravia XR A90J today.
Buy now:
buy it
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