Smart TVs have been around for quite a while. They are designed to work smoothly with open-platform software like Android and Roku TV, running on various operating systems.
They offer more content options compared to traditional TVs that only have access to channels, cable, or satellite supplies. If you are thinking about getting a Smart TV, you are in the right place.
Meet the Brands and Devices
LG
The TVs from LG’s OLED, NanoCell, and AI ThinQ come with advanced voice control features. To control these LG Smart TVs, all you have to do is speak. Furthermore, they can work with other smart devices in your home, for instance, your smart thermostat.
With an LG Smart TV, you no longer have to buy an Amazon Echo or a Google Home device separately. All LG Smart TVs have built-in compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Some advanced LG Smart TVs, such as the OLED GX Series, come with 8.3 million self-lit pixels. It ensures a perfect black, infinite contrast and shows even the smallest details for an enhanced TV experience. On the other hand, the LG NanoCell 90Series can offer vibrant and accurate pictures, as it comes with a color spectrum that contains over a billion colors.
Samsung
Samsung Smart TVs do not limit your entertainment to only streaming content from the internet; they also let you schedule screen recording, use different apps, and let you search or play games in real-time.
Thanks to the Samsung SmartThings feature, your Samsung Smart TV can connect to different smart gadgets in your home. Your smart devices can work wirelessly, making your life much easier. There is one more advanced feature of Samsung Smart TVs, and that is the Universal Guide. It helps you control all your favorite apps at once and suggests content that matches your preferences.
As far as integrations are concerned, Samsung Smart TVs come with OneRemote and Auto Detect features. Using them, you can connect your Smart TV to your home theatre. Furthermore, thanks to the Bixby Virtual Assistant, you can use simple voice commands to operate your TV.
Sony
With a Sony Smart TV, you can watch 700K movies and TV series, as well as Live TV. Thanks to the Google TV integration, all your subscriptions and favorite content will be curated from across different apps and organized in one place.
Every Sony Smart TV comes with support for Disney+, YouTube, Google Play, Netflix, and Prime Video. Some of the Sony TVs, such as the Bravia XR Master, come with a redefined OLED display, ultimate brightness adjustment, and human intelligence all built into it.
All Sony Smart TVs also feature the option to enlarge content from your iOS or Android phone. If you are watching your favorite movie or if you come across a YouTube video you want to share with your family members, you can quickly use the Chromecast or the Apple AirPlay feature and stream it on the big screen.
Vizio
Vizio Smart TVs come with the SmartCast feature. They offer endless entertainment options thanks to built-in apps, hundreds of free channels and live stream features. You can stream content from Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and Hulu from anywhere, with Dolby Vision audio and 4K HDR video.
As far as convenience is concerned, Vizio TVs come with voice control for Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa. Furthermore, thanks to the Vizio mobile app, you can search and play content right from your smartphone by using the SmartCast mobile app.
To enhance your experience, Vizio TVs come with many accessories, such as a Smart TV remote with a full-fledged QWERTY keyboard. It also features a TV video camera that enables users to engage in video conferences with their friends and family from the convenience of their homes.
Hisense
Hisense TVs are some of the most affordable Smart TVs out there. But that doesn’t mean they lack features—these budget-friendly TVs offer many features you expect from a high-budget Smart TV. They come with 4K video resolution, HDR support, and Dolby Vision.
Most Hisense TVs support integration for Roku TV. This platform enables Hisense TVs to support a wide range of apps. Sadly, one thing these TVs do not offer is support for voice control.
If you only intend to stream content from the internet, you are better off getting the Hisense 4K Smart TVs. But if you want to stream games, you should get one of their Full-HD sets. They come with console support and streaming sticks.
TCL
TCL Smart TVs are relatively a new arrival on the market. However, this does not mean they are poorly built. TCL is a Chinese electronics company that makes different consumer electronics, such as smartphones, refrigerators, and, of course, Smart TVs.
TCL TVs offer both an elegant appearance and top-notch features. They come with QLED (Quantum Dot Display Technology), The Design, HDR 10 Vision, Dolby Digital Technology, and Dual TV OS.
The biggest selling point for TLC TVs is their affordable price. They also stand out in terms of their remarkable video resolution. Thanks to HDR Pro, WCG, and NBP Photon pictures technology, their image quality is on par with the other top brands on the market.
Smart TVs Features to Consider
Screen Size
When getting a Smart TV, you must always consider what screen size will be the best fit for you. There is a saying, “the bigger, the better.” However, screen size is a major factor that determines the price of the TV. So, before buying a Smart TV, always consider the ideal screen size for you.
If you will mostly watch movies on your TV, then get a 55-inch TV for a TV-to-sofa distance of 5.5 feet. This will give you the best theatre-like experience. There is another factor you should consider when purchasing a Smart TV, and that factor is the field of view. Some suggest that a 30° field of view is ideal (recommended by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), while others claim that a 40° field of view is better.
Resolution
If you search for a Smart TV buying guide on the internet, you will find video resolution as one of the top priorities. The rule of thumb here is to get a higher-resolution TV if your TV-to-sofa distance is small. This concept works fine if your TV is in your living room.
As far as the resolution is concerned, go with a 1080p resolution TV, which is also referred to as a Full HD TV. It has become the standard in all TVs on the market. If you have a higher budget, you can get an Ultra HD (4K), or an HDTV TV.
Color Range (HDR)
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. It refers to a TV's ability to ensure higher contrast levels, deliver more colors, and higher brightness. If you get a 1080p Smart TV, you will not get the HDR feature.
The HDR feature is standard for an Ultra HD or 4K Smart TV. There are different sub-categories of HDR. If you are not a tech-savvy person, try to get a Smart TV that supports HDR 10. Some HDR TVs also come with Dolby Vision technology. Make sure to check if the TV you are considering buying offers it or not.
Refresh Rate
A good TV will have a refresh rate of 60 Hz. But on higher-end Smart TVs, you will find a refresh rate of 120 Hz. The higher the refresh rate, the better your TV is equipped to smoothly display live-action, sports, and fast animation.
If you are getting an LCD HDTV, try to get a TV with a 120 Hz refresh rate. Otherwise, your TV will display jittery and blurry images. Some advanced Smart TVs come with a High-Frame Rate (HFR) feature. It enables them to smoothly display content that requires an above 60 Hz refresh rate.
OLED vs LED LCD
There are three different types of display screens on the market—OLED, LCD, and LED. LED (Light-Emitting Diode) is the most common type of display out there. Then, what is LCD? Well, LCD and LED refer to the same type of display. The LED part of an LCD refers to the lighting source only.
Then we have the advanced OLED display. It is mostly used in high-end smartphones such as the iPhone X series, LG C8, and Samsung Galaxy S10. OLED displays are by far the best, but they also come at a higher price.
Operating System
Just like any smart gadget, a Smart TV also requires an Operating System (OS). There are multiple Operating Systems for TVs, such as WebOS, TizenOS, Android TV, and Roku TV.
The Roku TV OS comes with its own set-top box. It also features many advanced features that are unique to the platform. WebOS is LG's Operating System for Smart TVs. Thanks to its easy-to-use interface, it soon grew to become one of the most favorite OS for Smart TVs.
Then comes the Android TV OS. This Operating System is an open platform and the reason why every Smart TV manufacturer modifies the original OS into something that suits the line of TVs.
Smart TV Articles
The Verdict
In this article, we looked at the best Smart TV models out there and presented the criteria you should consider when choosing one. Leave a comment below if you have any questions.