We independently select all products and services. If you click through links we provide, we may earn a commission. Learn more Forbes Vetted The Best 4K TVs: Watch Your Shows With These Gorgeous Displays Jason R. Rich Forbes Staff Forbes Vetted Contributor Group Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Following May 23, 2023, 01:36pm EDT | Share to
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Twitter Share to Linkedin The right TV can provide a sharp and vibrant picture that makes your favorite shows, movies, sports, news and documentaries more immersive, lifelike and enjoyable to watch. If you want to truly enjoy the latest streaming shows, like Succession , The Mandalorian , or Poker Face —or watch live sports—owning one of the best 4K TVs will make that programming look its absolute best for a reasonable price point. Many of our top picks feature OLED technology—the advantage is that these TVs light up, dim or completely turn off the individual pixels. The result is that the screen is able to display extra detail by showcasing pure blacks, more lifelike colors and a higher level of contrast with whites. While you might wind up paying slightly more for the best OLED TVs (compared to a QLED or mini-LED TV), we think the better picture quality and smoothness of the video content is generally worth the investment. The best 4K TVs make watching your favorite programming more enjoyable, lifelike and immersive. Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers After considerable research and testing, we’ve named our top picks for the best 4K TVs from
Samsung , LG, Hisense and more. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current TV or add a new display to any room in your home, there’s one listed here that matches your needs and budget. Best 4K TV Overall : Samsung S95C 4K OLED Best 4K OLED TV : LG Class G3 4K OLED Best 4K TV For Sports : Samsung QN85C QLED Best 4K TV Under $1,000 : Hisense U8H ULED Best 4K For Streaming : Sony Bravia XR A95K OLED Best 4K TV For Gaming : LG C3 OLED Best Budget 4K TV : Hisense U6H QLED Best 4K TV For Bedrooms : TCL Class 6-Series QLED Best 4K TV For Living Rooms : Samsung The Frame Best 4K TV For Outdoors : Samsung Terrace Best 4K TV Overall Stunning OLED Picture Editor’s Pick
Amazon Samsung S95C 4K OLED Screen size : 65-inches | Display type : OLED | Refresh rate : 120Hz | Smart TV operating system : Samsung Tizen | HDR : HDR+, HDR10+ Best for : Those that love to see extreme detail with vivid picture. The biggest benefit to an OLED TV is that each pixel—in this case 8.3 million of them—lights up or turns off independently. With the Samsung 65-inch S95C OLED 4K Smart TV, each pixel shines ultra-brightly or can be turned off altogether to display a true black on-screen. Samsung does extensive calibration and testing so the TV will faithfully simulate the full range of Pantone-verified colors. Thus, whatever you’re watching showcases extreme detail, vibrant colors and excellent contrast. For sound, the TV supports Dolby Atmos with 3D object tracking via the TV’s built-in multi-channel speaker system. Using the TV’s Game Hub feature, you can play Xbox games sans the console, but you can also connect any gaming console to enjoy high-action and graphic intensive games. You’ll also get other sought after features, like multi-view, anti-glare display, access to
Google Assistant and mobile-to-TV mirroring—all packed into a TV that’s a mere 1.6-inches thick. This truly is a well-rounded OLED TV, with a beautiful and bright picture. Get it in 55-, 65- and 77-inches. What our editors say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs says, “The S95C’s vivid coloring, thanks to the self-lit pixels, make this the perfect TV for gamers. I especially loved the 4K upscaling that I saw when playing Skyrim. For viewers, this OLED panel made the Painted Table truly pop during House of the Dragon .” Pros : Beautiful 3,840 x 2,160 pixel OLED display Impressive AI-based 4K upscaling Gorgeous Pantone-verified coloring Cons : Expensive Best 4K OLED TV Discover A Smooth And Lifelike Picture Best Buy LG Class G3 OLED Screen size : 65-inches | Display type : OLED | Refresh rate : 120Hz | Smart TV operating system : WebOS 23 | HDR : Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG Best for : Seeing a bright, clear and vibrant picture. Not only does this LG TV offer an impressive OLED display, but for this version of the TV, the company improved brightness and contrast, regardless of the room’s ambient light. Like Samsung’s The Frame, the LG Class G3 OLED is just 1-inch thick and is designed to mount on your wall. When you’re not watching video-based content, it can display your favorite photos or famous works of art, allowing it to better blend in with the room’s decor. In addition to its decor-friendly design, you get Dolby Vision support, FilmMaker mode, plus Dolby Atmos support for audio to optimize your movie nights. Everything you see and hear is as authentic as possible to what the film’s director intended for movie lovers. Whether you’re watching high-action movies or playing games, the technology built into the G3 is designed to make action look smooth and clear. Like others on this list, when content is below 4K resolution, the TV automatically uses AI-based upscaling to improve picture quality. While you can easily connect the TV to a cable box, for example, it’s designed to be used as a smart TV and stream on-demand or live content directly from the internet. In fact, LG offers free access to more than 300 free LG streaming channels. While the 65-inch version of this TV is shown here, it also comes in a 55-, 77- and 83-inch version. Pros : Bright and vibrant OLED display (3,840 x 2,160 pixel resolution) Expansive connectivity options Supports FreeSync, G-Sync and NVIDA GeForce Now for gaming Cons : No stand or mount included Add a soundbar for the best audio quality Best 4K TV For Sports See Every Detail Of Every Play Samsung Samsung QN85C 4K Neo QLED Screen size : 75-inches | Display type : QLED | Refresh rate : 120Hz | Smart TV operating system : Samsung Tizen | HDR : HDR10+ Best for : Sports fans who live to watch the playoffs. With more than 8 million pixels, the Samsung 75-inch QN85C Neo QLED 4K smart TV uses mini-LEDs to display 4K resolution programming, even when it’s being upscaled using the TV’s AI-based Neural Quantum Processor. By providing superior contrast with vivid and authentic colors, whatever you’re watching will appear clear and vibrant—with Dolby Atmos and 3D audio with Object Tracking sound to accompany everything you watch. Through the Samsung Gaming Hub, play popular Xbox games without a game console, or connect your favorite gaming system to take full advantage of the 4K display with its 120Hz refresh rate and FreeSync support. You also get plenty of HDMI and USB ports, an Ethernet port, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity options so you can live stream or catch on-demand programming. A 55-, 65- and 85-inch model is also available. Pros : QLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate Dolby Atmos support for audio Plenty of ports to connect your cable box Cons : Supports Alexa and Bixby, but not Google Assistant Best 4K TV Under $1,000 Great Picture At A Great Price Good Value Amazon Hisense U8H QLED 4K ULED Screen size : 65-inches | Display type : QLED | Refresh rate : 120Hz | Smart TV operating system : Google TV | HDR : HDR10+, Dolby Vision IQ Best for : Enjoying true 4K viewing when you’re on a budget. We’re fans of the Hisense brand because the company consistently offers high-quality picture at a much more affordable price than the competition. For less than $1,000, you’ll get a 65-inch 4K mini-LED display that offers a maximum brightness of 1,500 nits. It’s this brightness, combined with its expansive local dimming, Dolby Vision and Dolby Vision HDR support that allows the Hisense U8H QLED TV to generate a smooth picture with authentic colors. Take advantage of the FilmMaker mode or IMAX Enhanced mode, both which add an even more immersive and cinematic quality to what you’re watching. The 120Hz refresh rate, with FreeSync Premium support virtually eliminate screen jitter and frame tearing when playing even the most graphic-intensive action games. In addition to a 65-inch display, you can opt for a 55- and 75-inch version. What our editors say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs says, “For gamers and movie lovers with a smaller living spaces, this is by far my favorite TV, and not because of that three-figure price tag. The panel offers 4K upscaling and great detailing which brought vivid detailing to costumes seen on House of the Dragon and to games like Horizon: Forbidden West . If you’re looking for a great picture sans a high price point, this is the model for your home.” Pros : Great ULED display that still offers a 120Hz refresh rate Well-rounded for gaming, streaming, and casual viewing Cons : 4K upscaling can be inconsistent Narrow viewing angle isn’t ideal for large living rooms Best 4K TV For Streaming Quick Access to
Netflix, Disney+, Hulu And More Amazon Sony 65-Inch 4K Bravia XR OLED A95K Screen size : 65-inches | Display type : OLED | Refresh rate : 120Hz | Smart TV operating system : GoogleTV | HDR : HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG Best for: Making your movies and streaming content look its best. Sony's Bravia XR A95K uses a mix of OLED technology and quantum dots to deliver high contrast images with greater color depth than Sony’s top-of-the-line, previous-generation OLED TVs. The A95K produces bright, vibrant and detailed images and also offers the same dark blacks and low input lag as traditional OLED TVs. We found the Bravia XR A95K similar in quality to the Samsung S95C, but its extra image enhancements, additional features and premium Sony brand name make this a more expensive option, so if you’re going to opt for it, we recommend holding out for a sale. This model gets almost as bright as the brightest OLEDs, reaching almost 1,000 nits at its brightest. Add in stunning color accuracy and vibrancy, plus OLED's usual deep blacks and support for all the latest HDR standards–including Dolby Vision–and you get the perfect TV for enjoying all of your favorite streaming content. The TV also benefits from Sony's powerful XR onboard processor, which can not only upscale lower resolution content, but it dynamically adjusts contrast, color levels, brightness and optimize the display. Another perk of opting for the A95K? Sony's acoustic surface technology uses the screen itself as an additional speaker. Pros: Strong upscaling Bright and vibrant picture from QD-OLED display Impressive audio Cons: More expensive than comparably sized TVs Best 4K TV For Gaming Immerse Yourself In Your Favorite Games Amazon LG C3 4K OLED Screen size : 65-inches | Display type : OLED | Refresh rate : 120Hz | Smart TV operating system : WebOS 23 | HDR : HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision Best for : Catching up on the latest PlayStation 5 games. While Sony TV’s have features design to enhance PlayStation 5 gaming , the new LG C3 Series 65-inch OLED evo Smart TV does a solid
Job accommodating any console-based gaming system by offering a variable refresh rate up to 120Hz, FreeSync, G-Sync, NVIDA GeForce Now support and an impressively bright screen. You also get 4 HDMI inputs, 3 USB Type-C inputs, an Ethernet port, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless connectivity, so your gaming can truly be customized. Beyond gaming, the C3 uses dynamic tone mapping and image-specific HDR to showcase a picture that’s realistic and smooth—with excellent contrast. And the AI upscaling allows you to watch broadcast TV networks and enjoy a picture that’s as good as the best 4K native content you get from the streaming services. When you’re watching 4K movies, the FilmMaker mode combined with Dolby Vision add an extra cinematic quality. This 2023 model uses LG’s new Alpha a9 Gen 6 processor which promises faster performance. It’s also available in a 48-, 55- and 77-inch version. Pros : FreeSync, G-Sync and NVIDA GeForce Now support for gaming Immersive AI-based 4K upscaling Cons : Internal speakers could be better No support for ATC 3.0 broadcast TV Best Budget TV All The Perks For A Low Price Hisense Hisense U6H 4K ULED Screen size : 65-inches | Display type : QLED | Refresh rate : 60Hz | Smart TV operating system : GoogleTV | HDR : Dolby Vision HDR Best for : Offering a maximum brightness of 600 nits and 48 local dimming zones, the Hisense 65U6H provides excellent value for the money. It bundles key features that make watching any type of programming an absolute pleasure. The quantum dot technology displays brilliantly rich and accurate colors with more than 1 billion color combinations. While it only offers a 60Hz refresh rate, the Dolby Vision HDR, FilmMaker mode and Dolby Atmos support provide a cinematic quality that also extends to audio. Because the TV relies on the Google TV OS, it’s fully compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, allowing you to issue voice commands to control the TV and quickly find your favorite shows. You’ll also get quick and easy access to all of the popular streaming networks and services that you subscribe to. Get it in 50-, 55-, 65-, and 75-inch displays. Pros : Offers solid overall performance and value Supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos Cons : 60Hz refresh rate isn’t optimal for gamers Narrow viewing angle makes this panel best for smaller spaces Best 4K TV For Bedrooms Detailed Picture With Dolby Atmos Sound Amazon TCL Class 6-Series 4K Mini-LED QLED Screen size : 65-inches | Display type : QLED | Refresh rate : 120Hz | Smart TV operating system : RokuOS | HDR : Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG Best for : Watching just about anything. The TCL Class 6-Series QLED offers the features you want for casual bedroom viewing at an affordable price. The mini-LED technology allows for excellent contrast, brightness and picture uniformity, with accurate colors combined with deeply dark areas. You’ll get 360 local dimming zones, for a nice distinction between light and dark areas within the picture as well as a great sense of detail and depth. Thanks to four HDMI ports, connect a wide range of equipment to the TV such as a cable box, gaming console and soundbar . You’ll also be able to stream your favorite shows thanks to the built-in Roku OS. Pros : Picture detail and upscaling enhanced by quantum dot technology Supports Roku, Dolby Vision IQ, FreeSync Premium Pro and Auto Game Mode Cons : Not as bright as some competitors Narrower viewing angle compared to competition Best 4K TV For Living Rooms Displays Art When You're Not Watching TV Samsung Samsung's The Frame Screen size : 75-inches | Display type : QLED | Refresh rate : 120Hz | Smart TV operating system : Samsung Tizen | HDR : Quantum HDR, HDR10+ Best for : Displaying famous artwork or photos on your wall when not watching television. Big-screen TVs can easily dominate a room—regardless of whether they’re switched on or simply a big, black panel hanging on your wall. Samsung's The Frame transforms your space thanks to its signature matte screen coating and picture frame-like bezel—two design elements which mimic art on your wall. When the built-in ambient art is displayed, you'd be hard-pressed determining if the masterpiece is real or a virtual reproduction. If you’re not feeling Van Gogh or other master painters, you can also display a slideshow of your favorite photos instead. It relies on Samsung’s Tizen operating system, including a hub for Samsung’s SmartThings smart home gear, apps for watching all popular streaming services, and voice control using Samsung Bixby, Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. Pros : Anti-glare matte screen Dedicated ambient art mode Mobile to TV mirroring and split-screen view functions Cons : Narrow viewing angle Expensive Artwork subscription costs extra Best 4K TV For Outdoors BBQ And Catch The Big Game Samsung Samsung The Terrace QLED (Partial Sun) Screen size : 65-inches | Display type : QLED | Refresh rate : 120Hz | Smart TV operating system : Samsung Tizen | HDR : HDR10, HDR10+, HDR 32X Best for : Watching TV outdoors on your deck or when it’s set up by the pool. Before diving into our top pick for a 4K outdoor TV, a quick heads up: There are two models. One is for partial sunlight (i.e., the shade) and the other offers a screen that’s visible in full sunlight—and while both offer an anti-reflection screen, but the full sunlight version is considerably more expensive. That said, the partial sunlight model offers a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits that’s significantly brighter than any TV designed for indoor viewing. And with its IP55 waterproof rating, the TV can withstand water and dust, as well as harsh weather conditions. You can watch vivid live or on-demand games on this clear 4K display, and it’s also great for watching high-action movies. While the TV comes with a remote, if your hands are full, you can use voice commands. Because it’s a smart TV, it can allow you to easily stream content from your mobile device to the TV or enjoy split-screen viewing or two different video feeds. Add this to your patio in a 55-, 65- and 75-inch model. What our editors say: Tech editor Rebecca Isaacs says, “For those that want an outdoor TV to keep an eye on sports games, the partial sunlight TV brings a bright and detailed picture to your patio. I especially like that it can pair with a dedicated outdoor soundbar to make your viewings more enjoyable.” Pros : Anti-glare QLED screen with wide viewing angle Impressive AI-based 4K upscaling IP55 weatherproof rating Cons : Expensive Partial sunlight model can’t handle full direct sunlight MORE FROM FORBES VETTED FYI: These 16 Memorial Day Furniture Sales Have Already Started By Jordan Thomas Forbes Staff The Best Tinted Sunscreens That Give A Protective Glow By Zoe Schaeffer Contributor How We Chose The Best 4K TVs Here at Forbes Vetted, whether we’re gaming, streaming, or just enjoying its ambient mode while we work, we live for top-notch TVs. We’re experts in the home entertainment area, offering hands-on insights when we can to provide you a better picture as to what TVs are the best for your home. In addition to our hands-on testing, we extensively researched each model and spoke with product experts and industry leaders to help us determine the 4K TVs that made the cut. We carefully evaluated each 4K TV’s screen size, screen type, refresh rate, operating systems and more. We also paid attention to what sets each 4K TV apart from its competition. Why Trust Forbes Vetted The Forbes Vetted tech team strives to offer accurate and trustworthy product assessments that are the result of intensive research and hands-on testing. Our writers and editors have years of experience writing about a broad range of consumer electronics and have the background and expertise to help you make the best buying decisions possible. Other Articles You Might Like Forbes Vetted regularly covers all types of consumer electronics and then reviews and recommends the best products in specific categories. Here are some other articles you might enjoy reading: Best TVs Across All Sizes Best 85-Inch TVs Best OLED TVs Best 65-Inch TVs Best Gaming TVs Best Outdoor TVs Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn . Send me a secure tip . Jason R. Rich Editorial Standards Print Reprints & Permissions