How we test TVs at ZDNET in 2024

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These days, a TV is much more than something you use to watch movies and shows. The latest smart TVs can turn your living room into a true entertainment hub, allowing you to stream music, content, and shows from thousands of apps, view photos and videos from mobile devices, browse the web, and even remotely access your desktop PC or make video calls for work.

Also: The best TVs: Expert tested

But this doesn't mean that the basics of what makes a TV great compared to "just okay" have changed. And we at ZDNET put each TV we review through a series of real-world tests and lab benchmarking to help you find the best fit for your space, entertainment needs, and your budget. If you've ever wondered what it is, exactly, that we're looking for before we recommend a TV to you, here's a thorough breakdown of how we evaluate TVs for everything from catching up with cable news and streaming the latest films to console gaming and screen sharing content from mobile devices.

How we test TVs in 2024

Almost all of the TVs we test for ZDNET reviews or inclusion on our best lists were provided by manufacturers either shortly before or after their release to the public. This means that sometimes, TVs we receive are under embargo and cannot be discussed in any form until after a specified date and time. While this may seem like a hindrance, the embargo period gives ZDNET reviewers time to get to know the TV and ask questions without the influence of outside reviews or customer sentiment.

Testing time for each TV varies, as we negotiate with manufacturers for both short- and long-term testing to address any bugs or other issues that may crop up. But typically, our TV testing process takes one to two weeks. It's rare for a ZDNET writer to review a TV that they have purchased themselves.

During this timeframe, ZDNET writers and experts not only poke through a TV's menus and put it through its paces, but also interview brand representatives and product engineers for more insight into who the TV was made for, what new features (if any) were added over older models, and any sustainability measures taken during the manufacturing process. Whether a TV was purchased by a ZDNET reviewer or sent by a brand for testing and a write-up, ZDNET is committed to editorial integrity. This means that brands cannot and do not influence our testing and final review by providing testing units or interviews, and that all brand contributions are clearly denoted in reviews for full reader transparency.

What makes a TV ZDNET recommended?

Just because a brand sends us a TV to test and review doesn't mean it automatically gets included in reviews and best lists. If we at ZDNET don't feel that a model meets our standards, we don't write about it.

When we do hands-on testing, whether in our homes or in the testing lab, we look at four main categories to determine if a TV is worth recommending to our readers: Picture and sound quality, connectivity and smart features, ease of use, and privacy and security. While each category is important in its own right, we tend to weigh in favor of picture/sound quality and connectivity/smart features during testing, since these are what readers are usually looking at the most when trying to make a buying decision.

To be included in a buying guide or a review, a TV has to perform exceptionally across the board, as there is a deluge of average, affordable, and passable models on the market. We also consider verified customer reviews from retailers to pinpoint any common issues like firmware bugs or faulty features. While many negative reviews have nothing do to with the product itself (customer service, shipping delays, damage during shipping, etc.), those that do focus on product issues can be a valuable resource for staying aware of known issues with firmware updates, app support, and even dead-on-arrival units. We also compare new models with previous iterations to see if any meaningful upgrades have been made, like improved LED/OLED panels, enhanced processors, better security, etc.

Picture and sound quality

When you buy a TCL 98-inch Class S5 Series TV, no matter the price, you expect it to have a decent picture and sound; nothing is worse than unboxing and setting up a new, very expensive TV just to turn it on and find out that the picture quality looks nothing like the promotional images or that the built-in speakers sound like tin cans.

At ZDNET, we have several reviews working on TV testing. ZDNET TV reviewer Artie Beaty puts TVs through their paces with a mix of streaming and physical media in order to try out different picture and sound settings and find the perfect balance. He also prioritizes screens with matte or anti-glare surfaces to help cut down on reflections and harsh glares from sunlight and overhead lights. Beaty also suggests that if you live in a noisy area or have kids and pets, built-in speakers may not be enough for everyone to hear what you're watching, so you may have to invest in a soundbar to help boost dialogue and music.

When ZDNET editor Kyle Kucharski tests TVs, he says he focuses on the price-to-features ratio a TV has to determine whether a model is a good value for our readers. "The barrier to entry is very low, but the expert-level ceiling is extremely high," he said when asked about how he approaches testing. Having a basic understanding of what makes a solid TV for your home (refresh rates, resolution, smart features, etc.) can go a long way toward helping you narrow down your choices so you're only considering the best for your budget.

ZDNET's senior reviews editor Kerry Wan runs a YouTube video test on every TV he reviews to check for color bleeding and blooming, "dirty screen" effects, and burn-in for sensitive OLED panels. This test helps you determine what changes you need to make to picture settings to get the best image possible on your new TV or to identify problems that may require a return or exchange.

As for myself, as ZDNET's veteran TV reviewer, I run a battery of tests on each TV from screen sharing media from multiple devices, tinkering with gaming modes to push refresh rates to their limits, app support searches, upscaling older media into 4K, and comparing audio between Dolby-enabled models and those that use more basic audio processing. I also prioritize accessibility features like high-contrast picture modes, screen readers/text-to-speech, and audio descriptions for deaf/hard-of-hearing and blind/visually impaired users. I even consider special, nice-to-have features like video calling and remote PC access for work-from-home professionals who may not want to be chained to their desks all day for work.

Connectivity and smart features

TCL 98-inch S55 series TV on home screen

These days, a TV isn't much use if it can't connect to the internet, or at least connect to something that does. ZDNET readers and customers in general have come to expect certain features as standard in their TVs, like preloaded popular streaming apps, voice controls, and screen sharing.

While it's increasingly rare to find a "dumb" TV these days, you can still end up with one if you aren't careful about double-checking for smart features. Every TV we test at ZDNET must feature basic smart capabilities like web connectivity and music and video streaming to be considered for inclusion in a buying guide or product review. We also consider how many physical devices you can have connected to a TV at any given time.

Models with multiple HDMI inputs are a must for anyone who wants to set up a custom home audio configuration, connect game consoles, or set up cable or Roku boxes. Some HDMI connections support native 120Hz refresh rates as well as variable refresh rate technology like Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync to help prevent screen tearing and stuttering while gaming or watching fast-paced movies and shows. We also check for RF and composite connections for retro game collectors who don't want to track down old CRT TVs for their older consoles.

Ease of use

Samsung S95D OLED TV with violin on screen

A new TV is no good to you if you can't figure out how to use it. Confusing menus and hidden settings can render even the most stunning OLED TVs useless hunks of plastic and electronics. We at ZDNET ensure that each TV we test is easy to navigate, either with the included remote or voice controls via your favorite virtual assistant or smart speaker. We prioritize TVs with simplified hub menus that allow you to customize your home screen to keep your most-used apps right where you need them for quick access to your favorite shows, movies, and music.

We also look for accessibility features for disabled customers to help them find the best fit for their needs. Some models feature screen readers and high-contrast modes, while others allow for voice-to-text typing. Even more allow you to set up Bluetooth keyboards and mice for easier navigation of home screens, which is key for anyone with fine motor control issues who can't use a traditional remote.

Privacy and security

With so many of our devices, including our TVs, being connected to the internet, keeping your personal data and internet activity safe from prying eyes is a top priority. We look for TVs that support VPNs for secure, anonymous web browsing as well as automatic firmware updates for the latest security patches. Samsung's latest TV lineup even has integrated Knox security chips for end-to-end encryption of your online activities to help keep digital ne'er-do-wells from scraping your credit card information, passwords, and internet history.

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