The best TVs of 2026: Expert tested and recommended

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If you want to upgrade your home theater with a high-end OLED TV or just need a budget-friendly second screen, there are tons of great options from brands like Samsung, Sony, TCL, and Hisense. With updates like improved OLED panels and object tracking sound, it's easier than ever to find a quality TV, no matter your budget.

Almost all new TVs on the market come with a variety of smart features as standard, like a suite of popular, preloaded streaming apps, integrated voice controls, and automatic picture modes for streaming and console gaming. Many new sets also support VRR technology like Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, as well as refresh rates of 120Hz or higher for smoother action during fast-paced gameplay and cutscenes.

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What is the best TV right now?

At ZDNET, we've extensively tested TVs from Samsung, Sony, TCL, and more. Our choice for the best TV overall is the Samsung QN90F for its object-tracking sound, excellent picture quality, and integrated security chip. Keep reading below to find out more about the Samsung QN90F, as well as my other top picks for the best TVs you can buy.

Also: Best VPNs for smart TVs

In our March update, we replaced most of our top picks with newer TV models.

The best TVs of 2026

Why we like it: The Samsung QN90F is a well-rounded TV with 4K resolution and HDR10+ support. It also supports both Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound and Samsung's own Object Tracking Sound+ technology to create a more immersive experience while streaming or gaming. The QLED panel also features a matte coating to help cut glare for better visibility in bright spaces. A dedicated gaming mode has VRR support for up to a 144Hz refresh rate, cloud gaming support, and automatic low latency for better response times.

Review: Samsung QN90F QLED TV

Who it's for: Both console gamers and movie buffs can get a lot out of the Samsung QN90F, with great picture and audio that produce bold colors and clean sound. With plenty of ways to connect all your devices, you'll be able to set up the perfect entertainment space with home audio, DVD players, and more. In addition, the QN90F supports hundreds of apps like Netflix and Spotify as well as screen sharing and access to free live TV via the Samsung TV Plus app.

Who should look elsewhere: The Samsung QN90F is an excellent TV at any screen size, but these premium features come with a steep price if you want a larger display. It's capable of impressive picture and audio quality, but if you want the absolute best, check out an OLED option.

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Why we like it: The Hisense U8QG boasts a max brightness of 5,000 nits. This means that you'll get a great picture even in harsh overhead lighting or bright sunlight. It's also backed up by a 165Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision IQ HDR support, and an IMAX Enhanced mode for streaming films and shows as their creators intended. With support for Dolby Atmos, you get rich, room-filling virtual surround sound for a more immersive experience.

Review: Hisense U8QG Mini-LED TV

Who it's for: With high quality picture and audio, the U8QG is a great option for streaming, live TV, and console gaming. The 165Hz refresh rate gives you smooth motion in fast-paced scenes so you never miss a second of the action in live sports, movies and shows, or games. With a Pantone Validated screen, you know you're getting some of the best color accuracy you can buy outside of an OLED model.

Who should look elsewhere: The Hisense U8QG is a high-quality, mid-range TV that will fit into just about any living room or home theater. But if you're looking to stick to a budget, there are more affordable options from Hisense and other brands.

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Why we like it: Sony is one of the top names in the OLED TV business, and the Bravia 8 II continues to prove why. With a studio-calibrated OLED panel, you'll get even better color accuracy and contrast to get the most out of your favorite shows, movies, and video games. Each picture mode allows you to customize settings for the perfect viewing experience while Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology turns the entire screen into a speaker for object-tracking sound.

Review: Sony Bravia 8 II OLED TV

Who it's for: The Bravia 8 II is an almost perfect choice if you have the cash to spend on a high-quality, premium OLED TV from a top brand. With excellent picture and audio quality, you'll be able to make everything from live sports and Hollywood classics to the newest blockbusters and triple-A games look and sound their best.

Who should look elsewhere: All of these premium features unfortunately come with a very high retail price -- the Bravia 8 II regularly retailing for about $3,300. While there are frequent sales, the cost might be a bit high for a lot of customers just looking for a quality TV. Thankfully, Sony and other brands offer a variety of LED and QLED models at much more affordable prices.

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Why we like it: Roku continues to develop and release their own line of smart TVs. The latest models offer quality picture and audio as well as tons of smart features for a fraction of the price of competitors. Just because it's budget-friendly doesn't mean you have to sacrifice premium features like voice controls and screen sharing.

Also: Is your Roku TV tracking you? Short answer: Yes, but there's a way to stop it

Who it's for: If you want to upgrade your main TV or pick up a second screen on a budget, try the Roku Smart TV. Even at the largest 65-inch screen size, these sets typically retail for under $1,000.

Who should look elsewhere: Since this is a stripped-back version of a smart TV, you'll get standard support for popular apps like Netflix and HBO Max. But if you want more premium features like Dolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos virtual surround, or VRR support for console gaming, you'll have to spring for a slightly more expensive model from a different brand.

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Why we like it: The TCL QM6K offers one of the biggest screens you can get at 98 inches, and all that screen real estate is backed up by cool features like a 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision IQ HDR support, and integrated voice controls via Alexa and Google Assistant.

Review: TCL QM6K

Who it's for: If you're looking to upgrade your home theater with a truly cinema-sized screen, the TCL QM6K is an excellent choice. And with Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound, you'll get rich, full audio to match the great picture quality. With 4K resolution, you'll get better detailing while Dolby Vision IQ gives you sharper contrast.

Who should look elsewhere: While the TCL QM6K is available in smaller screen sizes, the smallest model is still 65 inches. Which means if you need a small-screen model for your bedroom, dorm, or apartment, you'll need to take a look at other TCL models or even other brands.

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My choice for the best TV is the Samsung QN90F for it's exceptional picture quality thanks to the updated QLED panel and anti-glare coating. It also features virtual surround sound via Dolby Atmos and Samsung's Object Tracking Sound+ technology to give you a more immersive experience without having to set up extra speakers. And the base refresh rate of 120Hz can be bumped up to 165Hz for console and PC gaming or smoother action during fast-paced movies, shows, and sports broadcasts.

Best TV	Price	Screen size	HDR/Audio
Samsung QN90F	$1,600	43 to 98 inches	HDR10+, Dolby Atmos/Object Tracking Sound+
Hisense U8QG	$1,000	55 to 100 inches	Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos
Sony Bravia 8 II	$2,700	55 or 65 inches	Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos/Acoustic Surface Audio+
Roku Smart TV	$270	50 to 65 inches	HDR10, Dolby Audio
TCL QM6K	$650	55 to 98 inches	Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos

*MSRP at time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary on retailer, screen size, and available promotions or discounts.

After determining your budget, it's important to ensure that your new TV will fit comfortably in your space. Start by measuring the distance (in inches) between your couch and where the TV will be wall-mounted or placed on a stand. Divide that number in half to find the ideal TV size for your room. For example, if your couch is 120 inches (10 feet) away from your TV, the recommended TV size for your room would be about 60 inches.

Additionally, it's a good idea to consider accessibility features such as voice controls, screen readers, and closed captioning to ensure that everyone can enjoy the entertainment. These features can provide an enhanced viewing experience for those who are hearing or visually impaired, and they can be especially helpful for households with young children or elderly family members.

Buy this best TV...	If you need...
Samsung QN90F	A well-rounded TV for everything from live news and sports to console gaming and streaming.
Hisense U8QG	A TV with a very high max brightness setting for better visibility in harsh overhead lighting or sunlight.
Sony Bravia 8 II	A premium OLED TV for some of the best audio and picture quality you can buy in a TV.
Roku Smart TV	A budget-friendly smart TV that supports popular apps and features like screen sharing and voice controls.
TCL QM6K	A TV that is available in screen sizes up to 98 inches for creating a cinema-quality experience at home.

While shopping for a new TV for your home theater or a second screen for your bedroom, there are a few factors to keep in mind:

Brand integrity: While it's tempting to snap up that ultra-cheap TV from a smaller or unknown brand in order to save money, you may end up paying more in the long run. And you could run into customer service issues when trying to make a return or troubleshoot an issue. Each TV on this list was chosen from a trusted brand with verified customer service options.
Smart features: Customers have come to expect smart features like streaming apps and virtual assistants as-standard in their TVs. Each model on this list was chosen because it offers a host of features like preinstalled streaming apps, virtual assistant support, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Reasons to upgrade: Brands may release model updates almost yearly, but they don't always give you a real reason to upgrade. Each TV we chose offers upgraded panels, brighter pictures, and in some cases better online security.

While testing and researching the TVs featured on this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:

Price: Not all budgets are created equal. And if you're working with a limited budget, that shouldn't mean you have to settle for a sub-par TV. Each TV model on this list has been chosen across a variety of price points to help accommodate different needs.
Screen size: The most important factor to consider, after price, when shopping for a new TV is whether or not it will fit into your space. Each best TV on this list was chosen because they are available in a wide variety of sizes to suit different rooms.
Picture and audio quality: A new TV doesn't mean much, even if it costs an arm and a leg, if it doesn't provide a great picture and clear audio. Each TV on this list has been ensured to support various HDR codecs, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, as well as enhanced audio software like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and object-tracking sound.

For a more detailed look, check out our extensive TV testing methodology.

Latest news on TVs

At CES, we saw dozens of new and high-tech TVs that we can't wait to reach the market. A big theme for the show was RGB backlighting, which we think will completely replace LED displays in the near future. The LG W6 Wallpaper was undoubtedly the belle of the ball at CES 2026, showcasing an almost mind-bogglingly thin design measuring just 9mm. It achieves this by removing many of the bulky internal components that make up a high-end OLED TV and placing them in a wireless Zero Connect Box.

The Samsung S95H was named a Best of CES award for home theater, thanks to its 35% higher brightness, an all-metal design, and the ability to safely display static artwork from the Art Store without burn-in.

IT depends on your personal preference. Both platforms have pros and cons. Roku TVs tend to be some of the most affordable on the market while still providing a great streaming experience via a suite of preloaded, popular apps. Roku TVs also have a simplified home menu with your most-used apps and HDMI-connected devices in one easy-to-navigate hub, so you never have to scroll through confusing menus or memorize input locations. The downside? They often don't have native voice control or support for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision.

Android-based televisions are a bit more expensive, but you get more features, like built-in voice controls, Bluetooth connectivity, support for variable refresh rate technology, as well as Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos sound processing.

When comparing Roku and Android-based TVs, consider your must-have features so you can choose the model that best fits your needs and budget.

The best way to find your ideal TV screen size is to measure the distance (in inches) between your couch and where the TV will be wall-mounted or placed on a dedicated stand. Next, divide that distance by two. So if your couch is 120 inches (10 feet) from where the TV will be, the ideal size would be 60 inches.

You can always go a bit bigger or smaller depending on your budget and what's available, but you don't want to go wild and get a huge screen if you don't need to. Not only do you run the risk of having your new, expensive TV not fit your space, but a screen that's too big can overwhelm a room and even cause motion sickness. On the other end of the spectrum, while smaller screens tend to be more affordable, a TV that's too small for a room can make the space feel cavernous and force everyone to crowd around in order to see.

As of right now, we're inclined to say no. Not only are 8K televisions very expensive, but there isn't any 8K content available over broadcast, streaming, or gaming outlets to justify buying one. A conservative estimate would say that 8K streaming and gaming will be available within the next five years or so, and it will require a very fast internet connection to handle the bandwidth needed to stream consistently in ultra-high definition.

If you've always been an early adopter of tech, want to get a jump on future-proofing your home theater, and have extra cash to spend, you might get more value out of an 8K television than someone who just wants to watch Succession on HBO Max.

If you're looking for an 8K panel, I personally recommend checking out the Samsung QN900C. I had a chance to check it out, and during my initial testing, I really, truly enjoyed the display.

OLED and QLED panel types use the same basic components to create images on screen: a power source, a light source, and a color source. The key differences are exactly how these panels get power, light, and color.

A QLED screen, mostly seen in Samsung, TCL, and Hisense models, uses a modified LED panel and a "quantum dot" screen to create images. The "quantum" in QLED seems to be more of a catchy marketing term than an allusion to actual quantum tech, but it does give you enhanced color and detailing over a regular LED display.

An OLED panel, found in LG, Sony, and Vizio TVs, uses an array of mini LED lamps that are individually lit along with organic substrates for color. The individual LEDs allow for true blacks to create stunning contrast and make colors pop. It's an expensive technology to produce, so OLED TVs are pretty pricey. But if picture quality is your top priority, it's a worthwhile investment.

The best TV for a living room can vary depending on the size of the room and your budget. However, some of the best options available include the Samsung QN90B, the LG C2, and the Sony X80K. These TVs provide excellent picture and sound quality, a range of features, and a variety of screen sizes to suit different room types.

It really depends on your preferences and the TV model you choose. Some TVs have excellent built-in speakers that provide ample sound quality for most viewers, while others may benefit from a separate soundbar or audio system for a more immersive audio experience. If you're a movie or gaming enthusiast, you may want to consider investing in a soundbar or dedicated audio system to complement your TV.

Also: The best soundbars

Latest updates

In our March 2026 update, we replaced all of our top picks with the most recent TV models, based on our hands-on experience. We also added the latest news on TV releases and upgrades coming soon.