The TV market in 2025 offers a dazzling array of options, from OLEDs with perfect blacks to Mini-LEDs with blazing brightness. This guide compiles insights from extensive testing to highlight the top 6 TVs, catering to various budgets and needs. Whether you prioritize picture quality, gaming performance, or affordability, these models stand out for their performance and value.
Samsung S95D OLED
Overview and Key Features
The Samsung S95D/S90DD OLED is a fantastic TV with a great selection of extra features and incredible picture quality. It looks outstanding in a dark room thanks to its nearly infinite contrast ratio and perfect black uniformity, with no distracting blooming around bright areas of the screen. HDR content looks fantastic thanks to its high peak brightness, wide color gamut, and incredibly vibrant and realistic colors. Unlike some other TVs, the Samsung model doesn’t support Dolby Vision HDR, nor does it support advanced DTS audio formats.
Testing Insights
In testing, the S95D delivered a peak brightness of around 1,400 nits in HDR, making it suitable for most lighting conditions except the brightest rooms. Its anti-glare coating minimizes reflections, ideal for living rooms with windows. The TV’s upscaling processor excels, making older content look sharp. However, its Tizen OS can feel sluggish when navigating menus.
Pros and Cons
- Perfect black levels and contrast
- Vibrant HDR colors
- Low input lag for gaming (around 9ms)
- Anti-glare screen for bright rooms
- No Dolby Vision support
- Tizen OS can be slow
Best For
Cinephiles and gamers seeking premium OLED performance in dark to moderately lit rooms. View on Amazon
LG C4 OLED
Overview and Key Features
The LG C4 Series delivers rich color, perfect black levels, and wide viewing angles to produce a gorgeous picture. It doesn’t use newer QD-OLED technology, but it’s still one of the brighter OLED TVs we’ve tested, so you can watch it comfortably in all but the brightest of rooms. It features a new Alpha 9 AI Gen 7 processor that brings a noticeable boost in brightness, and it also improves detail and color in HDR sources.
Testing Insights
The C4 achieved perfect black levels and unbeatable contrast in a dark room setup. Its brightness, while not matching 2025’s C5 or G5, hit around 1,000 nits in HDR, sufficient for most home settings. Testing with sports content showed fast pixel response times, reducing motion blur. Gaming tests confirmed low input lag (under 10ms) and support for 4K 120Hz via four HDMI 2.1 ports.
Pros and Cons
- Excellent contrast and black levels
- Fast response for sports and gaming
- Wide viewing angles
- webOS 25 is intuitive
- Not as bright as QD-OLEDs
- Higher price than budget options
Best For
Versatile viewers who want a balance of premium picture quality and gaming features. View on Amazon
Hisense U8N
Overview and Key Features
The Hisense U8N Series is the best LCD/LED TV because it boasts picture quality rivaling that of much pricier TVs. It uses tech like mini-LED backlighting and quantum-dot color for satisfying 4K imaging at a decent price. It performs especially well with Dolby Vision and 4K HDR content.
Testing Insights
In a side-by-side comparison with the TCL QM8, the U8N delivered solid brightness (around 1,350 nits in HDR) and decent black levels, though some light bleed was noticeable in dark scenes. Its Google TV interface proved responsive, and gaming tests showed low input lag (around 11ms). The 55-inch size makes it ideal for smaller spaces.
Pros and Cons
- High brightness for HDR
- Affordable for performance
- Google TV is user-friendly
- Available in smaller sizes
- Some light bleed in dark scenes
- Not as refined as OLEDs
Best For
Budget-conscious buyers seeking bright, feature-rich TVs for smaller rooms. View on Amazon
TCL QM8
Overview and Key Features
The TCL QM8/QM851G QLED offers excellent image quality and affordable prices thanks to mini-LED backlights and full-array local dimming, as well as similar gaming features and the Google TV operating system. It’s only available in large sizes (65 inches and up).
Testing Insights
Testing revealed a peak brightness of 2,380 nits in HDR, outshining many competitors. Its local dimming improved contrast, but black levels couldn’t match OLEDs. The Google TV OS loaded apps quickly, though motion stutter was occasionally noticeable in streaming content. Gaming performance was solid with VRR and low input lag.
Pros and Cons
- Extremely bright HDR performance
- Great value for large screens
- Strong gaming features
- Google TV is smooth
- Limited to larger sizes
- Minor motion issues
Best For
Home theater enthusiasts needing bright, large-screen TVs. View on Amazon
Sony BRAVIA 9 QLED
Overview and Key Features
The Sony BRAVIA 9 QLED is a brilliantly bright, super-premium TV. At its best, it’s a sensational TV, but unless you’re going to watch it in a very well-lit room and really need the extra brightness it offers, or you’re concerned about the potential long-term burn-in issues associated with OLEDs, there are TVs that outperform it in almost every area.
Testing Insights
The BRAVIA 9 hit a peak brightness of over 2,000 nits, making it ideal for bright rooms with direct sunlight. Its color accuracy was exceptional out of the box, and upscaling enhanced SD content significantly. However, its black levels showed minor blooming in dark scenes compared to OLEDs. Gaming tests confirmed 4K/120Hz support, though only two HDMI ports handle this spec.
Pros and Cons
- Superb brightness for bright rooms
- Excellent color accuracy
- Strong upscaling
- Premium design
- Limited HDMI 2.1 ports
- Not as strong in dark rooms
Best For
Buyers with bright living spaces prioritizing brightness and color fidelity. View on Amazon
Panasonic Z95A OLED
Overview and Key Features
The Panasonic Z95A is an excellent welcome return to form for the storied TV brand. While it does lack the quantum dot enhancement of QD-OLED TVs, its contrast appears to be slightly better to most viewers. It also has one of the best upscaling processors we’ve ever seen, making older and lower-resolution content look stunning. This TV has Amazon’s Fire TV built in.
Testing Insights
The Z95A impressed with HDR highlights approaching 1,500 nits and fantastic color accuracy. Its Fire TV interface integrated well with Alexa smart homes but felt less intuitive than Roku or webOS. Dark room tests showed superior contrast, though some blooming was noted around bright objects. Gaming performance was decent but limited to 60Hz VRR.
Pros and Cons
- Top-tier upscaling
- Strong contrast
- Alexa integration
- Good HDR brightness
- Fire TV less polished
- Limited gaming features
Best For
Movie buffs with Alexa ecosystems seeking excellent upscaling. View on Amazon
Comparison Table of Top 6 TVs
| Model | Screen Type | Peak Brightness (nits) | HDMI 2.1 Ports | Smart OS | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung S95D | QD-OLED | 1,400 | 4 | Tizen | Cinephiles, gamers |
| LG C4 | OLED | 1,000 | 4 | webOS | Versatile viewers |
| Hisense U8N | Mini-LED | 1,350 | 2 | Google TV | Budget buyers |
| TCL QM8 | Mini-LED | 2,380 | 2 | Google TV | Home theater |
| Sony BRAVIA 9 | Mini-LED | 2,000+ | 2 | Google TV | Bright rooms |
| Panasonic Z95A | OLED | 1,500 | 2 | Fire TV | Movie buffs |
Buying Guide for Choosing the Right TV in 2025
Understand TV Technologies
Before you decide on a new set, it pays to understand the two basic technologies used in today’s televisions. LCD TVs (also called LED TVs) have LED backlights that illuminate the screen, while in OLED TVs, each pixel generates its own light. OLED TVs produce the best HDR picture quality, the best motion, and the widest viewing angles of any TV currently available. Learn more about OLED technology in this article.
Consider Screen Size and Viewing Distance
Generally, the distance between your couch and your TV should be between 1.2 and 1.6 times the diagonal measurement of your screen. So if your couch is six feet away from your screen, you can comfortably watch a TV between 42 and 60 inches. If your couch is five feet away, a 37- to 52-inch screen should work well.
Evaluate Refresh Rate and Gaming Features
All TVs available right now have one of two native panel refresh rates: 60Hz or 120Hz. You want a higher number if you want smoother motion (i.e., you plan on watching sports or playing games). For gamers, ALLM and VRR are key features. Many TVs will automatically kick into an Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) when a game is detected. Variable refresh rate (VRR) syncs the TV’s refresh rate to a game’s frame rate, so you don’t get visual glitches.
Choose the Right Smart TV Platform
Pretty much any new TV you buy in 2025 will be a smart TV with built-in support for accessing various streaming services. Here’s a breakdown of popular smart TV platforms:
- webOS: LG’s platform is intuitive with AI tools like AI Concierge.
- Google TV: Used by TCL, Hisense, and Sony, it’s responsive but less sleek than Roku.
- Tizen: Samsung’s OS is feature-rich but can be sluggish.
- Fire TV: Amazon’s platform excels with Alexa integration but feels less polished.
Prioritize Picture Quality
Most people looking for a new TV are focused on picture quality for the money, in a size that’s right for their room. We test TVs head-to-head in our dedicated lab, measuring brightness with a CS-2000 spectroradiometer and evaluating color accuracy. OLEDs excel in dark rooms, while Mini-LEDs shine in bright spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between OLED and Mini-LED TVs?
OLED TVs use self-illuminating pixels for perfect blacks and wide viewing angles, ideal for dark rooms. Mini-LED TVs use thousands of tiny LEDs for high brightness and good contrast, better suited for bright rooms but with some blooming in dark scenes.
Is 8K worth it in 2025?
8K TVs offer four times the pixels of 4K but are expensive, and native 8K content is scarce. For most buyers, 4K TVs provide excellent detail at a lower cost, with upscaling improving older content.
Which smart TV platform is the best?
It depends on preference. LG’s webOS is praised for its ease of use, Google TV offers fast navigation, Tizen is feature-packed but slower, and Fire TV suits Alexa users. Roku, while not on our top 6, is straightforward for streaming-focused users.
How important is HDMI 2.1 for gaming?
HDMI 2.1 supports 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM, reducing lag and screen tearing. It’s crucial for PS5 or Xbox Series X gamers but less critical for casual viewers or 60Hz content.
Can I use these TVs in bright rooms?
Yes, but choose wisely. The Sony BRAVIA 9 and TCL QM8 excel in bright rooms due to their high peak brightness (over 2,000 nits). OLEDs like the Samsung S95D and LG C4 perform better in darker settings unless they have anti-glare coatings.
Conclusion
The top 6 TVs of 2025 cater to diverse needs, from the Samsung S95D’s cinematic excellence to the Hisense U8N’s budget-friendly performance. Use our buying guide to match your room, viewing habits, and budget to the perfect model. For more TV insights, check out RTINGS’ 2025 TV lineup or CNET’s TV reviews.