Best TV 2023: The Best 4K and 8K TVs on the Market, Including the Best OLED and QLED Buys

The Best TVs of 2023 include a variety of next-generation screens, including a new evolution of OLED and exciting Mini-LED technology, which are combined with new AI-based image processing for massive improvements in results.

The best TVs take advantage of these new advancements, or they move what used to be top-tier technology into a more affordable model, implying that 2023 will bring noticeable improvements regardless of whether you're looking to spend a lot of money or are looking for something more mid-range or budget.

4K is now the industry standard for televisions, though some high-end models go even further (see our best 8K TVs guide to check them out). Full HD is still available, but it's mostly limited to smaller screens, such as 32-inch TVs. The dominance of 4K is unsurprising; all of the major streaming services, including YouTube, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and others, offer massive amounts of 4K video, even if the options on broadcast TV are limited.

Certain channels, as well as a wide range of 4K resolution Blu-ray discs packed with high-resolution films and TV, are available in 4K on Sky, BT, and Virgin Media's subscription-based platforms. Gaming has gone 4K as well, with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X taking full advantage of the additional pixels. AOC G2 Series Gaming Monitors

Even if you're not watching 4K, the best TVs of 2023 can convincingly upscale lower-resolution content, often using AI techniques to do so. However, not all 4K televisions are created equal. Different panels and display techniques make a significant difference.

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Naturally, not all 4K televisions are created equal. There's a lot of difference between competing sets and the technologies they use – if you're not sure how to choose between the two most popular screen types, check out our guide to OLED vs QLED.

We're not going to sugarcoat it: these are the best TVs, but they're not the cheapest or most affordable. You don't have to break the bank to get a great screen: we can show you the best TVs under £1000 and the best TVs under £500 if you're looking for something less expensive. If you're looking for a soundbar, check out our guide to the best soundbars.

WHAT IS THE BEST TV OF 2023?

The Samsung QN900A, Samsung's dazzling Neo QLED 8K TV, is currently our top pick for best TV. This TV has a mini-LED backlight, which gives it a significant advantage over other LED TVs in terms of black levels and HDR highlights, and it's paired with a truly stunning LCD panel. It's unlike anything else. Apple Watch Series 8

Except for the QN95A, Samsung's flagship 4K TV, which can do almost everything the QN900A can do but with a slightly lower resolution panel and a less advanced backlight.

The LG G1, which not only uses a superb new generation of OLED panels for improved HDR but is also a supremely well-equipped gaming TV, is currently the best OLED TV overall.

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BEST TVS 2022: THE LIST

It took a lot to knock the QN95A off its perch as the best TV, and it turns out that the only thing that could beat it is something from Samsung's own stable. The QN900A is, without a doubt, the best television available today.

"The 75QN900A raises the bar even higher, combining extreme brightness, colour, and 8K sharpness with unprecedented levels of contrast and backlight control to produce the all-around most spectacular pictures I've seen on a TV that's remotely affordable," says our full QN900A review, focusing on the 75-inch version. MacBook Air 2023

It isn't an OLED killer in the traditional sense. There will always be those who prefer emissive pixels to backlit LCD, but finding an 8K OLED in this price range, let alone one that can match its smallest 65-inch size, will be difficult. And, to be honest, the QN900A's 1,920-zone Neo QLED backlight is so good at banishing glow, enhancing HDR, and hitting peak brightness of 4,000 nits that you'll swear it's OLED.

It has AI-powered 8K upscaling that, according to our review, is a "significant step up from even the already impressive upscaling of 2020's Samsung 8K TVs," with creditable results even on SD sources. It's essentially bezel-free, with eight drivers firing sound out the back of the unit - which is perhaps the unit's only minor flaw.

In short, this is an outstanding television, capable of handling today's challenges as well as (hopefully) tomorrow's. Logitech Pop Keyboard review

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The Samsung QN95A is the company's flagship 4K model for 2023, and it was the first to use the Neo QLED Mini-LED display technology. The end result is breathtaking. "It impresses from start to finish, from its stunning control of precise light and dark to its generous helpings of detail and smooth motion control. It beats out the OLED TVs we've seen so far in terms of overall image quality "According to our assessment.

Mini-LED technology is exactly what it sounds like: Samsung claims that its LEDs are 40 times smaller than previous models, allowing it to pack in more of them while also creating smaller, more precise dimming zones. That means this TV can not only produce bright HDR peaks, but it also has the best control of bloom from light to dark that we've seen outside of OLED TVs. Everything you can throw at it looks amazing, even when upscaled, thanks to Samsung's latest generation of image processing. Best Curved Gaming Monitor 2023

This is unbeatable if you're looking for a total home cinema upgrade – visuals and audio – in a single simple package. It's not only a fantastic 55-inch OLED TV, but it also has a Dolby Atmos system built into the stand, complete with up-firing speakers to add height.

The TV is at the cutting edge of what OLED can do, matching the brightness of high-end competitors like the Sony A90J while being less expensive. Philips TVs are known for their vibrant colours, but the latest scene-by-scene AI-based processing makes skin tones appear more natural. It's nearly impossible to strike this balance of vibrancy and realism, but here we are. Everything will also look its best thanks to Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support.

Philips' Ambilight technology is also included, which uses colored light strips around the outside of the TV to project colours that match what's on the screen onto the wall, making a small TV feel larger and more immersive. Best Gaming Keyboards 2023

Importantly, the built-in sound system is also quite good. Its competitors can't match it in terms of dynamism or the sensation of sounds being positioned around the screen. In our comprehensive Philips OLED+936 review, we delve much deeper into all of this.

Thanks to HDMI 2.1 support (with 4K 120Hz and VRR), it's also a good gaming option – though the lag time is higher than Samsung or LG. Even for hardcore gamers, there's virtually no risk of OLED burn-in here, thanks to smart processing that detects static logos on the screen and dims those pixels slightly, preventing any permanent retention.

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We all watch TV for different reasons, so it's important to get something that can do everything from play games to watch movies to converting iffy broadcast TV into something half-watchable. LG's mid-range screen may lack a few of the G1's fringe features, but it has everything you need: LG's revised webOS, an iteration on what was already the best TV operating system that makes things slicker and neater than ever before, as well as taking the design of the CX and making it better, adding in the 2023 feature set that everyone needs (we're talking HDMI 2.1, VRR, all the good stuff) and LG's revised webOS, which

The C1 is incredibly capable. It's happy with 4K 120Hz signals, supports Freesync and G-Sync, and is eARC and Atmos compatible. And the Alpha 9 processor inside is a beast, with an enhanced AI Picture Pro learning engine that effortlessly handles 4K and excels at transforming HD and SD signals into something more. Sony WF-1000XM4 TWS Earbuds

There's no HDR10+ here, just as there's no Dolby Vision support on Samsung TVs due to complicated internal squabbles we won't go into - but the C1's HDR support is broad and deep, supporting Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG and doing fantastic things with each of them.

The sound is average, but it's loud enough and supports LG's AI Sound Pro system, which means you'll get a virtual height channel if Dolby Atmos soundtracks are detected.

When you reduce the screen size, the C1 starts to look like a good deal, especially since it's available in both 58- and 48-inch OLED versions. You can spend a little more on the 65- or 77-inch versions if you scale it up; if you go completely insane, there's an 85-inch version on the way that will truly fill your wall. To learn more, read our LG C1 review in its entirety. Sony PSVR 2 

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The QN85A is the cheapest model in Samsung's next-generation 'Neo QLED' TV lineup, and it only comes in this size. It makes use of Mini-LEDs to achieve an incredible balance of image quality and price – its HDR is brilliantly bright, but the precision of its backlight allows it to deliver huge contrast in deep black levels as well. It not only has a wider dynamic range than other mid-range LED TVs, but it also goes brighter than OLED TVs at the same price, making it ideal for bright environments.

Because of Samsung's excellent image processing, both native 4K video and upscaled HD video look extremely impressive and detailed. "Give the QN85A the best stuff to work with, and it's capable of deeply impressive results," we said in our full Samsung QN85A review.

It also has a lot of features, such as Samsung's excellent smart TV platform, which has all of the major streaming services and is also very easy to use. There's also an HDMI 2.1 port, which supports next-generation gaming features like VRR and 4K 120Hz, though there's only one. Best iPhone Games in 2023

Its only flaws are its inability to upscale standard definition content (other sets here do a better job), average sound, and if you're a sports fan, some sets handle fast motion better than others. We also wish it had Dolby Vision to fully utilize its HDR capabilities, but we're already impressed with its HDR capabilities, so we can live with it. However, if you're looking for a set that gives you a lot of bang for your buck in terms of bright, beautiful images, this is it.

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Because it includes Sky's entire content library, the Sky Glass is without a doubt the best TV for streaming. Hundreds of box sets, movies, and live TV channels from all over the world are included.

You won't need a satellite dish or a separate Sky Q box to get it up and running; all you'll need is an internet connection and one wall socket. The sky is already known for its premium, intuitive, and in-depth user interface, and thanks to Sky Glass, it's now even easier to have in your home.

Sky Glass also comes pre-installed with streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, and it can make intelligent recommendations across all of them based on your viewing preferences.

Other smart features include voice control via the TV and remote, as well as a motion sensor that turns on the display when you enter the room, allowing you to use the Sky Glass hands-free.

Granted, the screen won't look quite as good as one of the more expensive TVs on this list, but that doesn't mean that content in 4K UHD resolution doesn't look fantastic; it does. A powerful speaker system with Dolby Atmos support is integrated into a bar along the bottom of the screen as well. You won't need to connect a separate audio device because it easily fills the room with sound.

Furthermore, Sky Glass comes in a variety of sleek colours, including black, green, and blue, allowing you to match the TV to your living room decor. Read the full Sky Glass review to learn more.

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This is the first TV to feature LG's new 'OLED evo' panel, which is a next-generation version of OLED technology that uses less power, can be brighter, and provides even more accurate colour. In the case of the LG G1, this means it can be around 20% brighter than previous LG OLED TVs, allowing for more vivid and broader HDR than ever before.

This, combined with LG's ever-improving control over near-black elements of images, means better performance at both ends of the brightness spectrum, resulting in more true-to-life images and maximizing the advantage of OLED's self-emissive pixels over LED TVs (even mini-LED).

Everything is powered by LG's new image processing, which has a noticeable improvement in how it handles upscaling from HD to 4K in particular – everything looks sharper but also more natural. And actual 4K video looks better than ever, thanks to improved 'AI' scene recognition – the TV is better at recognizing what's on-screen and adjusting its performance to make the most of it.

The LG G1 is a fantastic gaming phone as well as a fantastic movie phone. All four of its ports are HDMI 2.1, with support for 4K 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), as well as a new Game Optimiser mode for balancing responsiveness and picture quality.

It even sounds good, thanks to improvements in audio processing, which now promises 5.1.2 channels from the 60W of onboard power.

There is one notable omission, however: it does not include a stand in the box. This is a 'Gallery' TV, which is designed to be mounted on the wall and comes with a special flush wall bracket to keep it as slim as possible when up. You can buy some feet or LG's attractive 'Gallery Stand,' but be aware that you'll have to do the work yourself.

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Shhh, don't tell anyone, but the image quality isn't that different between this and the LG C1 above, and there's no difference in the smart platform or future-proofed connectivity options, which include 4K 120Hz and Variable Refresh Rate support for next-gen gaming.

The C1's screen is slightly brighter than the B1, so it still has a slight advantage in HDR performance, but the difference isn't huge. Although the B1 has less advanced processing, it is still a class act when it comes to upscaling and motion.

There's no loss of HDR format support, so you can enjoy the dynamic images of Dolby Vision, and the WebOS operating system has plenty of apps that support it, including Netflix and Apple TV. Other UK catch-up services are available, as are Freeview Play and Amazon Prime Video, though the latter's HDR10+ support is unavailable due to the TV's lack of support.

However, in order to save money, the sound quality in this TV has been compromised. But that's fine; you won't need to spend a fortune on one of the best soundbars to make up for it.

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This TV is Sony's flagship 4K LCD TV for 2023, but it isn't expensive in comparison to the LG CX or Samsung Q95T, for example.

It still produces excellent image quality, with a brightness peaking at over 1,000 nits, abundant HDR, and Sony's image processing being second to none. Colors are extremely rich without appearing fake, and skin tones, in particular, have a level of realism that is unparalleled while remaining vibrant.

It also handles motion better than almost anything else, giving fast movie scenes an authentic look without any judder while also clearing up and adding detail, which is especially useful in sports. It's also a skilled upscaler, allowing HD video and streams to appear as close to 4K as possible.

It's not a great choice for gaming because it lacks support for 4K at 120fps and a few other features (surprisingly, given that Sony's own PS5 will support them), but it's a great choice if you want a TV bright enough to give you a full-on HDR experience even in a brightly lit room. More information can be found in our Sony XH95 review.

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Though this is the most affordable Samsung TV, you won't feel cheated in any way – the plastic build feels perfectly premium, there's support for HDR10+ advanced HDR, and the software is essentially the same as on higher-end models, including wide support for streaming and catch-up services like Netflix, Apple TV (with AirPlay 2), Amazon Prime Video, and a whole lot more.

And, more importantly, the image quality far exceeds what you'd expect for the price – everything looks sharp and detailed, and it even does a great job of upscaling from HD, so you won't feel like you're watching non-4K content (which is still the majority of it, after all).

It also has a very fast 10ms response time, making it an excellent gaming monitor. Here's everything you need to know about the Samsung AU9000.

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HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TV FOR YOU

Shortlisting your next television can be a difficult task, but there are a few simple guidelines to follow.

As we progress from HD to 4K and eventually 8K, screen size becomes increasingly important. To see incremental differences in resolution, you'll either need to buy a larger screen or move your seating closer together. To cut a long story short, think big and then buy big.

It may seem counterintuitive, but ultra-large 8K screens are ideal for smaller rooms if you want to see every last detail. Everything you thought you knew about viewing distances is being challenged...

Then there's the viewing environment to consider. An LED or QLED screen will typically serve you better than an OLED screen if you watch in bright light or during the day. An OLED will provide more subjective contrast and shadow detail if you prefer to watch with low or no lighting.

The availability of smart platforms is no longer a compelling reason to purchase. These days, all TVs are smart, and the number of apps available is vast; focus on image quality, price, and any other features that are important to you.

SHOULD I UPGRADE MY HD TV TO A 4K TV?

Yes, without a doubt (though, to be fair, if you buy a new TV, you'll get it whether you like it or not).

4K/Ultra HD has a resolution of 3840x2160, which is four times that of Full HD. It means a much more detailed picture, with content that necessitates significantly more bandwidth and storage space. Upscaling HD video to Ultra HD is generally good on 4K TVs, and native 4K content is now widely available from a variety of sources.

What is our recommendation? To fully appreciate the resolution benefit, replace your HD screen with a larger 4K UHD model. If you're upgrading again, get a larger 8K TV than your previous 4K screen.

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WHAT TYPES OF TV DISPLAYS CAN YOU CHOOSE FROM?

OLED TV

An electric current is passed through an emissive, electroluminescent film to light OLED (organic light-emitting diode) TVs. This technique produces stunning colour and contrast while also allowing for extremely thin and flexible screens. Because LG Display is the only manufacturer of 4K OLED screens for mainstream TV brands, they all use the same panels. However, picture processors and implementation differ, so there will be differences between brands.

Quantum Dot/QLED

Samsung is the most prominent proponent of QLED, a type of LED LCD display that employs a high-efficiency Quantum Dot filter to boost brightness and color volume. When it comes to HDR peak brightness and LCD black level control, QLED screens with a full array backlight deliver the best results.

LED TV: Direct LED

These displays are backlit by an array of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) directly behind the screen and are sometimes referred to as FALD (Full Array Local Dimming). This allows for localized dimming, which improves contrast and allows for a more effective display of bright and dark areas that are close together.

LED TV: Edge LED

The backlight LEDs on these Edge LED TVs are mounted along the edges of the panel. This setup allows for extremely thin displays, but it can't match the picture quality of LED sets that are directly lit. Edge LED displays, on the other hand, are much less expensive, which is why most budgets LED TVs use this technology.