The screen's excellent motion handling makes sure that action-packed scenes look smooth, while the dialogue scenes won't suffer from the soap opera effect. The Intelligent Audio feature elevates the mids and adds clarity to the dialogues.
The screen surface is very glossy.
The Samsung QN55Q60RAFXZA shows you what the company's flagship TV products are able to do, not necessarily matching these TVs' performance across the entire board but delivering where it matters most. Also, the screen is especially slim, ideal for wall-mounting.
55" (43", 50", 58" 65", 75", 85" also available)
3840 x 2160 (4K Ultra HD)
240 Hz
Yes (Built-in Wi-Fi)
No
Bluetooth, 2 x USB, 1 x Ethernet port (RJ-45), 4 x HDMI, 1 x Optical out, Ant. in
2 x 10 W
1 year
802.11ac Dual Band Wi-FI guarantees a stable internet connection even if the Wi-Fi router is far away from the TV. The many available interfaces (including Composite in) make it easy to connect AV devices.
Speakers aren't very powerful.
If you prefer to spend evenings watching your favorite films, we recommend opting for this model from TCL. The AiPQ Engine and Contrast Control Zone technology deliver accurate color reproduction. and 4K resolution guarantees unrivaled clarity.
55" (50", 65", 75" also available)
3840 x 2160 (4K Ultra HD)
60 Hz / 240 Natural Motion
Yes (Built-in Wi-Fi)
No
1 x USB, 1 x Ethernet port (RJ-45), 4 x HDMI, 1 x Composite in., 1 x Optical out, 1 x Headphones jack, Ant. in
2 x 8 W
1 year
Thanks to the Crystal 4K dynamic processor, the entire image will be transmitted with increased realistic clarity. You can search for movies, change channels, and control the volume using the Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Bixby Voice voice assistants.
Included instructions aren't very helpful.
The Samsung UN50AU8000FXZA is a smart TV with a large screen and minimal bezels with HDR10+ technology built-in. In addition to a clear picture with smooth frame rates, the model will please with adaptive sound, in which speech, music playback and various sound effects will be transmitted in the highest quality.
50" (43", 55", 65", 75", 85" also available)
3840 x 2160 (4K Ultra HD)
60 Hz
Yes (Built-in Wi-Fi)
No
3 x HDMI, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x USB, 1 x LAN Port, 1 x Optical Audio Output Port
2 x 20 W
1 year
Features the Roku Smart TV OS, which is renowned for its smooth performance and ease of use. With the advanced digital tuner, you can connect to an HDTV antenna and watch all local TV channels wirelessly.
Status LED glows way too bright when in standby mode.
The TCL 50S435 is a smart TV that will give you the ability to enjoy the highest quality picture with amazing detail in 4K format. The model is equipped with an optimal set of ports, which expands the compatibility of the device with external equipment, including game systems, media players, and other similar devices.
50" (43", 55", 65", 75", 85" also available)
3840 x 2160 (4K Ultra HD)
60 Hz
Yes (Built-in Wi-Fi)
No
4 x HDMI, 1 x Composite Audio/Video Input, 1 x Digital Optical Audio Output, 1 x Headphone Jack, 1 x RF Antenna Input, 1 x USB 2.0
2 x 8 W
1 year limited
The Dolby Vision HDR technology automatically improves color reproduction and increases both contrast and brightness, while the Motion Rate 120 technology makes the transmission of dynamic scenes clear and accessible to perception.
Remote leaves much to be desired.
The Hisense 43R6090G is a smart TV in a laconic design with the possibility of both desktop and wall placement. The Roku TV Connection Access will give you access to over 500,000 movies and TV series through a simple and intuitive interface.
43" (50", 55", 65" also available)
3840 x 2160 (4K Ultra HD)
60 Hz
Yes (Built-in Wi-Fi)
No
3 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x Ethernet (LAN), 1 x USB, 1 x RF antenna, 1x RCA composite video input, 1 x L/R audio input for composite, 1 x Digital audio output, 1 x Optical Earphone/audio output
2 x 7 W
1 year
The Door to Flagship TVs
The Samsung QN55Q60RAFXZA has been referred to as a door to Samsung's flagship TVs and we can see where the people making this reference are coming from. Sure, the product has its flaws but they're negligible when you put the screen's price into perspective.
Starting with the model's design, the bezels are slim, while the U-shaped legs comfortably sit under the screen. In fact, the entire TV is pretty slim, so you can mount this thing onto most walls without worrying about space. The legs are made from relatively flimsy plastic that might snap/chip, so we would definitely recommend looking into wall-mounting.
The product is so slim compared to most OLED TVs because the people behind this screen went with an edge-lit design rather than the full-array lighting setup that most high-end and mid-range OLED models use these days. That means that the TV is unable to get as bright as its full-array counterparts.
No sacrifices have been made regarding the TV's smart platform though. Adopting Tizen, easily one of the fastest, most responsive operating TV systems, the model makes its settings and various tools/features easily accessible. You'll be able to easily switch between Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and more.
Smooth Motion
Even though the TV features the same 4K native resolution that most OLED TVs these days come fitted with, generally speaking, people use these TVs to watch HD and SDR content (live cable, OTA broadcasts, various non-4K content from different streaming services) more often than not.
That's precisely why the TV's edge-lit profile is not as bad as one might think. You don't need especially high brightness to make these formats look good. All you need is decent upscaling tech and this TV more than delivers in this department.
Using the company's Quantum processor, the screen incorporates sophisticated AI algorithms that fill in the details when upscaling from SDR/HD to 4K. These algorithms are able to make upscaled visuals look crisp and clear.
At the same time, the TV's motion handling is better than most OLED models' within this price bracket, ensuring smooth playback, all while making sure that the dialogue scenes do not have that soap opera effect.
On the sound front, the two 10-watt speakers are not necessarily something to write home about but the AI-controlled Intelligent Audio tech does solid work elevating the mids and adding clarity to the dialogue.
In closing, the Samsung QN55Q60RAFXZA is unable to compete with the company's flagship models since those cost more than double the price but the TV will have no issues bumping heads with any OLED TV within its price segment.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $847.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0845NT2HX |
Perfect For Film Buffs
There is a certain subset of people who enjoy creating an authentic home theater experience by having the best audiovisual equipment that they can find. When it comes to the TV, having one that gives the feeling of watching a film in a cinema is important. If you're one of these people, then you will want to take a good look at the TCL 55-inch 4K UHD Dolby Vision HDR QLED ROKU Smart TV. This TV includes a number of different technologies built-in that help give it excellent video reproduction with extreme sharpness and clarity, letting you enjoy your favorite films just like you would in a cinema.
This TV includes a QLED screen featuring Quantum Dot technology and the HDR Pro Pack with Dolby Vision, which both work together to give all of your favorite movies a film-like experience. Along with that, the AiPQ Engine and Contrast Control Zone technology deliver accurate color reproduction that gives your movies a real-life quality, and the 4K resolution guarantees unrivaled clarity, providing an extremely sharp and pixel-free image that matches the best of the other models out there. Simply put, you won't find anything to be disappointed about in regards to this TV's overall image quality.
Stable Wireless Connectivity
Since this model has Smart TV functionality, there are a few extra things that anyone looking at this model will want to pay attention to. The first, of course, would be the actual Smart TV capability that it provides, which is certainly no slouch. This comes thanks to the built-in Roku software, which is the same software that one can find in the Roku branded set-top boxes. This software gives you access to literally hundreds of different streaming services, including all of the most popular ones like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and others. The interface is simple to navigate, and best of all, this TV has a strong WiFi signal that ensures a stable connection to your WiFi router, even if it is located far away from the set.
As for being able to connect external devices, this TV comes loaded with inputs of all kinds. Included are 4 HDMI ports that will give you plenty of inputs for things like digital cable boxes and video game consoles, and even a Composite In port for connecting an older device to the set. You even have a USB port that can be used for playing video and audio files that are stored on it, and the Ethernet port lets you connect the TV directly to your router if you prefer a wired connection. Essentially, this TV provides you with everything you need to set up the best home theater system in your home.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $649.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0885N4FPZ |
Great All-Around TV
A benefit that consumers generally have when selecting a TV from Samsung is that they know they will get a solid product. Samsung TVs in general are known to offer a great value by providing high-end features in a simple to use package, and the Samsung 50-Inch Class Crystal UHD AU8000 Series TV is no exception to this. After all, this model is a smart TV with a large screen with minimal bezels and it features a slew of enhancements that add to the TV's overall quality, such as having HDR10+ technology built-in. Of course, the enhancements don't stop there.
In addition to the clear picture with smooth frame rates that can be expected, this model has many other features that all add up together, such as adaptive sound, in which speech, music playback and various sound effects will be transmitted in the highest quality. And that's not to mention the built in 20 W stereo speakers, which provide more oomph than what you will find with any other TV on this list.
We'll go into the included Smart TV functions in a moment, but for those who have external media players that they wish to use, this TV comes equipped with plenty of ports, including 4 HDMI ports (with one being HDMI 2.1), 2 USB ports, and even Ethernet and Optical Audio output.
Realistic Images
Users who are quite particular about the image quality of any TV they choose won't just settle for a mid-range set of features. Thankfully, there is plenty here in this model that will entice those who are obsessed with overall image quality. The TV features Samsung's Crystal Processor 4K, which brings all of your media into the future with intelligent processing and optimization that makes full use of the 4K resolution to bring each and every detail to life, no matter how small. This works together with the crystal layer of the screen to give you vibrant colors that practically jump out of the screen, with image quality that you simply won't get on many other models.
The features don't stop there, of course. This TV has Samsung's Smart TV functionality that gives you access to all of the most popular streaming services while also giving you the ability to quickly find just about any show that you look for. And all of this ease of use is enhanced by the ability to use multiple voice assistants for controlling all aspects of the TV, including Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Bixby Voice. With this TV being so easy to control, the included instructions leave a bit to the imagination, but most users simply won't need them anyway. To sum it all up, everything you get with this TV makes it one of the better choices for those looking for a great all-around TV.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B08Z1RN7NP |
High-End Picture, Low-End Price
Not everyone has a fortune to spend on a Smart TV, including those who are more concerned with the overall image quality than anything else. With how quickly 4K TVs have dropped in price, though, you no longer need to spend so much money in order to get exceptional picture quality. The TCL 50S435 50-inch Class 4-Series 4K TV is a great example of this, as it gives you what amounts to a top-of-the-line image but in the form of a budget-minded TV set.
Just because this TV is inexpensive, though, doesn't mean it is lacking in any features. In fact, you'll find many of the same features here that you will often see in more expensive models. Exceptional Smart TV functionality, advanced image processing with full HDR, and great sound quality are all things that you will find here.
As if all of that isn't enough, the flexibility that this TV provides as the center of one's home entertainment center is also in line with what are generally considered to be high-end sets. This model is equipped with an optimal set of ports, which expands the compatibility of the device with external equipment, including game systems, media players, and other similar devices. There really isn't much of anything missing here.
The Best in Streaming
One of the biggest names that have emerged in streaming media players within the last decade is Roku, a company that focuses on giving customers some of the best media players while retaining more than competitive pricing. So what could be better than having one of those media players to complement your TV? It would be having the full functionality of the Roku TV OS built-in to your set, which is exactly what you get here. The integrated Roku Smart TV OS is renowned for its smooth performance and ease of use, giving you access to hundreds of streaming channels, including all of the most popular ones like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and many more. The Roku interface makes it easier than ever to find all of the content that you wish to watch without having to manually sort through each individual channel.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B08DHFX4FV |
Flexibility in Placement
Something that is getting more and more common in TVs nowadays is having the option to place the TV wherever you want. No longer are TVs confined to a bulky entertainment center that takes up a lot of space in one's living room. Instead, many TVs come with the option to mount them on the wall, giving you much more space and freedom in the place where you spend the bulk of your relaxation time. The Hisense 43R6090G is a smart TV in a laconic design with the possibility of both desktop and wall placement that gives you the ability to take advantage of multiple entertainment options at a very low price point.
One of the entertainment options that you can take advantage of right out of the box is its built-in Smart TV functionality, which utilizes the popular Roku Smart TV OS. The Roku TV Connection Access will give you access to over 500,000 movies and TV series through a simple and intuitive interface. You can install apps just like you can through a dedicated media player, with hundred of options including all of the most popular streaming services, and you can easily find content through the Roku OS's powerful search functionality, letting you find all of your favorite movies and shows in no time flat.
Reality Brought To Your Living Room
Despite how fantastic the built-in Smart TV functionality is, what is probably the most impressive thing about this model is the image quality that it provides. The Dolby Vision HDR technology automatically improves color reproduction and increases both contrast and brightness, while the Motion Rate 120 technology makes the transmission of dynamic scenes clear and accessible to perception. With both of these things working together, all images on the TV will be rendered in lifelike quality, making you think that you right in the middle of the action instead of just some faraway spectator. Really, the image quality on this TV is something you will find only on more expensive TV sets.
The fun doesn't stop there. Again, you have tons of entertainment options thanks to the large number of included ports, letting you take advantage of any number of additional home entertainment devices including BluRay players, video game consoles, and even computers. You can even connect some older devices such as DVD players thanks to the included composite ports, so those who still use older devices won't be left behind. Best of all, though, is the fact that you get all of this flexibility and functionality in a budget TV that is affordable for most everyone.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B087F8GCVC |
What Are 3D TV and Smart TVs?
Nowadays, there's a huge variety of TV sets on the market, yet smart TVs are on top of all others because of incredible image quality and stunning entertainment capabilities. In fact, any TV that allows you to connect to the Internet and stream online videos is considered to belong to Smart TVs. But that's not all! Some TVs not only boast impressive connectivity but allow you to feel involved in what's happening on the screen thanks to 3D support. There are scores of Smart TV reviews and 3D TV reviews on the web, but we've decided to choose the best 3D TVs and Smart TVs so that you can pick the one you truly need. A Smart TV makes it easy to access video streaming services like Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO or YouTube. Of course, a Smart TV allows you to watch movies online too. And if your Smart TV has 3D support, you can enjoy your favorite movies and feel all the depth of video playback.
However, if you want a bit simpler TV without 3D support, make sure to check our shortlist of the best big sreen LED TV sets.
What Features to Compare
Image Specs
When you are choosing a modern 3D and Smart TV you should check the image quality each model is able to provide. Of course, you need to be sure of what screen size you want - this is, actually, a diagonal of the screen. The screen size must be picked carefully, don't forget to check if it fits your room. Next, pay close attention to screen resolution, because the higher it is the more detailed the picture will be. Another important issue is the type of panel used in every Smart TV - different manufacturers use various panels. A panel is responsible for color reproduction, brightness, color depth, and so on. Most companies producing 3D Smart TVs use cutting-edge IPS panels (they provide wide viewing angles), S-PVA panels (these produce a high-quality, deep black color), whereas Sharp, for example, uses its own UVA panels (which stand somewhat in between IPS and S-PVA panels in terms of image quality).
Smart Capabilities
The next step to make when picking the best Smart TV is to consider all its smart capabilities. In other words, you should fully realize what a Smart TV is up to, what kind of software it uses, how easy the controls are, etc. The very Smart TV name means you can go online, use streaming services like Netflix or Hulu, watch videos on YouTube online, and enjoy different widgets. Thus, a Smart TV allows you not only to watch cable or satellite television but makes it possible for you to watch a Full HD or 4K movie online or even log on to your accounts on social networks. Moreover, some Smart TVs have a voice control support, so you can just pronounce names of movies, and the device will find them automatically. No need to say, all 3D and Smart TVs come with handy remotes, the best of which control function like a computer mouse - you move them, and the pointer on the screen follows each movement of your hand. If you choose a Smart TV that also supports 3D mode, make sure to check what type of 3D technology is used. It can be either active or passive. Active 3D TVs quickly alternate pictures displayed on the screen, while glasses control which of your eyes sees every picture. Passive 3D technology is way simpler: half pixels of a panel are used to display the picture for your left eye and another half - for your right eye. This way, you perceive the picture with both eyes at a time.
Interfaces and Sound
In the end, there's another important issue you need to pay attention to and we've called it interfaces and sound. Modern Smart TVs have a variety of ports for incoming and outbound signals (both audio and video). Any good TV must have several USB ports through which you can connect flash drives or external HDDs for watching movies, listening to music, or watching photos. There's one more 'must-have': HDMI via which you can connect a 3D and Smart TV to a computer or laptop and use it as a monitor. No need to say, all Smart TVs have WiFi support - that's how they connect to the Internet. But some users prefer cable connection for the sake of better transfer speed. Also, the best 3D and Smart TVs have so-called component, composite, and optical inputs for connecting multi-channel sound systems and external video recording devices. And, of course, any good Smart TV must ensure a good sound quality. Manufacturers usually use a couple of speakers of different power output (the higher the better), though some producers even install woofers to add some bass to the sound.
Sources:
1. David Katzmaier TV Buying Guide 2015, CNET. January 28, 2015.
2. David Katzmaier CNET's Guide to 3D TV: What You (Still) Need to Know, CNET. July 18, 2013.
3. Getting the Right TV, Consumer Reports. November 2015.
4. Alexa Scott Which is Best? Smart TV or 3d TV? Quora.
5. Smart-Review | HDTV & 4K TV Buying Guide (2015-2016), Smart Review. April 20, 2016.