Best TVs for 2023: Which? Best Buy TVs and expert buying advice

Those thin-bezel flatscreen TVs from LG, Panasonic, Hisense, Samsung and Sony may look more or less the same, but our TV reviews reveal the big differences and pick out the best and worst.

Best TVs for 2023

Our lab tests reveal which TVs have superb picture quality, sound fantastic and are easy to use, plus our annual owners' survey uncovers which brands last longest, and which owners would buy again. 

Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations. If you’re not yet a member, you can get instant access to all of our online reviews - from TVs to soundbars - if you join Which.

If these aren't quite right for your home and budget, head to our TV reviews to compare all tested models and see what else we recommend.

The three things you need to know before buying a TV

1. Don't buy in spring or summer. This will save you money. When TVs launch in spring and summer they are expensive, then prices drop fast. Usually by November they have a third or more off the price. Waiting until the year after they came out is best, so for a TV released in 2023, try to wait until early 2024.
2. Buy the right size. Forking out for a TV that's too big or too small for your room will mean a worse viewing experience, no matter how good the TV. Sit too far from a small TV and you'll struggle to make out what's happening, sit too close to a big one and you won't be able to absorb the whole screen - like being in the front row of an IMAX. Check what size TV should I buy to find the best for you.
3. Make sure its 4K. If you're shopping for your main TV it should be 4K. There's plenty of 4K content available  and it looks fantastic on a good TV, plus HD content will look better on a 4K set. Don't bother with 8K TVs yet, they are expensive to buy, to run and there's nothing to watch. HD TVs are typically cheaper than 4K ones but are vastly inferior in our experience.

And a bonus tip: screen type doesn't matter. There are plenty of Best Buy OLEDs, but that doesn't mean you should ignore LCD or QLED. Any TV, no matter its screen, could be a Best Buy, so don't assume you need to fork out for an OLED.

Video: how to buy the best TV

Watch our video to see how TVs differ and find out which type is right for you.

What size TV should I buy?

With the TV market continually shifting towards larger screens, there are fewer top-quality sets smaller than 49 inches each year. But with TV bezels (the frame around the screen) shrinking, larger sets might not be as big as you think, especially if you haven't bought a TV in a few years.

• The best 32-inch TVs – you won't find 4K TVs this size because the screens are too small to show off the increased detail. Smaller TVs should still be smart, though, so look for ones that let you access the internet and download streaming apps. 
• The best 40 and 43-inch TVs – the most popular sizes among our members, but manufacturers favour bigger screens. You'll see HD and 4K sets at these sizes and they should have smart functions. But there aren't many high-end TVs with the best picture technology and cutting-edge features.
• Top five best 48 to 50-inch TVs – these bigger TVs are where manufacturers focus their time and resources. Barring a few older models, all 49 to 55-inch TVs will be 4K and support HDR. These sizes tend to make up the bulk of a manufacturer's range, so you'll find high-end models rich with features as well as budget options with less advanced technology. 
• Top five best 60 and 65-inch TVs – TVs at the top end of the size spectrum follow the same trends as 49 to 55-inch models, so you'll find big TVs at the cheap and pricey ends of each manufacturer's range. They will all be 4K and should have smart functions.

What size TV should I buy? takes into account how far away you sit from your TV.

What TV is best for you?

The features you need, the connections you want for extra devices and which screen type is best.

Screen type 

• Resolution - TVs are available as either cheap, HD Ready 720p sets that can show broadcast HD TV, or sharper, higher resolution Full HD 1080p models that can get the best out of Blu-ray films. Sharper still are 4K, or Ultra HD (UHD), TVs that have four times the pixels of Full HD and can give superior picture quality. HD TVs are now less commonly available - opt for a 4K TV if you’re upgrading.
• Screen technology - Most new TVs have LCD screens with LED backlights – plasma models are no longer commonly available. At their best, LED TVs are affordable, energy efficient and have bright, detailed pictures. Organic light emitting diode (OLED) TVs have self-lighting pixels, meaning they can be ultra-slim and achieve deeper black levels. OLED TVs are getting cheaper, but are pricey compared to LED TVs. There are QLEDs, too, which work like LCD ones, but have quantum dots to help boost colour.

Found out more about different screen types in our TV screen technology guide.

 Features

• TV tuner - All TVs have Freeview tuners, meaning you can plug in an aerial for subscription-free TV and radio channels. A Freeview HD set also gives you free HD channels, such as BBC One HD. Many TVs have satellite tuners that can receive services such as Freesat if you have a dish installed, but not all are licensed by Freesat, so experiences can differ (check our TV reviews for licensed sets).
• PVR - Many televisions come with recording functionality built in, meaning you can record TV programmes if you connect an external hard drive via a USB port. A disk size of 500GB will store around 100 hours of HD programmes or 250 hours of standard-definition. TVs with twin-tuner PVRs can record one programme while you watch another, or record two programmes simultaneously. See our PVR reviews for more information.
• Smart TV functionality adds web services such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer and YouTube. You can catch up on TV you’ve missed and stream films via your broadband connection. 
• Freeview Play - you can scroll back through the previous week's TV within its digital programme guide.
  
• 3D TV never took off in the UK, partly because few people like wearing 3D glasses at home, and partly because there isn’t that much 3D content to watch – there aren’t any 3D channels and you can only watch 3D content via an online service or 3D Blu-ray. Very few new TVs now support 3D and it’s becoming accepted as a failed technology.
• Advanced HDR - all 4K TVs now support HDR10 and HLG, so look out for advanced formats, such as Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ that can adjust contrast to suit each scene. Read more about the different formats in our what is HDR guide.
• Voice control - change channels, inputs and even search for shows in apps with your voice.
• 120Hz display - a great feature gamers and, eventually, sports enthusiasts. Having a screen with higher Hz means you see more frames per second, which makes compatible content look smoother.

Connections

• An optical connection uses fibre-optic cables to transmit digital audio between devices, and is commonly used to connect home cinema systems, sound bars and external speakers to your TV. A preferable connection is now HDMI, which can also handle higher-resolution audio, along with video. It’s more practical and can mean less cable clutter, although optical is still a good backup. 
• A Scart socket allows you to connect older standard-definition equipment such as VHS players or DVD recorders. With many people now preferring high-definition devices, few TVs come with a Scart socket. If the TV you're interested in doesn't have the socket, don’t worry as you can often buy an adaptor or use an alternative connector to hook up an SD device.
• USB port - you can use these to connect a camera accessory for video-calling applications, or plug in a USB stick to view photos or videos on the TV. You can also connect a hard disk drive via USB to use a TV’s recording feature if it has it. Some TVs have just one USB port, but others can have up to three, enabling you to use multiple USB devices at once. 
• Wi-fi - Most smart TVs have wi-fi capability to get online. Connecting is simple, but it's preferable to have built-in wi-fi, as you won't need extra equipment. Some lower-end TVs require a wi-fi ‘dongle’ that often isn't included, meaning you'll have to buy it separately. You can also use an ethernet cable (LAN) to get online, but you’ll need your TV close to your router to do this.  
• HDMI is used to connect HD equipment to a TV, such as a Sky or Virgin box, or a Blu-ray player. Most people will need at least two HDMI sockets on their TV, but three or four is preferable. Don’t buy pricey HDMI cables – a cheap lead will be just as good. Most TVs also have an Audio Return Channel (ARC) or eARC HDMI socket, which is useful for connecting a compatible sound bar or home cinema system as it send audio and video to and from the TV, so you don't need to use two cables to achieve the same effect.

The different types of TV explained

Different resolutions, screen types and software means it's more than just the price tag that sets them apart from each other. The screen type is important, but it's not the be all and end all. It doesn't make a bit of difference to the audio or how easy the TV is to use and you shouldn't discount a TV based purely on what screen it has.

LCD TVs

LCD TVs are the most common and it's likely your current TV uses one. Several bulbs, known as a backlight, shine on a layer of liquid crystals to create the images on screen. These TVs are cheaper to produce than OLEDs and QLEDs, which is why they are more common, particularly at smaller sizes. 

• Find out the difference between LCD and LED TVs
• See all of our LCD TV reviews

Organic LED (OLED) TVs

Widely considered the best screen technology for contrast and motion. OLED TVs start at about £1,000 for a 48-inch or 42-inch screen, but can stretch up to a few thousand. 

Typically among the most expensive on the market, replacing plasma screens in recent years. They don't use a backlight - each bulb in the display is self-emitting, which is why the contrast and motion control is so excellent. 

• Find out more about the best OLED TVs

QLED TVs

QLED is Samsung's answer to OLED, but QLED TVs have more in common with LCDs. They still use a backlight, but it illuminates a layer of quantum dots rather than liquid crystals. These dots are said to produce more vibrant colours.

There are Neo QLEDs, too, which use a backlight with far smaller bulbs. This means there are more of them and Neo QLEDs have better contrast control as a result.

• Learn about the best QLED TVs

Full HD vs 4K

The low cost of 4K sets means there isn't any reason to choose a Full HD model anymore. Even though there isn't nearly as much 4K content as HD, our research has found the best 4K sets are better at displaying video at all resolutions.

4K TVs make up the bulk of what's available from LG, Panasonic, Samsung and Sony, and start at around £350. They have four times the pixels of HD models, so can display sharper detail and more vibrant images.

The best TVs we've tested have all been 4K; see our 4K TV reviews.

How much do I need to spend on a good TV?

Typically, 32-inch HD TVs cost between £200 and £300. For a similar price you could find slightly larger 40 to 43-inch TVs, some of which have a higher-quality 4K Ultra HD screen. We’ve rarely found Best Buys for less than £400, but there are several between £500 and £1,000. 

Do I need to pay more?

Yes and no. 

Yes because TVs from around £800 will have better technology and a sharper design, often with metal finishes and thinner bezels. Better motion processing is a hallmark of premium TVs, so they'll often produce smoother pictures, while cheaper models can sometimes judder. 

No because many TVs will drop in price significantly in the months following. So provided you're prepared to wait, you can bag yourself a bargain. 

Need a new TV now? See our pick of the best cheap TVs.

What is a Great Value TV?

To get a Great Value badge from us a TV needs to score at least 65% and cost less than most models.

We work out average prices depending on the size range.

• 24 to 32-inch TV
• 40 to 43-inch TV
• 48 to 50-inch TV
• 55 to 58-inch TV
• 65 to 75-inch TV

Our Great Value badge guarantees it's good enough to consider buying and costs less than most other TVs of similar quality. 

Great Value TVs can be Best Buys, but don't have to be. A TV needs a score of 71% or above to be a Best Buy, while a Great Value TV needs to score at least 65%.

See some of the latest Great Value TVs.

Which TV brands offer the best software and security support policies?

Security and software support is an important consideration when buying a smart TV, since this will dictate how long the brand aims to continue updating the device with new features and security patches, to guard against emerging threats.

We estimate the 'lifetime' of a smart TV – the average time we’d expect a TV to last before it breaks down or deteriorates significantly – is 6.8 years. This is based on robust analysis of recent product surveys and is a conservative estimate - we’re confident that the genuine average is longer.

We asked the biggest brands for information on their support policies - many are falling well short of this lifetime estimate.

• Hisense - China's biggest TV brand supports its TVs for an impressive 10 years from launch. 
• Panasonic - has a minimum five year support period.
• Philips said it supports TVs for three years with important security updates. 
• LG - despite being one of the leading TV brands only supports its TVs for two years. It did tell us that TVs may get up to five years for critical security vulnerabilities.
• Sony - software updates are available to download for eight years from end of life, but Sony only promises new security updates for two years.
• Samsung - according to Samsung's website 'SmartTV is guaranteed to support and receive software updates for at least three years from product launch'. 

Sky, TCL and Toshiba did not provide us with information on minimum update support periods. 

While you may not be at immediate risk if you're using an unsupported device, it's obviously desirable to buy and use a device you know will receive update support for a good period. For more, read our guide to smart home security.

What are the risks of an insecure TV?

Your home network is only as strong as its weakest link and with dozens of items connected to your router there are plenty of areas for a hacker to attack.

If your TV isn't secure, it could allow a hacker access to your router and if that's compromised then anything on your network could be at risk. And your TV could contain personal data such as app and wi-fi login data, as well as card details in some cases if you've rented a film or signed up for an app through your TV,.

Hackers can hijack a TV to display their own content. They could put up fake versions of app login screens to trick you into entering your card details and steal your information.

How much do TVs cost to run?

Size tends to dictate how much energy your TV uses. 

On average:

• 40 to 43-inch 4K TVs add £30.51 a year to your energy bill
• 48 and 50-inch 4K TVs cost £35.57 
• 55 to 58-inches ones cost £39.89
• 65-inch one add £49.66

Read our full guide at how much it costs to run a TV.

All of our TV reviews include detailed information on energy use and how much a model will cost you to run per year.

Why don't we have Eco Buy TVs?

We make products Eco Buys that use less energy than their peers, use less water or are generally cheaper to run. 

While some TVs do add less to your electricity bill than others, no TVs are truly efficient. The energy labels on TVs rarely go higher than an F, and never approach the A or B energy ratings people associate with efficient devices.

We will continue to monitor TV energy use, and you can see how much each model will cost you for a year in the tech specs of our TV reviews. If the energy ratings improve and running costs come down, we may see Eco Buy TVs, but for now they are too inefficient. 

When's the best time to buy a new TV?

• New TVs are released every year, usually between April and July.
• They are usually expensive at launch, so it's best to wait at least a few months.
• TVs from the previous year will still be available for up to six months after the launch of new models.
• TVs tend to hit their cheapest point around eight to 10 months after launch.
• You'll find good deals on Black Friday, in the January sales and when successors are released.

Find the best TV deals.

The best TV brands

Our annual owners survey ask thousands and thousands of owners to tell us about their television. This enables us to reveal what owners really think about that brand, including which are the most reliable. The most popular are the big four - Samsung, LG, Sony and Panasonic.

Samsung

• The biggest TV brand, it releases a wide range from entry-level LCDs to high-end QDOLED ones.
• Owners tend to be happy with their TV and would recommend Samsung to others.
• Issues with picture quality is the most common fault.

View the best Samsung TVs

LG

• Close behind Samsung as one of the biggest TV brands, best known for its large range of OLED TVs.
• It has the highest customer score of any TV brand meaning most people are happy with their LG TV and would recommend it to others.
• Picture quality problems is the most common fault.

View the best LG TVs

Sony

• Once the most popular TV brand, has lost ground to LG and Samsung. Still makes a wide range of cutting-edge TVs though.
• Scored high for customer satisfaction in our most recent product experience survey.
• Difficulty connecting to the internet is the most common fault.

View the best Sony TVs

Panasonic

• Well known for impressive Plasma sets, Panasonic now chooses OLED technology for its high-end TVs.
• Owners are happy with their TVs and would recommend the brand to others.
• Picture quality problems account for the most faults.

View the best Panasonic TVs

Other brands, include Toshiba, Sharp and Philips. A big chunk of the market is taken up by cheap TVs from supermarkets and own brands, such as JVC (Currys PC World), Technika (Tesco) and Bush (Argos). These TVs are generally cheap, but those we've tested usually lack quality. You can read more about supermarket-brand TVs in our supermarket TV guide.

Chinese manufacturer Hisense may one day be on par with Samsung and LG in terms of brand recognition, but it's not quite there. Buts its TVs undercut rivals while offering similar specs and stylish designs, making them an attractive prospect for anyone looking for a high-end TV without a matching price.

Find out the most reliable TV brands from our customer satisfaction survey

Where to buy a TV

New TVs can cost a small fortune, but 4K ones are available for as little as £300 once they've been on sale for a few months.

Popular online retailers include:

• AO.com sells smart TVs from big-name brands including LG, Samsung and Sony. Prices for 4K TVs start at around £200.
• Argos stocks more than 100 65-inch TVs – expect to spend at least £400 if you're after a big screen. It has a selection of sub-£200 TVs from Bush, LG and Toshiba.
• Currys has a wide range of 4K TVs, along with OLED and QLED models. At the time of writing, the retailer's 4K ultra HD TVs start at around £230. If you opt for an OLED, you'll spend at least £900. Next-day delivery for TVs over 43-inches costs at least £20.
• John Lewis names LG, Samsung, Sony and Panasonic among its most popular brands. The Sony XR-55A80J is listed as a bestseller, but you can grab an alternative 4K Ultra HD set for less than £350.
• Richer Sounds has a varied selection of TVs and offers up to 24 months interest-free credit on some models.

To see which retailers are rated highly by Which? members, read our expert guide on the best and worst shops.

Is my TV repairable? 

In 2021, new laws were introduced to make sure TVs were more easy to repair by the owner and third-party repairers.

Manufacturers are now required to make some parts available for seven years after the TV's release. This is whether you're buying a £2,000 OLED or a £200 32-inch Full HD TV.

To everyone for seven years:

• external power supply
• remote control

To professional repairers for a minimum of seven years:

• internal power supply
• connectors to connect external equipment (including cable, antenna, USB, DVD and Blu-ray)
• capacitors above 400 microfarads,
• batteries and accumulators
• DVD/Blu-ray module if applicable
• hard drive or solid state drive (HD/SSD) module if applicable