**The 3 Best Smart TVs You Should Buy This Year (& 1 of the Worst)
Shopping around for a new smart TV?
When it comes to watching TV, we all want the best picture possible, am I right? I’m going to help you weed out the best Smart TVs at Best Buy before the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales begin. I’m sharing the top name brands (and which are the very best to buy on the market right now for Sony, LG, and Samsung). Plus, I’m sharing one you don’t want to waste a single penny on.
Here are our top picks for favorite smart televisions:
1. The best Sony smart TV to buy
Sony 55″ 2160p Smart 4K TV – XBR55X900F | $1,200
Here’s why we love it:
- 4K HDR X1 Extreme Processor
- Enhanced pixels for better pictures
- Exceptional detail and color
- A wider range of brightness than other TVs
- Enhanced pixels for better pictures
- Object-based HDR Remaster Technology
- Creates a more natural and realistic picture
- X-tended Dynamic Range PRO 6x
- Accurately balances light
- Six times the contrast range of conventional LED
- Dimming Technology
- Enhanced contrast and brightness
- Allows for a slim design
- IMAX enhanced
- Sharper images and more powerful sound
- TRILUMINOS Display
- Richer, more vivid colors
- Thousands of apps for endless entertainment
- Live TV with no annual contract
- Built-in Google Assistant
- Control your TV and other smart home devices with your voice
- 2 Bass Reflex 10W down-firing speakers
- More advanced sound
- Wide 178° viewing angle
- Enjoy the screen easily from any side angles
- X-motion Clarity
- Refines action on the screen in real-time
- USB input capability
- Easily connect any USB devices
“If you are looking for a quality picture without breaking the bank, this definitely gets the job done! The added Android TV OS really sets this TV apart from the competition, and it’s super easy to use and convenient to connect to your favorite streaming services! I would highly recommend.”
– Paul ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. The best LG smart TV to buy
LG 65″ Class Smart 4K TV – OLED65C9PUA | $2,500
Here’s why we love it:
- LG OLED TV C9
- Rich colors and crisp details
- Advanced image and sound technologies
- Pixel Level Dimming
- Perfect blacks and contrast in shadows during dark scenes
- a9 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor
- Enhances images, action, and colors
- Built-in voice assistants
- Personalized content recommendations
- Control your smart home devices
- Apple AirPlay 2
- Sync your TV with any of your Apple devices
- Stream music throughout your entire home
- 2160p resolution
- HDR-compatible 4K TV
- Built-in Wi-Fi and endless app options
- WebOS
- Entertainment recommendations for apps
- Keep favorite streaming apps handy
- Offer picture and sound settings for what you’re watching
- Google Assistant and Alexa Built-in for voice control
- Use voice commands
- Control TV and other connected smart home devices
- Use voice commands
- 4 HDMI inputs for the best home theater connection
- HDMI cable not included
- 3 USB inputs
- Easily connect your digital camera, camcorder or other USB devices
“This has to be the best TV I have ever seen! Right out of the box, the Picture on this TV blew me away! Nice Bright Vivid Colors and great sound for a TV as well. Even the smart remote is a step up from the rest! If you want the best TV on the market, you cannot go wrong with the LG C9!”
– Mike ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. The best Samsung smart TV to buy
Samsung 65″ Smart 4K TV – UN65RU8000FXZA | $1,100
Here’s why we love it:
- Auto Depth Enhancer
- Provides outstanding image depth
- 2160p resolution for breathtaking HD images
- HDR-compatible 4K TV
- Built-in V-chip
- Allows you to block content from your kids
- Countless entertainment options
- Stream shows, movies, games, and more
- Built-in Wi-Fi and integrated apps
- Performs well in all lighting conditions
- Delivers deep blacks and rich colors
- Motion Rate 240 technology
- Allows fast-action moments to be clear and vivid
- Two 10w speakers for advanced sound
- 4 HDMI inputs for the best home theater connection
- HDMI cable not included
- 2 USB inputs
- Easily connect your digital camera, camcorder, or other USB devices
“Two months with this Samsung TV and the love affair continues! The clarity of the picture and the ease of operation makes this 65-inch set a visual stunner! The remote control is small and easy to operate. Why go to a movie theater when you have your own video and film palace in the comfort of your own home! This smart TV has numerous apps, and I love the ambient mode that turns it into a work-of-art, displaying personal photos or stored graphic designs.”
– Nate ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Here’s the worst smart TV you won’t want to spend your money on:
Polaroid 55″ 4K UHD (2160P) HDR Smart LED TV (55T7U) | $250
Most of us probably think of cameras when we hear the name Polaroid, but in case you didn’t know, they make a pretty terrible TV. Sorry, Polaroid, I’m thinking you should have stayed with cameras on this one.
According to Consumer Reports testing, this TV ranked as one of the lowest TV’s on the market with a whopping 47% out of 100. Yikes!
Here are some reasons this TV ranked so low:
- Color accuracy falls short
- Hazy black levels
- Visible banding on smooth shades
- Image overscan cannot be turned off
- Slight backlight non-uniformity
- Does not support HBO streaming
Still tempted by the super low price for this 55″ TV? Check out what these reviewers say:
“The picture is just ok. The sound is horrible. You have to turn it all the way up to get adequate sound. I returned it after a day. If you need a cheap, good TV, buy something else.” – Dan
“We purchased this TV a few months ago – the first one came damaged. After we finally got it mounted, we started watching our first movie on it, and I was really disappointed with the sound quality and the color. I was expecting 4K, and this is not that.
I’m getting used to the color, however, we had to toy around with that quite a bit. I don’t even think the 4K DVDs Blu-rays look great on here. It’s really no different than just the regular TV that has a good 1030p. My advice would definitely be to read the reviews on this TV before purchasing. If you’re OK with a mediocre sound and an OK color, then I guess this TV would be good for you.” – Brittany
“Do not pay any money for this TV. The picture quality is horrible, and if you like to watch action movies, the screen is blurry at best.”– Vick
Check out these 6 highly-rated and affordable IKEA TV stands.
Polaroid hasn’t made their own TV’s for almost 20 years and is definitely a brand to avoid. With quality brand TV prices dropping all the time, I doubt they will be in the game much longer. Love my Sony and also recommend TCL.
Thanks so much for the feedback and the helpful recommendation! I have been pleased with the Sony brand too!
I have both the Sony and LG OLED. Both are good, but the LG OLED is definitely superior. The OLED technology will blow you away.
Oh awesome! Thanks a ton for sharing your experience with us, Dave! Good to know how nice the LG is!
We would like to buy a non-smart 55″ tv. Anyone know where we can get one?
Try looking at best buy’s brand of tvs which are insignia. Best buy usually has deals on the 50 inch and 55 inch insignia tvs which are their brand and have them for 200-230$ when they’re on sale. They’re full hd 1080p though and not 4K ultra hd bear in mind but they are non smart as well. We have two 55 inch insignia tvs we bought about 5 years ago and they’re still going strong and we love them. Great picture and sound and everything!
We recently just bought a vizio 70 in. smart tv. Price was around $750 at target several months ago. I’m not an electronics person but color and sound are good. App content is good. But my retired Polaroid tv was great. We bought it over 16 yrs ago, paid over $800 at the time and it still works great. I’m saving it for when we move so I can add a fire stick to it.
Fire sticks are GREAT! We have one for each of our televisions! We post deals on them often too!
I’m looking for an inexpensive TV screen that is around 30″ or smaller. It seems that the smallest size out there is now starting at 50″. Will be for very occasional use, not daily.
Try looking at LG they have a 24 inch TV that also functions as a smart tv however though the resolution is 720p and not full hd 1080p. Also look at best buys brand of tv which is insignia they come in small sizes to and are nonsmart as well, plus they’re very good tvs to, we’ve had a couple of them throughout the years. Also another decent brand I’ve heard of that have something that small is TCL although their smallest tv is 32inch. Most of the small tvs from those 3 brands are usually about 150$ or less if you can find them on sale.
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Walmart has the LG that Joe mentioned. There’s some other brands as well. I’m guessing that you could pick those up super cheap at yard sales and pawn shops if you were so inclined. I’ve got to say unless you have a specific place for it to go a 32 in would be easier to see and a 40 in better yet. Those are easy to find.
We have 2 TCL roku smart TV’s. They are great! And definitely on the cheaper end 😁
Anyone have reviews for the LG 65’ Smart 4K UHD, uk6090pua?