 |
| Televisions Shopping Guide (2025) — What to Buy & Why |
Skip the spec soup. These are the TVs I actually recommend right now, plus a simple framework to pick the right size, panel type, and features for your room.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission—at no extra cost to you.
Samsung S95D (QD-OLED)
LG C4 (OLED)
Samsung QN90D (Mini-LED)
Hisense U8N (Mini-LED)
TCL QM8 (Mini-LED)
Comparison Table
How to Choose
Patrick’s Verdict
Samsung S95D (QD-OLED) Best OLED for Bright Rooms
Anti-glare QD-OLED with vivid color volume; fantastic for sunlit living rooms. Downside: no Dolby Vision (uses HDR10/HDR10+).
- Pros
- Matte/anti-glare finish tames reflections.
- High color volume and HDR punch in light.
- Great for sports and daytime TV.
- Cons
- No Dolby Vision support.
LG C4 (WOLED) Best Value OLED
Four HDMI 2.1 ports, 4K/144Hz + VRR, instant response—stellar for movies and gaming. Often discounted.
- Pros
- 4× HDMI 2.1; 4K/144Hz; VRR/ALLM.
- True OLED contrast for cinema nights.
- Excellent gaming features across all ports.
- Cons
- Not as bright as top Mini-LEDs in full daylight.
Samsung QN90D (Mini-LED) Best Bright-Room LCD
Blistering brightness + strong anti-glare; motion handling that flatters sports.
- Pros
- Excellent peak brightness for daytime viewing.
- Effective anti-glare coating.
- Fast processing for sports.
- Cons
- Blooming can appear off-axis in challenging scenes.
Hisense U8N (Mini-LED) Best Mid-Range HDR Punch
Outstanding brightness/contrast for the money; Dolby Vision support; great mixed-use choice.
- Pros
- Class-leading HDR pop at this price.
- Dolby Vision + gaming features.
- Strong value in 55–65″ sizes.
- Cons
- Local dimming artifacts can appear in tough scenes.
TCL QM8 (Mini-LED) Best Big-Screen Value
Extreme brightness, lots of dimming zones, and high-refresh gaming modes—ideal at 75–85″.
- Pros
- Huge screen sizes for less money.
- High zone count for deep contrast.
- 120–144Hz gaming support (model/port dependent).
- Cons
- Color accuracy may need calibration out of the box.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Use Case | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bright living room, hates reflections | Samsung S95D (QD-OLED) | Matte/anti-glare + vivid color in light; stunning HDR. |
| Movies + Gaming (best value OLED) | LG C4 | 4× HDMI 2.1, 4K/144Hz, VRR; elite responsiveness. |
| Sports & daytime TV | Samsung QN90D | Very bright, good anti-glare, crisp motion. |
| Mid-range HDR impact | Hisense U8N | Class-leading brightness/contrast for the price. |
| Biggest screen value (75–85″) | TCL QM8 | Lots of zones, high refresh, cinema-scale size. |
How to Choose (Skip the Hype)
- Panel first: OLED/QD-OLED = perfect blacks; Mini-LED = max brightness for sunny rooms.
- Room & seating: If you have many windows, prefer S95D/QN90D. Dark rooms: LG C4 (value) or LG G4 (splurge).
- Gaming checklist: HDMI 2.1 (multiple ports), 4K/120–144Hz, VRR, ALLM. LG C4 ticks all four ports.
- HDR formats: Stream lots of Dolby Vision? Avoid Samsung. If not, Samsung’s HDR10/HDR10+ is great.
- Size rule: From 8–10 ft, 65–75″ is the sweet spot. If budget’s tight, a larger Mini-LED often beats a smaller OLED for cinematic impact.
Patrick’s Verdict
If I’m picking one TV for most readers, it’s the LG C4 for the mix of picture quality, gaming features, and price drops. In bright rooms, the Samsung S95D is the first OLED that truly tames reflections. For sports/daytime viewing, Samsung QN90D is a bright-room beast. On a mid-range budget, Hisense U8N brings huge HDR pop, and for giant screens on a deal, go TCL QM8.