The Best 4K TV

Buying Guide

Televisions have likely come a long way since the last time you were in the market for a new screen. TVs have followed the typical tech trajectory of slimming down and dropping weight while increasing screen sizes. Even if your current TV is only a couple years old, technology has skyrocketed in that time to produce incredible visual effects. That’s largely due to the introduction of 4K TVs. These 4K TVs bring along crisper, brighter and more colorful picture quality than ever before.

MORE: The Best TV Wall Mount

There are truly outstanding 4K TVs available with four times the amount of pixels as their 1080p predecessors. On top of that, they boast the latest and greatest screen technology. All of that adds up to the ultimate in viewing experiences, no matter what you choose to watch. Quite frankly, you’ve never seen your favorite shows or anything from around the world so vividly from the comfort of your couch.

But all these new and improved features can make choosing a new TV complex and confusing. There are many new numbers and acronyms in the descriptions that can sound like a foreign language to a new buyer. However, armed and ready with a bit of knowledge and a few tools of the trade, you can make an informed purchase and find the best 4K TV for you.

One of the first factors to consider is size. Measure and understand how much space you have for your TV. You’re more likely to mount a 4K TV on your wall than set it on a console, but some models have legs and can sit on a stand. It’s worth noting, these legs are generally at the outer edges of the TV, instead of in the center, affecting the overall dimensions of the stand. Additionally, TVs are measured diagonally, so take that into consideration when you assess your space and size needs.

“If you take away one thing from this guide, it’s that size matters,” Patrick Ward, editor-in-chief of the blog High Speed Experts, says. “Specifically, when buying a 4K TV, don’t hold back. The whole reason for getting a 4K TV is that you value picture and audio quality — that cinematic experience can only be achieved with a massive 4K TV.”

Now, the standard resolution is 4K Ultra HD, which offers four times the pixel resolution as previous 1080p HD. That means crisper, more detailed images. It also lets you sit closer to larger TVs without the usual image degradation.

Pixels alone aren’t responsible for the wow factor that comes with 4K TVs. For that, you need to dive into the additional differentiating acronyms. When you combine screen technology like High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Wide Color Gamut (WCG), that’s when those extra pixels really pop.

What’s more, these 4K TVs have all the features you need seamlessly integrated. They are smart TVs. That means there are no more gadgets or cords required to connect to apps, streaming services and more. It’s all in one.

The latest and greatest technology doesn’t always come cheap. While there are some excellent budget-friendly buys in the top 4K TVs, there are also spendier versions. The budget-friendly models are more basic. Then, you can quickly add on more fancy features that increase the price.  Premium TVs deliver much more than a standard TV viewing experience. In fact, some models include a new mode that displays decorative content, useful information, personal photos or background music to blend with and enhance your interior décor.

“What used to be a hefty chunk of change for folks, is now quite affordable for the majority of households,” Ward points out. “Don’t have all the cash upfront? Putting it on a payment plan can make the monthly repayments virtually unnoticeable.”

You can rest assured it’s a good time to upgrade your TV. There are always updates and new technology in the works, but the next big change to 8K resolution is still a ways off. 

• Remember to measure twice before selecting a new 4K TV. The screen measurements listed on TVs reflect the diagonal distance on the screen. The other measurement is the width of the TV, for sitting on a stand as well as hanging on the wall.
• The newest 4K TVs have four times the pixels of the previous 1080p TVs from a few years ago.
• There is new, advanced pixel technology in the works. However, it is a few years away still, so it’s a good time to upgrade to the latest and greatest 4K TVs available now.
• The larger the number of pixels, the closer you can sit to the TV and still see a crisp clear image.
• The new 4K TVs vary widely in price, so researching each of their distinguishing features could help you choose a more cost-friendly option.
• The official resolution for 4K TVs is 3,840 by 2,160, so they are just shy of truly 4,000. The simplified description is much more user-friendly, so it stuck.

This review has been updated by DWYM staff.