Hey there, tech enthusiasts and couch potatoes alike! Get ready to level up your living room because we’re diving headfirst into the exciting world of televisions. If you’re anything like us, you know that finding the perfect TV can feel like navigating a maze of acronyms, specs, and glowing reviews. But fear not, because we’ve done the heavy lifting, testing out the latest and greatest so you don’t have to.
From dazzling OLEDs that deliver inky blacks to budget-friendly beasts that punch way above their weight class, the TV landscape in 2025 is more vibrant and feature-packed than ever before. We’re talking about screens that transform your movie nights, elevate your gaming sessions, and become the true centerpiece of your home entertainment hub. Seriously, the innovations happening right now are pretty mind-blowing.
In this first part of our ultimate guide, we’re going to spotlight six incredible televisions that have earned our top marks. Each one brings something special to the table, catering to different needs, budgets, and viewing preferences. So, grab a snack, settle in, and let’s explore these stellar picks that are redefining what a TV can do.
1. **Hisense U65QF: The Brightest Budget-Friendly TV**
Starting strong, we have the Hisense U65QF, a television that truly redefines what you can expect from a budget-friendly option. This isn’t just a good TV for the price; it’s an outstanding performer that blew us away with its sheer brilliance. It holds the title for the brightest TV we’ve ever seen in its price range, which is saying something in today’s competitive market.
Beyond its impressive brightness, the U65QF delivers wide and accurate color reproduction, swinging well above its class in visual fidelity. Whether you’re watching a vibrant nature documentary or an action-packed blockbuster, the colors pop with stunning realism. This TV proves that you don’t need to empty your wallet to get a truly captivating picture.
Gamers, pay attention! This model boasts a 144Hz refresh rate coupled with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ensuring silky-smooth, tear-free gaming experiences. Its Amazon Fire TV smart platform is intuitive, though it does lack a few niceties found in Hisense’s higher-end Google TV-powered models, like hands-free voice control. However, for sheer value, it’s easily the best budget TV currently available.
Who is this TV for, you ask? The Hisense U65QF is a top pick for anyone yearning for a bright, colorful TV without spending a fortune. It’s particularly appealing if you’re eyeing a really big screen; imagine a 100-inch model available for under $2,000! It’s an undeniable win for anyone prioritizing a brilliant picture on a budget.
Read more about: The TVs Everyone’s Obsessed With Right Now: A Vox Explainer for Your Next Big Screen Upgrade
2. **LG Evo G5 OLED TV: The Epitome of OLED Excellence**
If you’re ready to splurge for an absolutely incredible picture, the LG Evo G5 OLED TV is here to make your home theater dreams a reality. This isn’t just an OLED TV; it’s *the* best OLED TV we’ve tested, pushing the boundaries of what organic light-emitting diode technology can achieve. Prepare to be amazed by its visual prowess.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the LG Evo G5 is its shocking brightness for an OLED panel, a feature that traditionally lagged behind LED TVs. This extra luminance, combined with its fantastic color range and accuracy, creates an image that is both incredibly vibrant and profoundly deep. Every detail, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights, is rendered with stunning precision.
Packed with features, this TV is also designed to be mounted nearly flush on the wall, offering a sleek, minimalist aesthetic that blends seamlessly into any modern living space. However, it’s worth noting that wall mounting is your only option, as it doesn’t come with a table stand. This design choice underscores its premium, integrated home theater appeal.
So, who should consider this masterpiece? The LG Evo G5 OLED TV is splurge-worthy, unequivocally justifying its price with an absolutely incredible picture that will redefine your viewing expectations. Just be prepared for the installation; it’s a job best handled with extra care and perhaps a few helping hands, ensuring your investment is perfectly displayed.
3. **Hisense U8QG: Best Overall Value That Doesn’t Compromise**
Hot on the heels of its budget-friendly sibling, the Hisense U8QG continues Hisense’s tradition of delivering phenomenal performance at an outstanding value. This model is the latest in a long line of high-end Hisense TVs that consistently wow us, proving that you don’t always have to pay top dollar for top-tier features and picture quality.
The U8QG is incredibly bright, even surpassing last year’s already blazing U8N, making it a powerhouse for any lighting condition. It also boasts wide and accurate colors, ensuring that everything you watch looks vibrant and true-to-life. But it’s not just about the visuals; this TV comes with a built-in 4.1.2-channel spatial audio speaker system, providing an immersive sound experience right out of the box.
Connectivity is also a highlight, with a 165Hz VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro for gamers, alongside Apple AirPlay and Google Cast for seamless content sharing. A conveniently side-mounted USB-C port that accepts DisplayPort signals adds to its versatility, making it easy to connect smaller devices without wireless lag. It’s a truly versatile entertainment hub.
While it doesn’t offer the inky, bloom-free blacks of OLED TVs, for that technology, you’d be paying two to three times as much. Even though it’s pricier than its predecessor, the U8QG is still an excellent value considering the picture and features you get. Just be aware of its three HDMI ports, which might require some cable management if you have multiple game consoles and a soundbar. It’s a small trade-off for such an impressive package.
Read more about: The TVs Everyone’s Obsessed With Right Now: A Vox Explainer for Your Next Big Screen Upgrade
4. **Roku Pro Series (2025): Simple Smart TV Brilliance**
For those who prioritize ease of use and a straightforward, media-focused experience, the Roku Pro Series (2025) is an absolute standout. We often recommend Roku devices to less tech-savvy users, and for good reason: the Roku OS platform is much simpler, more direct, and undeniably media-focused than most other smart TV platforms out there. It’s all about getting you to your content, fast.
While it doesn’t offer a full voice assistant or a huge smart home ecosystem to manage, its strength lies in its simplicity. Searching for media is a breeze, and jumping quickly into whatever streaming service you desire is incredibly efficient. This makes it a fantastic choice for anyone who just wants to enjoy their shows and movies without any unnecessary complexity.
The Roku Pro Series is the best TV we’ve tested that leverages the Roku OS, delivering a great picture alongside incredibly useful features. We’re talking about Apple AirPlay for easy streaming from your iOS devices, hands-free voice control for effortless navigation, and even a remote finder button – because let’s be real, who hasn’t lost their remote down the couch cushions?
If your ideal TV is a good-looking screen that gets out of its own way, without the need for an Alexa-like voice assistant dictating your every move, then the Roku Pro Series is an easy recommendation. It’s perfect for those who want smart features to enhance their viewing, not complicate it, providing a refreshingly direct entertainment experience.
Read more about: Decoding the Display: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying Your Next TV in 2025
5. **Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED: Hands-Free Alexa at Your Command**
If you’re deeply embedded in the Amazon ecosystem or simply love the convenience of hands-free voice control, the Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED is a compelling choice that brings smart home integration directly to your living room. This is Amazon’s finest television yet, boasting a significant upgrade in luminance compared to its predecessors.
With more than three times the luminance of the Fire TV Omni QLED, this Mini-LED model delivers a bright picture with balanced color and strong contrast, making your favorite content truly shine. It’s packed with cutting-edge features, including a 120Hz native refresh rate with support for 144Hz VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ensuring smooth visuals for both movies and gaming.
But the real star here for many will be the hands-free Alexa integration. Imagine controlling your smart home devices, searching for shows, or adjusting settings with just your voice, without ever needing to touch a remote. This feature seamlessly weaves the TV into your smart home, providing unparalleled convenience for everyday use. It also supports Apple AirPlay 2, adding another layer of versatility.
This is the affordable Fire TV that truly nails hands-free Alexa, making it an ideal pick if you frequently use Amazon’s voice assistant or simply prefer the Fire TV interface over other smart TV platforms. It’s reasonably priced, aligning with higher-end Google TVs from Hisense and TCL, making it a smart and feature-rich choice for a connected home.
Read more about: The TVs Everyone’s Obsessed With Right Now: A Vox Explainer for Your Next Big Screen Upgrade
6. **Samsung S95F: The Ultimate Surround Sound Experience Built-In**
For those who crave an immersive audio experience right out of the box, the Samsung S95F stands out as a home theater centerpiece. This isn’t just a television; it’s an audio powerhouse, featuring a built-in 4.2.2-channel speaker system that uses side- and upward-firing drivers to produce an incredibly immersive sound field. Say goodbye to the need for an immediate soundbar purchase.
Beyond its exceptional audio, the Samsung S95F boasts a very bright OLED panel, delivering excellent color performance that truly brings visuals to life. While it doesn’t support Dolby Vision, relying instead on HDR-10, its picture quality remains stunning, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors that are characteristic of premium OLED displays. It’s a visual treat to complement the auditory feast.
One of its most innovative features is the One Connect Box, which offloads all of the TV’s ports to a separate enclosure connected to the screen by a single thin wire. This brilliant design aids in cable management, allowing you to keep your cable clutter and various devices neatly out of sight. It’s a dream come true for anyone who values a clean, minimalist setup without visible tangles of wires.
Who is this marvel for? The Samsung S95F is an excellent home theater centerpiece, especially if you’re looking to build a spatial audio setup from scratch. And if you ever do want more audio power, Samsung’s Q-Symphony technology allows you to seamlessly integrate one of its compatible Q-series soundbars, taking full advantage of the S95F’s own speakers to create an even grander soundstage.
Alright, tech explorers, ready to continue our quest for the perfect screen? We’ve already seen some seriously impressive displays, but the journey isn’t over yet! We still have a couple more showstopping TVs to unveil, each bringing something truly unique to the table. After that, we’re diving deep into the ultimate buying guide, equipping you with all the knowledge to navigate the often-confusing world of TV specs and make an informed decision that’ll make your entertainment setup sing.
Read more about: The TVs Everyone’s Obsessed With Right Now: A Vox Explainer for Your Next Big Screen Upgrade
7. **Hisense 116UX: The Brightest and Most Colorful Picture**
Prepare yourselves for a visual spectacle, because the Hisense 116UX is here to redefine what you thought was possible in a television. This isn’t just a TV; it’s a monumental leap forward in display technology, using a new RGB mini-LED backlight system that, in our testing, produced the brightest and most colorful picture we’ve ever witnessed. It’s an absolute showstopper, making everything else feel a little, well, dim in comparison.
What makes it so revolutionary? Unlike most LED TVs that rely on white or blue LEDs, the 116UX employs clusters of red, green, and blue lights. This allows for individual dimming or brightening, which doesn’t just improve contrast but also significantly expands its color range. The result is a picture that’s breathtakingly vibrant, incredibly precise, and deeply immersive. And just as impressive as its visuals is its built-in 6.2.2-channel spatial audio system, ensuring the sound lives up to the glorious picture.
Of course, with such cutting-edge technology comes a few caveats. While it offers an incredible color range, extreme brightness, a top-tier sound system, a rechargeable solar remote, and an easy-access DisplayPort-to-USB-C port, it does come with a hefty price tag. We also noted some minor light bloom, and it only features three HDMI ports, which might be a consideration for those with multiple gaming consoles and media devices.
So, who is this magnificent beast for? The Hisense 116UX is unapologetically in the super big and super expensive category, likely pushing it out of budget for many, even if they have the space. But if you’re someone who’s ready to invest five figures in a truly cutting-edge television that pushes the boundaries of visual and auditory excellence, then this is definitely one to consider for your ultimate home cinema.
Read more about: The TVs Everyone’s Obsessed With Right Now: A Vox Explainer for Your Next Big Screen Upgrade
8. **SunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series: Best Outdoor TV**
Ever dreamt of binge-watching your favorite shows or catching the big game from the comfort of your patio or deck? Well, the SunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series makes that dream a stunning reality. This isn’t just a regular TV dragged outside; it’s a ruggedized marvel specifically engineered for the great outdoors, designed to withstand extreme temperatures, rain, snow, and even dirt. Talk about tough love for your entertainment!
Despite its robust, weatherproof build, the Veranda 3 doesn’t compromise on picture quality. It delivers wide, accurate colors and supports Dolby Vision, ensuring your outdoor viewing experience is just as captivating as your indoor one. While it’s crafted for full shade environments, it still does a commendable job of minimizing glare. Plus, powered by Android TV, it offers phone mirroring, a wealth of streaming media options, and convenient voice control via the remote, making it a truly smart outdoor companion.
The SunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series impresses with its rock-solid, outdoor-ready construction, excellent color range and accuracy, and comprehensive Android TV features, all while maintaining low input lag for those backyard gaming sessions. However, these specialized features come at a premium price, and it’s worth noting that it doesn’t include a stand, and its black levels, while good for an outdoor set, aren’t as deep as indoor counterparts.
If you’re looking to elevate your outdoor living space with a dedicated screen for your covered deck or patio and are willing to invest in the best picture quality for that specific purpose, the SunBriteTV Veranda 3 Series is the undisputed champion. It offers a level of durability and smart features unmatched by more affordable, less purpose-built outdoor TV alternatives.
### **Navigating the TV Landscape: Your Essential Buying Guide**
Now that we’ve showcased some of the hottest TVs of 2025, let’s pivot to the crucial considerations that will empower you to make an informed decision. Buying a new TV can feel like a labyrinth of technical jargon, but fear not! We’re breaking down the key factors so you can confidently choose the display that perfectly fits your life.
Read more about: The TVs Everyone’s Obsessed With Right Now: A Vox Explainer for Your Next Big Screen Upgrade
9. **Decoding Resolution: Why 4K is the New Standard (and 8K Can Wait)**
Remember when 720p versus 1080p was the big debate? Good times, right? Well, today, that conversation has evolved. The TV resolution question has largely flattened, with 4K — that’s 3,840 by 2,160 pixels, or over eight million pixels for those keeping score — becoming the unequivocal standard for virtually all medium-sized and larger televisions from every major manufacturer. Honestly, you’d be hard-pressed to find a new TV over 40 inches that isn’t 4K.
The best part? This higher resolution no longer commands a hefty price premium. You can now snag an excellent 65-inch 4K TV for under $1,000, proving that cutting-edge clarity is more accessible than ever. And with 4K content now freely available across major streaming services like Amazon and Netflix, along with Ultra HD Blu-ray discs, you’ll have plenty of stunning visuals to enjoy right out of the box.
Now, a word about 8K. You might be hearing buzz, but here’s the straightforward truth: Don’t worry about it for now. While HDMI 2.1 supports it, 8K (7,680 by 4,320 pixels) TVs are currently premium, significantly pricier models, and there’s virtually no consumer-ready 8K media available. No major studios are releasing 8K content, and there are no streaming or physical media standards to support it commercially. Essentially, you’d just be watching upconverted 4K video, so save your cash unless you’ve got plenty to burn and want to be on the absolute bleeding edge of future-proofing.
10. **Smart TV Platforms and Connectivity: Your Gateway to Endless Entertainment**
Gone are the days when a TV was just a screen; today, it’s a connected hub, brimming with web apps and built-in Wi-Fi, all thanks to smart TV platforms. Whether it’s a first-party platform from giants like LG, Samsung, or Vizio, or a popular third-party system like Amazon Fire TV, Google TV, or Roku TV used by brands like Hisense, Sony, and TCL, these platforms are your portal to a universe of content.
These robust ecosystems generally offer seamless access to almost all the major streaming services you could wish for, including Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, Sling TV, and YouTube. Beyond mere streaming, they often come packed with features like integrated voice assistants, effortless local media streaming, and a growing library of downloadable apps and games. Should you ever find a rare app or service missing, don’t fret; a separate media streamer connected to an HDMI 2.0 port can easily fill that gap.
Connectivity has also seen a major upgrade with the widespread adoption of Apple AirPlay 2, now available on new TVs from a host of brands including Hisense, LG, Roku, Samsung, Sony, TCL, and Vizio. This fantastic feature allows you to effortlessly stream content directly from your iPhone or iPad, integrating your Apple devices seamlessly with your big screen. Moreover, the Apple TV app, complete with its Apple TV+ service, is now available on all major smart TV platforms, so you can enjoy Apple’s premium video content on nearly any TV without needing a separate Apple TV 4K box.
11. **High Dynamic Range (HDR): More Colors, Brighter Worlds**
Once you’ve got your head around resolution, there’s another game-changer to consider: High Dynamic Range, or HDR. This isn’t about more pixels, but *better* pixels. HDR content dramatically expands the information sent to your display compared to a standard video signal. The result? A significantly broader range of color and a greater amount of light that each pixel can produce, translating into visuals that are far more vibrant, detailed, and true-to-life.
Thanks to continuous advancements in LCD and OLED panel technology, today’s high-end televisions can render wider color gamuts and finer gradients of light and dark than ever before. Traditional video signals were limited by older cathode ray tube TVs, restricting the range of color and light. HDR shatters these limitations, utilizing expanded ranges with incredibly fine values in between, meaning HDR displays can deliver a richer palette of colors and a much greater spectrum of luminance values.
When shopping, you’ll encounter a few major HDR standards with commercially available content: HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HDR110+. HDR10 is an open standard using 10-bit color, with the UHD Alliance certifying TVs that meet its minimum brightness and contrast as UltraHD Premium. Dolby Vision, a closed standard from Dolby, supports 12-bit color and dynamically adjusts ranges based on your TV and the scene. Samsung, meanwhile, champions its own HDR10+, which adds variable metadata for scene-by-scene brightness adjustments, acting as its alternative to Dolby Vision. Regardless of the specific flavor, an HDR-capable TV will undoubtedly deliver a superior picture compared to its standard dynamic range counterparts.
Read more about: The TVs Everyone’s Obsessed With Right Now: A Vox Explainer for Your Next Big Screen Upgrade
12. **OLED vs. QLED: Which Display Technology Reigns Supreme?**
Ah, the classic showdown! When you’re diving into the premium end of the TV market, you’re almost guaranteed to face the OLED versus QLED dilemma. Each technology boasts its own strengths, catering to different viewing preferences and room environments. So, let’s break down this perennial debate and help you figure out which one is your ultimate match.
Generally speaking, QLED TVs, which are essentially advanced LCD-based LED TVs, tend to be brighter and often more affordable. This brightness gives them an edge in well-lit rooms, where they can effectively combat ambient light and glare. However, their reliance on a backlight system means they might exhibit slight imperfections in shadow detail, sometimes referred to as “light bloom,” where light bleeds into darker areas.
On the other side of the ring, OLED TVs are celebrated for their ability to deliver “incredible color and perfect black levels.” Each pixel in an OLED display emits its own light, meaning when a pixel needs to be black, it simply turns off, resulting in absolute, inky blacks and infinite contrast ratios. This makes OLEDs a dream come true for movie nights in dim or dark rooms, where every shadow and highlight can be rendered with breathtaking precision. The trade-off? Traditionally, OLEDs haven’t been as bright as their QLED counterparts, though this gap is rapidly closing with newer models.
Ultimately, your choice often comes down to budget and the specific lighting conditions of your viewing space. An OLED TV will truly shine in a dedicated home theater where you can control most of the ambient light, providing unparalleled cinematic immersion. A QLED, with its superior brightness, will have an undeniable edge in a room bathed in natural light from numerous windows and sun. But as both technologies continue to evolve, with OLEDs getting brighter and QLEDs employing more precise mini-LED backlights, the distinctions are becoming less pronounced, offering fantastic options for everyone.
And there you have it, folks! From the cutting-edge marvels of Hisense’s RGB mini-LED to the rugged durability of an outdoor entertainment hub, and a comprehensive breakdown of the essential factors in your TV buying journey, you’re now armed with the knowledge to make a truly smart choice. Whether you’re prioritizing resolution, smart features, dynamic range, or display technology, the perfect screen is out there waiting to transform your living space into an entertainment paradise. So, go forth, explore, and get ready to experience your favorite content like never before!
