How to Choose the Right TV in 2026 (and a Few We Like)

TVs can be tricky to buy. Whether you read our exquisite guide to the Best TVs or not, you probably won’t find every top model at your local Walmart, Best Buy, or Costco. And when you’re browsing retail websites, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by marketing speak like HDR, QLED, or “local dimming.” That’s why we’ve collected a few tips, tricks, and terms to help you shop smarter when buying a new TV. Think of this as a checklist to consider before you buy your next big screen.

Be sure to check out our guide to the Best Bookshelf Speakers, Best Soundbars, and our How to Buy a Soundbar Guide for other helpful hints on how to upgrade your home theater.

Updated February 2026: We’ve added new information with the latest in TV tech, including RGB LED, SQD, ATSC 3.0, and other acronyms explained in plain English.

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How Much Should You Expect to Pay?

You’ll see quite a range of prices when shopping for a new TV. It all comes down to the features, screen type, and performance. Here’s a basic price guide on what you can expect for the money. Be sure to check out our list of the Best TVs for specific model information.

Under $500

If you just want a TV with a regular-sized screen that can stream your favorite shows, this is a good starting place, especially if you’re on a budget. We highly suggest you avoid TVs that aren’t made by the likes of Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense, Vizio, Panasonic, or Roku. Also, avoid spending less than $200 on anything, unless it’s smaller than 55 inches. On the other side, we suggest spending a bit more if you want a 65-inch screen or bigger for quality control.

Here are some TVs we like in this price range:

Between $500 and $1,000

If you watch TV often and want something between 50 and 65 inches, this is a great price category to target. Stick to the major brands above—especially our favorite value-oriented brands like TCL, Hisense, and Roku—and you can hardly go wrong. If you want the best from more premium brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony, you’ll likely need to spend up.

Here are some TVs we like in this general price range:

More Than $1,000

This price range is for TVs 65 inches or larger, and/or those with advanced panel technologies, like OLED, and QLED/mini-LED. You’ll also typically get higher-end processing for improved clarity and upscaling, and better hardware like a 120-Hz panel for video games and sports. Get into the $2,000 range and you’ll find top-rated 4K TVs from Samsung, LG, Panasonic, and Sony. Spend more than a few thousand, and you can get into 8K resolution if you care to—not that there is currently much 8K content to watch.

Here are some TVs we love at this price range:

What Size TV Should You Get?

TCL QM6K

Photograph: Ryan Waniata

When it comes to screens, bigger is better, right? Sure, but that doesn’t mean you should always spring for the largest size. Pricing on bigger models continues to drop, but it can still get out of hand quickly, and you should always make sure you have room for all that screen footage. If you’re watching your budget, common cheap TV performance issues like screen aberrations, inaccurate colors, and mediocre image processing may be harder to overlook on a bigger canvas, so you’ll want to balance your size and performance needs equally.

Under 55 Inches

Some high-end OLED TVs have smaller sizes so they can double as computer monitors, but most TVs below 55 inches are largely nonstandard these days. Many manufacturers still make models below this size, but you likely won’t get the latest and greatest performance.

55-Inch TVs

This is the smallest standard size for modern TVs. It’s generally considered ideal for the small-to-average room in a home or apartment, but if you have a larger space, you may want to size up. Be aware that TVs this size and larger sometimes come with feet on both ends of the screen; if you’re not wall-mounting, make sure you measure the width of your TV stand to ensure it can hold your new TV. That said, we’re seeing even midrange models switching to adaptable feet and/or pedestal stands more often.

65-Inch TVs

This has long been the default option for larger living rooms or for spaces where you’re going to have many eyes watching at once. As TV tech has improved and prices have dropped, 65-inch models have started to become the standard for many, though it should be noted that they may dominate your decor to some extent in smaller rooms. If you have the extra cash and space, it is worth the upgrade for those who love seeing details even closer in films and TV shows.

75 Inches and Above

I only recommend TVs this size and larger for people who have huge rooms and are looking for a truly cinematic experience. Buyer beware: Pricing on TVs this large can get quite pricey (well above $2,000 for higher-end models). Cheaper ones (under $1,000) might not look great due to limitations in processing and panel lighting. Be prepared to have a professional or a group of friends help you move and mount a screen this large.

What Screen Resolution Do You Need?

Resolution means the number of pixels on your screen. Modern TVs come in 1080p “Full HD” resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels), 4K Ultra HD or “UHD” (3,840 x 2,160), and 8K “8K UHD” (7,680 x 4,320) variants. TVs below or above 4K UHD resolution are relatively rare but for opposite reasons: Full HD screens are now old tech and are reserved for only the smallest and cheapest models; 8K resolution is available mostly on expensive, big-screen TVs and 8K content is still virtually nonexistent.

What’s the difference? More pixels! 4K TVs have about four times the number of pixels as 1080p screens, and 8K TVs have about four times that of 4K models, or 16 times (!) that of 1080p. In theory, this means a much clearer picture than 4K TVs, but that’s not necessarily the reality. Because the pixels in a 4K TV at standard sizes (55-65 inches) are already packed so densely into the display, you may not be able to see the difference between 4K and 8K TVs unless you’re watching from a close range or on a very large screen (75 inches or above).

The lack of 8K content also means most of the video you’re watching will need to be upscaled, or raised to the TV’s resolution by its internal processing system. For this reason, if you’re buying an 8K TV, you’ll usually want to buy a more premium model with good upscaling from a brand that makes them regularly, like Samsung’s QN900 series.