CNET

4K TVs: What to know before you buy

The world of televisions can be complex, with all kinds of industry jargon. Don’t worry, we’ll tell you what you need to know. After that, we give you CNET’s recommendations on which 4K TVs are best. You can see the products featured in this video here 👇 LG OLED G1: Samsung QN55QN90AAFXZA: TCL 55-inch 6-Series:…

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The world of televisions can be complex, with all kinds of industry jargon. Don’t worry, we’ll tell you what you need to know. After that, we give you CNET’s recommendations on which 4K TVs are best.

You can see the products featured in this video here 👇
LG OLED G1:
Samsung QN55QN90AAFXZA:
TCL 55-inch 6-Series:
*CNET may get a commission from these offers.

Best 4K TV for 2021

What is TV contrast ratio?

Dolby Vision, HDR10, Technicolor and HLG: HDR formats explained

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89 Comments

  1. The Candid Frame

    November 8, 2021 at 1:18 pm

    Very helpful

  2. president judas

    November 8, 2021 at 1:19 pm

    4k that 8k that, blah blah blah… Still hanging on with my 720p 35” TV!

    • GreenAppelPie

      November 8, 2021 at 2:36 pm

      Lol dude, that’s reasonable for 35”, I have 4 of the 32” for the smaller rooms.

    • N0 One454

      November 8, 2021 at 8:36 pm

      35″ yeah ok lol!!!!

  3. El Sam

    November 8, 2021 at 1:21 pm

    QN900A samsung ??!!

    • MrEddyedr

      November 8, 2021 at 4:29 pm

      That’s an 8K tv

  4. Keith Mc

    November 8, 2021 at 1:27 pm

    All that and no mention of ATSC 3.0?

    • MrEddyedr

      November 8, 2021 at 4:30 pm

      They are talking about tv displays. Not tv tuners

    • Keith Mc

      November 8, 2021 at 5:17 pm

      @MrEddyedr There are new TV’s that come with ATSC 3.0 installed which is great for cord cutters.

  5. M A

    November 8, 2021 at 1:32 pm

    Watching this video reminds me of when apps weren’t included on TV’s. With Apple TV/google tv/chromecast/roku/mibox man you really don’t need them.

    • GreenAppelPie

      November 8, 2021 at 2:38 pm

      I never use the apps on the TV, never even let them use my network. Everything I need is on Apple TV.

    • M A

      November 8, 2021 at 5:19 pm

      @GreenAppelPie Exactly, love my Apple TV since I can use my AirPods with it when a normal/average tv doesn’t even offer Bluetooth but it sure has Wi-Fi. I say average cause most I ain’t spending a lot of money on tv’s

  6. gmfitzg

    November 8, 2021 at 1:34 pm

    Calibrate your 4K tv before you decide to return lol

  7. nemes1s

    November 8, 2021 at 1:41 pm

    What about the best TV (50″ – 55″) for people who are on an extreme budget? ($500 – $600) What’s the recommendation there?

    • GreenAppelPie

      November 8, 2021 at 2:41 pm

      @Rex amillion dude.

    • GreenAppelPie

      November 8, 2021 at 2:44 pm

      Hisense 55A6G 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Android Smart TV with Alexa Compatibility (2021 Model). Is a good choice, just know the software is a bit slow.

    • Thros1

      November 8, 2021 at 3:26 pm

      Save your money if you can afford $600 just save up a bit and get the biggest one that makes sense.

    • MrEddyedr

      November 8, 2021 at 4:28 pm

      Hisense u7g or tcl 6 series. They are both on sale right now at Best Buy.

    • MrEddyedr

      November 8, 2021 at 4:28 pm

      Even better if you get open box

  8. Rex amillion

    November 8, 2021 at 1:49 pm

    The Hisense U7G is actually the best budget 4K TV. 🤷🏽‍♂️

    • Franco Yauri

      November 8, 2021 at 2:02 pm

      How much is it?

    • MrEddyedr

      November 8, 2021 at 4:27 pm

      @Franco Yauri it starts at about 649 which is the same as the tcl 6 series right now.

    • Angel Romero

      November 8, 2021 at 6:59 pm

      I feel as mid tier isn’t really worth it. Either get the Hisense u6g or u8g.

  9. Vet 0910

    November 8, 2021 at 1:51 pm

    CNET testing and recommending TLC TV sets. Not only a CHINESE company but one suspected of collecting information from American households who owned their TV sets. People, STOP buying Chinese products!!!

    • GreenAppelPie

      November 8, 2021 at 2:46 pm

      Okay, show me an American made TV and I’ll look at it. Personally, my TVs will never connect to my internet though.

    • MrEddyedr

      November 8, 2021 at 4:29 pm

      I don’t matter. So therefore I don’t care.
      I use an LG oled tho

    • Vet 0910

      November 8, 2021 at 10:48 pm

      @GreenAppelPie I’m not saying to buy an American TV set. I’m saying not to support Chinese companies (TLC)

  10. GreenAppelPie

    November 8, 2021 at 2:34 pm

    Mostly good video. However, I purchased the LG G1 65” for just under $1800 from Best Buy just yesterday, it was $300 off so they say. So please give typical prices, not list prices. It has the HDR and HDMI 2.1 features I was looking for. And capable of good gaming. Users will probably have to use 4K hdmi cables when they upgrade, their pretty reasonable online.

    Samsung was a consideration, but it apparently uses ads that you cannot disable, so that didn’t attract me.

    • Lynn Snyder

      November 8, 2021 at 4:06 pm

      Are you sure you got a G1?? The C1 in 65” size is $1799 at BB but the G1 is listed at $2399. Both have been those prices for a while now If you did get the G1 for $1800 kudos to you!!!!

    • MrEddyedr

      November 8, 2021 at 4:23 pm

      I got my 65 inch CX for $1351. I’m super happy with it

  11. subjectbigy

    November 8, 2021 at 2:47 pm

    I look forward to getting the LG C1 due to that settings changing with content.

    • Jheat23

      November 8, 2021 at 3:08 pm

      It’s to much for me 🥲

    • Drunkenfury

      November 8, 2021 at 4:04 pm

      I think Costco has the LG C1 OLED . I was more curious which type of tv is more susceptible to screen burn in .

    • Lynn Snyder

      November 8, 2021 at 4:15 pm

      @Drunkenfury led no burn in, OLED chance for burn in. With normal viewing OLED is highly unlikely to get burn in. If you gaming constantly where there are static images or watch a news channel with a static bar across the bottom hours upon hours, day after day after day, maybe you would see burn in. The LG C1 has an automatic pixel refresher/screen cleaner that runs after every 400 hrs. of viewing when you turn the set off to aid in screen clarity and limit the likelihood of burn in.

    • MrEddyedr

      November 8, 2021 at 4:31 pm

      @Lynn Snyder I’ve had my cx for a year and I use it to play call of duty cw on the daily. I have no burn in.
      I always buy a warranty from Best Buy when I get a tv though.

  12. Mark Smith

    November 8, 2021 at 3:18 pm

    But what is the cheapest usable 4K 43″ (more or less) model available? Want something under $1000

    • MrEddyedr

      November 8, 2021 at 4:21 pm

      Samsung has the q60a 43

    • Anthony R

      November 8, 2021 at 5:04 pm

      Try looking into the TCL 55 inch 6 series. It’s on Amazon for $700 and it is a mini QLED with dolby vision and HDR 10. if you just want a super simple 4K tv, the TCL 43 inch 4 series is on amazon right now for $300.

    • Angel Romero

      November 8, 2021 at 6:58 pm

      Look into the Hisense u6g. Great $500 budget tv.

  13. foilpainter fantasyartist

    November 8, 2021 at 3:38 pm

    How long does 4k tv last, how many years before needing a new tv?

    • ScottyBallz

      November 8, 2021 at 5:53 pm

      It should last for 10+ years if you take care of it. In terms of 4k resolution as a technology, well, consider when 1080p TVs came out. Bought Samsungs with 1080p resolution in 2008 and 2009. 10-12 years ago, that’s like the stone age, when you consider technology advances. However, many TV broadcasts are still in 720p or 1080p. 4k content has really just taken off in the last few years. The new cutting edge, which is 8k, hardly has any application at this point and in fact, buying 8k TV is not something you need, unless you’re buying Samsung’s “The Wall” or something ridiculously large, which if you are, well money is no object so who cares. It is difficult to discern pixelation on even large screens at 4k, even sitting very close. I’d expect it to last for a good while.

  14. Juan Cabrera

    November 8, 2021 at 4:20 pm

    Unless I’m mistaken, Samsung TVs don’t have Dolby Vision though

    • MrEddyedr

      November 8, 2021 at 4:32 pm

      They don’t, it’s kind of annoying honestly. But since I have a cx and a q90t/qn90a I don’t really notice a substantial difference

  15. Retro Empire

    November 8, 2021 at 4:28 pm

    Samsung TV speaker is goood

  16. Born under a bad sign

    November 8, 2021 at 4:34 pm

    Nice summary of suggestions

  17. Anthony R

    November 8, 2021 at 4:59 pm

    Price update! Literally every price he mentioned it’s like $300-$500 higher then what they are now. The G1 55 is $1700 now vs what he said was $2200. They must of made this like 2 months ago when prices were high.

  18. Graeme Johnson

    November 8, 2021 at 5:10 pm

    Oled TV..
    The pixels have a half life.. will eventually die..
    Led TV can last forever..
    I have a series 5 FHD Samsung 32 inch TV..
    Which is chugging along fine, like the day I bought it.. mates 1 year old 65 inch Oled, already has dead pixels..

    • Platinum

      November 8, 2021 at 10:37 pm

      But on led, colours look bad. Especially black

  19. arpan roy

    November 8, 2021 at 7:17 pm

    What is your opinion about sony x90j?

  20. Scientifish

    November 8, 2021 at 7:49 pm

    I really like CNETs videos, always informative and with friendly faces like Iyaz 😊
    This was a really good video but I missed info on picture frequency. I guess that’s an important aspect considering picture quality?

    • iyaz akhtar

      November 9, 2021 at 3:54 pm

      I think you’re talking about refresh rates, right? Well, for the video, I didn’t want to bog it down too much. I think CNET’s articles can help out with that kind of information. Thanks!

  21. CNET

    November 8, 2021 at 8:22 pm

    You can see the products featured in this video here 👇
    LG OLED G1:
    Samsung QN55QN90AAFXZA:
    TCL 55-inch 55R635:
    *CNET may get a commission from these offers.

    • 他妈啊肉类别让我

      November 9, 2021 at 2:07 am

      Why single Sony tv aren’t included in this collection

  22. David Jamgochian

    November 8, 2021 at 8:43 pm

    Great video and reviews

  23. 123abc

    November 8, 2021 at 8:50 pm

    so mini led is brighter than OLED.

    • Blackwater Pictures

      November 8, 2021 at 9:33 pm

      No

    • John B

      November 9, 2021 at 5:15 am

      Correct. LCD televisions can get much brighter and those have much more impactful high APL HDR and higher color volume. But OLED has much better light control and does a better job with low APL HDR – small specular highlights such as stars, street lambs, car lights are actually brighter. Currently there isn’t an affordable display technology that exceeds at both. OLED is still considered the best display technology among videophiles but it has a smaller usage case. The average consumer probably prefers the brightness of LCD.

  24. Nyle

    November 9, 2021 at 12:06 am

    The panel in the LG G1 isn’t unique to G1. It is also in SONY A90Js, which has arguably better picture quality, and has much better sound quality.

    • Sigal Roman

      November 9, 2021 at 12:33 pm

      So wait Sony tvs are better right out the box?

    • Sigal Roman

      November 9, 2021 at 12:33 pm

      Because what panels do Sony tvs use? LG? Or Their own?

    • Nyle

      November 9, 2021 at 12:56 pm

      @Sigal Roman Yes they are

    • Nyle

      November 9, 2021 at 12:56 pm

      @Sigal Roman They use LG panels but have better image processing and much better sound.

  25. LOVER LINK

    November 9, 2021 at 1:30 am

    i want a 32 inch tv for my desk lol

  26. 他妈啊肉类别让我

    November 9, 2021 at 2:06 am

    Sony TV’S deserve in your list

  27. Taylor

    November 9, 2021 at 3:18 am

    *Just don’t buy an Insignia or other cheaper brand TVs*
    Paying more for a Samsung or LG is worth it.

  28. John B

    November 9, 2021 at 4:34 am

    The problem here is cnet has tested only a small number of models which is inexcusable for technology based website. Katzmaier hasn’t tested a number of Sony televisions such as the A90J, A80J and X95 which compete very well against the LG OLED and Samsung QLED televisions.

    The A90J is arguably the best television you can buy money no object. It has what is called a heatsink behind the panel which allows the TV to dissipate heat more efficiently and hence is able to push specular highlights hard without fear of image retention.

    The A80J competes with the C1 on price but has better overall video processing. The C1 is better for hardcore gamers.

    The X95J competes with the QN90A and arguably has better overall PQ. Currently the X95J costs more but I suspect it will come down in price as we get deeper into the Holiday season.

    No one will probably believe me but I don’t own a Sony and have no plans to do so. I just think it’s pretty blatant that cnet has their best list but hasn’t reviewed a notable part of the mid to high end television market.

    • carlcat

      November 9, 2021 at 7:05 pm

      I just read your post and couldn’t agree with you more. You’ve obviously done your homework and know more than CNET. I’m in the market for a new TV and wished Sony put out a A90J in 77″ so I’m back to deciding on the Sony A80J 77″ or a Samsung QN90 77or the Sony X95J 77.

  29. Gopan V Kumar

    November 9, 2021 at 5:26 am

    # BPL.

  30. Kakha Khmelidze

    November 9, 2021 at 6:56 am

    There is nothing to know. He should not buy FHD TV, you should buy minimum of 4K TV. OLED is ully preferrable.

  31. Graham Evans

    November 9, 2021 at 8:50 am

    Ive got a headache now 🙈

  32. @asj364

    November 9, 2021 at 1:07 pm

    6:17

  33. Caleb Hazard

    November 9, 2021 at 1:43 pm

    Damn it. I just bought a Sony that did not make this list

    • iyaz akhtar

      November 9, 2021 at 3:57 pm

      Just because a TV isn’t on this list, does not mean it’s a bad TV. If you’re enjoying your Sony TV, that’s A-OK!

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    • Angelika Elise

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  35. Damian Moreno

    November 9, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    Don’t forget about burn in for oleds

  36. Dante Sparda

    November 9, 2021 at 3:33 pm

    Sony models ?

  37. MrT

    November 9, 2021 at 6:55 pm

    Whats about LG B1 ?

  38. A Light

    November 9, 2021 at 8:29 pm

    I will NEVER buy LG again just because of the garbage “magic” remote. It’s frustrating to use

  39. Carson Carswell

    November 9, 2021 at 10:20 pm

    Should I get the Sony WF 1000 XM4 for $270. Or the Samsung Galaxy buds 2 for $100.

  40. Kunai Flicker

    November 10, 2021 at 3:33 am

    Good video. I also go rtings myself because the have good comparisons and also clearly say who wins per tv price category

  41. NileshR12

    November 10, 2021 at 5:51 am

    I wish he would’ve mentioned the best 4K TV under $1k

  42. Daniel Adade

    November 10, 2021 at 1:08 pm

    Damn, no Sony TV? What about the XK95, where does that rank?

  43. Hayley Harrison

    November 10, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    Did he never mention burn in? I have a 4 year old oled and that thing is messed up, unless oled technology has gotten better at reducing burn in I’ll be buying a mini led tv next time.

    • J

      November 11, 2021 at 12:42 am

      Thank you for sharing; I have a “dinosaur” Samsung from 2009. Burn-in is kinda bad on it, but it took a while to get there. Maybe I should re-consider OLED.

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