Buying guide for best samsung smart tvs
TV technology continues to grow. High-definition (HD) television was once popular; now, the market is flooded with 4K TV sets that produce four times as many pixels. Processors are faster and colors are brighter. These TVs are an integral part of any smart home.
Samsung is a leading brand with a fast and intuitive line of smart TVs. You can easily watch your favorite TV shows and movies and enjoy awesome picture quality. There are many options from the brand. Some are better for sports; some are better for movies. Also, some are better for large spaces whereas others are better for small rooms.
Before you decide which TV to buy, it’s helpful to know the differences between items. Which would be best for your home and interests? You have come to the right place to find out.
Read our buying guide to find the best buy. In it, we share tips and information. If you want suggestions, we provide those, too. Buying a new smart television has never been easier.
At BestReviews, we write for readers, not advertisers. Keep reading for our shopping guide for Samsung Smart TVs. When you have a sense of what you’re looking for, check out our most recommended models in the grid above.
Key considerations
Resolution
Resolution matters. Full HD resolution, or 1920x1080 pixels, is not the standard anymore. Instead, 4K is.
4K is also known as Ultra High Definition or UHD. With four times as many pixels, the image is detailed and crisp. This is great for new films and shows shot in 4K.
Although 8K TVs are offered, they cost a lot. While they can upscale current content, films and shows are not shot in 8K right now.
Smart platform
The Tizen operating system gives you access to apps, services, and programs. Tizen has been around for many years. It is one of the fastest and most intuitive interfaces, up there with LG’s WebOS.
Newer models allow access to fledgling apps like HBO Now and Disney+. You will also enjoy access to SmartThings. This is the company’s hub for controlling smart home devices.
Size
TV size doesn’t have quite the effect on price that it used to. If you want something big and bold, you can find it without paying too much.
Screen size is measured in inches across the diagonal. Most popular in living rooms are 55- and 65-inch TVs. There are options as small as 32 inches and as large as 85 inches.
Upgrading your living room? Consider a wall mount for your new TV. It’ll help you save space, and most are adjustable to give you the best viewing angle possible.
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Features
Display technology
The technology that lights the screen affects how colorful, faithful, and easy to view your content is. Basic smart TVs have full array backlighting. This gives adequate contrast and color through local dimming.
For more vibrancy, some 4K options feature a Crystal processor. This helps optimize color and detail. Crystal UHD models come at a relatively low price.
Perhaps their most notable display technology is Quantum LED, or QLED. This panel comes at a high cost but offers brighter, more vibrant colors and contrast. Technically, these TVs are simply an upgrade on LCD TVs, which use a backlight. QLED has a color filter in front of the backlight to make the screen pop. Whites are bright, and there is high contrast between colors.
A downside is that blacks often blur. OLED screens from LG are ideal at getting contrast among deep blacks. Each pixel is individually lit. However, OLED does not have the brightness of QLED.
The company tries to fix this problem with their latest Neo QLED TVs. Neo models have a faster processor, better contrast, and deeper blacks. They have AI technology to optimize sights and sounds.
Sound
Most options have quality sound, though it’s not the focus. Basic options feature Dolby audio. Higher-end TVs have surround sound.
Newer models have Object Tracking Sound. This attempts to recreate a theatre-quality experience with directional sound from speakers on the screen edges.
For a theatre-quality experience, however, we recommend investing in a soundbar with matching rear speakers.
Speciality TVs
A few specialty televisions with a unique design or feature are offered.
- The Frame displays a picture or image when the screen is turned off to act as a piece of art.
- The Terrace is a UHD TV for outdoor use. One model allows for use in partial sunlight. Another can tolerate full sun exposure without glare.
- The Serif is a freestanding TV to be used away from a wall. It comes with its own stand. The thin design allows you to move it easily.
- The Sero is a 43-inch 4K with UHD and HDR that goes from landscape to portrait. If you want to use social media or cast from your phone, this is for you.
Did you know?
While Samsung has mostly done away with curved TVs, you may still find some from secondary retailers. Curved TVs were meant to offer a more immersive viewing experience. Gamers in particular really liked this.
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Prices
Inexpensive: Full HD TVs and small versions of basic 4K cost $500 to $1,000.
Mid-range: 4K UHD TVs cost $1,000 to $3,000. This includes some very big models and QLED options.
Expensive: For at least $3,000, you will find the newest and biggest models. Some are Neo QLED models. 8K TVs cost at least $7,500 and often over $10,000.
Ever wish you could view social media on your TV screen? With a smart television, you can.
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Tips
- Mount your TV. A wall mount can make TV viewing better. You may be able to pay a fee with purchase to have the mount installed. Or, ask a friend to help set it up.
- Embrace virtual assistants. If you want, you can also enroll in Bixby, Samsung’s virtual assistant. Most TVs also have voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant.
- Consider the refresh rate. This is the rate at which TV refreshes the image every second. A rate of 120Hz or higher is great for those who love sports, gaming, and action films. Why? It reduces lag and blur.
- Check the ports. Most have at least three HDMI ports, along with a USB connection. Consider all the consoles and devices you want to connect. Make sure there’s space for everything.
FAQ
Q. Does it cost anything to use smart features?
A. Certain apps require a subscription, like Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime. But there are no additional fees. There are also many apps that are “free with a few ads.”
Q. What is HDR?
A. This is “high dynamic range.” It enhances brightness and color purity and is usually found with 4K or UHD resolution.
HDR10 is the basic offering in most TVs, which offers up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness.
Quantum HDR offers even better colors and contrast.
Q. How do these TVs compare to budget brand TVs?
A. Companies like Vizio, TCL, and Hisense offer less-expensive TVs of all sizes with Full HD and 4K resolution. The major difference is the smart platform.
Budget brands use other company's smart frameworks, like Roku TV, Fire TV, or Android TV. These tend to be slower than Tizen or WebOS. They may include sponsored content or ads.
What’s more, processing speed and refresh rate are typically inferior to the brand’s upper end; color and brightness may not be as faithful, either.
