Buying guide for Best Samsung TVs
When you make a major purchase like a new TV, it can help to buy from a well-known brand. The fact that a company has been around for a while reassures you that you are putting your money in a smart place.
In the world of large-screen televisions, the Samsung brand holds its own at the top of the market. This electronics manufacturer has all kinds of television designs for sale, surely allowing you to find one to meet your needs.
We at BestReviews perform detailed research in every product category, including TVs made by Samsung. Our testing and analysis provide us with the data for a thorough understanding of a product’s pros and cons. We turn this information into our buying guides, taking pride in giving our readers the information they need to make smart purchases.
You can count on our selections and product reviews to be free from bias because we don’t take free samples from manufacturers. Read on for the most important things to know when buying a Samsung TV. When you’re ready to purchase, we invite you to look at the recommendations on our list.
Screens
There are a few different screen options available from Samsung. Each supports a higher level of visual quality than the previous model. Even on a budget, though, you can get a solid TV. The screen technology may be slightly older, but it’ll still be great.
Let’s take a look at the types of screens available on Samsung’s TVs.
Crystal UHD
This is Samsung’s way of describing a 4K LED TV. While it may not incorporate the latest and greatest tech into its design, these models are available in a wide range of sizes. They support HDR content and utilize smart TV functionality.
QLED
A Quantum Light Emitting Diode TV utilizes extremely tiny particles within each LED pixel. This allows the TV to showcase a natural color range, noticeably deep levels of contrast, and more fluid motion.
Expert TIp
When you first unbox your Samsung TV, take a moment to plug it in and go through the picture calibration. Most TVs come with picture quality that is good--but can be made great with a little fine-tuning.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
NEO QLED
Normal QLED TVs utilize hundreds of tiny LED lights to brighten its display. A NEO QLED TV features thousands of even smaller LEDs, which allow for superior levels of brightness control, brighter white and deeper black tones, and lifelike levels of detail.
The resolution of a TV reflects image clarity and sharpness. Our research includes assessments of standard 720p/1080p TVs, 4K TVs, and 8K TV options from Samsung.
Consumers want to know about image quality and screen type when shopping for a new TV. We compare and contrast the best Samsung TV options, including crystal UHD, QLED, and NEO QLED TVs.
Most modern TVs have smart technology, such as streaming capabilities and Alexa voice control. When these features are offered, we check to see if they are user-friendly and easy to navigate.
We want to know if the Samsung TVs we consider have High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, which appeals to gamers who appreciate outstanding contrast.
We evaluate smart Samsung TVs to determine if they are compatible with popular streaming apps. Are the apps easy to access? Are they responsive during streaming? These questions are important to customers who love to stream.
Some Samsung TVs include remote controls with built-in voice control. We look for this user-friendly feature and evaluate how easy it is to set up and operate.
The warranty on a TV will protect your investment for a designated period of time. We factor warranties into our research of Samsung TVs.
The sound quality of a TV matters to consumers. Our research of Samsung TVs includes audio assessments to determine if the sound is well-balanced and clear.
We analyze the features offered by Samsung’s Frame TV in our research. This unique model has a proprietary Art Mode that gives it aesthetic appeal when the TV is not in use.
Samsung TVs are available in a choice of screen sizes to suit different needs and preferences. We note the sizes of the TVs we consider to help consumers choose.
Resolutions
Samsung televisions are available with a few different maximum resolution options. Generally, people want the highest maximum resolution they can afford. The reason is pretty straightforward: more pixels provide a sharper picture.
- 1080p/720p: These two older TV resolutions consist of 1920 x 1080 and 1280 x 720 pixels and are also known as Full-HD and HD, respectively. While they were groundbreaking at the time, Samsung produces few of these TVs anymore. These small models lack the features and picture clarity of higher-resolution options.
- 4K: Available in every size and designed to take full advantage of the latest features and technologies, 4K Ultra HD TVs aren’t just the visual standard; they are the most widely varied TVs available on the market. A 4K display delivers four times the detail as a Full-HD TV, alongside premium cinematic technology such as 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos, and smart functionality.
- 8K: The idea of a picture that is twice as clear and colorful as 4K sounds almost like magic. However, actual 8K movies, TV shows, and video games are extremely rare at this time. What’s more, QLED 8K TVs are incredibly expensive. At this moment in time, we think the better approach is to invest in a quality 4K Samsung smart TV. For the future, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the state of 8K TVs, content, and technologies.
Expert TIp
Like most TVs, Samsung TVs produce audio that is OK, but not amazing. I recommend pairing your Samsung TV with a separate audio solution like a
soundbar, or a
home theater in a box.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
Samsung technologies
Samsung offers a few newer screen technologies that provide consumers with an improved viewing experience. Let’s take a look at a couple of the different screen options you’ll have from Samsung.
- Smart TV: Nearly every TV made by Samsung supports smart technology and access to a large library of popular streaming apps. This includes Netflix, Apple TV, and Disney+. Samsung’s Tizen platform may not be as well-known as Roku or Android, but it is especially user friendly.
- Voice Control: Users can easily jump between their app collection to find specific movies and TV shows with ease. Convenient voice controls powered by Amazon Alexa, Hey Google, and Samsung’s own Bixby digital assistant can help with this.
- HDR: HDR, or High Dynamic Range, is a technology that allows Samsung TVs to display noticeably deep levels of contrast between bright and dark images as well as more vibrant colors when playing HDR content. Owning an HDR smart TV is well worth it for gamers who want to get the most out of their consoles. Anyone who enjoys premium streaming apps is also sure to appreciate it.
Note that TV manufacturers have a habit of tweaking common terms for TV technologies as they integrate them into their own lineup of TVs. Samsung is no exception to this. For example, Quantum HDR is a term coined by Samsung for their innovative line of TVs that combine the high-contrast clarity of HDR with the extremely tiny pixels used for QLED displays. The result is an all-around brighter and more vibrant viewing experience.
Expert Tip
Pick up a set of rechargeable batteries for your TV’s remote--you never know when you’re going to need them!
BestReviews Electronics Expert
Accessories
TV mount: VideoSecu TV Wall Mount Kit
This is a bargain-priced offering from VideoSecu, maker of some terrific TV mounts. It can swivel, tilt, and basically rotate however you need it to for an exceptional viewing experience. Note that this particular model can only hold up to 88 pounds. If your TV weighs more than this, you can most certainly find another option from VideoSecu that is up to the task.
Backlights: Govee Immersion TV LED Backlights with Camera
Watching a bright screen in a dark room can cause eye strain, but turning the lights on creates glare and makes the screen harder to see. Backlights help solve this problem and reduce eye strain by providing soft light from behind the screen. This model from Govee uses a 1080p camera to capture the colors on your screen and applies them to the backlights, creating an immersive viewing experience.
Expert Tip
If you’re getting a wall mount, make sure the model you choose is compatible with your Samsung TV. Check the TV paperwork to find out the correct mounting size it requires (typically expressed in millimeters, e.g. 400x400 indicates a 400mm square), and make sure the mounting kit you buy supports the same size.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
Pricing
As a general rule for TVs, the larger the screen, the more the unit will cost. However, prices continue to drop all of the time. Ten years ago, a 40-inch HDTV would have cost you $1,000. Now, however, you could purchase a 60-inch 4K TV for almost that same price.
Under $500
You can find a good deal on a 4K TV of up to 58 inches in this affordable price range. While inexpensive TVs from Samsung may not have all of the latest features, they are solidly made and have a clearer picture than some of the bigger models from some of the smaller brands.
$500 to $1,000
Any TV in this price bracket is a worthy investment for anyone who needs a larger model, a beautiful display for gaming and/or Netflix, and a collection of innovative features such as HDR 10, a lifelike color range with quantum dot technology, and a bright QLED display.
Expert TIp
If you buy a Samsung TV with Alexa built-in, go through the steps in the Alexa app to establish your privacy preferences and to teach Alexa your voice. That way you can make sure you’re only sharing what you want to, and Alexa will always understand you clearly.
BestReviews Electronics Expert
More than $1,000
Samsung’s priciest TVs are for people who need a cinematic display for their living room or home theater. Premium TV technologies such as an 8K resolution and a Neo QLED display may be worth the investment for dedicated entertainment enthusiasts. Found here are some of Samsung’s other designer models such as The Frame, the slim TV that would easily be lost in an art gallery, and the ultra-rugged outdoor model known as The Terrace.
FAQ
Q. I need a TV for playing video games. What features should I look for?
A. Whether you prefer the Nintendo Switch or Xbox Series X, you will get the most out of a new TV that includes a speedy refresh rate and low latency for smoother gameplay, as well as immersive technologies such as Dolby Atmos audio and HDR.
Q. What is dynamic spatial audio?
A. This exciting feature projects sound from your TV relative to its position on the screen. For instance, if you were to watch a race car drive across the display from left to right, the TV’s dynamic spatial audio would project the roar of the engine on either side of the display as it cruises by.
Q. How important is a wide viewing angle?
A. That depends on the situation. If you are buying a TV for a personal home entertainment center that seats one or two viewers directly in front of the screen, it does not matter at all. However, if you need a large TV for a living room with multiple seats spread across the room, a TV with a wide viewing angle is absolutely essential.
