This week we’re following a bit of a theme and discussing some of the top recommended TVs available. These questions came from viewers of our previous best TVs video, so think of this as a continuation.
That video covered our picks in three different price tiers. As many have pointed out, there might be some holes, so I recommend watching that one as well to get the whole picture.
This probably won’t be the last time we revisit the topic. It’s shopping season, and once the 2026 TVs are announced and become available, the best 2024 and 2025 TVs could see even more discounts.
Should the Sony Bravia 7 be considered mid-tier?
@bpowick asks: Should the Sony Bravia 7 be included in the mid tier list? I’m always confused about the opinions of this TV. So many reviewers say it is so close in many ways to the Bravia 9, which many claim is the best mini LED TV you can buy, yet so few reviewers recommend it.
Most reviews and comparisons tend to split hairs, and many points are subjective. Having seen many of the best TVs since 2023, I think there was only one that left me feeling “meh,” and even that one could push out a high-quality image if the content was good. It just struggled in upscaling compared to the competition. That TV was the Vizio Quantum Pro.
In an ideal viewing scenario where you can control the light in the room, all of these TVs look great. They’re excellent performers.
The Sony Bravia 7 is a great TV. I’d venture to say it’s better than what most people have in their homes. It looks great and has all the features you’d expect in a premium Mini LED TV. If it were the only option available, there would be no complaints.
But subjectivity and comparisons matter. The Bravia 7 is not the only Mini LED TV on the market, and it wasn’t competitively priced when it launched in 2024. With 2025 models now available, more compelling alternatives exist.
The Hisense U8N (2024) and U8QG (2025) are both brighter and handle reflections better. TCL’s QM8 models offer similar advantages. They don’t match Sony in HDR accuracy or picture processing, but they’re generally hundreds of dollars cheaper.
Samsung’s top Mini LED options offer four HDMI 2.1 ports instead of Sony’s two, and they have a faster refresh rate. The Bravia 7 also has a narrower viewing angle.
As of now, the Bravia 7 is on sale for $1200, which changes the conversation. But when it sat at $1700 to $1900, the competition offered better value.
This is similar in the camera world. Sony’s A7 V is phenomenal, yet some criticize it because it’s not everyone’s cup of tea or because competitors offer better value. The Bravia 7 occupies that same space. There’s nothing wrong with it, and it’s definitely not the worst, but other options bring more to the table or cost less, which makes it a harder recommendation.
Are there top TVs that support Roku?
@aslan-og asks: Are there any top TVs that support Roku? I know it tends to be lower end but I like the interface
I like it too. For years I used an LG TV with a Roku streaming stick for everything.
The Roku Pro Series TV is a solid option that fits well on the best TVs list. It deserves its own category as the “best TV that natively runs Roku’s operating system.”
It’s a 4K Mini LED TV with Dolby Vision and HDR 10 Plus, a rare combination these days. It has two HDMI 2.1 ports, a 120 hertz refresh rate, and VRR support. It’s a good-looking TV that retails for $1200 at 65 inches, but is often on sale for less.
If you want a brighter TV with better features and processing, you can always pair a Roku Ultra streaming box with another brand’s TV. You’ll get the same format support, including Dolby Vision, HDR 10 Plus, Dolby Atmos, and DTS Digital Surround.
For flexibility with gaming consoles and external audio, consider Samsung or LG models, or the Hisense U75QG, all of which offer four HDMI 2.1 ports. The Hisense U8QG has three.
What about truly budget TVs and smaller sizes?
@larryhoffman7471 asks: You left out tv’s that are truly budget, like the QM6K or others in its price range or even a bit less. There are many people who want a new tv and $1000.00 is just too much to spend and want a 65” tv. And calling units like the QM7K budget is a bit much. I know the top tier is a lot more, but a $1000.00 65” tv isn’t exactly budget. There are many a lot cheaper. Mentioning a couple of those that aren’t a waste of money, would be helpful for many people. There are so many cheap Samsungs, Hisense and TCL’s etc that people buy. They could use some guidance too.
@borbetomagus asks: How about if one can’t afford the ‘budget’ options you’ve mentioned — or want a more affordable option for a child’s room? Lots of very affordable, lower tier TVs by Hisense, LG, Samsung, TCL (and other brands) that aren’t MiniLED or OLED (that many stores want to unload around Black Friday/Cyber Monday), but rarely are these ‘bare bone’ TVs ever considered. What are the best lower-tier TV options with optimal screen size, image quality, TV OS, processing power, limited advertisements and longevity, but priced between $200-$500? Maybe best budget gaming option or best budget viewing option? Or how about best TV options sized 50″ and under, for smaller spaces?
That’s a fair criticism. The list may have been too short and didn’t take enough situations into consideration. I often fear making the list too long, but in this case it should have included more options. There’s far more to picking the best TV than choosing which 65-inch model works for most people.
We can start addressing that now.
TVs 50 inches and under
Premium choices at these sizes are limited since many brands reserve top models for 55 inches and larger.
OLED:
The Samsung S90F and LG C5 remain excellent values. They offer great performance, plenty of brightness, and strong overall quality. The LG B5 is also great if you want to save even more money. It isn’t as bright, but in a controlled room it’s an outstanding premium option and often priced very competitively.
Mini LED:
Samsung’s QN90F is one of the few premium Mini LED choices at this size. Hisense, LG, and Sony do not make their top Mini LED models below 55 inches.
TCL offers the QM5K, a Best Buy exclusive that makes a few compromises compared to the QM6K to reach an even lower price. It appears to be a good option for a cheaper model that still retains key features, though I haven’t seen it in person.
Truly Budget Models
When it comes to very affordable TVs, like Samsung’s Crystal UHD lineup, I simply haven’t spent enough time with them to confidently recommend specifics. I prefer to recommend TVs I know well enough to stand behind.
I can say that I recently stayed in an Airbnb with a Samsung CU7000 and watched a Cowboys–Lions game on Prime without issues. Brightness was fine, and it performed well for sports in SDR. That’s a useful data point, but I still wouldn’t generalize that to every scenario.
