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TV Finder: How to compare screens for your home

We’ll help you compare LED/LCD, OLED and QLED smart TVs and walk you through the steps to buy your perfect TV.

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Sarah Brandon

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Peter Terlato
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Best TV

Best Rated TV Brand: Samsung

If you're looking for an easy-to-use TV, then a Samsung model is likely to be a good fit. Topping the list for ease of use and sound quality, it also rated highly for picture quality.

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Compare TVs

Data updated regularly
Name Product Screen Size HD Type Screen Technology Product More info
Samsung Q95T 55
N/A
View details
LG Nano80 Series AI ThinQ 4K TV
N/A
View details
Samsung TU8000 Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV
N/A
Buy at The Good Guys
View details
LG 65-inch CX 4K UHD SMART CINEMA OLED TV
N/A
View details
Sony X9000H 55-inch 4K Full Array LED Android TV 2020
N/A
Buy at Amazon
View details
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Quick facts about comparing TVs

  • New televisions cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on the brand and the technology used.
  • The latest TVs feature high-quality displays, multiple user functions and can connect wirelessly to our phones and home smart devices.

Cost

A new TV can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on the brand, model and its technological capabilities. Knowing what you want is important.

Buying the most expensive TV doesn’t mean you’re going to get the best quality. Some features and functions come standard, while others aren’t yet necessary or applicable.

It also pays to understand whether your new TV comprises a complex or easy-to-use interface or menu. This is particularly helpful information if you have children, teenagers or older adults who may not understand intricate instructions.

Our expert review of the Sony A9G 4K OLED Master Series TV

What types of TVs are available?

  • LED/LCD. LED stands for “light-emitting diode”. This refers to the way in which your TV’s display is projected. LEDs are the backlights used to illuminate a liquid crystal display (LCD). This can be confusing as previously many TVs were made with LCD displays that used fluorescent backlighting. Now, most new TV sets are LED/LCD (or newer OLED and QLED). LED displays are more energy-efficient, run at a cooler temperature and are generally narrower in size with flat-screen displays.
  • OLED. OLEDs or “organic light-emitting diodes” use organic compounds that light up when electrified. Their panels are much smaller, thinner and more flexible than most other display technologies. This means that they can be used in the production of curved screens or foldable/roll-up displays. LG Display is the sole manufacturer of OLED panels for televisions.
    QLED. A “quantum dot light emitting diode” or QLED uses quantum dots (micro-sized conducting nanocrystals) in tandem with an LED backlight to display bright, vibrant and varying colours that help to emphasise high-quality content.
  • ULED. ULED or “ultra light-emitting diodes” separates backlight LED panels into 240 separate zones. ULED is not the same as OLED technology. It is an LED/LCD TV that also uses quantum dots. The term ULED is exclusive to Chinese manufacturer Hisense.
  • QUHD. QUHD or “quantum ultra high definition” is a marketing catch-phrase for manufacturer TCL's use of quantum dot LED/LCD panels.

What is a smart TV and what platforms are available?

Most new televisions are considered “smart TVs”. These models allow users to connect their device to the Internet in order to stream on-demand content, browse the web, play online games and run different apps or programs. They often feature built-in Wi-Fi but some may require an external ethernet connection. Most new TVs arrive with smart TV interfaces pre-installed. Some companies have developed their own, unique platforms for their TVs.

You can buy set-top boxes to connect to your TV, which enables it to operate as a smart TV.

To avoid streaming hiccups or interruptions, check to see if your router’s wireless signal can reach your television set.

To help you take advantage of this technology, we've put together a list of the top 10 smart TV features.

Display resolution

Resolution refers to the number of pixels that your TV can display. A pixel is a small dot that, when illuminated, produces specific colours. If your TV has the capacity to hold a large number of pixels then images on the screen will generally appear in greater detail. Although resolution isn't the only attribute that affects picture quality, it does play a key role.

8K7,680 x 4,3208K isn't widely available and won't have any greater impact on viewing experience unless you have a significantly large screen.

PixelsDescription
Full HD1,920 x 1,080If you want to avoid purchasing a quickly dated TV set it's best to opt for 4K resolution as this is now the current standard.
4K or UHD3,840 x 2,160Most new TVs have 4K resolution, which is sometimes referred to as Ultra High Definition (UHD). Higher resolution can improve the viewing experience on larger screens. 4K TVs are usually compatible with high-dynamic range (HDR), which enhances a display's contrast ratio, making bright colours brighter and dark colours darker and providing greater image detail in the shades between these spectrums.
8K7,680 x 4,3208K isn't widely available and won't have any greater impact on viewing experience unless you have a significantly large screen.

How to compare TVs

When considering how much to spend on a new television, it’s important to understand your viewing needs. What type of content do you intend to play? What size screen would be sufficient? Which devices are you likely to connect to your TV?

Here are some important features to consider:

Screen size

Larger screens are ideal for family viewing in a lounge setting, while smaller size screens are better suited to bedrooms. The closer you sit to your TV, the more you'll notice pixelation. However, high-quality 4K displays allow you to sit closer without compromising quality.

Audio

Many manufacturers are opting to meet the demand for thinner, lighter displays, reducing the amount of available space for speakers. This means that for many TV buyers, soundbars are an essential accessory.

Streaming

Most new televisions are equipped with smart TV interfaces and allow users to access streaming video platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Stan, hayu, iTunes and Foxtel Now. The specific services you'll have access to depends on the TV brand and the country you live in.

Wall mounting

Wall mounting can offer a more optimal and comfortable line of sight for extended viewing and allow for more space, potentially eliminating the need for a TV cabinet. Most modern TVs are designed to be wall-mounted and often come with brackets. However, this is not guaranteed so it's important to check before you buy.

Remote control

All TVs should come with a remote control. Look at all the user controls the remote offers, check if the buttons are big enough, find out if it's backlit for night-time use and determine if it's easy to use – particularly for children. If not, you could buy a separate universal remote that better suits your needs.

HDMI ports

If you want to be able to connect your TV to your computer, gaming systems or other devices, check to see how many HDMI ports your TV offers. Also keep in mind that the location of the ports may affect your TV set-up, as ports that stick out from the back are difficult to access when a TV is wall mounted.

Curved screens

These types of screens can offer an enhanced sense of depth and improved immersion, given the way they wrap around your line of sight. Curved TVs look futuristic look, but the curve can amplify reflections, limit viewing angles and be awkward to mount. They also need to be quite large in order to be effective.

3D capability

The success of the film Avatar, released in 2009, sparked a demand for in-home 3D TV experiences. While most modern TVs are capable of providing 3D viewing, this feature seems to have lost most of its appeal. 3D viewing usually requires the watcher to wear unique (and often uncomfortable) glasses.

Best rated TV brand award breakdown

Total Score Overall rating Value for Money Ease of use Picture Quality Sound quality
Samsung 8.28 4.48 4.42 4.36 4.58 4.44
LG 8.18 4.50 4.36 4.36 4.64 4.44
Panasonic 8.12 4.39 4.23 4.36 4.52 4.41
Sony 8.09 4.42 4.20 4.22 4.46 4.44
SONIQ 7.84 4.24 4.52 4.33 4.33 3.90
Hisense 7.81 4.25 4.24 4.27 4.27 4.12
Kogan 7.60 4.08 4.41 4.18 4.14 4.00
TCL 7.60 4.08 4.31 3.97 4.41 4.23
Other 7.50 4.02 4.22 4.10 4.24 3.82
JVC 7.48 4.09 4.00 4.00 4.09 3.73
Bauhn 7.40 4.14 4.00 4.07 3.86 3.71
Data: Finder Retail Brand Survey, 2020, Kantar. Metric out of 5 stars unless indicated. Methodology and more info. Kantar logo

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