An LED TV is a type of LCD (liquid crystal display) television that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a backlight source. When it comes to choosing between LED vs. LCD screens, LED televisions generally offer better brightness, contrast and energy efficiency due to the use of LEDs instead of traditional fluorescent backlighting. This can result in sharper images and more vibrant colors, especially in well-lit rooms.

There are different ways that backlights in LED TVs can be arranged: edge-lit, direct-lit or full-array. Edge-lit LED TVs have LEDs along the edges of the screen, allowing for thinner designs but with limited control over brightness uniformity across the display. Direct-lit LED TVs have LEDs positioned directly behind the screen, providing more even brightness across the display but typically resulting in a slightly thicker design. Full-array LED TVs take this a step further by using a grid of LEDs across the back of the screen, allowing for precise local dimming, better contrast and enhanced control over dark and bright areas.

OLED (organic light-emitting diode) and QLED (quantum dot light-emitting diode) technology has further improved LED televisions. OLED TVs offer exceptional contrast and perfect black levels while QLED TVs use quantum dots to enhance brightness and color accuracy.

When finding the best LED television for you, first consider what TV size is best for your room. Think about the distance between your seating area and the TV, as larger LED TVs are generally more immersive but may require more space for comfortable viewing. Smaller LED TVs, on the other hand, can be a great choice for compact rooms, providing adequate viewing experiences without overwhelming the space.

When it comes to resolution, 4K LED TVs offer four times the pixel count of Full HD LED TVs, providing a much sharper and more detailed picture. However, if you’re upgrading from an older television, 8K LED TVs are available, but currently have limited content options because 8K content is still sparse.

Finally, consider whether or not you want a smart LED TV. The biggest difference between a smart TV and a regular TV is that smart LED TVs have internal internet connectivity that allows you to stream content from popular platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video without needing additional streaming devices. And, smart TVs typically come with user-friendly interfaces, allowing for easy navigation through apps, settings and content recommendations.