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TV Buying Guide

TVs

Buying Guide

Finding the perfect TV should be an enjoyable experience, not a struggle with technical details. Whether you want to create the ultimate home theater with a big-screen TV featuring exquisite clarity and contrast, or you need to fill a space with a smaller TV, start your journey here.

TV resolution.

Screen resolution has come a long way in the last few years. We witnessed a jump in clarity and color quality when 4K Ultra HD TVs came on the scene. And now 8K Ultra HD is here. Both 4K and 8K are types of Ultra High Definition (also called Ultra HD, or UHD). So, what's the difference? And, what should you be looking for when it comes to screen resolution? Check out the resolution chart below for a quick guide.

Resolution

Lines of resolution

Pixels

Description

High definition (HD)

720p

921,600

The original HD. High Definition TVs provide double the resolution of any analog TV

Full HD

1080p

2.1 million

Twice the clarity of standard HD, delivering impressive resolution on smaller screens

4K UHD

2160p

8 million

Superior pixel power delivers four times the resolution of Full HD on any screen size

8K UHD

4320p

33 million

An unbeatable 33 million pixels for exquisite resolution on really big screens

As lines of resolution and the total number of pixels increase, you get a more lifelike picture. 4K TVs boast four times the resolution of Full HD. 8K TVs offer an even larger jump in pixels — 33 million per screen. Another advantage of 4K or 8K UHD is high dynamic range (HDR). This technology applies an even greater range of color and contrast to your images. Most of these advanced TVs also feature upconverting technology which displays any signal at nearly 4K or 8K resolution.

Which TV size is best?

TV with diagonal, width and height measurements

When it comes to screen size, it’s rare for someone to wish they had purchased a smaller TV. Why? With the incredibly lifelike picture and outstanding detail of a 4K or 8K TV, even a bigger screen in a smaller room can be a great choice. These screen resolutions let you sit closer to the screen without sacrificing detail. So, instead of thinking about the distance from the screen to the sofa, consider the size you’ll need to fill your space.

TVs are categorized by screen size class, which is based on the diagonal measurement of the screen. For example, a 55" class TV could have a diagonal measurement of 54.5". Because the class is a general indicator of size, review the TV specifications for width, height and depth to ensure the TV (and an included stand) will fit on your furniture or wall.

To find the TV size that fits best, check out the AR Viewer on our mobile app to see how a TV will look in your home.

You can also schedule a free Virtual In-Home Consultation with an Advisor who can help you measure and choose the right TV for any space.

Learn more about Best Buy’s AR Viewer Learn more about virtual consultations

Transport and set up your TV with these key steps, such as using the right vehicle size and properly unboxing the TV.

Smart TVs.

Disney+, Apple TV+, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, HBO Max, Sling TV, Google Play, Peacock, Showtime, Paramount Plus
Connect directly to your favorite content, from popular streaming services, with a smart TV. Many of these streaming apps are conveniently included on smart TVs, while some TVs let you download even more.

When you add a smart TV, your home Wi-Fi network will need to keep up with your streaming.

Voice-assistant TVs.

Today's TVs aren't just about outstanding resolution and screen size — convenience is a priority. Many TVs now come with voice-control functionality built right in. Some include voice remotes that let you push a button and state your command. Other models have far-field microphones inside the TV so you can speak without a remote — a totally hands-free experience. Just ask Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to find your program, make suggestions, or add entertainment to your list and you're set.
Shop TVs with a built-in voice assistant

LED or OLED?

LED and OLED are different technologies that provide the light for your screen. They each have qualities to consider before deciding on a TV.

LED TVs.

LED (light-emitting diode) is the most popular TV type on the market and is available in four different configurations. Here is a quick breakdown of what to look for in each:

Edge-lit LED TVs: This technology places lights on the edges of the TV. It’s the most popular and generally the most affordable form of LED lighting.

Direct-lit LED TVs: Here, the lights are not only placed on the edges of the TV, but also behind the screen to deliver better light uniformity.

Full-array LED TVs: This method of LED lighting includes more numerous lights that are placed behind the screen. The benefit is increased brightness, plus the ability to dim the screen properly during darker scenes (also called local dimming).

Mini LED TVs: As the name implies, mini LED lights are smaller than traditional LEDs, so more of them are required. A benefit of smaller lights is that this technology offers more local dimming zones for deeper blacks and improved contrast.

OLED TVs.

OLED (organic light-emitting diode) TVs offer an entirely different technology to light the screen. With these TVs, a thin film of material emits the light that covers the entire screen. Then, each pixel works independently to light up or darken, depending on the image. The benefits are that OLED screens provide an extremely high degree of color accuracy, great contrast, wide viewing angles and a picture that is virtually blur-free.
Learn more about OLED TVs

Outdoor TVs.

Whether you have a partially shaded veranda, or a pool area situated in full sunshine, we have the outdoor TV that's perfect for your location. They're weatherproof, extremely bright to accommodate any location, and engineered specifically for outdoor use.
Learn more about outdoor TVs
Shop All Outdoor TVs

Shop TVs by type

Shop all
OLED TVs
Enjoy extremely high color accuracy, wide viewing angles and a virtually blur-free picture.
Gaming TVs
Keep up with fast-paced gaming action with TVs featuring enhanced technology.
Smart TVs
Connect directly to the internet to easily stream your favorite movies and shows.
Design-focused TVs
These TVs blend seamlessly into your home décor while delivering an immersive experience.

Other technologies to look for.

When you start researching TVs, you'll begin to see technology that's specific to each brand. This is especially true when you look at premium TVs. Here are a few of the key features to look for.

Processors

Every TV has a processor that takes the information from your cable box, satellite tuner, the internet or other device and translates it for the screen. As you get into higher-end TVs, the processing capabilities tend to increase. This can allow for a smoother picture, faster downloading of streaming content, and decreased lag.

Design

Style is unique to every manufacturer. But, as you get into larger screens featuring 4K and 8K resolution, you'll start to notice thinner bezels, sleeker designs and lighter options. You can even find bezel-less designs and TVs that are built to look like a picture frame when not in use.

Picture quality

You'll see a lot of different terms related to picture quality, based on the brand you're researching. Samsung's QLED TVs feature outstanding color and resolution in thin designs, while LG's NanoCell technology boasts wide viewing angles, a huge color palette and great contrast.

Brightness

There are many ways for TV manufacturers to talk about brightness, but it all comes down to the nits. A nit is a universal measure of brightness. So, no matter what kind of technology has gone into the making of a TV, look for the number of nits. The higher the number, the brighter the screen. This is important if you're looking for a TV to place in a bright room.

Projectors.

A home theater projector creates a larger-than-life viewing experience for movies, sports and more. Plus, with portable and outdoor models, the entertainment can shift to a friend’s house or the backyard.
Read the Projector Buying Guide
Shop projectors

Complete your experience.

Bring home all the essentials.

The last thing you want to do is get your new TV all set up and ready to go, only to realize that you forgot a cable, a wall mount for the perfect placement, or even a speaker system to go with your dazzling picture. We can help you finish your system, so you get the most out of your new TV.

Get product recommendations and a personalized plan in the comfort of your home with an Advisor.

All your tech questions answered. All your tech problems solved.

We'll set up the home theater of your dreams. We can also help you cut the cable TV cord, improve Wi-Fi speed and more.

Shop online or in store.

BestBuy.com offers you a huge selection of TVs, with hundreds of models to choose from. Your local Best Buy store has dozens of TVs to try out and compare, including 4K Ultra HD TVs. Plus, our Blue Shirts and Magnolia system designers are on hand to provide expert advice and superior customer service. And, Best Buy will match prices of identical products sold at qualifying online and local retailers, and will ship or deliver your brand-new TV for free.
Find a Best Buy store near you
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