From huge Ultra HD behemoth to 1080p second screen, we've got the goods.
When you're looking to buy a new TV in the January sales, you want the best.
But
how do you know which one to go for when there are so many different
technologies, with strange acronyms, and a host of different screen
sizes to deal with too? There are also a host of manufacturers, with a
vast array of televisions rocking different panel technologies,
operating systems, tuners, backlights and features.
Do you want a
Ultra HD 4K screen, do you need high dynamic range support, is 3D of any
import whatsoever? Which of the myriad TV operating systems do you want
to throw your lot in with? Just how do you find out what the best TV is
for you?
Well, you come to the experts.
We've figured out
the best TVs in a variety of different categories, from Ultra HD to
super-sized 75-inch screen, right down to the li'l 32-inchers for that
second screen for the bedroom.
But it's not always about the
outright best - after all, those can represent some of the most
expensive televisual tech you can buy - sometimes you just want the
absolute best value screen. And we've got those covered in each category
too.
If you want to know what to look out for when buying a new
TV check out the second page to arm yourself with all the information
you could possibly need.
But first, here's our pick of the best TVs of 2016 - there are some absolute stunners.
Best Ultra HD 4K TV
Panasonic TX-65CZ952
"Produces the best all-round picture quality I've ever seen."
Screen size: 65-inches | Tuner: Freeview HD | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Panel technology: OLED | Smart TV: Custom Panasonic | Curved: Yes | Dimensions: 1,448 x 913 x 311 mm
Panasonic
has set out to make a statement with the 65CZ952. With an eye-watering
price tag of nearly £8,000 it's clearly not a TV the brand expects to
sell in large quantities. Yet its combination of OLED tech, Panasonic's
latest and greatest video processing and input from Hollywood give it
the potential to set new picture quality standards.
While we will
probably never be able to own one, the 65CZ952 still represents a key
moment in the history of television for the way it harnesses Panasonic's
processing power and picture quality know-how to take the performance
potential of OLED TV to a previously unimagined level. Read the full review: Panasonic TX-65CZ952
"If there's one thing the Sony 75X9405C is not, it's shy."
Screen size: 75-inch | Tuner: Freeview HD and FreeSat HD | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Panel technology: LED | Smart TV: Android TV | Curved: No | Dimensions: 1041 x 1929 x 322mm
The
75X9405C's pictures boast gorgeous colours and one of the best contrast
performances in the LCD TV world. Its sound quality is equally stellar,
and some aspects of its smart TV features are well thought through.
Aside from its headline Android TV
smart platform failing to convince everyone it's the future of smart
television, the 75X9405C is an unmitigated success. Its picture quality
is even better than anything Sony managed to produce with the highlight
models from its 2014 4K TV range, and its incredibly powerful and
dynamic audio is literally music to your ears. Read the full review: Sony KD-75X9405C
Is
this is the best TV on the planet? Judged purely on picture quality,
this 4K OLED has a jaw-dropping combination of total black, cracking
colour, judder-free video, a reflection-free curve and an innate ability
to make standard-def sources ripple with realism.
Self-lighting
pixels are the future, as proved by the 55EG960V's spotless colours,
awesome blacks, bright, pure whites and all-round utterly gorgeous
images. 4K detail is mesmerising while even standard definition sources
look clean and crisp. Self-lighting they may be, but it's when those
pixels completely switch off that this OLED TV really stands out next to
an LED TV. Read the full review: LG 55EG960V
Screen size: 48-inch | Tuner: Freeview HD | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Panel technology: LED |Smart TV: Tizen | Curved: No | Dimensions: 683 x 1087 x 278 mm
The
UE48JU7000T delivers an impressive set of specifications for its money,
including a native UHD resolution, Samsung's wide colour gamut PurColor
technology, direct LED lighting with local dimming, and Samsung's new
Tizen smart TV system.
You'll have to get your hands dirty in the
system settings to nail a quality image, though. Its pictures are badly
blighted using its initial settings by some pretty heavy duty and
unexpected motion blur, but fortunately - so long as you follow the advice given during our test - these motion issues can be worked round.
That then leaves you with an excellent - if slightly small - UHD TV. Read the full review: Samsung UE48JU7000T
"The TX-40CX680B could turn out to be one of the bargains of year"
Screen size: 40-inch | Tuner: Freeview HD | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Panel technology: LED |Smart TV: Firefox OS | Curved: No | Dimensions: 560 x 904 x 202 mm
Is
the TX-40CX680B too small to show-off its 4K panel at just 40-inches?
Though the 4K resolution is the headline-grabber, the emphasis from
Panasonic on this 40-incher is on better pixels rather than more pixels.
This highly talented and great value TV swerves that elephant in the
room with some pin-sharp pictures to add to its impressive smart TV OS.
With
Firefox OS it really makes use of its eight million pixels by boosting
black levels, colour and upscaling prowess to make everything save for
standard definition look sumptuous. With Freeview Play incoming, it's an
early front-runner for the best value 4K screen around. Read the full review: Panasonic TX-40CX680B
What
are curved TVs for, exactly? They might be 'curved like your eyes', but
lend a bend to a flat-panel TV and a more immersive image isn't the
result. In fact, it actually makes very little difference.
Stylistically
though this feature-packed 32-incher just about gets away with it, but a
plasticky build quality detracts from an otherwise thoroughly polished
performance. Add awesome Full HD pictures and unexpectedly excellent
audio though and the UE32J6300 is quite a package for a bedroom or
second room. Read the full review: Samsung UE32J6300
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