The best 4K TVs of 2025: Top 6 models reviewed by experts

All 4K TVs can deliver crisp detail, but the real difference comes down to how well they handle contrast, color, and smart features — and those things can vary a lot from one model to the next. The best 4K TVs strike the right balance between picture quality, ease of use, and overall value.

I've been covering home entertainment gear for over a decade, and I've reviewed many TVs. My team and I put several top models through hands-on testing to find the best 4K TVs that are actually worth your money. My top pick is the Samsung S90F OLED. Its rich contrast, vibrant colors, and deep black levels create an impressive viewing experience. But if you're working with a tighter budget, the TCL QM6K QLED is an excellent alternative. It doesn't get as bright as higher-end sets, but it delivers the best picture performance I've seen at its price.

I've also highlighted standout 4K TVs from LG and Roku, including recommendations tailored to midrange budgets, smooth smart TV navigation, and bright living spaces.

Our top picks for the best 4K TVs

Best overall

The Samsung S90F strikes an impressive balance between picture quality and price. The 55-, 65-, and 77-inch sizes use an OLED panel with quantum dots, delivering an infinite contrast ratio, vibrant colors, and brightness that outshines midrange OLEDs from LG and Sony.

Thanks to OLED tech, the S90F produces pixel-level contrast control and wide viewing angles, while its quantum dots boost color intensity beyond what you’d get from a standard OLED. In rooms with ambient light, the TV's black levels do rise slightly, but the effect is subtle and rarely distracting. In dark rooms, black levels completely disappear, offering inky shadows while still preserving detail.

Brightness is another highlight: our reviewer measured a peak of 1,460 nits, about 200 nits higher than last year's S90D model. That makes the S90F ideal for both dark home theaters and well-lit living rooms. HDR content — whether from 4K Blu-rays or streamed on services like Prime Video and Disney Plus — looks stunning in HDR10 and HDR10+.

The S90F uses an OLED panel with quantum dots to deliver an impressive mixture of high contrast and vivid colors. John Higgins/Business Insider

Samsung’s smart TV platform is also a solid performer. You’ll find all major apps, along with Alexa and Bixby voice control. The interface is also slightly faster and smoother on 2025 Samsung models than it was on older TVs, which were more prone to lag.

Gamers will appreciate the S90F's built-in Gaming Hub, which supports cloud platforms like Xbox Game Pass, enabling you to stream Xbox games directly to your TV. If you pair the TV with a gaming PC, you can unlock a refresh rate of up to 144Hz for silky motion.

The S90F's only notable drawback is its lack of support for Dolby Vision, which is considered the most accurate HDR format. However, the benefits of Dolby Vision are subtle on a TV in this class, so this omission is far from a dealbreaker. Check out my HDR TV guide for more on format differences.

At deal prices as low as $1,400 for the 65-inch model, the S90F isn’t just the best 4K TV for the money — it’s one of the best TVs, period.

Note: The 42-, 48-, and 83-inch S90D models don't incorporate quantum dots, so their color volume can't match that of other sizes.

Best on a budget

TCL's QM6K is the budget 4K TV to beat. This affordable Mini LED display has picture quality features that most similarly priced competitors cut to save costs. Though its launch price was a little high, recent discounts have made it an incredible value.

The QM6K features a QLED panel with Mini LED local dimming, enabling the display to produce higher contrast and a wider range of colors than most TVs in this price range. Black levels are also solid, and the QM6K has excellent blooming control, which reduces halos around bright objects. Blooming is a common flaw on Mini LED TVs, but this model handles it extremely well.

TCL's QM6K can't match the brightness of pricier TVs, but its contrast control is impressive for a TV of this price. Steven Cohen/Business Insider

However, the TV's black levels aren't quite as deep as I've seen on pricier QLED models. Brightness is decent, but also somewhat limited compared to more expensive TVs. With the display set in its most accurate picture mode, I measured a peak of 557 nits on a 10% HDR test pattern and about 736 nits on a larger 50% test pattern. Those numbers are good for a TV in this class, but HDR content doesn't pop as intensely as it does on brighter displays. Viewing angles are also limited, but actually a bit better than those of previous TCL models in this tier, such as last year's Q65.

Another upgrade over the Q65 is the TV's refresh rate. The QM6K is now one of the most affordable 144Hz TVs on the market. This means the panel can display 4K/144Hz signals from a gaming PC or 4K/120Hz signals from a PS5 or Xbox Series X, allowing for smoother motion when playing compatible games.

I also appreciate the QM6K's Google TV interface, which is well-organized and runs smoothly without any major issues. Past TCL models I've reviewed have been prone to small glitches here and there, but I didn't encounter any major software issues when testing the QM6K over several weeks.

If you want to enter the world of 4K HDR TVs without spending too much, the TCL QM6K is a perfect starting point. It's budget-friendly without sacrificing the key features that make an HDR TV worth owning.

Best midrange OLED

The LG C5 is an outstanding midrange OLED and a close runner-up for the best 4K TV overall. While Samsung's S90F edges it out in a few key areas, the C5 is a terrific alternative for anyone who prefers LG's approach to design, features, and software.

Unlike many Samsung OLEDs, the C5 doesn't use quantum dots to boost brightness or color volume, but it still delivers excellent picture quality. With its standard WOLED panel, you still get an infinite contrast ratio and deep black levels that make movie nights in dark rooms look spectacular.

The C5 also offers wide viewing angles, ensuring colors and contrast remain consistent even when viewed from off-center positions. Our reviewer measured a peak brightness of around 1,175 nits, which is a decent 200-nit bump from last year's C4. However, the C5 can't quite match the 1,400+ nits of Samsung's S90F.

One area where the C5 pulls ahead, though, is Dolby Vision support — something the S90F lacks. Dolby Vision is considered the most accurate HDR format, as it allows for more fine-tuned color and contrast adjustments, ensuring the content you watch better matches your TV's capabilities. However, Dolby Vision's benefits are often subtle, so I consider it more of a nice bonus than a must-have feature for a TV in this class.

LG's webOS smart platform remains easy to use, with all the big streaming apps you'd expect. I don't love the placement of sponsored shopping recommendations on the homepage, but you can disable them. LG's Magic Remote allows you to control the TV using traditional button presses or point-and-click motion controls, and this year's design is smaller and more comfortable to hold. I do miss the dedicated input button, though, which presents a slight step backward in an otherwise good redesign.

Although Samsung's S90F delivers slightly better picture performance for the price, the C5 holds its own, especially if you prefer the LG brand or value Dolby Vision support as a key feature.

Best mid-tier QLED

The TCL QM7K is the company's newest midrange QLED, and it easily ranks among the top performers in its price bracket.

Similar to TCL's more budget-friendly QM6K, the QM7K uses a Mini LED backlight with local dimming zones and quantum dots. It also supports a refresh rate of up to 144Hz and runs on Google TV, providing fast and intuitive access to a wide range of streaming apps. Where the QM7K really distinguishes itself from the QM6K, though, is in its brightness performance.

While testing the QM7K, I measured a peak brightness of about 1,800 nits on a 10% HDR window — more than double what the QM6K can achieve. This gives HDR highlights, such as glinting reflections or fiery explosions, an extra pop. While that figure isn't drastically higher than last year's QM7, the new model introduces other improvements that make a bigger difference in day-to-day viewing.

Notably, TCL has refined the TV's backlight control system, resulting in improved overall contrast. The light blooming and brightness inconsistencies that occasionally showed up on the older QM7 have been nearly eliminated. Bright objects now maintain crisp edges, even against dark backgrounds, and the enhanced viewing angles mean the picture holds up better when you're not seated directly in front of it. You'll still see some color and contrast loss at extreme angles, but it's a noticeable improvement over the prior model.

Black levels are also still a notch below what you'd get from higher-end QLEDs or OLED displays, since the backlight can't achieve the same pixel-level control. Even so, the QM7K delivers excellent overall performance for the money. At a typical sale price of under $1,000 for the 65-inch model, this is one of the brightest and best-value QLED TVs available in the midrange category.

Best anti-glare display

Samsung's S95F stands out as one of the brightest OLED TVs I've ever tested, and it pairs that impressive brightness with an anti-glare matte screen that tackles reflections better than any other model in this guide. Together, these features make it a top choice for anyone with lots of windows in their room.

In Filmmaker Mode — the TV's most accurate picture preset — I measured a peak brightness of 2,170 nits, the second-highest result I've ever recorded on an OLED, just behind the LG G5. That output translates into stunning HDR10 and HDR10+ performance, featuring bold colors, punchy highlights, and ample flexibility to fine-tune brightness for optimal daylight viewing.

Unlike most TVs that use glossy panels, the S95F's matte screen nearly eliminates glare and reflections. It's a genuine game changer for sports fans or anyone who watches TV in bright rooms during the day. However, that advantage comes with one trade-off: when hit by light, the matte finish lifts black levels, giving them a more gray, hazy appearance. In a dark room, though, the S95F still delivers the deep black levels and perfect contrast OLEDs are known for.

Whether this screen style suits you depends on your viewing habits. But if you want a display that almost completely eliminates reflections and delivers high-end image quality, this set offers terrific value.

Best smart TV system

The Roku Pro Series is an excellent 4K TV for anyone seeking a straightforward and simple smart TV experience. The display is one of the few QLEDs in the upper-midrange class to come with Roku OS (operating system) built in. Roku OS is my favorite interface thanks to its streamlined navigation and reliable performance.

Roku's home screen focuses on apps that provide access to every major streaming service available. Apps are arranged via large icons that you can order however you like. Unlike other smart TV systems, such as Fire TV OS, Roku doesn't bombard you with content recommendations on the homepage. However, you can always access the "What to Watch" section on the sidebar to view various recommendations across genres.

The TV's assembly is also convenient. The left and right feet can be attached without any tools via knobs that can be turned to keep them in place. You can also choose between a low or high position to accommodate a soundbar.

The Roku Voice Remote Pro is rechargeable and features backlit keys, as well as a handy "Find My Remote" chime. Ryan Waniata/Business Insider

Roku's remote is also user-friendly, featuring several handy functions that are rare for this class. You can charge the remote via USB, eliminating the need for batteries, and it features backlit buttons for easy use in a dark home theater. Hands-free voice search is supported with a wake word, but you can deactivate this with a switch and engage search with a button if you prefer. Another cool feature is the "lost remote finder," which activates a chime on the remote if you ever lose it.

When it comes to picture quality, the Roku Pro Series is no slouch. This is the brand's flagship TV, and it delivers good image performance. The QLED panel features a Mini LED backlight with local dimming, enabling vibrant colors, high HDR contrast, and deep black levels. However, viewing angles are poor compared to OLED TVs and pricier QLEDs from Samsung. Likewise, the TV's processing and peak brightness can't quite match those of other flagship QLEDs, such as the TCL QM8K.

However, when considering the total package, the Roku Pro Series excels at striking a balance between ease of use and image quality features, such as Mini LEDs and quantum dots. Roku also sells a newer second-generation version of the Pro Series, which it says can produce higher dynamic range, but it costs more. While it's still in stock at a lower price, this first-gen model remains the better buy.

How we test 4K TVs

To test the best 4K TVs, our reviewers focus on the essentials: picture clarity, HDR performance, color gamut, contrast, viewing angles, smart features, navigation speed, gaming capabilities, and overall value. We've been covering tech for more than a decade, and that experience guides everything in our testing process.

We use a meter and the Spears & UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray to measure brightness and color performance. But test patterns only tell part of the story, so we spend plenty of time watching real-world content to see how each TV performs in everyday use.

Our evaluations include a curated set of demo scenes from movies and shows that highlight black levels, specular highlights, color accuracy, and sharpness across native 4K, HD, and standard-definition sources via cable, Blu-ray players, and all of the best streaming services. We also test TVs in different lighting conditions — from a pitch-dark room for movie nights to bright spaces with windows — to assess reflections and daytime performance.

Smart TV features get the same level of scrutiny. We note how long apps take to launch, check the responsiveness of menu navigation, and test voice search and digital assistant support.

4K TV FAQs

What are the best 4K TV brands?

LG, Samsung, Sony, and Panasonic are among the top 4K TV brands. Although typically more expensive than other options, these companies' TVs are renowned for delivering cutting-edge technology, modern designs, and good quality control. If you're in the market for a premium TV, you can't go wrong with flagship models from these manufacturers.

Meanwhile, brands like TCL, Hisense, and Vizio are top players in the midrange and value-priced TV market. Although build quality isn't always on par with more expensive brands, these companies offer advanced features, such as quantum dots and Mini LED dimming, for less than their competitors. If you want the best value for your money in a midrange TV, these are the brands you should consider first.

Companies like Amazon and Roku also make solid entry-level and midrange TVs. Their flagship offerings are decent options when on sale during TV deal events like Black Friday, but you can typically find better displays for less money from TCL, Hisense, or Vizio.

Finally, budget brands like Onn, Toshiba, and Insignia are known for selling entry-level LED displays that use the Roku OS or Amazon's Fire TV operating system. Though inexpensive, these sets are about as basic as TVs get. We typically recommend paying a bit more to get one of our picks for the best 4K TVs listed above, but these displays are decent enough if you just want a cheap TV for casual viewing.

What size 4K TV should you get?

The right 4K TV size really comes down to your space, how far you plan to sit from the screen, and what you're willing to spend. Bigger TVs cost more, and you'll need enough room on your wall or TV stand to support whatever size you choose.

TVs range from tiny 24-inch models all the way up to massive 115-inch screens, with a few premium sets going even larger. Brands often save their best picture quality and design features for bigger displays. While it's not a strict rule, midrange features typically start around 50 inches, and high-end perks usually show up in 55-inch models and above.

For many shoppers, 65 inches has become the sweet spot. It's the size most brands use to showcase their flagship 4K TVs, and it offers a great home theater feel without overwhelming the room or the budget.

If space and cost aren't issues, your ideal size should be based on viewing distance. You'll get the most benefit from 4K resolution when you sit about one to 1.5 times your screen size away. For example, a 65-inch 4K TV looks best when you're sitting roughly 5.4 to 8.1 feet from it. Crutchfield has a handy chart to help match TV size to your seating distance.

For 4K TV recommendations tied to certain sizes, check out our size-specific guides:

• Best 100-inch TVs
• Best 85-inch TVs
• Best 75-inch TVs
• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 55-inch TVs
• Best 50-inch TVs
• Best 43-inch TVs

What are the best smart TV interfaces?

Practically any new 4K TV you buy will be a smart TV, which means it features built-in support for accessing popular apps and streaming services. However, different companies use different smart TV interfaces. Here's a rundown of the different platforms that each brand uses.

• Tizen: Samsung
• webOS: LG
• Vizio Home: Vizio
• Google TV: Sony, TCL, Hisense
• Roku TV: Roku, TCL, Hisense, Onn
• Fire TV: Amazon, Panasonic, Toshiba, Insignia, Pioneer, Hisense

Though a few services may be missing here and there, all major streaming apps are supported across every operating system. However, each system's navigation style, personalization options, and extra features differ.

We prefer Roku's interface because it is the simplest, most user-friendly, and most reliable. However, its visual style is a bit outdated compared to other options that present a more content-focused approach. Ultimately, every system has pros and cons, but they all get the job done.

If you're unhappy with your TV's built-in interface, you can purchase a separate streaming device with your preferred platform. Roku and Fire TV options are often sold for as low as $20. Check out our guides to the best streaming devices and best Fire TVs for more details.

What's the difference between OLED and QLED?

OLED and QLED TVs are two of the most popular display types on the market, each with its own pros and cons.

OLED TVs have self-illuminating screens. This means they can dim and brighten each pixel to create an infinite contrast ratio. This makes OLED the ideal choice for individuals who seek the ultimate image quality, particularly if you enjoy watching movies in a dark home theater.

QLED TVs, meanwhile, are a type of LED TV that relies on older LCD panel technology, which requires a backlight to illuminate its pixels. These backlights can include multiple zones to brighten and dim specific areas, but even the most advanced QLED models can't match the pixel-level contrast of an OLED. This can cause an uneven look in dark scenes, where halos appear around bright objects or black levels appear washed out, looking gray.

Where QLED TVs have an edge, however, is with max brightness. Midrange and high-end QLED TVs can get brighter than most OLEDs. QLED models also tend to be less expensive than OLED TVs, and they present no risk for burn-in. For more details on the differences between each panel type, check out our QLED vs. OLED comparison.

Are 8K TVs worth it?

The benefits of 8K resolution over 4K resolution are extremely subtle and difficult to see unless you sit close to a very large TV (75 inches or up). It's also important to remember that 8K content is rare, as virtually all movies and TV shows are still produced in 4K or even lower resolutions. Although 8K TVs can upscale 4K content to produce a slightly sharper image, the picture quality upgrade is too small to justify the premium that 8K TVs cost. As it stands, we recommend 4K TVs over pricier 8K models.

What is burn-in?

Even the best OLED TVs are technically susceptible to a phenomenon known as burn-in. If a static image — the CNN or ESPN logo in the corner, for example — is left on the screen for hours on end, a faint, ghostly image can become stuck on the TV.

Though OLED owners should be aware of this risk, OLED TVs have specific measures built in to prevent burn-in, including pixel refreshers and pixel shift modes. Publications like Rtings have conducted long-term tests with OLEDs, and while their results indicate that burn-in is possible, the tests suggest that individuals with regular viewing habits don't need to worry about it.

I owned an LG CX OLED TV for over three years, and the display has no signs of burn-in. Though burn-in is something that QLED TV owners don't have to think twice about, in my experience, as long as you don't plan on watching CNN all day, burn-in shouldn't be a factor when deciding whether to buy an OLED.

What is HDMI 2.1?

Many 4K TVs in the mid and premium tiers now include one or more inputs that support the HDMI 2.1 standard. HDMI 2.1 enables 4K signals at 120Hz (some brands even support 144Hz with a PC), along with features such as variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM), to provide smooth gaming performance with reduced lag.

Every device in your home entertainment chain needs to be compatible with the HDMI 2.1 specification to enable its features. Therefore, if you have a gaming console connected to a soundbar that's connected to your TV, all three components must support HDMI 2.1. Likewise, you need to use ultra-high-speed HDMI cables rated for 48Gbps to transmit the necessary bandwidth for an HDMI 2.1 signal. Visit our guide to the best HDMI cables for affordable recommendations.