For work. and play
As we approach the end of summer, students across the world are returning to school, meaning attention is turning towards our favourite topic: gadgets, and specifically here, the best TVs.
Being a student likely means student accommodation and shared housing, so getting the right TV is going to make movie nights, TV, gaming, and – err – showing PowerPoint presentations a lot more enjoyable.
In 2025, TVs are a major hub for streaming, gaming, and watching sports – all key use cases for students in every country. To help you make the right decision, we’re looking at the best TVs, from budget-friendly models to premium OLEDs.
Having to spend big to get a good quality TV hasn’t been true for a few years now, and lots of the options below should be affordable even on a student budget.What to consider for the best TV?
Anyone who has looked into buying a new TV recently might have been overwhelmed by the sheer choice: every display size from 42-inch to 100-inch is covered, there are multiple display types, myriad ports, and so on.
To help you make the right decision, let’s look at the main areas to consider.
Screen size and “dorm-friendliness”: A 42- to 50-inch TV is usually the sweet spot for student rooms as it’s big enough for movies and gaming, but not so large it takes over the space. Models like the LG C4 (42-inch) and LG B4 (48-inch) strike a great balance.
Gaming performance: Planning on plugging in a PS5 or Xbox Series X? Make sure to look for 120Hz support, VRR, and HDMI 2.1 ports. TVs like the Samsung QN90F or LG C4 are packed with gaming tech, making them ideal for everything from shooters to sports titles.
Smart TV features: Most TVs now come with solid built-in operating systems, so you won’t need to faff around with a streaming stick. Samsung’s Tizen, LG’s webOS, and Fire TV on the Amazon Omni QLED all support major apps and make switching between them quick and easy.
Picture quality: OLED screens like those on the LG B4 and C4 are brilliant for film nights, with deep blacks and crisp contrast. If your room gets a lot of light, go for something brighter like the Samsung QN90F, which uses mini-LED tech and a clever anti-glare screen.
Sound quality: If you don’t fancy buying a soundbar, make sure your TV’s speakers can handle dorm movie nights. The Samsung Q80D has surprisingly decent audio, so you can get away without external speakers unless you’re really into your sound.
Portability and setup: Chances are you’ll move flats during your course, so it helps to have a TV that’s easy to carry and mount.
Connectivity: Finally, you’ll want at least a couple of HDMI ports for consoles and laptops, plus Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth for streaming TV and wireless audio.
While these are the main things to look out for, it’s definitely not an exhaustive list and there is likely to be another big consideration: budget.
TVs have become a lot more inexpensive in recent years and what used to cost $1,000, now costs $500.
Adding advanced display tech like OLED and mini-LED is likely to drive up the price, but there are often good deals to be found on TV models at Amazon, Walmart, and elsewhere.LG C4 (48- and 42-inch)
If you want a TV that can handle everything from FIFA nights to film marathons, the LG C4 is hard to beat.
