With numerous brands and plenty of tech lingo, choosing a new smart TV can be tough, which is why we put together this list of the best models on the market.
TVs are getting better and better, and at a rate that is blistering-fast when compared to the slower evolution of yesteryear. Consumers have a ton more to consider when buying, including everything from QLED vs. OLED (and don’t get us started on QD-OLED), the latest resolutions, lighting standards, HDR codecs, and HDMI tech around every turn, which can make keeping up quite a challenge. Fortunately though, when it comes to the world of TVs, we’re vetted experts on all that is new and great. And as for right now, we think the LG G1 Gallery Series 4K OLED TV is still the best TV you can buy. With its stunning LG OLED Evo panel, it delivers the brightest image we’ve ever seen from an OLED TV, and that helps it to trump all of the other models we’ve had a chance to test (although we’re quite taken with Sony’s A95K.)
The LG G1 is superb in every way, but it carries a premium price tag, which puts it out of reach for many. But the good news is that many of the best TVs of 2022 are far more affordable. And even if they can’t quite match all of the G1’s attributes, some come very close. Why you should buy this: It does it all and does it beautifully. Who it’s for: Anyone who can afford it. Why we picked the 65-inch LG G1 Gallery Series 4K OLED TV (2021):
If you’ve been following our coverage of OLED TVs, in particular LG’s OLED TVs, you know that superlatives just come with the territory. We loved the 2020 LG GX OLED, and the 2021 G1 series is even better. For a few years now, TV reviewers have observed that despite OLED’s incredible black levels, contrast, and color, OLED TVs haven’t been able to match QLED TVs in terms of brightness. The LG G1 Gallery Series goes further than any other OLED TV to address this gap, through the use of an OLED panel that LG has labeled „OLED Evo.“
It’s essentially a tweak of the materials used to produce OLED panels, but it yields visible results. How good is it? „The LG G1 Gallery Series produces the cleanest, most enticing imagery I’ve seen from a TV yet“, our reviewer enthused. That performance is also helped considerably by LG’s latest picture processing tech, quarterbacked by its fourth-generation Alpha 9 AI Processor 4K along with its AI Picture Pro algorithms. While it can sometimes be a little overzealous with motion smoothing unless you intercede, its ability to upscale compressed, non-4K content is the best we’ve ever seen. The G1 is ideal for those who want to wall-mount their TV — it comes with everything you need. But it’s one of the few TVs that doesn’t come with a stand. If you need one, there are two options: A set of feet and a fancier, tripod-based unit, but both are paid extras. With four HDMI 2.1 inputs, the G1 is more than a pretty face— it’s a gamer’s dream. With Nvidia G-Sync, AMD FreeSync, HGiG profile support, variable refresh rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and 4K 120Hz in HDR at full RGB color, this is one of the only TVs in the world that can provide gamers with a big-screen experience that can compare to a dedicated gaming monitor. LG has also — finally! — updated its good but aging WebOS interface. It’s now thoroughly modern with a clean, task-driven interface and there’s even a dedicated gaming control center for quick access to all of the settings that gamers need. LG’s magic remote has been given a beneficial makeover too, and a clever new „MagicTap“ feature that uses NFC to quickly pair your phone to your TV. If you’re wondering about a cheaper option, there is one — LG’s C1 Series OLED TV is superb in every way and is the best OLED TV value for the money. But it can’t quite keep up with the G1 in terms of overall picture quality, so the G1 remains our top pick. Why you should buy it: You want your TV to be packed with the most cutting-edge picture tech and want these many deliverables from a respected brand name. Who it’s for: Those looking for a premium picture and excellent features that aren’t willing to dip into complete flagship territory. Why we picked the LG C2 OLED Evo:
When LG rolled out its new OLED Evo panels on a handful of 2021 models, we were beyond impressed with what the new hardware meant for TV-watching, especially certain types of movies. With promises of OLED-flavored contrast linking hands with the type of brightness only seen on the most powerful QLED sets, the Evo engineering delivered an all-immersive, at-home cinema experience that looks fantastic in even the most brightly-lit rooms. Fast-forward to present day where LG is rolling out a number of its 2022 models, one of which being the much-loved LG C2 OLED Evo. While not considered a flagship set, the C2 builds upon a number of the amazing picture features and other add-ons that we loved about its predecessor, the LG C1. Available in sizes from 55 inches up to 83 inches, the 65-inch C2 is that perfect middle-ground size for most homes. And in terms of design and tech, LG really notched things up this year. The C2 features a totally reworked WRGB screen with chart-topping peak brightness marks, four HDMI 2.1 inputs for all our next-gen entertainment sources, and an improved Alpha 9 Gen 5 processor that delivers breathtaking colors, adaptive brightness control, and incredible upscaling. Gamers will appreciate the inclusion of Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, with both technologies banding together to create the ideal TV for high-bandwidth, action-oriented gameplay from today’s leading consoles and PCs. While the sound isn’t something we’d sing the praises of, LG made good on its promise of a revamped and reimagined C series TV, and we couldn’t recommend the LG C2 OLED Evo more. Why you should buy this: It brings black levels and contrast into OLED territory without the OLED price tag. Who it’s for: Anyone looking for great picture quality at a reasonable price. Why we picked the 65-inch Hisense U7G (2021):
As with any great TV, it isn’t just one feature that makes the Hisense U7G such a great choice, and as our TV reviewer Caleb Denison pleasantly discovered in his full review, it’s the full package at an amazing price, which is why this set has also landed at the top of our best TVs under $1,000 list, too. But let’s start with the U7G’s biggest asset: Its brightness. Hisense has a history of making TVs that are brighter than the competition (see the U8G below), and the U7G is a case in point. With up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness, you’ll be able to enjoy both standard dynamic range (SDR) and high dynamic range (HDR) content in virtually any lighting conditions your room might have. Brightness without control just leads to washed-out colors and blacks that look more like grays, which is why we like the U7G so much — it uses 90 local dimming zones to keep the dark areas of an image looking nice and inky, so that field of stars from your favorite sci-fi title looks like it’s genuinely in space. It’s easy to take advantage of the U7G’s picture quality. It packs every major flavor of HDR including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, giving you tons of compatibility with whatever your favorite streaming service provides. Thanks to its 120Hz native panel refresh rate, this smart TV is also a great gaming TV. With two HDMI 2.1 ports (and another two HDMI 2.0 ports), you can connect your choice of gaming console or PC and get 4K resolution at 120Hz, along with variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low-latency mode (ALLM), and support for AMD’s FreeSync VRR technology. When it comes to audio, Dolby Atmos support is available, and you can send that signal to your soundbar or A/V receiver in full, 24-bit lossless quality with the U7G’s HDMI eARC connection. Like the U8G, the U7G uses Google’s Android TV operating system, which means you get Chromecast built-in as well as access to Google Assistant. But Hisense has taken this a step further: You can grab the included, backlit remote and press a button to speak your commands, or you can do it hands-free using the TV’s built-in far-field microphones. So is there a downside? Just one: As awesome as the U7G’s picture quality is, that quality can be affected by your viewing position. It’s best to sit directly in front of this TV, as its off-angle viewing is not as good as some of the other TVs on this list. Current availability for the UG series is a bit hit or miss, mostly because Hisense is getting ready to drop the new UH series soon. But this also means that now is the best time to score a great deal on one of the brand’s top sets of 2021! Why you should buy this: You want the biggest screen possible, for the best price, and expect it to look amazing, too. Who it’s for: Those that care a lot about how big their TV is. Why we picked the Vizio P-Series Quantum X:
Living in a comfortable mid-tier world alongside other reputable brands like Hisense and TCL, Vizio has been a go-to option for TVs with great picture quality, a wide assortment of entertaining and immersive features, and sizes for every room of the house. Regarding the latter, the Vizio 2022 P-Series Quantum X is a monolithic 85-inch 4K set that delivers powerful brightness levels, excellent color, and jaw-dropping contrast that treads close to OLED territory. On top of extended HDR support, FreeSync Premium for gaming (pairing nicely with the TV’s native 120Hz refresh rate), and support for Apple AirPlay 2, the P-Series Quantum X is priced ultra-competitively. Typically, $3,200 will get you a great step-below-flagship 65-inch set from the likes of Samsung or LG, not one of the very best 85-inch TVs on the market.
