QLED TVs are some of the brightest sets on the market, and they’re also some of our favorites when it comes to colors and motion performance.
In the world of TV technology and marketing, there’s no shortage of acronyms. You’re probably familiar with common terms and phrases like OLED, 4K, 1080p, and LED-LCD, but what about “QLED?” Introduced several years ago, the “Q” in QLED stands for «quantum-dots.» These are color-enhancing compounds that allow LED sets to get ultra-bright and ultra-colorful when charged by TV backlights. We have a full explainer on QLED tech you can read, too. QLED TVs are made by companies like Samsung, Sony, TCL, and Hisense.
Who would benefit the most from a QLED TV? Pretty much anyone who loves a bright picture with lots of boldness and punch in the colors and contrast departments. These TVs are fantastic for watching and playing 4K HDR and SDR movies, shows, and video games. They’re also great at holding up against ambient light sources like lamps and in rooms with a lot of windows.
There are plenty of QLED TVs to choose from, and it’s our job to let you know what all the best models are. So to that end, we’ve created this list of the best QLED TVs you can buy.
Sony Bravia 9The best overall QLED you can buy
Every once in a while, a TV comes along that just blows us away, and that is precisely what happened in August when we reviewed Sony’s much-hyped Bravia 9 mini-LED TV.
The Sony Bravia 9 is a simply gorgeous TV that excels in bright rooms thanks to Sony’s new IC processing chip that Digital Trends’ editor-at-large (and TV reviewer supreme) also praised as being responsible for some of the most accurate colors, contrast, and brightness levels he’s ever seen on a mini-LED, so you can rest assured that this set will be excellent for all your movie and TV viewing. Additionally, the Bravia 9 also supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision HDR formats, ensuring excellent contrast.
With two of its four HDMI ports being HDMI 2.1 that support 4K/120Hz and VRR (variable refresh rate), the Bravia 9 is not only excellent for fast-moving action movies but gamers will be smiling ear-to-ear, too. The other two HDMI ports aren’t slacking either, with support for 4K/60Hz — all four ports support ALLM (auto low latency mode) that automatically adjusts the picture quality modes depending on the source input.
As Denison points out in his review, the Bravia 9 could do better at off-angle viewing, but it’s not likely to be a deterrent unless that’s a specific concert to you. The Bravia 9 also features a big and bold sounding 70-watt, 2.2.2 audio system built-in, which means you might not need to add a soundbar or an AV receiver and additional speakers.
Samsung QN90C Neo QLEDThe best runner-up QLED TV
It’s hard not to love a Samsung TV. Over the last decade or so, the manufacturer has consistently delivered one amazing set after another, and has been producing some top-notch QLEDS for several years now, and this year’s crop should prove to be no different.
Until we get our hands on the 2024s for ourselves, we’ll still sing the praises of the 2023 Samsung QN90C. Available in sizes ranging from 43 to 85 inches, the QN90C is going to be the best QLED for most folks; although some may be interested in taking things a step further with the flagship performance of the Samsung S95C QD-OLED.
As for those of us who choose to remain with a more traditional QLED, the QN90C has it all. We’re talking near-impeccable HDR performance, chart-topping peak brightness levels, terrific reflection handling, and some of the best gaming features you’ll find. Many of these features are further enriched by Samsung’s Neural Quantum Processor 4K, which optimizes each and every source to give you as much picture detail as possible, whether you’re watching brand-new Netflix 4K HDR releases or your vintage DVD collection.
When it comes to contrast, QLED TVs are also getting better at acting more like OLEDs, which bodes well for those of us who want our movies and TV shows to be packed with rich colors and amazing black levels. The QN90C is an LED-powered TV, and we did notice a bit of light blooming during darker scenes, but that’s a small grievance about an otherwise remarkable picture.
TCL QM8 QLED 4K mini-LEDOne of the brightest TVs we’ve ever seen
TCL is at it again with its lineup of mini-LED QLED TVs that continue to prove that you can have high-end features and quality at prices that are way more reasonable than the marquee TV brands. And the TCL QM8 is literally the brand’s shining example . blindingly shiny with peak brightness levels of 2,500 nits in our tests, making it one of the brightest TVs we’ve ever seen. Our reviewer was so impressed with the QM8, in fact, that he praised it as his «go-to TV recommendation for probably 90% of people this year.»
In-line with QLED’s ability to deliver bright images that are great for those setting up their TV in a light-drenched room, the MQ8 also has it where it counts in the contrast area, too, with support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, HRD10+, and HLG, and excellent local dimming that also make it a good performer in darker rooms with decent black levels. Are they as inky as OLED? No, but not much is, and with OLED still costing a premium, it’s getting harder and harder to make a viable case for spending the extra cash. The QM8’s mini-LED technology delivers excellent color accuracy, too, with 97% coverage of DCI-P3 and about 76% of BT.2020 color gamuts.
The TCL QM8 is a Google TV-based TV, which makes for easy setup and use as well as access to all the streaming services and apps you could ever want via the Google Play Store, plus it’s got Chromecast built-in for easy mirroring and casting from your devices.
