Looking for the best TVs to buy in 2026? With so many options, including OLED TVs, QLED TVs, Mini LED TVs and more, it can be tricky to choose the right one.
So, if you’re hunting for a new television this year, we’ve picked out a few below that are well worth considering. We’ve covered various price points and different types of screen tech. And we’ve answered the most-asked TV questions to give you all the info you need.
Best OLED TV
The Panasonic Z95B TV is one of the top OLED TVs for movie nights thanks to its Tandem OLED panel, which adds extra brightness without losing its deep contrast. Darker scenes keep their detail, with Dolby Vision IQ quietly adjusting things in the background.
The Sony Bravia 8 II is a good choice if you’re looking for the punchy colours that OLEDs are famous for. It also adds more subtle shades, so skin tones and scenery look more natural. Meanwhile, its Cognitive XR processor keeps movement and focus feeling more realistic.
OLED TVs have always been about those deep, inky blacks—the kind where dark scenes don’t turn into a grey blur. What’s changing in 2026 is brightness. Older OLEDs could struggle a bit in bright rooms, but the newer ones easily cut through daylight. That’s why they’re such a favourite for films. You notice it straight away in things like night scenes or space shots, where everything looks more real.
Curious about how OLED compares to other tech? Check out our guides on QD-OLED vs OLED TVs and Mini LED vs OLED TVs.
Best QLED TV
The Samsung Q7F 65” QLED TV is best for big-screen streaming. Its QLED panel delivers 100% colour volume, so colours stay rich even in bright scenes, while the Q4 AI processor upscales HD content so older shows still look sharp. You also get Object Tracking Sound Lite, which subtly follows on-screen action, making films and sport feel that bit more immersive.
The TCL T6C 43” is a good choice for smaller rooms, second spaces or anyone upgrading from an older HD TV on a budget. You’re getting proper 4K QLED with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, so colours are rich. Plus, Fire TV built-in means all your apps are ready to go.
QLED TVs are all about colour and brightness. If you’ve ever watched sport or a nature documentary and thought “that looks a bit flat”, QLED is the kind of upgrade that fixes that.
They’re especially handy if your TV is on a lot during the day. Sunlight doesn’t wash the picture out as much, so you don’t feel like you’re missing half the detail.
Best Mini LED TV
The Sony Bravia 9 is a perfect Mini LED TV for sport. If you’re watching the match on a sunny afternoon, you’ve got no glare issues. For film nights with the lights down, every scene looks lifelike and atmospheric. And because it’s built with Sony’s latest processor, motion looks smooth and natural.
Mini LED TVs sit in the middle ground between OLED and QLED. And they’re a real step up from older LED TVs. Instead of a few hundred lights behind the screen, there are now thousands of tiny ones. That means much better brightness and contrast. So instead of squinting at the screen, everything stays clear and punchy – even on bright days. They’re great TVs for sport. Fast action (like football or F1) looks smoother, and you don’t get as much blur around bright objects. Everything feels easier on the eyes.
Best LED TV
The Samsung Crystal UHD U8000F is brilliant for families. It handles daytime viewing well, with a bright, sharp picture that makes it perfect for action-packed viewing. It comes in sizes up to 75 inches, so it’s a great choice for anyone who wants a bigger screen on a budget.
LED TVs are dependable ‘no fuss’ TVs. They don’t quite match the punch colours of OLEDs or QLEDs, but they’re great value. They look good in all sorts of lighting conditions, and they use less energy than plasma or older LCDs. They’re a good shout if you just want a bigger screen for the living room without going over budget.
Another bonus - they tend to handle different lighting conditions quite well. Whether it’s a bright afternoon or a dim evening, the picture stays consistent.
Best 8K TV
Samsung QN900F Neo QLED is one of the best 8K TVs you can buy right now. Its powerful processor instantly upscales HD and 4K content to 8K, restoring texture and depth, scene by scene. There’s also Mini LED backlighting for precise contrast, and Object Tracking Sound Pro for audio that follows the on-screen action.
8K is the highest resolution kind of ultra-high definition (UHD) TV available to buy right now. They pack four times as many pixels as 4K, totalling around 33 million. These minuscule pixels, which can’t be seen individually by the naked eye, make the picture seriously sharp and bold.
Best smart TV with AI features
The Samsung S95F OLED Vision AI is an amazing TV. It can automatically enhance contrast, boost voices in dialogue-heavy shows, and link up with your smart home devices. Privacy features are built in, too, so you’re in control of how it all works.
AI in TVs helps make everything better, without you needing to tweak any settings. It even adjusts the picture as you watch - so a dark film scene doesn’t suddenly become impossible to see, or dialogue doesn’t get drowned out by background noise. It also helps with recommendations, so you spend less time scrolling.
And if you’ve got other smart home tech, you’ll be able to control it with a good smart TV. Just use your remote or voice commands to do things like dimming the lights or adjusting the heating.
TV comparison table
Let’s compare the TVs mentioned above. Here’s a quick roundup of how they stack up against each other:
Best overall TV: Samsung S95F – bright, colourful, and great for almost everything.
Best for sharp detail: Samsung QN900F - crisp 8K picture with incredible brightness.
Best high-end OLED: LG G5 – stunning picture with rich contrast and lifelike colours.
Best for gaming: LG C5 – smooth, responsive, and packed with detail.
Best for movie night: Panasonic Z95B – natural picture with great sound.
Best for audio: Sony Bravia 8 II – cinematic sound straight from the screen.
Best for sport: Sony Bravia 9 – Incredibly bright with super-smooth motion.
Best for families – Samsung Crystal UHD U8000F – great for daytime viewing.
| Model | Best for | Key specs | Top features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung S95F | Best overall TV | OLED, 65", 4K UHD, Vision AI | Stunning brightness, vivid colours |
| LG G5 | Best OLED TV for movies | OLED, 48–97", 4K UHD | Amazing picture quality |
| TCL 65QM8K | Best value TV | Mini LED, 65", 4K UHD | Excellent brightness for sunlit rooms |
| LG C5 | Best TV for gaming | OLED, 144Hz, HDMI 2.1, Variable Refresh Rate | Fast response, ultra-smooth gameplay |
| Panasonic Z95A | Best smart TV for audio | OLED, 65", Dolby Atmos, 4K HDR | Natural picture, immersive surround sound |
Best TV deals
You don’t have to pay top-tier prices to get a TV you’ll love. Here are some solid options at lower price points.
Best TV under £1000
The Philips OLED 760 55” has deep shadows, rich contrast, and bright highlights that bring every scene to life. Dolby Vision adjusts the picture to give you more detail, and Dolby Atmos adds real depth to sound. It’s a real step up from a standard LED TV.
Best TV under £500
The Hisense E7Q 55" QLED handles films, sport, and casual gaming well. Colours stay vibrant, HDR keeps bright and dark details clear, and low input lag makes games feel responsive. The smart interface is simple to use, so you’re straight into Netflix or YouTube.
Best budget TV
The LG UA73 55" is one of the best 55” TVs at this low price point. It gets the essentials right - crisp 4K, HDR10, and a smart platform that’s easy to navigate. It’s uncomplicated, and that’s exactly what makes it so popular.
Best cheap TV
The TCL PF 650K 43" is ideal for a bedroom or smaller spaces. 4K and HDR make images sharp and colourful, and Android TV gives you quick access to all your streaming apps. This is a TV with no frills - just a solid picture and easy controls.
Need more help?
Our TV buying guide shows you how to choose a TV and is packed with useful advice. We’ve also got handy guides to the best smart TVs and good monitors and TVs for gaming.
If you watch a lot of live events, take a look at our top questions to ask when buying a TV for watching sport.
Or if you’d prefer to ask for advice in person, pop down to your local store for a chat with one of our TV experts. They can show you the best TV deals right now and take you through the most recommended TVs.
FAQs
What is the best 65-inch TV to buy?
One of the very best 65-inch TVs to buy is the Samsung S85F OLED 4K TV. Everything looks much more real, with deep blacks and billions of colours that burst from the screen. And because the pixels are self-lit, it can accurately control shadows and highlights.
Do 8K TVs upscale 4K?
Yes, most 8K TVs use AI to upscale 4K content. They enhance detail and sharpen images so everything looks clearer - especially on larger screens. It’s not true 8K, but it still looks amazing.
Do Smart TVs need an aerial?
No, Smart TVs don’t always need an aerial. You can stream shows and films over Wi-Fi using apps like Netflix or BBC iPlayer. You might need a reliable Wi-Fi router or streaming stick to do this. But for live TV, you’ll still need a TV aerial.
Can all TVs be wall-mounted?
Most modern TVs support wall mounting. You’ll need a compatible TV wall bracket, of course. And we suggest you read our ultimate TV wall mounting guide before you start.
