TV Buying Guide: The Best TVs to Consider Right Now
Find the perfect television for yourself
Buying a TV has become an extremely tough task. With the number of varieties available in the market, it’s almost impossible to make a choice. This TV buying guide is made for everyone who is struggling to find a TV or the best smart TV that is perfect for them.
TVs are one of the most important household items, but it is very common to have one in the office setting as well.
If you are confused and constantly asking yourself which TV is best in the market for you, keep on reading. In this buying guide, we provide you with all the information you need to find the right TV including LED & OLED TVs.
Things to consider when buying a TV
If you find yourself asking the question of which TV is best for you, there are many factors to consider when it comes to shopping for one. There is a large variety available in the market so, you need to know exactly what you need. You can choose from different options depending on whether you want a TV for your home or office. Once you have the basics such as budget, space, use and location decided, then it is just a matter of preference.
One of the most basic and important factors to consider is the budget. This will determine what type of television you can buy and will limit your options just a little. Next, determine the amount of space you have in your home or office for the TV. There are many TV sizes available in the market, hence, having a rough idea of the space you have can determine what range of size you should go for.
Screen Resolutions
While the standard definition TVs are still available in the market, we would suggest that you buy a high definition TV. There is quite a selection within the different types of HDTVs and you can use this guide to make the choice that suits you best.
Get the basic minimum – 720p
Trying to understand how pixels work can be a bit complicated. So, in layman’s terms – more pixels result in better picture quality (but not always). The standard 720p x 480p screens are a good choice if you’re on a smaller budget.
The picture quality is high definition and you can easily view your favourite movies or TV shows without having to squint. Moreover, most of the media available online would be compatible with this resolution. Hence, you won’t be compromising on your viewing experience. A 720p screen is a very student-friendly option, as it’s usually low priced and easy to handle.
Up your game with 1080p
Get the Full HD experience with 1080p x 1920p screen resolution. These TVs are easily available everywhere and are quite popular for domestic as well as commercial settings. They are easy to operate and perfect for movie viewing.
Starting from 42” wide screens, these screens can go up to 75” wide. Whether it is the centrepiece of your living area or installed in your bedroom for a quiet viewing experience, you have multiple options to choose from.
While the 1080p is not considered the top of the range when it comes to TVs available in the market now, they still come with a lot of features and at affordable rates. If you’re looking to invest in a good TV that is affordable, 1080p is the way to go.
Enter the world of 4K HDR
By far the most popular TV option that families go for is the 4K screen resolution. Along with being perfect for a family TV viewing experience, 4K models are also great for home theatres.
A 4K TV’s resolution is roughly three times more than your 1080p TV. So, if you’re an avid movie watcher or a big fan of documentaries, a 4K TV is your best bet.
Keep in mind, while you get many features with this model, the price range also goes up. However, if you’re after a top-quality TV for your home or office, this is the way to go. With 4K Bluray films becoming a common phenomenon, 4K TVs are going to be in demand for a long time.
Don’t get confused with screen types
It is a daunting experience when you search for a TV to buy online and are bombarded with categories such as screen resolution, screen type, size, smart TVs, wall-mounted, etc. Hence, this buying guide for TV was created to make it easier for you to understand what to look for when shopping for TVs online or offline.
The difference between LED, LCD & OLED
Very simply put, it’s all about the lighting and colours. We understand that may sound a bit too simple so bear with us. The most common types available for HD (1080p) TVs are the LCD and LED screen sets. The major difference between LED and LCD is the kind of light they use because that creates the difference in picture quality.
A great feature about LEDs is that they are often thinner than LCD TVs and have RGB colour wheels which give a sharper, more realistic picture.
OLED technology is more common with 4K being on the pricier side. While OLED screens also use LEDs it is slightly different. You must have heard a salesperson throw in the word “absolute black” at some point. Organic LED lights within these OLED screens achieve an almost matte black colour to enhance the colours on your screen. These organic LEDs store natural light and reflect it back resulting in very realistic picture quality.
It also brings us to the topic of QLED screens which are very similar to your LED screen sets. The use of LEDs within these screens is what makes all the difference. There might be a difference in price since the production cost for QLED TVs is lower than OLED. Hence, a QLED might be an affordable option. However, both are equally good when it comes to picture quality.
OLED TVs are usually the more expensive models. They are perfect for theatre-like movie experiences or bigger offices. Don’t be disheartened by the price range, there are more affordable options available for OLED TVs. You can easily find one that fits your budget.
Turn up the volume
Sound quality is another very important feature when selecting a new TV. Over the years, the sound quality of televisions has drastically improved. Most TVs available in the market are compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X; these two are common surround sound system technologies providing excellent sound quality for your TV.
Dolby Atmos is a lot more common and is supported by most streaming platforms as well. But, if you want to go a step further with the sound quality get a soundbar.
Connectivity
This is probably one thing you don’t usually think of when buying a TV, but connectivity options in a TV are quite important. Firstly, it is usually recommended that a TV should at least have a minimum of two HDMI ports; two being the minimum but more the merrier. Secondly, having a USB port would be helpful especially if you’re using the TV in an office setting. Moreover, with products like Amazon Firestick being a common thing in most households, a USB port in a TV is recommended. In the end, however, an HDMI port is more than enough to keep your TV connected to other devices.
The Best Smart TV
Smart TVs have created hype in the market and rightfully so. Along with possessing all the qualities of your normal HD or HDR TVs, a smart TV combines those qualities with features such as smart apps; apps that you can find on your phone or laptop. Netflix, PrimeVideo and many other streaming services are available on the TV. With just the click of a button, you can watch the latest movies.
Smart TVs can easily be connected to your WiFi and then it is just a matter of logging into your accounts for the various streaming services. This technology makes the process of watching things on streaming services much easier. Moreover, you even have the freedom to stream videos from platforms such as YouTube on your TV. Furthermore, the idea behind a smart TV is constant improvement. Just like your phone or laptop, a smart TV will also regularly update the TV’s operating system for better performance.
A smart TV is a good investment and if it sits well with your budget, you should consider getting one for your home. The personalised experience you get with a smart TV is unmatched. Having the freedom to watch your favourite shows or movies on a bigger screen instead of your tiny laptop screen is better. Along with the drastic change from a small screen to a big screen, smart TVs have all your streaming apps in one place. This way, you don’t have to type in the URL every time you want to watch something.
