TV Buying Guide

Movies and streaming

If your perfect evening involves lots of snacks and a family film night, then put picture technology top of your TV wish list. If you’ve got the room, you might also want to consider getting a TV with a significantly bigger screen to really bring home that full cinema experience. OLED and QLED models really shine when it comes to vibrant colours and great contrast – and 4K resolution is a must, with Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video offering tons of Ultra HD content.

Key features to consider:

• Size matters - go big with your screen size for better immersion.

• Picture technology - OLED or QLED ensure rich colours and vivid contrast.

• Built-in movie or filmmaker mode - watch as the director intended with natural and accurate colours, lighting and motion

Sports

If you love sports, then you’ll want a TV that can deliver all the action in glorious detail. Fast motion handling is key - nothing ruins a match faster than blurry players! Look for a high frame rate (how often the screen refreshes per second - ideally 120Hz), so all the action stays crisp and blur-free. Brightness is also key, to ensure you can still see the picture clearly even if the room is brightly lit. And if you love hosting match days with friends, a wide viewing angle ensures everyone gets a great view no matter where they sit.

Key features to consider:

• High refresh rate - keeps the action smooth and blur-free.

• Anti-glare screen - ideal for watching in bright rooms.

• Wide viewing angles - ensure a good view from any seat in the room.

Gaming

Gamers have a serious need for speed! A TV with super low input lag will translate all your actions onto the screen as fast as you can hit the buttons. A high frame rate also keeps images updating quickly, so all the action stays buttery-smooth throughout. When it comes to epic graphics, you'll want HDR (High Dynamic Range) to provide the rich contrast and punchy colours that make every alien planet, racing track, and fantasy world really pop!

Key features to consider:

• Low input lag - keeps your gameplay instant.

• HDMI 2.1 port - unlocks a 120Hz refresh rate in 4K for fast, blur-free motion.

• Game Mode - reduces lag, stutter, and screen tearing.

Streaming Gold

Streaming is a huge part of how we watch TV nowadays - whether you’ve found a new favourite on Netflix, enjoying an old classic on the iPlayer, keeping the kids happy with Disney+, or diving down a YouTube rabbit hole.

Smart TVs usually come with the major streaming apps already built in, plus the option to download more. But in truth, not all smart TVs are created equal. Each brand develops their own operating software (OS), with some running smoother and offering better app support - so it’s a good idea to check the reviews and make sure your must-have streaming services are available on the TV’s operating system before you buy.

For an extra dose of convenience, pick a TV that plays nicely with your smart home setup - whether that’s AirPlay, Alexa, or Google Assistant - so you can switch on lights and adjust the heating with your voice, as well as change the TV channel!

Samsung UE65U7000F 65-inch Crystal UHD

If you’re looking for the best budget 4K TV, the Samsung UE65U7000F 65-inch Crystal UHD is hard to beat. For under £500, you get a full 65-inch panel with Samsung’s Crystal Processor 4K, which does an excellent job of upscaling content on everything from streaming shows to sports. You get solid brightness and picture balance – with enough pop so you can see everything clearly in bright living rooms. We love the sleek MetalStream design that uses a single sheet of metal for the body and looks premium for the price. Samsung’s Tizen OS (operating software) is easy to use, with built-in apps such as Netflix and Disney+, plus tailored content suggestions for what to watch next. Samsung SmartThings also includes smart-home integration for controlling smart lights or speakers through your TV. For what you get in size, design, and usability, the Samsung Crystal U7000F punches way above its price.

Hisense A6Q 55-inch TV

The Hisense A6Q 55-inch TV is also a seriously strong budget choice. Hisense's Hi-View AI Engine delivers crisp 4K resolution, Dolby Vision HDR support, and surprisingly vibrant colours for the price, making films, sport, and Netflix binges feel far more premium than you’d expect from an entry-level model. The Adaptive Light Sensor also optimises brightness for any room, so you can always see clearly. The smart TV platform is simple to navigate and comes loaded with popular streaming apps. We also love how slim and modern the design looks - it doesn’t scream 'budget TV' when sitting in your living room. Built-in Freely also gives you access to 95 of the UK's most popular channels without needing an aerial - just connect to WiFi and you’re ready to go.

TCL 55T6C 

The TCL 55T6C is another excellent contender. It brings vibrant QLED picture technology, HDR10+ (plus other HDR formats) and a 120Hz refresh rate, making it more responsive, especially for gaming or action movies. Connectivity is strong (via three HDMI 2.1 ports) and the Fire TV smart platform gives you easy access to lots of apps and voice control features. This is also a great partner for your gaming console, thanks to Game Master mode, which offers techy features such as ALLM, 144Hz VRR, 288Hz Game Accelerator and FreeSync Premium that all get gamers hot under the collar.

Samsung QE55QN70F Neo QLED 4K Mini-LED 55-inch TV

If you’re shopping for a TV that delivers amazing picture quality for (well) under £1000, the Samsung QE55QN70F Neo QLED 4K Mini-LED 55-inch TV is a real gem. Soak up rich colours and incredible contrast that leaves everything looking crisp and vibrant, no matter what you’re watching. Perfect for family film nights, weekend gaming sessions, and catching up with your favourite shows after the kids are in bed. Powered by Samsung’s NQ4 AI Gen 2 Processor, the QN70F upscales even regular HD shows to look sharper and more detailed in 4K. It’s also built for action: Motion Xcelerator with 144Hz refresh keeps everything smooth and fluid, regardless of how hectic the action gets. The super-skinny AirSlim design offers a sleek profile either wall-mounted or on the stand, and you even get a solar-powered remote control that saves you from worrying about batteries!

Hisense 65U7QTUK

If you’ve got the space for something bigger, the Hisense 65U7QTUK steps up to a roomy 65 inches, giving you extra wow factor for movie nights, sport, and boxset binges. Mini-LED technology and Quantum Dot Colour create beautifully bright, sharp, and vibrant images, which are backed up by Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos audio to make everything feel even more immersive.  Gamers also get 144Hz Game Mode PRO with VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium PRO for ultra-smooth gameplay. The VIDAA smart platform is easy to use and has all the main streaming apps ready to go straight out of the box.

TCL 75C6K-UK

If you’re after another step up in size, the TCL 75C6K-UK lets you create a stunning home cinema experience with its deluxe 75-inch screen. TCL’s QLED picture technology delivers rich colours and strong contrast, while 144Hz Motion Clarity Pro keeps the all the action super smooth. Dolby Vision boosts brightness, colour and contrast so films and streaming content feel far more premium than you’d expect at this price point. Built-in 2.1-channel Onkyo Dolby Atmos sound also delivers crisp, powerful audio to match the cinematic visuals.

LG OLED55C55LA

The LG OLED55C55LA makes movies, TV shows and gaming all look amazing. From the moment you switch it on, the picture quality stands out - colours are rich and realistic, and dark scenes look beautifully deep and detailed thanks to LG’s powerful Alpha 9 Gen 8 processor. Whether you’re watching a film with the family or catching up on your favourite show, everything looks crisp and vibrant. Thanks to a 120Hz refresh rate, all the action is super-smooth too, including gaming and sport. Other clever features include AI-powered upscaling that takes all your content close to 4K, and audio tuning, which automatically adapts the settings to suit what you’re watching. Plus, LG’s webOS 25 smart system makes it super easy to find your favourite streaming apps. For anyone who wants a TV that looks amazing, feels premium, and makes home entertainment effortless, the LG C5 is a fantastic choice.

Samsung QE55S93F

The Samsung QE55S93F’s 55-inch OLED display delivers stunning contrast, deep blacks, and rich colours, making everything from bright nature documentaries to dark thrillers look beautifully cinematic. Samsung’s cutting-edge NQ4 AI Gen 3 processor keeps the picture quality sharp and colours lifelike. AI Motion Enhancer Pro ensures all the action looks super-smooth, regardless of how hectic your movies, sport and gaming get. All your content gets a boost with 4K AI Upscaling Pro, which intricately restores every detail pixel by pixel. Samsung’s slick smart TV platform also comes packed with all the major streaming apps.

Hisense 65U8QTUK

The Hisense 65U8QTUK also stands out thanks to its bright and immersive 65-inch Mini-LED display. Quantum Dot Colour technology keeps images vibrant and lifelike, while the Hi-View Engine uses AI processing to optimise images and audio frame-by-frame to fine-tune the resolution, brightness, contrast, colour and motion. It also upscales content to near 4K quality for greater sharpness and clarity. Dolby Vision IQ automatically adjusts picture settings based on your room lighting, making it equally suited to bright daytime viewing and immersive movie nights. Dolby Atmos audio also creates immersive sound that surrounds you from every angle.

Samsung S95F 65-inch TV

The Samsung S95F 65-inch TV is all about premium picture quality. Across a beautifully slim OLED display, Samsung’s latest AI-powered processor delivers rich contrast, ultra-deep blacks and vibrant colours that make everything from blockbuster films to live sport look stunningly realistic. 4K AI Upscaling Pro elevates all your favourite content pixel by pixel, while OLED HDR Pro enhances brightness and contrast. Gamers will love the ultra-fast refresh rates, HDMI 2.1 support, and low input lag for super-responsive gameplay. Finally, feast your ears on 8 built-in speakers supported by Dolby Atmos sound and Samsung’s intelligent audio processing to create room-filling sound and clear dialogue (without needing a soundbar).

Hisense 100U8QTUK

The Hisense 100U8QTUK is a seriously epic TV that turns your living room into a full-blown home cinema! With a gigantic 100-inch Mini-LED display, you get breathtaking scale alongside incredibly bright highlights, deep contrast, and rich Quantum Dot colour that makes films, sport, and gaming comes alive. Dolby Vision IQ intelligently adjusts the picture to suit your room lighting, while the fast refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 gaming features keep everything looking beautifully smooth during fast-paced action. The Hisense U8Q also features powerful Dolby Atmos sound, helping create room-filling audio that matches the scale of the screen.

LG OLED65G54LW

For something a little smaller - but still incredibly premium - the LG OLED65G54LW 65-inch TV is a stunning choice. LG’s OLED evo panel produces gorgeous contrast, perfect blacks, and beautifully rich colours that make movies and streaming content look cinematic from every angle. LG’s latest AI processor intelligently sharpens detail, improves motion handling, and enhances brightness for a punchier picture, even in brighter rooms. The G5’s ultra-slim Gallery design is another highlight, sitting almost flush against the wall for a sleek, premium finish.

Soundbars

If you really want to upgrade your sound setup, adding a soundbar can make a huge difference. Even a compact one adds depth and clarity that many built-in speakers simply can’t match, while higher-end soundbars can deliver that true home cinema feel.

Make sure your soundbar matches the width of your TV and fits neatly below it (or can be wall-mounted if that’s your setup). Consider whether you want a simple 2.0 or 2.1 system (that’s two speakers with or without a subwoofer) or a more immersive 5.1 or Dolby Atmos set-up that adds extra speakers for the full surround-sound effect.