The Best TVs to Buy in 2026
For most people the best TV is a mid-priced OLED: Wirecutter’s pick is the Samsung S90H and PCMag’s OLED value pick is the LG C6. Get an LED TV like the Sony Bravia 7 II or TCL QM8L for a bright room, or the Vizio Mini LED Quantum if you’re on a tight budget.
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Quick answer
For most people the best TV is a mid-priced OLED: Wirecutter’s pick is the Samsung S90H and PCMag’s OLED value pick is the LG C6. Best OLED for the money: Samsung S90H OLED TV, $1,348. Best OLED with Dolby Vision: LG C6 OLED TV, from $999.99. Best premium OLED: Samsung S95H OLED TV, $2,499.99.
Last updated Prices checked Oct 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best OLED for the money | Samsung S90H OLED TV | most people | $1,348–$1,498 (Wirecutter listings) |
| Best OLED with Dolby Vision | LG C6 OLED TV | Dolby Vision and value | From $999.99 (55-inch) |
| Best premium OLED | Samsung S95H OLED TV | the best picture in a bright room | $2,499.99 (PCMag) |
| Best LED for bright rooms | Sony Bravia 7 II TV | bright rooms and sports | $1,800 (Best Buy, via Wirecutter) |
| Best mini-LED value | TCL QM8L Mini LED TV | a big, bright mini-LED for less | $1,497.99 (PCMag) |
| Best budget | Vizio Mini LED Quantum TV | tight budgets | 55-inch $248 sale (Walmart) |
This hub pulls together Wirecutter’s[1] October 2026 TV picks and PCMag’s[2] best TVs list, plus the RTINGS[3][4] rankings behind our brand guides (prices checked October 2026). Prices change often, and the cheapest sizes are usually 55 inches. For more detail, jump to our guides to OLED TVs, 4K TVs and TVs under $500.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| TV | Price seen | Panel | Picked by | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung S90H | $1,498 Amazon; $1,348 Walmart | OLED (WOLED in the US) | Wirecutter best OLED for the money | Most people |
| LG C6 | From $999.99 (55-inch, LG); $1,399.99 at PCMag | OLED | PCMag best OLED value | Dolby Vision and value |
| Samsung S95H | $2,499.99 at PCMag | QD-OLED | PCMag best OLED overall; RTINGS’ top Samsung | The best picture in a bright room |
| Sony Bravia 7 II | $1,800 at Best Buy | LED with RGB backlight | Wirecutter best LCD/LED TV | Bright rooms and sports |
| TCL QM8L | $1,497.99 at PCMag | Mini-LED | PCMag best LED overall | A big, bright mini-LED for less |
| Hisense U8QG | $1,099.99 at PCMag | Mini-LED | PCMag best LED value | — |
| Vizio Mini LED Quantum | 55-inch $248 sale ($278); 85-inch $698 | Mini-LED | Wirecutter best budget 4K TV | Tight budgets |
The picks in detail
1. Samsung S90H OLED TV
Best for: most peopleWirecutter’s[1] new best OLED TV (October 2026) delivers deep contrast, wide viewing angles and an anti-glare screen you can watch comfortably in all but the brightest rooms. Wirecutter says it’s great for gaming, with low input lag, a 165Hz refresh rate and four HDMI 2.1 ports. It comes in 42 to 83 inches. The downsides: no Dolby Vision, and it can’t match pricier OLEDs for color. Wirecutter lists it at $1,498 at Amazon and $1,348 at Walmart. See our Samsung TV guide.
Price (Oct 2026): $1,348–$1,498 (Wirecutter listings) Source
Pros
- Anti-glare screen
- 165Hz and four HDMI 2.1 ports
- 42 to 83 inches
Cons
- No Dolby Vision
- Less colorful than QD-OLED models
2. LG C6 OLED TV
Best for: Dolby Vision and valuePCMag’s[2] best OLED TV value. Unlike Samsung, LG supports Dolby Vision, which many streaming shows use. LG lists the 55-inch from $999.99, and PCMag shows $1,399.99. If you want more brightness, LG’s G6 starts at $2,199 for 55 inches. See best LG OLED TVs.
Price (Oct 2026): From $999.99 (55-inch) Source
Pros
- Dolby Vision
- Strong value for an OLED
- Good for gaming
Cons
- Dimmer than the G6 and S95H
- Glossier screen than Samsung’s matte S95H
3. Samsung S95H OLED TV
Best for: the best picture in a bright roomPCMag’s[2] best OLED TV overall and RTINGS[3][4]’ top Samsung TV. It’s a very bright QD-OLED with a matte anti-glare finish; RTINGS notes blacks can look slightly purple in daylight. PCMag shows $2,499.99. Like all Samsungs, there’s no Dolby Vision.
Price (Oct 2026): $2,499.99 (PCMag) Source
Pros
- Very bright QD-OLED
- Matte anti-glare screen
- HDMI 2.1 on all ports
Cons
- Expensive
- No Dolby Vision
4. Sony Bravia 7 II TV
Best for: bright rooms and sportsWirecutter’s[1] favorite LCD/LED TV uses Sony’s True RGB backlight for strong contrast, brightness and color. It supports every major HDR format, runs Google TV and is accurate out of the box, in sizes from 50 to 98 inches. Wirecutter’s caveats: a glossy screen, only two HDMI 2.1 ports and a 120Hz panel. Best Buy lists it at $1,800.
Price (Oct 2026): $1,800 (Best Buy, via Wirecutter) Source
Pros
- Excellent brightness and color
- All HDR formats
- Up to 98 inches
Cons
- Only two HDMI 2.1 ports
- Glossy screen
- Pricier than TCL and Hisense
5. TCL QM8L Mini LED TV
Best for: a big, bright mini-LED for lessPCMag’s[2] best LED TV overall. TCL’s flagship mini-LED gets you very high brightness for less than a Sony. PCMag lists it at $1,497.99. The Hisense U8QG is PCMag’s value LED pick at $1,099.99.
Price (Oct 2026): $1,497.99 (PCMag) Source
Pros
- Very bright mini-LED
- Cheaper than Sony
Cons
- LED blooming around bright objects is possible
- Prices vary by size
6. Vizio Mini LED Quantum TV
Best for: tight budgetsWirecutter’s[1] best budget 4K TV measured about 1,000 nits of HDR brightness, much brighter than most cheap TVs, and it handles Dolby Vision well. It’s limited to 60Hz at 4K (120Hz at 1080p), the audio is middling, and new Vizio TVs require a Walmart account at setup. Wirecutter saw the 55-inch at $248 (from $278) and the 85-inch at $698 at Walmart. See best TVs under $500.
Price (Oct 2026): 55-inch $248 sale (Walmart) Source
Pros
- Very bright for the price
- Dolby Vision
- Six sizes up to 85 inches
Cons
- 60Hz at 4K
- Requires a Walmart account
- Reflective screen
Also considered
LG G6: LG’s brightest OLED, from $2,199 for 55 inches. See best LG OLED TVs.
Hisense U8QG: PCMag’s[2] best LED value at $1,099.99.
Samsung The Frame (LS03HE): Wirecutter’s[1] best art TV, $998 for 55 inches. Not great for dark-room movies, and the art store costs extra.
Roku Pro Series OLED: PCMag’s budget-friendly OLED pick at $999.99.
Hisense U6SF Pro: PCMag’s budget-friendly pick at $699.99.
OLED or LED?
OLED TVs have perfect blacks, the best motion and the widest viewing angles, which is why Wirecutter[1] calls them the best HDR picture. Mini-LED TVs like the TCL QM8L and Sony Bravia 7 II get brighter for less money and suit sunny rooms. For gaming, look for HDMI 2.1 and 120Hz or more; see best TVs for PS5.
Pick a size
Most living rooms suit 55 to 65 inches. Compare picks in best 55-inch TVs, best 65-inch TVs and best 75-inch TVs.
Sound and streaming
Built-in TV speakers are usually weak, so budget for a soundbar. If your TV’s smart platform is slow, a streaming device is a cheap upgrade. Want a bigger image? See best projectors.
Who should skip this guide
Skip this guide if you already know you want a specific size/brand only (use the Samsung or 4K shortlists). Skip if you need a portable projector or monitor—different categories. We haven’t lab-tested these panels; figures come from named sources.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best TV to buy in 2026?
What is the best budget TV?
Do Samsung TVs support Dolby Vision?
Is OLED worth it?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Oct 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Wirecutter: The best TVs (updated October 2026) (nytimes.com)
- PCMag: The best TVs (pcmag.com)
- RTINGS: The best Samsung TVs (rtings.com)
- RTINGS: The best LG TVs (rtings.com)
- LG: OLED TVs (US prices) (solutions.lg.com)
Related
OLED vs Mini-LED vs QLED: Which TV Should You Buy?
OLED wins on contrast and blacks. Mini-LED gets far brighter for less money. QLED is the budget option. Here’s how to pick for your room.
comparisonRoku vs Fire TV
Roku is the simpler, more neutral platform and supports AirPlay. Fire TV is faster to launch Netflix after its 2026 overhaul and has Alexa+ built in, but it pushes Amazon content and its new Vega OS blocks sideloading. In November 2026, Fire TV sticks are discounted much more deeply.
best ofBest OLED TVs of 2026
The Samsung S90H is the best OLED for most rooms. Get the LG C6 if you want Dolby Vision, and the S95H if you watch in a very bright room.
best ofBest 4K TVs of 2026
The Samsung S90H is the best TV for most people who can spend about $1,400. On a budget, Vizio’s Mini LED Quantum starts around $250, and TCL and Hisense mini-LEDs are the midrange value picks.
best ofBest TVs Under $500 of 2026
The Hisense QD7 is Tom’s Guide’s best TV under $500, with accurate color and Dolby Vision at $437.99. Gamers should get the 55-inch Hisense U65QF for 4K at 144Hz.
best ofBest 65-Inch TVs of 2026
The Samsung S95H is the best 65-inch OLED if you can pay for it. The LG C6 is the OLED value pick, and the Hisense U6SF Pro is the best budget 65-inch TV at about $700.
best ofThe Best Streaming Devices in 2026
The Google TV Streamer is Wirecutter’s best streaming device. Roku is the simplest, Fire TV suits Alexa homes, and Apple’s new Apple TV 4K is the best for iPhone owners, but it now costs $299. Prices went up across the board in 2026.
best ofThe Best Projectors in 2026
The Hisense C2 Ultra is the projector most reviewers agree on for living rooms. Get the Epson LS11000 for a dark home theater, the BenQ TK710 for 3D on a budget, the Nebula X1 for a very bright all-rounder, or the AURZEN ZIP for a cheap pocket projector.
best ofBest Soundbars of 2026
Wirecutter’s top soundbar is the Vizio Elevate 7.1.4 Pro at about $450. The TCL S55H is the best cheap soundbar at about $110, and Samsung’s Q990H is the surround-sound upgrade.