Best TVs of 2026 - Top 5 Compared

The Samsung S95F OLED TV stands out as a flagship display that pushes OLED technology further with its advanced QD-OLED panel. By combining quantum dot color enhancement with self-lit pixels, it achieves remarkable brightness levels while maintaining the perfect blacks and infinite contrast OLED is known for. The result is a picture that feels both vibrant and cinematic, with HDR content showcasing dazzling highlights and richly saturated colors without washing out darker scenes. Its ultra-thin profile and minimalist aesthetic make it an elegant centerpiece whether mounted flush to the wall or placed on a stand.

For gamers, the S95F truly excels, offering high refresh rates, ultra-low input lag, and comprehensive HDMI 2.1 support for smooth, responsive gameplay. Motion handling is crisp, and fast-paced sports or action films remain clear and fluid. While the built-in audio system is competent and well-balanced, pairing it with a premium sound system unlocks its full home theater potential. Though it commands a premium price, the S95F justifies its position with cutting-edge performance, making it one of the most complete and impressive TVs available today.

The Sony BRAVIA 8 II OLED TV is designed with film lovers in mind, delivering a refined and highly accurate viewing experience. Powered by Sony’s advanced cognitive processor, it analyzes scenes in real time to enhance depth, texture, and color balance in a way that feels natural rather than artificially boosted. This processing strength is especially noticeable in upscaled HD content and fast-moving scenes, where detail retention and smooth motion remain impressive. Black levels are deep and uniform, and contrast transitions appear seamless, contributing to a truly cinematic presentation. One of its most distinctive features is Acoustic Surface Audio, which uses actuators behind the panel to produce sound directly from the screen.

This creates precise audio placement that aligns dialogue and effects with on-screen action, enhancing immersion without external speakers. While its brightness may not match the most aggressive QD-OLED competitors in sunlit rooms, it performs beautifully in controlled lighting environments typical of home theaters. With its balanced blend of picture fidelity, motion clarity, and integrated audio innovation, the BRAVIA 8 II earns its place as a top-tier choice for movie enthusiasts.

The LG G5 OLED TV continues LG’s tradition of delivering premium OLED performance with a distinctive gallery-inspired design. Built to mount nearly flush against the wall, it transforms from a television into a sleek design element, making it particularly appealing for modern interiors. Picture quality remains a standout feature, with OLED’s self-emissive pixels producing perfect black levels and striking contrast. Colors appear vibrant yet balanced, and HDR content benefits from refined tone mapping that preserves highlight detail without sacrificing shadow depth. LG’s processing ensures smooth motion and clear upscaling, maintaining sharpness across streaming platforms and broadcast content.

Gamers will appreciate the robust feature set, including multiple HDMI 2.1 ports, variable refresh rate support, and low input lag that keeps gameplay responsive and fluid. While its integrated speakers perform competently for everyday viewing, pairing the G5 with a soundbar enhances the cinematic experience. Positioned at a more accessible price than many flagship OLEDs, the LG G5 strikes an appealing balance between luxury design, performance, and overall value, making it an excellent choice for style-conscious buyers seeking high-end visuals without the highest-tier cost.

The Sony Bravia 9 represents the pinnacle of LCD television technology, engineered specifically for viewers who prioritize absolute picture accuracy above all else. Sony's Cognitive Processor XR analyzes and optimizes every element of the image simultaneously, replicating how human vision focuses on different parts of a scene. The Mini-LED backlight with full-array local dimming achieves remarkable contrast while maintaining highlight detail that eludes most LCD TVs. What truly sets the Bravia 9 apart is its professional calibration straight from the factory, offering a 'Professional' picture mode that accurately reproduces content as creators intended.

Motion handling is exceptional, making this an ideal choice for sports enthusiasts and action movie fans. The TV's acoustic surface audio technology creates convincing sound that appears to emanate directly from on-screen action, though serious audiophiles will still want a dedicated sound system. Limited to two HDMI 2.1 ports, the Bravia 9 isn't the most gaming-focused TV despite its excellent picture quality. For home theater purists willing to invest in reference-quality performance, the Bravia 9 stands in a class of its own.

The TCL QM8 Series proves that impressive Mini-LED performance doesn't require a premium budget, offering core high-end features at mainstream prices. With up to 2,300 local dimming zones, the QM8 achieves contrast and black levels that surpass expectations for its price class, though it can't quite match OLED's perfection in dark scenes. The 144Hz native refresh rate provides exceptionally smooth motion for gaming and sports, though the VRR implementation is limited to 60Hz. HDR performance stands out with peak brightness reaching 2,300 nits, giving content impressive pop and vibrancy.

Google TV offers a clean, intuitive interface with extensive app support and useful content recommendations. While the QM8's viewing angles are typical for VA panel TVs—meaning colors wash out when viewed from the side—its head-on picture quality rivals more expensive models. Built-in speakers are underwhelming as with most slim TVs, necessitating a soundbar for serious movie watching. For buyers seeking high refresh rate gaming and quality HDR on a budget, the QM8 represents an outstanding value that makes few meaningful compromises.