HomeBuying Guide9 Best TVs We've Tested (2023): Cheap, 4K, 8K, OLED, and Tips

9 Best TVs We've Tested (2023): Cheap, 4K, 8K, OLED, and Tips

January 28, 2023

9 Best TVs We've Tested (2023): Cheap, 4K, 8K, OLED, and Tips

  • Photograph: TCL

    Still the Best

    TCL TCL 6-Series (2022)

    The latest TCL 6-Series (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is still my favorite TV for most people, thanks to an excellent new center pedestal mount. You get even better highlights and black levels on this quantum-dot and Mini-LED-enabled model than the last one, and the same great built-in Roku interface. This TV is set-it-and-forget-it, especially when you leave the automatic brightness setting on (where the TV will make itself brighter for daytime viewing, then darker and more accurate at night or with the lights off). 

    The center pedestal and an easy-to-reach port section on the far right of the TV make it great for setting on existing TV stands or even wall mounting. It also has super thin bezels, if you, like me, sometimes like to put on some art or fake window action in your living room. You know, to be classy.

    $1,599 at Amazon
    $1,000 at Best Buy
    $1,253 at Walmart

  • Photograph: Hisense

    This TV Also Rules

    Hisense U8H

    I prefer the Roku interface and pedestal mount of the TCL above, but all people are not me! Many folks (myself included) are in love with the latest mid-tier option from Hisense (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It's super bright, has similar Mini-LED tech, and features an awesome Google TV interface that makes it perfect for Chrome users and Android owners. 

    I like how easy to move this model is, thanks to its thicker design, but I'm not the biggest fan of its legs. They're aesthetically pleasing, but they can make it hard to place longer soundbars in front of the set. For that reason, I'd try to wall-mount this model if I bought it. Low input lag and AMD FreeSync built in make it a decent choice for gaming, albeit just as good as the 6-Series above. It does get brighter overall, though, so if you watch in a room with windows, start here first.

    $700 at Amazon
    $700 at Best Buy

  • Photograph: Amazon

    Best Entry-Level TV

    TCL 5 Series (2022)

    TCL's partnership with Roku has made its TVs quite popular—and they deserve the attention. The 6-Series offers the most perks, but the latest 5-Series 4K TV with HDR is the entry-level TV we recommend. 

    It has full-array local dimming, which means it has deeper contrast than many budget TVs, and quantum-dot technology means better colors. It's usable for gaming thanks to AMD FreeSync, and it looks miles better than the HD or early 4K set you might have right now. It comes with built-in Roku, so the remote is easy to use, and it streams right out of the box. We recommend the 55-inch model, because it's the best bang for your buck, but TCL makes other sizes. The larger you go, the more you might want to consider wall-mounting or buying an aftermarket pedestal mount.

    $500 at Amazon
    $500 at Best Buy

  • Photograph: Vizio

    Another Great Mid-Tier TV

    Vizio M-Series Quantum X (2022)

    Don't sleep on Vizio's offerings. The latest M-Series Quantum X (8/10, WIRED Recommends) has better legs than the Hisense above (they're closer together), and I'm genuinely a fan of the Vizio Smartcast interface. The downside? It's not as bright as the above TVs. But still, quantum dots and Vizio's excellent local dimming make for one of the prettiest TVs in dark rooms. Also, it's under a thousand dollars! I also liked gaming on this model, which has a 120-Hz refresh rate in 4K, matching the maximum output for the latest consoles from Microsoft and Sony.

    $630 at Amazon
    $628 at Walmart

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