These are the best TVs to buy for cinematic quality at home
There’s never been a better time to be a couch potato.
With terrestrial channels knocking it out of the park when it comes to compelling dramas and light entertainment, and a plethora of streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video offering high-quality, often cinematic TV shows, we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to great things to watch.
But to make the most of this televisual goodness, you’ll want the best TV for the job, one with a pin-sharp 4K picture and sound that immerses you in the action.
So which TV is right for you? Our expert guide to the best TVs for 2025 will help you make up your mind.
How we test TVs
To help you buy the best telly for your needs, we put all models through a series of tests to determine their strengths and weaknesses. Picture quality is obviously a top priority, after all, you’ll want to watch TV shows, sports and movies in pristine clarity. To access image quality we use a variety of material that showcases a TV’s ability to shine with high brightness, and intrigue with deep, nuanced black levels.
One big differentiator between models and brands is their ability to handle HDR (High Dynamic Range) content. The best offer a dynamic image that has punch and depth; the worst have images that look flat and dull. We measure peak brightness using industry-standard patterns, comparing models against others in their class.
We also consider how TVs perform in different viewing environments - bright rooms and dark theatres - and how they might look in your living space. We look at the ease of use, taking a close look at the smart TV platform for each model, considering the overall design and audio performance.
The best TVs must be intuitive to set up and use. We look at whether the onscreen prompts clear and concise. We also judge how good streaming service support is, and consider general everyday use. Finally, we turn our attention to sound. The best TVs have sophisticated audio systems that offer a cinema-like listening experience, and ensure that dialogue is clean and understandable. Others often need the help of an optional soundbar.
Panasonic TV-65Z95AEB
Score: 98/100
If you’re after the top home cinema experience, this Panasonic OLED TV is hard to beat, winning our tests with a high score of 98/100. Its stunning 4K picture quality brings movies and shows to life, with deep blacks, bright highlights, and rich detail in every scene. Thanks to clever image processing and top-notch HDR support, everything looks its best, whether you’re watching a dark thriller or a colourful animated film.
The sound is just as impressive. With multiple built-in speakers, including ones that fire sound upwards for a more immersive effect, plus a powerful subwoofer, you get deep bass and clear dialogue without needing a separate sound system.
It’s also the first high-end TV to run on Amazon’s Fire TV platform, meaning all your favourite streaming apps are built in. Plus, with a Freely tuner, you can watch BBC, ITV, and other major channels over wifi, without needing an aerial or satellite dish.
Gamers will appreciate the fast response time and dedicated gaming features, though only two of this TV’s HDMI ports support the highest refresh rates. The Z95A is definitely a premium TV with a price tag to match, but if you want top-quality picture and sound in one package, this is the one to pick.
55OLED909
Score: 95/100
The Philips OLED909 combines top-tier performance with stunning design. Its ultra-thin bezel and “Ambilight” mood lighting make it a standout in any living room. The Ambilight system uses lights on the back of the TV to “extend” the colours from the screen onto the wall behind it, creating an immersive viewing experience. You can also sync it to your smart home lighting for extra ambience.
This TV’s picture quality is highly impressive, thanks to its excellent OLED panel and powerful processor. On test, HDR content from Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video looked incredibly bright and vivid, with deep contrast and rich colours that make images pop. It also handles fast-moving sports smoothly, though gamers should note that, while it supports 4K at 120Hz on two HDMI ports, its 60Hz performance isn’t the best.
Sound is another highlight, with a high-quality Bowers & Wilkins speaker system delivering impressively clear and powerful audio. It’s not a full home cinema setup, but it’s better than most built-in TV speakers.
The Google TV smart platform is easy to use and packed with streaming apps, though UK catch-up TV options are currently limited to just ITVx and My5. If you’re after a stylish, high-performing OLED TV, though, this is one of the best we’ve tried.
A80L OLED (XR-65A80L) 4K OLED HDR TV
Score: 95/100
It may not be Sony’s flagship set, but this well-appointed OLED TV is a brilliant value-for-money proposition. The picture quality from streaming services like Netflix and Disney+ is excellent, with superb detail and wide, vibrant colour, and its 50W Acoustic Surface Audio sound accompaniment is crisp and powerful.
We reckon the set is ideal for long weekends spent watching back-to-back episodes of your favourite TV shows, and there’s plenty available from the Google TV smart platform. The TV even comes with Sony’s dedicated movie streaming service, Sony Pictures Core (formerly Bravia Core).
The screen earns top marks for its slick, minimalist design and metallic grey colour scheme. Two of its four HDMIs are 120Hz 4K compatible, for high frame rate game playing on the newest consoles. Its “Motion Flow” motion handling is also extremely effective and works well for live sports, so consider this a great choice for watching the footie.
QE65S95D QD-OLED 4K HDR TV
Score: 93/100
The Samsung S95D is not your average OLED telly. It’s a third-generation QD-OLED model, which employs a quantum dot filter to heighten the intensity of its colour performance. It’s also stunningly bright for OLED technology.
We hauled the 65-inch model onto our test bench (55 and 77-inch screen sizes are also available) and were wowed by its performance. The S95D delivers HDR peak brightness that ensures images have a huge dynamic range and are capable of deliciously high contrast. Blacks are inky dark, colours bright and engaging, all with superb levels of detail. The only downside is the lack of Dolby Vision HDR support, often coveted by film fans.
The set has another unique attraction, and that’s a glare-free matte screen which significantly reduces unwanted screen reflections. You can view the TV in a brightly lit room, and daylight will barely impinge. We found this anti-reflection filter works remarkably well. There’s something quite cinematic about sitting in front of a screen in a darkened room, without seeing your own reflection or any errant table lamps.
Connected TV functionality is extensive. It works seamlessly with SmartThings devices, while the Tizen smart TV platform offers a comprehensive selection of streaming services (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and more), plus all the mainstream catch-up TV players like BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
One distinguishing point about the S95D is its One Connect Box. Separate from the screen itself, it’s into this that you plug your aerial feed (terrestrial or satellite) and any connected devices. There’s a choice of four HDMI inputs, plus a trio of USB ports, and a digital optical audio output. The One Connect Box then connects to the panel using a single lead, which also supplies power. This keeps things tidy when wall-mounting.
The set has good gaming functionality, with a dedicated Game Hub and enviably low latency. Not only are all HDMI inputs compatible with 4K 120Hz gameplay, there’s also a 144Hz frame rate mode for PC gamers. The audio performance is well above average for a screen this slim too. It directs audio around the set’s eight speakers, creating a sense of movement and sonic immersion. It can also be coupled to a Q Symphony-capable Samsung soundbar, wherein all available speakers are used in unison.
Overall, the S95D is a superb performer. If you’ve never considered an OLED before and can afford the high price tag, it’s well worth it.
Bravia 8
Score: 90/100
The Sony Bravia 8 is a fantastic choice for sports fans, thanks to its superb motion handling and smooth, detailed picture quality. This OLED TV delivers stunning visuals with rich detail and lifelike colours, making fast-moving action look crisp and fluid. While it’s not the brightest OLED out there, it still offers excellent HDR performance, and the “Vivid” mode makes images pop.
Its sleek, ultra-thin design looks great in any room, and you can position the feet centrally or at the edges to fit different TV stands. We also like how Sony includes two remotes: a standard one and a slim, backlit, USB-powered version.
Gamers will love the Bravia 8 too, with support for 120Hz 4K gameplay on two of its four HDMI ports, a handy game dashboard, and impressively low input lag. The sound quality is also a step above the competition, thanks to Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ system, which effectively turns the screen itself into a speaker (and has a built-in subwoofer) for immersive, well-balanced audio.
Running on Google TV, this set comes packed with streaming apps and UK catch-up services. Whether you’re watching a big match or playing your favourite game, the Bravia 8 delivers an outstanding experience.
65U8NQTUK
Score: 90/100
With the U8N models, Hisense delivers an excellent TV for living room viewing in normal ambient lighting, although this is a model that’s only available at either 65-inch or 75-inch, so it’s aimed at those with a lot of space for it. If you’ve got the room, it’s a terrific option for strong black levels and vibrant colours. We also loved the sleek design, with a minimal bezel and adjustable stand to accommodate a soundbar.
On test, it handled dark scenes well, with good contrast. Its upscaling is impressive, and the motion handling is solid with minimal blur. It’s also great in daylight as it reaches high brightness and deals with glare better than most TVs we’ve tested. There are some minor downsides to note like a slight halo effect around bright objects onscreen (like torches against black backgrounds) and some issues with the reproduction of yellow and purple colours. But it’s overall a terrific performer.
Its Dolby Atmos sound significantly enhances the audio experience and creates an immersive environment, and there are various sound presets that you can pick. In our testing, we also found the maximum volume provided impressive loudness without distortion. It’s a TV that excels for gaming too, delivering 4K quality at 120Hz with a low input lag. We did note that it doesn’t have a dedicated gaming preset, but there is a game menu for tweaking the most important settings for gamers.
We found it easy to use, especially with the integrated Freely service and a user-friendly remote control with buttons to take you directly to YouTube, Prime Video, Netflix, Freely and Disney+. The programme guide is intuitive and there’s a good choice of built-in streaming apps too. The voice control is also reliable, and both accessibility features and parental controls are well-implemented.
65U7NQTUK
Score: 90/100
There’s a lot of value here, including amazing picture and sound quality courtesy of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, impressive Mini LED backlighting, a sleek and minimal look with a thin bezel design and high frame rate support for 4K 120Hz and 4K 144Hz gaming.
During our tests at the GHI, we noted peak brightness levels and black-level performance that come close to what we’ve experienced from OLED panels. Native 4K content is sharp, and the HD and SD upscaling was clear and detailed too. We noted strong colour reproduction with accurate vibrancy and natural tones. We were also impressed by the clarity in bright and dimly lit environments – it’ll work well for daytime viewing.
The Hisense is especially impressive when it comes to accessibility options. We think the option that reads aloud what you’re currently highlighting with your remote will be invaluable to some users. We like that there’s a good range of voice control options, but it didn’t always accurately pick up what we said. However, we did find that parental controls are intuitive and easy to access.
It is a great option for gamers with its low input lag and high frame rate options, although it is a shame that it doesn’t have a dedicated gaming mode. It has a great range of streaming apps including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, and essential catchup services like BBC iPlayer, ITVx, Channel 4 and My5.
The durable construction withstood our drop test and although the stand doesn’t swivel, we’re fans of the TV’s sophisticated design.
Fire TV Omni Mini-LED
Score: 89/100
Amazon’s premium Mini LED TV is an impressive competitor. It’s super slim but still delivers a great picture, with deep blacks and bright, vivid colours. To get the best experience, switch the picture mode from “Standard”, which dims the brightness to save power, to “Vivid”, for a punchier look.
This TV supports all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+, making movies and shows look sharp and detailed. As you’d expect, it works seamlessly with Amazon’s Fire TV platform, offering all the big streaming services and catch-up apps. Plus, it comes with the Fire TV Ambient Experience, which lets you display artwork, personal photos, or useful info when the TV is on standby.
Voice control is built-in with Alexa, so you can turn on the TV and search for content hands-free. The sound quality is decent, but if you want a more immersive experience, you can add a soundbar or connect Bluetooth headphones for private listening. Gamers will appreciate the smooth performance, thanks to low input lag and a 120Hz refresh rate for optimised console gaming.
If you’re after a smart, stylish, and feature-packed TV with Amazon’s operating system and “Ambient Experience”, this is a fantastic choice.
C4 (OLED65C4) 4K OLED TV
Score: 88/100
The latest iteration of LG’s best-selling OLED Evo TV line, and a replacement for the 2023 C3 model, the C4 boasts excellent picture quality, generous connectivity and class-leading gaming features.
Connection options include four HDMI ports (one with eARC/ARC support) capable of 4K 120Hz playback, three USB inputs, LAN, Bluetooth, wifi, and an optical audio output. It also has both satellite and Freeview Play terrestrial tuners. The TV comes in various screen sizes from 42 to 83 inches and we put the 65-inch model through its paces.
In good news for gamers, all four HDMI inputs support 4K 120Hz gameplay, and there’s also compatibility for smooth PC gaming. A “Game Optimizer with Dashboard” mode offers easy access to gaming settings, and the latency is good, we only measured a 13-millisecond input lag in the game mode.
It uses LG’s proven webOS platform for smart functionality, where there’s a wide selection of popular streaming apps and catch-up TV services available. The ease of use is good too – this model introduces user profiles for personalised recommendations and offers improved app navigation.
The image quality is also outstanding on the C4. The OLED panel benefits from brightness-boosting picture processing, which delivers excellent peak highlights that add depth and detail to its pictures. The colours are vibrant but never overly garish, while motion handling is also excellent, with various picture modes available. A Cinema Home mode is ideal for movie enthusiasts, while sports benefit from smooth interpolation.
The 20W audio experience benefits from AI-enhanced virtual soundscapes. However, our advice would be to pair this model with a compatible LG soundbar, for “Wow Orchestra” functionality, which means both the soundbar and the set’s speakers work simultaneously.
Overall, we rate the LG C4 as a well-specified, high-performance OLED television. Whether you're an avid gamer or a movie buff, you’re guaranteed an impressive viewing experience.
C805 4K QD Mini LED
Score: 86/100
If you’re looking for a slim 4K TV that ticks all the boxes, without costing loads of cash, then TCL’s C805 should top your shortlist. This QD Mini LED model oozes style and is feature-packed. We love its brushed titanium metal frontage, with a single central pedestal, and the tech specification is formidable.
With four HDMI inputs, there’s support for high frame rate 4K 120Hz and 4K 144Hz gaming, so console and PC owners won’t feel short-changed. Film fans get Dolby Vision along with an excellent HDR performance.
Making great use of its Mini LED backlight, this model offers precise HDR control, with class-leading peak brightness and perfect inky blacks, while colours are deep, rich and vibrant. Google TV is TCL’s smart platform of choice, and it comes with all the usual streaming apps and mainstream catch-up services. The set also works with Alexa and has Google Assistant voice control.
The stereo audio system, designed by Onkyo, isn’t as spectacular as the picture, but you can always upgrade to a Dolby Atmos soundbar for immersive audio. The C805 is available in 50, 55, 65, 75, 85, and 98-inch screen sizes. We tested the 50-inch model, which sells for a sensible price of £599.
Canvas TV 55S7NQTUK
Score: 80/100
There’s finally some competition in the world of “artwork” TVs. In fact, we’re even more impressed by the Hisense Canvas than we were with the last Samsung Frame we tested. This is a beautiful telly with an appealing design, a matte display that’s designed to reduce the effect of ambient light, and magnetic wooden frames that come in the box (these are an optional extra on the rival).
When not in use, the Canvas transforms into a striking art display with a gallery of landscapes and iconic art pieces. On test, we were impressed at how well the display dealt with glare and reflections, and that it was great at showcasing scenes with fast motion and vibrant colours, while having enough brightness for well-lit rooms. It did leave a little to be desired when it came to HDR performance and contrast, but the overall experience is immersive.
We found that using a soundbar with the TV on the stand would likely mean that the soundbar would obscure the picture, but this is clearly designed for wall-mounting instead. We found it capable for sound, especially for clear dialogue at moderate volumes. But, at higher volumes, it can become unbalanced. We’d recommend a soundbar for the best experience.
The Canvas is easy-to-use and packed full of all the most important streaming apps in its operating system. It also doesn’t disappoint for gamers, with low lag, adaptive refresh rates and the ability to play games from the latest consoles in full 4K resolution at 120Hz. So, if you’d like your TV to look like a work of art when wall-mounted, the Hisense Canvas is the one we’d recommend.
Which is better: OLED, QLED, or LED?
There’s a choice of different screen technologies available, all with different strengths.
LED (Light-emitting diode) is the de facto standard screen technology, and you’ll find it used universally at the more affordable end of the market. There are variations in executions, depending on the backlight technique used.
QLED (Quantum-dot light-emitting diode) is a variation that includes a Quantum Dot filter, which improves colour reproduction.
Mini LED is more advanced, with thousands of little LED lamps that are used to light up the image. Mini LED TVs combine high brightness with wide colour, for a premium viewing experience.
Then there’s OLED (Organic light-emitting diode), a highly-rated screen technology which is self-emissive, so no backlight is required, OLED screens are known for their excellent black levels but often don’t go quite as bright as their brightest LED rivals. We have a separate roundup for some of the best OLED TVs.
How much should a new TV cost?
You can pay as little or as much as you want for a new living room TV, as prices range from £200 to several thousand.
Typically the amount you’ll pay is related to screen size. 32-inch TVs generally can be had for less than £200, but invariably they are limited to HD (1080p) or HD Ready (720p) resolution. 43-inch screens are a mid-range option. Ultra high definition (UHD) 50-inch and 55-inch 4K HDR-enabled screens are available from £350 upwards. For those on a budget, we have another roundup featuring some of the best TVs under £500.
If you’re after a step-up model, look to the mid-range, where sets are priced at £999 or thereabouts. It’s here you’ll find colour-rich QLED models with 65-inch screen sizes.
However, if you want to shortlist the best-performing TVs, budget around £2,000 or more. This opens the door to the finest OLED TVs and Mini LED models. Not only does picture quality improve dramatically at this price point, but built-in sound systems get a lot more sophisticated, with multiple speakers and hi-fi levels of amplification.
If you plan to fix the TV to a wall using one of the best TV wall mounts, you can go large on the screen size.
Things to consider when buying a TV
There are multiple factors to consider when buying a new TV, which can seem a bit daunting – so it’s well worth getting your wish list in order.
Screen size
The first issue to address is screen size. Measure the physical space you have available for your next TV, as it may not be simply a question of swapping like for like. If your current telly is five to seven years old, the bezel surrounding the picture is likely to be wider than that on contemporary models. This means you’ll be able to fit a larger screen size into the same space.
As a general rule, bigger is always better. Thanks to the advent of 4K Ultra High Definition, TV pictures are a lot more detailed than they used to be in the days when Standard Definition and even HD was the norm - but you’ll need a larger screen size to appreciate the benefit.
The market trend in screen sizes is moving toward bigger sets. 65-inch models are slowly giving way to 75-inch models, and these super-size models really bring the cinema experience home.
If you’re considering an 8K TV, then 75 inches upwards would be the sweet spot.
Streaming apps
The majority of new TVs are smart, which means they connect to the internet and let your TV access the main catch-up channels like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, and BritBox. And if you subscribe to Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, you’ll be able to watch shows and films without buying an extra gadget (known as a TV streaming device).
However, you should watch out, as every streaming service isn’t available on all TV models. For example, NOW (Sky’s entertainment service) isn’t available on some older LG and Samsung models.
Voice control
Some TVs feature a voice assistant that can control the TV, helping you search for your favourite shows and saving you from typing in the title.
You’ll find Alexa and Google Assistant (which are the more advanced systems that link up with your Alexa smart speaker, or Google Home device) on some models. The Sky Glass TV uses its own Sky voice control system, and you can use Bixby on some of the Samsung TVs.
Resolution
Your TV screen is made up of tiny pixel squares, and resolution is how we talk about how many pixels are on the screen. Essentially, this is how clear and sharp your TV will be able to display your favourite shows, with the basic spec offering up to 1080p (aka Full HD). We wouldn’t recommend going for anything below this, as the image quality just isn’t good enough. If you want the best available images and your budget allows for it, you should check out Ultra HD TVs (also called 4K).
All of the top streaming services offer access to HD content as a minimum and often have the option to upgrade to 4K for a higher monthly fee.
While 4K content is widely available from popular streaming apps, premium TV services, BBC iPlayer and 4K UHD Blu-ray discs, native 8K content is conspicuous by its absence. However, this isn’t the dealbreaker it once was. Premium 8K screens come with AI (artificial intelligence) powered upscaling that can look very convincing.
HDR
Another way to improve your shows is to look out for TVs that can display in HDR, or High Dynamic Range. This enhances colour reproduction and makes your screen pop with vibrancy, perfect if you’re watching cartoons with children or fully experiencing David Attenborough’s amazing Green Planet documentary. In the TV description, this can often be named HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision, or HLG.
Connectivity and ports
Connectivity is also important. Look to see how many HDMI inputs a set has, and what type they are. On budget TVs you’ll often get three HDMI V2.0 inputs, enough for connecting set-top boxes, streaming sticks and games consoles.
Upmarket screens will have four HDMI inputs, of which at least two should be V2.1 120Hz 4K enabled. If you’re connecting a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S, check to see how many HDMI inputs support High Frame Rate (HFR) 120HZ 4K gaming. Some models have HFR available on all four inputs, which is good for future-proofing, more commonly it’s just two.
Audio
Audio is the final differentiator. On budget and mid-range TVs, it can be average at best, but higher-end displays will often have multiple speakers creating a wider, more immersive presentation. Ensure one of the HDMI inputs is eARC compatible, as this will allow you to stream audio out of the TV into a soundbar.
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