If you are shopping for a new television set, picking the right one means striking a balance between price, screen dimensions suited to your viewing space and top notch picture performance. I have put most of today's televisions through direct comparisons inside a specialized testing facility to guide you toward the strongest value option. Note that the models listed here come from the 2025 lineup even as 2026 versions begin appearing in stores. Fresh evaluations of the newest sets will follow soon, such as coverage of the Samsung S95H, though I recently completed an in depth assessment of the LG G6 OLED.

The Samsung S90F stands out for several reasons. It offers strong affordability, minimal weight, straightforward setup and some of the finest visuals I have encountered. Gamers will appreciate its minimal input lag and rich color reproduction. The panel produces deep blacks typical of premium OLED displays while preserving fine shadow detail.

Pros

The Samsung S90F delivers excellent image quality
Fast motion for gamers

Cons

It lacks the step up model's glare free coating
No Dolby Vision

Unlike prior OLED televisions that posted only small yearly gains, the LG G5 marks a major leap over the previous generation. The manufacturer claims a 40 percent brightness increase, a figure confirmed during my hands on tests, allowing the set to rival LCD competitors in clarity and impact. Color reproduction on the G5 surpasses every other television examined over the past year, even outperforming its successor the G6, earning it the CNET Labs Award for Best Color Accuracy. Gaming performance has also improved noticeably. For many buyers the added cost of roughly 800 dollars over the C5 model justifies the upgrade.

Pros

The G5 has the highest brightness of any OLED TV yet
It's capable of stunning image quality

Cons

Brightness boost is not visible in all content
Remote is not as good as previous versions
Expensive compared to LG C5

For those seeking the premier television available in 2026, the Samsung S95F fits the bill. It builds on the strengths of last year's S95D with refined picture quality, rapid gaming response and outstanding reflection control, delivering further enhancements across the board. Its ability to minimize glare makes it especially suitable for brightly lit environments. Although contrast softens slightly when lights are on, the overall reduction in reflections makes the compromise worthwhile.

Pros

Best overall image quality I've tested
Best in class glare reduction in a bright room
Superior contrast and off angle viewing
Ultrathin panel with external input box

Cons

Expensive
Slightly diminished contrast in bright rooms

Recognized as the brightest television evaluated to date, the TCL QM9K earned the first Lab Test Award for Brightest TV Screen. Peak output reaches 4520 nits, roughly 500 nits above its closest rival the Hisense U8QG. This luminosity benefits both daytime movie viewing and demanding game sessions. Priced below flagship OLED options such as the LG G5 and Sony Bravia 8 II, the set also provides quicker gaming response than many premium alternatives.

Pros

The TCL QM9K is able to take on OLED for picture quality
It has class leading brightness levels
Backlight blooming on this TV is virtually nonexistent

Cons

Yet OLED is still better
The TV's color isn't accurate
It occasionally crushes shadow detail

The Hisense QD7QF benefits from full array local dimming technology rarely found at this price point, an upgrade absent from the prior QD7N model. The result is picture quality previously unseen in budget televisions, with enhanced contrast that lends images greater depth and presence.

Pros

The Hisense QD7QF has excellent image quality thanks to local dimming
It's bright compared to rivals
This TV is great for gaming

Cons

Not much of note

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Whether your priority is sports broadcasts, interactive gaming or streaming content, a suitable model appears on this list. Keep in mind that television technology evolves gradually, so annual changes tend to be incremental. In many cases a prior year set can deliver comparable results at a lower cost.

The televisions highlighted here represent the strongest current choices, spanning premium QLED and OLED units down to mid tier mini LED displays and affordable 4K smart models. CNET has recognized the LG G5 with its inaugural Labs Award for Best Color Accuracy, while the TCL QM9K holds the record for the brightest screen tested.

What we updated: June 2026
This guide has been refreshed with more information about 2026 models, including a link to the LG G6 review. All pricing has been updated.

These are the best TVs for 2026

Pros

The Samsung S90F delivers excellent image quality
Fast motion for gamers

Cons

It lacks the step up model's glare free coating
No Dolby Vision

The Samsung S90F has a lot going for it. It is relatively affordable, super light, easy to install and delivers some of the best images I have ever seen. It is great for gaming too, with super low lag scores and well saturated colors. It produces the infinite black levels of the best OLEDs while maintaining excellent shadow detail. The only drawback, shared with other Samsung televisions, is the absence of Dolby Vision support, although HDR10 Plus suffices for most viewers. It also lacks the glare rejecting coating found on the higher end S95F, limiting its performance in well lit rooms. Overall the Samsung S90F remains a superb choice with strong contrast and vivid colors that bring cinematic quality home.

Pros

The G5 has the highest brightness of any OLED TV yet
It is capable of stunning image quality

Cons

Brightness boost is not visible in all content
Remote is not as good as previous versions
Expensive compared to LG C5

While most OLED televisions have shown only modest yearly progress, the LG G5 represents a substantial advance over its predecessor. LG claims a 40 percent brightness improvement, verified in testing, enabling it to compete with LCD models in clarity and vibrancy. Color accuracy exceeds that of any set examined in the past twelve months, including the newer G6, earning the CNET Labs Award for Best Color Accuracy. Gaming capabilities have likewise improved. For suitable buyers the roughly 800 dollar premium over the C5 is justified. High brightness also aids performance in lit rooms, though glare reduction trails the Samsung S95F and G6. With outstanding clarity, dynamic contrast and bold hues, the LG G5 offers an ideal mix of picture quality and luminance.

Pros

Best overall image quality I have tested
Best in class glare reduction in a bright room
Superior contrast and off angle viewing
Ultrathin panel with external input box

Cons

Expensive
Slightly diminished contrast in bright rooms

If you seek the finest television available in 2026, Samsung's S95F delivers. It refines the qualities admired in last year's S95D, including superb picture quality, rapid gaming response and excellent anti glare properties. Its reflection suppression makes it ideal for bright environments. Some contrast reduction occurs with lights on, yet it remains less noticeable than on the S95D and the low reflectivity justifies the trade off. Picture performance matches expectations for an OLED with lively colors and superb contrast. A roughly 30 percent brightness increase in 2025 allows it to rival the even brighter LG G5 on paper. The main downside is the high price, but as Samsung's flagship OLED the S95F rewards buyers with outstanding results for movies and games in a sleek design.

Pros

The TCL QM9K is able to take on OLED for picture quality
It has class leading brightness levels
Backlight blooming on this TV is virtually nonexistent

Cons

Yet OLED is still better
The TV's color isn't accurate
It occasionally crushes shadow detail

As the brightest television tested, the TCL QM9K received the inaugural Lab Test Award for Brightest TV Screen. Maximum brightness hits 4520 nits, about 500 nits above the nearest competitor the Hisense U8QG. This luminosity proves valuable for movies in bright rooms or intense gaming sessions. It remains less expensive than flagship OLED models such as the LG G5 and Sony Bravia 8 II while offering faster gaming response than many premium sets. For dedicated gamers the QM9K pairs well with high brightness and quick response. Those prioritizing picture quality at similar cost might consider the LG G5 or more affordable options like the Hisense U8Q or TCL QM8K.

Pros

The Hisense QD7QF has excellent image quality thanks to local dimming
It is bright compared to rivals
This TV is great for gaming

Cons

Not much of note

Full array local dimming underpins the Hisense QD7QF's performance, a feature uncommon in lower priced models and missing from the prior QD7N. Consequently this Hisense achieves picture quality levels never before seen at such an affordable price point. Improved contrast imparts greater solidity to images. Higher brightness, more than double that of other budget 2025 models tested side by side, further enhances immersion during gameplay. Current pricing fluctuates, recently listed at 309 dollars for the 50 inch size after previously reaching 400 dollars. Should stock run low or prices rise, the 2024 Fire TV 4 series remains a strong alternative despite lacking local dimming.