All new 4k TVs have a smart platform that includes features and apps. Some manufacturers use proprietary platforms, such as Samsung with its Tizen OS and LG with its webOS, while others prefer to integrate third-party options like Google TV or Roku. No matter the smart platform, it's going to have all the major streaming apps, so you'll be sure to find apps for services like Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video on any modern TV. Most smart platforms also support casting from your phone, USB playback, and voice control, but some do offer unique features. However, you shouldn't get a TV based solely on its smart platform, and you should typically prioritize image quality instead.
Although many 2026 smart TVs are now available to purchase, you may not see them in this article until the latter half of the year, since they're very expensive near release and most of them don't offer a big improvement over their 2025 predecessors. Right now is a great time to buy a 2025 model, since they're on sale for much cheaper than the newer versions.
Below are our recommendations for the best smart televisions. Also, see our picks for the best movie TVs, the best 4k TVs, and the best-sounding TVs. If you need a soundbar to pair with your new smart TV, check out our best soundbars article. You can also vote on which TVs you want us to buy and test. To learn more about the 2026 TV landscape, check out our 2026 TV lineup page.
We buy and test dozens of TVs yearly, taking an objective, data-driven approach to deliver results you can trust. Our testing process is complex, with hundreds of individual tests that take over a week to complete. Most of our tests use specially designed test patterns that mimic real content, but we also use the same sources you have at home to ensure our results match the real-world experience. We use two main tools for our testing: a Colorimetry Research CR-100 colorimeter and a CR-250 spectroradiometer.
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Best Smart TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Smart OS:See all our test resultsSizes:55" 65" 77" 83"The best smart TV we've tested is the Samsung S95F OLED. It's an outstanding TV with a great selection of smart features, including support for Bixby and Alexa voice assistants. If you don't want to use voice assistants, its well-organized Tizen smart interface is fast, easy to use, and has a huge selection of streaming apps. Its QD-OLED panel is extremely colorful, making it one of the most vibrant options on the market. It also has an incredibly wide viewing angle, so you don't have to worry about the TV's image quality degrading if you're watching from the sides of the screen.
Like all OLEDs, it looks great in a dark room thanks to its perfect, inky blacks. It's certainly no slouch in a room with the lights on either, since its combination of spectacular brightness and a matte coating means you don't have to worry about reflections on the screen. It's also loaded with modern gaming features like four HDMI 2.1 ports, up to 4k @ 165Hz, and VRR. The only knock against the TV is that it doesn't support Dolby Vision, which might bother some home theater enthusiasts. However, it does support the similar HDR10+. It comes with Samsung's unique external Slim One Connect Box, which allows for flexibility when plugging in your devices.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Smart TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Smart OS:See all our test resultsSizes:42" 48" 55" 65" 77" 83"Do you want an OLED but find the Samsung S95F OLED too expensive? If so, the LG C5 OLED is an excellent option. The TV has the same inky blacks as any OLED, so the image has amazing depth. It also has a very wide viewing angle, making it suitable for large spaces with couches or chairs that are angled toward the screen. Although colors aren't as vivid as they are on QD-OLEDs like the S95F, they still look rich and vibrant in most scenes. The TV is bright enough to handle glare in moderately lit rooms, but reflections are still visible in very bright spaces, such as a living room with the curtains open on a sunny day. Fortunately, blacks remain incredibly deep in a bright room, so you're not giving up much image quality if you're not in a dark space.
This TV has four HDMI 2.1 ports that support up to 4k @ 144Hz with VRR, so you don't have to worry about missing out on modern gaming features. It runs LG's webOS, which has many features like Multi View, voice control, and game streaming directly from the TV. The TV comes with LG's Magic Remote that has a built-in motion sensor, allowing you to point and navigate like you would with a Nintendo Wii Remote. HDR10+ isn't supported on this model, but this TV does support the popular Dolby Vision format, which is widely supported on streaming services and physical media.
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Best Mid-Range Smart TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Smart OS:See all our test resultsSizes:65" 75" 85" 98"If the two OLEDs above are too expensive, or you just simply want a Mini LED model, the TCL QM8K is a fantastic choice. Not only is it our choice for the best mid-range smart TV, but it's also one of the best Mini LED TVs money can buy. It runs the very popular Google TV OS, which offers a massive selection of apps and games and an easy-to-use smart interface with voice control. It doesn't display the same perfect blacks as OLEDs do, but it's surprisingly close, since its local dimming makes blacks incredibly deep and bold, with almost no haloing around subtitles and highlights. This is one of the brightest options on the market, and it has solid reflection handling, so it easily overcomes glare in very bright rooms. It also displays a wide range of bright and punchy colors, making it a versatile TV that looks great in any room.
It only has two HDMI 2.1 ports, which might be limiting for those with several gaming consoles. However, those two ports support 4k @ 144Hz and VRR, so you can take full advantage of your Xbox, PlayStation, or Switch 2. This TV supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, so you're covered no matter which HDR format your content uses. Its viewing angle is good enough if you have a couch or chair at a slight angle to the screen, but its image quality degrades at more aggressive angles, limiting its usefulness in very large rooms.
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Best Lower Mid-Range Smart TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Smart OS:See all our test resultsSizes:55" 65" 75" 85" 98"The TCL QM7K is the best lower mid-range smart TV. It runs the same version of the Google TV OS as the more expensive TCL QM8K and has most of the same features. Although the TV is dimmer than TCL's higher-end model, it's still bright enough to overcome glare in well-lit rooms. Blacks are almost as deep and bold, especially in dark rooms, but there's more apparent haloing around highlights and subtitles. Some colors aren't as bright, but the TV still displays very vibrant colors in most content. Unfortunately, the TV's viewing angle is narrow, so it's best to sit as centered to the screen as possible.
Not only does this model have solid image quality, but it also offers a ton of modern gaming features. It has two HDMI 2.1 ports and supports 4k @ 144Hz, 1080p @ 288Hz, and VRR, so it's a great option for console and PC gamers alike. It even supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, so you're covered no matter what HDR format your content is being shown in. If you want a TV that offers a complete package of solid image quality and a ton of features without spending a ton, the QM7K is a great option.
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Best Budget Smart TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Smart OS:See all our test resultsSizes:55" 65" 75" 85" 98"If you like the features found on the TCL QM7K but need something more affordable, the TCL QM6K is the best budget smart TV. While it doesn't match the higher-end model's image quality, it still produces a pleasing image that will impress most people. Colors are more muted but are punchy enough that they don't appear washed out. Blacks aren't as bold, but they're still deep enough to give the image solid depth, especially for a budget option. The TV is bright enough to fight glare in well-lit rooms. On the other hand, its lower HDR brightness means most highlights don't stand out as much as they should in HDR movies, TV shows, and games. Still, it delivers a decent HDR experience overall. Like the other TCL options, it has a narrow viewing angle, so for the best image quality, sit directly in front of the screen.
It includes the same core features as its more expensive sibling, including two HDMI 2.1 ports, support for 4k @ 144Hz, 1080p @ 288Hz, VRR, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, so even though you don't get the same level of image quality, you get the same features. It even runs the same version of Google TV, so you get voice control and access to a massive library of apps and games. Similar models from more established brands like Sony, LG, and Samsung are typically more expensive and are a lot lighter on features, so this TV truly stands out in the budget category.
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Best Cheap Smart TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Smart OS:See all our test resultsSizes:43" 50" 55" 65" 75" 85" 100"If you just want something cheap that allows you to ditch your external streaming device, the Hisense QD6QF is a good option. This model runs the Fire TV OS, which isn't as popular as Google TV, but still gives you access to a big catalog of apps. It also still offers some features, such as voice control, so you're not missing out on a ton of smart features by going with this model. Unlike the TCL QM6K and the other LED models on our list, this one doesn't have local dimming, so blacks look gray. It's just bright enough to combat glare in a room with moderate lighting, but it's not nearly bright enough for more well-lit rooms. Furthermore, it's just too dim in HDR and isn't colorful enough to provide an impactful HDR viewing experience. It's also not a great choice for wide seating arrangements since it has a pretty narrow viewing angle.
Despite not offering a very good HDR experience, the TV supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, so compatibility certainly isn't an issue. Unfortunately, it's pretty light on gaming features, but this is expected from a low-cost TV. However, it does support VRR to reduce screen tearing. It doesn't have the features needed to really take advantage of modern consoles, but it's not a bad choice for casual gamers who only play once in a while.
Notable Mentions
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LG G5 OLED:
The LG G5 OLED is one of the top OLED TVs available and is a competitor to the Samsung S95F OLED. Sadly, the LG has subtle diagonal lines in some dark scenes if you sit close to the screen. Because the Samsung delivers more reliable performance, handles bright rooms better, and has the edge with color vibrancy, it's the easier model to recommend.
See our review -
Samsung S90F OLED:
The Samsung S90F OLED competes with the LG C5 OLED. The Samsung offers more vibrant colors if you get one of the sizes with a QD-OLED panel, so it's a great choice if you prioritize color vibrancy or if you just prefer the Tizen OS. However, the LG is more versatile, since it's better for bright rooms, has superior processing, and supports Dolby Vision.
See our review -
LG B5 OLED:
If you'd rather the incredibly clear motion and wide viewing angle that an OLED provides over a mid-range option like the TCL QM8K, you can get the LG B5 OLED for around the same cost. Since the TCL is drastically brighter, has similar black levels, and offers a more complete package, it's the better option for most people.
See our review -
Hisense U75QG:
The Hisense U75QG is comparable to the TCL QM7K but delivers higher peak brightness. However, it makes HDR content appear brighter than intended and shows more noticeable motion blur because of slower pixel transitions. With clearer motion and better black levels, the TCL stands out as the better overall TV.
See our review -
Hisense U65QF:
The Hisense U65QF is a brighter alternative to the TCL QM6K, but it significantly overbrightens HDR content, which means it strays from the content creator's original intent. On the other hand, the TCL delivers a more well-rounded experience with deeper blacks, better color accuracy, support for 1080p @ 288Hz, and lower input lag.
See our review -
TCL S551G:
The TCL S551G is a solid alternative to the Hisense QD6QF for those who prefer Google TV over Fire TV. However, the Hisense has better picture quality, so it's the better model for most people looking for a cheap smart TV.
See our review
Recent Updates
May 28, 2026:
We replaced the Samsung S90F OLED with the LG C5 OLED in the 'Best Upper Mid-Range' category to offer more variety in our picks. We also moved the S90F to the Notable Mentions and revised text throughout the article for clarity.
May 08, 2026:
We added mentions of the Samsung S95H OLED in the 'Best Smart TV' category and the Samsung S90H OLED in the 'Best Upper Mid-Range Smart TV' category.
Mar 27, 2026:
We revised the introduction and updated some text throughout the article for clarity.
Feb 04, 2026:
We confirmed the availability and accuracy of our current picks.
Dec 11, 2025:
Tweaked some text for clarity and confirmed that our picks are still accurate.
What Is A Smart TV?
A smart TV is a television connected to the internet that provides web-related features. It has built-in apps for streaming and usually an app store where you can download your favorite apps. Built-in smart platforms are similar to streaming boxes from Apple and Roku, and while smart TVs were once much slower, they've gotten a lot better over the past few years.
Not only does almost every TV include smart features, but most of them are also pretty good. Most shoppers will be pleased by the features of any of the smart platforms. Don't fret too much about features if you're shopping for the best TV for streaming, because the picture quality is still more important. Instead, focus on picture quality or other features that complement your usage, and you'll get much closer to finding your perfect TV.
Learn more about smart platforms.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best TVs for streaming currently available with smart features. They are adapted to be valid for most people in each price range, so this article will help you find the best smart TV for the money in your budget. The rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is a list of all our recent reviews of smart TVs. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no TV is perfect, most TVs are great enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.