How to shop for a new TV
What to know about screen sizes, connecting devices, resolution and more
Whether you’re a sports fanatic, cable news junkie, sitcom binger or blockbuster movie streamer, a quality television can enhance your viewing experience. If your current model isn’t up to the task — or you’re simply ready for an upgrade, here’s what to know about buying a new TV.
DETERMINE YOUR NEEDS
“It’s such a competitive market and screens are made by such a small number of manufacturers that almost all TVS are good,” says Scott Olechowski, chief product officer and co-owner of streaming service Plex. It’s a matter of matching your needs and preferences with a specific model.
Once you have a size in mind, start researching specific models. Consumer Reports lists which brands and models are the most reliable and offer the best value based on extensive independent testing. Then check online reviews for more detailed information about specific TVS you’re interested in, says Eric Rosenberg, a finance and technology writer in Ventura, Calif. Compare brands and prices, then dig into specific features.
FOCUS ON THE SCREEN
Everyone processes images differently, so what looks great to you may be fuzzy or dim to someone else. That’s why it’s critical to visit a store with other household members and see how everyone likes the picture on different models, says Michael Yokota-llewellyn, lead technician and audio-video expert at Onsite Consulting in Denver.
Typically, retailers set TVS to “retail” mode so they look good in the store’s unnatural environment (fluorescent lights or windowless viewing rooms). Ask the salesperson for the remote and turn off retail mode to see the screen with the settings you’d use at home.
CONSIDER ESTHETICS
“If you don’t intend to wallmount the television, ask to see the stand or look on the box for a picture,” Olechowski says.another option: Many newer models of higher-end TVS are framed to make them more palatable.
LEARN THE LANGUAGE
Knowing a few marketing buzzwords can help you cut through the hype. All TVS are now “smart,” for example, which means they can connect to the internet and install applications.
Resolution — meaning the quality and clarity of the picture — is measured by the number of pixels on your screen. The current standard is 4K (3,840 by 2,160 pixels), which is about four times more than older HD models. Some very large models (think 75 inches and up) offer 8K resolution, but are ridiculously expensive, Yokota-llewellyn says.
THINK ABOUT CONNECTIONS
Do you have speakers, a gaming console or a DVD player? Make a list of every device you plan to plug into your set, Yokota-llewellyn says, and take it with you to the store to ensure that the new TV has enough — and the right kind of — ports. You might want to look for a model with one or two extra spots to give you room to grow.
ACCESSORIES
Most TVS sound awful. “The speakers are on the back and some are no larger than on the average laptop computer,” Yokota-llewellyn says. Be prepared to buy an external sound bar, which sits in front of the TV and starts around $60. Or you can invest in a surround sound system — a wired or wireless network of small speakers placed around a room.
Expect to pay between $400 and $1,000 for mid- to high-grade sets.