Best TV 2024: The brightest, most accurate and smartest options as tested by our experts

Watching movies, sports or playing the latest games on one of the best TVs will make it feel like you’re right in the heart of the action. But with numerous manufacturers producing televisions at a wide range of price points, selecting the best TV for your needs isn’t a straightforward task.

That’s where we come in. Our experts have tested and reviewed TVs from all of the big brands – and some of the less influential players, too – so we’re in a great position to provide you with informed, impartial buying advice.

We’ve compiled a list of the best TVs we’ve tested over the past two years and below you’ll find short reviews of each of them, along with links to our full reviews, which provide in-depth analysis of their specifications and performance.

If you’re not sure what you’re looking for and want to learn more about TVs, our buying guide at the bottom of this page will tackle the key considerations when purchasing a new television.

Best TV: At a glance

How our experts test TVs

All of the televisions listed below have undergone rigorous testing using an X-Rite colorimeter and Portrait Displays’ Calman colour calibration software.

• We test numerous aspects of SDR and HDR performance, including peak brightness, colour gamut coverage, and colour and greyscale accuracy.
• We also watch a huge amount of content on the TVs we review. This content ranges from shows on terrestrial channels to films on streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video – if we find issues, we tell you about them.
• Gaming functionality is tested with a TV hooked up to a next-gen console, either the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.
• A TV’s audio reproduction is assessed with a wide variety of movies and music. We also take the time to watch varied content on the TV during the testing period and try out all the major supported audio formats.

Using the above methodology to test TVs, we can provide data-led reviews focussing on important performance indicators. The data we collect is used to compare different models objectively, meaning we don’t rely on subjective judgements to determine the quality of any given television.

After our list of recommended products below, you’ll find graphs demonstrating how they compare across three key metrics: peak brightness, colour accuracy and DCI-P3 coverage.

READ NEXT: This month’s best TV deals

The best TVs to buy in 2024

1. TCL RC630K Series: Best cheap 4K TV

Price when reviewed: From £249 (43in) | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… affordability, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, excellent Roku OS
• Not so great for… bright rooms, gaming

Two things set this budget TCL TV apart from the competition: its QLED (quantum dot LED) panel and its Roku TV operating system. Let’s start with that panel first. Quantum dot technology has been around for several years but has historically only been found on mid-range models. TCL is the first manufacturer to bring it to a set starting at under £300 and the impact on picture quality is significant. The RC630K covers over 95% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, elevating its HDR performance above similarly priced sets that lack quantum dots, while support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ further boosts its HDR credentials.

No matter what content you’re watching, the RC630K will support the HDR format it’s mastered in, and boy, do you have a lot of choices when it comes to content. Roku’s TV operating system offers one of the largest ranges of apps and streaming platforms around and is wonderfully easy to navigate. All of the most popular services are available – Netflix, BT Sport and Disney Plus to name but three – and the Roku OS homepage can be customised to ensure your favourites are just a couple of clicks away.

As the RC630K’s panel is limited to a refresh rate of 60Hz it falls short in the next-gen gaming department but that, and the limited brightness just about every cheap TV is hamstrung by, are the only drawbacks to an otherwise exceptional budget television.

Read our full TCL RC630K review

Key specs – Screen sizes: 43in, 50in, 55in (tested) and 65in; Display type: VA-type LCD LED direct-lit; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160); HDR formats: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision; HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0; Operating system: Roku TV

2. Samsung S95D: Best OLED TV

Price when reviewed: From £1,545 (55in) | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… brightness, gaming support, immersive audio
• Not so great for… Dolby Vision and Google Assistant

The Samsung S95C was our favourite TV of 2023 and the Samsung S95D is even better thanks to a brighter panel, more accurate colours, an upgraded processor and an effective light-rejecting screen filter.

In our tests, we recorded peak brightness on the 65in model at 1,700cd/m2 on a 10% window and 362cd/m2 on a full-field pattern – staggering figures for an OLED. It also covers a whopping 89% of the BT.2020 colour gamut, meaning it can do justice to the wider range of colours used in HDR content.

Sound quality is awesome, too. We were consistently impressed by the immersive 4.2.2-channel setup when watching films with Atmos soundtracks and Object Tracking Sound+ reproduced positional audio cues convincingly. The Samsung S95D is an equally good choice for gamers; it has four HDMI 2.1 ports, low input lag and an integrated Game Hub and Game Bar, which make finding and customisation content a breeze.

Dolby Vision, Google Assistant and Freeview Play are all absent, but these aren’t deal breakers when the S95D gets so much else right.

Read our full Samsung S95D review

Key specs – Screen sizes: 55in, 65in (tested), and 77in; Display type: QD OLED; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160); HDR formats: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+; HDMI inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1; Operating system: Tizen OS

3. LG C4: Best TV for gaming

Price when reviewed: From £930 (42in) | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… gamers, image quality
• Not so great for… HDR10+ support, sonic scale

LG’s C-Series OLED has been a favourite of ours for a few years now and while the latest iteration doesn’t make any drastic changes to the formula, it’s the best version yet.

Improvements to brightness and an updated processor enable the C4 to deliver excellent SDR and HDR performance bolstered by various LG image processing technologies. Meanwhile, webOS 24 provides intuitive access to a huge range of streaming services and smart features. All four of the C4’s HDMI 2.1 ports now support 4K at 144Hz, which is a big bonus for PC gamers. Alongside this, the LG C4 features Game Optimizer, support for VRR, ALLM and low input lag make this TV a standout choice for gamers on any platform.

LG wraps all this up in a stylish design and build quality is first-rate. A broad range of screen sizes, including 42in and 48in options, mean that there’s a C4 capable of slotting into your setup regardless of your use case. You may wish to pair it with a soundbar – the in-built 2.2-channel system can only do so much where power, bass and scale are concerned – and there’s no support for HDR10+. Despite this, it’s a truly accomplished mid-range OLED.

Read our full LG C4 review

Key specs – Screen sizes: 42in, 48in, 50in, 55in, 65in (tested), 77in and 83in; Display type: OLED; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160); HDR formats: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision; HDMI inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1; Operating system: webOS 24

4. TCL C841/C845: The best TV under £1,000

Price when reviewed: From £599 (55in) | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… value for money, HDR performance, 144Hz support
• Not so great for… lacks Freeview Play and UK catch-up apps, colour-accuracy

TCL has gradually been strengthening its foothold in the global TV market and the C845 represents the first chance UK consumers have to experience its top-tier Mini LED models. It’s priced extremely aggressively but doesn’t skimp on features and still delivers impressive picture performance.

It’s not as colour-accurate as we’d like out of the box, but calibration controls allow you to rectify this quickly. And where HDR images are concerned, the C845 excels, thanks to searing brightness and near-complete coverage of the DCI-P3 colour gamut. The inclusion of a 2.1-channel Onkyo audio system enables it to deliver surprisingly good sound quality, while a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports and the panel’s 120Hz refresh rate mean next-gen gamers have little to complain about.

All things considered, the TCL C845 sets a new benchmark for what can achieved at its price point and is our pick of the TVs available for under a grand. You’ll notice that the product we’ve linked to is the C841; it’s essentially the same TV but with a slightly different model number.

Read our full TCL C845 review

Key specs – Screen sizes: 55in (tested), 65in, and 65in; Display type: VA-type Quantum Dot LCD with Mini LED backlight; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160); HDR formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced; HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x HDMI 2.0; Operating system: Google TV 11.0

5. Samsung Q60D: Best dual LED TV 

Price when reviewed: From £399 (43in) | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… picture quality on a budget, a comprehensive smart platform
• Not so great for… current-gen gamers, wide viewing angles

Samsung features heavily on this page and for good reason – it makes cracking TVs at every price point. The Q60D is one of its lower-tier models but uses an ingenious dual LED quantum dot-powered panel that delivers great SDR and HDR images for the money. Impressive picture quality combines with the brand’s excellent Tizen operating system and an extensive set of features to create a compelling and eminently affordable 4K option.

It faces stiff competition from cheaper Mini LED sets from the likes of TCL and isn’t a good choice for current-gen console owners as its refresh rate is limited to 50hz and gaming features are a little limited. However, if you’re not fussed about 4K@120Hz support and want a TV that can deliver the goods when watching shows and movies at a reasonable price, you can’t go wrong with the Q60D.

Read our full Samsung Q60D review

Key specs – Screen sizes: 43in, 50in, 55in (tested), 65in, 75in and 85in; Display type: LCD LED; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160); HDR formats: HLG, HDR10, HDR10+ Adaptive; HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0; Operating system: Tizen OS

6. Panasonic Z95A: Best TV for sound quality

Price when reviewed: From £1,999 (55in) | Check price at Currys

• Great for… immersive audio and stunning pictures
• Not so great for… those wanting enormous screen sizes

The Z95A is a sensational all-round performer but its greatest strengths are its audio and picture quality. The 360o Soundscape Pro seven-channel system delivers the best in-built audio we’ve heard from any premium television and supports the immersive Dolby Atmos format. Meanwhile, the images generated by the TV’s MLA-enhanced OLED panel are bright, accurate and look stunning, making the Z95A a great choice for film lovers.

Panasonic has chosen Fire TV as its operating system on the Z95A, and we were impressed by how well it integrates with Panasonic’s various menus. It also includes support for a wide range of streaming services and Freely, although this hadn’t been activated at the time of our review.

Consumers searching for a huge TV will be disappointed to learn the Z95A is only available in 55in and 65in screen sizes, while the fact that only two of the four HDMI ports are of the 2.1 specification is frustrating on a telly costing this much. Despite those minor grumbles, the Z95A is as good as premium TVs get.

Read our full Panasonic Z95A review

Key specs – Screen sizes: 55in and 65in (tested); Display type: MLA OLED; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160); HDR formats: HLG, HDR10+ Adaptive, Dolby Vision IQ; HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x HDMI 2.0; Operating system: Fire TV

7. Hisense U8N: Best TV with Freely

Price when reviewed: From £1,299 (65in) | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… brightness, sound quality, UK TV broadcasting
• Not sure great for… viewing angles, tone mapping

Freely is a big fillip for TVs as it ensures free and easy access to a wide range of live and on-demand content from all of the major UK broadcasters. There’s no need for a cable, aerial or set-top box; you can simply watch live broadcasts over your internet connection via the EPG or catch up on content you’ve missed using integrated apps such as BBC iPlayer.

In our opinion, the Hisense U8N is currently the best TV on the market that supports Freely. It’s one of the brightest televisions we’ve tested and uses its considerable number of independent dimming zones smartly to deliver impressive SDR and HDR picture quality. Its VA Mini LED backlit panel has rather narrow viewing angles and tone mapping can be rather aggressive at times, but overall, we thoroughly enjoyed the visual experience on offer.

The 2.1.2-channel audio system provides commendable sound quality to complement the crisp and vibrant on-screen images, while a pair of HDMI 2.1 ports and Hisense’s Game Bar mean the U8N is well-equipped to offer a gratifying current-gen gaming experience. The Hisense E7N Pro and Hisense U7N are worth considering if you’re after cheaper Freely TV options but can’t match the U8N where picture and audio performance are concerned.

Read our full Hisense U8N review

Key specs – Screen sizes: 65in (tested) and 75in; Display type: Mini QLED LCD; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160); HDR formats: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision; HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x HDMI 2.0; Operating system: Tizen OS

8. Philips OLED809: Best Ambilight TV

Price when reviewed: From £999 (42in) | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… visual immersion, gaming
• Not so great for… UK streaming services, handling reflections

Philips’ Ambilight technology offers a unique viewing experience and the OLED809 is the best TV to enjoy it on that we’ve tested. LEDs built into three sides of the panel illuminate the wall behind the TV to make the image being displayed seem larger and more engrossing, elevating what is already very impressive picture quality.

Achieving optimal image quality requires a bit of work in the menus and the reflective panel means this TV is best used in dark rooms or with the curtains drawn. But if you’re willing to put the effort in, you’ll be treated to an immersive and punchy visual treat.

Gaming support is excellent – there’s a dedicated Game Mode for tweaking settings – and all the key HDR formats are present and correct. Google TV works well, though it’s important to note that licensing issues mean that the BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 catch-up services aren’t available. This is easily remedied with a streaming stick, however.

Philips has a unique selling point in Ambilight. It’s one we love and one that makes the OLED809 well worth considering despite its foibles.

Read our full Philips OLED809 review

Key specs – Screen sizes: 42in, 48in, 55in (tested), 65in, 77in; Display type: OLED; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160); HDR formats: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision; HDMI inputs: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x HDMI 2.0; Operating system: Google TV

9. LG G4: Best TV for wall mounting

Price when reviewed: From £1,699 (55in) | Check price at Currys

• Great for… wall mounting, picture quality, gaming
• Not so great for… HDR10+ support

The LG G4 has a lot going for it but makes this list as our favourite TV for wall mounting due to its Zero Gap mount, which helps it look extremely stylish while hanging from your wall. Don’t write it off if wall mounting isn’t your thing, however, as there’s also a model that comes with a traditional stand.

Whichever option you go for, you’ll be getting exceptional picture quality. The G4’s MLA OLED panel can hit impressive levels of brightness, is incredibly colour-accurate, and there are effective picture presets for just about every occasion. It’s also a superb pick for gamers thanks to the inclusion of four HDMI 2.1 ports, all of which support current-gen gaming features including 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM. The latest iteration of LG’s webOS smart platform is another strength and includes a new AI-enhanced helpdesk to ensure you get the most out of your purchase.

HDR10+ support is absent and reflections on the silver frame can be distracting in blacked-out rooms but these are minor issues rather than deal breakers. All things considered, the LG G4 is one of the best premium TVs on the market.

Read our full LG G4 review

Key specs – Screen sizes: 55in, 65in (tested), 77in, 83in and 97in; Display type: MLA OLED; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160); HDR formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision IQ, HLG; HDMI inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1; Operating system: webOS 24

10.  Samsung QN900D: Best 8K TV

Price when reviewed: From £3,549 (65in) | Check price at Amazon

• Great for… HDR performance, futureproofing, gamers
• Not so great for… lacks Dolby Vision, high price

Given the current shortage of native 8K content, we recommend buying a 4K TV rather than forking out a small fortune for one with a 7,680 x 4,320 resolution. However, the QN900D is the 8K TV to buy if you want to futureproof yourself.

We measured full-field brightness at 586cd/m2 and this, alongside accurate greyscale and colour reproduction and almost 2,000 independently dimmable zones, allows it to produce phenomenal pictures. No matter the resolution of the content you’re watching, the QN900D upscales it to deliver visuals that are crisp, vivid and bursting with detail. Audio quality is equally impressive thanks to a 6.2.4-channel speaker system that supports Dolby Atmos and benefits from numerous AI enhancements.

Gaming support is also top-notch. The four HDMI 2.1 ports unlock every current-gen gaming feature available, while Samsung’s Game Hub and Game Bar lets you access cloud gaming and customise your experience to a pleasing degree. Despite being prohibitively expensive and lacking Dolby Vision support, the QN900D is our pick of the 8K bunch.

Read our full Samsung QN900D review

Key specs – Screen sizes: 65in, 75in (tested), and 85in; Display type: Neo QLED LCD; Resolution: 8K/UHD (7,680 × 4,320); HDR formats: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+; HDMI inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1; Operating system: Tizen OS

Best TV 2024: How our recommended models compare

As mentioned in this article’s “How our experts test TVs” section, we take detailed data measurements of every television we review. These measurements are included in our standalone reviews and you’ll find figures mentioned in the mini-reviews on this page, too.

So you can see how the options we currently recommend match up against each other, we’ve put together visual representations of their results in three of the most important performance areas. We’ll add graphs covering different areas to help you make the most informed purchase decision possible.

How to choose the best TV for you

What TV resolution do I need?

High-definition TVs currently fall into three categories: Full HD, 4K and 8K. Unless you’re buying a very small or huge (75in or larger) model, a 4K TV is the best choice.

• Full HD/FHD, otherwise known as 1080p, has 1,920 x 1,080 pixels on the screen. These days, only the cheapest (and often the smallest) TVs use an FHD/1080p resolution.
• Ultra HD/UHD, more commonly referred to as 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels). This is the sweet spot for 99% of consumers, and most TVs are 4K these days.
• 8K (7,680 x 4,320 pixels) is gaining traction in the consumer market, but it’s expensive, and overkill for most users as all mainstream movie and TV content is still in 4K.

READ NEXT: Best smart TVs

What size TV should I buy?

The size of the TV you buy should be dictated not only by the size of your room but also by how far away you intend to sit from it.

• To get the full benefit from a 4K HDR set, you need to sit close enough for your eyes to appreciate the increased picture clarity that 4K brings over Full HD. Buying a 4K TV that’s too small for your room may mean that it won’t look much better than your old Full HD TV.
• Why? Our eyes can only differentiate between lines and dots up to a fixed distance.  Think of it like a pointillism painting – from far enough away, you can no longer make out the individual dots on a Georges Seurat landscape.
• Our TV sizing guide can help you find the perfect size of TV for your room.

How can I watch 4K content?

There are plenty of ways to watch 4K TV and movies these days. You can buy a subscription to a streaming service, such as Netflix or Disney+; buy digital content via stores such as Amazon Prime Video or Apple’s iTunes Store; or purchase 4K Blu-ray discs to play in a compatible 4K Blu-ray player.

• You may need to purchase a premium subscription to get access to 4K content as most standard subscriptions will only provide Full HD streaming.
• Even if you do pay for 4K streaming, not every film or programme is available in 4K on these  streaming services. If you want to watch in 4K HDR and have Dolby Atmos sound, you may need to buy the movie separately from stores such as Apple’s iTunes Store.
• Most popular TV series and movies also get a 4K Blu-ray disc release and these normally provide the best video and audio quality, but bear in mind that you’ll need a dedicated Blu-ray 4K player – older Blu-ray players will not support the 4K discs.  

How fast does my internet connection need to be for 4K?

If you want to stream 4K content via the internet, you will need a fast broadband internet connection. Around 30 to 40 Mbits/sec is probably a safe minimum, but you’ll need a faster connection if other people in the house will be streaming concurrently or using the connection for gaming.

• Major streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ can deliver 4K video at a maximum bit rate of up to around 20 Mbits/sec, but not all programmes will be streamed at that quality, so some may use significantly less bandwidth. For reference, 1080p Netflix content is currently delivered at a maximum of 5.8Mbits/sec.
• Apple TV+ tends to exhibit the highest streaming bitrates, pushing up to around 30 Mbits/sec. Theoretically, this should result in better image quality. Although it is worth noting that the Apple TV+ apps built into TVs tend to stream at a lower bitrate than Apple’s dedicated Apple TV 4K boxes.

Are some TVs better for gaming?

Yes. If you want to see the latest AAA console and PC games in all their 4K HDR high framerate glory, you need a TV which supports key gaming features, such as:

• Multiple HDMI 2.1 ports
• ALLM (Auto Low-Latency Mode) support
• VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support
• A 120Hz panel

If gaming is one of your top priorities, read our guide on how to choose the best TV for gaming.

What else do I need to know before I buy a TV?

What’s the difference between LCD and OLED TVs?

Flat-screen TVs use two main types of panel technology: LCD and OLED. LCD used to be split into two further categories: those with LED backlights and those with cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) backlights. However, almost all LCD TVs now use LED backlights, which are less power-hungry and tend to produce a more vibrant, brighter picture.

With LED TVs, manufacturers improve the contrast ratio of their displays by using a dynamic backlight that dims the screen when displaying dark scenes. This produces a darker picture with more pronounced blacks, but a side effect is that highlights and details are lost. In other words, you can have bright whites and dark blacks, but not both together.

LED TVs can be further separated into two categories: those that are edge-lit and those that are backlit.

• Edge-lit models have LEDs at the edge of the screen. These can cause obvious glow around the screen edges, and inferior contrast levels.
• Backlit sets have an array of LEDs spread behind the entire panel (if these are indepentently controllable, that’s a feature known as local dimming). Local dimming is preferable as it allows the TV to control picture brightness with greater accuracy.

OLED TVs work differently. Despite sharing a similar name, OLED (or organic light-emitting diode) panels use an organic material that emits light when an electric current is passed through it. This means each pixel can generate its own light source, meaning it doesn’t need to use a bulky backlight to illuminate the screen.

This has several advantages:

• It creates truly deep blacks
• They’re even more energy-efficient than LED TVs
• They have superior viewing angles. Even when sitting at almost 90 degrees, there’s rarely any visible colour shift.
• OLED panels are thinner, lighter and more flexible than LCD displays, so they can be bent and curved more easily.

What kind of apps do smart TVs have?

Most new TVs are equipped for wireless (or wired) networking, so you can connect them to the internet and your home network. This lets you stream multimedia content from your home computer and access online smart TV portals.

Some TVs have excellent smart hubs that let you access catch-up services such as Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, Amazon Prime Video, Now, social networking tools and on-demand movies, while others only offer iPlayer, Netflix and YouTube video streaming.

Most TVs can also play videos, music and photos directly from a memory card, portable hard disk or USB flash drive. Our reviews tell you what each TV can do, and how well it works.

What’s the difference between Freeview Play, Freeview HD and Freesat HD?

Every new TV receives Freeview, but the majority now include Freeview HD tuners, too. This is the easiest way to watch HD broadcasts because you can use your existing digital aerial without having to buy any additional equipment.

Freesat HD is a non-subscription alternative to Freeview HD that’s transmitted by satellites rather than broadcasting towers. If you live in an area with poor broadcast reception and don’t want to pay for Sky TV, this is the best way to get television into your home. You can use an existing Sky satellite dish or pay to have one installed. You will also need to run a coaxial cable from the satellite to your television if no access point is available nearby.

Freesat offers the same free-to-air HD channels as Freeview, with the addition of NHK World, but some minor standard definition channels differ between each platform. Also bear in mind that certain TVs have dual tuners for both Freeview and Freesat installations. Be wary of TVs that just have a DVB-S2 satellite tuner. Technically, these can be manually tuned to receive Freesat channels, but you won’t get the EPG, so they’re practically useless in this country.

If you want to find out more about free-to-air TV, check out our article here: Freeview vs Freesat vs YouView.

Aside from clearer images, another benefit of digital TV is the electronic programme guide (EPG), which can show you what’s on now or later at a glance. All TVs display “now” and “next” information in a small pop-up window, but most models also have a more in-depth fullscreen mode that shows seven or more days of scheduling.

What ports and connections do I need?

You’re almost definitely going to have at least one other device you want to connect to your TV, so it’s important to choose a model with an appropriate number of inputs.

HDMI is the connection of choice for virtually all modern devices, including games consoles, Blu-ray players and digital set-top boxes.

We suggest a minimum of four HDMI inputs, which should cover all the basics and still leave a spare port in case you want to connect a camcorder or digital camera.

Look out for an HDMI input with an Audio Return Channel (ARC). This lets you send sound from the TV back down the HDMI cable to a connected amp, so you can get better sound for TV programmes without introducing more cabling.

For future-proofing, HDMI 2.1 is preferable if you’re after the latest gaming features. The reason for this is simple: HDMI 1.4 only supports frame rates up to 30fps. HDMI 2 adds support for frame rates up to 60fps and also greatly increases the maximum audio throughput. The advent of HDMI 2.1 means that TVs housing those ports can deliver 4K resolution at a refresh rate of 120Hz.

SCART sockets have almost been completely replaced in favour of HDMI, but older devices, such as some games consoles and VCRs, still need them. You’re unlikely to find an S-Video port on a modern TV, so you may have to connect some older devices through the composite or component interface and put up with the inferior image quality.

USB ports are fairly common on modern TVs. If you have a spare external flash drive, these can be used to record programmes, eliminating the need for a dedicated set-top box. You will need to format it for your particular TV, though. Alternatively, you can use them to play your own media files from your PC. Some TVs support a wider range of file formats than others, but our reviews tell you which formats each TV supports. If you want to browse the web, USB ports are also useful for connecting a keyboard and mouse.

Should I worry about the length of the warranty?

If you’re spending a decent chunk of your hard-earned money on a new television, you want the longest warranty possible. This will ensure that you will be covered in the event of anything going wrong with the set.

Most retailers typically offer at least a one-year warranty, which tends to fall in line with the warranty offered by manufacturers.

John Lewis is a little different, however, and provides a five-year guarantee on all of the TVs it sells.

That’s a pretty compelling reason to buy your next TV from John Lewis and as such, we’ve included links to products on the John Lewis website where possible. If the TV is available cheaper elsewhere, we’ve also linked to the retailer with the best price.

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