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A man looking at the menu on a smart TV

How to Find the Best Smart TV for Your Needs

Smart TVs Can Do More Than Access the Internet

Before we get into analyzing the best smart TVs, it’s important to understand what exactly they are since they often get confused with internet TV and web TV. Internet TV is a service that allows you to view TV programs online on devices such as your PC, smartphone or tablet. Web TV, on the other hand, is what internet TV programs are called.

Unlike the previous two, a smart TV is an actual TV set that has internet connectivity and features that aren't found on normal TV sets. Smart TVs can also connect to your handheld devices and computer.

Benefits of Buying a Smart TV

Buying a smart TV means that you'll have access to a wider range of music, movies, and TV channels or programs. Accessing these won't require you to set up an antenna, and it also means you won't have to pay for satellite or cable television. Some TV sets also allow you to browse the internet and play games online.

Smart TVs have the best graphics on the market and can display HD content perfectly. They can also improve the graphics of Blu-Ray or DVD based content. Plus, smart TVs have a built-in OS, and most of these operating systems have a voice control function that is pre-installed.

These built-in operating systems also have app stores where you can install apps like Netflix, Hulu, or Spotify if they aren't pre-installed. This makes it simple to watch TV online. If you're not prepared to pay for the previous services, you could stream content on YouTube as it is compatible with most smart TVs.

What to Know Before Buying

While smart TVs are better than normal TVs, they're very common on the market. Don’t let a salesperson convince you that they're hard to find. Another thing you should look out for is screen resolution. Smart TVs have the best graphics and that means you shouldn't accept a set that's less than 4K UHD or 1080p.

4K UHD is the ideal screen resolution because most new movies and TV programs are produced for it. Even though 8K is the best resolution on the market, there aren't many 8K movies available.

Like all modern TV sets, smart TVs also have a sleek design. Unfortunately, this design doesn't leave enough space for decent speakers. To fully enjoy your smart TV experience, you should consider using good quality speakers or headphones with your set.

Smart TV Screen Sizes

This type of TV usually comes with a screen measuring around 24–75 inches. These varying screen sizes mean that you must take into consideration the size of the room your TV will be in, and how far you should sit from it. Let's see how this applies to big TVs and smaller ones.

Big TVs

When it comes to large smart TVs (over 60 inches), the best place for them is in the living room. Be sure to consider that the picture doesn't look good up close on low screen resolutions. It's best to sit farther away from the screen of a 1080p TV than that of a 4K set.

This makes larger screens more comfortable for bigger rooms since you can maneuver your furniture a bit more. The recommended viewing distance for a 60-inch 4K TV is five feet away from the screen. For a 1080p TV it's 10 feet.

Small TVs

Smaller smart TVs are perfect for your bedroom, den, or small to medium sized kitchens. Even though a big TV is quite tempting to have, if you're planning on placing it in a smaller space, it will make it look untidy and cramped. A big TV will also spoil your viewing experience since you need to be away from the screen in order to see everything properly.

Smaller screens offer you a more intimate viewing experience because you can view them from up close. For example, the best viewing distance for a 40-inch 4K TV is roughly 3.5 feet away from the screen, whereas it's roughly 6.5 feet for 1080p.

Smart TVs have thin bezels, which means you'll still get a cinematic experience on a small TV if you use it in an appropriate room.

The Best Smart TVs Available

TCL 55S05

The TCL smart TV has a 55-inch display, 4K UHD, and HDR technology. It uses the Roku OS which allows you to control the TV using the Roku app (you can download it on your smartphone or tablet). The Roku OS and app also allows the user to listen to movie/music audio on their handheld device while watching the graphics on the TV screen.

This TCL 55S05 smart TV comes with a 20-button Roku TV remote. This makes it easier to remember what each button is for so you get smooth user experience. This smart TV also has access to over 4,000 channels that offer over 400,000 movies and TV programs. It's also compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa.

Samsung UN65RU7100FXZA

This new release from Samsung features a 4K UHD 65-inch display. This smart TV has an HDR function that's more powerful than its competitors. It also has PurColor Samsung technology that generates more colors than a normal HDTV. Its ability to create more colors makes everything look more lifelike, as it gives more depth to the picture.

This smart TV's operating system is built on the Tizen platform and has apps like YouTube, Netflix, and Universal Guide (a native movie and TV program search engine). It also has access to PlayStation Now, which offers hundreds of PS2, PS3, and PS4 games.

Insignia NS-39DF510NA19

This smart TV runs on the Amazon Fire operating system. It has a full HD 1080p, and a 39-inch display. This Insignia smart TV also has apps like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO.

This TV also comes with a remote that has a voice command function, powered by Alexa. This will help you navigate your smart TV more effectively, but its capabilities aren't limited to only the TV. You can control other smart devices with it, ask Alexa to browse the internet for you, and even play games.