Best 4K TVs to buy this year for the family

With so much 4K content at your fingertips nowadays, it’s worth it to invest in a 4K TV. That’s especially since 4K TVs have come down considerably in price. But not all 4K TVs are made equal. Some boast additional features and technologies to enhance the viewing experience. There are ones that highlight affordability for secondary viewing rooms like the basement, kids’ room, or dorm, and others that commit to a cinematic experience at home. You’ll find features with some models that are tailor-made for activities like movie watching or gaming.

It’s wise to go with a 4K TV even if you don’t subscribe to 4K content just yet. This will futureproof your investment. And there are some key considerations to make when choosing a 4K TV. First and foremost is picture quality, ensuring it is worth the investment for an upgraded picture. There’s also screen size, display type, special features, smart TV interface, and, of course, price. See our 4K TV buying guide for more assistance in what to look for to meet your needs.

Comparison table

We have selected the best 4K TVs you can buy. Before we dive into them, here’s a comparison chart that breaks down the basics.

The best 4K TVs right now

Now, let’s dive deeper into these models. If you’re looking for a new 4K TV for your home, we have you covered with this selection of the best models right now for every type of customer.

Best overall 4K TV: LG OLED C5Y

Combine LG and OLED technology and it’s a match made in heaven. This TV comes in several sizes and provides incredible detail, vibrancy, and blacks. That’s thanks to the Alpha 9 AI processor Gen8 along with an OLED dimming backlight that ensures deep blacks and enhanced contrast. With built-in downward firing speakers, you get pleasant audio if you haven’t yet invested in speakers or a soundbar. The webOS smart TV interface is among the best, most intuitive options around, affording access to streaming content through apps. Add built-in Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit voice control compatibility to the mix along with AirPlay 2 compatibility. LG’s Re:New program ensures five years of software updates. Runner-up: Sony Bravia 7 is a fabulous TV boasting a QLED panel, XR Triluminos colour, XR processor, and enhanced audio, all packed into a relatively affordable package.

Shop now

Best budget 4K TV: Roku Select Series QLED

Newly launched into Canada this year, the Roku Select Series marks the company’s first branded TVs. You get the familiar, beloved Roku interface in a sleek package that comes in four sizes, all at an incredibly affordable price. It’s a QLED TV with HDR10, providing vibrant colours and enhanced contrast. It’s great for casual gaming or TV viewing. With the Roku OS, you can access tons of streaming content through apps as well as free content via Roku Channels. A wonderfully connected TV, it has three HDMI inputs, voice control support, and AirPlay, while the Enhanced Voice Remote makes operation a breeze. Runner-up: TCL QM5K Series miniLED smart Google TV is just as affordable and well-reviewed, available in the same size options, and with enhanced features for activities like gaming.

Shop now

Best 4K TV for gaming: Hisense U78QG Series MiniLED QLED

Hisense TVs are tailor-made for content like sports and gaming, and this new smart Google TV will delight gamers. Features like variable refresh rate and 165Hz refresh rate will ensure a smooth and fluid gaming experience for fast-moving on-screen action. AMD FreeSync Premium Pro helps reduce screen tearing and stuttering while the TV even has a Game Mode Ultra and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) to minimize input lag and automatically optimize settings for gaming. With the overall vivid picture and built-in Dolby Atmos 2.1.2 audio, you can access apps, including games, right from the Google TV OS. Connect a PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or other console via one of the four HDMI 2.1 inputs and you’re off to the races. Runner-up: Sony Bravia 8 II QD-OLED is worth considering if you have a bigger budget and you’re a serious gamer, offering smooth images, immersive sound, and a special HDR mode when connecting a PS5.

Shop now

Best 4K OLED TV: Samsung S95F OLED

I got to experience this TV intimately at a demo event at the Samsung head office in New Jersey and to say it’s a beauty would be an understatement. You get crisp and bright colours, wonderful black reproduction, fabulous contrast, and a pleasant all-around viewing experience. It’s powered by the NQ4 AI Gen3 processor with 120Hz refresh rate and Motion Xcelerator 165Hz for smooth action when watching movies or playing video games. With a glare-free screen, everyone gets a wonderful viewing experience, no matter where you’re sitting in the room. The visuals are complemented by immersive audio through 70W speakers. Watch streaming content through the Tizen OS and enjoy built-in voice control capabilities. The premium viewing experience is perfect for home theatres. Runner-up: LG OLED C5Y is not just the best overall 4K, it’s also among the best 4K OLED TVs you can buy, affording incredible value for dollar, stunning pictures, and a fantastic smart TV experience.

Shop now

Best large screen 4K TV: Sony Bravia 7 Mini LED QLED

Go big or go home, as they say. Great for movies, sports, and gaming, the 85-inch Sony Bravia 7 boasts features like XR Triluminos Pro color, an XR processor, and XR Clear Image so you get a bright, beautiful picture at any size. With built-in Acoustic Multi-Audio technology, you get enhanced spatial audio as well, even without separate speakers or a soundbar. Affording a true cinematic experience at home, the Mini-LED backlights ensure a realistic picture while HDR technology provides more detail in especially dark scenes. It even has PlayStation 5 exclusive features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, and supports Dolby Vision and Atmos, IMAX Enhanced for movies, and DTS:X. Runner-up: Samsung QN70F Neo QLED TV is a sight to behold as well with features like Samsung Vision AI that intelligently enhances content, and 4K upscaling when watching lower resolution content.

Shop now

Best Smart 4K TV for streaming: TCL QM6K QD-Mini LED

If streaming content is your priority, a Google TV like this one affords one of the best streaming experiences. The Google TV OS is one of the smartest around, allowing you to control the experience with just your voice. You get access to all the top streaming services plus tons of Google apps. It also has Google Chromecast built-in for easily casting content from a mobile device. While it’s a Google TV, it works with AirPlay too for sharing videos, photos, music, and more from a compatible Apple device. Available in five sizes, it’s a mid-tier priced TV with premium technologies like the AIPQ Pro processor, Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X, and a built-in Onkyo speaker system. Runner-up: Roku Plus QLED Mini-LED is a step-up from the Select Series and will give you access to the same incredible intuitive smart TV interface, free streaming channels, personalized content recommendations, and the easy-to-use voice remote.

Shop now

FAQs

Have more questions? We have answers!

What does 4K mean?

4K refers to the pixels on a TV, at 3,840 x 2,160. That’s four times the resolution of traditional 1,080p. The more pixels you have, the more detailed and vivid the picture on screen is. While there’s a lot more that goes into providing a fantastic picture, 4K resolution is a good starting point. Most sources nowadays offer content in 4K resolution. See our 4K TV buying guide for more detail.

What’s the difference among LED, OLED, QNED, QLED, miniLED, and others?

TV terminology and acronyms can be confusing, and we break it down for you in a handy guide. In short, LED TVs are an affordable option with backlights either across the entire screen (full array) or around the perimeter (edge lit). OLEDs are more expensive but have individual pixels that light up on their own to provide deeper contrast, brighter whites, and true-to-life blacks. QLED TVs use quantum dots, tiny semiconductor partners to emit precise colour when hit by light, providing great colour accuracy. Neo QLED TVs add mini-LED backlighting to traditional QLED TVs for better brightness, contrast, and detail. QNEDs are an LG exclusive and combine quantum dots with NanoCell technology for improved contrast and dimming.

Mini LED has smaller backlight LEDs for a further improved picture while microLEDs, a relatively new technology, has self-lit pixels for incredible precision in picture reproduction. There’s also QD-OLED that combines the best of OLED and QLED technology. RGB LED TV is the newest option that affords even richer colours, higher brightness, and improved accuracy, but its availability is limited for now.

How do I know which size 4K TV to get?

To determine what size TV is best for your room, you need to measure for viewing distance. Take the distance in inches from the seating area to the screen and divide it by two. If you’re sitting 10 feet (120 inches) from the TV, for example, a 60-65-inch screen would be ideal.

What do I need to get 4K content?

Having a 4K TV alone doesn’t give you 4K content. You need to have a 4K content source. This can include the 4K tier of your streaming service. Many, like Netflix, have “good, better, best” subscription options, with the highest tier being the one with 4K. Others, like Apple TV, offer all content in 4K at the singular subscription option. If you subscribe to linear TV, you need a package that includes 4K channels and tune to one of those. You can also enjoy 4K content from a connected device, like a video game console or Blu-ray player with a 4K disc. Make sure that when you set up your 4K TV, you have quality HDMI cables that can handle the transmission of 4K signals and audio.

Can you watch non-4K content on a 4K TV?

Yes! Many premium TVs even have upscaling that will improve the picture for non-4K content so you get a better experience than with a 1,080p HD TV.

Open a new window to your entertainment world

Ready to take the leap with a new 4K TV? You won’t be disappointed as it will unlock a world of entertainment at home. You’ll see movies, TV shows, sporting events, and games like you never did before. With a premium model from a brand like LG, Samsung, or Sony, you get an incredible picture along with a convenient smart TV interface. Brands like Sony, LG, Samsung, and Hisense excel when it comes to features specific for gamers, while Roku and LG’s webOS are arguably the most intuitive smart TV interfaces around. On a tight budget? Brands like Roku, TCL, and Hisense have affordable options while even premium models often go on sale.

A new TV is a big investment, especially if you go with a premium model and a TV technology like OLED. But considering how much time you and the family will likely spend enjoying this new purchase. From movies to binging your favourite TV shows, sports, and gaming, it’s worth it.

Find a wide selection of the best 4K TVs at Best Buy Canada.