I’ve been reviewing TVs since the days of plasma and rear projection, and I try to keep it simple by concentrating on one key concept: image quality for the money.
As 65-inch TVs become more common, they are cheaper than ever before. A solid budget model for less than $ 500 is not a large order, and during holiday sales such as Black Friday or President’s Day they are even cheaper. When I compare each other here at CNET, I prefer to use 65-inch screens, as almost every regular TV manufacturer offers this size. It’s big enough to function HDRvideo quality and 4K but not too big that it dominates most living rooms. Here are some of the best 65-inch TV screens I have found.
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See how I set up a TV review lab in my basement
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The list below represents the best TVs I checked in CNET’s test lab (for 2021, this is my basement), where I have smart LED TV, QLED TV, Ultra HD TV, 4K HDR TV and other 65-inch TV options and list compare. side by side to see which one is the best to buy. Here are my latest recommendations, which are updated from time to time, with the following notes to keep in mind.
- Looking for another size? Watch: 32-inch TVs, 43-inch TVs, 55-inch TVs and 75-inch TVs.
- The pandemic threw a key in the shipping time, and many TVs are being sent late.
- Most TVs on this list are 2019 and 2020 models, but I expect to review them more TVs soon.
- On the other hand, since TVs are generally a mature technology, the latest models may not contain major upgrades compared to previous versions. Most buyers will still be completely satisfied with a slightly older TV, especially since it is usually cheaper.
- Can’t see what you’re looking for below? Here are all the TVs I have reviewed, and more will be coming soon.
Read more: What size TV do I need?
Sarah Tew / CNET
No TV I have ever tested offers so much picture quality for this little cash. The 2020 TCL 6 Series has even better picture quality than its predecessor, thanks to mini-LED technology and well-implemented local eclipse, which helps it spin circles around any other TV at this price. It’s also a great choice for gamers with a new THX mode that combines low input delay and high contrast. As if that’s not enough, the Roku TV operating system is our practical favorite. Read our review of TCL 6 Series (2020 Roku TV).
David Katzmaier / CNET
What do you say? You just want the best TV, money is no thing? Here you go. In my side-by-side tests, the LG CX-smart OLED TV is the best TV I’ve ever watched, with a world-beating contrast, perfect wide viewing angle and excellent uniformity. If you can afford it, this is the TV you can get. Read our LG OLEDCX Series Review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
TCL’s 8 Series also features mini-LED and the result is excellent contrast, brightness and a high dynamic range that beats the cheaper 6 Series in my side-by-side comparison. The overall image quality does not reach the OLED levels, but it comes very close and costs much less. Read our TCL 8 Series (2019 Roku TV) review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
If you value Sony’s brand, the X900H is an excellent choice, with image quality equal to the TCL 6 series and a price that does not that much more expensive. And the range of connections is actually better than the TCLs. In the winter of 2020, it gets the full 4K / 120Hz HDMI input capability to maximize the potential of the new Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, and right now it’s the cheapest TV to work with ATSC 3.0 antenna broadcasts. Read our Sony XBR-X900H review.
Apart from the TCL 6 series above, it is the best TV for the money. The TCL has a better picture and a better smart HDTV system, so it’s a superior TV, but it’s also a few hundred dollars more expensive. If you can not afford the 6 Series, this Vizio is a good runner-up. Read our Vizio M7 Series Quantum (2020) review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Roku is our favorite platform for streaming shows like Netflix, and it’s even better built into this 4K TV. Picture quality on this TCL 65-inch television set can not beat any of the models above – the 4K resolution and HDR compatibility do nothing to help the picture, but it is quite good for most people, especially at this price. .
Note that the TCL 65S425 and 65S421 (the Walmart version) are very similar and we expect them to perform basically the same.
Other things to know about buying a new TV
I’m pretty sure you’ll be happy with one of the TV screens above, but a new set can be a big investment, so you might be looking for more information. Here is a quick and dirty list.
- In my opinion, bigger is better. Large TVs are cheaper than ever, and your money is best spent on larger screen size, rather than a slight improvement in picture quality.
- If you do not like the built-in smart TV system with smart features, you can always add a media streamer. It’s inexpensive and easy to use, and receives more frequent updates than most smart TVs. See the best media streamers here.
- Most TVs sound awful, so it’s worth pairing your new set with a soundbar or other speaker system. Goods start at about $ 100. See the best sound bars here.
Looking for even more information? Here’s everything to know about (and more) buy a new TV and to get the best viewing experience.