The Best Smart TVs for 2022

What is a Smart TV? 

Smart TVs are now a home staple, and they’re quickly replacing our old TV sets. You may be wondering what exactly we mean when we say smart TVs. What makes a TV smart is its ability to connect to your home network for streaming purposes. Smart TVs typically allow you to connect to apps like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. 

Smart TVs often have other functionalities, like voice integration allowing you to navigate your TV by using features like Alexa. While most TVs these days do have some smart capabilities, not every smart TV is equal. We’ve put together our list of favorites depending on different characteristics. 

Best Smart TV on a budget: TCL 5-Series

• Price: From $449
• Sizes: 50-Inch, 55-Inch, 65-Inch, 75-Inch
• Best Features: QLED Technology, THX Certified Game Mode, Easy Voice Control compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
• Reasons to avoid: Limited brightness, will not support high-frame gaming

Only one series behind the overall best smart TV on our list, you get similar perks at a budget price. The QLED technology and 4K resolution mean that the clarity of each image is down to near perfection with high contrast. While the TV doesn’t boast the best brightness capabilities, it does have a local dimming feature. The dimming feature allows you to have a better movie-watching or gaming experience. Advanced gamers should remember that this TV may not be for them due to its limited high-frame options. However, lag is low, so you don’t have to rule out your gaming prospects altogether. 

Unique features also don’t fall short with this smart TV. It has similar features to the other TVs on the list for about a fraction of the price. Roku OS allows you access to all your favorite apps and streaming services without needing a separate Roku stick. 

Best OLED Smart TV: LG C1 OLED

• Price: From $1,296.99
• Sizes: 48-Inch, 55-Inch, 65-Inch, 77-Inch, 83-Inch
• Best Features: OLED display delivering the best color, built-in webOS full web browser, Google Assistant and Alexa, Filmmaker Mode 
• Reasons to avoid: Pricy, doesn’t illustrate all capable details when at its brightest

A slight jump in price, the OLED technology of this TV makes it worth it for those who emphasize the picture quality of their viewing experience. The over eight million pixels of the TV turn off and on independently. In addition, the TV has an a9 Gen4 AI Processor 4K which means that the sound and picture of the TV adjust automatically to the viewer’s eyes. 

The features of this TV are particularly enticing for those who want a complete cinema experience at home. The Game Optimizer gives gamers easy access to settings, and the gaming experience itself is fast with low lag times. Google Assistant, Alexa, and your web browser are right on the device so that you can use this TV for all your instant needs. One of the TV’s most enticing features is its Filmmaker Mode which directly replicates the experience of watching a film in the cinema. 

Best LED Smart TV: Toshiba 32LF221U21 31.5-inch Smart HD

• Price: From $159.99 
• Sizes: 32-Inch, 43-Inch
• Best Features: LED display, Alexa compatible, Fire TV integration, table mount 
• Reasons to avoid: Small, Full HD instead of 4k

Not everyone has room for a giant TV in their living room. If you’re looking for a small TV to prop on a desk or table, this is the best small LED smart TV out there. Even given the TV’s full HD resolution, you can hardly tell it’s not 4k pixels resolution from afar. The low input lag of the TV makes it perfectly suitable for gaming. For experienced gamers looking for a big-screen experience, we don’t recommend it. 

The best feature that this TV offers is arguably its Fire TV integration. First, navigate your TV with Alexa voice control. Then, do things like controlling your smart home dashboard, switching on and off your lights from the small yet mighty TV. All you have to do to get this TV ready for use is unwrap it, turn it on, and connect it to your home network. 

Best value Smart TV: Hisense ULED Premium

• Price: From $849
• Sizes: 55-Inch, 65- Inch 
• Best Features: 4K with HDR, Backlit Voice Remote, Google Assistant, Alexa compatible, IMAX enhanced, Game Mode Pro, Hands-Free Voice Control
• Reasons to avoid: Less detailed picture quality for a wide viewing experience 

This option is only marginally more expensive than cheaper TVs out there. As a result, you get some more bang for your buck, making its midrange value unique. In addition, this TV’s technology is different because it uses a VA panel (or, in other words, it is backlit). While the screen doesn’t go quite as bright as some of the other TVs on the list, it has a dimming option and low glare. 

This TV is compatible with Android TV OS. You can download the range of apps in the Google Play Store, all the meanwhile dictating to your TV with Alexa. In addition, you can customize your home screen to suit your preferences. 

Best Smart TV to splurge on: Sony A90J 55 Inch TV

• Price: From $2,798
• Sizes: 55-inch, 65-Inch, 83-Inch 
• Best Features: XR picture, XR color, Bravia Core
• Reasons to avoid: Pricey 

This TV is the best smart TV on the market. The cognitive processor of the TV means that the TV produces intense contrasts, natural colors, and the highest brightness. The images this TV makes are a true thing of beauty. It boasts the brightest-ever OLED picture and intelligent motion processing. That means you can watch content like the fastest-moving sports lag-free. 

The Google TV feature of the TV allows you to manage everything across your favorite streaming platforms and apps. More exclusive to Sony TVs is the Bravia Core high-end movie streaming service. 

Best overall Smart TV: TCL 55-inch 6-Series

• Price: From $699
• Sizes: 55-Inch, 65-Inch, 75-Inch 
• Best Features: 4K HDR Picture Quality, QLED Technology, THX Certified Game Mode, Easy Voice Control compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant
• Reasons to avoid: This smart TV isn’t the brightest LED option out there, the volume has an extensive range but isn’t super detailed, motion handling is average 

This TV is hands down the best smart TV out there due to its price and features. The Roku TV is a high-functioning update to our budget favorite. It uses Mini Led technology that some of the best TVs on the market use. In addition, the definition of this smart TV is bright and colorful due to its Quantum dot filter. 

Our best smart TV doesn’t disappoint when it comes to features. Easy Voice Control is compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to help you navigate the TV simply using your voice. In addition, the Certified Game Mode makes it an ideal option for those looking for a big-screen gaming experience. A bonus is the design of the TV which hides your cables and still allows you to connect your devices through four HDMI cables. So if you use your smart TV for pretty much everything, this TV does the trick at a special price. 

Things to consider when purchasing a Smart TV

Before you buy your next smart TV, there are a few different factors to consider. Start with the TV’s design and technology, first considering size, resolution, and the viewing experience. Next, decide whether or not you’re looking for an OLED or LED TV. We recommend OLED TVs because they are more advanced in displaying an image pixel-by-pixel. 

After you find a TV with the practical features at the price you’re looking to pay, consider more advanced features. The features you look for should depend on whether you’re a gamer or a traditional streamer. If you want the most versatile smart TV, make sure it’s compatible with all your desired apps, from Netflix to Alexa and your standard web browser. If you’re a gamer, look for TVs with the best lag times and largest viewing experiences.