Everything you need to need before splashing out on the best smart TV you can afford
If you’re after a user-friendly television offering a comprehensive range of content options, you need the best smart TV you can afford. The best smart TVs on the market are intuitive to use, incorporate useful AI features and grant access to a whole host of streaming services.
If you’re buying a new TV today, you can pretty much guarantee that it’s a smart one with some kind of smart platform – often referred to as an operating system (OS) – and the ability to connect to the internet. Some manufacturers have their own smart platforms, while others use variants of an OS made by another company, such as Google. Smart TV platforms don’t all come with the same range of features and applications, though, so you do need to choose carefully to make sure you get the features you need, such as support for your preferred streaming services.
In this guide, we’ll outline the best smart TVs around and highlight the advantages of the operating systems they run. If you require more information about smart TVs before diving into our list of the best around, our buying guide will arm you with everything you need to know.
Best smart TV: At a glance
- Best selection of apps: TCL RC630K
- Best for gaming: LG C3 OLED
- Best for audio quality: Panasonic MZ2000
- Best for smart home control: Samsung QN95C
How to choose the best smart TV for you
Do you need an internet connection to use a smart TV?
Smart TVs connect to your home’s internet connection over Wi-Fi or through a wired ethernet connection. That doesn’t mean you can’t use your smart TV offline, though. You’ll still be able to watch normal TV if you have Freeview reception, and Blu-ray players and gaming consoles will operate just as they would on a non-smart TV, but you’ll miss out on all the features that rely on an internet connection.
Those features include access to streaming apps like Netflix, which is available on pretty much all smart TVs, BBC iPlayer, Now TV and YouTube to name a few. Some of these require a paid subscription, while others like BBC iPlayer are free to enjoy assuming you have a TV licence. TV catchup apps like Freeview Play also depend on an internet connection, so these will remain unavailable to you when you’re offline.
Keeping your TV online also guarantees that you’ll automatically receive the software updates sent out by the manufacturer, helping to keep your TV up to date with the latest bug fixes and features that may improve your user experience.
What other features do smart TVs offer?
Smart TVs have a few other tricks up their sleeve to make your life easier. A smart TV’s Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) provides a full schedule of what’s on the huge number of television channels available, which proves very useful if you’re deliberating what to watch or simply want to plan your evening’s entertainment.
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Some smart TVs have smart assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant built-in, allowing you to execute commands by speaking into the TV’s remote or directly at the TV. Others offer voice assistant support via a connection to a compatible smart speaker. If you’re already invested in a specific smart ecosystem, it’s worth trying to find a television that’ll fit into it seamlessly.
If you want to be able to view content from your tablet or smartphone on your TV, another feature worth looking out for is screen mirroring or screen sharing. Sometimes this is done via third-party technology like Google Chromecast, while some manufacturers have their own software, such as Samsung’s SmartView app.
Finally, some smart TVs can operate as a control hub for smart devices. Once connected to your TV, you can manage devices like thermostats, lights and video doorbells.
How does Expert Reviews test TVs?
All of the televisions listed below have undergone rigorous testing using the Portrait Displays Calman colour calibration software. We test numerous aspects of SDR and HDR performance to bring you data-led reviews designed to help you make informed buying decisions when splashing out on your next TV.
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The best smart TVs to buy in 2024
1. TCL RC630K: Best cheap smart TV
Price: From £299 (43in) | Check price at Currys
This affordable TV from TCL runs the Roku OS, which offers an enormous range of apps and streaming platforms. All your key services are present and correct, including Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple TV, plus there’s support for Freeview Play and Roku’s ad-supported Roku Channel, which serves up an ever-growing menu of movies and TV shows. The Roku interface is both user-friendly and highly intuitive, and you can customise the grid of large, colourful tiles to ensure you know exactly where your favourite channels are and access them quickly.
It’s not just the Roku OS that makes the RC630K an appealing TV, however. It uses a quantum dot LED LCD panel – a real rarity at this kind of price point – and this helps elevate its picture quality above its countless budget competitors. Colours and greyscale are delivered with impressive accuracy when watching SDR content in Movie mode, while support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision enables the TV to eke out a welcome extra bit of detail from supported content.
The RC630K’s in-built sound system impresses too, as does its input lag of just 10ms when in Game Mode. Sadly, the panel only has a refresh rate of 60Hz so this TV isn’t a great choice for next-gen gamers, but as far as smart, affordable televisions go, the RC630K is unmatched.
Read our full TCL RC630K review for more details
Key specs – Operating system: Roku TV OS; Streaming services: Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Apple TV, Roku Channel, Freeview Play, BT Sport, YouTube; Smart assistants: Roku voice control; 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, HDR10+, HLG, Dolby Vision; HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0
2. LG C3: Best smart TV for gaming
Price when reviewed: From £899 (42in) | Check price at Amazon
LG’s webOS is one of the most popular smart platforms around and the C3 – the brand’s mid-range OLED – harnesses it brilliantly. App support is wide-ranging and there are plenty of ways in which you can customise your visual and sonic experience.
That personalisation extends to gaming, where LG’s Game Optimizer mode allows you to select from various gaming-specific modes, access useful gaming information and tweak settings as you see fit. Those options, combined with a bright panel, extremely low input lag and four HDMI 2.1 ports, all of which support the full gamut of next-gen gaming features, make the C3 a superb pick for those wanting a smart TV equipped to maximise the potential of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
Read our LG C3 review
Key specs – Operating system: webOS 23; Streaming services: Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Apple TV, Freeview Play, YouTube; Smart assistants: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, LG ThinQ; Screen sizes: 42in (tested), 48in, 55in, 65in, 77in and 83in; Display type: WRGB OLED; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160); HDR formats: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ; HDMI inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1
3. Panasonic MZ2000: Best smart TV for sound quality
Price when reviewed: From £2,000 (55in) | Check price at Currys
The Panasonic MZ2000 has plenty going for it, including exceptionally accurate images in Filmmaker mode, but it’s the 360˚ Soundscape Pro audio system that earns it a spot on this list. The system is powered by 150W of amplification and fires sound out in four directions – towards you, to your left and right, and directly up – to deliver an immersive audio experience, particularly if what you’re watching has an Atmos of DTS:X soundtrack.
Combine that sonic prowess with incredible panel brightness, punchy colours, next-gen gaming features, built-in Amazon Alexa and support for a wide range of apps and streaming platforms, and you’ve got yourself one hell of a smart TV.
Read our Panasonic MZ2000 review
Key specs – Operating system: my Home Screen 8.0; Streaming services: Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Apple TV, Freeview Play, YouTube; Smart assistants: Built-in Amazon Alexa, works with Google Assistant; Screen sizes: 55in (tested), 65in and 77in; Display type: MLA 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 2.0b
4. LG G3 OLED: Best smart TV for wall mounting
Price: From £1,548 (55in) | Check price at Amazon
The LG G3 is the company’s brightest-ever OLED and delivers amazing HDR pictures, impressive sound quality and extensive gaming features in a gorgeous package. It’s specifically designed for wall mounting so you won’t find a stand included in the box, but it does come equipped with the latest iteration of webOS – webOS 23.
WebOS remains the most comprehensive and responsive smart platform around thanks to its extensive selection of streaming services that includes Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and the TV supports voice controls via both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Aside from the lack of a stand, our only other sticking points are its underwhelming sound quality, some slight crushing of shadow detail in Dolby Vision mode, and the lack of support for HDR10+. But none of these issues are deal breakers, nor do they prevent the G3 from being our pick if you want your TV on the wall rather than a stand.
Read our full LG G3 review for more details
Key specs – Operating system: LG webOS 22; Streaming services: Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Now, Apple TV, Freeview Play, BT Sport, YouTube; Smart assistants: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant; Screen sizes: 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
5. Samsung QN95C: Best smart TV for smart home control
Price: From £1,397 (55in) | Check price at Amazon
The QN95C is Samsung’s flagship 4K Neo QLED and runs the latest version of Samsung’s Tizen smart platform. The homepage fills the entire screen and emphasises recommended content, though you’re able to customise it so that all your favourite apps can be found in the easy-to-access “Media” section.
Samsung has continued to expand the channel lineup on offer via Samsung TV Plus and the Samsung SmartHub remains a fuss-free way of managing your smart device connections. New this year is an in-built module that allows you to control Zigbee and Thread smart devices without the need for a dongle. This, and new SmartThings features ConnecTime and 3D Map View, which make it easier to take video calls from connected smart devices and conveniently monitor devices in your home, only strengthen the QN95C’s position as a smart home powerhouse.
On top of all that, the QN95C also delivers superb picture quality, excellent next-gen gaming support and impressive audio. It’s a brilliant all-rounder that’s right up there with the best smart TVs going.
Read our full Samsung QN95C review for more details
Key specs – Operating system: Tizen; Streaming services: Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Rakuten TV, ITV Hub, BBC Player, All 4, My 5; Smart assistants: Bixby built-in, works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant; Screen sizes: 55in, 65in (tested), 75in and 85in; Display type: Neo QLED; Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160); HDR formats: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+; HDMI inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1
6. Philips OLED808: Best Ambilight smart TV
Price when reviewed: From £1,099 (42in) | Check price at AO
If you’re after a smart TV capable of delivering a unique visual experience, look no further than Philips’ range of Ambilight televisions and more specifically, the OLED808.
It has LEDs built into three sides of the back of its panel and these project light onto the wall behind the TV. This may seem like a gimmick but has a very positive effect on your viewing experience. Films and games are a lot more immersive if you choose to have the LEDs match the colours on the screen, while the neutral white setting can be used as a bias light to improve perceived contrast and reduce eye strain in dark rooms.
Google TV provides the smarts, picture quality regardless of whether or not you’re using Ambilight is excellent and next-gen gaming provision is solid, too.
Read our Philips OLED808 review
Key specs – Operating system: Google TV; Streaming services: Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube; Smart assistants: Google Assistant built-in, works with Alexa; Screen sizes: 42in, 48in, 55in (tested) and 65in; Display type: WRGB OLED; 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
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