Picking out a smart TV can feel a bit confusing with all of the choices out there. You might wonder which screen size will fit your space or what picture quality will actually make a difference. Some people care about having lots of streaming apps, while others want something simple to use. This post will walk through the main things to think about before you buy a smart TV. By the end, you should have a better idea of what matters most for you and your home.
Screen Size and Placement
When picking a smart TV, think about the size of the room and how far you plan to sit from the screen. A bigger room usually means you can go with a larger screen. If you sit close to the TV, a smaller screen might work better. Most people find that sitting about one and a half to two and a half times the diagonal screen size away from the TV gives a good viewing experience.
You also need to decide if you want to mount the TV on a wall or place it on a stand. Wall mounting can save space and keep things looking neat. It can also be helpful if you want the screen higher up. Wall mounting your TV can also be more secure if you have pets or kids in your home. Using a stand is simpler and makes it easier to move the TV if needed. Make sure the stand or wall bracket will hold the size and weight of your TV.
Screen shape and glare are also things to think about. Flat screens are common and work well for most rooms. Some TVs have curved screens, which can help with glare in certain spots, but they do not always fit well in smaller spaces. Sunlight and bright lights can cause glare, so try to place your TV away from windows or use curtains to cut down on reflections. The finish of the screen can also make a difference, with glossy screens showing more glare than matte ones. If glare is really an issue in your media room, look for an anti-glare TV to help.
Resolution and Picture Quality
When looking at smart TVs, you will see different types of resolution listed, such as HD, 4K, and 8K. HD, also called 1080p, means the TV can show about two million pixels, which makes the picture look clear. 4K TVs have four times as many pixels as HD, so the picture looks sharper, especially on larger screens. 8K TVs have even more pixels, but there is not much 8K content right now, so you may not notice a big difference compared to 4K in most cases.
HDR stands for high dynamic range. When a TV has HDR support, it can show a wider range of colors and better contrast between bright and dark areas. This means you might see more detail in shadows and highlights, which can make movies and games look more true to life if the content you watch is made for HDR.
Refresh rate is another thing to check. This is how many times per second the screen updates. Most TVs come with either 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rates. A higher refresh rate can make fast-moving scenes, like sports or action movies, look smoother. If you plan to play video games or watch a lot of sports, a higher refresh rate might be a good choice.
Operating System and Connectivity
Smart TVs run on different platforms, with some of the most common ones being Roku TV, Android TV, Google TV, Fire TV, Tizen, and webOS. Each platform has its own menu style and features. Some people prefer a system that is simple to use, while others look for more options or deeper settings. It is a good idea to try out the menu in a store or watch a video demonstration to see which one matches what you like to use.
Think about which apps you use the most and check if the TV supports them. Most smart TVs come with popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, but not all models have every app. Also, check how often the TV gets software updates. Updates can bring new features or fix problems, so a brand that updates its TVs regularly can be more reliable over time.
If you are planning on hooking your new TV into your smart home, also consider your smart home network. If your smart home is powered by Google voice assistant, it makes sense to look at TV’s that have the Google TV OS. Using the same OS as your main smart home controller will allow for a deeper integration with your smart home devices.
Look at the types and number of ports on the TV, such as HDMI, USB, and audio outputs. More HDMI ports can be helpful if you want to connect game consoles, streaming boxes, or sound systems. Wireless options like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are also common. Wi-Fi lets you stream shows without cables, while Bluetooth can connect to headphones or speakers. Make sure the TV has the right ports and wireless features for the devices you plan to use.
In Summary
Choosing a smart TV comes down to what works best for your space, your viewing habits, and your favorite apps or devices. Think about the size of your room and how far away you will sit. Pick a screen size and shape that fits where you want to put it. Pay attention to picture quality, including resolution and refresh rate, if you care about sharper images or smoother motion. Check which smart TV platform feels easiest for you and make sure it supports the streaming services you use the most. Double-check the types of ports and wireless features, so you can plug in what you need. Taking a little time to look at these things can help make sure the TV you pick fits your home and the way you like to watch shows or play games.
