The Best TVs of 2025: Premium Picture Quality for Every Budget

OLED Technology

OLED TVs (Organic Light Emitting Diode) currently offer the best picture on the market. Each pixel is self-illuminating and can be completely turned off, leading to perfect blacks and infinite contrast. Colors are vibrant and natural, and the viewing angle is excellent.

• Perfect Blacks and Infinite Contrast
• Vibrant, Natural Colors
• Extremely Fast Response Time (Ideal for Gaming)
• Wide Viewing Angle
• Very Thin Design

Disadvantages: Lower peak brightness than QLED/Mini-LED, theoretical burn-in risk with static images, higher price.

QLED Technology

QLED TVs (Quantum Dot LED) use a special quantum dot coating to convert the light from the LED backlight into purer and more intense colors. This technology offers excellent brightness and a large color volume.

• Very High Peak Brightness (Ideal for Bright Rooms)
• Impressive Color Volume
• No Burn-in Risk
• Longer Lifespan
• Good value for money

Disadvantages: No perfect blacks like OLED, limited viewing angle, thicker chassis.

Mini-LED Technology

Mini-LED is an evolution of conventional LED technology. By using thousands of tiny LEDs in the backlight, more precise local dimming is achieved, significantly improving contrast.

• Very High Peak Brightness
• Improved Contrast Compared to Conventional LEDs
• More Precise Local Dimming
• No Burn-in Risk
• Good Alternative to OLED

Disadvantages: Not quite as deep blacks as OLED, blooming effects possible, higher price than standard LED.

QD-OLED Technology

QD-OLED is a new hybrid technology that combines the advantages of OLED (perfect blacks) with those of QLED (higher brightness, larger color volume). These TVs use blue OLED pixels with quantum dots to produce the other colors.

• Perfect Blacks like OLED
• Higher Brightness than Conventional OLEDs
• Larger Color Volume
• Excellent Viewing Angle

Disadvantages: Very high price, limited model selection, theoretical burn-in risk.

Micro-LED Technology

Micro-LED is the newest and most advanced TV technology. Similar to OLED, the pixels are self-illuminating but consist of inorganic materials. This allows Micro-LED to combine the advantages of OLED with higher brightness and no burn-in risk.

• Perfect Blacks and Infinite Contrast
• Extremely High Brightness
• Longer Lifespan than OLED
• No Burn-in Risk
• Modular Design Possible

Disadvantages: Extremely high price, very limited availability, mainly in very large screen sizes.

LED/LCD Technology

Classic LED/LCD technology is still widely used and offers good value for money. These TVs use an LED backlight and LCD panels for image generation.

• Lowest Entry Price
• Good Brightness
• Long Lifespan
• No Burn-in Risk
• Wide Range of Models

Disadvantages: Limited contrast, limited black levels, limited viewing angle.

Resolution

Resolution determines the number of pixels on the screen and thus the sharpness and detail of the image.

• Full HD (1920 x 1080): Sufficient for small screens and longer viewing distances
• 4K UHD (3840 x 2160): Current standard with four times as many pixels as Full HD
• 8K (7680 x 4320): Highest available resolution, but still limited native content

For most users, 4K is the optimal choice, offering excellent picture quality and with plenty of content now available in this resolution.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

HDR expands the dynamic range of the image, leading to more details in dark and bright areas, as well as more vibrant colors.

• HDR10: Open standard, supported by all HDR-capable TVs
• Dolby Vision: Premium format with dynamic metadata for scene-by-scene optimization
• HDR10+: Samsung’s alternative to Dolby Vision with dynamic metadata
• HLG: HDR format developed for TV broadcasts

A good TV should support at least HDR10, and ideally also Dolby Vision or HDR10+.

Refresh Rate

The refresh rate indicates how many frames per second the TV can display and affects motion clarity.

• 50/60 Hz: Basic standard, sufficient for normal TV content
• 100/120 Hz: Significantly improved motion display, ideal for sports and gaming
• Frame Interpolation: Technology for artificially increasing the frame rate

For sports fans and gamers, a native refresh rate of 100/120 Hz is recommended, as it displays smoother motion.

Smart TV Features

Smart TV features allow access to streaming services, apps, and online content directly through the TV.

• Operating System: Android TV, webOS (LG), Tizen (Samsung), etc.
• App Support: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, etc.
• Voice Control: Google Assistant, Alexa, etc.
• Smart Home Integration: Control of compatible devices

Look for a fluid, user-friendly operating system with good app support.

Gaming Features

For gamers, special features are important to enhance the gaming experience and minimize delays.

• HDMI 2.1: Support for 4K@120Hz and 8K@60Hz
• VRR (Variable Refresh Rate): Prevents screen tearing
• ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode): Automatic game mode
• Input Lag: Delay between input and screen display

Modern consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X particularly benefit from HDMI 2.1 features.

Ports and Connectivity

The ports determine which external devices you can connect to your TV.

• HDMI: Most important port for external devices
• USB: For media playback and recording
• Optical Output: For external audio systems
• Ethernet: Wired internet connection
• Bluetooth: For wireless headphones and controllers

Ensure sufficient HDMI ports (at least 3-4) and HDMI 2.1 if needed.

For Movie Lovers

If you mainly watch movies and series, you should pay attention to the following features:

• OLED technology for perfect black and contrast
• Dolby Vision for optimized HDR display
• Good motion handling (24p without judder)
• Filmmaker Mode for faithful reproduction
• Good sound system or connectivity options for external audio systems

Our recommendation: LG OLED G5 or Sony Bravia 9

For Gamers

For an optimal gaming experience, especially with PS5 or Xbox Series X, these features are important:

• HDMI 2.1 with 4K@120Hz support
• VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) for smooth gameplay
• ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) for automatic game mode
• Low Input Lag under 10ms for responsive gaming
• HGiG for precise HDR gaming

Our recommendation: Samsung S95F or LG OLED G5

For Sports Fans

For sports broadcasts, fast movements and good visibility even in daylight are crucial:

• High refresh rate (120Hz) for smooth movements
• Good motion clarity without blur during fast actions
• High brightness for viewing in daylight
• Wide viewing angle for group viewing
• Good anti-reflection against reflections

Our recommendation: Samsung S95F or Sony Bravia 9

For Bright Rooms

In bright rooms with a lot of daylight or direct sunlight, these features are important:

• High peak brightness (>1000 Nits)
• Effective anti-reflection against reflections
• QLED or Mini-LED technology
• Matte Display for reduced reflections
• Good color saturation even at high brightness

Our recommendation: Samsung S95F or Sony Bravia 9

For Small Rooms

In smaller rooms with limited space and shorter viewing distances, you should consider:

• Appropriate screen size (42-55 inches)
• Optimal viewing distance (approx. 1.5-2.5m for 55 inches)
• Compact design with narrow bezels
• Good sound quality without external speakers
• Wall-mounting option for space saving

Our recommendation: LG OLED C5 42″ or Philips OLED 810 48″

For Budget-Conscious Buyers

If you are looking for good value for money without sacrificing important features:

• Mini-LED or QLED instead of OLED for better value for money
• Mid-range models from premium manufacturers
• Previous year’s models with price reduction
• Focus on important features instead of niche functions
• Good basic equipment with 4K, HDR and Smart TV

Our recommendation: Hisense U7NQ or TCL C7K

8K Resolution

8K TVs offer 7680 x 4320 pixels, four times as many pixels as 4K models. Although native 8K content is still rare, advanced upscaling algorithms also improve the display of 4K material. With falling prices and increasing content availability, 8K will gain importance in the coming years.

Micro-LED Technology

Micro-LED combines the advantages of OLED (perfect black, infinite contrast) with those of LED (high brightness, long lifespan). Each pixel consists of tiny, self-illuminating LEDs. Currently, Micro-LED TVs are still extremely expensive, but with advancing production technology, they will become more affordable in the future.

AI Image Optimization

Artificial intelligence plays an increasingly important role in image optimization. Modern processors analyze image content in real-time and automatically adjust parameters such as contrast, sharpness, and colors. Future generations will work even more precisely and even be able to reduce image noise or improve resolution.

Improved Gaming Features

With the increasing prevalence of gaming on consoles and PCs, TV manufacturers will further expand their gaming features. Future models will offer higher refresh rates (up to 240Hz), even lower input lags, and extended VRR ranges to further improve the gaming experience.

Flexible and Transparent Displays

Rollable and transparent displays will change the way we integrate TVs into our living spaces. These innovative designs allow the TV to become invisible when not in use or transform into a work of art, which is particularly attractive in design-oriented households.

Improved Audio Technologies

Future TVs will integrate more advanced audio technologies that produce sound directly from the screen. Through precise control of sound waves, these systems can create a room-filling, three-dimensional sound that reduces the need for external speakers.