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The best Samsung TVs you can buy: Expert tested
Samsung has released its newest additions to their TV line-up, and they offer plenty of reasons to consider upgrading your old Samsung set. The latest TVs provide the premium video and audio quality Samsung is known for, along with a 144Hz for smoother action in movies, shows, and games. You'll also get access to cloud gaming services so you can play your favorite console and PC games without investing in expensive, dedicated hardware.
Also: The best TVs you can buy
What is the best Samsung TV right now?
ZDNET staff has went hands-on with plenty of Samsung TV models, and our pick for the best Samsung TV overall is the Samsung S95D for its Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+ support, 144Hz maximum refresh rate, and the anti-glare coating. We know everyone has different budgets and needs for their TV, so we included a variety of Samsung TVs that have great features.
The best Samsung TVs of 2024
- Excellent audio and picture quality
- AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support
- Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+
- Expensive
- No Dolby Vision support
The S95D is Samsung's latest iteration of the company's OLED line of TVs, and not only will you get signature OLED picture quality, you'll also be able to push your TV's refresh rate as high as 144Hz for smoother action during fast-paced scenes in movies, shows, and video games. You'll also get high-quality audio with support for both Dolby Atmos and Samsung's Object Tracking Sound+ technology for audio that follows the on-screen action as it moves.
If you're a gamer, you'll find support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR technology to prevent screen tearing and other visual glitches.
Also: Samsung's S95D OLED is the best TV of CES 2024 and best in the world right now
ZDNET's Editor-in-Chief, Jason Hiner, went hands-on with the S95D at a recent Samsung event, and he praised the new anti-glare coating on the screen, which helps improve visibility in brighter rooms and under harsh lighting. He also highlighted the TV's ability to maintain bold, bright colors even with a matte finish for an impressive picture.
Samsung S95D tech specs: Screen size: 55-77 inches | Panel type: OLED | Refresh rate: Up to 144Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: OLED HDR Pro | Audio: Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound+ | Voice controls: Alexa, Bixby, Hey Google
- Dolby Atmos and object tracking sound
- 144Hz max refresh rate
- Dedicated gaming dashboard
- AI-assisted upscaling and picture processing
- Pricey
- No Nvidia G-Sync support
- No Apple HomeKit support
The Q90D is one of the latest additions to Samsung's TV line-up, and builds upon its predecessor with an AI-assisted processor for better upscaling and picture rendering. You can choose a screen size from as small as 43 inches for a bedroom or office or as large as 98 inches for the ultimate home theater screen.
You'll get both Dolby Atmos and object tracking sound for virtual 3D audio that follows the on-screen action. You'll get a native 120Hz refresh rate that can be boosted to 144Hz for console or PC gaming to give you smoother action. And with the dedicated gaming dashboard, you'll get access to cloud gaming services like Xbox GamePass as well as support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR technology to prevent annoying screen tearing and stuttering.
Hiner also got a close look at the Samsung Q90D, and said he was impressed by the AI-assisted upscaling for non-4K content as well as the inclusion of the Samsung Knox security chip to better protect your online activity and private information from bad actors.
Samsung Q90D tech specs: Screen size: 43-98 inches | Panel type: Neo QLED | Refresh rate: Up to 144Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Neo Quantum HDR+ | Audio: Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound+ | Voice controls: Alexa, Bixby, Hey Google
- Up to 98-inch screen
- Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound Lite
- Google Meet support
- Allows custom calibration
- No Dolby Vision support
The Samsung Q80C was one of my top picks for the best 85-inch TVs, which already made it a top big-screen option. But Samsung has released a truly massive 98-inch version for a viewing experience that's as close to going to a movie theater as you can get without leaving your house. It's built with a QLED panel for better brightness, color, and contrast than previous Samsung models. It also allows you to perform custom calibrations with a companion app to create a personalized viewing experience.
The integrated speakers work with both Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound Lite for virtual 3D surround sound. You can also set up wireless subwoofers, sound bars, and speakers via Bluetooth for a custom home audio configuration. You can even use the Q80C to make video calls via the Google Meet app so you can join work meetings or catch up with family and friends from the comfort of your couch.
Samsung Q80C tech specs: Screen size: 50-98 inches | Panel type: QLED | Refresh rate: | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Quantum HDR+ | Audio: Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound Lite | Voice controls: Alexa, Bixby, Hey Google
- As small as 32-inches
- Object tracking sound support
- Support for multiple voice assistants
- Preloaded apps
- Pricey for a small TV
- No Dolby Atmos or Dolby Vision support
The Samsung Q60C is an excellent option for anyone who needs a smaller-screen TV for their apartment, bedroom, or dorm. It's available in screen sizes as small as 32 inches, making it almost perfect for a second screen or for saving space in a living room that's on the tiny side. And just because it's a small-screen TV, that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice cool features.
You'll get object-tracking sound for virtual 3D audio and support for Alexa, Bixby, and Hey Google voice controls. With popular, preloaded apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+, you can start streaming your favorite movies and shows right out of the box. And with the Tizen operating system, you can download thousands more to turn your TV into the ultimate entertainment hub.
Samsung Q60C tech specs: Screen size: 32 inches | Panel type: QLED | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Quantum HDR+ | Audio: Object Tracking Sound Lite | Voice controls: Alexa, Bixby, Hey Google
- Nice variety of screen sizes
- Very affordable
- Object Tracking Sound Lite
- Support for multiple voice assistants
- No Dolby Atmos or Dolby Vision support
- Only 60Hz refresh rate
Samsung may best be known for its excellent mid-range and budget-friendly TVs, and the CU7000 is the best cheap Samsung TV you can buy. It's available in screen sizes from 43 to 85 inches, and the 55-inch version retails well under $500. It's built with Samsung's Crystal UHD LED panel for crisp detailing, bright colors, sharp contrast, and support for HDR10+. The speakers use Samsung's Object Tracking Sound Lite technology to create virtual 3D audio and a more immersive viewing experience for movies, shows, music, and gaming.
It features Bluetooth connectivity for setting up wireless home audio options for media sharing from mobile devices for more ways to listen to music, view photos, and play videos or mobile games on a bigger screen. With support for Alexa, Samsung Bixby, and Hey Google voice controls, you can operate your new TV and connected devices without hunting for a remote.
Samsung CU7000 tech specs: Screen size: 43-85 inches | Panel type: Crystal UHD | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: HDR10+ | Audio: Object Tracking Sound Lite | Voice controls: Alexa, Bixby, Hey Google
Samsung TVs, compared
Best Samsung TV | Price | Audio | Panel type |
Samsung S95D | $3,400 | Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound+ | OLED |
Samsung Q90D | $3,300 | Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound+ | Neo QLED |
Samsung Q80C | $7,998 | Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound Lite | QLED |
Samsung Q60C | $778 | Object Tracking Sound Lite | OLED |
Samsung CU7000 | $430 | Dolby Digital Plus | LED |
*Lowest price at the time of writing. Please note that prices may vary based on retailer and available promotions, sales, or discounts.
Why choose Samsung over other TV manufacturers?
The biggest reason to choose Samsung over other manufacturers like LG or Sony is simply quality. TVs like the S90C and S95D are at the top of their class. Samsung is a versatile brand, with options that range from high-end to value-focused. No matter what type of TV you need, Samsung has options - and every one offers quality for the money.
Samsung TVs are also noted for their reliability, with the company making TVs for decades. In a television landscape that sees flashy new models roll out every year, many customers report being perfectly happy with their Samsung sets for many years.
If you're a gamer, you'll appreciate the Samsung Gaming Hub, found on newer sets like the S90C. The Gaming Hub gives you access to cloud-based services like Luna so you can game without a console.
Which Samsung TV is right for you?
Once you've hammered out a budget and made sure the new TV will fit in your space, the most crucial factor to consider when buying a new Samsung TV is how you will use it. Have you cut the cord and moved exclusively to streaming? Choose a model with a preloaded suite of popular apps and the ability to mirror your mobile device screens.
Are you a console gamer? Samsung offers dedicated gaming modes for reducing input lag and response times and toggling VRR technology like FreeSync and G-Sync on or off.
Buy this best Samsung TV... | If you need... |
Samsung S95D | The best overall option. You get signature OLED picture quality and Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+. |
Samsung Q90D | A versatile Samsung TV that comes in sizes ranging from 43-98 inches. |
Samsung Q80C | A big-screen Samsung TV with QLED panel for better brightness, color, and contrast. |
Samsung Q60C | A small-screen Samsung TV. The Q60C is available in 32, 43, and 50-inch screen sizes for bedrooms, dorms, and apartments. |
Samsung CU7000 | A budget-friendly Samsung TV. The CU7000 retails for much less than other Samsung models and competitors, offering great features. |
Factors to consider when choosing a Samsung TV:
While shopping for a Samsung TV, there are a few factors to keep in mind to help you stay on-budget and get the most value for your money:
- Price: Samsung has a wide range of televisions available, from basic and budget-friendly to premium-grade OLEDs. We've included a variety of Samsung TVs at different price points to fit different budgets.
- Picture and audio quality: While Samsung doesn't include support for Dolby Vision HDR on their televisions, they do offer Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound or Dolby Digital for enhanced audio. Samsung also uses a proprietary HDR codec to enhance detailing, color, and contrast for images. Each TV featured on this list has been ensured to support at least basic HDR10 and Dolby Digital audio.
- Connectivity: A new TV, Samsung or not, isn't worth much if you can't do anything with it. Each product on this list has been tested and researched to ensure that they offer HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity for setting up game consoles and playback devices as well as for screen sharing from mobile devices and downloading streaming apps.
What's the future of Samsung TVs?
There's no reason to think that Samsung will stop being one of the top names anytime soon. Like every aspect of technology right now, AI is the popular trend. This year's Samsung sets did incorporate some AI processing, and since AI isn't going anywhere, expect to see more of that. Samsung has also done a good job with smart home connectivity, with recent models having a built-in SmartThings hub. It would be nice to see that expand to other ecosystems in the future.
How did we choose these Samsung TVs?
While researching and testing each Samsung TV featured on this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:
- Reasons to upgrade: It seems like every year, TV brands release updated product lineups with gimmicky features to try and get you to upgrade your current screen. Each Samsung TV on this list was chosen because it offered enough new and unique features over the previous generation of products to warrant a possible upgrade.
- Smart features: People have come to expect smart features like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and virtual assistants as-standard in their new TVs. Each Samsung TV that was chosen offers a suite of features from hands-free voice controls to screen calibration and free TV channels.
- Screen sizes: No two homes, and no two rooms within those homes, are exactly alike. It's important to get the right sized screen for your space to avoid making the room either feel like an endless void due to a too-small TV or cramped and uncomfortable from one that's too large.
What size TV is best for my room?
The best way to find the ideal TV size for your space is to measure the distance (in inches) from where your TV will be mounted on the wall or placed on a stand to where you will be sitting, and then divide that distance in half. So if your couch is 120 inches (10 feet) from where your new TV will be, the ideal screen size for your room would be around 60 inches.
You can go a bit bigger or smaller depending on what sizes are available from each brand and what your budget allows. But there is such a thing as a TV that is too big or too small. A screen that is too large will overwhelm your space and could even cause motion sickness, while a screen that is entirely too small will make your room feel like a huge cavern and force everyone to crowd around in order to see.
What's the difference between QLED and OLED?
Short answer: Marketing.
Long answer: Unlike OLED, the term "QLED" is a marketing gimmick rather than an acronym for a specific piece of technology. A QLED television from Samsung or another brand like Hisense really just uses a regular LED panel to create an image while a fancy processing chip uses proprietary software to boost color, brightness, and contrast. The "Q" in QLED stands for "quantum," which is a marketing term to get you interested in the TV rather than an indication of actual quantum TV tech (whatever that would be).
In contrast, an OLED television uses a special LED panel where each individual pixel is represented by a single LED bulb with its own power source. By allowing individual LED lights to be switched off completely, an OLED television is capable of true blacks that make brighter colors pop and enhance contrast. They also use an organic substrate which is activated by an electrical current to produce colors. This substrate is very expensive and difficult to produce, which is why OLED TVs are much more expensive than their LED and QLED counterparts.
How long will a Samsung TV last?
If you aren't running your Samsung TV 24/7, you can reasonably expect it to last at least five years. You can extend the life of your Samsung TV by ensuring that the operating system and firmware are up to date via automatic updates.
Unfortunately, the era of TVs lasting decades as long as there weren't any mechanical issues is long over. Because almost all new televisions are internet-enabled, there will eventually come a point where older TVs are no longer able to support new firmware updates or new versions of streaming apps. This means that you'll almost be forced to buy a new TV every 10 or so years if you've cut the cord and moved exclusively to streaming your content. The average TV lifespan will give you plenty of time to save up for when the time comes to upgrade.
Are Samsung TVs good for gaming?
Absolutely! Along with a variety of screen sizes available, new Samsung TVs like the QN90C and S95C include the Samsung Gaming Hub. The Hub gives you access to cloud gaming services like Nvidia GeForce NOW and Xbox Game Pass, as well as lowered input response times, support for VRR technology like AMD FreeSync, and enhanced contrast. You'll also get multiple HDMI inputs for connecting more than one console, as well as an RF connection for some retro consoles like the SNES.