Most people who return a new TV don’t do it because the picture is bad. They do it because the screen is the wrong size, and almost always too small. Here is a quick way to get it right the first time.
Start with your viewing distance
Measure from the spot where you sit to the wall or stand where the TV will go. With 4K you can sit closer than you could with an old HD set, because you no longer see the pixels. A simple rule: divide the viewing distance in inches by 1.2 to 1.5, and you get a comfortable screen size.
| Viewing distance | Recommended screen size |
|---|---|
| 5 to 6 feet | 43″ to 50″ |
| 6 to 7 feet | 50″ to 55″ |
| 7 to 8 feet | 55″ to 65″ |
| 8 to 10 feet | 65″ to 75″ |
| 10 feet or more | 75″ to 86″ |
Torn between two sizes? Go bigger. It is the most common advice from people who have just upgraded, and it is hard to find anyone who regrets it.
Check the wall, the stand and the doorway
A 65-inch TV is about 57 inches wide, a 75-inch about 66 inches and an 85-inch about 74 inches. Make sure your media console is wide enough for the feet, which on some models sit near the edges, and that the box, several inches larger than the TV, will fit through your doors and stairwell.
Pick the panel type
- LED 4K UHD: the best value, great for everyday TV, news and streaming. See 4K UHD TVs.
- QLED and Mini-LED: brighter, with richer color; Mini-LED adds local dimming for deeper blacks. The pick for sunny rooms and sports. See QLED & Mini-LED TVs.
- OLED: perfect blacks, wide viewing angles and the best picture for movie nights in a dim room. See OLED TVs.
Gamers: look for 120 Hz
Current consoles and gaming PCs can output 4K at 120 frames per second. To use it, you need a TV with a native 120 Hz or 144 Hz panel and HDMI 2.1 inputs; VRR and ALLM keep play smooth and responsive. Many budget TVs are 60 Hz: fine for movies, less so for fast shooters.
Don’t overpay for the smart platform
Tizen, webOS, Google TV, Roku and Fire TV all run the major streaming apps. Choose the one you already know, or the one that fits the rest of your home: Google TV pairs naturally with Android phones, Fire TV with Alexa. You can always add a streaming stick later.
Quick picks by room
- Bedroom or kitchen: a 32- to 43-inch model from Small TVs or 4K UHD TVs.
- Typical living room: 65 inches, QLED or Mini-LED.
- Home theater or basement: 75 inches and up, Mini-LED or OLED.