honorable mentions
There are so many good TVs available, we can’t add them all to our top list. Here are some of the best alternatives that either missed the cut or fell off our top list due to their replacements.
Hisense U8QG: The U8QG is a great buy at its lowest price (about $1,000 for the 65-inch model) and a solid option above that price, especially if you want flashy brightness above everything else. I noticed some SDR color accuracy issues (some images looked too red) and found it difficult to prevent some content from becoming excessively bright. Thankfully, you can always turn it off, and its nuclear power plant is paired with excellent black levels, deep contrast, and plenty of features. I really like the same powerful U8N from last year, but it’s becoming harder to find in stock.
TCL QM7K (2025): I have a love/hate relationship with the QM7K. Part of TCL’s new precision dimming series, its gorgeous black levels and contrast reach OLED heights, matching good brightness for some spectacular moments. Problem? The colors on my review model varied, with select black and grayscale materials having a strange green tint. Thankfully, I confirmed that TCL’s latest firmware update has fixed the problem. The TV’s picture processing and color still don’t catch up to premium TVs, and this is the second year in a row I’ve found a troubling display issue with the QM7. You shouldn’t buy it at full price, but if you can get the 65-inch model for $1,000 or less, it’s a very attractive option.
Samsung S95D: Samsung’s previous S95 matte-screen wonder is still a great QD-OLED TV that will be a favorite in almost any TV room. We like the newer version better, which demands fewer compromises when it comes to deep black levels, but if you can find the previous version at a great deal, you won’t be sorry.
Hisense U7N: If you’re looking for a TV priced similarly to the QM6K, but with some added hassle, last year’s Hisense U7N offers serious brightness compared to our top pick and is still one of our favorite options for your bang for the buck. Its blooming controls and screen uniformity aren’t as sophisticated as the QM6K, but it has plenty of features, including great gaming credentials and a streamlined Google TV interface. It’s still a great buy while stocks last, especially at $700 or less.
Sony A95L: Sony finally replaced this lovely screen with the 2025 Bravia 8 II, which offers enhanced colors and higher HDR brightness, as well as equally incredible picture processing and upscaling. That shouldn’t stop you from considering the A95L (9/10, WIRED recommended) at a lower price. With great image quality and an intuitive Google TV interface, it’s a premium package that’s very attractive when selling well.
Sony Bravia 7: The Bravia 7 is a gorgeous display, offering brilliant brightness, natural colors and gentle beauty in the fine details. Its biggest drawback is very poor off-axis visibility, which may be hard to swallow at its high list price. Otherwise, it’s worth considering for fans of Sony’s brightness, especially since Sony is offering more generous discounts on its best QLED TVs than its OLED models.
Other TVs we’ve tested
Samsung The Frame Pro: I put the Frame Pro through our entire review process and was left in limbo due to software issues and (so far) not impressed with the performance. The matte screen looks smooth when displaying art, especially if you buy one of the add-on frames (a frame for the sake of a frame?) from Samsung or Deco TV Frames. Picture performance was otherwise mediocre. It’s much brighter than a traditional frame, and colors pop, but its edge-lit Mini LED system doesn’t look good with dark 4K HDR content, even in the daytime. Additionally, I was troubled by its extremely sluggish operating system (which others have reported) and stuttering Blu-ray playback. We’re waiting for the second model, which we hope will relieve the software issues, but stay away from it for now.
TCL QM7: There’s only one thing stopping 2024’s beautifully balanced QM7: a software glitch. During my review, I encountered an issue where adjusting the HDR backlight level affected HDR, which can lead to severe brightness limitations. While TCL fixed the issue for me in a firmware update, I never got confirmation on a broader OTA fix. Most people probably won’t have this problem, so the QM7 is still worth considering, but be sure and check it out before throwing away the box.
The TVs we’re testing next
Samsung S90F: The follow-up to our favorite gaming TV may be one of the best OLED values of the season (it usually is). I will be testing it long-term for several weeks, so I should explore every nook and cranny for a thorough evaluation.
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