The Best 4K TVs of 2022

It’s 2022, and no one should be squinting to make out the details when they’re watching an episode of Severance or playing through a game of Elden Ring. With a 4K TV, you never will.

Popular services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are beginning to offer streaming content in 4K. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Gaming platforms, movies, and sports are following suit.

If you’re ready to get on the bandwagon, now’s the time. But just remember, not all of them are created equal. They’re equipped with different screen technology, interfaces, and sound features.

This 4K TV review will take a deep dive into the details so that you know which TV is best for you before you shell out your hard-earned cash.

The LG C9 OLED TV ain’t your grandparents’ old cathode ray tube set. It’s not even your uncle’s wide-screen HD TV that he showed off last Thanksgiving. It’s in a whole different league.

OLED screens like this one tout nearly perfect black levels, an infinite contrast ratio, a huge viewing angle, and can cover almost 100% of the P3 wide color gamut. This LG model also supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG formats. With all that and a 120 Hz refresh rate, you might want to install a seatbelt on your couch.

Let us put all that into plain English: your video quality is going to be crisp, clear, and colorful. You’ll be able to see what’s creeping in the dark corners while watching American Horror Story and those majestic mountains in Planet Earth II will basically pop out of the screen.

All you gamers will be happy to know that the LG C9 OLED has features like variable refresh rate (so that playing COD doesn’t end up looking like Counter-Strike on Windows 98) and an automatic low latency mode (ALLM).

The video quality isn’t the only thing that makes this puppy the best 4K HDR TV around.

The LG C9 OLED has a sleek, thin, and elegant design but still manages to boast a 2.2 channel 40W speaker system. That’s going to be plenty of audio for casual viewing, but dedicated Trekkies will probably want to upgrade to surround-sound before streaming the new season of Star Trek: Discovery on Paramount Plus.

This TV also features a “magic” remote that has Alexa and Google Assistant built right in. With LG ThinQ AI technology, you can command nearly every smart device in your house using voice controls. (You’ll basically be living in the future!)

The LG C9 OLED TV is certainly not the best budget 4K TV on the market. At well over two grand for the 55-inch model (and over four grand for the 77-inch) it’s in the medium-high price range even for 4K TVs.

Of course, if price isn’t an issue for you, then you might as well upgrade to the LG Signature OLED W9 model on Amazon, which packs all of the same great features into a thinner, picture-on-wall style TV. It only costs about as much as a used car!

If you’re looking for something that costs significantly less than a thousand dollars, then check out LG models from previous years or refurbished sets on Amazon. Or check out the TCL TV listed below.

Sony’s X800G LED screen might not have the picture quality or “perfect” blacks of our pick for the best 4K OLED TV, but it will still give you amazing video quality for every game. Plus LED screens don’t have the same issues with burn-in and brightness.

Most sports games that are broadcast on cable are in 720p, which is a much lower resolution than 4K. And unlike some other 4K TVs, the Sony X800G actually handles this lower resolution quite gracefully.

This TV has a standard 60 Hz refresh rate, but testing shows that its response rate is lightning-fast (which is important when you’re streaming NBA games live).

As far as modern TVs go, the Sony X800G is pretty stripped-down. But that can be a relief for those of us who are less interested in tweaking the fine little picture details. (After all, no one wants to accidentally get stuck in TV settings menu purgatory.)

This tube has a sleek, durable look with plenty of ports, and is equipped with the latest Android operating system. That means that it can support a generous selection of apps (like Netflix, Twitch, and Sling TV).

It also comes with a standard Sony remote that is loaded with Bluetooth and integrated voice control features. (“Beam me up, Sony X800G!”)

The best 4K TV for sports is available in four sizes: 49 inches, 55 inches, 65 inches, and a whopping 75 inches (that’s a Steph Curry–sized TV, for reference). We’ve priced out the 65-inch model here because you’ll want something at least that big when you’ve got your friends over for Superbowl Sunday.

At just under $1,000, this TV is in the middle price range compared to other 4K TVs. It’s definitely cheaper than the LG C9 OLED, but it’s a good deal more expensive than our budget pick.

If you’re excited about the X800G but want something a bit fancier, you can upgrade to the best Sony 4K TV available: the Sony X950G. This TV has the same basic structure but comes with a faster processor, better audio, and more extra video features.

Also, the X950G is available in an 85-inch model (that’s Karl-Anthony Towns sized, for reference)! But it will cost you about five times as much as the X800G. (Feel free to check the price on Amazon to be sure).

LED screens may not make for best 4K ultra-HD TVs, but they are nothing to scoff at either. The TCL S517 will outperform most TVs from a few years ago, even if it doesn’t have the same black level, contrast, or brightness as this year’s more expensive models.

Testing indicates that the TCL S517 has a fast response time. (It does have 120 Hz refresh rate, after all.) This is good news for all you vault hunters who like causing mayhem in Borderlands 3.

The TCL S517’s design is just like its picture quality: good enough. It’s relatively thin, with a mix of metal and plastic components. We’d like to see more than just a single USB port, but again, we can’t really complain about such an inexpensive product.

The two 8W speakers on this machine are weaker than any of the other TVs on the list, but they should provide enough sound for casual viewing. Those who want something more robust should consider getting a sound bar.

The TCL S517 makes up for some of these design flaws with an awesome user interface. Roku’s simple, intuitive design supports thousands of apps, making it ideal for pairing with a streaming TV service. The Roku smart remote is included with the TV.

Clearly, TCL is not the best 4K TV brand in the world. But the price is unbeatable. Imagine getting  a smart 4K TV for less than the price of an iPad.

If you’re looking for a TCL model that’s got a bit more oomph, then check out the 6-Series models on Amazon. These TVs are still decently priced but have more HDR options, a wider color spectrum, and other small improvements.

The Q80 sports Samsung’s “quantum dot” LED (QLED) screen, which is basically a normal LED screen with additional nanoparticles (yes, nanoparticles) that boost color and brightness. That means the wild scenery in Kingdom Hearts III will really pop.

While nothing can beat OLED TVs when it comes to “perfect” black levels, this TV has a Dynamic Black Equalizer feature that will help up the contrast and bring out the details lurking in those dark corners in Control.

But what really makes the Q80 the best TV for gaming is its low-input lag and FreeSync technology, which allow for a variable frame rate. That means tear-free gaming, so your screen won’t look like it’s split into two or more frames at once. Just make sure you have an internet connection that can keep up.

The Samsung Q80 is by far the most beautiful TV on this list. It well-constructed, using durable metal parts, and it sits on a curved metallic stand that’s more elegant and sturdy than those plastic stands that support most other TVs.

Most of the TV’s components are housed in a separate box that’s connected to the screen by a single cord. That means you can easily mount the screen flat against the wall almost like a picture frame (and you can even use the TV’s “Ambient Mode” to display your favorite artwork while you aren’t using it).

This stellar design includes the some of the highest quality built-in speakers available, plenty of USB/HDMI ports, and a decent Samsung remote.

In terms of smart technology, the Q80 features Bixby. Bixby is basically a wannabe Alexa that’s not quite as useful. But if you have other Alexa-enabled devices, you can hook them up to the Q80 and control your TV that way.

If you're looking for privacy and making sure no one is watching what you're watching, Samsung smart TVs are also a great candidate for VPNs.

When it’s not on sale, this 55-inch TV will set you back almost two grand. If you want to upgrade to the larger models, it can cost up to five grand. That’s a lot of green for a screen.

If you’re worried about the state of your savings account, you can still get an incredible gaming experience with our pick for the overall best 4K TV: the LG C9 OLED. Even the budget TCL models will be sufficient for most casual gaming.

The VIZIO P-Series Quantum is not unlike the Samsung Q80 in terms of picture quality. It’s got the same QLED technology, which means strong contrast, great brightness levels, and a wide color spectrum. Unfortunately, testing has shown the TV to have a relatively poor viewing angle.

It also supports the three most popular HDR technologies (Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG). That means you’ll be able to watch high-quality content on TV streaming services like Amazon Fire and on ultra-HD Blu-ray discs.

With 120 Hz refresh rate and low-input lag, this wide-screen TV is perfect for an immersive gaming experience (although it lacks Samsung’s seamless FreeSync technology).

Design-wise, the VIZIO P-Series Quantum is quite minimalistic. The body is mostly constructed with plastic, but the thin edges and silver stand give it a sleek look. It comes with a decent remote that’s nothing to write home about.

The two 15 watt speakers will pump out enough sound for watching reruns of The Office, but you’ll probably want some sort of sound bar or surround sound system for movie night.

The TV’s smart features are not the best, but they aren’t the worst, either. VIZIO’s SmartCast supports plenty of apps and Chromecast is built-in. But the system lacks the seamless feel of Roku or Android.

This VIZIO TV is decently priced for the enormous tank that it is. And it’s occasionally put on sale for less than a grand, so make sure to check the price on Amazon regularly.

Of course, there are larger TVs out there. If you want to up the size by almost a foot (and if you’ve got $6,000 lying around) check out the Sony X950G 85-inch TV on Amazon.

If you want to get that mesmerizing, theatre-like experience without such a huge screen (or price tag), then you might want to buy a curved 4K TV, like this one from LG (which you can view on Amazon).

If you’re asking “What’s the best 4K TV on the market?” then the answer is, “That depends on who you are.” Some TVs are ideal for big families, others for gamers, and some TVs are basically begging you to put on the sports game.

Here’s a quick recap of our picks and what they’re best for.

Best overall: The LG C9 OLED TV has the best of everything: picture quality, smart features, and a sleek design. It’s perfect for families that use the TV a lot and in multiple ways.

Best for watching sports: The Sony X800G is the best 4K TV for sports viewing because of its rapid response time, big screen, and crystal-clear picture.

Best budget pick: The TCL S517 is so cheap that it almost feels like stealing. The TV’s picture quality holds up, and its Roku interface is fantastic.

Best for gaming: The Samsung Q80 is a heavy-hitter. QLED screen, Dynamic Black Equalizer, and Freesync technology are just some of the features that make this the best 4K TV for gaming.

Best big screen: The VIZIO P-Series Quantum is not just a great TV. It’s a great big TV that will make your living room feel like a theatre.

Whichever 4K TV you end up with, you’ll want to maximize your viewing experience with a premium TV service. (Otherwise, what’s the point?)

That’s it for our review, but we’d love to hear what you think. Do you love your 4K TV? Have you got complaints? Chime in below in the comments section!