The Best TVs of 2026 (And the Best Values Under $1,000)
The Bottom Line: The Best TVs of 2026 (And the Best Values Under $1,000)
If you are in the market for a new big-screen TV, right now is a prime buying window. Retailers are actively clearing out leftover 2025 models at their lowest prices ever to make room for the incoming 2026 inventory, which include some exciting new features this year.
We have sifted through the latest independent lab tests to bring you the cold, hard facts on which 4K smart TVs actually deliver on their promises. Whether you want a flagship OLED or a high-performing 65-inch screen on a budget, here are the sets worth your hard-earned money.
The Top Tier: Best Overall TVs
These models demand a premium price but deliver uncompromising picture quality, exceptional high dynamic range (HDR), and solid audio performance.
(CR Score: 91) : This 65-inch midtier OLED is currently one of the best sets on the market. Gamers will appreciate the maximum 4K 144-hertz refresh rate, while movie buffs get incredible HDR10+ performance. Depending on the size you buy, you are getting either a QD-OLED or WOLED panel. (Price range: $1297.99 - $1399.99).
(CR Score: 89) : LG’s 2025 flagship model offers top-notch picture quality and stellar HDR performance. It ditches last year's tech for a new "four-stack" OLED panel, also called an RGB tandem panel. The result is an even brighter TV with improved color saturation. It features a blistering 165Hz refresh rate and Dolby Atmos support. (Price range: $1926.99 - $2299.99).
(CR Score: 81) : Replacing the A95L as Sony's flagship QD-QLED, this set boasts excellent HDR and a unique audio trick. Its Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology utilizes activators behind the screen that turn the whole panel into a speaker. (Price range: $2698.00 - $2699.99).
(CR Score: 82) : The only LCD/LED TV to make the flagship cut. It utilizes a Mini LED backlight and quantum dots to achieve an expanded color range, and features Samsung’s Glare-Free tech to help reduce screen reflections. (Price range: $1497.99 - $1597.99).
The Value Picks: Best 65-Inch TVs Under $1,000
You do not have to spend two grand to get a great picture. These models punch above their weight class, delivering satisfying HDR and very good to excellent overall picture quality for under $1,000.
(CR Score: 84) : Finding a top-tier OLED under a thousand bucks is rare, making this set (which appears to be exclusive to Best Buy) an incredible value. It delivers Dolby Atmos audio and excellent overall picture quality. (Price: $899.99).
** (CR Score: 77) : A higher-end 2024 model featuring Mini LED backlights. It boasts a fairly wide viewing angle for an LCD set and runs on LG's webOS smart TV system. (Price range: $995.99 - $1099.99).
(CR Score: 72) : This midtier model in Hisense's 2025 ULED TV lineup offers excellent HD and 4K picture quality. It uniquely supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, packs a 165Hz game mode, and utilizes the Google TV smart platform. (Price range: $796.96 - $799.99).
** (CR Score: 69) : A strong QLED Mini LED contender with excellent overall picture quality. Gamers will love the native 144-hertz refresh rate (with a 288-hertz gaming variable refresh rate), and it features very good sound from Bang & Olufsen. (Price range: $998.00 - $1199.99).
The Watchdog's Guide to Soundbars
Modern TVs are incredibly thin, which is great for your living room's aesthetics but terrible for audio fidelity. Because there is simply no physical space inside a modern flat-screen to house substantial speakers, many TVs have unimpressive sound in comparison to their image quality.
Even top-tier TVs that manage "very good" sound in lab tests—evaluating bass depth, volume levels, and audible distortion—can still fall short of providing a true cinematic experience.
The easiest, most cost-effective fix? Add a soundbar.
Here is what you need to know when shopping for one:
- Match the Brand (Sometimes): Many modern TVs offer features that allow the TV's built-in speakers to work in tandem with a soundbar from the same brand (e.g., LG's WOW Orchestra).
- Look for HDMI eARC: To get the best possible uncompressed audio (like Dolby Atmos) from your TV to your soundbar, ensure both support HDMI eARC.
- Don't Forget the Subwoofer: If you want to actually feel the explosions in a movie or the bass in your music, look for a soundbar package that includes a dedicated, separate subwoofer.
*(Check out the latest deals on top-rated soundbars on Amazon here
.)*
Tech Primer: OLED vs. LCD/LED
Before deciding on a new set, it's essential to understand the two basic technologies used in today's televisions.
- OLED: Each pixel generates its own light. This means when a pixel needs to be black, it turns off completely, resulting in the deepest shadows appearing truly black rather than gray. They also offer essentially unlimited viewing angles.
- LCD/LED: These rely on LED backlights to illuminate the screen. While standard LCDs can't deliver OLED-like black levels, the best models now use Mini LEDs or full-array backlights with local dimming. This tech divides the backlight into separate zones that dim independently, improving contrast and reducing the annoying halos around bright objects on dark backgrounds.
