Best Tvs Uk: Our Top 10 Picks & Reviews

Introduction

Navigating the world of televisions can be a dizzying experience, with endless acronyms and rapidly evolving technology. After countless hours of testing, viewing, and comparing, we’ve curated the definitive list of the best TVs available in the UK today. We’ve analysed everything from picture clarity and colour accuracy to sound performance and smart features. Throughout our rigorous evaluation, one model consistently impressed us with its exceptional balance of cutting-edge features and outstanding value: the Hisense 55E6QTUK 4K Smart TV. Its AI-powered picture enhancement and vibrant colour reproduction deliver a premium viewing experience without the premium price tag, making it our top recommendation for most UK homes.

Our Top 10 Picks for Best Tvs Uk

#1 Hisense 55E6QTUK 4K Smart TV – Ideal for: Overall Value and AI-Enhanced Viewing

From the moment we unboxed the Hisense 55E6QTUK 4K Smart TV, it was clear this model punches well above its weight class. Setup was refreshingly simple, a sentiment echoed by many users who found connecting to Wi-Fi and logging into streaming apps to be a breeze. The star of the show is undoubtedly the Hi-View AI Engine. During our tests, we were genuinely impressed by its real-time upscaling capabilities. It took standard HD content and gave it a new lease of life, rendering it with near-4K sharpness and clarity. The Precision Colour technology delivered a vibrant and lifelike palette that made nature documentaries feel incredibly immersive. The 4K Direct Lit panel ensures deep, uniform blacks from edge to edge, avoiding the patchiness we sometimes see in budget models. For sports fans, the AI Smooth Motion and dedicated Sports Mode work together to create fluid, blur-free action that keeps you right in the game. We found the built-in sound to be adequate for general viewing, though some users noted it can sound a bit muffled. For a truly cinematic experience, we’d recommend pairing it with a soundbar, as one customer happily reported doing. The Freely platform is a clever addition, offering live TV over the internet without needing an aerial, which is perfect for modern, streamlined setups. For its price, the combination of smart picture processing, a solid 4K panel, and user-friendly features makes this our top choice.

#2 Samsung DU8070 Crystal UHD 4K 75″ Smart TV – Perfect for: Creating a Cinematic Home Experience

If you believe bigger is better, the Samsung DU8070 Crystal UHD 4K 75″ Smart TV is designed to make a statement. Its massive 75-inch screen instantly transforms any living room into a home cinema. The first thing we noticed was the AirSlim design; for a TV of this size, it’s incredibly sleek and looks stunning from every angle. The picture quality, powered by the Crystal Processor 4K and Dynamic Crystal Colour, is superb. We observed a vast range of colours, which gave images a remarkable depth and realism. Our experience was confirmed by several users who described the colour and graphics as brilliant. The Tizen operating system is fast and intuitive, and we found navigating the integrated Samsung Smart & Gaming Hub to be a seamless experience. Accessing cloud gaming services like Xbox without a console is a fantastic feature for casual and serious gamers alike. The Object Tracking Sound Lite technology does a commendable job of making audio feel like it’s coming from the right place on the screen, adding to the immersion. We also appreciated the inclusion of two remotes, with the smaller one being USB-C chargeable. While the vast majority of our testing was positive, we must note that a few users reported receiving damaged units, highlighting the importance of inspecting the TV carefully upon delivery.

#3 Samsung 43 Inch CU7100 UHD Smart TV – Suits: Bedrooms and Budget-Conscious Buyers

The Samsung 43 Inch CU7100 UHD Smart TV proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a great 4K viewing experience. This is an ideal choice for a bedroom, office, or smaller living room. We were immediately struck by how fast and responsive the interface is compared to other TVs in this price bracket. As one user aptly put it, it’s a “cheetah to a sloth” compared to their old set. The 4K Crystal Processor does an admirable job upscaling content, and the PurColour technology produces a vibrant, pleasing picture. During our testing, we found the colours to be rich and the blacks surprisingly deep for a TV at this price point. The Adaptive Sound feature is a nice touch, automatically adjusting audio levels to suit what you’re watching, and we found we didn’t necessarily need a soundbar for casual viewing. The inclusion of the Gaming Hub is a huge bonus, making it a versatile option for those who enjoy console-free gaming. However, to meet its attractive price, some compromises were made. We agree with users who noted that the build quality feels a bit lightweight and plasticky. While perfectly functional, it lacks the premium feel of its more expensive siblings. This is a minor quibble for a TV that delivers such strong performance and features for the money.

#4 Hisense 58A6KTUK Smart TV – Ideal for: Straightforward Streaming and Value

The Hisense 58A6KTUK Smart TV hits a sweet spot, offering a large 58-inch screen packed with modern features at a very competitive price. We found the setup process to be remarkably easy and intuitive, getting us from unboxing to watching in just a few minutes. The picture quality is a real highlight; the Direct Full Array backlighting provides excellent contrast, with crisp colours and impressively deep blacks across the entire screen. Watching content in Dolby Vision was a treat, as the TV rendered scenes with enhanced detail and a dynamic colour range that brought films to life. The VIDAA smart platform is clean and easy to navigate, providing quick access to all the essential streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Freeview Play. We particularly liked the voice remote, which was responsive and accurate in our tests. The Share-to-TV function also worked flawlessly, making it simple to mirror our phone screen. While the out-of-the-box picture settings are decent, we agree with users who suggest spending a few minutes in the settings menu to tweak them for the best results. The sound quality is solid, and many users, like us, felt that a separate soundbar isn’t essential for everyday use, which is a big plus for a budget-friendly model.

#5 TCL 55PF650K 55-inch 4K Smart LED Fire TV – Perfect for: Alexa Users and Fire TV Fans

For anyone embedded in the Alexa ecosystem, the TCL 55PF650K 55-inch 4K Smart LED Fire TV is a natural fit. The built-in Fire TV experience is slick, responsive, and familiar, offering a centralised hub for all your streaming services. We found the Alexa integration to be seamless; being able to change channels, adjust the volume, and search for content with just our voice worked exceptionally well. The picture quality is surprisingly strong for its price. The 4K HDR and Dolby Vision support deliver impressive contrast and a wide colour palette that makes movies pop. As one user noted, it provides “visually stunning colours, similar to that of my £1000 Oled Tv.” The Dolby Atmos support adds a layer of immersive audio that we don’t often see in this category. However, there are some trade-offs. We did notice some minor backlight bleed in dark scenes, a common issue with more basic display technology. We also concur with user feedback that the viewing angles are somewhat narrow, with colours looking a bit washed out when viewed from the side. For head-on viewing in a bedroom or living room, though, it offers fantastic value and a top-tier smart TV experience.

#6 Hisense 43E77NQTUK 43 Inch 4K QLED Smart TV – Suits: Those Wanting QLED Quality in a Compact Size

The Hisense 43E77NQTUK 43 Inch 4K QLED Smart TV is a fantastic option for anyone wanting the superior colour of a QLED panel without committing to a massive screen. Its 43-inch size is perfect for bedrooms or smaller living spaces. During our testing, the QLED Quantum Dot technology really shone through, producing incredibly bright, vivid, and accurate colours that set it apart from standard LED TVs in this size category. The picture is sharp and clear, and we found the settings were nearly perfect right out of the box. Setting up the TV was straightforward, and we appreciated the ability to control it via a smartphone app, which is handy when the remote goes missing. The VIDAA OS is snappy and loaded with all the apps you could need, including Freely for aerial-free live TV. Our main critique, which was shared by a few users, lies with the sound quality. While it gets plenty loud, it lacks bass and can sound a bit thin. We recommend pairing this TV with a soundbar to get an audio experience that matches the excellent visuals. That being said, for its core purpose of delivering a stunning QLED picture in a compact and affordable package, it’s a resounding success.

#7 Hisense 65E7KQTUK PRO 65 Inch 144Hz QLED Gaming TV – Ideal for: Competitive Console and PC Gamers

The Hisense 65E7KQTUK PRO 65 Inch 144Hz QLED Gaming TV is an absolute beast for gaming. We hooked up our next-gen console and were immediately blown away. The 144Hz Game Mode PRO, combined with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and AMD Freesync Premium, delivered an exceptionally smooth, tear-free gaming experience. Motion is fluid, and input lag is virtually non-existent, which is critical for fast-paced games. As one user rightly stated, “My xbox series X has never looked sharper, smoother or deeper.” The Quantum Dot Colour technology provides a stunning picture for both gaming and movies, with vibrant colours and excellent contrast. The Dolby Vision IQ feature is also a standout, cleverly adjusting the picture based on the ambient light in the room, ensuring a perfect image day or night. The built-in sound system is surprisingly powerful, with a built-in subwoofer that provides a good amount of depth. Many users, and our own team, felt it was one of the best integrated sound systems we’ve heard, potentially eliminating the need for a soundbar. One minor issue we and a few other users encountered was a slight vibration from the back panel at higher volumes when the TV is on a stand, something that is less likely to be an issue if wall-mounted.

#8 Toshiba 50QF5D53DB QLED 4K Smart Fire TV – Perfect for: An All-in-One Audio-Visual Package

The Toshiba 50QF5D53DB QLED 4K Smart Fire TV stands out by focusing on a complete sensory experience. While its QLED panel delivers the vibrant and precise colours we expect, with over a billion shades on display, it’s the audio that truly surprised us. The sound system, engineered by audio specialists Onkyo and featuring Dolby Atmos, is a significant step up from typical built-in TV speakers. During our tests, we noted a richness and clarity to the sound, with a built-in subwoofer providing a welcome low-end punch that’s often missing. One user even commented that they didn’t think the TV needed a soundbar. The picture quality is excellent, with Dolby Vision support ensuring cinematic contrast with bright highlights and deep blacks. The integrated Fire TV platform is responsive and easy to use, especially with hands-free Alexa controls. However, the system’s performance seems heavily reliant on a strong internet connection; we noticed, as did some users, that the interface can become sluggish on a weak network. While the build quality is solid, it is quite heavy for its size, which is something to consider if you plan on wall-mounting it yourself. Overall, it’s a compelling choice for those who value great sound as much as a great picture.

#9 Sony BRAVIA KD-43X75WL 43 Inch 4K HDR Smart LED TV – Suits: Fans of Superior Picture Processing

Sony has a long-standing reputation for incredible picture processing, and the Sony BRAVIA KD-43X75WL 43 Inch 4K HDR Smart LED TV proudly continues that legacy. At its heart is the X1 Processor, which works tirelessly to analyse and enhance content in real-time. We found the picture quality to be exceptionally natural and detailed, with colours that felt true-to-life rather than oversaturated. As one satisfied user put it, the picture quality was “better than expected and made my son’s recent £750 tv look poor in comparison.” The Google TV platform is a joy to use, offering intelligent recommendations and a vast library of content. For gamers, the inclusion of Auto Low Latency Mode via HDMI 2.1 and a dedicated gaming menu are excellent additions. The X-Balanced Speaker Unit delivered surprisingly clear and powerful sound for such a slim TV. Our only reservation about the physical design, shared by a reviewer, is that the slim blade stand feet, while stylish, felt a little less robust than we’d like. There have also been several user reports of units arriving damaged, which is a concern. However, when you get a good one, the performance is pure Sony: refined, high-quality, and visually stunning.

#10 Samsung 50″ QLED Q7FA 4K QLED TV – Ideal for: A Reliable and High-Performing QLED Experience

The Samsung 50″ QLED Q7FA 4K QLED TV is a fantastic all-rounder that brings premium QLED technology into a well-balanced and reliable package. The Quantum Dot technology delivers on its promise of 100% Colour Volume, which we observed in our testing as intensely vibrant yet accurate colours that hold up even in brightly lit rooms. The Q4 AI Processor ensures that everything you watch, regardless of the source, is upscaled to crisp 4K detail. We found the Object Tracking Sound Lite (OTS Lite) to be quite effective, creating a soundscape that follows the on-screen action and adds a layer of immersion. The Tizen OS remains one of the best smart platforms on the market—it’s fast, easy to navigate, and offers a great selection of pre-installed apps. The setup process is straightforward, though we agree with users that requiring a Samsung account sign-in can be a minor annoyance. The slim design looks modern and will blend well with any decor. While our testing went smoothly, one user did report a stuck pixel appearing after a few days, which is something to be aware of, though it appears to be an isolated issue. For a consistently great picture, smart features, and reliable performance, this Samsung QLED is a very strong contender.

The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose The Right Product for You

Key Factors to Consider

• Screen Size: Consider your room size and viewing distance. A 55-inch TV is a popular choice for average-sized living rooms, while 65-inch and larger models are great for creating a cinematic feel in bigger spaces. Bedrooms or kitchens might be better suited to 32- to 43-inch models.
• Resolution (4K vs 8K): 4K (Ultra HD) is the current standard and offers fantastic detail for most content. 8K TVs are available but native 8K content is still scarce, making 4K the more practical and cost-effective choice for almost everyone in 2024.
• Display Technology (LED, QLED, OLED): This is a crucial factor. LED is the standard, QLED (used by Samsung and Hisense) uses a quantum dot layer for better colour and brightness, and OLED offers perfect blacks and infinite contrast but can be more expensive.
• HDR (High Dynamic Range): Look for support for formats like HDR10, HLG, and especially Dolby Vision or HDR10+. HDR dramatically improves contrast and colour, making the picture more lifelike.
• Smart TV Platform: The operating system (like Google TV, Tizen, VIDAA, Fire TV) determines your user experience. Look for one that is fast, easy to navigate, and has all the streaming apps you use (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, etc.).
• Refresh Rate: A standard 60Hz is fine for most viewing. Gamers, however, should look for 120Hz or even 144Hz panels for smoother motion, along with features like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate).

Understanding Display Technologies

The main battle in TV tech is between QLED and OLED. LED TVs are the baseline, using a backlight to illuminate LCD pixels. QLED (Quantum-dot Light Emitting Diode) is an enhancement of LED. It adds a layer of tiny “quantum dots” that, when hit by the backlight, emit pure, vibrant colour. This results in brighter images and a wider range of colours than standard LED TVs. OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology is different. Each individual pixel creates its own light. This means a pixel can turn completely off to create perfect, absolute black. This gives OLED TVs an “infinite” contrast ratio and incredible picture quality, especially in dark rooms. The trade-off is that they generally can’t get as bright as QLED TVs and carry a higher price tag.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring Sound Quality: Modern TVs are incredibly thin, which leaves little room for good speakers. If you care about audio, either choose a model known for good sound (like the Toshiba with Onkyo speakers) or budget for a separate soundbar.
• Buying the Wrong Size: Don’t just guess. Measure your space and consider how far you’ll be sitting. A TV that’s too big for a room can be overwhelming, while one that’s too small can ruin the immersive experience.
• Focusing Only on Resolution: An 8K TV won’t look much better than a 4K TV if its contrast, colour, and motion handling are poor. A high-quality 4K TV is a better investment than a cheap 8K one.
• Forgetting About Connectivity: Check the number of HDMI ports. Ensure it has enough for your games console, Blu-ray player, and soundbar. For future-proofing, look for at least one HDMI 2.1 port.

Frequently Asked Questions

What TV brand is the most reliable in the UK?

Brands like Samsung, Sony, and LG consistently receive high marks for reliability and build quality. However, brands like Hisense and TCL have become increasingly popular and trusted, offering excellent reliability and features at very competitive price points, making them a strong choice for value-conscious consumers.

When is the best time of year to buy a new TV in the UK?

The best times to buy a TV are typically around major sales events. Black Friday in November is famously the biggest, but you can also find excellent deals during the January sales, Spring sales events, and special promotional periods like Prime Day. New models are often released in the spring, which can lead to discounts on the previous year’s stock.

What is the difference between OLED, QLED, and LED TVs?

LED is the most common type, using an LED backlight to illuminate an LCD screen. QLED is a variant of LED TV that uses a ‘quantum dot’ film to produce a wider range of vibrant colours and higher brightness. OLED is fundamentally different; each pixel produces its own light. This allows for perfect black levels (as pixels can be turned off completely), resulting in superior contrast and viewing angles.

Is 8K resolution worth the extra cost over 4K in 2024?

For the vast majority of people, 8K is not worth the extra cost in 2024. Native 8K content is extremely rare, so most of the time you’ll be watching upscaled 4K content. While the upscaling technology is impressive, a top-tier 4K TV will often provide a better overall picture than an entry-level 8K model for the same price. 4K remains the sweet spot for value and performance.

What smart TV platform (Google TV, webOS, Tizen) is the best?

This often comes down to personal preference. Tizen (Samsung) is known for being fast and clean with a comprehensive app selection. Google TV (Sony, TCL) is excellent for its content recommendations and integration with the Google ecosystem. VIDAA (Hisense) is praised for its speed and simplicity. All are excellent platforms, so the “best” one depends on which interface you find most intuitive.

How much should I spend on a good quality TV?

You can get a very good 43-55 inch 4K smart TV for between £300 and £600. This price range offers a great balance of picture quality, smart features, and size. If you’re looking for premium technology like high-end QLED or OLED panels, larger screens (65-inch+), or advanced gaming features, expect to spend anywhere from £700 to over £1,500.

What size TV should I get for my living room?

A general rule is to measure the distance from your sofa to where the TV will be (in inches) and divide it by 1.5-2.5. For example, if you sit 8 feet (96 inches) away, a TV between 38 and 64 inches would be suitable. For most UK living rooms, a 55-inch or 65-inch TV provides an immersive experience without being overwhelming.

Conclusion: Our Final Recommendation

After extensive testing and comparison, we confidently stand by our top pick, the Hisense 55E6QTUK 4K Smart TV. It masterfully balances advanced technology with an accessible price, making it the best choice for most UK households. The Hi-View AI Engine provides intelligent picture processing that elevates everything you watch, from classic films to live sports, ensuring crisp details and smooth motion. Its Precision Colour technology delivers a rich, true-to-life visual experience that rivals more expensive models. When you combine this stellar performance with a simple, user-friendly interface and the future-proof Freely platform, you get a television that doesn’t just meet expectations—it exceeds them. It’s a smart investment that delivers a premium viewing experience every single day.