If you desire an excellent idiot box that does n’t break the bank then we ’ve get you enshroud with our round - up of the salutary bum video we ’ve tested .
For most , whether it be thebest TVsor even thebest projectors , those higher - priced machine are just too expensive for the majority of consumer . With that in head , we put this list together to help more budget - witting buyers in picking up their next TV .
To ensure that there ’s a good amount of miscellanea whilst also being mindful of toll , we ’ve made certain not to outmatch £ 1000 / $ 1000 on any of the television receiver in this guide . Some are more full featured than others , but at their core they all offer a look at experience that we ’d recommend , and we ’re able to verify as much through our thorough , in - house testing .
The testing outgrowth always set forth with the most important aspect : picture quality . We use the extremely - regarded Spears and Munsil Ultra HD Benchmark disk to assess color , skin - tones , brightness , local dimming performance and viewing Angle . This is further complemented by appraise HDR brightness in which we utilise a colorimeter to test how bright the television receiver can go .
When it comes to sound quality , we consort through a range of subject types to assess whether or not a TV ’s built - in speakers are sufficient , or if you ’ll need to buy one of thebest soundbarsto go with it . We also have a usher for thebest cheap soundbarto keep the costs down there too .
For gambling , we use a Leo Bodnar 4 K stimulation lag tester to measure stimulation lag in existent - prison term , so you ’ll acknowledge precisely what to expect if you ’re link a games cabinet .
Keep on reading to see which TVs made the list , but for more home amusement scout , check out our summation of thebest 4 K tv set , best OLED goggle box , best 55 - in TVand thebest Dolby Atmos soundbar .
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Learn more about how we test televisions
Every TV we review is put through the same set of tests to gauge its flick performance , serviceability , and smart features .
trial run are carried out over several 24-hour interval and are done by optic but supported with technological mensuration . Testing by eye involve an expert watch out a wide compass of material to understand and limit a video ’s performance in fields such as brightness , contrast , motion processing , colouration treatment and screen uniformity .
We ’ll consider the aim of the boob tube in terms of anatomy quality , canvas the spec sheets and see if the TV ’s connections are up to spec , as well as playing video and audio contentedness to ensure that the set handle playback as it claim . We also take short letter whether a product ’s compatible formats and feature are in line with industry trend or not to guess whether it ’s relevant for you .
Comparison to other related and similarly price products is also authoritative , to see if it ’s neglect any vital feature and whether it impresses as a whole . After all this , we ’ll amount to a sound judgment on how the TV performs as a whole .
Samsung QE55Q80D
Pros
Cons
Sony KD-55X85L
Hisense R50A7200GTUK Roku TV
TCL 55C805K
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED
Trusted Score
TheSamsung Q80Dhas fallen in price by so much since it went on sale in 2024 , that you’re able to get this 55 - in model for less than £ 700 .
The Q80D is a QLED and not aNeo QLEDsuch as theQN90D , so this television set does n’t boast as many dimming zones or hits the same levels of brightness but for the money , we conceive it ’s a bargain considering the performance it offers .
It bring forth splendid blackened storey and counterpoint thanks to an in effect local dimming system , and impressive levels of point . It ’s bright enough to reach 1000 nit , which means you get a wide - pasture and rich - sounding colour functioning . HDR reinforcement include HDR10,HLG , andHDR10 + , though Dolby Vision does n’t make the deletion .
We also found the built - in sound system seemly for a TV , producing a large profound level with basso that was detached of distortion . There is Dolby Atmos living , along with the Q Symphony feature that combines the television ’s Speaker with a compatible Samsung soundbar for a big audio .
For gamers , VRRsupport ameliorate visuals and latency , with the Q80D ’s input lag among the best TVs at a speedy 9.8ms . And whether you game on a console or in the swarm , Samsung ’s Game Hub also keeps all gambling sources in one place to dog your gaming habits .
Build quality is safe , with its compact central plinth grant it to be perched on stands big and large . There ’s also an surface area in the back of the tie-up to filter cables through to keep the rearward area hefty .
TheSony X85Lfirst launched in 2023 but its staying power means it ’ll be sticking around for the rest of 2025 . If you reckon around , you could find this goggle box for £ 999 .
While that is a gamey price for a 55 - in screen , specially compared to the Samsung Q80D that also features on this list , for home cinema fan , we rate this model very highly .
It has a Full Array Local Dimming backlight that offers more accurate black level and cleverness than a received LCD TV , although we noticed it ’s not the bright out of the box . Our measurements show that it bring on 738 nits in Standard HDR mode – the Samsung Q80D is brighter – but compare to the sleep of the TVs on this tilt , it is still one the brighter HDR telecasting .
What really appeals with this Sony TV is its colour functioning . It describes colour with marvelous motley , produce a vivacious but still natural - look image . Upscaling with HD and Coyote State content is solid , and although there is some noise the X85L manages it well . Its movement processing is very unspoilt to the point in time where we did n’t even notice that it was on .
Sound quality is fine . It produces a crisp tincture with vox but miss bass . We ’d hint gettinga soundbarto go with the X85L.
Gamers looking for a agiotage experience can reckon onALLM , VRR , and HFR , while stimulation meantime is a solid 14.5ms . This TV work nicely with aPS5with its usage features that includes optimize the HDR public presentation for the dear image quality .
For smarts , Google TVdelivers all the streaming apps you ’ll need , and we find the interface to be quick and responsive to utilize . The design is customisable , as the stand can be put together in two ways to allow for a soundbar or if you want to set it on a small surface .
This manakin will go on on throughout 2025 , and we have a sneaky experience the toll could accrue even downhearted once Sony ’s raw 2025 TV range last on sales agreement . If you ’re after a less expensive alternative , there is theAmazon Fire TV 4 - serial publication , though it ’s not as brilliant in terms of picture and not as good in footing of home cinema features .
TheR50A7200GTUKmodel repeats the same trick as itsR50B7120UKpredecessor in pack in even more economic value at a similar price .
The number of smartness in the Hisense R50A7200GTUK Roku TV is splendid . There isFreeview Playthat brings the catch - up apps into child’s play like iPlayer and ITVX . There ’s also a wide ambit of streaming apps likeNetflix , Disney+,Apple TV+among others , while the Roku type O has been update to supportAirPlay 2streaming andApple HomeKit . Alexa and Google assistant vox dominance is also useable through connectedsmart speakers .
Build quality is o.k. . The slimness of the rear panel entail the Hisense Roku does n’t jut out out much when rampart - mounted , and with most of the connections side - facing it ’s prosperous to punch sources in . tack together the TV is only a casing of slotting in the understructure , tighten the screws and turn the boob tube on .
impression timber is similar to the B7120UK . We observed it lacked the dividing line and brightness to produce a dynamical HDR performance like theSony X85LandSamsung Q80D. Its peak brightness is only around 300 nits but its aboriginal 4 K performance extend solid item and coloring are naturally portrayed – we do n’t think many will be disappointed by what it suffice up .
The sound quality is disappointing . It struggles to convey the natural process scenes with dynamism or excitement , and proves mussy when bet music . As is the case with many of the best crummy tv on this listing , asoundbar would help .
TCL has been delivering relatively cheap television with an enviable high specification , and we witness theTCL C805Koffers a nonsensical amount of time value for the asking price ,
The design is smart and can easily be accomodated on various AV piece of furniture . You get four HDMI inputs , one of which endure refresh rates up to 144Hz , another up to 120Hz , and in a sensible move , the eARC input for audio systems is available on another embrasure , specially useful if you ’ve got plenty of gambling consoles at hand .
Google TVhas the bounteous guns in the physical body ofDisney+,Apple TV+ , andNetflix , but the UK catch - up apps are mostly neglect , with only My5 available at the clip of review . You ’ll require to reckon purchasinga streaming stickif you do want those apps . TCL will post one if you request it .
For gamers we appraise latency at 13.3ms , which is quick but not the ready you ’ll find . TheSamsung Q80Dhits a quick 9.8ms out of the boxful with its remark lag . Nevertheless , there’sALLM , VRR , high refresh support as well asAMD FreeSyncPremium Pro onboard for PC gamers .
Brightness is greater than theTCL 55RC630 K , run into 966 nits on a 5 % window . Our reviewer found black level to be reassuringly dark , with HDR content looking very good . Upscaling is solid , and motion processing is decent for sports viewers . You ’ll want to mind where you sit with this TV as at angles the color performance can light off .
In terms of phone , this TV is fine , but we ’d recommend addinga sound systemto bitch it up .
TheAmazon Fire TV Omni QLEDis part of Amazon ’s own brand of tv set , and while it ’s not consummate , it put in a generally enjoyable operation across the display panel .
We ’re not devotee of the feet placement for the 65 - inch version . They ’re sic at the edge which mean you ’ll need a all-inclusive open to place the TV on .
Alexavoice control is honest , and you may choose to call up Alexa with the Voice Remote or hands - free ( which you may exchange off if you do n’t want Alexa always listen ) . The Fire TV Ambient Experience turns the TV into an Alexa - power smart display where you may keep track of the weather , play sound , and interchange the scope so you ’re not confront by a large black-market concealment when the TV is ‘ off ’ . We like it as it makes the TV more support room well-disposed .
The Fire goggle box Omni QLED feature supportsDolby Vision IQandHDR10 + Adaptive . The image tone could be more uniform as HDR10 / HDR10 + performance is not the most colorful ; while its Dolby Vision IQ public presentation suffers from raised pitch blackness . It ’s also not the bright for HDR content as we appraise it a peak of 529 nit .
The build - in sound organisation provides a good sense of space to celluloid and television appearance , though it is crisp in tone to a fault . Some sound modes fairly advantageously than others , but a soundbarwill remedy that .
FAQs
If you ’re after a 55 - inch Seth then the Samsung Q80D would suit the placard . icon quality is by far some of the most impressive we ’ve construe on a television below £ 1000 , with the Tizen port including a encompassing orbit of streaming apps and its gaming input lag is very good . When it first launch it was over a £ 1000 , but drop in price have made it an splendid value TV .
Test Data
Full Specs
