Best TV for 2023: We Tested Samsung, LG, TCL, Vizio and More

For the last five years, the TCL 6-Series has been our favorite TV for the money, and the newest version -- also known as the R655 series -- is no exception. This TV has an excellent image, thanks to mini-LED tech and well-implemented full-array local dimming that helps it run circles around just about any other TV at this price. It improves upon the previous R635 series with improved gaming extras and a new center-mount stand that you can elevate to make room for a soundbar, although the new 85-inch size has standard legs. And finally, the Roku TV operating system is our hands-down favorite.

Pros:

• Relatively affordable
• Excellent overall image quality
• Roku smart TV is simple, capable
• Improved design with central stand

Cons:

• Some competing mini-LED TVs can get brighter

Note that in addition to the R635, which this TV replaces, other versions of the 6-Series were released in 2021 and remain on sale. The R646 series uses the Google TV operating system but otherwise has similar specifications to the R655 models reviewed here. The R648 series has 8K resolution and is significantly more expensive. 

TCL has also released new 2023 models that use the Google TV operating system, not Roku. We're looking forward to reviewing these TVs, including the flagship QM8 series with mini-LED, soon.

The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.

The C2 represents the pinnacle of picture quality, at a price that's admittedly high but not too crazy. It beats any non-OLED TV on this list, including the Samsung QN90B below, with its perfect black levels, unbeatable contrast and superb off-angle viewing. It also has excellent gaming features, making it a great companion to an Xbox Series X or S, PlayStation 5 or both. The C2 comes in a variety of sizes as well, though the bigger models are expensive.

The C2 is also one of the lightest TVs we've ever reviewed thanks to carbon-fiber construction. The 65-inch version weighs just 37 pounds with its stand, compared with 72 pounds for the 65-inch C1 from last year.

Pros:

• Better picture quality than any non-OLED TV
• Superior contrast and off-angle image
• Best-in-class gaming features
• Sleek styling with ultralight, thin panel

Cons:

• Expensive
• No major picture quality improvements over the C1 from 2021

The C1 was also an excellent TV that delivered similar image quality and features to the C2. We've also reviewed the 2023 version, the LG C3, but we recommend the C2 instead right now. Going with last year's LG OLED saves you a few hundred bucks and the two TVs were basically indistinguishable in features, design and image quality in my tests. The C2 will sell out over the summer and heading into the TV buying season this fall, while the C3 will drop in price, but if you want a high-end TV right now, grab a C2.

The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.

The picture quality of the TCL 4-Series Roku TV was a step behind the Vizio V-Series in our budget TV test, but the differences between the two are slight enough that you'd really have to have them set up side by side to notice anything at all. The 4-Series lacks the Dolby Vision, Bluetooth connectivity and AMD FreeSync with a variable refresh rate, all of which the Vizio offers. 

Pros:

• Affordable
• Excellent smart TV system

Cons: 

• Image quality and features lag some entry-level TVs

The 4-Series' advantage over the Vizio is that it comes with the excellent Roku Smart TV system built in. That makes it a great choice for those looking for a one-stop smart TV solution, without having to add an external streaming device.

Note that TCL has been selling the 4-Series for the last few years with little to no change in image quality or features in our tests, although it has recently added some larger screen sizes, including an 85-inch option.

The prices shown below are for the 50-inch size.

Looking for a high-end TV with spectacular image quality, but don't want an OLED? The Samsung QN90B is your best bet. This TV uses QLED TV tech augmented by mini-LED for a brighter image than any OLED TV. The spectacular contrast of OLED still won out in our side-by-side tests, but the QN90B QLED screen comes closer than ever. 

Pros:

• Best non-OLED picture quality we've ever tested
• Incredible brightness with minimal blooming
• Stylish design, packed with features

Cons:

• Expensive
• Slightly worse contrast, off-angle and uniformity than OLED

Samsung produces a number of QLED TVs, but the QN90B is among the highest-end, aside from versions with 8K resolution. This is a 2022 model, but the 2023 version, the QN90C, looks very similar in terms of features and while we haven't reviewed it, we expect it to deliver similar image quality. It's also significantly more expensive.

The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.

Among midpriced models, we liked the TCL 6-Series just a little better in our side-by-side comparison, but this Hisense is a strong contender. Its excellent image quality is anchored by best-in-class brightness that improves its bright-room picture quality and makes HDR TV movies, shows and games really pop. It's actually brighter than the TCL with better contrast, but the TCL's slightly more accurate image gave it the edge overall. The Hisense uses Google TV instead of Roku, and unlike the TCL, the U8H includes an ATSC 3.0 tuner. Frankly, you can't go wrong with either one.

Pros:

• Relatively affordable
• Excellent overall image quality
• Best-in-class bright room picture
• Capable Google TV system

Cons:

• Slightly less refined image than some competitors
• "Theater" picture modes engage motion smoothing by default

This is a 2022 model, but the 2023 version, the U8K series, looks largely similar aside from the addition of a 75-inch option. We haven't reviewed it yet. It's currently more expensive than the U8H.

The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.

Don't look now, but there's a new picture quality champ in town for 2023. The LG OLED G3 delivers the best image quality I've ever tested in my 20-plus years of doing TV reviews. It's brighter than any other OLED TV and has a superior antireflective screen, for incredible performance in both bright and dark rooms. Compared directly to the Samsung S95C (below) those traits helped it overcome a slight color deficit to the Samsung and propel it into best-ever territory. 

Of course, both it and the S95C cost hundreds more than less-expensive OLED TVs like the LG C2 and C3, and for most people the difference isn't worth it.

Pros:

• Best picture quality we've ever tested
• Superb contrast and off-angle image
• Best-in-class bright room performance
• Slim, wall-friendly design

Cons:

• Expensive
  
• Samsung S95C has superior color

The G3 replaces the G2 from last year and has an improved screen technology called MLA (for Micro Lens Array) that LG says is responsible for the G3's superior brightness. The G3 series comes in four sizes (55-, 65-, 77- and 83-inch) but the largest 83-inch size lacks MLA, so I don't expect it to perform as well as the others.

The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.

I compared this TV side-by-side with the LG G3 above, and while I liked the G3 better overall, the Samsung S95C looked nearly as impressive. Its biggest advantage was color, thanks to Samsung's quantum dot-infused take on OLED technology, aka QD-OLED. The S95C's flowers, sunsets and other colorful objects looked a bit more natural and impressive than on the G3 or, frankly, any other OLED TV I've tested. The G3 showed excellent color, too, and looked brighter and better overall, which is why I called the S95C "second-best," but it was very close. 

I also preferred the Samsung's design, with its unique external One Connect input box, if that's a factor for you. Instead of inputs on the back panel, this TV houses them in a separate box that connects to the TV via a single cable, easing installation. The panel itself is also thinner than that of the G3.

Pros:

• Superb image quality with best-in-class color
• Superb contrast and off-angle image
• Excellent gaming features
• Ultrathin panel with external input box

Cons:

• Expensive
  
• Competing LG G3 has superior overall picture

The S95C replaces the S95B from last year and is one of two QD-OLED series Samsung is making in 2023. The other, the S90C, isn't as bright, according to Samsung, and costs less and has standard inputs on the back panel. 

 The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.

The Vizio MQX is one of the least expensive TVs to feature full-array local dimming, which lets it reproduce TV shows, movies and games with enough contrast and pop to do HDR justice. The MQX has fewer dimming zones than more expensive TVs like the TCL 6-Series and Hisense U8H, but it offers 16 zones on the 50-inch, 30 on the 65-inch and 42 on the 75-inch, which is more than enough for excellent overall picture quality, with bright highlights, dark black levels, punchy contrast and accurate color.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Excellent picture quality
• Game-friendly extras like variable refresh rate and 4K/120Hz input

Cons:

• Weak smart TV system
• Slightly more-expensive TVs perform better

Unlike the M7 from 2021, the MQX has a true 120Hz refresh rate, which allows compatibility with 4K/120Hz signals from game consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, and it worked well in our tests. Vizio supports both major HDR formats, HDR10 and Dolby Vision, in the M-Series. If you can't save up for the TCL or the Hisense but want a better picture than the TCL 4-Series or Vizio V-series, the Vizio MQX is an excellent happy medium.

Vizio hasn't announced a 2023 version of this TV.

The prices shown below are for the 65-inch size.

Competition among TVs in the middle pricing band is heating up, and the Plus Series is the latest entrant in 2023. Unlike the TCL Roku TVs higher on this list, this one is all Roku, with no other brands on board. It adds a couple of step-up extras, including QLED and full-array local dimming, which help deliver a better picture than the TCL 4-Series, for example. It's not as impressive as the Vizio MQX, though, since it lacks 120Hz for gaming and worse picture quality overall. If you value those extras, then the Vizio is worth saving for, but if not the Roku Plus Series is a very good value.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Good picture quality thanks to local dimming
• Great smart TV system

Cons:

• Lacks 120Hz refresh rate and other gaming extras
• Not as bright as some similarly priced TVs

This is the first TV Roku has produced under its own brand, as opposed to partnering with a brand like TCL, Sharp, Pioneer or Hisense. The company also released a version with fewer features and no local dimming, called the Roku Select Series.

The price shown below is for the 65-inch size.

When we compared the best budget TVs side by side, the picture quality of Vizio's V-Series clearly emerged as the leader of the pack. The Vizio offered the most balanced and accurate picture during our comparisons, and it comes with some useful extras such as Dolby Vision support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth compatibility and variable refresh rate for potentially smoother gaming. The biggest downside of the Vizio is its smart TV platform, Vizio SmartCast. It's crowded, slow and littered with ads for platforms such as Tubi and Kidoodle TV. Even when you factor in the cost of adding a new streaming device, however, the V-Series remains the best overall entry-level TV that we tested. 

Pros:

• Solid image quality for en entry-level TV
• Lots of features including VRR and Wi-Fi 6E

Cons:

• Poor built-in smart TV system

Vizio hasn't announced a 2023 version of the V-Series yet.

The prices shown below are for the 50-inch size.