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Smart TV technology in 2026 offers stunning visuals and intelligent features, including voice assistants, streaming integration, and AI-enhanced picture quality.
From OLED to QLED and mini-LED, different display types cater to varied needs, whether you want deep contrast, bright HDR performance, or energy efficiency.
Choosing the best smart TV depends on screen size, budget, and use case, whether for movies, gaming, or everyday streaming.
Smart TVs have evolved into the ultimate living‑room hub. These advanced TVs let you stream movies, control smart‑home gadgets, work out with fitness apps, and even binge educational content. What’s interesting is that all these features can be accessed without leaving the couch. Thanks to leaps in display tech (OLED, Mini‑LED, QD‑OLED), faster connectivity, and AI‑driven interfaces like webOS 25 and Google TV, premium picture and voice‑controlled convenience are now affordable across the board.
Let’s take a look at the best smart TVs to buy in the US in 2026.
LG OLED C3 TV provides deep color accuracy for movies and series through its OLED panels. Its built-in webOS platform is smooth and responsive, while voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa simplify navigation.
Strengths
Exceptional contrast
wide viewing angles
excellent for dark rooms
Limitations
Higher price tag
brightness lower than some QLED rivals
LG OLED C3 TV is suitable for home theaters and premium movie-watching. Users love its perfect blacks and cinematic picture quality.
Samsung QN90D Neo QLED features Mini-LED backlighting, which performs best at peak brightness. It features Samsung’s Neo Quantum Processor 4K that improves lower-resolution content with AI.
Strengths
Bright highlights
great for well-lit rooms
Useful smart features
Limitations
Slightly lower contrast than OLED
premium pricing
Samsung QN90D Neo QLED is suitable for bright room environments. Sports lovers prefer this smart TV for its motion handling feature.
Sony A80L OLED features Cognitive Processor XR, which optimizes scenes in real time. It also improves depth, color, and clarity. This smart TV integrates a Google TV interface. It is designed for gamers with a 120Hz refresh rate, VRR, and ALLM through HDMI 2.1.
Strengths
Excellent motion handling
strong upscaling
Google TV integration
Limitations
Slightly lower brightness
Sony A80L OLED is preferred by viewers who want both premium picture quality and intelligent processing.
TCL 6-Series R655 features a 4K HDR display with Mini LED backlighting for improved brightness. It integrates Roku TV, which is a user-friendly smart platform for streaming and voice control.
Strengths
Budget-friendly
Strong overall performance
Excellent smart UI
Limitations
Peak brightness is not as high as that of flagship models.
Its premium picture quality and smart features are an affordable option for families and gamers.
Hisense U8H provides a vivid picture through its Mini-LED panel. It supports all major HDR formats, such as Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG.
Strengths
High brightness
Excellent motion handling
Great HDR
Limitations
Slightly busy menu experience
Hisense U8H is suitable for bright-room viewing and gaming. It appeals to users who want premium viewing on a budget.
A user should be clear about the purpose of buying a smart TV. OLED displays like LG and Sony are perfect for cinematic contrast. They are ideal for dedicated movie rooms. QLED and Mini-LED TVs like Samsung, TCL, and Hisense provide brighter performance. These models are perfect for sunny living rooms and gamers.
Gamers should check refresh rates, console compatibility, and cloud gaming services before purchasing a smart TV. Another important consideration is screen size relative to viewing distance.
Also Read: Best 98-100 Inch Smart TVs for Dec 2025
The smart TV models mentioned above cater to a wide range of viewers, whether you enjoy immersive film and TV experiences or prefer to watch television on the go. You'll also find options that provide an excellent balance of performance and value.
By matching each TV’s strengths to your personal viewing habits, you can zero in on the model that truly elevates everyday entertainment. The right smart TV can turn movie night, gaming sessions, or streaming marathons into a seamless, immersive experience.
Are 8K TVs worth buying in 2026?
8K TVs provide future-proofing and superior sharpness, but content is limited; 4K remains standard for most viewers.
What smart platforms are most popular on smart TVs?
Google TV, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Samsung Tizen dominate smart TV platforms for their app selection and ease of use.
Is OLED better than QLED for everyday viewing?
OLED offers deeper blacks and better contrast, while QLED performs better in bright rooms due to higher brightness levels.
What screen size is ideal for a living room?
A 55-inch or 65-inch TV is ideal for most living rooms, depending on viewing distance and room size.
Do smart TVs support gaming consoles like PS5 and Xbox Series X?
Most premium smart TVs in 2026 support HDMI 2.1, VRR, and low input lag for smooth next-gen gaming.
