We buy our own products and put them under the same testing methodology so that you can easily compare them. Unlike most websites, we do not get our products directly from the manufacturers, which means our units aren’t handpicked and actually represent what you would buy yourself. We spend a lot of time comparing the products side-by-side to validate our results and we keep them until they are discontinued so we can continually go back and make sure our reviews are always accurate.
Most manufacturers have released all their 2018 models, it is unlikely that anything else will be released this year. Prices are starting to come down as manufacturers start to clear out their inventory in preparation for the 2019 models. 2018 TVs continued last year’s trends, with better picture quality and ever brighter TVs hitting the market, but no new groundbreaking features.
We’ve tested 34 TVs in 2018, and here are our recommendations for the best ones.
LG B8: An outstanding OLED TV with extraordinary picture quality
Type: OLED
Sizes: 55”, 65”
The LG B8 is the best TV we’ve reviewed in 2018. It has outstanding picture quality, thanks to the OLED panel that delivers excellent dark room performance. OLEDs can dim each pixel individually, so it delivers perfect blacks and wide viewing angles, which is great if you watch TV in a dark room with lots of side seating.
The B8 has outstanding motion performance, with a nearly instantaneous response time and excellent low input lag. This produces crystal clear motion with no motion blur. This lack of blur may bother some people, especially when watching Blu-Ray movies that typically have a low frame rate.
Unfortunately, like all OLED TVs, there is a risk of temporary image retention or even permanent burn-in. If you watch enough varied content, we don’t expect this to be an issue for most people. Overall, it is an outstanding TV that should please almost anyone, regardless of your usage. The LG B8 and C8 are nearly identical. The C8 has a better processor, so the smart features are a bit faster, but other than that, they offer the same great performance.
Shop Now: $1,797
Vizio P Series Quantum: An impressive LED LCD TV
Type: LED
Sizes: 65”
If the possibility of burn-in concerns you, the Vizio P Series Quantum is the best LED LCD TV we’ve reviewed in 2018. The P Series Quantum is an excellent LED TV with excellent picture quality and a great local dimming feature. It delivers outstanding dark room performance, almost as good as the LG OLED B8.
It is one of the brightest TVs we’ve ever tested. It can easily overcome glare in a bright room, making it a good choice for an outdoor living room or sunroom. The Quantum has similar low input lag to the B8, and motion is almost as clear.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t have the ultra-wide viewing angles of the OLED TVs, and if you watch a lot of older, sub-1080p content, the upscaling isn’t quite as good as similar models. Overall, it is a versatile 4K LED LCD TV with excellent performance that should please most people.
Shop Now: $2,100
Sony X900F: A versatile 4k LED LCD TV
Type: LED
Sizes: 49”, 55”, 65”, 75”, 85”
If you want an impressive 4K LED LCD TV with great smart features, check out the Sony X900F. The X900F is a versatile 4K TV with great picture quality and a decent local dimming feature that delivers good dark room performance. HDR looks great on the X900F, as small highlights in some scenes really stand out, and it has an excellent wide color gamut.
The X900F runs Android OS 7.0, and although it isn’t the fastest, it is feature-packed and easy to use. It has access to the excellent Google Play Store, giving it one of the widest selections of apps of any TV.
Unfortunately, it has slightly higher input lag than most comparable models, but it is still low enough for casual gamers. Overall, it is a great TV available in many different sizes that should please most people.
Shop Now: $1,098
TCL 6 Series R617: A very good budget 4K TV with decent smart features
Type: LED
Sizes: 55”, 65”
If you want a cheaper alternative to the Sony X900F, check out the TCL 6 Series (R613/R615/R617). The 6 Series is a very good 4K LED LCD TV with very good picture quality, good motion handling, and excellent low input lag. It has great smart features, but the interface isn’t as advanced or polished as more expensive models.
The TCL 6 Series looks good in a dark room, but the local dimming feature isn’t very effective. It is extremely bright, similar to the Sony X900F, and it can easily overcome glare in a bright room. It also has excellent low input lag, making it a good choice for gaming or for use as a PC monitor.
Unfortunately, the R617 doesn’t have wide viewing angles, so it is best enjoyed from directly in front. There have also been reports of uniformity issues, so sports fans might not enjoy it as much. Overall, the TCL 6 Series is a very good TV that should please most people.
Shop Now: $650
Vizio E Series 2018: A good budget 4K TV available in many sizes
Type: LED
Sizes: 43”, 50”, 55”, 65”, 70”, 75”
If you are looking for a good budget TV, check out the Vizio E Series 2018. The E Series 2018 is a good LED LCD TV that is available in a wide variety of sizes. It delivers decent picture quality but is better suited for a darker room as it isn’t very bright.
It has excellent low input lag, great for gaming, and a fast response time, so fast motion in movies and games looks great, with little motion blur. Unfortunately, the Vizio E Series 2018 lacks a motion interpolation feature, so little can be done to improve motion in low frame rate content.
The E Series 2018 supports HDR, but unfortunately, HDR content doesn’t stand out as it isn’t very bright in HDR and doesn’t have a wide color gamut. Overall, it is a good budget TV, great if you just want something cheap or want something for a secondary viewing occasion, like a guest room.
Shop Now: $330
This guide may have been updated. To see all measurements and the current recommendations for TVs, please go here.
We purchase our own products and put them under the same test bench so that you can compare the results easily. No cherry-picked units sent by brands. If you buy something using a link on this page, Forbes Finds and RTINGS.com may receive a small share of that sale.
