Best Smart TV for Streaming

In this era of digital technology, entertainment has shifted from traditional mediums such as cable television to streaming platforms. As a result, smart TVs have become a staple in modern households. These devices, equipped with internet connectivity and a plethora of apps, offer a seamless streaming experience. But with so many options in the market, choosing the best smart TV for streaming can be challenging. This guide will help you navigate through the best smart TVs for streaming, focusing on their features, performance, and user experiences.

What is a Smart TV?

A smart TV is a television set that is internet-enabled. It comes with built-in features for streaming videos and music from online services. Smart TVs offer a wide range of online services that regular televisions can’t, including web browsing, applications like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu, and streaming services that allow you to watch your favorite TV shows and movies at your leisure.

What to Consider When Buying a Smart TV for Streaming?

Screen Size and Resolution

The screen size and resolution of your smart TV are crucial factors to consider. The right screen size depends on the distance between the TV and your viewing position. As a general rule, the viewing distance (in inches) divided by two is the size of the TV you should buy.

When it comes to resolution, more pixels mean more details. A full HD 1080p is a good starting point, but if you want a truly immersive experience, go for a 4K resolution. If you’re future-proofing, an 8K resolution TV might be worth considering, although there isn’t much 8K content available yet.

Operating System

The operating system of a smart TV determines the interface and the apps you can use. The most common operating systems are Tizen (used by Samsung), WebOS (used by LG), and Android TV (used by Sony and others). Android TV has the advantage of Google’s massive app library, but the other systems offer excellent interfaces and app selections.

Connectivity

A smart TV needs to connect to your home Wi-Fi to stream content. It should have the latest and fastest Wi-Fi standards (currently Wi-Fi 5, but Wi-Fi 6 is starting to appear). Ethernet is also useful if your Wi-Fi is unreliable. Other connections to consider are HDMI (for game consoles and soundbars), USB (for playing media from storage devices), and Bluetooth (for wireless headphones and speakers).

Best Smart TV for Streaming

LG C1 Series OLED TV

The LG C1 Series OLED TV is undoubtedly one of the best smart TVs for streaming, thanks to its stunning image quality, excellent smart TV features, and outstanding gaming performance. Its OLED technology provides perfect blacks and infinite contrast, making it ideal for watching movies in dark rooms. It’s available in various sizes, from 48 to 83 inches, so you can choose the one that fits your room best.

Its smart TV platform, WebOS, is user-friendly and comes with a wide range of streaming apps. It has a magic remote with point-and-click, scroll, and voice recognition features, making navigation easy and fun. The LG C1 also supports Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos, ensuring top-notch picture and sound quality.

The LG C1 is also a fantastic choice for gamers. It has a low input lag, a fast response time, and support for the latest gaming features like HDMI 2.1, variable refresh rate (VRR), and auto low latency mode (ALLM), ensuring a smooth and immersive gaming experience.

However, like all OLED TVs, the LG C1 is relatively expensive and has the risk of permanent burn-in after prolonged exposure to static content. But if you can afford it, it’s an excellent choice for streaming and gaming alike.

Samsung QN90A Neo QLED TV

The Samsung QN90A Neo QLED TV is another top contender for the best smart TV for streaming. It uses Mini LED backlighting to provide excellent contrast and brightness, making it suitable for both dark and bright rooms. It’s available in sizes ranging from 50 to 85 inches.

Its smart TV platform, Tizen, is easy to use and comes with a vast selection of streaming apps. It also supports voice controls via Bixby, Alexa, and Google Assistant. The Samsung QN90A has a unique feature called Multi View, which allows you to watch up to four sources of content simultaneously.

The Samsung QN90A is also great for gaming. It has a low input lag, a fast response time, and support for HDMI 2.1, VRR, and ALLM. It also has a unique gaming feature called Game Bar, which lets you monitor and adjust critical aspects of your gaming experience, such as input lag, frame rate, and aspect ratio.

The downsides of the Samsung QN90A are its limited viewing angles and its inability to display perfect blacks like an OLED TV. But overall, it’s a top-notch smart TV for streaming and gaming, especially if you watch TV in a bright room.

LG CX OLED

Let’s start with LG CX OLED, a smart TV that is considered one of the best for streaming. This model is a popular choice among consumers because it offers stunning 4K resolution and an impressive OLED display. With this TV, you can enjoy your favorite movies and series with vibrant colors and deep blacks. The model also features a wide viewing angle, which means you’ll get an excellent picture quality from almost any position in your room.

The LG CX OLED is powered by the α9 Gen 3 AI Processor 4K, which can upscale lower-resolution content to near-4K quality. It is also equipped with Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos, providing you with an immersive cinematic experience right in your living room. In terms of smart features, this TV runs on LG’s webOS platform, which is user-friendly and offers a wide variety of apps, including popular streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu.

Samsung Q80T QLED

Next on our list is the Samsung Q80T QLED. This smart TV boasts Quantum Dot technology, which transforms everything you watch into stunning 4K. With Direct Full Array 12X, it precisely controls the lighting to deliver beautiful, crisp images. Its Quantum HDR 12X feature also ensures incredible details and contrast.

On the smart feature front, the Q80T QLED runs on Samsung’s Tizen OS. This platform offers a multitude of apps, quick response times, and a simple, easy-to-navigate interface. It also supports voice control through Bixby, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. Add to that, the TV’s Adaptive Picture technology optimizes the picture to both the content you’re watching and the lighting conditions in the room. So, you can enjoy a perfect viewing experience at any time of the day.

Sony A8H OLED

If you’re looking for a smart TV that offers excellent picture quality and a wealth of smart features, the Sony A8H OLED is a great option. This TV features Sony’s proprietary X1 Ultimate processor and Pixel Contrast Booster, which work together to produce deep blacks and vibrant colors. It also supports Dolby Vision and IMAX Enhanced, delivering a truly cinematic experience.

When it comes to streaming, the Sony A8H OLED has you covered. It runs on Android TV, which offers a vast selection of apps, including all the major streaming platforms. The TV also supports Google Assistant, making it easy for you to control your TV and other smart home devices using just your voice. Plus, with its Ambient Optimization technology, the TV can automatically adjust the picture and sound to your environment.

Vizio P-Series Quantum X

The Vizio P-Series Quantum X is another top-notch smart TV for streaming. It is known for its Quantum Color technology, which delivers up to 165% more color than standard 4K TVs. It also has an ultra-bright 3000 feature, which produces brilliant luminance for vivid details even in dark scenes. Moreover, with Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10+, and HLG, you can expect extraordinary color, contrast, and brightness.

On the smart side, this TV runs on Vizio’s SmartCast platform. While it may not have as many apps as other platforms, it still includes the main streaming services and supports Chromecast and Airplay 2, which means you can easily cast content from your smartphone or tablet to your TV. The P-Series Quantum X also supports voice control through Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Siri.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a movie buff, a TV series binge-watcher, or a sports enthusiast, having a smart TV that offers excellent picture quality and a robust set of smart features can significantly enhance your viewing experience. The LG CX OLED, Samsung Q80T QLED, Sony A8H OLED, and Vizio P-Series Quantum X are all excellent options, each with its unique strengths. So, consider your specific needs and preferences as you decide which one is the best smart TV for streaming for you.

Part 3: The Top Picks for Streaming Smart TVs

Having covered the basics of what to look for in a smart TV for streaming, it is time to delve into our top picks. In this section, we will focus on the best smart TVs for streaming, considering factors like picture quality, audio capabilities, user interface, and of course, streaming capabilities.

1. LG C1 OLED

Our first pick is the LG C1 OLED. This smart TV is widely regarded as one of the best on the market for streaming. With its organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, the LG C1 offers superior picture quality, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. Plus, its advanced processor enhances everything you watch with AI Picture Pro and AI Sound Pro.

But what makes the LG C1 particularly great for streaming is its smart functionality. Powered by the latest version of LG’s webOS, the TV offers a simple, intuitive interface, and its AI ThinQ technology lets you control the TV and your connected smart home devices with just your voice. Additionally, it comes with all the major streaming services pre-installed, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV+.

2. Samsung QN90A Neo QLED

Next on our list is the Samsung QN90A Neo QLED. This smart TV stands out for its Quantum Matrix Technology, which provides precise control over the TV’s densely packed LEDs, resulting in stunning detail and depth in the images. It also boasts Samsung’s Quantum HDR 24x, which brings out the subtlest of details in every scene.

Samsung’s Tizen operating system powers the QN90A, providing a user-friendly interface and a wealth of apps for streaming. You can stream content from all the popular platforms, like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. And with Samsung’s Multi View feature, you can split your screen and watch two shows at once, making it a great choice for those who love to multitask.

3. Sony A8H OLED

The Sony A8H OLED is another excellent choice for streaming. This smart TV offers a superb OLED display, which produces incredibly realistic colors and deep blacks. It also features Sony’s X-Reality Pro technology, which upscales images to near 4K resolution, and the Acoustic Surface Audio technology, which provides immersive sound from the entire screen.

As for its smart capabilities, the A8H runs on Android TV, giving you access to a huge selection of apps from the Google Play Store. It also has Google Assistant built-in, allowing you to control the TV with your voice. And with Chromecast built-in, you can easily stream content from your smartphone or tablet to the TV.

4. TCL 6-Series Roku TV

For those on a budget, the TCL 6-Series Roku TV is our top pick. This smart TV offers excellent value for money, offering a quality QLED display and Dolby Vision HDR for superior picture quality. It also has a built-in soundbar for enhanced audio.

The standout feature of the TCL 6-Series, however, is its Roku platform. With Roku, you get access to a vast library of streaming services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. The interface is straightforward to navigate, making it easy to find and stream your favorite content. Plus, with Roku’s mobile app, you can use your smartphone as a remote control, making it even more convenient to use.

Conclusion

Choosing the best smart TV for streaming ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and budget. Whether you want the superior picture quality of an OLED display, the user-friendly interface of a Roku TV, or the advanced smart capabilities of an Android TV, there’s a smart TV out there for you.

Remember, the most important thing is that your smart TV meets your streaming needs. So, take your time to do your research, consider the factors we’ve discussed, and choose a TV that offers the best combination of picture quality, audio capabilities, user interface, and streaming capabilities for you. Happy streaming!

LG OLED55C9PUA Alexa Built-in C9 Series 55″ 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV

For those who are looking for the best smart TV for streaming with top-notch picture quality, LG OLED55C9PUA is a perfect choice. This television revels in its ability to produce deep, rich blacks, thanks to its OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology. Unlike traditional LED screens, each pixel on an OLED panel can independently turn on and off, resulting in a much higher contrast ratio. With a 4K Ultra HD resolution, this TV offers four times the detail of Full HD, delivering breathtakingly realistic images.

In addition to its excellent picture quality, LG OLED55C9PUA also boasts its smart functionality. It has Alexa and Google Assistant built-in, allowing you to control the TV and other smart home devices using voice commands. You can also access streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video directly from the TV’s home screen. Plus, with its WebOS platform, browsing through content is a breeze.

The TV also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, ensuring that you get the best possible picture quality regardless of the source. Its α9 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor also enhances everything you watch, with AI Picture, AI Sound, and 4K Upscaling.

One thing to note about this TV is its premium price tag. However, given its superior picture quality and smart features, it’s undoubtedly worth the investment.

Vizio P-Series Quantum 65” Class (64.5” Diag.) 4K HDR Smart TV

If you’re after a TV that offers impressive picture quality at a more affordable price, consider the Vizio P-Series Quantum. This 65-inch 4K HDR smart TV delivers stunningly vibrant colors and deep blacks, thanks to its Quantum Color technology. With over a billion hues of vibrant color, P-Series Quantum delivers cinematic color intensity.

Like the LG OLED55C9PUA, this TV also supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, offering a breathtaking viewing experience. It also comes equipped with Vizio’s SmartCast 3.0, a user-friendly platform that allows you to stream, control, and share your favorite content. You can also use voice commands to control the TV, as it’s compatible with Google Assistant, Alexa, and Apple HomeKit.

What sets this TV apart from others is its incredible value for money. Despite its lower price tag, it doesn’t compromise on picture quality or smart features, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious viewers.

Samsung QN65Q80RAFXZA Flat 65-Inch QLED 4K Q80 Series Ultra HD Smart TV

Another excellent choice for the best smart TV for streaming is the Samsung QN65Q80RAFXZA. This TV uses QLED (quantum dot LED) technology, delivering vibrant colors and excellent contrast.

One of its standout features is its Quantum Processor 4K, which uses AI to optimize picture quality and sound for a more immersive viewing experience. It also supports HDR10+ and HLG for a stunningly realistic picture.

On the smart side, this TV uses Samsung’s Tizen platform, which offers a wide range of streaming services. It also has Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, allowing you to control the TV using voice commands. Moreover, the TV’s Ambient Mode can blend into your room by showing beautiful images, weather, news, and more when it’s not in use.

While the Samsung QN65Q80RAFXZA is more expensive than some other options, its impressive picture quality, smart features, and sleek design make it worth the price.

Conclusion

When it comes to finding the best smart TV for streaming, picture quality, smart features, and price are key factors to consider. Whether you’re looking for the best of the best or a budget-friendly option, there’s a smart TV out there for you. The LG OLED55C9PUA, Vizio P-Series Quantum, and Samsung QN65Q80RAFXZA are all excellent choices, each offering their unique features and strengths. So, evaluate your needs, do your research, and make an informed decision to enjoy the best streaming experience on your new smart TV.