Before you buy a smart TV, think about these seven things.

Before you buy a smart TV, think about these seven things.

The majority of televisions sold today are smart TVs, also known as connected TVs. Smart TVs are the convergence of computers and entertainment, with built-in internet and a plethora of free and paid apps.
This buying guide will assist you in deciding which smart TV to purchase based on your needs, budget, and preferences.

What Exactly Is a Smart TV?

A smart TV includes an operating system, which allows users to access streaming content without the need for an external device. People who enjoy watching the latest shows on Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming platforms are fans of smart TVs.
A smart TV allows you to access, manage, and view online and network-based content. Almost all TVs sold today are considered smart TVs, and many manufacturers sell them, including LG, Vizio, and Samsung.

Top 7 Things to Think About When Purchasing a Smart TV

When shopping for a smart TV, there are seven key factors to consider:

• Cost
• Size
• Resolution
• HDR
• Rates of refresh
• Integrations
• Apps

What Should the Price of a Smart TV Be?

You should be able to find a smart TV within your price range. A larger budget, on the other hand, will get you more features, larger sizes, and higher resolutions. It may be worthwhile to invest in a higher-priced smart TV to protect your investment in the future, but if you need something affordable right now, you can still find a quality device.
Prices vary greatly depending on the manufacturer and model. The following are some general smart TV pricing guidelines, but if you shop around, you may find different sizes and higher resolutions for your price point.

What to Expect in Terms of Price

>$300 Sizes range from 24 to 43 inches (If you find a larger one at this price point, it may lack quality.)

1080p, HD resolution, or low-level upscaling is the recommended resolution.

At this price point, keep an eye out for discounted mid-range PCs.

• >$600 Sizes range from 42 to 55 inches.
• Up to 4K HDR resolution
• Note that while these televisions may support 4K HDR, they may lack the necessary supporting technology, such as panels, lighting systems, and processors.

• >$1,000 Sizes range from 42 to 65 inches (quality may vary).
• Up to 4K HDR resolution
• Note: At this price, you can get good LCD TVs in a variety of sizes with good image quality. QLED TVs and lower-end OLED TVs are also available.

• >$2,000 Sizes include 48 inches, 55 inches, and larger (quality may vary).
• 4K HDR resolution
• Note: At this price, you'll get better picture quality that really brings out the HDR content.

• >$5,000 Size: 75 inches or more in height.
• Up to 8K resolution
• Note that you'll find floating glass displays, built-in audio arrays, and higher-quality materials at this price point.

What screen size should my smart TV have?

Size and resolution have a significant impact on a TV's price, so when purchasing a new smart TV, it's critical to carefully consider the size you want.

To choose the best smart TV size, first measure the dimensions of the room where you intend to place the TV, and then decide which display size provides the viewing experience you desire without overwhelming the space.

Smart TVs are available in a variety of sizes that vary by manufacturer. 42 inches, 50 inches, 55 inches, 65 inches, and 75 inches are the most common sizes (measured diagonally). Anything larger than 65 inches falls into a much higher-priced category. There is also an extremely high-end market for those looking for 80-inch or 85-inch smart TVs.

Even if you've measured your TV space, it may be difficult to visualize how your smart TV will fit. You're not by yourself. Customers can view how a TV will look in a room using augmented reality apps from Samsung, Sony, LG, and TCL. Best Buy also provides an augmented reality viewer so you can see how your new equipment will fit.

What should the resolution of a smart TV be?

The most common TV resolutions are 1080p, 4K, and 8K.

For the best overall experience, we recommend investing in a 4K resolution television. TVs with a 1080p resolution are fine, but they're outdated by today's standards, and upgrading to a higher resolution no longer comes at a cost.

8K resolution TVs have replaced 4K TVs as the high-end option with a hefty price tag. Because the prices are high and there isn't much content (TV shows or movies) in high enough resolutions to notice any difference in picture quality, it's probably not worth the investment just yet.

4K, also known as Ultra HD, is a great compromise because it offers a high-quality resolution with a variety of affordable options. Furthermore, many streaming services and apps offer 4K content, allowing you to fully utilize what they have to offer.

Should a Smart TV Support HDR?

The majority of the best smart TVs will include HDR, a picture-improving technology (high dynamic range)

HDR enhances the range of colors and brings out more detail in the darkest and lightest parts of a picture. Various HDR formats, such as HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR 10+, and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), may be encountered, but as long as the display supports HDR, you're good to go. There are only minor differences between the formats.

What Should a Smart TV's Refresh Rate Be?

60Hz or 120Hz refresh rates are available on smart TV displays. This figure represents the number of times the image resets per second. The sharper the image remains and the less motion blur you'll notice the more times it refreshes.

When watching sports, a high refresh rate is ideal, but when watching movies at higher refresh rates, be cautious. Films shown in this manner can have an appearance that differs from what you'd see in a theater.

Even on a higher-end TV, you'll probably keep the refresh rate at 60Hz for most content.

What kind of integrations should a smart TV be capable of?

A smart TV's ability to integrate with other smart devices in your home and use voice commands is one of its most appealing features. Sony's Android TVs, for example, include Google Chromecast and Google Assistant. If you have a smart home with a lot of Google devices, an Android TV will let you control them from the TV.

Buying a smart TV with Alexa integration makes sense if you have Amazon Alexa-enabled devices throughout your home, such as Echo Shows or Echo Dots.

When deciding whether or not to buy a smart TV that works with a specific platform, think about your home, other devices, and preferences.

What Kinds of Apps Should a Smart TV Have?

The primary purpose of a smart TV is to entertain, and your entertainment preferences will be an important consideration when selecting a smart TV. Although services such as Amazon, Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon Prime are widely available across multiple platforms, not all smart TVs will support all apps.

Some apps will be preinstalled on all smart TVs, and most will have app stores where you can select and download additional apps. Samsung smart TVs, for example, have access to the Samsung App Store, while LG TVs have access to the LG Content Store. Vizio smart TVs, on the other hand, come with all of their apps preinstalled. It updates to add new apps, but you'd have to cast or screen mirror content from unsupported apps.

Check the installed and available apps on any smart TV you're thinking about buying to make sure your favorites are included. Consider using a device like a Roku stick to supplement easily accessible apps.

How 4K and HDR Combine to Improve Video Quality

Who Should Purchase a Smart TV?

Anyone purchasing a television these days should think about getting a smart TV. While traditional televisions are less expensive, smart televisions are more affordable than ever and provide more bang for your buck. You may even have difficulty finding a 4K TV without "smart" features.

Better picture quality and expanded features, internet connectivity, apps, smart home integrations, and other features make smart TVs a viable option for anyone in the market for a new television.

What Should I Do Now That I've Purchased a Smart TV?

Bringing your smart TV home and setting it up isn't as simple as plugging in a regular TV, but it's still doable.

Consider power outlets, access to a strong WI-Fi signal, and how to connect the TV over Ethernet when choosing the ideal location for your new smart TV.

If necessary, connect an antenna or cable.

To control and manage apps, features, and upgrades, you'll need to create an account. Familiarize yourself with how to find, select, and install apps, as well as how to work with your model's settings, during initial setup.

The majority of smart TVs come with mobile apps.

During or after setup, you'll almost certainly need to download the companion app for your smart TV.

Select and organize available apps, create a content library, and decide which programs to record. You might need to sign in to your streaming accounts as well.

Additional devices, such as game consoles and media players, may also require configuration.

After you've set up the basics, fine-tune your experience by adjusting the color, brightness, and menu appearance, as well as exploring the unique features of your smart TV.

More Smart TV Buying Advice

There is no such thing as the "best" smart TV to buy because it all depends on what you want and your personal preferences. Remember the following:

Make sure you know where you want to put the TV and that you have power, cable connections, and other necessities.

Keep an eye out for fireplaces and other heat sources that could cause damage to your components.

If you're going to wall mount your smart TV, consider going up in screen size because the TV will be flat against the wall and further away from your seating area.

Before you buy a TV, make sure it supports your favorite streaming services.

Make a list of everything you'll need to connect to the TV. Despite the fact that smart TVs can stream a variety of content, they will not include a DVD or Blu-ray drive. If you want to connect anything to the TV, make sure it has enough HDMI ports.

Examine the sound quality of your smart TV to see if you need a soundbar or another speaker.

When looking at smart TVs in a showroom, take note of how bright the screen appears in a well-lit room.

To get the best price, keep an eye out for seasonal sales (such as Black Friday) and price fluctuations.

Instructions

On my Samsung Smart TV, how do I download apps?

Go to the home page or press the Smart Hub button on the remote control to add an app that isn't already on the Samsung Smart TV Smart Hub. Choose Apps > Find and select the app, then Install, Download, or Add to Home.

On an LG Smart TV, how do I get HBO Max?

Press the Home button on your LG Smart TV remote control and select LG Content Store. Select HBO Max > Install > Run from the Apps menu. You must either enter your account information or subscribe to HBO Max.

What are the steps for adding apps to a Vizio Smart TV?

Depending on whether your Vizio Smart TV is running SmartCast, Vizio Internet Apps (VIA), or Vizio Internet Apps Plus (VIA +), you can add apps to it. On VIA systems, for example, press OK and select Install Application. Press and hold OK on VIA+ systems until the app appears in the My Apps list.