Best 4K TV in 2025 including OLED, QLED and LED for every budget reviewed

Forget going out, why spend money on expensive cinema tickets when you can recreate the theatre experience right in your own living room with one of the best 4K TVs? By investing in a new television, you can enjoy stunning visuals and immersive entertainment without leaving your home.

Even if you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of affordable options that will make a significant difference to your viewing experience. For those with a bigger budget, you can elevate your home theatre setup with top-of-the-line gear that brings the magic of the movies to your doorstep.

Selecting the right 4K TV can be daunting, but we’re here to help. We’ve tested a wide range of big-screen TVs to compile a list of the best options available for every budget. Whether you’re looking for an affordable upgrade or a high-end masterpiece, you’ll find the perfect TV to fit your needs. And if you’re looking to enhance your audio experience, don’t forget to check out the best soundbars as well.

Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products.

Quick list: what’s the best 4K TV?

The best 4K TVs you can buy:

1. LG C5 OLED

We’ve spent serious time with the 42in LG C5 OLED, and it’s clear – this is the OLED to beat in 2025. Picture quality is exceptional for the size, with vivid colours, impressive contrast and deep blacks that make films and games pop. We tested it with everything from Dolby Vision blockbusters to fast-paced gaming, and the HDR bump over the C4 is noticeable – if not massive – especially in darker scenes where subtle shadow detail shines.

LG’s WebOS platform remains one of the best, with smart home controls, app support and profile switching all baked in. The new AI features are hit-and-miss, but voice control and personalised settings are handy once trained. Freeview Play has been replaced with LG Channels, which means a few UK catch-up apps were missing in our early review sample – but they should be added soon.

Gamers get four full-fat HDMI 2.1 ports with support for 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM and 144Hz PC gaming – ideal for plugging in both next-gen consoles and a gaming rig. Audio is the weakest point. The 42in model’s stereo setup is underwhelming, so a soundbar is a must for proper punch.

Design-wise, it’s slim, sleek and easy to wall-mount. It doesn’t scream for attention, but it does everything right. Yes, launch pricing is steep – but once the inevitable discounts land, this will be a no-brainer. We’ve tested a lot of OLEDs, and right now, the C5 is the one we’d actually buy.

2. Samsung QE65S90F

We’ve spent proper time with Samsung’s 65in S90F, and while it’s a brilliant OLED TV in almost every area, there’s one catch: right now, it’s a bit pricey for what you get. That said, it’s a stunner. This QD-OLED panel is seriously bright, packed with detail and loaded with rich contrast – we watched Dune and played Gran Turismo 7 and both looked phenomenal, even in a bright room.

Samsung’s AI-infused picture tech does deliver a punchy, polished image – though we found some of the ‘AI Mode’ presets a bit much. Colours can stray into cartoonish unless you tweak things or pick a more natural preset like Filmmaker mode. Upscaling from 1080p holds up well, and motion handling is rock solid, even with football.

It’s gamer-ready too. All four HDMI ports are 2.1 and support 4K/144Hz, VRR and ALLM, plus Samsung’s excellent Game Bar interface makes adjustments quick mid-game. Input lag? Minimal. Tearing? We didn’t see any.

The interface, powered by Tizen, is smooth and stacked with apps – and Samsung promises seven years of OS updates, which we like. Build quality is typically solid, and the anti-reflective screen coating works wonders. Just don’t expect fireworks from the built-in sound. It’s decent, but lacks real punch – we tested it with and without a Samsung Q Symphony soundbar, and there’s no contest: add the soundbar.

So, should you buy it now? Only if you must. Wait a bit, and the inevitable price cuts will make this a no-brainer.

3. Sony KD55X85L

The Sony KD-55X85L doesn’t scream for attention – and that’s its strength. It quietly delivers one of the most refined pictures in its price range, with nuanced colour, solid contrast and great motion handling. It’s not perfect – brightness is only average, and the sound is nothing to shout about – but in day-to-day use, it’s just plain easy to live with.

Design-wise, it’s minimalist in the best way. Slim bezels, sturdy build and flexible feet make it wall- or stand-friendly. Sony’s sensible enough to raise the screen for soundbar clearance too.

The big update for this model is full-array local dimming. It only has 24 zones, which isn’t loads for a 55in TV, but Sony’s X1 processor handles them well. You get solid blacks without distracting haloing, and highlights stay clean. Dolby Vision is here, but HDR10+ is still a no-show. Annoying, but typical for Sony.

Gamers will appreciate two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K/120Hz, VRR and Auto HDR Tone Mapping for PS5. Just don’t expect to have it all at once – you’ll need to choose between Dolby Vision and full-frame-rate gaming.

Google TV handles smart features, and it’s fully loaded with all the UK catch-up apps (a rarity lately). The dual remotes are a mixed bag – one’s a button-heavy relic, the other is sleeker and nicer to use.

Picture quality is where the X85L quietly shines. It’s not the brightest TV around, but it handles tone, texture and colour like a pro. Watching Dolby Vision content is a treat, and motion – whether it’s film pans or fast football – is handled with confidence and clarity.

The sound? Well… it’s serviceable. You’ll want a soundbar if you care about dialogue depth or cinematic oomph. It can handle Dolby Atmos in theory, but don’t expect the ceiling to rumble.

4. LG G5

The LG G5 is the brightest, most vibrant OLED we’ve ever tested – a proper generational leap rather than a minor update. Its new four-stack OLED panel, with an extra blue layer, pushes brightness and colour volume to levels I’ve never seen in a consumer TV.

Over two months with the 65in model, we were blown away by HDR highlights, 4K Blu-rays, and high-end gaming – everything just pops. Filmmaker Mode preserves colour accuracy while delivering jaw-dropping dynamic range, perfect blacks, and subtle shadow detail. Compared to the C5 or even Samsung’s QD-OLEDs, the difference is immediate on well-mastered content.

Design-wise, it’s sleek and minimalist – a true “Gallery” TV – and the zero-gap wall mount plus thoughtful port placement make setup tidy. Features like 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, VRR, 165Hz support, and Game Optimiser make it excellent for gaming. The AI-driven Alpha 11 processor handles picture and upscaling beautifully, though the speakers are underwhelming.

WebOS 25 is cluttered, and the ads on the home screen irritate and the redesigned Magic Remote complicates input switching. Still, these quirks are small when the picture is this stunning. Tested extensively with films, streaming, and games, I can honestly say the G5 is worth the steep price if ultimate picture quality matters.

Read more: LG G5 review

5. LG B4

For a long time, LG has been the name in OLED TVs. Not only does it sell its own range, but it supplies the screens to the likes of Philips and Panasonic too. LG’s entry-level OLED is the B model, which is where we meet the LG OLED B4. 

This is a 2024 model (to be updated in the LG OLED B5 in 2025), but thanks to customary heavy discounting, you can snap up this 55-inch OLED for under $1000 / £900. It has the slimmest and most premium design of all the models on this list, but like many of the others, it has two feet at far ends of the screen. 

The TV runs on LG’s famed webOS interface, which is nice and customisable, with all the streaming apps you’ll need, although I find it as dynamic as some other UIs. The Magic Remote in the box is the worst thing about this TV as the gesture controls are fiddly and quickly get frustrating. 

There’s support for Alexa voice control, but it’s not as capable or as fast as it is on Amazon’s Omni Mini-LED, while LG’s ThinQ smart home network is also supported.

OLED has a natural advantage in that the light to each pixel can be completely switched off. That means that the black performance and contrast on the LG OLED B4 surpasses any other model on this list. It’s paired with vibrant colours that are rich and engaging, making it a movie lovers’ delight. 

The display has some anti-glare properties, but the downside is that the brightness can’t match those Mini-LED TVs on this list. That means that highlights can be more impactful on rival models, while the LG OLED doesn’t fare so well in bright rooms because it can’t punch through reflections. 

Hang this TV on the wall out of direct sunlight and you’ll be rewarded with sumptuous visuals, with Dolby Atmos support and accuracy and authenticity at its core.

It’s also worth saying that the LG OLED C4 is only a little more expensive so if you can stretch to that, you’ll get an OLED TV that’s a little brighter and a little more powerful too, while offering much the same experience.

6. Philips 55OLED+959

The Philips 55OLED+959 brings flagship-level brilliance built around a META 2.0 OLED panel with Micro Lens Array Plus tech, it can hit staggering 3000 nits peak brightness, even on small HDR windows.

Powered by the 8th Gen P5 AI Dual Engine chipset with Ambient Intelligence V3, AI Machine Learn Sharpness V2, and Smart Bit Enhancement, image detail is razor‑sharp, dynamic and banding‑free.

Ambilight Plus elevates immersion with up to 192 lighting zones, creating multi‑dimensional halo effects that sync precisely with on‑screen motion. The integrated Bowers & Wilkins 5.1.2‑channel (102 W) Dolby Atmos system delivers audio that can rival external soundbars, rich bass, crisp directionality, and overhead effects included.

Gamers get a full suite: 4K/144 Hz, VRR, ALLM, MEMC and a custom Game Bar, all with ultra‑low latency (~5 ms at 120 Hz). Smart features run on Google TV, complete with Matter support. It’s a premium pick, stunning picture, best‑in‑class audio, and Ambilight magic.

7. Panasonic 55Z85A

The Panasonic 55Z85A is a capable mid-range 4K OLED that brings flagship features to a more accessible price point. Powered by the HCX Pro AI Mk II processor, it supports all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive, and delivers a richly detailed picture with deep blacks and smooth motion at up to 120 Hz.

It impresses in gaming, with low input lag (~6 ms at 120 Hz), VRR (FreeSync Premium and G‑Sync), and a Game Control Board for fine-tuning in real-time. Audio is handled by a 50 W 2.1‑channel system with built-in subwoofers and Dolby Atmos support under the “Theatre Surround Pro” label. Audio placement is accurate, though it doesn’t match higher-end rivals for spatial depth.

The Fire TV interface offers broad app support and Alexa integration, though it’s ad-heavy and feels a bit dated in speed and remote design. Overall, the Z85A strikes a solid balance: cine‑quality visuals, smart gaming chops, and immersive audio, all without breaking the bank.

8. Hisense 50U6N

Everything about this 50in 4K TV is so assured and slick that we often forgot it was a budget model at all. Yes, the 50U6N does have some nips and tucks to keep its price down – the lack of HDMI 2.1 and the rather weak built-in speakers being the most notable – but elsewhere it delivers a strong showing
across the board. 

There’s support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ plus a reliable smart TV platform, and most importantly, the Mini LED screen serves up a truly satisfying and engaging image to anyone sat directly in front of it: detail is pin-sharp and black levels are pleasingly deep for an affordable non-OLED model. It also offers both Game and Filmmaker modes, which should please fraggers and cinephiles, respectively.

9. Sky Glass (2nd gen)

The first Sky Glass wasn’t exactly a smash hit, but version two is much better. Sky hasn’t gone fancy with Mini LED or high refresh rates – this is still a mid-range telly for people who want simplicity, not specs. But now, it’s much easier to recommend.

Sky Glass Gen 2 looks almost the same, though the new stand is lighter and easier to fit. It’s still heavy, mainly because of the integrated Dolby Atmos sound system – now with two extra bass drivers. Setup is ridiculously easy: plug it in, connect Wi-Fi, and your Sky account just… appears. No cables, no fuss.

The 4K QLED panel is brighter, more vibrant, and has noticeably better contrast than the original. It’s still 60Hz, though, so gamers should look elsewhere. Sound remains the standout feature – it’s rich, punchy and still among the best built-in audio setups around.

Sky OS (formerly Entertainment OS) is slick and snappy, with smart tweaks like Live Sync for sport. It doesn’t do traditional recordings – everything relies on streaming catch-up – but that system has improved a lot. Just don’t expect to skip ads or watch something if it’s been taken down.

You can buy it outright or on monthly terms, and the price hasn’t changed since Gen 1, which is a plus, especially with an even cheaper ‘Sky Glass Air’ version available now as well.

How to choose the best 4K TV for you

Buying a television is a big purchase, one that you’ll have to live with for a long time (much longer than a smartphone), so when buying a 4K TV, there are several crucial factors that should guide your decision-making process.

The first thing you’ll want to consider is the screen size. You need to get a TV that best suits your viewing environment. A larger screen can offer a more immersive experience, but it must fit comfortably within your available space.

There are also plenty of important specs and features you’ll want to look out for, such as HDR, OLED, refresh rates, and viewing angles.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) support is a must when buying a modern television. HDR enhances contrast and colour range, resulting in more vivid and lifelike images. Look for TVs that support popular HDR formats like HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG.

The type of panel is also important. OLED panels tend to offer superior contrast and colour accuracy but may come at a higher price point. LED/LCD TVs, on the other hand, are generally more budget-friendly, but can’t match OLED for contrast and colour accuracy.

The refresh rate is a key specification for reducing motion blur. This is especially important if you’re into gaming or watching fast-paced sports. Higher refresh rates like 120Hz or 240Hz can provide smoother motion.

Viewing angles can be important, especially if you have a wide seating arrangement. OLED TVs typically offer wider viewing angles compared to certain LED/LCD models.

Now, most modern 4K TVs are equipped with smart features, such as built-in streaming apps, voice control, internet connectivity, and the ability to stream content from your smartphone. If you have a favourite streaming service, make sure it’s available on the television before you buy it.

If you own multiple game consoles, media players, set-top boxes and streaming sticks, ensuring you have sufficient ports and connectivity options for your devices is crucial. You want to aim for around four HDMI ports, and if you plan to use your TV for gaming with next-gen consoles, make sure these ports have HDMI 2.1 support.

The TV’s audio quality should not be overlooked. While some 4K TVs have better built-in speakers than others, if you’re really serious about audio you’ll want to upgrade to an external sound system, like soundbars or home theater systems.

Finally, it’s important to note that design and aesthetics matter too. You’ll want a TV that fits well with your room’s decor. Slim bezels and sleek designs are popular choices, while you can now also get televisions that look like paintings when in standby mode.

OLED vs LCD: which one is better?

OLED and LED are two different technologies used in displays. Liquid Crystal Displays use LEDs for backlighting. LCD displays are known for their brightness and energy efficiency, making them suitable for well-lit environments. However, because they rely on a backlight, they can struggle with deep blacks and high contrast ratios.

OLED displays, on the other hand, use organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied. Each pixel in an OLED display is its own light source, meaning there’s no need for a separate backlight. This allows OLED displays to achieve true blacks by turning off individual pixels entirely, resulting in excellent contrast ratios and more vibrant colours. Additionally, OLED displays tend to have better viewing angles and faster refresh rates compared to LED displays. However, OLED technology can be more expensive and has a potential for burn-in, where static images can leave a permanent mark on the screen over time.

OLED is generally better if you value image quality, contrast, and colour accuracy, while LED displays are often more cost-effective and are better suited for brighter environments.