Refresh
Is burn-in still a problem for OLED TVs? For many years, the tech had a reputation for a big problem: images that appeared on screen often and for long periods – such as network logos or parts of a game’s interface – would ‘burn’ into the screen, and leave ghostly images there all the time.
This reputation was well-earned – it was a big problem for the tech, no doubt. But recent TVs have essentially fully overcome this problem, using a combination of better screen tech, smart processing that detects and mitigates the effects of static logos quietly in the background, and the use of good old-fashioned screen savers if they detect that you’re leaving a fully still image (like a paused video) on the screen for too long.
A Samsung 5-star OLED, but only in one size
While we’re talking about OLED, here’s a good-but-specific deal. The Samsung S90F uses a mix of different OLED plans types across its different sizes, which means we can’t generally verify its performance, which makes it very hard for us to review and recommend. However, the 65-inch version uses just a single panel type, so we reviewed that size only – and we gave it five stars out of five.
It’s an excellent TV, with superb picture quality, top-tier gaming features, and it has a great discount right now.
Samsung S90F OLED TV 65-inch: was $2,499 now $1,399 at Best Buy
If you’ve heard all the fuss about OLED TVs, but you’re not sure what the deal is, then let me direct you to our ‘What is OLED’ guide – but here’s the short version.
LED screens, including QLED, consist of a big screen of lights behind a color-filtering layer of pixels. This makes it hard for these TVs to show true black tones, because trying to block light coming from the backlight often results in something a little gray. Most good TVs these days have an element of ‘local dimming’ to help avoid this, where the light turns itself off in sections that should be black to create true black tones – but if there still a bright section, light will ‘bleed’ into the dark area.
OLED screens don’t have this issue. Each pixel generates its own light, and can be dimmed all the way to being off, for true black tones that can be right next to tiny bright highlights, and there’ll be no bleed from one to the other. For this reason, they’re considered the ultimate in image quality by many people – though they can’t go as bright as LED TVs, so there’s a trade-off.
A small premium TV with elite features
Best Buy’s Black Friday sale has slashed a generous $700 off LG’s 48-inch B5 OLED TV, bringing the price down to $549.99, which is the lowest we’ve seen.
Released this year, the LG B5 is the best budget OLED TV on the market. The 48-inch display delivers an exceptional picture with brilliant colors and sharp contrast that impressed during out measurements (which you can see in progress above).
You also get excellent gaming features, thanks to the four HDMI 2.1 ports and new AI tools, including AI Search, AI Concierge, and an improved AI Chatbot. All those features, premium OLED pictures, all in a compact size, for under $600 – it’s pretty damn great.
LG B5 OLED TV 48-inch: was $1,299 now $549 at Best Buy
A 75-inch bargain
98 inches a little too much for you? That’s understandable. (I am not joking when I say that companies sometimes have to call up buyers to make sure that the box can actually get into their home…)
How about a really good 75-inch TV for under $550 instead? This is the cheapest we’ve seen the highly rated Amazon Omni Series TV. You’re getting 4K resolution, Dolby Vision HDR, and hands-free control with Alexa.
Amazon Fire TV Omni 75-inch: was $839 now $539 at Amazon
A 98-inch TV that’s actually affordable – no, really
I remember only a few years ago, when projector-sized TVs cost as much as a house. Now they cost as much as… well, other TVs. The Q6 delivers high brightness with vivid color and strong contrast, as well as solid gaming features and performance. If you’re looking for a massive display, you won’t find a better deal.
TCL Q6 98-inch 4K TV: was $2,499, now $1,398 at Walmart
Roku quality for a super-cheap price
Roku’s own-brand TVs have only been around for a couple of years, but they’ve quickly settled in as being great value. This is the cheapest option, and you’re getting a 4K TV with HDR, solid picture quality – and, of course, Roku’s excellent software so it’s easy to use.
Something small and cheap?
Amazon’s super-popular 40-inch 2-Series HD smart TV is down to just $149.99, which is a 40% discount. The Amazon 2-Series TV lacks 4K resolution, that doesn’t matter at this kind of size – the important thing is that it offers smart capabilities through the Fire TV experience, plus Amazon Alexa provides hands-free control.
A mega-bargain 65-inch TV
Let’s start with one of the juiciest deals of the day. This budget mini-LED TV offers simply amazing image quality and features for the price – next-gen gaming, rich contrast, impressive brightness, great detail. It feels far more premium than a sub-$500 should make possible.
TCL QM6K 65-inch: was $647.99 now $497.99 at Amazon
I’m the lead of TechRadar’s AV team, and I’ve been covering TVs and home theater for nearly a decade. I’ll update this page regularly over the course of today and tomorrow, not just with general TV buying tips and explanations, but also adding to (and removing) deals based on what I think will be think will be the best ways to spend your money.
The one thing I ask is that you be patient with my response times! They do let me eat and sleep at times – but I will get back to you if you email me.
When I say that you can ask me for personal advice, I really mean it! Fire me an email with what you’re looking for, and I’ll choose a couple of options I think fit the bill.
Welcome, folks! I know a lot of people will be doing some retail therapy today, so I hope our TV guide here helps with that, even you’re just browsing rather than buying.
