Finding the perfect 4K TV for your home entertainment needs can be a daunting task with the sheer number of models on the market. With new 2024 models arriving and older models receiving major price drops, there has never been a better time to upgrade to a 4K ultra high definition television. I have thoroughly analyzed the latest and greatest 4K TV offerings for 2024 to make your buying decision easier.
In this review roundup, I will cover the key things to consider when choosing a new 4K TV, provide detailed reviews of the top models across various price points and feature sets, and give specific buying recommendations based on use-case scenarios.
Key Considerations When Buying a 2024 4K TV
Price – 4K TVs range greatly in price from just a few hundred dollars for basic entry-level models to overt for cutting-edge OLED and QLED models with the latest display technologies. Know how much you want to spend going in.
Screen Size – Think about the size of the room where you’ll place the TV and the typical viewing distance. Bigger screen sizes tend to cost more but provide a more immersive viewing experience. Aim for a minimum of 55 inches for a living room TV.
Display Type – The two most popular types of 4K displays are LED/LCD (using LED backlights) and OLED, which use self-illuminating pixels for superior contrast. Mini-LED and QLED are enhanced LED technologies.
Refresh Rate – Aim for 120Hz native refresh rate or higher for smooth motion clarity. Anything lower can cause blurring during action scenes.
Gaming Features – Look for HDMI 2.1 connections, low input lag, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) if you plan to connect a gaming console or PC.
Smart TV Interface – All 4K TVs can stream content over Wi-Fi, but the software interfaces vary greatly in ease of use. Compare Roku TV, Google TV, webOS, Tizen OS, Fire TV.
Now let’s dive into the reviews and buying recommendations!
Best Overall 4K TV
The TCL 6-Series Roku TV (R655 model) stands on top as the best overall 4K TV you can buy in 2024 due to its winning combination of stellar picture quality and affordable pricing.
The 6-Series supports 4K resolution, Dolby Vision HDR, and a superb full-array local dimming (FALD) backlight system that allows parts of the screen to get brighter while other areas dim down simultaneously. This results in phenomenal contrast for deep blacks right next to intense bright highlights.
Gamers will also appreciate this TV’s THX Certified Game Mode with Auto Game Mode detection, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), ultra fast 120Hz native refresh rate, and low input lag at 4K 60Hz. It essentially checks all the right boxes for next-gen gaming on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.
The user-friendly Roku smart TV operating system allows quick access to over 5,000 streaming channels with Dolby Vision content readily available on platforms like Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV.
Overall, it’s nearly impossible to find another 4K smart TV at this price point that can match the TCL 6-Series on picture quality and features. It earns my highest recommendation for general home theater enthusiasts, sports fans, and gamers alike.
Best High-End 4K TV
If money is no object and you demand a truly jaw-dropping cinematic viewing experience in your home theater, look no further than LG’s latest OLED 4K smart TV, the C2 series.
Utilizing LG’s auto-emitting OLED pixel technology with over 8 million self-illuminating pixels, the C2 achieves inky blacks and pixel-level precision contrast that no LED/LCD TV can match. Colors are incredibly vivid and realistic thanks to LG’s powerful new α9 Gen5 AI Processor 4K that leverages deep learning algorithms.
Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG high dynamic range formats make the most of the OLED panel’s near infinite contrast ratios. Bright specular highlights like glinting sunlight, crackling fire, and glittering city lights look mesmerizing. Gamers will appreciate the four HDMI 2.1 inputs with 4K 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM support.
webOS provides smart streaming capabilities though the app selection is not quite as robust as Roku TV or Google TV. New for 2024 are streaming service profiles to remember where you left off when switching between Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and LG Channels.
There’s no better way to create a true home theater experience than with LG’s stellar C2 OLED 4K TV lineup. You have to see its perfect blacks and vibrant HDR images to believe it.
Best Budget 4K TV
Shoppers on a tighter budget should consider TCL’s 4-Series Roku TV released in 2022 and now widely available for the large 55-inch and 65-inch screen sizes.
As an entry-level 4K LED TV, you shouldn’t expect top-tier performance. It lacks more advanced display features like full array local dimming, 120Hz refresh rate, and advanced gaming modes. However, if you manage expectations at this price point, the picture quality satisfies for most casual TV watchers.
Upscaling from HD to 4K resolutions is decent thanks to TCL’s AiPQ Engine technology, but native 4K content from sources like Netflix, Prime Video and YouTube will always look clearest. The 60Hz native refresh rate handles most TV shows, movies, and sports well enough, though fast motion can get a bit choppy at times.
Gamers will experience higher input lag compared to premium models, but those who play more casually likely won’t notice. HDR support covers common HDR10/HLG formats.
As expected for a budget model, audio performance is only average at best. Connect an affordable soundbar for improved dialogue clarity and more impactful sound effects.
However, built-in Roku TV more than makes up for any pictorial deficiencies by offering the top smart TV streaming platform. And that’s why for shoppers prioritizing streaming functionality over display performance, it’s impossible to beat the TCL 4-Series 4K Roku TV value this year.
