How to Buy the Best 4K Television

Your Guide to buying the best 4K televisions

Overview

A 4K television is a cutting-edge technology that offers enhanced picture quality that twice as clear as a regular HDTV. With 4K televisions, you can enjoy the most vibrant and realistic image quality, making them the perfect choice for anyone who values an immersive viewing experience. This buying guide will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision when purchasing a 4K television, including the key features to look for, essential specs to consider, and tips for selecting the right model.

Key features

  1. Screen size: Pay attention to the physical dimensions of the TV as well as the resolution. Higher resolution TVs will usually be larger physically.
  2. HDR compatibility: High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology provides higher levels of contrast and brightness, making colors more vivid and details more visible.
  3. Contrast ratio: A TV’s contrast ratio is the ratio of the brightest whites to the darkest blacks that the TV is capable of producing. A higher contrast ratio means better picture quality.
  4. Viewing angle: The viewing angle of a TV determines how far off-center you can watch while still seeing an accurate picture. Most TVs have a viewing angle of 160 degrees or more.
  5. Smart features: Many 4K TVs come with smart features like access to streaming services, voice control, and internet connectivity.
  6. Connectivity ports: Make sure the TV you purchase has enough ports to connect all of your devices. HDMI ports are the most common type.
  7. Motion refresh rate: The motion refresh rate describes how quickly the TV refreshes images and reduces blurriness. A higher rate means less motion blur.
  8. Audio quality: Look for 4K TVs that have built-in speakers with good sound quality. Some TVs have support for surround sound systems.

See the most popular 4K televisions on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Higher Resolution: 4K TVs offer almost four times the resolution of 1080p TVs, providing much clearer images, finer details, and more vivid colors.
  • Wide Color Range: 4K TVs offer a wider color range than 1080p TVs, which can make the images look more realistic and more vibrant.
  • Improved Viewing Angle: 4K TVs have a wider viewing angle, allowing you to watch from farther away without losing image quality.
  • Better Connectivity: 4K TVs offer a wider range of connections and ports for hooking up external devices such as gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, etc.
  • Improved Video Quality: 4K TVs have higher frame rates, which allow for smoother and more detailed video playback.

Cons

  • Cost: 4K televisions are generally more expensive than traditional HD models.
  • Content: Not all content is available in 4K resolution yet, so buyers may have to wait for their favorite shows and movies to become available in 4K.
  • Cable or Broadcast Compatibility: Not all televisions have the ability to accept cable or broadcast signals in 4K resolution.
  • Viewing Distance: While 4K televisions offer more detail and increased resolution, the difference in picture quality is only noticeable at close viewing distances. Viewers sitting farther away may not see enough of an improvement to justify the cost.
  • Compatibility With Other Sources: Some 4K televisions may not be compatible with other sources such as computers, gaming consoles, or set-top boxes.
  • Response Times: Some 4K televisions may have slower response times than traditional HD models, leading to motion blur or other image artifacts.

Best alternatives

  1. Projectors: A projector offers an immersive experience with the largest possible screen sizes and excellent picture quality. Can be used in any room, but the installation can be more complicated than with a TV.
  2. Gaming Monitors: Gaming monitors are designed for improved response times, more accurate colors, and smooth gameplay. They usually have larger sizes than TVs but come with limited to no built-in features.
  3. OLED TVs: OLED TVs are the best alternative to 4K TVs. They offer better contrast ratio, deeper blacks, and better viewing angles than 4K TVs.
  4. LED TVs: LED TVs are a more affordable alternative to 4K TVs. They offer good picture quality and are available in a variety of sizes.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Remote Control - Control the settings of the 4K television (e.g. volume, picture quality, etc).
  • HDMI Cable - Connect the 4K television to another device to stream content.
  • Cleaning Kit - Clean the 4K television with a special kit designed for use on screens.
  • Wall Mount - Mount the 4K television to a wall for a greater viewing experience.
  • Data Cable - Transfer data from another device to the 4K television.
  • TV Stand - Place the 4K television on an elevated stand for better viewing.

Common questions

  1. What is a 4K television?
    A 4K television is an ultra-high definition television with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, which is nearly four times that of FHD (1080p) resolution.
  2. How do I know if I need a 4K TV?
    If you have a large room, or plan to watch movies or play games from a distance, then a 4K TV is the best choice because the picture will remain sharp. Additionally, if you plan to watch 4K content, you’ll need a 4K TV to enjoy it.
  3. What are some features I should consider when buying a 4K TV?
    When buying a 4K TV, there are a few features you should consider. First, the type of display panel: LED, OLED, QLED, or LCD. Second, the refresh rate: 60Hz, 120Hz, or 240Hz. Third, the types of ports available: HDMI, DisplayPort, USB, etc. Last, the audio capabilities: Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD, 5.1 surround, etc.
  4. Is there a difference between 4K and UHD?
    Yes, while 4K and UHD both refer to ultra-high definition resolution, 4K resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels and UHD is a higher resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels.

Trivia

A recent study conducted by LG showed that when people switch to 4K televisions, they tend to watch more movies and television series than ever before. In fact, the study found that 38 percent of people surveyed watched more movies and television series after switching to a 4K television. What's even more surprising is that the majority of people who watched more movies and television series after switching to a 4K television said that they found themselves more engaged with the content. This suggests that 4K televisions offer a more immersive viewing experience. Source

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.