Fall is here, and along with it that most captivating of sports, football. Both college and pro games will be gracing the airwaves for the next 16 weeks or so, so what better time to go get yourself a new 4K television? Here are four sets with the best pictures (and values) that CNET has tested in the last 12 months.
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LG OLEDC7P
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/lg-oled65c7p/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.5 stars out of 5 (Outstanding)
The good: The LG C7 is the best-performing TV we’ve tested to date. It delivers perfect black levels, wide viewing angles, accurate color and a great bright-room picture. It’s compatible with both major HDR formats, and HDR image quality is better than last year. Its striking design features a super-slim panel.
The bad: It’s really expensive, and prices are likely to drop.
The cost: $2,745.00 to $4,999.99
The bottom line: The LG C7 is the best overall TV we’ve ever tested, but patient shoppers are likely to be rewarded by price drops in the coming months.
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TCL P series Roku TV (2017)
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/tcl-55p607/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The affordable TCL P series has excellent overall image quality, with deep black levels, rich contrast and accurate color. Its Roku Smart TV platform is the best available, with a simple interface and extensive streaming app support. The TV handles both HDR10 and Dolby Vision high dynamic range sources.
The bad: TCL cancelled the 50- and 65-inch sizes, so now it will only be available in the 55-inch size.
The cost: $735.00
The bottom line: With excellent picture quality and all the latest features for a rock-bottom price, the TCL P series is one of the best TV values of the year. Too bad it only comes in one size.
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Vizio M-Series 2016
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/vizio-m65-d0/review/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The affordable Vizio M series has excellent overall picture quality that competes well against even more expensive TVs. It can handle both high-dynamic-range formats. The remote is a fully functional Android tablet. The Google Cast system offers more apps and frequent updates than many dedicated smart-TV systems.
The bad: Using the tablet for settings and streaming apps is often more of a hassle than traditional onscreen menus. No built-in tuner, so you can’t watch over-the-air antenna broadcasts unless you attach a separate tuner.
The cost: $1,298.00 to $1,299.99
The bottom line: Despite the inconvenience of its tablet-based menus and apps, the Vizio M series’ excellent image quality and value make it a top choice for the price.
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Vizio P-Series 2016
Product Review: https://www.cnet.com/products/vizio-p-series-review-2016/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4.0 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Vizio P-Series has outstanding overall picture quality that competes well against the highest-end TVs. It can handle both high-dynamic-range formats. The remote is a fully functional Android tablet. The Google Cast system offers more apps and frequent updates than many dedicated smart-TV systems.
The bad: Using the tablet for settings and streaming apps is often more of a hassle than traditional onscreen menus. No built-in tuner, so you can’t watch over-the-air antenna broadcasts unless you attach a separate tuner.
The cost: $999.99 to $1,097.00
The bottom line: Forget the “free tablet,” the real story with Vizio’s excellent P-Series TV is top-notch picture quality and future-ready features at an affordable price.
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Section Editor David Katzmaier and Senior Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
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