TV & Home Theater

A television purchase is mostly decided by the room it goes in. Brightness requirements follow the windows, viewing angle follows the seating, and the sound system follows the fact that flat panels cannot produce bass. We start there rather than with the brand ladder.

What actually matters

The specifications that change the answer

Peak brightness in nits, which decides whether HDR is visible at all
Viewing angle, if more than two people watch at once
HDMI 2.1 ports and their count, for consoles and 120Hz sources
Whether the built-in smart platform will still be updated in three years

What to skip

8K at any current screen size and seating distance
Extended warranties on panels, which rarely cover burn-in
Soundbars bundled at a discount when a separate subwoofer is the real need

Published

Everything we have written on tv & home theater

A television in a living room with a sofa and a floor lamp nearby

Comparison TV & Home Theater

OLED vs QLED: Which TV Panel Should You Buy?

One wins in a dark room, the other wins in a bright one. The decision is decided by your windows and your seating, not by which technology is newer.

9 min read

A large television mounted on the wall of a bright living room with a sofa opposite

Buying guide TV & Home Theater

Best TVs for a Living Room You Actually Watch In

Seating distance decides screen size, room light decides panel type, and almost everything else on the box is marketing. A room-first way to choose a television.