Buying guide for the best Samsung smart TV
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As one of the most popular and innovative TV manufacturers in the world, Samsung has long been a trusted brand. Their TVs range from the ultimate home-theater models to minimalist lifestyle TVs. When shopping for the best Samsung smart TV, knowing what you want can help. For instance, gamers and sports fans should look for a refresh rate of 120 hertz or higher for the smoothest experience, while those with a wide viewing area should go for an OLED TV, which provides excellent picture quality from any angle.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your choices, we’re here to help. The BestReviews Testing Lab broke down the best Samsung smart TVs on the market. We researched numerous options and tested several to see how they perform in various metrics, including brightness, motion blur, contrast, smart features, gaming performance and much more.
New releases
Samsung has a host of new TVs for 2024, upgrading popular models with exciting new features like updated processors and new AI technology. Read on to learn our favorites.
Samsung S95D OLED
Product specifications
Screen Size: 65” | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: OLED | Refresh Rate: 144 Hz VRR | Voice Assistant Integration: Bixby
The Samsung S95D, the latest addition to the company's OLED series, is a powerhouse. Throughout our testing, we were impressed by the S95D's remarkable brightness, deep blacks, and consistent picture quality from various angles. It earns our top pick among Samsung's smart TV offerings. New for 2024, the S95D introduces Samsung's OLED Glare-Free technology, marking it the first TV to have such a feature.
We believe that the S95D is the best Samsung smart TV, excelling in movie-watching and next-gen gaming. Our testing with a PS5 at maximum settings left us impressed; the gameplay was very smooth with no motion blur. We thought the TV could’ve handled even more and appears to be future-proofed for the next generation of gaming. From the stunning visuals of Fortnite to the no-blur display of live sports, the S95D is a worthwhile upgrade to the S95C.
OLEDs have become a popular choice among TV consumers, and the S95D is a standout option for those seeking a top-tier OLED smart TV.
Samsung The Frame
Product specifications
Screen Size: 65” | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: QLED | Refresh Rate: 60 Hz | Voice Assistant Integration: Bixby
Samsung’s The Frame isn’t your average smart TV — in fact, it’s one of the most unique TVs you can find today. Dubbed a “lifestyle TV,” The Frame stands alone in the smart TV market, serving as a modern 4K smart TV and a dynamic art display. The Frame’s design seamlessly blends into any living space, catering to those who prefer their TV to hide in plain sight rather than dominate the room. New for the 2024 version of The Frame is Pantone Art Validated Colors, which ensure color-accurate versions of artwork, so each image looks more realistic and natural.
While its conventional TV features aren’t as good as the rest of Samsung’s 2024 lineup, its matte display and elegant design target a specific consumer — one who isn’t super interested in having the best home theater. Compared to other 4K OLED and QLED models, it lacked the expected sharpness and saturation, resulting in a less-crisp screen.
While not our top smart TV pick for everyday use, The Frame distinguishes itself from other 4K competitors with its minimalist design and art-centric features.
Samsung QN90D 4K QLED
Product specifications
Screen Size: 65” | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: QLED | Refresh Rate: 144 Hz | Voice Assistant Integration: Bixby and Alexa
The QN90D, part of Samsung's refreshed 2024 QLED TV lineup, proved to be a solid performer during our Samsung smart TV testing. While it falls short of an OLED display, it offers good color accuracy coupled with impressive brightness and vivid colors. New for 2024, the QN90D incorporates new technologies such as the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor and Quantum Matrix technology, aimed at optimizing both video and audio.
Overall, this TV is a strong performer, particularly shining in its gaming capabilities. However, we did observe some motion blur when using a PS5, but it’s still much better than other TVs in this range. Samsung's Motion Xcelerator technology elevates the refresh rate to 144 Hz, positioning it at the higher end of smart TVs.
Meeting the level of quality we’ve come to expect from Samsung, the QN90D is a very good choice for those looking to make their first “big” TV purchase.
Samsung QN900D 8K QLED
Product specifications
Screen Size: 65” | Resolution: 4K | Panel Type: QLED | Refresh Rate: 240 Hz VRR | Voice Assistant Integration: Bixby
Staying ahead of the curve, Samsung has released its own 8K resolution smart TV with the QN900D, a top-tier offering for home-theater connoisseurs. This QLED smart TV epitomizes luxury. During our testing, we were blown away by its remarkable brightness, deep blacks, astonishing detail and elegant design. New for 2024 are advancements such as 8K AI Upscaling Pro, AI Motion Enhancer Pro and the innovative Infinity Air stand, which makes the TV appear to be floating in midair, to make it an even more compelling package.
This TV leaves a lasting impression and is one of the finest TVs available on the market. The QN900D’s picture quality and features are unmatched, boasting crispness and definition while delivering industry-lead gaming features. With a 240 Hz VRR at 4K resolution, it sets the standard for gaming screens, demonstrating no discernible motion blur during our testing. However, it certainly comes at a cost.
For those willing to invest and embrace 8K technology despite its limited application, the QN900D presents itself as a fantastic choice for a premium home-theater experience.
How we tested Samsung smart TVs
We tested these Samsung smart TVs by assessing criteria such as brightness, color accuracy, viewing angle, anti-glare capabilities and sharpness. Additionally, we examined how the picture changed across different formats, such as HDR and non-HDR content.
For gaming performance, we used a PS5 to evaluate the TVs' handling of next-gen graphics, input lag and variable refresh rate (VRR) if applicable. We explored each TV’s performance across various game modes to assess their processing capabilities.
Key considerations
Resolution
Resolution matters. Full HD resolution, or 1920 x 1080 pixels, is not the standard anymore. Instead, 4K is.
4K is also known as ultra high definition or UHD. With four times as many pixels, the image is detailed and crisp. This is great for new films and shows shot in 4K, or content upscaled to the format.
Although 8K TVs are on the market, they’re expensive. While they can upscale current content to mixed results, films and shows are not shot in 8K right now and, overall, 8K content with any substance is hard to find.
Smart platform
The Tizen operating system gives you access to apps, services and programs. Tizen has been around for many years. It is one of the fastest and most intuitive interfaces, up there with LG’s WebOS.
Newer models allow access to fledgling apps like HBO Now and Disney+. You will also enjoy access to SmartThings. This is the company’s hub for controlling smart-home devices.The refreshed 2024 Tizen OS brings content front and center in a new layout. Each member of the household can now create a profile for personalized recommendations and get a more customized overall experience. The connected experience is further improved with Daily+, a platform that brings together your favorite features across SmartThings, Health, Communication and Workspace.
Size
TV size doesn’t have quite the effect on price that it used to. If you want something big and bold, you can find it without paying too much.
Screen size is measured in inches across the diagonal. Most popular in living rooms are 55- and 65-inch TVs. There are options as small as 32 inches and as large as 85 inches. A general rule: The further away you sit from your TV, the bigger the TV needs to be.
Features
Display technology
Smart TVs feature full-array backlighting, giving adequate contrast and color through local dimming. While Crystal UHD smart TV models exist for cheap, the more notable display technologies — and likely the ones you will encounter during your search — are QLED and OLED.
Samsung QLED displays, which are upgraded LCD displays, come at a high cost but offer more vibrant colors and contrast. They use a backlight with a color filter, creating a better color contrast.
OLED TVs use subpixels to emit light, creating what some argue to be a more vivid display. Sound
The default speakers on most smart TVs are lacking, which is why we recommend looking into buying a sound bar. For a theater-quality experience, however, we suggest investing in a sound bar along with matching rear speakers.
Specialty TVs
Samsung offers a few specialty televisions with unique designs or features.
- The Frame displays a picture or image when the screen is turned off to act as a piece of art.
- The Terrace is a UHD TV for outdoor use. One model allows for use in partial sunlight. Another can tolerate full sun exposure without glare.
- The Serif is a freestanding TV to be used away from a wall. It comes with its own stand. The thin design allows you to move it easily.
- The Sero is a 43-inch 4K with UHD and HDR that goes from landscape to portrait. If you want to use social media or cast from your phone, this is for you.
Tips
- Mount your TV. A wall mount can make TV viewing better. You may be able to pay a fee with purchase to have the mount installed. Or ask a friend to help set it up. Buying a dedicated stand is also an option; I have one that can be raised up and down and also swivels.
- Embrace virtual assistants. If you want, you can also enroll in Bixby, Samsung’s virtual assistant. Most TVs also have voice control through Alexa or Google Assistant.
- Consider the refresh rate. This is the rate at which TV refreshes the image every second. A rate of 120 Hz or higher is great for those who love sports, gaming and action films. Why? It reduces lag and blur. Samsung’s QN900D features 240 Hz with VRR — a number I’ve only seen in computer monitors.
- Check the ports. Most have at least three HDMI ports, along with a USB connection. Consider all the consoles and devices you want to connect. Make sure there’s space for everything.
- Consider your viewing area. A bright, dark or wide room can impact which TV you buy. Consider my own situation — because my apartment has a wide viewing area, I decided to look at OLED TVs, as their picture stays the same when viewing at an angle.
FAQ
Q. Does it cost anything to use smart features?
A. Certain apps require a subscription, like Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime. But there are no additional fees. There are also many apps that are “free with a few ads,” such as Samsung TV Plus.
Q. What is HDR?
A. This stands for high dynamic range. It enhances brightness and color purity and is usually found with 4K or UHD resolution.
HDR10 is the basic offering in most TVs, which offers up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness. Dolby Vision is also commonly found, but not in Samsung TVs.
Quantum HDR offers even better colors and contrast.
Q. How do these TVs compare to budget brand TVs?
A. Companies like Vizio, TCL and Hisense offer less-expensive TVs of all sizes with Full HD and 4K resolution. The major difference is the smart platform.
Budget brands use other company's smart frameworks, like Roku TV, Fire TV or Android TV. These tend to be slower than Tizen or WebOS. They may include sponsored content or ads.
What’s more, processing speed and refresh rate are typically inferior to the brand’s upper end; color and brightness may not be as faithful, either.
