The 6 Best TVs of 2025: Top Picks for Every Budget and Room

In 2025, TVs have evolved into versatile entertainment hubs, blending AI upscaling, high refresh rates for gaming, and immersive sound. With advancements in OLED, QD-OLED, and Mini-LED tech, there's a perfect screen for every setup—from cozy bedrooms to epic home theaters. Drawing from rigorous tests by RTINGS rtings.com , CNET cnet.com , What Hi-Fi? whathifi.com , and PCMag pcmag.com , we've rounded up the 6 best TVs of 2025. These picks balance performance, value, and future-proofing, with prices ranging from $300 to $3,000+. Whether you're a cinephile craving deep blacks or a gamer needing low latency, read on to find your match. 1. Best Overall: Samsung S95F OLEDThe Samsung S95F OLED tops RTINGS' list as the ultimate all-rounder, delivering flagship-level brilliance in a sleek design. rtings.com Its QD-OLED panel boasts infinite contrast, vibrant colors, and peak brightness over 1,500 nits—perfect for bright rooms or HDR movies. Gamers love the 144Hz refresh rate, VRR, and four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K@144Hz. Tizen OS integrates seamlessly with Samsung's ecosystem, including Vision AI for scene optimization. Key Specs: 55-77 inches; 4K UHD; Built-in Dolby Atmos speakers; Anti-glare matte screen. Pros: Exceptional motion handling; Wide viewing angles; Energy-efficient. Cons: Premium price ($2,500 for 65-inch); No Dolby Vision support. Why Buy It: As PCMag notes, it's the "complete package" for versatility, outshining rivals in color accuracy and gaming prowess. pcmag.com Ideal for living rooms where movies and multiplayer sessions collide. 2. Best Mid-Range OLED: LG C5 OLEDWhat Hi-Fi? crowns the LG C5 as the best overall TV for 2025, thanks to its refined WOLED panel and webOS smarts. whathifi.com Brighter than its C4 predecessor (up 20% to 1,000 nits), it excels in dark-room viewing with perfect blacks and Dolby Vision IQ for dynamic HDR. The α9 Gen 8 processor enhances upscaling for non-4K content, while four HDMI 2.1 ports make it PS5/Xbox-ready at 120Hz. Key Specs: 42-83 inches; 4K; webOS 25 with AI ThinQ; 40W 2.2-channel audio. Pros: Filmmaker Mode for accurate colors; Smooth interface; Regular price drops. Cons: Weaker built-in sound; Risk of burn-in (mitigated by pixel shift). Why Buy It: CNET praises its "accessible pricing" post-launch, now around $1,800 for 65-inch— a steal for OLED quality. cnet.com Reddit's r/criterion users rave about it for 4K Blu-ray playback, calling it the "sweet spot" for Criterion collectors. reddit.com 3. Best Budget TV: Hisense U8NFor value hunters, the Hisense U8N dominates as CNET's top budget pick, offering Mini-LED magic under $1,000. cnet.com Its full-array local dimming delivers deep blacks and 3,000 nits brightness, rivaling pricier sets in HDR sports or gaming. Google TV provides a clean interface with hands-free voice control, and it supports Dolby Vision, Atmos, and 144Hz VRR. Key Specs: 55-85 inches; 4K; 2.1.2-channel 60W speakers; Hi-View Engine Pro. Pros: Punchy colors; Excellent upscaling; Affordable at $800 (55-inch). Cons: Narrower viewing angles; Occasional software glitches. Why Buy It: AVS Forum users share scripts to score the "best bang-for-buck," landing on the U8N for its gaming refresh and picture quality—proof it's no compromise. avsforum.com Wirecutter echoes this, noting it's brighter than most in its class nytimes.com. 4. Best for Gaming: LG G5 OLEDGamers, meet your endgame: The LG G5 OLED, RTINGS' gaming champ, with a 165Hz refresh and ultra-low input lag under 10ms. rtings.com Its Evo panel hits 2,000 nits for vivid HDR in fast-paced titles like Call of Duty, while NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync eliminate tearing. webOS integrates Game Optimizer for quick tweaks. Key Specs: 55-97 inches; 4K/8K upscaling; Dolby Vision Gaming; 60W 4.2-channel sound. Pros: Zero stutter in motion; Cloud gaming support; Wall-mount optimized. Cons: Higher cost ($2,200 for 65-inch); Larger sizes pricey. Why Buy It: As r/4kTV discusses, OLED's response time crushes LCD for immersive play—essential for 2025's PS5 Pro era. reddit.com 5. Best Large-Screen: TCL QM8KCraving cinema-scale? The TCL QM8K's massive 98-inch option shines with Quantum Dot Mini-LED for 5,000 dimming zones and 2,500 nits brightness. rtings.com Roku OS keeps navigation simple, with IMAX Enhanced for theatrical vibes. It handles 144Hz gaming and Dolby Vision flawlessly. Key Specs: 65-115 inches; 4K; ONKYO 2.1 speakers; AIPQ Pro processor. Pros: Immersive size at sub-$2,000 (98-inch); Excellent black levels. Cons: Sound lacks bass; Roku ads in interface. Why Buy It: r/hometheater debates 98-inch kings, landing on TCL for value—far better than pricier Sony/LG equivalents. reddit.com Best Buy's deals make it a steal bestbuy.com. 6. Best Premium High-End: Sony Bravia 9For audiophiles and purists, Sony's Bravia 9 Mini-LED earns PCMag's high-end nod with XR Backlight Master Drive for pinpoint contrast. pcmag.com Acoustic Multi-Audio+ simulates sound from the screen, and Google TV offers seamless casting. It's bright (4,000 nits) with accurate colors via XR Triluminos Pro. Key Specs: 65-85 inches; 4K; 70W 2.2.2-channel speakers; PS5 auto-optimization. Pros: Studio-calibrated modes; Superior processing; Built-in calibration mic. Cons: No OLED blacks; $3,000+ for 75-inch. Why Buy It: What Hi-Fi? highlights its mid-range rival, the Bravia 7, but the 9 is for those demanding reference quality—worth the splurge for home theaters. whathifi.com Buying Tips for 2025 TVsFocus on tech: OLED for perfect blacks (LG/Samsung), Mini-LED for brightness (Hisense/TCL), QLED for color pop (Samsung). All top picks support 4K@120Hz+ for gaming and HDR formats like Dolby Vision. Check Amazon's best-sellers for deals amazon.com, where LG C4s dip below $1,000 during Prime Day. wired.com Reddit's r/BuyItForLife warns against smart features—opt for external streamers like Apple TV for longevity. reddit.com Sizes: 55-65 inches for most rooms; calibrate post-setup for peak performance. YouTube breakdowns like "Only Buy These TVs" offer visual demos youtube.com. ConclusionThe best TVs of 2025 elevate viewing from passive to phenomenal, with Samsung S95F leading for its do-it-all prowess and Hisense U8N stealing the budget crown. Prioritize based on your space—OLED for drama, Mini-LED for daylight demos. With prices dropping fast, now's the time to upgrade. Which will grace your wall?