Best LED TV of 2018: Which one is the right fit for your home?

When it comes to buying a new TV for your home, an LED TV is always the way to go.

The reason why LED TVs are so popular is because of their LED back-lights which works to illuminate the entire screen and the OLED sets. The OLED sets are the individual pixels that generates the pictures shown on the screen.

All these components work together and creates an high-definition and amazing picture for you to watch.

The team here at Home Essential Products knows how difficult the decision can be when trying to buy the perfect TV for your home, especially with all these hot new releases.

We understand that you want to make the right choice and this is why we reviewed the Best LED TV of 2018.

Now enough talking, lets get down to business.

Most Popular Types of TVs

Buying a new TV for your home can be a nerve-racking process especially if you don’t have a clue on what you are looking for. So I am going to briefly explain the four main types of TV (LCD, LED, OLED, and QLED) and how they work.

That way you have a better understanding on which type of TV best fits your home.

LCD

The acrimony “LCD” stands for “Liquid Crystal Display” to manage the light that is shown on your TV.

It involves having a florescent back-light with an LCD panel in front of it. The LCD screen is where the images and color of whatever content that you are watching comes from.

The significant drawbacks of LCD TVs is that it can never produce deep blacks or bright whites and it has a relatively short lifespan compared to LED or OLED TV. However, they are significantly cheaper than LED and OLED TVs.

LED

The term “LED” stands for “Light Emitting Diode”. A lot of consumers like to think that LED is its on category of TVs but in all reality it is really an upgraded version of the LCD TV. It is still equipped with an LCD panel but it had an LED back-light instead of a florescent one.

This gives it a couple of advantages such as using less energy due to better efficiency in LED lights, brighter whites and deeper blacks, and the TV becomes even slimmer.

But with increase efficiency and picture quality so does the price tag as well.

OLED

The “O” in “OLED” stands for organic. The TV has organic material and each single pixel lights itself up when a charge is applied to them. OLED TVs are at its best in dark rooms and home theaters because the pixels can reach absolute blacks.

When they are black the pixels are actually off which is rare in TVs. But this does no good in sunny and bright rooms.

OLED TVs are the top dog in the television industry when it comes to viewing angles because one single plane of pixels doing all the work.

QLED

The QLED TV is basically just another upgraded version of the LCD TV and the “Q” in “QLED” tands for “Quantum”. It involves a filter of quantum dots on top of the screen which improves color and light management.

Contrary to the OLED TV, the QLED TV strengths lies in brightness. It has over 2,000 nits of brightness while OLED maximum brightness is 1,000.

If you are a sports fan, you would love a QLED TV because the brightness of the game will transmit well through the quantum dots and bring the picture more to life.

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Buyer’s Guide For TVs

Size Matters

The screen size is without a doubt the most important factor when buying a TV.

The sizes for TVs usually range from 20 to 80 inches, but you do have some of the ‘pretty-penny’ TVs which sizes range from 90 to 98 inches. We all know the saying, “bigger is better”, and it holds true with TVs.

The bigger the TV, the better experience you get when watching it.

Nowadays, larger TVs have the 4k UHD feature. This means that the TVs has more pixels packed in together and shows pictures at an higher resolution.

So you can sit as close to the TV as you want and still be able to tell what’s going on (I don’t recommend sitting too close though, just so you won’t strain your eyes.)

What’s Your Budget?

It is important to keep your budget in mind when buying a new TV. You don’t want to break the bank by going too far over your budget, but you also don’t want to be cheap.

When you see a TV that you like on this Top 10 list, but it is a little over your budget, its best not to automatically cancel it out.

The reason why is because it is better to go over your budget a little and get a high-quality TV that will give you a great experience and a return on your investment for years to come rather than purchasing a TV with a attractive price tag that you going have to throw out for trash in 6 months.

I know we all can agree on that.

Choosing Between HD or Ultra HD?

The acronym HD means High-Definition. HD (also known as 1080P) or Ultra HD (also known as 4k TV) refers to the TVs picture resolution.

Standard high-definition (1080P) has a screen resolution of 1920×1080 which is the equivalent to more than 2 million pixels.

Pixels represents “picture elements” which are separate little dots that composes the picture on the TV screen. The more pixels the higher the resolution, the better your TV viewing experience.

Ultra HD (4k TV) has a screen resolution of 3840×2160 which is the equivalent to more than 8 million pixels! Whatever show or movie that you are watching, it is almost like your there watching it in real time.

And yes, you guessed it. Ultra HD is more expensive than standard HD. So it all goes back to your budget and what you are willing to spend.

We personally recommend getting a TV that is Ultra HD.

It really offers a real-life viewing experience and it works best if you love watching sports. It’s like your in the stadium or arena watching the competition without actually being there. If that makes any sense :).

Smart TV or No?

You walk into your local electronic store and look at the TVs, all you see is Smart TVs. They have become extremely popular over the past few years and consumers just can’t get enough of them.

The reason why they are so popular is because it is like having a flat-screen TV and a computer at the same time.

They are able to access the internet, comes with popular streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu, download apps like games for the kids, equipped with voice command, and lets you play videos from your smartphone. That just to name some of its main features. So now you know why they became so popular.

But in order to use most of those features, you need to have WiFi or some form of access to the internet.

However, Smart TVs is not for everyone. They might be a little too sophisticated and high-tech and you just want something simple and gets the job done.

So if you are comfortable with today’s trending apps and gadgets, Smart TVs are for you. If not, they are plenty of other high-resolution TV options that I will cover in the list below.

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Best TV’s of 2018

 Samsung QN65Q9F Flat 65” QLED 4K UHD 9 Series Smart TV 2018

Pros: 

• Smart TV with a lot of handy features
• Beautiful and Clear HDR picture quality
• Easy to connect to all your devices
• Super sleek design

Cons:

• Pricey but you get what you pay for

Breakdown

The Samsung QN65Q9F Flat 65” has everything you wish for in a TV. The picture quality contains more vibrant and bright colors than last seasons model.

This makes the picture your more vivid and creates a one-of-a-kind viewing experience. Doesn’t matter if all the lights are on in the room or if it’s pitch-black, the TV picture quality will continue to be great. EVERY TIME.

Samsung really outdid itself by adding the new Ambient mode feature which lets you customize the TV background to match your home decor.

You can add those family photos that y’all took last Christmas, post you useful information for whenever you have guests over or if your running a business, and even have background music playing whether that be some calming instrumentals or some of your favorite tunes.

And the best part is that you can program this all from your phone. Cool right, I know.

The really only downfall with this TV is the price. It is definitely more expensive than your average TV, but you get what you pay for and then some. This TV will give you an awesome viewing experience for years to come without doubt.

Plus it comes in a 75 inch option too for the big-screen enthusiasts.

Key Specs — Screen Size Options: 65, 75-inch | Screen Type: LCD | Resolution: 4k Ultra HD | HDMI ports: 4 |  Weight: 62.8 lbs | Size: 57.1 x 14.2 x 34.1 in |

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LG Electronics OLED65C8PUA 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV (2018 Model)

Pros:

• Amazon Alexa makes it easier navigate in and out of apps
• Great contrast between bright and dark colors
• The Alpha 9 Processor lives up to all the hype
• Picture quality is vivid and rich

Cons:

• The sneaky advertisements can be annoying

Breakdown

The LG C8 is a high quality OLED TV with a powerful processor.

The picture quality is phenomenal due to the much hyped Alpha 9 Processor which creates better images by processing contrast, color, sharpness, and motion more efficiently. The Processor really comes into effect when dealing with contrasting colors. It creates better contrast between shades of color and brightness levels which improves the picture quality as a whole.

When watching fast paced movies like Fast and the Furious or playing action-packed video games, there is no lag in the motion handling. The Alpha 9 creates a smoother and more fluid look while still maintaining awesome graphics

LG displays advertisements when your navigating between different apps which can be annoying but luckily you can disable the advertisements by disagreeing to the advertising agreements.

The LG C8 design is pencil thin and has one of the best processors on the market which makes it one of the best OLED3

TVs available right now.

Key Specs — Screen Size Options: 55, 65, 77-inch | Screen Type: OLED | Resolution: 4k Ultra HD | HDMI ports: 4 | Weight: 56 lbs | Size:  9.1 x 57 x 34.7 inches |

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 Sony XBR55X900F 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV

Pros:

• 4k HDTV offers sparkling clarity and incredible contrast
•  Multiple inputs like HDMI and USB to handle all your devices
• Great all-around sound
• Hides cables for a wireless appearance

Cons:

• Software applications sometimes lags

Breakdown

Sony has always been known for its stunning color performance and high-tech software. The Sony XBR55X900F is no exception.

Outside, the Sony XBR55x900 features a sleek design with unique leg stands so that you will be able to focus on the TV more.

Inside, the Sony comes with 4k resolution and automatic dimming to make sure you get a lifelike viewing experience.

The X1 Extreme Processor is responsible for controlling the brightness and contrast and it does its job to the fullest. Doesn’t matter if it is TV shows, movies, or games. It makes even the tiniest of details within a movie or show stand out.

The Sony XBR55x900 is a smart TV so it is loaded with apps the whole family can enjoy from games for the little ones to popular streaming services like Netflix and Hulu to watch your favorite programs.

However if you leave an application running too long, it may begin to lag and glitch. So you would have to restart the TV or reboot the application to get things back on track.

Key Specs — Screen Size: 49, 55. 65, 75, 85-inch  |  Screen Type: LED  |  Resolution: 4k  |  HDMI ports: 4 | Weight: 55 lbs | Size: 52.5 x 7.69 x 32.5 in |

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TCL 55S405 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV

Pros:

• Very Affordable for any budget
• 4k Ultra HD and High-Dynamic Range (HDR) makes a great team in offering color, contrast, and detail to your shows and movies.
• Over 4,000 streaming channels and 500,000 movies. What do you need to waste money on cable for?
• Multiple input options including an headphone jack so you can watch TV with no interruptions.

Cons:

• Limited viewing angles
• Remote seems like it has to be close range for it to work

Breakdown

The Roku TCL 55s405 is easily one of the sleeper TVs of the year just because a lot of consumers are not too familiar with the TCL TV line.

But if they continue you make quality Tvs like this model at an affordable price, I am sure consumers will begin to catch on. This TV’s price-to-performance ratio is threw the roof. There are few other TVs that can match up against it.

The stunning 4k Ultra HD shows it pictures with eye-catching contrast in some of the most brightest and darkest of situations.

We were very impressed on how sharp the HDR highlights was when we were able to get a closer look at the TV.

While the picture quality is solid, you have over 4,000 streaming channels and more than 500,000 movies to watch. So not only are you saving money on the TV itself, but also on your cable bill.

You can use that extra cash to buy a wall mount or a sound system to make your viewing experience even better.

Key Specs — Screen Size: 43, 49, 55-inch |  Screen Type: LED |  Resolution: 4k Ultra HD  |  HDMI ports: 3  | Weight: 30 lbs | Size: 49.1 x 8.7 x 30.8 in |

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Samsung UN55NU8000FXZA FLAT 55” 4K UHD 8 Series Smart TV 2018

Pros:

• Browsing is super easy and convenient with voice command
• The Dynamic Crystal Color feature makes all shades of colors more vibrant and noticeable
• Sharp and snappy action scenes with the a motion rate of 240
• HDR plus technology gives you a wide range of  brightness and contrast to make whatever program you are watching pop

Cons:

• Too many advertisements when using the software applications
• Sound quality is average. Not enough to carry a big room like the living room

Breakdown

Samsung’s entire line of TVs have fantastic picture quality. The Samsung NU8000 did not come to disappoint.

The sparkling 4k picture combined with the depth of HDR plus and Dynamic Crystal Color technology produces a lifelike picture that is more brighter and colorful than any we have ever seen from the Samsung company.

They have really put a lot of emphasis into making this model dark zones darker and and bright objects even more brighter which is why it is definitely better than last years model.

This TV is great for gamers and action movie lovers because it has a refresh rate of 240Hz which is great considering the average is usually 120Hz. So you can enjoy the fast-pace scenes of your favorite movies and games without experiencing a blur.

Now, these features don’t make The Samsung NU8000 the best TV on the market, but it do make it one of the best TVs Samsung has ever produced.

Key Specs — Screen Size: 49, 55, 65, 75, 82-inch |  Screen Type: LED |  Resolution: 4k |  HDMI ports: 4 | Weight:  | Size: 48.3 x 12.7 x 31 in |

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Sony XBR65A8F 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart BRAVIA OLED TV (2018 Model)

Pros:

• Beautiful and modern design
• Incredible brightness and contrast with 4k HDR
• Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant so you can have hands-free control
• Audio system is loud and carries throughout a room

Cons:

• Break the bank expensive

Breakdown

Sony has always been the shot-caller when it comes to the processing component of TVs.

The X1 Extreme Processor and 4k X-Reality PRO contains over 8 million self-illuminating pixels. This makes movies and shows that you are watching look as if you are witnessing them in person.

Not only is the processing component impressive, but it also offers gorgeous and natural-looking colors thanks to the works of the 4k ultra HD and High Dynamic Range.

The only real downfall of the Sony BRAVIA is that it is very costly. It is the most expensive TV on our list. But if money is no problem for you and you got it like that, this TV will not disappoint. It is definitely one of the best TVs that money can buy.

Key Specs — Screen Size: 55, 65-inch |  Screen Type: OLED  |  Resolution: 4k |  HDMI ports: 4 | Weight: 81.5 pounds | Size: 62.3 x 7.8 x 39.1 inches |

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LG Electronics OLED65E8PUA 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV (2018 Model)

Pros:

• The refined glass gives the TV a beautiful and timeless look no matter if its on or off
• Limitless viewing angles
• Black levels are detailed and sharp
• Built-in sound bar speaker
• Excellent picture quality with 4k Cinema HDR

Cons:

• More on the expensive side
• The “Motion Pro” feature disturbs the brightness

Breakdown

The LG E8PUA features a “picture on glass” design and a built in sound bar speaker to provide you with an all-around amazing viewing experience.

The HD picture quality did not disappoint. It provided great brightness with in-depth black levels.

But the greatest part about the picture quality would have to be the color accuracy. The colors on whatever your watching will look very natural and lifelike which is how it should be.

The motion performance on the E8PUA is very solid. Better than what you would get on other high-end TVs.

It comes with this “Motion Pro” feature which is supposed to reduce the motion blur even further, but it does more harm than good. It dims the overall brightness and makes whatever you are watching begin twitch. So it is recommended to leave that feature off.

This TV is also compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa which makes it easy to navigate between apps.

Key Specs — Screen Size: 55, 65-inch |  Screen Type: OLED |  Resolution: 4k |  HDMI ports: 4 | Weight: 60.8 lbs | Size: 57 x 8.7 x 36 inches |

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LG Electronics OLED55B7A 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV

Pros

• Stunning HDR picture quality
• Deep black levels
• Super thin design for the modern look
• Great viewing angles

Cons

• Smart system is useful but sometimes lag

LG has a history of making awesome OLED TVs and The LG 55B7A might be one of there best ones yet.

You get a spectacular picture clarity with the 4k Ultra HD and individually lit OLED pixels which creates incredible contrast between the brightest and darkest scenes.

LG has boosted the attributes of the Smart TV with the webOS 3.5 which gives you the option to stream online movies, TV shows, and other content all with the push of a button. However, some of the content may become a little sluggish if you keep a application running for a long time.

The LG 55B7A also offers great all-around sound with the Dolby Atmos. The audio really sucks you into whatever movie or show that you are watching.

It makes you notice the smallest details that you might didn’t pay attention to before such as the crackling sound a campfire makes or the sound trees make when they are swaying in the wind.

These minor little details is what makes watching your favorite movie seem like your watching it for the very first time.

Key Specs — Screen Size: 55, 65-inch |  Screen Type: OLED |  Resolution: 4k |  HDMI ports: 4 | Weight: 45.2 | Size: 48.4 x 8.9 x 29.9 inches |

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TCL 55R617 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV (2018 Model)

Pros:

• Instant access to over 500,000 movies and TV shows
• Superb picture clarity with 4k Ultra HD
• More affordable than other popular TVs
• Great TV for gaming with HDR10

Cons: 

• Limited viewing angles
• Mediocre audio

What we love best about the TCL 55R617 is that it is a complete steal at **** for all the qualities it has to offer.

With the stunning 4k Ultra HD and HDR10 all your favorite movies, shows, and games delivers better brightness and more natural colors. The black levels are deep and is contrasted very well with the brighter colors.

For the gamers, this has to be one of the best quality TVs you can purchase, especially if you are on a tight budget. The “Game Mode” feature combined with HDR makes all games graphics look gorgeous with no input lag whatsoever.

Just make sure to turn the “Game Mode” ON and set the Dynamic Contrast to “High” and you will be able to notice the picture quality and fluidity while your playing.

However, the viewing angles on the TCL 55R617 are very average to say the least. When your sitting in the middle of the TV, everything is all good. But as you move to the side of the TV, the colors begin to get flushed out.

The brushed metal finish gives the TV a very sleek and modern design that will complement any interior home design.

Key Specs — Screen Size: 55, 65-inch |  Screen Type: LED |  Resolution: 4k |  HDMI ports: 3 | Weight: 38.2 lbs | Size: 48.5 x 10.7 x 30.9 inches |

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Samsung Electronics UN65MU7000 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV

Pros:

• Vibrant and eye-catching colors
• Great for gaming action movies with a motion of 120
• Slick, clean, and light design
• Good Smart System

Cons:

• Limited viewing angles
• HDR brightness could be more brighter

Last but not least on our list is the Samsung U7000. It offers a 65-inch 4k Ultra HD that is loaded with top of the line features such as the 4k Color Drive Pro and the live action motion rate of 120.

Just to give you a quick insight on those two features is that the 4k Color Drive Pro gives you a wider range of vibrant colors that makes whatever your watching look more natural and lifelike. Gamers and action movie buffs will absolutely love this TV.

With the motion rate of 120, there is no lag or blurriness whatsoever ever in whatever action-packed content that you are watching or playing.

The HDR offers a great viewing experience all-around, but it is at its best when the lights are dimmed or turned off. I think Samsung could of done a better job at making the HDR more brighter, but that minor flaw doesn’t pose a huge threat to whatever you are watching.

The U7000 provides modern design and great picture quality. The color is spot-on and is integrated with smart TV technology. Can’t go wrong with this one here.

Key Specs — Screen Size: 40, 49, 55, 65-inch  |  Screen Type: LED |  Resolution: 4k |  HDMI ports: 4 | Weight: 58.9 lbs | Size: 57.3 x 15.1 x 36.2 inches |

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What Else To Get With Your New TV

Streaming Services

Streaming Services such as Netflix, Hulu, Youtube TV provides you with over 1000s of movies and shows that you can watch whenever you feel like it. With Smart TVs becoming more popular, a lot of the new releases come equipped already with streaming services.

All you have to do is log into your account and your all set to go.

HD Antennas

HD Antennas are super cool because they retrieve HDTV channel for FREE. I mean it won’t get you the full cable guide with 1000s of channels, but you will retrieve some of them and you just can’t argue with the channels being free.

The most attractive aspect about HD Antennas is they are super affordable and easy to use. You don’t have to pay a monthly subscription. You just hook the Antenna up, set it up somewhere where it get good reception, and it automatically starts streaming a variety of shows.

Soundbar

To make sure that you are getting the best possible viewing experience from your new TV, you should look into shopping for a soundbar. A lot of TVs nowadays are built with a slim design because it is most popular among consumers and it give your home that modern look.

While the slim design is great for looks, but it can sometime make for mediocre audio.

A soundbar gives you movie theater audio without having to deal with all the wires and complicated setup you would have to do with a surround sound system.

Universal Remote

Universal Remotes are very useful in home theater situation because you have just one remote that controls all your devices whether that be the DVD player, the TV, the soundbar, etc… No more having 10 different remotes all scattered around your living room.

There are some universal remotes that are really expensive and even lets you control the smart system gadgets within your home and there are some very affordable remotes that controls all the gadgets that deals with your TV.

So it is up to you on how much control you want over the gadgets in your home.

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The Bottom Line

When looking to buy a new TV for your home it has to meet your standards, flow with the interior of your home, and create an amazing and lasting viewing experience for you and whoever else is watching. All the TVs I reviewed above are capable of doing just that and will guarantee you a return on your investment for years to come.

If your still undecided and have to many options to choose from, I have recommended the best TV from each category to help you with your decision:

Best Overall TV: LG Electronics OLED65C8PUA 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD

Most Budget-Friendly TV: TCL 55S405 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD

Best Picture Quality: Sony XBR55X900F 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD

Best Value TV: Sony XBR65A8F 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart BRAVIA

Best LED TV: Samsung UN55NU8000FXZA FLAT 55” 4K UHD

I hope you enjoyed this article on the Best LED TV of 2018 and was able to make a solid decision on the next TV for your home. If you have any questions or want to share your own TV experience, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. I would love to hear.