TVs buying guide

Picture quality depends on panel type and your room, so start with where the TV will sit.

1. OLED has deep blacks for dark rooms; bright LED and QLED models cope better in sunlit rooms.
2. For 4K, sit at a distance where the size feels natural; bigger is usually better in a living room.
3. For gaming, check HDMI 2.1, 120 Hz and variable refresh support on the ports you will use.
4. Built-in smart features age; a cheap streaming stick can refresh an older TV.
5. Speakers on thin TVs are basic; budget for a soundbar.

Common mistake: Trusting the shop-floor picture: demo modes are turned up far beyond what you will use.