Smart TVs Not Inferior to Non-Smart TVs with Same Specs

The Hisense U8H offers great image quality, superb gaming features, and the Google TV interface, but it has a narrower viewing angle and fewer screen sizes than some other TVs.

We also found this TV’s audio to be of middling quality, and the screen is quite reflective. Available sizes: 55, 65, and 75 inches, with 43-, 50-, and 85-inch models coming soon. HDMI ports: three (one eARC) Smart OS: Vizio OS Resolution: 4K (3840×2160) Screen type: LCD/LED · The Vizio Mini LED Quantum Series 4K TV offers very good performance at unbeatable prices. ... This OLED TV pairs top-notch picture quality with ample features, and it’s available in a wide range of screen sizes.

You can’t go wrong with any of these top-performing TVs. They offer top-notch overall picture quality, a great high dynamic range (HDR) experience, and either very good or excellent sound.

What we don't: Most of the TVs using this system have been so-so performers in our TV ratings.

Smart TVs are more expensive than a non-smart TV. With that said, we stand by our point that you’re probably getting the most value when you purchase a smart TV. Plus, they’re becoming more affordable every year.

That's what a smart TV does that a regular TV doesn't. Not all TVs are smart; a "dumb" TV doesn't connect to the internet, so it's simply a display device for whatever you connect to it (much like a computer monitor). Having your TV online is definitely useful, and their affordable pricing means that you don't have to shell out extra for these features (or buy a separate streaming box). But we still think non-smart TVs, or alternative devices, have a worthy place in your home.

The C4 has better picture quality than any non-OLED TV on this list -- at a higher price, but it's still not outrageously expensive. Its perfect black levels, unbeatable contrast and superb off-angle viewing kept it a notch above the cheaper ...

Compare this to a true non-smart 65" display from a commercial brand — you'd pay $800-1,500 for inferior picture technology.

In many cases, you may actually be paying more for inferior specs -- that is, the specs that matter to watching movies and TV shows in your home. That 43-inch Samsung set is not only small by modern standards, but limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, no HDR support, and outdated backlighting technology. Conversely, for a little over $250, you can get a 50-inch Hisense QLED smart TV with Dolby Vision and HDR10+. At the $400 mark, mini-LED TVs become available, some of which may actually be preferable to OLEDs, depending on your interests.