Which size TV is right for you?
Televisions are so common in homes today that they are generally considered part of the furniture. But the differences in specs between different sets can make buying a TV, or at least choosing what to buy, a bewildering and confusing experience.
The average size of TVs is increasing every year and as a result our expectations for size and fit are constantly changing. The 75 inch TV is the fastest growing sector of the market, but such large TVs could not even fit many people’s homes.
With Black Friday sales right around the corner, many savvy shoppers will look to November for a decent discount TV. Whether you’re upgrading from an older set or making your first TV purchase, we’ve put together the guide you need to determine your TV size.
Small TVs (24-32 inches)
For those who are reluctant to choose a random size, fear not. TV manufacturers usually make their TVs in fairly rigid dimensions, which means you can only choose a handful of sizes.
In the smaller part of the scale, you can get 20, 24, or 28 inch sets, some of which are best placed on a desk or counter rather than your computer monitor. After that, you’ve got the 32 or 36-inch TV, which is compact enough to fit in smaller spaces than its larger counterparts without reducing staff too much.
The Samsung UN32M5300 offers full 1080p images and the Tizen operating system at an affordable price.
These are good choices for individual TVs or occasional TVs in smaller residential spaces – or just for any budget, as a 32-inch TV can cost as little as $ 250-350.
What you gain in convenience, however, may run out of additional ports and overall picture quality. Even 32 inches is too small for a 4K UHD display, which means you’re stuck watching standard HD / SDR quality content in 720p (1366 x 768 pixels) or 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels). Regardless, most of the content is in HD / SDR so it might not be a loss for you, but if you want more of your picture you might want to skip a few sizes and count down the number of pixels.
Mid-size TVs (40-43 inches)
Remember when 40 inches was a huge size for a TV? These days, the 40/42/43 inch TV line is considered the starting point for a 4K display. It therefore generally offers a practical compromise between image quality and price.
The Samsung MU7000 2017 is a winning combination of image quality and value
A native 4K TV will allow you to watch Ultra HD (3840 x 2160 pixels) content, view 4K games from a PS4 Pro or Xbox One S / X, and grab Blu-ray DVDs. Ray 4K UHD – and will make the difference between a standard DVD capability set and a primer for the future of television resolution. (Burden on to come up , there, because there isn’t a lot of 4K content available outside of these examples.)
The prices for these sets are generally between $ 500 and $ 800 / 1,000 for a 40 inch LCD screen or so. You don’t get the proprietary panel technologies seen in larger sizes, but this size is probably where you’ll get the most bang for your buck.
Large screen televisions (55, 65, 75 inches)
For those who want a true home theater experience, you will choose a 55, 65 or 75 inch TV. These sets are perfect for entertaining large groups or families, watching football and sports games on the big screen, and fully enjoying 4K Ultra HD movies and DVDs.
We’re in the big sizes here, because the benefits – and tradeoffs – are pretty similar when you hit that scale.
Sony A9F OLED is a stunning flagship OLED – if you can afford it
The devices are more expensive, take up more space, and have to work harder to display standard HD / SDR content on their huge screens. However, if you have room for them, they can be absolutely magical to have in the comfort of your own home.
An OLED display is also the minimum required for an OLED display: premium panel technology that you will only find in the most high-end models from Sony, Philips or LG. If you want the best picture quality at all costs – and there is will have costs – that’s probably what you’re looking for.
In the end, whether you go for a 55 inch or a 75 inch it can come down to what you can fit into your living room and your actual budget. A 55-inch TV can cost you as little as £ 400 / $ 500 for a budget model and up to $ 2,500 for a better brand. A 75 inch set is going to run you several thousand pounds or dollars.
There are also a number of 82- or 85-inch TVs available for those who are really willing to pay for a full-size screen. Those sizes are usually going to come with OLED or Samsung’s competing QLED panel technology, if not an 8,000-pixel display to boot.
… but size is not everything
Even though we are impressed with bigger and bigger screens, it’s important to remember that bigger ones aren’t always better.
A bigger screen can obviously display a bigger picture, but if it can’t handle higher resolutions – or the scaling techniques required to make content at lower resolution bigger – you only pay for a higher resolution. large blurry image. After all, you need more pixels for a bigger screen. Those extra pixels need to be up to the task of processing the most demanding images for HD or UHD content to look good on a big screen.
A larger screen is also more difficult to fit in tight spaces and can dominate the room it’s in. This is good if you want to give your TV pride of place, but need to take that into account before you upgrade to the biggest screen you can find.
