How to Choose a TV: Screen Size, Panel Types and Specs That Matter

TV listings read like alphabet soup: 4K, UHD, QLED, OLED, HDR10+, 120 Hz, MEMC, Dolby this and that. Every TV seems to have every feature, and prices still range from a weekend dinner to a month's rent.

Most of what separates a good TV from a disappointing one comes down to a few questions. How far away do you sit? How bright is your room? Do you watch sport, play games or mostly stream shows? Answer those and the soup sorts itself out.

Step 1: Size by viewing distance

The most common TV regret is buying too small, not too big. A useful rule for a 4K TV is to sit about 1 to 1.5 times the screen size away. Screen size is measured diagonally.

Sofa to screen	Screen size to consider
About 4 to 5 feet	43 inches
About 5 to 7 feet	50 to 55 inches
About 7 to 8 feet	65 inches
8 feet or more	75 inches and up

Measure the distance with a tape rather than guessing. Then check the practical limits:

• Wall or unit width. A 55-inch TV is about four feet wide. Check the exact dimensions in the listing.
• Stand feet. Some TVs have feet at the far edges, which need a wide surface.
• Wall mounting. Check whether a wall mount is included and whether installation costs extra.

For bedrooms and small rooms, 32 or 43 inches is usually plenty.

Step 2: LED vs QLED vs OLED, in plain words

LED (LCD with an LED backlight)

Most TVs are LCD panels lit from behind by LEDs. Simple, affordable and bright. Budget models can look greyish in dark scenes because light from the backlight leaks through. Better ones use local dimming, which dims parts of the backlight for deeper blacks.

QLED

Still an LCD TV with a backlight, but with a quantum-dot layer that produces brighter, richer colours. Well suited to bright living rooms.

Mini-LED

An LCD whose backlight uses many tiny LEDs split into lots of dimming zones. Better contrast and strong brightness for HDR, getting closer to OLED in dark scenes.

OLED

Each pixel makes its own light and can switch off completely. That means true blacks, excellent contrast and wide viewing angles, at their best in a dimmer room. Peak brightness is usually lower than the brightest LCD TVs, and static images left on screen for many hours, like news tickers or channel logos, carry a small risk of burn-in. Modern OLEDs include features to reduce it.

The plain-words verdict:

• Bright room with lots of daylight: a good LED, QLED or mini-LED
• Movie nights in a dark room: OLED, or a mini-LED with strong local dimming
• Hours of news channels every day: an LCD-based TV avoids burn-in worries

Step 3: Refresh rate for sport and gaming

Refresh rate is how many times a second the picture updates.

• 60 Hz is fine for most shows, films and casual viewing.
• 120 Hz makes fast motion smoother, which helps with cricket, football and gaming.

Watch for inflated numbers. Labels like "motion rate 240" or "effective 120 Hz" often describe a 60 Hz panel with processing on top. Look for the native refresh rate in the detailed specs or in reviews.

For gaming on a current-generation console or a gaming PC, look for:

• HDMI 2.1 ports, needed for 4K at 120 Hz
• VRR (variable refresh rate) to reduce stutter and tearing
• ALLM (auto low latency mode) so the TV switches to game mode by itself
• Low input lag in game mode, which many reviews measure

Step 4: HDR labels that mean little

HDR (high dynamic range) makes bright parts brighter and dark parts darker for a more lifelike picture. The catch is that a TV can accept an HDR signal without being able to show it well.

• HDR10 is the basic format almost every 4K TV supports.
• Dolby Vision and HDR10+ adjust the picture scene by scene. Nice to have, especially if you stream a lot.
• The badge isn't the picture. A dim budget panel with an HDR logo shows HDR content with little extra punch. Peak brightness and local dimming decide what HDR actually looks like.

Read reviews that measure brightness and judge HDR performance, rather than counting logos on the box.

Step 5: Sound

Thin TVs have small speakers, and most of them sound thin. Dialogue in films can get lost under music and effects.

• Look for reviews that mention dialogue clarity.
• Treat "Dolby Atmos" on built-in speakers as a format label, not a promise of cinema sound.
• Budget for a soundbar if sound matters, and check for HDMI ARC or eARC, which lets one remote control the TV and soundbar together.

Step 6: Smart platform and updates

The smart platform is the part you'll touch every day. Google TV, webOS, Tizen and others all run the major streaming apps, but the experience differs.

• App availability: make sure the apps you use, including regional OTT apps, are on the platform.
• Speed: budget TVs with little memory can get sluggish over time. Reviews often mention lag.
• Updates: check how long the brand keeps updating the software and apps.
• Ads: some home screens show promoted content. Reviews will tell you how intrusive it is.

If the built-in platform slows down in a few years, a streaming stick can replace it cheaply. The panel is the part you can't upgrade, so put your money there.

Before you buy

1. Measure the viewing distance and the wall or unit width
2. Choose the panel type for your room's light
3. Check the native refresh rate, and HDMI 2.1 if you game
4. Read reviews for brightness, HDR and sound
5. Confirm app support, updates, warranty and installation

TVs are a popular sale-season buy, so plan ahead with our guide to shopping big festive sales without regret, and decide on extended warranties before the checkout page asks. If you'd rather not decode spec sheets at all, Nudge asks about your room and viewing habits and gives you three picks, each with a reason it fits.

Frequently asked questions

What size TV should I buy for my room?

For a 4K TV, sit about 1 to 1.5 times the screen size away. At around 7 to 8 feet, a 65-inch TV usually works well.

Is OLED better than QLED?

OLED has better blacks and contrast, ideal for darker rooms. QLED and mini-LED get brighter, which suits sunny living rooms and lots of daytime viewing.

Do I need a 120 Hz TV?

Only if you watch a lot of fast sport or play games on a console or PC. For everyday shows and films, 60 Hz is fine.

Is HDR worth paying for?

HDR10 is standard on 4K TVs. What matters is brightness and local dimming: a bright TV shows HDR far better than one that only carries the logo.

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Three TVs matched to your room, not to a spec sheet. Try Nudge.