There are so many wonderful TVs now available that chances are even the ones that aren’t among our top picks could be a fantastic option for you. Here are some of our favorites that just missed the cut.
TCL Q6 (2024): This affordable model from TCL has some of the most impressive highlights I’ve seen on a cheap TV without fancy local dimming. I really like the color quality, especially when looking at modern classics like Dune Or Mad Max Fury Route. A built-in Google interface makes streaming and broadcasting easy, and TCL has a history of making moderately priced displays that last, so you don’t have to cross your fingers too much on your purchase.
Sony Bravia7: The Bravia 7 (7/10, WIRED recommends) is a magnificent display, offering brilliant brightness, naturalistic colors and suave finesse in subtle details. Its biggest problem is poor off-axis viewing, which might be hard to swallow given its high list price. Otherwise, it’s worth considering for fans of this Sony glow, especially since Sony appears to be offering much more generous discounts on its best QLED TVs than its OLED models.
TCL QM7: There’s only one thing that keeps the QM7 beautifully balanced (6/10, WIRED reviewed) from our main list: a software problem. During my review, I encountered an issue where adjusting SDR backlight levels affected HDR, which could lead to severe brightness limitations. Although TCL fixed the issue in a firmware update for me, it’s not yet widely available. Most people probably won’t have this problem, so the QM7 is still worth considering, and TCL expects a broad firmware update in December.
Samsung S95C: The S95C (8/10, WIRED recommends) remains a fantastic choice while it’s available. It may even be the best option for those who don’t want or need the matte screen of the 2024 model. It remains one of the best OLED TVs you can buy, especially considering its very affordable selling price.
Samsung QN90C: Another potential deal, although still available, is Samsung’s QN90C (8/10, WIRED recommends) has long been one of our favorite TVs for bright rooms. It comes in a wide range of sizes and offers a bright, colorful image as well as plenty of freebies, especially attractive during a megasale.