Ultimea has unveiled the Skywave X70, a professional-grade 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos® home theater system designed to deliver cinematic immersion in a fully wireless package. This system promises thunderous bass down to 20Hz, crystal-clear audio reproduction, and a setup free of cable clutter, making it a true benchmark in home sound innovation.
Wireless Power Meets Cinema-Grade Precision
The Skywave X70 is equipped with a 10-inch subwoofer powered by Gravus ultra-linear bass technology, producing ultra-low frequencies with zero distortion. Dual 5GHz wireless transmission ensures interference-free stability with latency under 20ms, bringing smooth audio for movies, music, and gaming. The plug-and-play design eliminates messy cabling while maintaining high fidelity performance.
Neural-Level Processing with NEURACORE
At the core lies Ultimea’s NEURACORE engine, which combines a triple-core DSP and dual-core MCU. Running over 10 real-time audio algorithms, it enhances sound clarity, balances tones, and ensures precise surround performance. This technology bridges the gap between professional studio standards and everyday living room setups, making high-end audio more accessible.
GaN Amplifier Technology for Efficiency
The system integrates GaN amplifier technology, delivering 8x faster transient response and up to 98% efficiency. Compared to traditional silicon amplifiers, it reduces heat output by nearly 50%, ensuring stable and distortion-free sound at any volume. This efficiency also contributes to safer long-term operation and improved sustainability in design.
Design, Accessibility, and User Focus
With a sleek, modular three-piece structure, the Skywave X70 blends seamlessly into home interiors. Ultimea’s design approach cuts production costs without sacrificing performance, allowing more users to access cinema-grade sound. The system will debut in mid-September 2025, with early registration unlocking discounts of up to 42%. This move reflects Ultimea’s mission to democratize premium audio experiences for homes worldwide.
In conclusion, Ultimea has combined advanced processing, powerful bass, efficient amplification, and a stylish build in the Skywave X70. With pre-sale deals and broad availability, the company continues its commitment to making high-end home entertainment accessible to everyone.
Ultimea Skywave X70 Technical Specifications
Feature
Details
System Type
7.1.4 Dolby Atmos® Wireless Home Theater
Subwoofer
10-inch, Gravus ultra-linear bass, 20Hz low frequency
Wireless Technology
Dual 5GHz transmission, <20ms latency
Processing Engine
NEURACORE (Triple-core DSP + Dual-core MCU)
Audio Algorithms
10+ real-time tuning algorithms
Amplifier
GaN technology, 98% efficiency, 8x faster response
Design
3-piece modular, sleek home-friendly structure
Availability
Launch in September 2025, pre-sale discounts up to 42%
The short answer is price, performance, and usability. Most regular folks who ask me about a new TV are looking for something around $500 or less. Jumping up a few hundred dollars can often get you a lot more performance, but I understand that may not be in the budget, so this list generally aims for TVs at or below that magic number. To get there, we sometimes sacrifice size, often recommending 55-inch models rather than the 65-inch size that’s becoming the industry standard. Not everyone needs a larger screen, and the larger you go, the more you’ll notice performance imperfections.
As TVs get increasingly bigger, it’s also getting harder to find good TVs smaller than 55-inches, especially if you want features like High Dynamic Range and quantum dot colors that make for a much more vibrant and impactful picture. These features often go hand-in-hand with 4K resolution, so while you may not mind getting an HDTV at smaller sizes, all the TVs we’ve recommended offer 4K resolution. Wherever possible, we look for models that offer various size options to cater to all buyers and use cases.
The legendary imaging name Kodak, through its brand licensee C+A Global, has launched the KODAK FLIK X20 — a compact Full HD multimedia smart projector designed for versatile entertainment. Combining HDR10+, built-in Google TV, and Netflix certification, this projector promises to transform any space into a cinematic hub with minimal setup.
Portable Cinema Anywhere
Weighing under 4 lbs., the FLIK X20 is crafted for portability without compromising performance. From backyard screenings to dorm gaming sessions or RV movie nights, this projector adapts effortlessly. Its native 1080p resolution, 300 ANSI lumens brightness, and HDR10+ with 4K support ensure vivid, lifelike visuals on screens up to 100 inches.
Smarter Streaming Experience
Powered by Google TV, the X20 offers seamless access to over 10,000 apps and 300+ live TV channels. Netflix certification means users can stream directly without extra hardware. Built-in Google Assistant allows voice commands for navigation, search, and playback, making content discovery intuitive and hands-free.
Engineered for Ease and Durability
Designed for modern lifestyles, the FLIK X20 features auto-focus, auto-keystone correction, obstacle avoidance, and adjustable zoom from 50% to 100%. Its sealed optical engine resists dust and wear, while the eco-conscious LED light source provides up to 30,000 hours of use. This makes the device not only practical but also reliable for long-term enjoyment.
Audio and Connectivity
Equipped with dual 3W speakers enhanced by Dolby Digital Plus, the X20 delivers immersive sound, while an audio-out port supports external speaker setups. Connectivity options include HDMI 2.1, USB 2.0, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.0, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices from laptops to game consoles.
With a retail price of $299.99, the KODAK FLIK X20 offers a balance of portability, picture quality, and smart features. Kodak continues to expand its footprint in home entertainment, blending trusted technology with everyday usability. Availability has already started via Amazon, making it easy for enthusiasts to bring big-screen experiences home or on the go.
Hisense has unveiled its latest flagship, the TriChroma Laser TV L9Q, a premium home entertainment system designed to merge cutting-edge performance with timeless artistry. With its powerful triple-laser projection, immersive sound system, and award-winning design, the L9Q aims to redefine the meaning of home cinema for movie enthusiasts worldwide.
Brilliant Brightness and Vivid Detail
At the heart of the L9Q is its 5000 ANSI Lumens of brightness and a 5000:1 contrast ratio, ensuring cinematic visuals even in bright living rooms. Thanks to its triple-laser light source, colors appear stunningly accurate with lifelike vibrancy. Viewers can enjoy the latest blockbuster or a quiet drama with uncompromised clarity and detail.
Flexible Big-Screen Experience
The L9Q transforms everyday spaces into a private theatre, offering projection sizes from 80 inches up to 200 inches. For those who demand uncompromised quality, Hisense offers optional ALR screens in multiple sizes—100″, 110″, 120″, 139″, and 150″—ensuring sharp images in both daylight and dim lighting. This flexibility means the L9Q adapts easily to living rooms, dens, or dedicated home theaters.
IMAX Enhanced and Dolby Vision Certified
Certified with IMAX Enhanced and supporting Dolby Vision, the L9Q delivers visuals tailored for cinematic immersion. Every frame is optimized for scale and fidelity, letting users experience movies, series, and even games at a near-theatrical level. Coupled with its Ultra Short Throw (0.18 TR) design, the L9Q requires only a few inches of distance from the wall to project massive visuals—no elaborate installations needed.
Opéra de Paris Sound by Devialet
Audio is just as crucial as visuals, and the L9Q doesn’t compromise. The exclusive Opéra de Paris | Devialet edition features a 6.2.2 channel system with Dolby Atmos, filling rooms with multidimensional sound. Whether enjoying a symphony or a high-octane action film, users will feel fully immersed in rich, spatial audio engineered for home entertainment.
Beyond raw performance, the L9Q is also a statement piece. Inspired by the Royal Opera House’s circular light structures and Roman acoustic chambers, its design philosophy blends art with advanced engineering. Recognized with the Red Dot Design Award 2024 and iF Design Award 2025, it elevates any living space while delivering world-class entertainment. Pricing and availability will vary by region as the model rolls out across the U.S., Canada, Germany, and other markets in Q3 2025.
With its innovation and artistry, Hisense continues to lead the global Laser TV segment, turning family movie nights and personal viewing sessions into unforgettable moments. The TriChroma Laser TV L9Q is not just a display—it’s an experience that reflects Hisense’s vision to help users own every moment of their entertainment journey.
Hisense TriChroma Laser TV L9Q – Technical Specifications
VIZIO’s latest audio innovation, the VIZIO MicMe, is here to transform home entertainment with its multifunctional, user-centric design. Positioned as an all-in-one voice-enabled audio hub, the MicMe integrates voice control with VIZIO’s soundbar technology, aiming to make device control and audio streaming as effortless as possible. VIZIO has long been known for its accessible entertainment solutions, and MicMe builds on this with a smart, compact design.
Here’s a closer look at what the MicMe brings to the table and how it fits into the evolving landscape of smart home devices.
Simplifying Home Entertainment with Voice Control
Voice-enabled home devices are quickly becoming household staples, and VIZIO’s MicMe is the latest addition to this lineup. Integrated with the latest voice control features, the MicMe aims to simplify interaction with entertainment setups. Users can issue voice commands for controlling compatible VIZIO devices, including TVs and soundbars. From adjusting volume levels to switching channels, MicMe turns voice into a remote for controlling your entertainment space.
MicMe’s design aligns with the rising trend of centralized home device control. Although voice-controlled devices are widely available, VIZIO’s entry into this space with MicMe hints at the brand’s commitment to make voice control an essential part of a seamless entertainment experience.
Quality Sound Meets Practical Design
At the heart of MicMe is VIZIO’s sound expertise. Built with audio quality in mind, MicMe doubles as a powerful audio device, pairing its smart features with sound that’s been fine-tuned to deliver an immersive experience. While compact, it doesn’t compromise on sound quality, which makes it a practical choice for small to medium-sized rooms.
Moreover, the MicMe integrates with existing VIZIO soundbars, allowing users to expand their audio setup without overhauling it. This capability makes it a flexible solution, especially for users who already have VIZIO equipment. The setup is straightforward, aiming to make audio accessibility convenient without cluttering the space.
Versatile Connectivity and Integration
The MicMe is designed to fit into a broader ecosystem of VIZIO devices, making it a hub for connecting and managing a variety of home tech. Its connectivity options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and compatibility with VIZIO’s SmartCast platform, allowing users to access streaming services or integrate the device into smart home systems seamlessly.
Whether you want to play music, control connected devices, or set up routines, MicMe supports these functions with ease. In a world where multi-device connectivity is becoming the norm, MicMe stands as a bridge between entertainment and connectivity, providing options to synchronize with other VIZIO devices and popular smart home setups. This adaptability could make MicMe a useful addition for households with diverse digital needs.
A Smart Choice for Modern Homes
MicMe brings functionality and convenience in a compact form, offering home entertainment control and audio streaming in one device. It represents VIZIO’s push to keep up with the evolving needs of connected homes, where entertainment and technology converge in new ways. While not groundbreaking in concept, MicMe’s integration with the VIZIO ecosystem and its accessible features make it a compelling addition for VIZIO users.
For those with a VIZIO Smart TV or soundbar setup, MicMe could be an efficient way to elevate the user experience. It’s available at a competitive price point, reflecting VIZIO’s commitment to budget-friendly, high-quality products. In conclusion, while MicMe might not replace traditional sound systems, it offers an easy-to-use, voice-driven solution that can enhance home entertainment for a modern audience.
Bose has expanded its SoundLink lineup with the new SoundLink Home Bluetooth Speaker, designed to offer high-quality audio in a compact form that suits any room. This latest addition brings together Bose’s signature audio performance and aesthetic appeal, making it a versatile option for home listening.
High-Quality Sound in a Compact Frame
The SoundLink Home Bluetooth Speaker may be small, but it doesn’t skimp on sound quality. Packed with a full-range transducer and dual passive radiators, it delivers clear, deep audio that resonates throughout a space, challenging expectations based on its compact size. This combination provides a full-bodied listening experience, especially notable for a speaker of its size. The focus on rich bass means that whether you’re listening to a playlist in the kitchen or setting up a party atmosphere in the living room, the SoundLink Home can keep up with various audio demands.
For those seeking a wider soundstage, the speaker offers a pairing feature. By connecting two SoundLink Home speakers, users can achieve a stereo setup that assigns each speaker as a left or right channel. This provides added depth and dimensionality for a more immersive listening experience.
Versatile Connectivity Options
The SoundLink Home doesn’t rely solely on Bluetooth. It includes a USB-C audio input for a wired connection, accommodating those who might prefer a more stable link to their music source. This makes it adaptable to various devices, from smartphones and tablets to laptops, and even legacy devices with Bluetooth limitations. The USB-C port offers plug-and-play convenience, giving users flexibility depending on their listening setup and preference.
Bluetooth 5.3 integration also means smoother connectivity, allowing users to maintain a stable wireless connection throughout the home. With this latest Bluetooth version, the SoundLink Home speaker minimizes connection drops as it roams between rooms, so you can take it along from the living room to the kitchen without hassle.
Thoughtful Design That Fits Anywhere
Designed to seamlessly blend with home decor, the SoundLink Home speaker features a stylish aluminum frame and a fabric grille, giving it a premium yet unobtrusive look. Its minimalist aesthetic is accentuated by a slim profile and neutral color options, available in Light Silver or Cool Grey, to suit different spaces. A built-in stand makes it easy to position the speaker where needed, and its light weight of 1.93 pounds ensures portability without compromising stability.
The speaker’s dimensions – 8.5 inches wide, 4.4 inches high, and 2.3 inches deep – allow it to fit comfortably on bookshelves, countertops, or bedside tables, effortlessly integrating into different parts of the home. Bose has crafted a product that aims to look as good as it sounds, fitting naturally into modern living spaces without drawing attention away from decor.
On-the-Go Features for Busy Days
The SoundLink Home speaker offers more than just good looks and sound. Its nine-hour battery life keeps music flowing throughout the day, and a quick four-hour recharge via USB-C means it’s ready for the next day’s activities. The built-in microphone offers extra functionality, enabling hands-free calls and the ability to interact with your phone’s voice assistant even when your device isn’t nearby.
These features make the SoundLink Home adaptable for active, multi-use spaces, whether you’re using it for music during a workout, as a speakerphone for meetings, or as a way to keep audio accessible while moving between rooms. It’s designed to handle the diverse demands of a busy household while maintaining a steady connection and quality performance.
Conclusion
The Bose SoundLink Home Bluetooth Speaker is now available for $219, combining a sleek design with powerful sound and a range of convenient features. With flexible connectivity, a refined look, and impressive battery life, it brings reliable and high-quality audio to any room in the home, all without the need for a permanent setup.
Samsung’s 2024 Neo QLED and QLED models now include an intriguing addition: Generative Wallpaper. Using advanced AI through Tizen OS, this feature enables users to create custom 4K images for their TV displays, allowing a new level of personalization in home entertainment. While ambient displays aren’t new, Samsung’s approach integrates AI to generate visuals tailored to each user’s style, making TVs more than just screens for content.
A Step Beyond Standard Ambient Displays
Samsung’s Ambient Mode is already familiar to many as a feature that allows TVs to blend in with the decor, showing visuals like weather updates, news, and time when not in use. However, with Generative Wallpaper, the concept evolves. Instead of generic screensavers, this feature uses AI to generate unique, high-quality visuals that reflect the user’s individual taste. This customization is intended to make the TV feel more integrated with the room, whether it’s for a cozy night in or a festive gathering.
To access Generative Wallpaper, users simply enter Ambient Mode on their TV, then select from various themes such as “Happy Holiday” or “Party”. The AI technology takes over, designing visuals that resonate with the selected theme and fit naturally with the surrounding decor. The goal is to create a smooth transition from a simple screen to a dynamic part of the room’s ambiance.
AI-Powered Personalization
Samsung’s Generative Wallpaper leverages AI to analyze visual aesthetics and then creates images that suit those preferences. The AI engine is designed to adjust colors, patterns, and even textures, making each display unique to the user’s space. By factoring in personal taste and environmental details, Samsung aims to offer a user-centered experience that goes beyond one-size-fits-all visuals.
The Generative Wallpaper isn’t static, either. The images vary based on the themes chosen and the AI’s interpretation, meaning that users may see new visuals on different days or for different occasions. Whether it’s a minimalist display for a calm environment or something bold for a celebration, the AI adapts to provide a relevant aesthetic that aligns with the room’s vibe.
User-Friendly Setup with Intuitive Options
Setting up Samsung’s Generative Wallpaper is straightforward. Users can easily navigate to Ambient Mode on the TV and pick from a list of themes that suit their current mood or occasion. Each theme is designed to create an immersive atmosphere, contributing to a seamless viewing experience without additional downloads or complex settings.
Themes like “Happy Holiday” or “Party” give users the flexibility to adapt their TV’s look for various scenarios, whether it’s a quiet evening at home or a lively gathering with friends. The integration of 4K visuals ensures clarity and detail, even on larger screens, adding a layer of sophistication to the standard home display.
Expanding the Role of Home Entertainment
Samsung’s Generative Wallpaper highlights the shifting role of televisions in modern homes. As screens have become larger and more prominent, there’s a growing interest in making them adaptable to different uses and environments. Samsung’s approach aligns with this trend by enabling TVs to display content that complements rather than dominates the room.
By blending advanced technology with user-driven design, Samsung aims to push the boundaries of what a home entertainment system can do. As TVs become focal points in home decor, features like Generative Wallpaper cater to an emerging desire for personalization and multi-functionality.
Generative Wallpaper is launching this month in South Korea, North America, and Europe, with a global rollout expected in 2025. This addition offers a glimpse into the future of home entertainment, where personalization and visual harmony become key elements of the viewing experience.
It shouldn’t be this cheap to thoroughly enjoy the sound of John Wick as he breaks a real-life NBA player’s neck with a book. Yet for around $200 (a penny less if on sale), you can get a 5.1 soundbar system from Vizio that lets you hear the subtle crack of his vertebrae as a mildly stabbed Keanu Reeves twists his leather-bound enemy just so, in the intro to the franchise’s third installment.
This kind of immersion used to cost you hundreds more, if not thousands. Now, just plug in a single HDMI cable to an eARC port of a chosen screen (or in my case, the 130-inch Hisense laser projector I’m also testing) and you can be drawn further into the action than you possibly could with a single central soundbar.
As long as you’re ok with a few stray wires from the surround speakers to the subwoofer, it’s as easy as setting this system up, plugging it in, and enjoying your favorite content with new immersion. Been on the fence about getting a soundbar because you’re saving up for a full-blown home theater? Start here and you’ll buy yourself a long time to upgrade.
You’re Surrounded
A slim, nondescript main soundbar that’s 33 inches long pairs with small wired surround speakers and a wireless subwoofer to create this 5.1 system. The only aftermarket thing you might need is a pair of stands for the rear speakers, unless you plan to mount them to the wall (it has included mounting holes for this).
One benefit that is exclusive to those who have Vizio TVs is the quick fit system, which allows you to pop this bar easily onto the bottom of compatible late-model Vizio TVs. This makes this bar a particularly good choice if you are also considering a TV like the latest Vizio 4K model we just reviewed (7/10, WIRED Recommends).
Photograph: Parker Hall
The main downside to this system, and the reason why it costs significantly less than other options I’ve tested that produce sound of this quality, is those wires. They’re about 20 feet long, which is long enough to work in most average living rooms or apartments, but having to route cables is much more annoying than wireless systems.
Once you get it set up, it’s as easy as plugging in a single HDMI cable from the main bar to your TV, at which time the magic of eARC takes over and you can use the bar to your heart’s content. As long as your TV is new enough to have ARC or eARC, you can use your TV remote (or in my case, a TV and then laser projector remote) to adjust the volume of the soundbar without having to touch the Vizio remote that’s included.
The world of digital photo frames has evolved significantly, and Aura Frames is at the forefront of this innovation. Their latest offering, the Walden, combines modern technology with an aesthetically pleasing design that fits seamlessly into any home decor. With its larger size and enhanced features, the Walden is a fantastic way to keep your cherished memories alive.
A New Standard in Smart Frames
The Walden is Aura’s largest smart frame to date, boasting a 15-inch HD display that is both striking and functional. Unlike traditional digital frames that can often feel like just another piece of tech clutter, the Walden is designed to look like a piece of art. With a slim ink-black bezel and a paper-textured mat, it blends beautifully with your existing decor, whether it’s placed on a tabletop or mounted on a wall.
This frame doesn’t just showcase your photos; it transforms them into a vibrant display that invites conversation and admiration. Aura’s goal with the Walden was to create a digital frame that feels less like a gadget and more like an integral part of your home. As Scott Chapps, Aura’s Chief Creative Officer, notes, “Most people choose picture frames based on their design and how it will fit within their homes or gallery walls—a digital picture frame should be no different.”
Share Memories Effortlessly
One of the standout features of the Walden is its seamless connectivity. With the Aura app, users can effortlessly share unlimited photos and videos from their phones directly to the frame. This means you can keep your family and friends updated with new memories in real time, no matter where they are in the world.
What’s even more appealing is that loved ones can also contribute their photos to your frame. This feature is perfect for families or friends separated by distance, allowing everyone to stay connected and engaged through shared experiences. Whether it’s holiday celebrations, birthdays, or spontaneous moments, the Walden makes it easy to collect and display those memories for everyone to enjoy.
Exceptional Display Quality
When it comes to photo frames, display quality is paramount. The Walden excels in this area with its 1600×1200 full HD anti-glare display, which is individually calibrated for optimal brightness, contrast, and color. This means your photos will look more natural and lifelike, mimicking the quality of traditional prints.
Additionally, the Walden features an auto-adjusting brightness function, ensuring that your photos always appear in the best light—literally. Ambient light sensors automatically adjust the display’s brightness, providing a natural look during the day and turning the frame off at night. This level of detail enhances the overall viewing experience, making your memories truly shine.
The Perfect Gift for Any Occasion
With the holiday season around the corner, the Walden by Aura Frames emerges as a thoughtful gifting option. Its ability to preload photos means you can personalize the frame before gifting it to someone special. Imagine the joy of presenting a frame filled with treasured memories!
Available now in the UK and other regions, the Walden is priced at £299 and can be found on the Aura website and at select retail partners. As digital photo frames continue to redefine how we celebrate and share our memories, the Walden stands out as a stylish and functional choice that brings loved ones closer, no matter the distance.
The Voice Mode feature is similarly effective, using Sony’s Voice Zoom 3 to elevate dialog. Like the Sound Field, it’s not always useful and can create some balancing issues between the central channel and side-channel effects (more on that below), so you may want to keep it off until necessary.
Diving deeper into the settings lets you adjust things like compression for volume balancing, add or remove your Sony TV as the center channel, and even adjust the overall soundstage height, useful if you need to raise or lower the speakers due to setup limitations. I also appreciate the top window that reveals your current sound format (e.g., Dolby Atmos, 5.1 surround).
There are some missing features, both in the app and the hardware itself. On the app side, I was surprised to find no controls for EQ or individual channel levels. I think that’s by design, and with so much virtualization, I was happy to let Sony software take the wheel for channel balancing. Still, I’d love the ability to tweak the treble or raise the midrange to warm up the sound signature.
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
There are lots of available sound sources, but once again, there are some missing pieces. You can stream music over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi with Spotify Connect and AirPlay, but there’s no Chromecast support–odd for a company that makes Android phones. Sony also drops the optical port, opting for HDMI ARC/eARC only, and there’s not a single analog input. There’s reasoning behind each decision; optical is an older digital connection that doesn’t support 3D audio. On the analog side, Sony likely wanted to keep the system all digital, opting not to add an analog-to-digital converter in the small plastic control box. The takeaway is you can never add components like a CD player or turntable.
The single HDMI input also seems skimpy. Most top soundbars have at least two or three, while a traditional receiver might have five. On the plus side, the lone input supports HDMI 2.1 for gaming features like VRR (variable refresh rate) in 4K at 120 Hz, HDR and Dolby Vision pass-through, and more for connecting modern gaming systems. These features are becoming more common, but the Quad is among the first all-in-one setups to support them.
Hello From the Dome
The Quad is the best system of its kind I’ve ever heard when it comes to reproducing the spherical “dome of sound” for which 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos are prized. It’s particularly good at height sounds, which are often the most difficult for smaller speakers to reproduce. The pouring rain in the “Amaze” scene from my Atmos demo disc was stunningly realistic, seeming to cover the entire room in pounding droplets.
Just as impressive is the system’s expansiveness and precision with 3D effects. Strafing starships and helicopters can be almost perfectly traced in space. Effects centralized behind me felt like I could reach back and grab them. Sound editors are given free rein with 3D formats, meaning they can move “sound objects” virtually anywhere in space, and the Quad takes full advantage of stellar test films like Ant-Man and Mad Max: Fury Road. It’s not on the same level as traditional systems with mounted speakers, but it scratches that itch well.
Xiaomi continues to push the boundaries of home entertainment with its latest offerings, the Xiaomi TV Max 100 2025 and 85 2025. These ultra-large QLED displays are designed to deliver a cinematic experience right in the comfort of your living room, boasting powerful visuals, smooth performance, and smart features that cater to a wide range of entertainment needs. Whether you’re a movie buff, a gaming enthusiast, or someone who enjoys binge-watching the latest series, these TVs promise to transform your home theater setup.
Vibrant Display and Immersive Visuals
At the heart of both the Xiaomi TV Max 100 and 85 2025 models is the stunning 4K UHD resolution, offering crisp and detailed images that bring your favorite content to life. The QLED technology ensures that colors are vibrant and true to life, with 94% DCI-P3 color accuracy. This level of precision is perfect for those who appreciate rich, cinematic visuals, making these TVs ideal for everything from epic blockbusters to fast-paced sports.
But it doesn’t stop there. With a 144Hz refresh rate, these TVs guarantee seamless motion, ensuring smooth playback even during the most intense action scenes or live sporting events. Paired with Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos® support, the combination of top-tier visuals and immersive sound creates an unparalleled viewing experience that puts you right in the middle of the action.
Designed for Gamers and Movie Lovers Alike
One of the standout features of the Xiaomi TV Max series is its versatility. These TVs are perfect for movie lovers, offering Filmmaker Mode, which preserves the director’s original vision by optimizing the color settings for authentic, cinematic quality. But they’re also designed with gamers in mind. The HDMI 2.1 interface, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and AMD FreeSync™ Premium ensure smooth, lag-free gaming sessions. Whether you’re exploring vast virtual worlds or engaging in fast-paced multiplayer battles, these TVs offer the performance you need for an immersive gaming experience.
The ultra-large displays also make a difference. The Xiaomi TV Max 100 2025’s massive screen is perfect for those who want to replicate the grandeur of a theater at home, while the 85-inch model offers a slightly smaller, yet equally impressive option for more compact spaces without sacrificing quality.
Smart Features for Seamless Integration
As expected from Xiaomi, the TV Max series is packed with smart features that enhance the user experience. Powered by AI-enhanced processing, these TVs automatically optimize content to deliver the best possible visuals and performance. With Google TV™ integration, you have access to a wide range of streaming apps, voice control, and personalized recommendations, all designed to make your entertainment experience smoother and more intuitive.
Additionally, the bezel-less design of both models ensures a sleek, modern look that blends effortlessly into any home. For those with a Xiaomi Watch 2, you can even control your TV directly from your wrist, adding another layer of convenience to your setup.
The Ultimate Home Theater Investment
The Xiaomi TV Max 100 2025 and 85 2025 are more than just televisions; they are complete entertainment hubs. Whether you’re hosting a movie night, watching the big game, or enjoying some downtime with the latest video game, these TVs provide an unmatched visual and auditory experience. With the cutting-edge tech packed into these models, Xiaomi is continuing its mission of making high-quality, smart technology more accessible to a global audience.
For those looking to upgrade their home entertainment system, the Xiaomi TV Max 100 2025 is priced at €1999.99, while the Xiaomi TV Max 85 2025 comes in at €1299.99. Both models are available through Xiaomi’s official channels and authorized retailers, making them an excellent investment for anyone looking to bring a theater-quality experience into their home.
Basically every major product category has seen massive inflation over the past decade. Every category, that is, except TVs. For some reason, year in and year out, brands compete not only to make the best and brightest but also the best cheap models.
The new Vizio 4K TV (its literal model name) costs $328 for a 55-inch model, has excellent built-in casting and every app you could possibly want, and does Dolby Vision high dynamic range. It doesn’t have fancy backlighting for perfect black levels, but if you need a screen for cheap for a bedroom, office, garage, vacation home, corner bar, what have you, there really isn’t much this one can’t do pretty darn well.
Five years ago, a TV with specs like this would have been around a thousand bucks. Reverse inflation sure is nice for average viewers. Now you can get the massive 86-inch model for under a thousand bucks.
A New Black Box
TVs have gotten so good that the vast majority of us really don’t need to follow trends on the high end anymore. For well under $500, this model has all the features we’ve come to expect from higher-end TVs, including fit and finish.
Photograph: Parker Hall
It’s a simple black box with legs on either side of the screen. I’d prefer a pedestal mount, but I can’t get picky at this price, and you may or may not have a wall mount or other type of mount planned. The legs keep it steady enough on my TV stand, and a nice 2-inch thick case makes it easy to move the TV around without fear of breaking it.
Like all modern TVs, this one has super-thin bezels and is nearly all screen when turned on. It runs on Vizio’s SmartCast operating system, which is one of the better in-house smart TV interfaces we regularly test. It makes for easy casting between both Android phones (thanks to Chromecast) and iPhones (thanks to AirPlay 2), and it has its own variety of decent built-in apps for everything from Netflix to Apple TV. All of them work just fine in my testing, though I prefer my trusty Roku interface when given the choice.
Setup is quick and painless. Just plug in the TV, log in to your apps, and it’s off to the races. It comes with three built-in HDMI ports (one eARC for soundbar or receiver setup), which is more than enough for most modern homes. I plugged in my Nintendo Switch and Panasonic 4K Blu-Ray player and was watching Ferris Bueller in no time.
There are a few products in our lives we want to use all the time and never have to think about. Faucets come to mind—you want your faucet to turn on and off, not leak. That’s about it. Google’s new Google TV Streamer is an Android-powered TV faucet that never leaks. Once you log into your various accounts and start streaming, you hardly notice it’s there, but you’ll have easy access to all your favorite shows and movies. You can even use the remote to control connected devices in your home, like lights, speakers, and plugs.
Casting from phones is simple and easy, and this new $100 streaming device lacks the sometimes jittery performance we saw on last-generation devices like the Google Chromecast and some current-gen TVs powered by Google’s TV operating system. If you dislike your current TV interface or want to make sure you’re streaming from well-maintained apps on a device that supports Dolby Vision and a wired internet connection, this is an excellent choice.
Simple Setup
The flat, cylindrical streaming device and its pill-shaped remote are about as plug-and-play as things can get, but it’s worth noting this design is a dramatic change from the Chromecasts of old. No longer does Google’s TV dongle dangle off the side of your TV. This Streamer is meant to be displayed loud and proud on a media console.
Photograph: Parker Hall
There is a single HDMI 2.1 port, a USB C port for power, and an Ethernet port for wired internet. On the back next to the ports, you’ll see a tiny little button that can make the remote beep and reveal its location; my forgetful brain thanks the engineers at Google for this. I wish the Streamer included an HDMI cable, as I had to fish one out of my closet. This wasn’t an issue with its predecessors, which had a built-in HDMI cable.
The remote is large enough that you’ll want to find a cell-phone-sized flat spot to put it—not the most convenient thing ever but not the most annoying either. The buttons aren’t backlit, but they’re easy enough to see even in low light thanks to grey-black text on a white background. It’s a simple layout with volume buttons on the right side of the remote for easy access, and the home button in grey just above so you don’t accidentally press it in the middle of a movie.
Once you turn on the Google TV Streamer, log in to your Google accounts (and whatever other streaming accounts you have these days) and you’re good to go. You can do all this via the Google Home app if you don’t want to use the onscreen TV keyboard to enter passwords. I was watching Netflix in under five minutes. (It also supports all the major apps, like Max, Paramount+, Amazon Prime, and Pluto TV).
A Smart Home Controller
The Google TV Streamer can act as a smart home display to easily control lighting, security cameras, thermostats, and more if you have that stuff connected via Google Home. It pulls up a screen on the right side of the TV screen, called the Home Panel, and it shows you what you have connected and allows you to control it. This experience is similar to the Home Panel on the lock screen of the Google Pixel Tablet or even on many Android phones.
I’m not a smart-home guy; I use a few Alexa speakers to set alarms and play Spotify, but the rest of my house is woefully unconnected. I asked fellow WIRED reviewer and connected-home guru Nena Farrell to test the smart home features for me, and she reported that they work very well. Voice commands to Google Assistant are responsive, and she liked using her TV screen for smart home control. She successfully used the remote to turn off her lights even when the TV was off. It can also be used to monitor smart doorbells and cameras, something WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu says is very handy, as you can check for motion alerts without having to find your phone in the dark during movie night.
The Bravia 9 also offers new “Calibration” modes for Amazon Prime and Netflix. The Amazon version makes some interesting changes for different programming, though the Netflix version seemed to mostly just mirror the dimmer Dolby Vision Dark picture mode in the HDR content I watched.
Mostly Solid Digs
The TV is pretty well stocked on the feature front, starting with audio that rises above the crowd. This is one of the few TVs where I don’t mind cutting my audio system (with the A95L being another prime example). Sound is generally full and clear without getting super tinny. There’s some noticeable soundstage movement, and even effects like explosions come out all right.
I thought Sony’s new Voice Zoom 3 dialog booster was mostly marketing hype, but it works pretty well. At one point, I passively heard the entire story of a Sylvester Stallone anecdote in Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 2 which I’d missed in about 7,000 previous viewings, including with soundbars and speakers. Dialog remained mostly clear and out front over several days, even when things got chaotic.
As expected, you’ll get the latest gaming features, including support for ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) and VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) at up to 120 Hz via HDMI 2.1. There’s a dedicated gaming mode for quick adjustments and PS5 optimization features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode. I’m no competitive gamer, and some have noted that the TV’s input response is relatively high for its price, but I adored playing my favorite RPGs. The shading, the colors, and the overall brightness brought the best out of games like God of War Ragnarok.
It’s frustrating that Sony continues to offer HDMI 2.1 support across only two of the TV’s four inputs, unlike most TVs at this level (and below)—especially since one of those is for eARC where you’ll likely connect a soundbar or receiver. The TV’s great sound means some may not add an audio device, but the potential need to swap cables for multiple consoles is silly at this price.
The Bravia 9 also omits one of the two main dynamic HDR formats, HDR10+, offering only Dolby Vision. If you can only pick one, I’d take the more common DV every time but it’d be nice to get both as you’ll find in midrange models from TCL and Hisense. That’s surprisingly common right now; LG and Panasonic TVs don’t support HDR10+, while Samsung won’t pay for Dolby Vision.
Sony is more inclusive on the audio side, offering both DTS:X and Dolby Atmos support. Other notable Bravia 9 features include AirPlay 2 and Chromecast streaming, and Google Voice search via the remote’s built-in microphone.
Sensibly Surreal
The Bravia 9 is an unadulterated brightness powerhouse. Yet, with Sony’s measured hand at the wheel, it doles out its power judiciously, providing subtlety where warranted and dazzlement when the moment strikes. Utilizing a new proprietary system that dims its backlighting with impressive accuracy, this TV is less a blunt force weapon as a mini LED laser beam, striking with white-hot precision. The result is fabulous contrast mixed with next-gen brightness for serious thrills.
Training the Bravia 9’s fire on one of my go-to test films, Moana, felt like proof of concept for a backlighting system some have clocked at nearly 3,000 nits peak brightness (or around double many OLED TVs). I’ve noted before how realistic the film’s Polynesian sun and surf can look with the best TVs, but here things pushed into the surreal. The sun blazed to near eye-squinting levels which, when mixed with the TV’s quantum dot colors and the stark clarity of Sony’s processing, gave me an almost hallucinatory sensation that I was actually at the beach with Moana and Maui. Other scenes like the glittering golden crab or the molten lava monster rose to exhilarating new heights as the light seemed to nearly bore through the panel.
Plugging in the soundbar through HDMI (it features eARC) to any modern TV means that you can immediately use the TV remote to control audio volume, but you will want to use the remote on the soundbar itself (unless you own an LG TV), to change settings. It does also support things like Tidal Connect Dolby Vision pass-through, which makes it a great bar to stream music to, or plug your disc player in for full-bitrate video (and audio).
Pressing Play
I had the pleasure of reviewing this system alongside LG’s new C4 OLED, which can add even more channels to the mix, contributing its own TV speakers to boost the center channel and make it sound a bit more like the voices are coming directly from the image.
The huge array of speakers and the volume they can produce means you really get a sense of scale when scenes change, or when you go from one type of thing to another. When playing modern classics like Dune and Mad Max: Fury Road, you feel the immensity of the scenes in the audio profile that the bar, subwoofer, and satellite speakers convey. When my wife switches back over to RuPaul’s Drag Race, I’m immediately sucked back into what’s happening onscreen, with more traditional three-channel TV audio that’s absorbing and dynamic, but much smaller-feeling in your space.
Photograph: Parker Hall
You can adjust sound modes on the bar, but I tend to err on the side of standard settings except when watching a film, where I experimented (and occasionally settled on) the Cinema mode, which passes a bit more sound to the surround and height channels, near as I can tell.
Standard mode essentially listens to whatever the TV is telling it to do, which makes it play super nice with LG’s AI processing inside late-model TVs. With this and the C4, it’s essentially a “turn on and forget it’s there” vibe, which is what I prefer in my home theater systems. There is nothing worse than having to open cabinets and hit buttons and wait for things to turn on and see each other. It really can’t be overstated how well it worked (and how rare an experience this is, oddly, in A/V land).
The direct competitor to this model is Samsung’s Q990D ($1,700), which, I have to admit, I prefer in some ways. The audio profile of the LG can be a bit thinner and more bright than Samsung’s, and I find that Samsung’s model bounces sound off the walls a bit better for a wider soundstage. That said, given how well the S95TR integrates with late-model LG TVs, I’d probably choose this over the Samsung bar if I was buying the LG TV, and likewise buy the Samsung bar if I was buying a Samsung TV.
As far as simple (and, let’s be honest, not heinously expensive) ways to outfit a room with a pretty solid approximation of what they’d experience in an A/V nerd’s cave, I think LG has really nailed it here. If I was buying a C4 and didn’t have a proper sound system to pair it with, I’d really be looking at this.
(left) Smart Schedule on Pixel-8 (center) Smart Ventilation on Pixel 8 Pro (right) System Health Monitor Pixel 8
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Finally, the Nest Learning Thermostat has a new System Health Monitor to flag potential maintenance needs by tracking your HVAC system’s behavior, such as when your air conditioner suddenly isn’t cooling rooms as efficiently as it used to. In addition, a new Smart Ventilation feature checks outdoor air quality before pulling air into your home, especially helpful if the air quality in your area is poor.
The new Nest Learning Thermostat (plus the included sensor) is available for preorder and costs $280. It goes on sale August 20.
The Future of Google Assistant
Google has been integrating its Gemini chatbot and large language models into its products and services over the past year, but what does that mean for Google Assistant? The Alexa and Siri competitor has been a mainstay for years but wasn’t mentioned once during Google’s developer conference in May. You’d think this spelled the end of Google Assistant, and that it’d eventually end up in the Google Graveyard, right? Think again.
Kattukaran says Gemini’s large language models will power Google Assistant, allowing it to “redefine the next era of the smart home.” The most immediate change? Google Assistant’s voice will sound much more natural and human-like, with improved pacing and rhythm. It’ll offer a more conversational experience and can maintain the context of your conversation as you string together multiple commands and queries.
This Gemini-powered experience will also improve existing features. For example, motion alerts from your security cameras will be much more detailed, allowing you to know exactly what’s transpiring without opening the camera feed. You can even ask the Assistant for information from your camera feeds, like if a FedEx delivery person showed up. Google wants people to ask Assistant to set up home automation too without getting bogged down in menus in the app.
None of this helps Gemini’s branding problem—there are so many variations with different capabilities, like Gemini Nano, Gemini Ultra, Gemini Flash, and more recently, Gemini Live. Google Assistant, on the other hand, was one neat AI umbrella that handled everything. But now with Assistant getting an assist from Gemini, the company is not yet ready to replace it anytime soon, meaning we have to live with two assistants even longer.
The new Google Assistant experience is available for select Nest Aware subscribers as a part of a public preview and is expected to roll out in 2025.
When my husband and I swapped out our Vizio OLED for Roku’s Pro Series QLED and switched it on, both of us gasped. Even my two children (7 and 9) were mesmerized when they turned on Steven Universe. “Why does it look so much better now?” my daughter asked.
The difference between OLED and QLED is palpable (as you can also read in our How to Buy a TV guide). OLED technology is beautiful, but it lends itself to truly black blacks; it’s best if you’re watching movies or gaming in an optimized, dark, home-theater-like environment. A QLED is just … brighter. That makes a huge difference when you’re 7 and 9, watching cartoons while jumping on the couch and waiting for dinner, or when you’re a mom who is trying to catch a bit of the Copa America games on the couch with her dog while working.
This is the first of Roku’s in-house-made TVs (Roku TVs made before last year were made by other companies, just with a Roku brain). My colleague Parker Hall tested the entry-level Roku TV, the Plus Series, and was very impressed. For a month now, my family and I have been testing the upgraded Roku Pro Series and have also been thrilled.
User Friendly
Specs and performance aside, one of the main reasons you buy a Roku anything is because of how easy it is to use. I really liked my Vizio OLED and just accepted that every time I turned it on, I’d have to spend five minutes sorting through the Vizio Smart interface and fiddling with cables if I wanted to play on my gaming PC.
Photograph: Adrienne So
It was with a deep sigh of relief that I plugged in my Sonos soundbar, PS5, and gaming PC into the Roku TV and watched everything just … show up in the Roku interface. (It has two HDMI 2.1 ports, HDMI eARC, USB-A, USB-C, and cable inputs.)
Although you can mount it, I just placed it on our console table with the two included feet and it fit easily. Adding all your apps—Netflix, Disney+, Fubo—takes about as long as clicking on the Add Channels button and signing in on your computer, which is basically zero time unless you’ve forgotten your login information.
Having an easy-to-navigate interface also makes it much easier to figure out other things to watch. Vizio’s interface was so cluttered that my kids often just went straight to Steven Universe. On Roku’s, the CuriosityStream and PBS Kids tiles are so easy to find that they ended up watching more educational content just out of, well, curiosity. That was an unexpected gift in summer, when all the neighborhood kids just end up watching TV at our house in the air-conditioning.
When setting up my Sonos home theater system, I had a persistent problem. I was trying to add a Sonos wireless subwoofer to my network, but according to Sonos’ mobile app, the Sub was nowhere to be found. The app would throw a “Could not connect” message, or—even weirder—show me that I was trying to connect a gray box labeled “product” with a serial number that had nothing to do with anything.
“I thought the smart home was supposed to make your life easier,” my husband commented mildly, as he watched me factory-reset the Sub a few times, turn my phone on and off again, toggle Bluetooth, switch phones, and finally bang my head against a wall and cry before calling Sonos tech support.
As we all know, I am far from the only one who has problems with Sonos’ new app; the company pushed out a radical redesign in May that broke a number of key features—such as the ability to change the volume on some of its speaker systems—and angered countless longtime Sonos fans.
Today, more than two months after the contentious redesign, Sonos CEO Patrick Spence finally acknowledged the general customer disappointment in a long note posted to the company’s Instagram account. “Since launch we have had a number of issues,” he wrote in a hilarious tone of wry British understatement. Spence apologized for the frustration the update caused, and noted that fixing the broken app continues to be Sonos’ “number one priority.”
The post refers customers to the detailed list of Sonos software updates that have already been released, and lays out a road map for further improvements to the hobbled app. Here are some of the problems that Sonos promises to fix in the upcoming months:
Implementing Music Library configuration, browse, search, and play (in July and August)
Improving volume responsiveness (in August)
Improving alarm consistency and reliability (in September)
Restoring edit mode for playlists (in September and October)
That’s a short list, and maybe it’s too short. The number of improvements the company needs to make is—no point in beating around the bush here—preposterous. I am having trouble thinking of an app update fiasco large enough to compare it to this one, because in my time as a consumer tech reporter and editor, I cannot think of another software update that took away users’ ability to control the volume.
More than that, I can’t think of another update that took away users’ ability to control the volume and then did not immediately fix that. For months! I reached out to Sonos asking why Spence’s timeline for fixes is so prolonged. The company has not yet responded.
It’s worth nothing here that Sonos’ hardware remains the gold standard in the premium consumer audio world. My colleague Parker Hall refers to the Era 100 as the new smart speaker standard; the Ace wireless headphones earned an 8/10 and a WIRED Recommends badge. When I finally got my Sonos home theater system up, my jaw dropped at the richness and depth of the jungle noises in Land of Bad. (Bomb go boom!)
And yet, this feeling of frustrated disappointment is oddly familiar. My family used to be a fully Sonos household, with Play speakers extending throughout our home and out to my husband’s workshop. I ditched the Play system in 2020 because I could no longer deal with the company’s decision to split its controller software into two separate Sonos apps, one for new speakers and one for legacy speakers. Why do I need to do some mental math to remember which app controls which speaker every time I want to change the music?
Yet here I am again, held hostage by hardware, stranded by software, unable to edit my Sonos playlists until September. Maybe I’m just another foolish beautiful dreamer. At least my Roku TV still works.
JBL has launched a new line of home theater products designed for the next generation of music and movie enthusiasts. The JBL Modern Audio (MA) AV Receivers and Stage 2 Loudspeakers bring together ease of use, sleek design, and high-quality sound. These products are made to fit seamlessly into modern homes while providing a straightforward setup and upgrade path. Whether you’re upgrading an existing system or starting fresh, JBL’s new offerings promise a unified and cohesive experience.
Easy Setup and Integration
One of the standout features of the JBL MA AV Receivers and Stage 2 Loudspeakers is their simplicity. Setting up a home theater system can often be overwhelming, but JBL aims to change that. These products are designed to be easy to install and integrate into your home. The EZ Set EQ mobile app allows users to calibrate the system to match their space quickly, while the Wi-Fi-enabled AV receivers support “Works with SmartThings” integration. This means you can control other smart devices in your home with just one button press. The system is also compatible with various audio platforms, including Apple AirPlay, Chromecast, Bluetooth, and Spotify, ensuring a smooth and seamless audio experience.
Design and Functionality
The design of the JBL MA AV Receivers and Stage 2 Loudspeakers is both contemporary and practical. Available in Latte and Espresso colors, these products are slim and sleek, fitting perfectly into modern interiors. The MA AV Receivers come in several models, each tailored to different needs:
JBL MA310: 5.2-channel 4K AV receiver with 60W power.
JBL MA510: 5.2-channel 8K AV receiver with 75W power.
JBL MA710 and MA7100HP: 7.2-channel 8K AV receivers with 110W and 125W power, respectively.
JBL MA9100HP: Offering 140W power with configurations for 5.2, 7.2, or 9.2 channels, and support for Dolby Audio, DTS, Dolby Atmos, and DTS:X.
The Stage 2 Loudspeakers also offer a variety of options to suit different preferences:
Floor-standing models: 260F and 280F.
Bookshelf models: 240B and 250B, with separate floor stands.
Center channel speaker: 245C.
Dolby Atmos-enabled height module: 240H.
Subwoofers: 200P and 220P.
High-Quality Sound
JBL is known for its high-performance audio, and the MA AV Receivers and Stage 2 Loudspeakers are no exception. Developed at JBL’s Center of Acoustics Excellence in Northridge, California, these products feature advanced acoustics. The next-generation patented HDI waveguides ensure room-filling sound, while anodized tweeters deliver crystal-clear highs. This level of detail and quality is typically found in more complex systems, but JBL has managed to make it accessible and easy to use.
Conclusion
JBL’s new MA AV Receivers and Stage 2 Loudspeakers offer a simplified and high-quality home theater experience. These products are designed to blend into modern lifestyles, providing an intuitive setup and seamless integration with other smart home devices. Available starting in July 2024, the JBL MA AV Receivers range from $399 to $1,599, while the Stage 2 Loudspeakers are priced from $299.95 to $1,199.95 per pair. With this new lineup, JBL continues to deliver on its promise of superior audio quality and innovative design, making high-performance home theater systems more attainable than ever.
These days, you wouldn’t want to buy a TV that doesn’t support HDR unless you’re after a small/cheap HD TV. Even if you’re on a tight budget, you’ll also want to consider an LED TV with quantum dots (aka a QLED or NeoQLED display) for their brighter and more vivid colors.
Gaming Performance
Sony Playstation 5
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
If you’re going to be gaming on your TV, I highly recommend paying attention to two factors: refresh rate and input lag. You can often find these specs on the product listing or the box itself. Most standard TVs have a refresh rate of 60 Hz, which means the display can natively reach 60 frames per second (fps), or 60 images on the screen per second. However, modern consoles and games can support up to 120 frames per second, or 120 images per second. This offers smoother motion on the screen, making your game feel more fluid and responsive. For this reason, the best gaming TVs utilize a 120-Hz panel.
Input lag is the time it takes for your movement on a gamepad or keyboard to register on the screen. The lower the better. Most TVs hover at around 15 milliseconds of input lag (less if the game is running at 1080p and 60 frames per second). LG’s OLED models have shockingly low input lag times, but this is primarily beneficial for fast-paced games that require speedy interactions, like first-person shooter games.
If you’re an avid gamer, you’ll also want to ensure your TV offers advanced gaming features like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) to sync with a game’s changing refresh rate without “tearing” or feeling sluggish, and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), which automatically optimizes the TV’s input lag when turning on a modern console or gaming PC. In order to get those features in high resolution, you’ll need a high-bandwidth HDMI connection, and that means a TV with HDMI 2.1.
The Right Ports
Samsung S95D One Connect Box
Most TVs include an optical output for audio, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet connection, and three or four HDMI ports. As noted above, you should make sure your new TV supports at least one high-bandwidth HDMI 2.1 port (or more if you have multiple modern gaming devices), which allows for 4K resolution at up to 120-Hz for the best gaming performance, among other benefits.
All new TVs provide one HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) port, which lets you easily connect modern soundbars, powered bookshelf speakers, and A/V receivers with an HDMI cable—and even control volume and power from the TV remote. Most midrange TVs or higher will support the more advanced version of ARC, HDMI eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel). With higher bandwidth, eARC allows a TV to send uncompressed sound formats to a supported audio device. In essence, it supports better sound quality to raise the performance of the best soundbars and surround sound systems, but you’ll need a great setup to tell the difference.
I recommend buying all-new high-speed cables if you’re getting a new TV for the first time in a while like the affordable Amazon Basics cable linked above. Modern cables support higher data speeds than those from years past, and HDMI cables can wear out over time.
What About TV Software?
Photograph: Google
All major TV brands have a baseline smart interface with support for a large number of streaming services, including Vizio’s Home Screen, Samsung’s Tizen OS, and LG’s webOS. New Sony TVs, as well as most new Hisense and TCL models, come with Google TV, while Roku TVs come with Roku OS, the streaming brand’s simplified, tile-based interface.
Roku and Google TV are our current favorite smart TV interfaces, but if you’re not keen on your TV’s built-in operating system, worry not—you can easily add your desired streaming platform for very little money with one simple purchase. Just grab one of our favorite streaming devices, plug it in, and let your preferred smart interface do the heavy lifting.
How Much Should You Expect to Pay?
Hisense U8H
Photograph: Hisense
You’ll see quite a range of prices when shopping for a new TV. A lot of it comes down to the features you want. Here’s a basic price guide on what you can expect for the money. Be sure to check out our list of the Best TVs for specific model information.
Under $500
If you just want a TV with a large screen that can stream your favorite shows, this is a good starting place, especially if you’re on a budget. I highly suggest you avoid TVs that aren’t made by the likes of Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense, Vizio, or Roku. Also, avoid spending less than $300 on anything, unless it’s smaller than 55 inches.
Between $500 and $1,000
If you watch TV often and want something between 40 and 65 inches, this is a great price category to shop in. Stick to the major brands above—especially our favorite value-oriented brands like TCL, Hisense, and Roku—and you can hardly go wrong. If you want the best from more premium brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony you’ll likely need to spend up.
More Than $1,000
This price range is for TVs 65 inches or larger, and/or those with advanced panel technologies, like OLED, and QLED/mini-LED. You’ll also typically get higher-end processing for improved upscaling, and better hardware like a 120Hz panel for video games and sports. Get into the $2,000 range and you’ll find top-rated 4K TVs from Samsung, LG, and Sony. Spend more than a few thousand, and you can begin to expect 8K resolution—not that there is currently much 8K content to watch.
Get a Soundbar or Bookshelf Speakers
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
TV speakers suck. Companies have tried to improve them, but even the best models still sound tinny. Just buy a soundbar already. Many modern soundbars come with built-in smart assistants like Google Assistant or Alexa, connect to streaming services like Apple Music and Spotify Connect, and offer advanced sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to immerse you in sound. Our Best Soundbars guide has several recommendations at multiple price ranges.
If you’re more music-oriented and don’t care as much about surround sound formats, we recommend considering a pair of bookshelf speakers as a soundbar alternative. Many options in our Best Bookshelf Speakers guide come with built-in amplification and advancements like wireless streaming and HDMI ARC, so you don’t need a separate amplifier—just plug and play. If you’ve been listening to TV speakers up to now, you won’t believe what you’ve been missing.
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