Rating of the best TVs in 2021

Another South Korean TV manufacturer also has its own inexpensive “eight” with a classic display, without quantum dots or nanoparticles, in the 2021 model range. Somehow, LG has such TVs that are also cheaper than those of its “bosom” competitor.

The design of the LG 43UP81006LA is pleasant, concise, with thin screen bezels, the stand is a crescent-shaped central one. The profile in comparison with last year’s UN81006 line has become noticeably less «chubby» (case depth is only 57.1 mm). Even despite the use of Direct LED backlight in the design. Matrix type — 4K IPS with its real, not marketing, viewing angles of 178 ° / 178 °, bright vibrant colors. Frequency — classic 60 Hz.

Updated Smart platform. It is now based on the fresh WebOS 6.0, which is no stranger to cooperation with artificial intelligence ThinQ AI, “friendship” with smart Yandex columns. Included is a modernized Magic Remote Pointer MR21.

Our review of the best TVs of 2021 continues with Samsung’s new entry-level 7 series in the 4K TV class with a classic LCD matrix. Predictable VA. Accordingly, the black color is what it is, not bad with contrast. Backlight — Edge. The design of the TV is beautiful not for the price (although not AirSlim), a touch of premium, which, however, is pointless to look for otherwise.

The display size is 42.5″. Resolution — 4K 2160p, frequency — 60 Hz, color depth (bit depth) — 10 bits in a simplified 8 + FRC format. The Crystal 4K processor is responsible for the overall picture quality (PQI 2000 index), scaling, PurColor technology for improving color rendering, Auto Motion Plus dynamics for smooth display, Mega Contrast, Contrast Enhancer for contrast.

Smart platform is based on Tizen 6.0 OS. Everything is not bad (smart, clear, informative), but there is no voice control, as well as the conveniences associated with it. The remote control is the most common TM2140A with digital buttons. There is a browser, LAN, Wi-Fi, BT (4.2) interfaces. In general, already a lot.

A good budget 4K LG TV of 2021. The price tag is attractive, the quality is clearly higher than that of various Kaliningrad and similar Chinese-Russian crafts made from unidentified components. The design is a little simpler compared to the products of the older series, but still quite pleasant and pretty.

The screen diagonal is 42.5″. The IPS matrix traditionally pleases with wide 178 ° / 178 ° viewing angles, good color reproduction, for which, unfortunately, you have to pay for not the best contrast ratios and black depth. Illumination — Direct LED. There is «Active HDR», but it’s hard to expect real returns from it when playing HDR10 Pro, HLG. Neither the brightness nor the 8-bit bit depth of the panel is enough. And without normal local dimming, good detail cannot be achieved.

Smart on webOS 6.0 is ready to indulge the user with a considerable amount of online entertainment. Even communication with artificial intelligence ThinQ AI. True, for this connection you will need a Magic remote, but it is not included in the kit, although it is supported.

Next in our ranking of the best TVs in 2021 is a serious TV, as an example of the confrontation between Korean brands with a characteristic difference in the approach to choosing the type of matrix, the interpretation of the names of similar technologies. LG, as it were, does not have “quantum dots”, but there are nanoparticles. The display is called Nanocell and is based on a proprietary IPS panel with its characteristic wide viewing angles — honest 178 ° / 178 °.

The model 55NANO856PA has exactly this, with RGB colors filtered by nanocrystals. Refresh rate — 40-120 Hz, bit depth — 10 bits (high-like — 8 + FRC). Backlight — Edge LED with 6 vertical zones and local dimming control algorithm. Not bad, but far from Full Array, as LG somewhat brashly claims on its website. The processor is a «smart» 4K α7 Gen4.

Cinema HDR technology works with HDR10 Pro, HLG, Dolby Vision IQ. Dolby Atmos surround sound is also supported. WebOS 6.0 smart platform is high performance and fast, cohabiting with ThinQ AI intelligence. Voice control is available with the ability to select an assistant, including «Alice» through the Yandex column. New Magic remote included.

The entry-level model continues our rating of the best TVs, but this is if according to the 2021 Sony 4K TV brand hierarchy. In the overall standings, it may well be ranked as an average class. In general, it is strange when the X81J series is sometimes put on the same level with the Korean budget AU8000, UP8000. For Google TV with a TRILUMINOS PRO™ display, the inexpensive products of the QLED format, Nanocell are more equal.

TV case material – high-quality plastic. The design is cute in every way. The screen diagonal is 54.6ʺ, the resolution is 4K (3840×2160), the backlight is Direct LED. Matrix type — IPS. And this is a guarantee of the latitude of the viewing angles, but with a price for comfort in the form of a low contrast ratio — 1100: 1. Trouble?! No, it’s just that TV is more optimal for viewing in lit rooms (otherwise the black color on the screen is seen as dark gray).

In general, the image quality is at a high level. The credit for this is the 4K HDR X1 ™ processor and proprietary image quality improving technologies: the same TRILUMINOS PRO ™ in combination with Live Color — realistic color reproduction, 4K X-Reality ™ PRO — video scaling up to 4K clarity, Motionflow ™ XR 400 (with native frequency 50/60 Hz) — smooth display of dynamics.

A very good 4K TV with a screen diagonal of 54.6ʺ from one of the leading manufacturers from China. It will be even better if retailers come to their senses and “democratize” the price tag more. Still, other things being equal with products from market hegemons, 4K TVs from Chinese brands primarily attract consumers with their affordability.

The TCL 55C725 has a chic, like cool Koreans, QLED display based on a 4K VA matrix from CSOT and Direct LED backlighting controlled by Micro Dimming technology. The panel is 10-bit (conditionally, 8 + FRC), the frequency is classic 50/60 Hz. Image characteristics: excellent, thanks to quantum dots, color reproduction (DCI P3 93%), high contrast ratio — 5000:1.

There are many more interesting things. For example, support for HDR content in HDR10, HLG, as well as advanced HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. Eh, even more brightness, and with its peak value of 330 cd / m², premium content is simply not given to fully open up. Pleased with the presence of cinematic sound decoders Atmos, DTS.

An original 2021 model from Philips, clearly based on last year’s PUS8505 line. And I want to believe that some work has been done on the bugs. However, there were few of them, it’s just that the Chinese manufacturer TPV dared to compete with the “Koreans”, and this, as a rule, leads to the replication of negative reviews on the “upstart” products on the network.

The screen diagonal of the hero of our rating of the best TVs is non-standard — 57.5ʺ. The display is based on the MVA matrix (a kind of VA with slightly extended visibility). Resolution — 4K (3840×2160 pixels), bit depth — 10 (in the form of 8 + FRC) bits. The type of LED backlight is the usual Direct with Local Dimming control. The powerful P5 Perfect Picture Processor is designed to improve clarity, form bright and vibrant colors, increase contrast, and smooth motion.

In general, the image quality is at a decent level, although not out of the box — you have to adjust the knobs for yourself. The HDR display is, let’s say, normal for a mid-range model, but you also need to play around with the modes. Supported formats: HDR10, HLG and premium HDR10+, Dolby Vision.

It happened, in 2021 Samsung launched a line of top-end 4K Neo QLED TVs on the market. In our ranking of the best TVs, it is represented by the 55-inch model of the QN90A series. The Europeans were a little more fortunate, they have a cooler option available — QN95A with a One Connect remote unit.

It doesn’t matter, the «one-piece» model has an equally chic NeoSlim design: frameless on 4 sides, a stylish stand in the form of a curved plate, the thinnest — 26.9 mm — body. The QLED display on a 4K ADS matrix (a subtype of IPS, in the 50th and 85th VA diagonal) is distinguished by excellent color accuracy, and its 10-bit resolution, peak brightness as much as 1800 cd / m², coupled with high-performance Mini-LED backlight (576 local zones) — exactly what you need to correctly display HDR10 +, HLG content.

And there is also the most powerful image quality optimizer — Neo Quantum 4K AI processor. It is impossible not to note the full-fledged, not virtual, implementation of the Object Tracking Sound + audio technology (sound movement following the object).

The high-tech novelty of 2021 is a large and beautiful QNED 4K TV from the Korean company LG. The screen diagonal is 64.5ʺ (more is, less is not). The design style is modern minimalism, expressed in a very small depth of the case, the thinnest panel frames, and an elegant crescent-shaped stand.

The model is clearly created as a counterweight to Samsung’s Neo QLED. And in terms of overall image quality, it is in no way inferior to the competitor’s top 4K products (which now use ADS matrices instead of VA). The display is a “symbiosis” of an IPS panel (120 Hz, 10 bits), a Quantum Dot Nanocell filter (100% color gamut) and a FALD Mini LED backlight (LG indicates 2500 local zones, according to other data there are about 1000).

Image processing falls on the “shoulders” (“legs”) of the α7 Gen IV 4K processor: it scales clarity and effectively manages local dimming, tightening contrast, and naturalizes complexion. Everything is fine with HDR. Available formats are HDR10 Pro, HLG and even Dolby Vision IQ. The brightness in the extended range can reach 850 cd/m².

Next in our ranking is the premium 4K NanoCell TV of 2021 at a relatively affordable price. Beautiful «scoundrel»: thin metal frame, stylish stand, small — about 45 mm — the depth of the case. Screen: 54.6″, IPS matrix, ideal viewing angles, RGB pixel structure, frequency — 120 Hz, nanocrystalline filter for 100% color volume.

What else? Oh yes, Slim Direct backlighting with Full Array Local dimming. Thanks to it, even the screen panel, which is not inclined to that, produces a good (for itself) contrast, black depth. And if you consider that the TV has a 10-bit display, a peak brightness of about 600 cd / m², a powerful α7 Gen 4 processor on board, it becomes clear that the Cinema HDR mode is by no means declared for show. It is not worth idealizing the quality of displaying premium content, but in general it turns out well. Especially in Dolby Vision IQ supported with Atmos sound.

Gamers with such a monitor expanse! Nano accurate picture, Game Optimizer, AMD FreeSync™ Premium technology, 2 HDMI 2.1 connectors with VRR, ALLM and eARC support.

Watching this TV is just some kind of holiday! Forgive me for some pathos of judgment, but, knowing Sony’s ability to work with the image, it is fully justified. All in all, the XR-65A90J is an excellent model with an OLED display, with only one significant drawback — the high price tag. So after all, the premium status of the Master series from a Japanese company is undeniable.

Diagonal — 64.5″. Color depth — 10 bits, frequency — 120 Hz. Words about infinite contrast, incredible black depth are completely true. And when the Cognitive Processor XR and XR Triluminos Pro ™ proprietary technologies (ultra-realistic color reproduction), XR Super Resolution (clearness), OLED XR Contrast Pro, XR Motion Clarity (perfectly smooth dynamics) are responsible for optimizing the picture quality, the picture on the screen becomes simply mesmerizing.

Of course, everything is fine with HDR. There is enough brightness — up to 840 cd / m². Supported content: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision (bright/dark). The sound system is a separate song: Acoustic Surface Audio + speakers are built into the screen for precise synchronization with the picture, using the 3D Surround Upscalling mode, standard audio tracks are transformed into multi-channel 5.1.2.

The so-called popular 4K OLED TV with a relatively affordable price tag. LG also has a cheaper version with a display on self-illuminating pixels of the A1 series, but in terms of price-quality ratio, the C1 significantly outperforms it, while not inferior to much more expensive «older comrades».

We have a 65-inch version in review. There is less, there is more. The design has not changed much since last year, repeating the features of the CXR 2020 line. The display, as expected, pleases with excellent color purity, chic contrast, and black depth. The matrix capacity is 10 bits, the frequency is 40-120 Hz. The main image optimizer is a serious α9 Gen 4 4K processor. Cinema HDR implies support for HDR10 (without a plus), HLG and Dolby Vision.

The “mental” abilities of the TV are based on webOS 6.0 with ThinQ AI embedded in it. The remote control is new — more ergonomic than before, the universal Magic Remote MR21N. Voice assistants available, Airplay 2 supported.

The model from a well-known brand owned by the Chinese company TPV is very interesting as a bright (in every sense) representative of the middle class of OLED TVs in 2021. The design is extremely minimalistic: the thinnest body, almost invisible metal screen frames, low 2-color side legs (you can turn it to the side you like when installing).

The screen diagonal is 54.6ʺ. The panel is self-illuminating from LG Display with a resolution of 4K UHD (3840×2160). The powerful 5th generation P5 AI Perfect Picture Processor is responsible for improving the original image quality. The result is an incredibly colorful (99% DCI P3), detailed picture with infinite contrast, perfect black depth. In combination with the background 4-sided Ambilight backlight — just a fairy tale!

The TV is ready to play HDR content in all major formats, including premium HDR10 +, Dolby Vision. The brightness is enough (up to 800 nits in a 10% window), the matrix is ​​10-bit. Audio system 2.1 (50 W) to match: supported by Dolby Atmos, DTS Play-Fi, adaptive AI sound.

Samsung’s flagship 2021 TV continues our ranking of the best TVs with an incredible 8K display. The design of Infinity One is excellent — the thinnest body, a borderless screen with an almost invisible black edge (with almost no physical frames), an elegant-looking desktop stand with the ability to attach the Slim One Connect remote unit to it.

The diagonal of a particular model is 64.5ʺ. Neo QLED is a combination of a 120Hz VA panel with 7680×4320 resolution, a quantum dot filter, full-matrix backlighting on innovative Quantum Mini LEDs. All this is controlled by the Neo Quantum 8K AI processor, which is capable of analyzing data generated by as many as 16 neural networks on the fly.

With a 10-bit matrix, 2000+ peak brightness and of course Quantum HDR 48x technology, the TV is really good at playing High Dynamic Range content. Supported formats HDR10, HLG, HDR10+. Of course, there is Smart. The platform version is Tizen 6.0. Solar panel included.

The LG 8K QNED is a worthy alternative to Samsung’s 8K Neo QLED. The essence is about the same — Mini LED backlight, a filter for 100% color volume, but all this is attached to the IPS matrix. The display is called Real 8K Quantum Dot NanoCell. This is the whole LG: first, an indication of the true 7680×4320 resolution, and then “butter oil” for a red marketing buzzword.

Design 65QNED966PA: 64.5ʺ narrow bezel screen, approx. 3 cm thin body, stylish crescent-shaped stand. We have already found out the type of the panel, there is still something to say about the new backlight — a direct FALD with many local dimming zones (the number 2500 appears on the manufacturer’s website). Well, thanks to this, even the IPS panel is ready to give out a fairly tolerable contrast ratio.

Almost all current HDR formats are supported, including Dolby Vision IQ. The panel is 10-bit, the brightness in the extended range in some areas can reach 800 nits. So, enjoy watching! With Atmos cinematic sound, it will be absolutely great. The configuration of the speakers of the audio system is 2.2, the output power is 60 watts.