The 5 best TVs of 2017

By Heather Hamilton, contributing writer

TV technology continues to make better televisions at lower prices, but the amount of choices available can seem overwhelming. There are so many specs to look at, but if you’re in the market for the best (and not necessarily the cheapest), you’ve got no shortage of options. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday around the corner, it is time to start considering your options.

LG C7-Series 4K OLED TV

Digital Trends ranks this television as the best they’ve ever reviewed, going so far as to say that it may be the best TV ever made. While it will run you between $2,000 and $3,000, they guarantee that it is totally worth it. LG has five series of OLED TVs, which all boast high picture quality. This one leads the pack because it offers performance, design, and price, as well as LG WebOS smart TV software and support for a variety of 4K HDR apps.

Samsung UN65MU9000 Flat 65-Inch 4K HD 9 Series

While most “best of” lists have LG’s C7 Series in the number-one spot, Lifewire gives it to Samsung’s television. Retailing for around $1,700, it wins for great picture quality and impressive motion handling. This TV is sleek, overcomes glare, and produces deep blacks because of its excellent native contrast ratio of 6000:1. The maximum thickness does not exceed 1.89 inches, making it perfect for wall mounting.

TCL 55P607

Engadget lists the TCL 55P607 as the best 4K TV on a budget but agrees that it is, in fact, the best 4K TV overall. Digital Trends agrees, listing this television as their best “budget” option. It retails for about $650, with image quality comparable to TVs in much higher price ranges. It’s got good media-streaming services and capabilities and has 72 zones of full-array local dimming. There’s a built-in Roku and even a remote with a built-in headphone jack.

Sony BRAVIA A1E

According to Tech Radar, among others, the Sony BRAVIA A1E is the best premium 4K TV on the market. Between $3,000 and $18,000, this shouldn’t surprise anyone. It’s 65 inches and boasts incredible picture quality, as well as innovative and great sound. It is also reported to be a little clunky, and not very bright. But perhaps the vibrating screen, which allows for exceptional sound performance and detailed, contrasting picture, will be enough to distract you — this television makes most “best of” lists in the premium category.

LG Signature OLED 65W7P W7

Digital Trends closes out the list the same way that they begin — with an LG that wins the award for “Most Aspirational Television.” With great picture quality and advanced display technology, this LG retails for around $8,000. Called a “wallpaper” TV, this machine is 2.57 mm thin, looking more like a picture than a television. It’s got better picture quality than anything else on the market, great resolution, and supports a variety of formats.

Sources: Digital Trends, Lifewire, Engadget, Tech Radar