I test TVs for a living — and I recommend these 2 TVs above everything else
It's a complaint I hear from many friends and family after buying a new TV. It's also something I run into a lot when testing TVs, and leads me to always recommending one of the best soundbars for an amplified soundstage.
Despite all the noise, TVs can be improved. We've already seen some stellar sets out of Hisense and Panasonic that feature nifty speaker specifications and built-in audio software that make Dolby Atmos all the more rewarding.
More TV makers should be taking notes.
Hisense has been kitting out its TVs with better, more amplified audio systems. Last year's Hisense U9N Mini-LED TV is a major step forward thanks to its dual side-firing speakers that offer a crisp, punchy sound stage.
The 2025 Hisense U8QG Mini-LED TV improves on the older modek, with a similarly advanced audio system that varies depending on the TV size. At 65-inch, the configuration we tested in, Hisense has designed it with a 4.1.2-channel system at a 72W output.
The latter specification is amplified to 82W in sizes from 75-inch to 100-inch. This means you get better audio output in higher sizes, particularly in terms of the maximum power the speaker can handle before the sound gets distorted.
It's not every day you see a brand new 2025 model getting a major discount on the heels of its release, but the U8QG is an icon in this regard (and many more). It's bound to be among our favorite gaming TVs this year thanks to its slew of gaming features built on a 165Hz refresh rate. It's also got the best brightness in the TV game, owing to its Hisense lineage.
Like the U9N, the Hisense U8QG also has side-firing speakers and a subwoofer all built into the screen, netting you incredible audio coverage that fills the whole room. Few TV makers are putting this much emphasis on the underlying specifications that make up their TV audio.
Meanwhile, most TV brands are adding more AI integrations. It's a sad state, especially given that most audio can't be made much better when the hardware is fundamentally limited from the outset. Mini-LED TVs are one side of the spectrum, but it's proving especially true even for more premium sets among the best OLED TVs.
Panasonic returned to the U.S. TV market last year in bombastic style with its Z95A OLED TV. Its audio specs even put the Hisense U8QG to shame, pushing out a 160W output on a 5.1.2-channel system.
That's more than enough coverage for most people, but what makes it really stand out is the immense out of control Panasonic allows it with ingenious software.
One of the niftiest new features found on Panasonic's OLED TV from last year was Sound Focus and Space Tune, software suites that allows you to customize how the audio reverberates from your TV in a variety of different ways. The key settings include Area, Pinpoint, Ambient, and Spot.
These options gives you tons of versatility in bringing your home entertainment setup to life. It helps that Panasonic has kitted its Z95A with a serious audio system and it seems like its 2025 TV will be even more powerful.
The Panasonic Z95A is an exceptional OLED TV that wrangles together some of the most advanced specs in the space yet. It commands a 160W speaker Dolby Atmos system and a 144Hz refresh on LG Display's MLA panel. It also comes equipped with the range of HDR formats and while it might only have two HDMI 2.1 ports, it does have a sophisticated gaming dashboard, which gives you some easy tweaks to the screen.
Following a briefing with Panasonic at its offices in Newark, New Jersey, we got a taste of what we can expect from its new Z95B OLED TV against its predecessor. While crisper colors and deeper blacks are one thing, a more improved speaker system gave way to out-of-the-box surround sound that feels much richer.
If there's anything I can say thus far about the Panasonic Z95B OLED TV, it's set to have an even wider sound stage — and that's saying something given the high praise we gave its 2024 model. Panasonic has repositioned the speakers within its panel for an improved experience that you can not only hear but feel.
TV speakers should be doing more. Look around and you'll find that most TV makers are over-relying on AI to get improved audio on their sets versus actually building out feature-rich hardware and software suites for more immersive audio.
Hisense and Panasonic aren't alone. TLC is also finding new avenues for building better audio experiences for its TVs, teaming up with Dolby in the design of FlexConnect. This new feature allows users to place their speakers practically anywhere in their home for a truly immersive auditory adventure, and it's only available on 2025 TCL TVs.
This still requires additional speakers for improved audio support, but it's a start. More TV brands should be finding ways to make their TVs sound better as opposed to slimming them down.
It's the difference between having an all-around entertainment system versus just a mere screen that requires a soundbar or AVR speaker, which can not only cost thousands but be complicated to setup.
With some of the best TVs in their wheelhouse, Panasonic and Hisense are pioneering a new era for TV audio and hopefully more follow suit.
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Business Insider
17 hours ago
- Business Insider
The best art frame TVs of 2025: How do Samsung, Hisense, and TCL models compare?
TVs have become the centerpiece of many living rooms, but they don't always look great when they're not in use. After all, a big black rectangle hanging on your wall is much less appealing than a painting or a family photo. That's why Samsung's Frame TVs have steadily grown in popularity since their debut in 2017. The best Frame TVs are built to look like artwork when not in use as a traditional display. They have matte screens meant to resemble canvas, thin mounts that let them hang flush, interchangeable bezels with different styles, and access to paintings that can be displayed on screen. And now other manufacturers, like Hisense and TCL, are hopping on this trend with their own art TVs that double as design pieces. Over the last five years, I've spent my fair share of time with various Frame TVs, including the flagship Frame Pro, and I've been mostly satisfied, but I was curious about new models from competitors, especially since they're often cheaper than Samsung's offerings. Do the Hisense CanvasTV and TCL NXTVISION TV also look convincing as framed works of art? Do they cut any corners to keep their costs down? To find out, I put all of the best art frame TVs from Samsung, Hisense, and TCL to the test. Here's a rundown of what every model offers, along with details on their benefits, drawbacks, and what kind of user each is best suited for. Our picks for the best frame TVs Best overall Samsung 65-inch Frame TV (LS03F) Samsung's Frame TV is designed to look like a piece of art on your wall thanks to its flush mount, matte screen, and magnetic frame bezels. Its image quality is mediocre, but its style makes it a great pick for design-focused buyers. Check price at Amazon Check price at Walmart Check price at Best Buy What we like Art-frame design with matte screen and flush wall mount One Connect Box simplifies power and device connections Lots of bezels and accessories on the market Smaller sizes available Samsung's standard Frame TV is the best art TV for most people. It has all the bells and whistles that an art TV should have, and it has a few perks that cheaper options from other brands are missing. When it comes to art-style design perks and features, the Frame has all the usual suspects: a matte screen, support for magnetic bezel attachments (sold separately), a flush wall mount, and a motion sensor. That latter feature allows the TV to engage its art mode only when people are in the room. Because of its longevity in the market, the standard Frame TV has more bezel accessories than any other art TV, with options that range from simple to extravagant. However, these bezels cost extra, and the TV does not include any in the box (it just has a black border by default). The Frame comes with a wired One Connect Box, which simplifies power and device connections through a single cable that runs from the screen to the box. Thanks to this design, I don't have to move the TV if I want to connect an antenna to it or add a new game console, as I can just plug components into the box and keep the box out of sight. The wired cable is thin and transparent, which makes it easy to navigate fireplaces and other structural inconveniences. I keep mine hidden by a plant on my media console. Samsung's Art Store is packed with high-quality images that can be displayed on the Frame TV. The selection is much more comprehensive than the free offerings provided by Hisense and TCL. But while Samsung does offer a limited stream of free curated artwork, to get access to the whole collection, you need to sign up for a paid subscription. The TV's anti-glare, matte screen does a great job of keeping it visible in sun-filled rooms — both in art mode and when watching content during the day. But like most art TVs, the Frame's image quality is nothing special. Brightness is limited to about 500 nits, and contrast is relatively low compared to a typical midrange TV meant for home theaters. The TV's edge-lit backlighting is often visible across scenes in movies and TV shows, causing elevated black levels. In the dark, this uneven lighting can be downright distracting. However, it's important to remember that the Frame isn't built for picture quality aficionados. It's built for design-focused buyers who want a TV that doubles as a piece of art in their living room. And in that sense, it excels. I also love that it's available in several screen sizes. The latest 2025 model ranges from 43 to 65 inches, but you can still find older versions of the TV in sizes ranging from 32 to 85 inches. Check out our guide to all of the best Samsung TVs. Best high-end model Samsung Frame Pro QLED 4K TV The Frame Pro is an upgraded version of Samsung's popular gallery-style TV. It has a thin wall mount, matte screen, and interchangeable bezels, which make it look like a piece of art on your wall. The Pro model is brighter than the standard one, but it still can't match the image quality of Samsung's best QLED TVs. Check price at Amazon Check price at Walmart Check price at Best Buy What we like Best picture quality of any art frame TV Thin wall mount and interchangeable bezels Matte screen reduces reflections and mimics canvas Wireless connection box expands placement options The Frame Pro is Samsung's new high-end art-style TV. It's the most advanced option on the market and offers a noticeably bolder, brighter image than any other display in this guide. This model carries over all of the essential features found on the standard Frame TV, including a matte screen, support for attachable bezels, a flush wall mount, and a motion sensor. What sets this model apart from Samsung's cheaper Frame is its wireless connection box and local dimming backlight. Like the standard Frame TV, the Frame Pro uses a separate One Connect Box to house its video ports. But the Frame Pro goes one step further by making this connection box wireless. It still needs to be plugged into an outlet, but it doesn't require a physical connection to the TV itself. This greatly opens up placement options and has a legitimate shot at revolutionizing how people work around obstacles in their home so they can mount their TV in spots that were previously too tricky to work. When it comes to picture quality, the Frame Pro uses Samsung's Neo QLED technology with Mini LED local dimming, which gives it a big technical advantage over the regular Frame TV and rivals from other brands. Every other art TV uses a standard edge-lit LED backlight without dimming, which greatly limits contrast and brightness. But the Frame Pro's Mini LEDs help it achieve a peak brightness of around 1,000 nits, which is about double what the standard Frame, Hisense Canvas, and TCL NXTVISION can output. This higher brightness allows the TV to produce bolder highlights when watching high-dynamic-range (HDR) videos and helps it overcome ambient light in rooms with many windows. The Mini LED backlight can also produce deeper black levels than other art frame TVs, so dark scenes don't look as washed out and uneven when watching TV with the lights off. That said, there are still some caveats that prevent the Frame Pro from being a complete slam dunk for everyone. The biggest consideration, quite literally, is its size. The Frame Pro is only offered in 65-, 75-, and 85-inch options. Those large sizes won't work for everyone. Additionally, though the Frame Pro's Mini LED backlight is an improvement over a regular LED panel, I still noticed some light blotches and uneven dimming during some dark scenes in nighttime viewing. So while this is the best frame TV for picture quality, it still can't match the image performance of most traditional midrange QLED and OLED TVs. Finally, it's also important to remember that access to Samsung's full Art Store requires a subscription fee, and that magnetic bezel attachments cost extra. But while this all adds to the price, the Frame Pro is easily the best art TV for premium performance. Check out our full Samsung Frame Pro TV review. Best Frame TV alternative Hisense 65-inch Canvas S7N QLED 4K TV If you're looking for a more affordable alternative to Samsung's Frame TV, Hisense's Canvas is a solid option. It has a similar matte screen, slim mount, and bezel system. That said, it lacks the Frame's One Connect Box, and its viewing angles aren't great. Check price at Amazon Check price at Best Buy What we like Has a matte screen, slim mount, and magnetic bezel Free artwork included Good amount of art mode settings The Hisense CanvasTV is a strong Frame TV competitor, and does a solid job of matching most of the standard Samsung Frame's features and design perks. It has all the essentials that make an art TV an art TV, including a matte screen, support for magnetic bezel attachments, a flush mount, access to digital paintings, and a motion sensor. I also like that Hisense offers a solid assortment of free paintings and photos without a membership. In fact, Hisense doesn't currently offer a premium subscription option. That said, the selection of photography and art prints isn't as wide as what you'd get with Samsung's paid Art Store, so if you're often trying to switch up the mood in your room, you won't have as many options. However, I never had that problem and found more than enough free choices that I liked. The biggest complaint I have about the CanvasTV is that all of its connection ports are built into the back of the display, just like a traditional TV. This is in contrast to Samsung's Frame models, which use a separate connection box. So if you have lots of media devices you want to hook up, you could be left with multiple cables hanging down your wall, which hurts the TV's ability to mimic a framed painting. Of course, you could hide cables with some sort of cover or by feeding them through your wall if you're able to do some drilling, but Samsung's solution is a lot more user-friendly and versatile. On the plus side, I like that the TV comes with a magnetic bezel that looks like a wood frame. You'd have to pay extra for that when buying a Samsung model. However, alternate magnetic bezels are difficult to track down through Hisense or third-party retailers. The most common search results are for those from sellers on Etsy. In contrast, there are tons of styles available for Samsung Frame TVs. In terms of picture quality, there's not much separating the CanvasTV from the standard Frame. The 4K QLED display offers decent pop in both dark and light room conditions with similar brightness capabilities. Watching movies with the basic settings most people will use, I couldn't easily tell a difference between the two products when it came to black levels or color saturation. That said, I did find the CanvasTV's viewing angles to be more limited, especially when watching TV during the day in bright light. But even with its drawbacks, Hisense's CanvasTV is the best Frame TV alternative for anyone who wants a more affordable art TV that mimics most, but not all, of the features you get on Samsung's model. Best on a budget TCL 65-inch NXTVISION TV TCL's NXTVISION TV is the brand's take on an art-frame style TV. It has a matte screen, magnetic bezel support, and lots of free digital art pieces to choose from. However, it lacks a motion sensor and doesn't include a stand. Check price at Amazon Check price at Walmart Check price at Best Buy What we like Matte screen and flush wall mount mimic framed art Light wood magnetic bezel included in box Lots of free art pieces to choose from Thanks to its matte display and thin frame, the TCL NXTVISION is convincing enough as an art-style TV. It's missing some features found on the Samsung Frame and Hisense CanvasTV, but it earns some extra points in overall value. This model is often the most affordable art TV of the bunch, with frequent discounts bringing the 65-inch model down to just under $900. The NXTVISION TV comes with a light wood-style bezel that attaches easily with magnets. Unfortunately, I had a hard time finding replacement colors or different options through online searches. This could change, but at the moment, Samsung has a clear advantage when it comes to bezel accessories. TCL offers 100+pieces of free art to display when the TV is off, as well as some screensaver-like choices with motion and the option to show details like the time. Though the selection is solid, it's smaller than those offered by Hisense's free gallery or Samsung's paid service. I didn't have any trouble finding art to use, but ask me again in a year or two, and the limited selection may be more of an issue. Like the Hisense CanvasTV, the NXTVISION keeps its connection ports built into the panel rather than having a separate box. This means that you might have to deal with multiple wires hanging down your wall if you mount the TV. Sadly, this model is also missing a motion sensor to turn the TV on and off when people are or aren't around. Both the Samsung Frame/Frame Pro and the Hisense Canvas TV have motion sensors. I was also disappointed by the NXTVISION TV's general lack of art customization. You can add a mat to prints, but the aspect ratio of those mat choices is limited and doesn't help a piece of art look any more convincing. Both Hisense and Samsung outdo TCL in this area as well. The TV doesn't come with a stand, but a slim wall mount is included in the box. If you need a stand, TCL sells one with wheels and a rear shelf to hold the remote and small devices like an Apple TV. I was able to test this stand, and it's a nice option. However, this stand is expensive, and I do wish a basic one were included with the TV. General picture quality is similar to that of the standard Frame and Hisense CanvasTV, though this set is a tad dimmer. Its viewing angles are a bit wider than Hisense's TV, though, as I observed at different times of the day. Though there are a few places where TCL's NXTVISION comes up short compared to other art TV options, it's typically the most budget-friendly display of this kind. Sizes range from 55 to 85 inches, and the 55-inch model is often on sale for as low as $698, which undercuts the typical street price of the Frame and CanvasTV. The TCL NXTVISION is best for people who want a stylish TV but only have a passing interest in the art mode. It's a decent art TV on a budget, but its lack of customizations and motion sensor puts it a step below the competition. Art frame TVs compared Samsung Frame Samsung Frame Pro Hisense CanvasTV TCL NXTVISION Typical price (65 inch) $1,800 $2,200 $1,000 $900 Matte screen Yes Yes Yes Yes Flush wall mount Yes Yes Yes Yes Motion sensor Yes Yes Yes No Stand included Yes Yes Yes No Magnetic bezels Yes (sold separately) Yes (sold separately) Yes, teak included Yes, light wood included Separate connection box Yes (wired) Yes (wireless) No No Local dimming No Yes No No Sizes 43 to 65 inches 65 to 85 inches 55 to 85 inches 55 to 85 inches How we test art TVs To find the best frame TVs, we tested all of the major models from Samsung, TCL, and Hisense. We focused on how each display performed as a design-oriented frame TV and paid careful attention to any differences in overall quality and features between them. The primary reason people buy art frame TVs is for their unique design. So, while picture quality is still important, that aspect is secondary to other elements, like painting realism, the amount of included artwork, accessories, interface, and other software features. I've bought several Samsung Frame TVs over the years, and I went hands-on with each of the models included in this guide. I used them to watch movies and TV shows and play video games. They were all tested in similar, well-lit rooms with lots of sun to evaluate the glare and anti-reflective displays. I used the same movie at the same volume percentage to try to get a sense of the image and speaker quality on each TV. Art TV FAQs What is an art frame TV? An art TV is designed to look like a framed work of art when it's "off" and not being used to watch TV. To accomplish this, all of the best art TVs include a few key features that set them apart from most traditional TVs. These include: An anti-reflective matte screen meant to resemble canvas A thin profile and flush wall mount so they can hang like a picture Support for magnetic bezel attachments in different art-frame styles Access to a curated gallery of art and photographs that can be displayed when the set isn't used as a TV Some, but not all, art TVs also include additional features that help them to further mimic the look and feel of a framed painting: A separate connection box so you can keep your wall free from cables A motion sensor to turn on the TV's art mode only when people are in the room Can you access art gallery services on other TVs? Most TVs have some kind of screensaver feature that can display various images when you're not watching a movie or show. However, these modes aren't as full-featured as those found on the best frame TVs, and the selection of images is often more limited. That said, Samsung now offers access to its Art Store on all of its 2025 Neo QLED and QLED TV models. Those displays don't have all the design features of a Frame TV, but they can showcase the same images, so long as you have an Art Store subscription. Are art TVs good for home theater enthusiasts? Art TVs place a heavier emphasis on design than they do picture quality. Generally speaking, most midrange and high-end traditional TVs offer better image performance than even the best frame TVs. This is especially true when it comes to contrast, brightness, and black levels. While casual viewers may not notice the backlight limitations found on most art frame TVs, those with a keen eye will see uneven lighting with distracting patches of brightness. If you're a home theater enthusiast looking for a TV with picture quality in mind, we don't recommend buying a frame TV. For traditional TV recommendations, check out our full suite of buying guides: Best TVs Best smart TVs Best 4K TVs Best OLED TVs Best sports TVs Best budget TVs Best TVs under $500 Best 100-inch TVs Best 85-inch TVs Best 75-inch TVs Best 65-inch TVs Best 55-inch TVs Best 50-inch TVs Best 43-inch TVs Best LG TVs Best Roku TVs
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- Yahoo
Panasonic opens multibillion-dollar facility size of 225 football fields: 'When we commit to something, we're fully committed'
Panasonic has launched what it says will be the world's largest electric vehicle battery factory in De Soto, Kansas, Inside EVs reported. It's an investment that proponents say could help change the way America powers its vehicles, homes, and cities. At 4.7 million square feet — roughly the size of 225 football fields — the $4 billion plant promises to boost clean energy and, in doing so, help cities cut costs and reduce pollution that harms human health. Mass-producing batteries domestically helps simplify supply chains and potentially lower EV prices, which can also save money for consumers and businesses. Battery storage also enables more efficient use of renewables like solar. Paired with home panels, the systems can reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut utility bills. Visit TCD's solar panel guide for installation guidance. The plant is Panasonic's second in the U.S. It built another within Tesla's Gigafactory campus in Nevada. The factory is also the largest economic development project in the history of Kansas. Developers say it will bring 4,000 manufacturing jobs and 8,000 extra roles further down its supply chain, Inside EVs reported. Not only that, but the news outlet reported that it "comes at a critical moment for EVs in the U.S." Global EV demand has softened, and Tesla has seen a slowdown in sales in 2025, with second-quarter deliveries falling 13%. However, the Kansas plant is a strategic hedge. Panasonic said it plans to diversify its customer base beyond Tesla, already supplying Lucid and Mazda. On the other hand, trade tensions with China and subsidies under the Inflation Reduction Act sparked a wave of domestic battery investment, creating thousands of new jobs and a "battery manufacturing boom", Inside EVs reported. In July, Bloomberg reported that Panasonic's head of North American operations, Megan Myungwon Lee, sought to allay previous concerns about the Japanese company's commitment to supplying Tesla amid the sales slowdown. How much would you pay for a brand-new EV? $50K or more $30K to $50K $20K to $30K Less than $20K Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "We're going to be full production this year," Lee told Bloomberg. "When we commit to something, we're fully committed, and we want to make sure we support all the customers," Lee added. "We're not feeling the slowdown yet, and we're very bullish." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Panasonic opens multibillion-dollar facility size of 225 football fields: 'When we commit to something, we're fully committed'
Panasonic has launched what it says will be the world's largest electric vehicle battery factory in De Soto, Kansas, Inside EVs reported. It's an investment that proponents say could help change the way America powers its vehicles, homes, and cities. At 4.7 million square feet — roughly the size of 225 football fields — the $4 billion plant promises to boost clean energy and, in doing so, help cities cut costs and reduce pollution that harms human health. Mass-producing batteries domestically helps simplify supply chains and potentially lower EV prices, which can also save money for consumers and businesses. Battery storage also enables more efficient use of renewables like solar. Paired with home panels, the systems can reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut utility bills. Visit TCD's solar panel guide for installation guidance. The plant is Panasonic's second in the U.S. It built another within Tesla's Gigafactory campus in Nevada. The factory is also the largest economic development project in the history of Kansas. Developers say it will bring 4,000 manufacturing jobs and 8,000 extra roles further down its supply chain, Inside EVs reported. Not only that, but the news outlet reported that it "comes at a critical moment for EVs in the U.S." Global EV demand has softened, and Tesla has seen a slowdown in sales in 2025, with second-quarter deliveries falling 13%. However, the Kansas plant is a strategic hedge. Panasonic said it plans to diversify its customer base beyond Tesla, already supplying Lucid and Mazda. On the other hand, trade tensions with China and subsidies under the Inflation Reduction Act sparked a wave of domestic battery investment, creating thousands of new jobs and a "battery manufacturing boom", Inside EVs reported. In July, Bloomberg reported that Panasonic's head of North American operations, Megan Myungwon Lee, sought to allay previous concerns about the Japanese company's commitment to supplying Tesla amid the sales slowdown. How much would you pay for a brand-new EV? $50K or more $30K to $50K $20K to $30K Less than $20K Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "We're going to be full production this year," Lee told Bloomberg. "When we commit to something, we're fully committed, and we want to make sure we support all the customers," Lee added. "We're not feeling the slowdown yet, and we're very bullish." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
