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Tom's Guide
4 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I make a living testing TVs — these are the 5 TVs under $1,000 I'd buy right now
I've been testing and reviewing TVs for over ten years, and while plenty of people periodically pick my brain about the best TVs money can buy, I field far more questions about affordable TVs. As a bargain-hunter myself, I get it — I cut coupons, shop sales and dig for deals on a regular basis. And, having been immersed in the TV industry for nearly a third of my life, I'm particularly well equipped to help folks find budget-friendly TVs. These are my five favorite TVs under $1,000 right now. They're sets that not only keep costs down, but are good enough to feel like a proper case of treating oneself. My name is Michael, and if you'll let me toot my own horn for a second, I must admit: I'm pretty good at separating good TV deals from not-so-good TV deals. This is because I spend all year testing, reviewing and watching everything from dirt-cheap 32-inch TVs to top-shelf flagship models. I mean, don't get me wrong: I have hobbies and stuff. But TVs have been my professional bread and butter for over a decade now. Once upon a time, we published a glowing Panasonic W95A review, noting the TV's exceptional Mini-LED performance and robust set of features. Next thing we knew, the $1,299, 55-inch model had tumbled in price all the way down to $479. I don't need to explain to you why that's a terrific discount, but I can explain why this is a great TV. Its HDR highlight brightness is well over 1,000 nits, and on the whole, the W95A is bright enough for pretty much every environment. It also comes with a thorough array of features for gaming, Alexa integration with Amazon Fire TV and Dolby Vision support. Panasonic's fantastic Mini-LED TV has never been more affordable, so it's worth pouncing on this deal before it disappears. You're not just getting a great sale price with the W95A, you're also getting a superb, 55-inch Mini-LED TV loaded with extra features. We dug this TV when it was over a thousand bucks, and we really dig it now that it's below $500. This is my current favorite deals on a medium-sized OLED TV, and as of now, it's the only OLED TV on this list. The B4 is LG's entry-level OLED TV from 2024, and the 48-inch version is a Best Buy-exclusive model. Why do I love this TV so much? Well, it boasts all of the benefits of OLED (like perfect black levels and sumptuous-looking color) for a price most of us can afford. The B4 comes with a ton of upside for the price: It supports Dolby Vision, features an elegant design, and offers a full slate of four HDMI 2.1 ports that all support 4K gaming at 120Hz. In our LG B4 OLED review, we called the Editor's Choice TV for the value OLED TV of the year. Looking for an incredible OLED picture without the high price? Look no further. The LG B4 isn't as bright as higher-end OLED TVs, but you're still getting perfect black levels, ultra-wide viewing angles and a ton of features you'd find on higher-end LG OLEDs. TCL's entry-level Mini-LED TV is right in the "Goldilocks Zone" between value and performance. At around $650 for a 65-inch model, it's a perfect fit for people who want a big-sized TV with a decent set of features at a reasonable price. You can peruse our TCL QM6K review for a full report, but here's what I love about this TV in a nutshell: It's just bright enough for the average living room; arrives with terrific out-of-the-box accuracy (if you're into that sort of thing), and most importantly, it comes with Google TV baked right in. For most people shopping in this price range, Google TV is a great software suite to have in one's back pocket. It's easy to use and offers top-tier app support. Looking for something a little more impressive? Check out the next pick. The QM6K represents one of the most affordable ways to land a Mini-LED TV at the 65-inch size point. Google TV is available right out of the box, and the TV's relatively modest Mini-LED backlight keeps scenes visually appealing. The QM7K is a step up from the QM6K in nearly every way. Its performance, especially in HDR, is much more impressive. It's just a brighter, more colorful presentation that's more likely to wow viewers. The TCL QM7K is also packed with features, particularly gaming-related features. It's got a pair of HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs and supports 4K gaming up to 144Hz. You'll spend a couple hundred bucks more on the QM7K than you will the QM6K, but the added cost is up there on the screen and under the hood. TCL's mid-range Mini-LED TV is one of the best values of the year for folks looking for a powerful gaming TV at a relatively low price point. It's not quite as bright, colorful and packed with features as a higher-end Mini-LED TV, but it's much more versatile than an entry-level LED TV. You can read all about it in our Hisense U8QG review, but the first thing you ought to know about this Mini-LED marvel is that it's one of the brightest TVs we've tested all year. The 55-inch U8QG is just a hair under $1,000 right now, and if you've been looking for a 55-inch set that will dazzle an audience both day and night, this TV is just the ticket. The U8QG isn't just bright, it's also brilliantly colorful, making HDR content pop in a way it might not on lower-end Mini-LED TVs. It's also got plenty of extra features for gaming and beyond, including three HDMI 2.1 inputs, Google TV and Dolby Vision support. It's ready to support 4K gaming at 120Hz and all the way up to 165Hz, too. The newest entry in Hisense's popular U8 Series isn't quite as affordable as it was during Prime Day, but it's still seeing a steep discount right now. This is one of the most value-forward Mini-LED TVs of the year, as well as one of the brightest. The U8QG also comes with plenty of gaming-friendly features and Google TV built right in.
Tom's Guide
19-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
I test TVs for a living — these are the 5 best OLED TVs you can buy right now
I've been testing and reviewing TVs professionally for over a decade, and my pick for the best type of TV you can buy hasn't changed after all of those years: It's OLED. The list of reasons to love OLED TVs is long: perfect black levels, pixel-level dimming and ultra-wide viewing angles, just to name a few. OLED TVs tend to arrive with a boatload of extra features, too. My picks for the best OLED TVs you can buy are constantly shifting. Discounted OLED TVs often go out of stock, while new OLED TVs go on sale throughout the year. With that in mind, here's a snapshot of how I currently rank the five best OLED TVs, factoring in price, performance and availability. My name is Michael, and I've tested and tinkered with nearly every OLED TV released by a major brand since 2014. I'm also the happy owner of OLED TV myself, having taken the plunge a few years ago. I'm kicking things off with one of my favorite deals on a modestly sized OLED TV. The B4 is LG's entry-level OLED TV from 2024, and the 48-inch version is a Best Buy-exclusive. I love this TV, as it brings the many benefits of OLED TVs down to a price point that many will find to be reasonable. The B4 comes with a ton of upside for the price: It supports Dolby Vision, features an elegant design, and offers a full slate of four HDMI 2.1 ports that all support 4K gaming at 120Hz. You'll get slightly better upscaling as you move up LG's OLED lineup, but you can't beat the price of the B4 OLED. For that reason, in our LG B4 OLED review, we called the Editor's Choice TV for the value OLED TV of the year. Looking for an incredible OLED picture without the high price? The LG B4 is the perfect companion. It's not as bright as higher-end OLED TVs, but you still get to bask in the glory of OLED display technology. The C4 is LG's mid-range OLED for 2024, and it's nearly as good as its successor, the C5. It's bright enough for movies and shows to pop, and gamers are in good hands thanks to the C4's robust selection of gaming features. I loved this TV when I first got my hands on it last summer, but it's only gotten better now that its price has fallen significantly after a year on shelves. If newer OLED models are too pricey for what you're looking for, consider grabbing one of last year's top models. Looking for more info? Head on over to our full LG C4 review. The C4 is LG's flagship OLED TV from 2024. It's powered by LG's A9 processor and features a 120Hz panel, Dolby Vision/ HDR10/HLG support, built-in Amazon Alexa, four HDMI 2.1 ports and Apple AirPlay 2 support. The LG C5 is, pound for pound, the best OLED TV for most people right now. It's a brand-new model for 2025, and because of its mid-range status, it offers a satisfying blend of performance and value. You can read more about this five-star OLED in our LG C5 review, but here's the basic gist: You're getting incredible picture quality, a mountain of gaming features and an elegant design for less than what you'd spend on a top-shelf OLED TV. The LG C5 OLED has arrived and it's quickly earned its spot as our top-ranked TV in 2025. With the C5, you get tons of gaming features, including a 144Hz refresh rate built on four total HDMI 2.1 ports. LG's webOS platform also has a slew of free channels to dive into as well as cloud gaming platforms. Don't sleep on this deal. Sony's Bravia 8 II OLED combines the quantum dot enhancement of the brand's incredible QD-OLEDs with the naming convention of its 2024 OLED, the Bravia 8. The Bravia 8 II is all new for 2025, and while we haven't published our official review yet, I can tell you that the test results indicate that this is a very special TV. Its color production is among the best we've ever seen, and its highlight brightness will have HDR movies and games looking real enough to touch. Launched in mid-2025, the Sony Bravia 8 II takes up the mantle of Sony's top OLED from the Sony A95L OLED TV. The Bravia 8 II offers several upgrades, like increased contrast and improved motion handling. It also has some of the widest color coverage of any OLED TV. The Samsung S95F is one of the best OLED TVs ever made. It offers better picture quality than the LG C5 overall due to its use of color- and brightness-boosting quantum dots. It also comes with an overflowing toolbox of features (minus Dolby Vision support) and a matte screen — a design flourish that some folks will adore. Check out our Samsung S95F review for a full report. You'll pay top prices for this TV, but the quality speaks for itself. The Samsung S95F OLED TV is the top Samsung OLED in 2025, offering 165Hz refresh rate on one of Samsung's best upscaling processers. It also has Tizen OS, which is built with tons of free channels not to mention several cloud gaming services, and a full Gaming Hub for all your settings in one place. The S95F also has tons of AI baked into it, like an AI Sound Pro that boosts audio dramatically.
Tom's Guide
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Not a typo! This 65-inch LG OLED TV just crashed to $996 for Prime Day
Prime Day is still in full swing and we're tracking all the best deals on TVs, from OLEDs to QLEDs and everything in between. While there are some amazing deals on newer models, you'll often find even better deals on last year's sets. Right now, you can get the 65-inch LG B4 OLED for $996 on Amazon. That cuts $100 off this brilliant OLED, bringing it under $1,000 in a rare deal that even includes its 55-inch model. Looking for an incredible OLED picture without the high price? The LG B4 is the perfect companion. It's not as bright as higher-end OLED TVs, but you still get to bask in the glory of OLED display technology. Perfect black levels and ultra-wide viewing angles will have everything from movies to sports looking fantastic. Dedicated gamers will appreciate the B4's array of sought-after features, which includes four HDMI 2.1 inputs, support for 4K gaming at 120Hz, VRR and FreeSync. Last year was packed with amazing OLED TVs, but one of the cheapest you could find on the market was the LG B4 OLED. It still serves as an incredible value if you're looking to save big an improved screen. As with most LG OLEDs, the B4 is known as one of the best gaming TVs thanks to its four total HDMI 2.1 ports in tandem with a 120Hz refresh rate. That gives you tons of leeway for both PC and console gaming, plus it even has access to cloud gaming services for more ways to play. I reviewed the LG B4 and loved it for its picture performance, primarily for the deep blacks and colors. Skin tones looked true-to-form while darker scenes, most notable in movies like "The Batman" and "Interstellar," truly popped on the screen. Of course, you will have to live with some middling audio performance, but that's to b expected on most TVs. Nothing one of the many Prime Day soundbar deals can't fix. But if the LG B4 OLED is a little too expensive for what you're looking for, you can always check out or Prime Day TV live blog for more amazing deals across the size and price spectrum.
NBC News
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
How a gay anti-bullying PSA from the late 2000s became a cult classic
As Pride Month kicked off this year, Kai Cameron put on various wigs and outfits to recreate a commercial that he remembers vividly from the late 2000s. The social media director posted a video on TikTok mimicking an advertisement in which actress Hilary Duff told shoppers not to use the word gay as an insult. Looking at another actress in the commercial, Duff equated using the term in the pejorative to saying 'That's so girl wearing a skirt as a top.' She ends the ad by asking if people mean to be hurtful and to 'knock it off.' 'It lives rent free in my head,' Cameron told CNBC in an interview. Cameron has received nearly half a million likes and hundreds of comments on the video as of press time. Viewers of Cameron's reboot said in comments that Duff 'ended homophobia' and 'deserved a Nobel Peace Prize.' The original commercial, they said, 'changed lives' and was 'a moment in history.' If these comments are any indication, Duff's video has become a cult classic for a generation that saw the advertisement on its favorite TV channels. It's etched so clearly into their minds, and with an ever-growing slate of references across media, it's earned a long-term spot in the cultural zeitgeist. Because of that, the ad can act as a success story for advancing social issues through media messaging. At a fraught moment, nearly two decades later, supporters of the youth LGBTQ community wonder what can be done to reaffirm the campaign's original message. For LGBTQ viewers in particular, the 17-year-old segment holds a special meaning for its success in combating hate and its unique representation on screen. It is considered both humorous and over-the-top, while also spotlighting a pervasive issue in a memorable fashion. 'We caught lightning in a bottle,' said Kevin Jennings, the founder of youth LGBTQ advocacy group Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which spearheaded the campaign. 'There's no other way of putting it.' 'We can make history' At the time of the campaign's release in 2008, social media was still nascent and linear TV reigned supreme. In this environment, GLSEN saw an opportunity to shape public discourse against using the phrase 'that's so gay.' The group launched what's known as the 'Think B4 You Speak' campaign. Beyond the 30-second ad with Duff, a similar spot featured comedian Wanda Sykes likening using the word 'gay' negatively to having a 'cheesy' mustache. A print advertisement blitz and special website also helped push the message. The goal: to push back on 'ambient' anti-LGBTQ language, according to Jennings. While many people at the time knew that some slurs were hurtful, using words like 'gay' as an insult hadn't yet gotten the same treatment, he said. Jennings remembers thinking GLSEN had an equation for success. Duff was high up on the organization's list of dream faces for the message given her roles in well-known youth media like the TV show 'Lizzie McGuire' and movie 'A Cinderella Story.' GLSEN also had the support of the Advertising Council, the group behind iconic social awareness campaigns such as Smokey Bear and Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk. The campaign marked the council's first-ever ads focused on social issues related to the LGBTQ community. 'If we pull this off, we can make history,' Jennings recalled thinking. 'And we did.' A viral moment is born Because the Ad Council relies on donated space for its work, Jennings worried that broadcasters would shy away from the campaign due to its focus on the LGBTQ community. But he said Duff's spot in particular quickly received positive feedback, which encouraged companies to move it from unpopular hours to primetime. Duff's ad also got a boost on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube, which at the time had only been around for a few years. Now, he views it as one of the first pieces of media to 'go viral' via social platforms. 'If you'd asked me that day: 'Kevin, do you think we would still be talking about these ads 20 years later?,' I would have said, 'Well, in my wildest dreams,'' Jennings said. 'It turns out my wildest dream came true.' Data shows that the ads made inroads on curbing the term's use. GLSEN's 2021 school climate survey found 68% of survey takers heard 'that's so gay' either frequently or often, down from more than 90% two decades earlier. The campaign also led to a slide in bullying rates and an uptick in Gay-Straight Alliance participation, according to Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, the current executive director of GLSEN. Additionally, there's anecdotal signs of success. Even before he publicly identified as LGBTQ, Derrick Winrow II remembers trying to emulate Duff by calling out classmates who used the word gay as an insult for about a week. 'I think I was too anxious to continue doing it, but the message stayed with me ever since,' the 31-year-old artist said. 'It was a lot more impactful than I thought it was going to be.' 'Burned into your mind' In the nearly two decades since it first aired, Duff's ad has raked up several nods in media and culture. Sabrina Carpenter, a singer and fellow Disney Channel alum, jokingly quoted Duff during her Netflix Christmas special that aired late last year. Comedian Ziwe also asked a guest on her namesake show about the ad in a 2022 episode. Bratz last year recreated the spot using its dolls in the likeness of Duff and the other actresses. Etsy sellers hawk apparel citing Duff and the ad. The hosts of the Nogorge podcast discussed using the word 'gay' in an episode last month. They wondered if it could be reclaimed in the same way marginalized groups have taken back similar words that were once used offensively. Video recreations like Cameron's appear across popular platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Duff herself even got in on the trend, dropping a video of her lip syncing the original ad three years ago. 'It's burned into your mind,' said Carli De Ville, an Austin, Texas-based sex therapist who discussed the ad in a TikTok video. 'To have activism mixed with camp, I think, is what made it so iconic.' Duff's ad struck a chord with more than just LGBTQ-identifying viewers who felt validated by its affirming message. Yasmine Sahid, a social media content creator, said in a caption of her own iteration of the clip that the original video 'made me an ally' to the LGBTQ+ community. 'If Hilary Duff says that it's wrong to use the word gay in a derogatory manner, then who am I to use the word that way?' said Sahid, who recently made her TV debut in Amazon Prime's 'Overcompensating.' Representation then and now Viewers and experts alike agree that it would be hard to make an ad with the same level of visibility today given the fragmented media landscape. More than a decade and a half since the campaign, advocates for LGBTQ representation in media see both reason for celebration and a need for further efforts. 'Right now, there's some really good representation across the LGBTQ community,' said Joanna Schwartz, a Georgia College & State University professor who teaches a class on LGBTQ marketing. 'But in 2007, it wasn't really there.' For instance, positive representation in film tracked by advocacy group GLAAD has skyrocketed over the past decade. However, Schwartz said subgroups like transgender people haven't seen the same gains that the broader community has. The LGBTQ community is also mostly unrepresented in advertising, according to GLAAD data from 2023, which is the most recent information made publicly available. Of the more than 400 ads on national linear TV from the 10 largest agencies, GLAAD found LGBTQ people were featured in only 3% and accounted for less than 2% of screen time. For youth LGBTQ advocates, they're concerned about a resurgence of bullying and the ability of trained support providers to combat it. GLSEN laid off 60% of staff earlier this year, with Willingham-Jaggers citing funding pressures after corporations cut donations for LGBTQ-related groups amid right-wing pressure. Jennings, who worked on anti-bullying initiatives in the Obama administration and now runs LGBTQ rights group Lambda Legal, highlighted the 'Don't Say Gay' bills passing state legislatures as evidence of progress receding. This type of legislation, he said, contradicts the campaign's original goal of raising awareness and encouraging inclusivity among youth. 'What we learned through this campaign and through the Obama years was that if we put the time and resources into it, we can make a difference,' Jennings said. 'What we're learning right now is that that difference can be reversed — and that breaks my heart.'
Time Out
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Passenger at Bangkok's Thunder Dome: start time, tickets, potential setlist and everything you need to know
Many will recognise 'Let Her Go' – a track that leans on simple yet striking images like light, sun and home to capture the emptiness that lingers when something essential disappears after love fades. It started, as these things often do, by accident. I was at a game cafe in 2012 – one of those dim, blinking places where time collapses and teenagers subsist entirely on instant noodles and borrowed Wi-Fi – when 'Let Her Go' floated through my headphones, uninvited. I wasn't looking for poetry. I was probably mid-click, halfway through some medieval siege. But then came the line: ' Only know you love her when you let her go.' It landed with the quiet cruelty of something far too true for a Tuesday afternoon. It's 2025, and Michael David Rosenberg – though most will know him as Passenger – a British folk singer with the kind of weathered sincerity that tends to sneak up on you – is finally playing a show in Thailand. A little late, perhaps, considering his biggest song has been echoing through bedrooms, cafes and breakup playlists for well over a decade. Still, there's something fitting about it. His music has always been less about arrival and more about the long road getting there. By the time 'Let Her Go' became a global phenomenon, topping charts across continents and amassing billions of views, the moment had already passed. The track had quietly entered the bloodstream of a generation not especially prone to feeling things out loud. If 'Let Her Go' ever held a place in your personal soundtrack, this might be the moment to hear it in real time. Before the lights dim and the first chord lands, here's everything you need to know. When is Passenger playing at Bangkok's Thunder Dome? Passenger is playing in Bangkok on Friday, November 28. What are the timings? The venue doors will open at 7pm. The show is expected to begin at approximately 8pm and finish around 10.30pm What's the setlist? The official setlist for Passenger's 2025 Asia tour hasn't been released yet. However, judging by previous tours and common setlist formats, it's likely to feature a blend of fan favorites such as 'Let Her Go' and 'Things That Stop You Dreaming,' along with tracks from his most recent album. Who is supporting? There's no supporting act, it will be his solo show in Bangkok. Where else is Passenger playing in Asia? Based on current information, he is scheduled to perform in three additional locations: Wednesday November 26 Singapore at Capitol Theatre Sunday November 30 Shanghai at 蜚声PHASELIVEHOUSE Wednesday December 3 Beijing at 福浪LIVEHOUSE-福 Can you still get tickets for Passenger at Bangkok's Thunder Dome? Definitely! Tickets can still be snugged online through Thaiticket Major right here. How much do the tickets cost? Ticket prices begin at B1,500 and go up to B4,500, depending on the seating and package selected. Here's the seating plan
