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Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I review TVs for a living and these are affordable back-to-school TV deals I'd actually buy for my dorm room
When looking for back-to-school TVs, price means absolutely everything. You don't need to splurge on one of the best OLED TVs if you're not going to use it for more than four years, especially if most of your time will be spent (hopefully) studying, researching, or sitting in classrooms. Still, if you're here, you obviously want to find a TV with good-enough picture quality and not settle for the cheapest TV you can find. While the TV you take to college doesn't have to be a top-of-the-line set, one with a good amount of features and reliable picture performance should be your goal. As someone who tests TVs (and someone who's not too far out of college that I can't remember dorm life) I've tried to narrow the list of TVs down to fit most budgets. So, if you're heading back to school yourself, in search of a new TV for your child, or want a budget display for your off-campus apartment, these are the six TVs I recommend. This Roku display is the perfect back-to-school TV selection, especially if you're on a budget. You will have to make some compromises, like going with a non-4K TV, but that doesn't make the Roku Select any worse of an option. It's limited on specs but high on value, making itself a steal at under $200. Roku just updated its TV lineup, meaning the Select is totally revamped. I got to see the new Roku Select in action earlier this year and was blown away by how slim the design was. The great thing about Roku, too, is the wide selection of free content you have at your fingertips, so you don't even need to subscribe to any streaming services to get quality content. This Roku Select Series TV is one of the newest Roku TVs on the market. Its picture quality won't blow you away, but for a sensationally low price, you're getting access to one of the best streaming platforms on the market. This is a great opportunity to save money on a 65-inch smart TV with simple, easy-to-use features. Sony's commitment to designing some of the best TVs even extends to its budget models. You'd be right in equating Sony TVs with premium, but it also has some cheaper sets that could work well in a dorm room setting. One such model is the Sony Bravia 3 LED TV. Again, given the price range set under $600, you'll have to live with something other than an OLED, which is fine because the Bravia 3 has some pep in its step. It's not pushing out any record-breaking numbers by any means, but it does have some quality color coverage. In our testing, the Bravia 3 hit 95.88% of the UHDA-P3 gamut and sports a Delta-E of 3.5. The Delta-E score deals with color accuracy, with lower numbers being better. In this case, the Bravia 3 has some great color accuracy, as anything under a 4 is quite good. Brightness is another matter entirely. You're not going to see metrics that mirror a Hisense Mini-LED model here, but that's what you get at this price. At least the Bravia 3 does have an input latency of 9.2ms, so on the off chance you end up gaming in your spare time, this TV won't disappoint. The Bravia 3 isn't as impressive as the higher-end Bravia 7, but if you're in the market for a 75-inch TV for under $1,000, you can't go wrong with Sony's budget-friendly LED TV. It doesn't offer a robust set of gaming features, but the Bravia 3 comes with Google TV baked right into the software. We were also impressed with its implementation of Sony's excellent picture processing. So 1080p and bare-minimum LED TVs just aren't really for you? That's okay, because TVs are getting cheaper these days and both TCL and Hisense have some incredible picks for you in the lower-rungs of their lineups. Case in point is the TCL QM6K, a well-rounded, gaming-centric Mini-LED TV that does its best to eke out as much value as is possible on a sub-$500 sticker price. In our review of the TCL QM6K Mini-LED TV, we raved about its sleek design and picture performance. Again, this isn't a premium display, but it still ticks all the right boxes, netting you good color accuracy and tons of gaming features. It wrangles all of the HDR formats, too, making it particularly ideal for anyone with HDR streaming subscriptions. You can also expect to get somewhat middling audio out of this TV, but that's to be expected across the board with most displays. While it might say it's audio system is made by Onkyo, that doesn't quite mean it will have as bombastic an audio output as conventional Onkyo speakers. Need a TV that can also double as a computer monitor? One in particular that I really love on TCL TVs is its 240Hz mode, which lets you drop the TV to 1080p and play games in the higher refresh rate. It's a bit niche and works best when paired with one of the best gaming PCs... just don't let it distract you from your schoolwork. The QM6K represents one of the most affordable ways to land a Mini-LED TV that can double as a computer monitor. Google TV is available right out of the box, and the TV's relatively modest Mini-LED backlight keeps scenes visually appealing. Samsung's The Frame isn't the cheapest TV on the market, but you can find it at lower prices, especially in smaller configurations. It's great for college students who want their room to have some real personality. It comes with access to tons of artwork from galleries across the world, which will certainly make any art history majors out there very happy. It's obviously a good TV, with solid picture performance, but Samsung's The Frame also has incredible audio for a smaller display. You'd expect Samsung to put all of its effort into designing the look and aesthetic of the TV, but the speakers actually offer some kick unlike other options in its weight class. In our Samsung The Frame (2024) hands-on, we said the TV looks great in art mode and we also liked that the Samsung Art Store now offers a monthly curation of artwork users can display for free. The TV also features HDR10 Plus support, 120Hz refresh rate, built-in Amazon Alexa, Samsung's Tizen operating system, and four HDMI 2.1 ports. While it might sit at the bottom of Hisense's 2025 TV lineup, the U6QF still has some quality features and performance that makes it stand out. We don't have an official review of the TV just yet, but we went hands on with the Hisense U6QF Mini-LED TV several months ago and saw some promising results. At 144Hz, the U6QF makes a name for itself with some serious specs at a budget price. On top of its high refresh rate, the U6QF also boasts gaming features, like VRR and ALLM, plus two HDMI 2.1 ports. Hisense also has a special AI Smooth Motion technology, which should enhance motion clarity on the display. Finding a solid 65-inch TV for under $600 is tough, but the U6QF delivers. It's a brilliant TV for this price, but you might have to contend with some blooming and poor off-axis viewing, which is common for Mini-LED TVs at lower prices. This is the lowest price ever offered for the Hisense 55" Class U6 Series Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV. It's a newer TV (a 2025 model, in fact), which means you'll have all the most current technology and features. Between the Native 144Hz, HDR10+ support, Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos, and Amazon's stellar Fire TV OS, you have everything you need for a great entertainment experience. We've been singing the praises of the Panasonic W95A ever since the 75-inch variation hit an all-time low price of $797. One of its biggest drawbacks upon debut was the premium price, and now it's one of the cheapest Mini-LED TVs you can buy — even if it's a year old. Don't let its age fool you, though. I tested Panasonic W95A Mini-LED TV last year and was pleasantly surprised by its brightness, HDR performance, and anti-glare mitigation. Again, this TV won't quite match the same high brightness metrics available on Hisense models, but with just over 1,400 nits in both HDR and SDR, it's plenty bright for any dorm room. With its sticker price down to its lowest point, the W95A makes the perfect budget pick for any student looking to get exceptional picture performance without a hefty investment. 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.
Tom's Guide
01-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
Sony QLEDs vs OLEDs: What do you get when you pay more?
If you're shopping for a TV and you've already decided that Sony is the brand for you, the choice will most likely come down to two options: a QLED or an OLED. These terms refer to the TV's display technology, and depending on your budget, your viewing habits and your overall needs, one of these types might be better than the of the best TVs you can buy are among these two categories, and even if you don't intend to spend top-dollar on a high-end model, it's in your best interest to understand their many differences. Sony QLEDs are LED TVs with quantum dots. These nanocrystals enhance color and brightness, and while a ton of TVs feature quantum dots, many ultra-affordable models you can buy don't come with them. Until recently, Sony did not refer to its quantum dot-enhanced TVs as QLEDs. Instead, the feature was referred to by the brand as offering Triluminos color, sometimes called Triluminos Pro. Today, you can still find Triluminos color as a feature on a Sony TV's spec sheet. Some marketing materials refer to them as QLEDs. If you don't see these terms, chances are the model in question is without quantum dots. Unless you're trying to spend as little as possible, I recommend buying a quantum dot-equipped set if you're buying an LED TV. They've become enough of a standard feature that even budget-friendly Sony LED TVs have them. For instance, the Sony Bravia 3 — one of the brand's most affordable offerings (but a set we don't recommend) — comes with quantum-dot color. The higher-end Sony Bravia 7 and the flagship Bravia 9 come with quantum dots, too, but these TVs also feature Mini-LED backlighting, so you'll have to spend more for that upgrade. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I recommend buying a quantum dot-equipped set if you're buying an LED TV. Like all OLED TVs, Sony's OLEDs don't rely on traditional backlighting at all. Instead, every single pixel in the display is self-illuminating, which has a positive impact on almost every aspect of performance — especially contrast. Despite this fundamental difference, there are Sony OLED TVs with quantum dots, too. Commonly referred to as QD-OLED TVs, these souped-up sets (like the Sony A95L and the upcoming Bravia 8 II) offer better color volume — and in many cases better brightness — than traditional WOLED TVs (like the Bravia 8 OLED). You can take a closer look at the benefits and drawbacks of each of these display technologies in our Mini-LED vs OLED guide, but as I'll soon explain, one isn't necessarily better than another. It largely depends on your viewing habits. Price is another important factor. Of these types, you can expect to pay the least for a Sony QLED with basic backlighting, more for a Sony QLED with Mini-LEDs and the most for a top-shelf Sony OLED. If you're shopping for a Sony-branded TV, I've got good news: They're well-designed TVs, both aesthetically and functionally. In recent years, mid-range and high-end Sony TVs offer multiple ways to configure their respective stands. This makes them plenty accommodating regardless of living room layout, especially if you're trying to fit a large TV on a narrow credenza. And, although everyone's entitled to their own opinion, I find Sony TVs to be among the nicest-looking in the game. There's an attention to detail that is often lacking among rival TV-makers, from the crosshatched pattern on the back of some displays to the pinpoint alignment of their stand. The brand's OLED TVs tend to offer the slimmest panels, but Sony doesn't lean into the ultra-thin look the way rival OLED TVs do. Its Mini-LED TVs tend to be bulkier-looking than competitive sets, but not in ways that belie their excellent build quality. At the time of publishing, all mainline Sony TVs leverage the Google TV smart platform. They also lean on the same basic interface for their settings menus. This means that the core Sony TV experience will be mostly the same on an entry-level Sony QLED as it will on a high-end Sony OLED. Certain settings and enhancements are tailored to display type, however. (You won't find OLED-specific settings on a Sony Mini-LED's settings menu, for instance, or local dimming settings on a Sony OLED.) Across the board, though, Sony TVs offer a tremendous range of settings for tweaking the picture and audio. If you like to tinker with that stuff, you'll feel right at home with any Sony TV. Another thing to keep in mind is that, as is the case with all TV brands, lower-end Sony TVs will likely feel less snappy than higher-end Sony TVs due to their relatively limited processing power. I've never reviewed a Sony TV whose software was outright unusable, but it's something to remember if you're particularly sensitive about sluggish software. Even the best Sony TVs you can buy are limited to just a pair HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs. Additional features — be them gaming-, A/V-related or otherwise — will come down to which series the TV belongs to. In general, you can expect lower-level Sony QLEDs to offer the lightest amount of bells and whistles, while higher-end models offer the most. That said, even if you're splashing out on a top-of-the-line Sony flagship, you ought to be aware of their limitations. At the time of publishing, even the best Sony TVs you can buy are limited to just a pair HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs. This means only two of the four total ports will be able to make the most out of current-generation gaming consoles. What makes this issue even thornier is that one of the ports that offers HDMI 2.1 compatibility also serves as a dedicated eARC input. If you have two consoles and a soundbar, even the most expensive Sony TVs won't be able to make the most of all three. Needless to say, this is not the case with high-end TVs from LG and Samsung. Here's the simplest way I can put it: Sony's Mini-LED and OLED TVs will almost always perform better than budget-friendly Sony QLEDs that don't offer Mini-LED backlighting, but when comparing high-end Sony TVs, your mileage may vary. The flagship Bravia 9 Mini-LED TV looks incredible. It's one of the best Mini-LED TVs you can buy. The Sony A95L looks incredible, too. It's one of the best OLED TVs you can buy. Both of these sets will set you back a considerable amount of money, but deciding which is best for you will depend on your viewing habits. In either case, they're both better-performing TVs than the Bravia 7 — a terrific mid-range Mini-LED TV that is nevertheless mid-range for a reason. I'll once again direct you to our Mini-LED vs OLED guide for an in-depth comparison between these display technologies, but here's the basic gist: High-performance Mini-LED TVs typically offer better brightness than most OLED TVs, particularly if those OLED TVs use a traditional WOLED-style display, like the Bravia 8. However, a Mini-LED TV lacks the depth, clarity and unparalleled contrast control of an OLED. Many Mini-LED TVs come close to replicating the patina of an OLED display — the impressive Bravia 9 being a prime example — but pixel-level dimming control is ultimately the difference-maker. QD-OLEDs, like the Sony A95L, are capable of cutting the brightness gap even more. Its highlight brightness stands toe to toe with heavy-hitting Mini-LEDs (though full-screen brightness remains much dimmer). The addition of quantum dots also allows TVs like the A95L and the Bravia 8 II to deliver some of the brightest, most voluminous color in the industry. If you're chasing color, there's nothing quite like QD-OLED. Regardless of how much you're looking to spend on a Sony TV, you can be confident that the finer aspects of picture processing have been carefully considered. Many industry experts — myself included — laud Sony's attention to detail when it comes to things like upscaling, motion handling and out-of-the-box color accuracy. Much ink has been spilled about the so-called 'Sony tax' — a built-in upcharge for Sony TVs (relative to the competition) that some folks find hard to stomach. While it's true that Sony TVs are typically priced higher than comparable sets from rival brands, I've never found Sony prices to be out of bounds. Whether you're shopping for an entry-level Sony QLED or a top-shelf Sony OLED, you're very likely to get a well-engineered, well-designed TV that squeezes every ounce of performance out of whatever hardware is strapped to the panel. That said, I wouldn't blame anyone for carefully considering the value proposition inherent in competitively priced sets that tap the same tech and offer a similar slate of features.
Digital Trends
14-05-2025
- Digital Trends
Sony savings: The 75-inch Bravia 3 LED TV is $100 off this week
If you've been shopping around for an affordable 4K TV that's bigger than 70 inches, today is your lucky day. The Sony 75-inch Bravia 3 Series 4K LED is on sale this week for just $800, which is a $100 discount from its $900 MSRP. While it's not the fanciest screen in town, this great 4K TV more than gets the job done, and even excels in a few key categories. For even more TV suggestions, you should also take a look at our article on the best TVs under $1,000, as well as our article on the best TVs under $500 if you're really trying to stretch your budget. Why you should buy the Sony Bravia 3 Sony TVs can always be counted on for reliably good picture quality, and that's exactly what the Bravia 3 delivers, albeit at an entry-level tier. While this LED is capped at 60Hz and doesn't have any local dimming capabilities or HDMI 2.1 connectivity, the Bravia 3 is able to get plenty bright to combat even the toughest reflections in a room filled with sunlight or other light sources. Still, we wouldn't go placing any floor lamps right next to the screen. The Bravia 3 is extremely adept when it comes to picture upscaling, too. Sony's long history in the film and TV business may have something to do with a respect for quality, regardless of the era. Even your old DVDs and over-the-air broadcasts look great on this screen, thanks to Sony's powerful picture processing. The Bravia 3 also delivers solid colors and even features an Auto Low Latency Mode to ensure you get the best gaming experience possible when connecting a modern console. When it comes to apps, screen mirroring, and smart home controls, the Bravia 3 is backed by Google TV for all things web-connected. Enjoy popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, and so much more. Save $100 on the Sony 75-inch Bravia 3 Series 4K LED when you purchase right now. We also suggest having a look at our lists of the best Sony TV deals and best TV deals for more TV suggestions, as well as our best soundbar deals post, to ensure your TV is getting the audio it deserves.
