1. Price Slide the ball to your budget maximum: Your budget is dollars or less A decent 55-inch 4K smart TVs often found for around $350–$500, while entry-level 40–50 inch models frequently sell for under $200–$300. A high-quality 65-inch set can often be found for under $800.

2. Screen Size A general rule is to have 10 inches of screen for every foot of viewing distance. Up to 25.9 inches 26.0 to 34.9 inches 35.0 to 43.9 inches 44.0 to 52.9 inches 53.0 to 61.9 inches 62.0 to 70.9 inches 71 inches and above No preference, not sure.

3. Display Technology LED/LCD: Most affordable and brightest; good for well-lit rooms. OLED: Offers "perfect blacks" and the best contrast, but is pricier and best suited for darker rooms. QLED/Mini-LED: A middle ground that provides high brightness and improved color. No preference, not sure.

4. Display Resolution 4K is the current standard for most living rooms. While 8K exists, it is widely considered an unnecessary expense due to the lack of available 8K content. 8K resolution 4K/Ultra HD resolution 1080i resolution 1080p/Full HD resolution 720p/HD resolution No preference, not sure.

5. HDR (High Dynamic Range) This is often more impactful than resolution alone. Shoppers should look for formats like Dolby Vision or HDR10+, which adjust brightness and color scene-by-scene. HDR Format Supported HDR10 Dolby Vision HDR10+ No preference, not sure.

6. Refresh Rate A 120Hz refresh rate is highly recommended for sports fans and gamers to ensure smooth motion, whereas 60Hz is sufficient for standard TV shows. Display Refresh Rate in Hertz 60Hz 120Hz 144Hz 240Hz No preference, not sure.

7. Connectivity Ethernet HDMI USB Wi-Fi Bluetooth No preference, not sure.

8. Port Selection Shoppers are advised to look for at least four HDMI ports. Gamers specifically need HDMI 2.1 to support 4K gaming at 120Hz. HDMI Ports 1 port 2 ports 3 ports 4 ports 5 ports No preference, not sure.

9. Brand Samsung LG Sony TCL VIZIO Hisense Roku TOSHIBA Westinghouse RCA Sharp No preference, not sure.

10. Smart OS The ease of use of the interface (e.g., Google TV, Roku, webOS) is a major consideration, as it dictates how easily a user can access streaming apps like Netflix or Disney+. Operating System Android FireOS Google TV Roku OS SmartCast OS Tizen No preference, not sure.

11. Audio Output Mode Digital sound Surround sound No preference, not sure.

12. Viewing Angle Up to 168 degree viewing angle 169 to 172 degree viewing angle 169 to 172 degree viewing angle No preference, not sure.

13. Mounting option Table mount Wall mount No preference, not sure.

14. Special Features Ambient Light Sensor: Enables features like automatic brightness adjustment to optimize picture quality based on room lighting. Browser: A standard feature in modern smart TVs for web access. Art Mode: Popularized by lifestyle TVs (like The Frame) that display artwork when the TV is not in use. Flat screen: The standard and most sought-after screen shape, as curved TVs have largely fallen out of favor. Bezel-Less Design: Consumers prefer sleek, modern designs where the picture extends to the edge of the frame. Intelligent Voice Recognition / Multiple Voice Assistance: Integration with Alexa, Google Assistant, or native voice control is a standard requirement for smart home integration. Game Mode / AMD FreeSync / Nvidia G-Sync: With the rise of console and PC gaming on TVs, features that reduce lag and screen tearing (VRR) are in high demand. Chromecast / Miracast: Built-in screen casting is highly popular for streaming content directly from phones or tablets. Local Dimming: Highly desirable for improving contrast and black levels, especially in LED/QLED TVs.

Expert Reviews & Ratings Positively rated or reviewed by RTINGS.com, Consumer Reports, CNET, Wirecutter and/or other similar websites.