The Super Bowl is lower than two weeks away, and you will have your sights set on a brand new TV, particularly in case you contemplated shopping for one throughout October or Black Friday gross sales. However how a lot are you prepared to pay for the TV you actually need?
CNET’s TechPulse findings present that US adults plan to spend a median of $1,177 on a brand new TV. In truth, that is how a lot CNET’s TV editor, Ty Pendlebury, mentioned he would spend.
But 42% count on to make some sacrifices on their TV want checklist, together with a much bigger display (11%) and high-quality footage (6%). Fortunately, because the 2026 fashions will come out this spring, now’s a great time to attain a deal on a 2025 mannequin.
For instance, the Samsung S90F OLED TV is our Editor’s Selection for the perfect all-around TV. Final yr, it price $2,500 at retail worth. Now, yow will discover the identical TV for $500 to $1,000 much less, relying on the scale and retailer. It has top-notch OLED image high quality and quick movement.
This is a deep dive into what else CNET’s findings present and professional recommendation on find out how to get the perfect TV on your cash.
- US adults count on to spend a median of $1,177 on a brand new TV, and CNET’s TV professional is not stunned.
- The highest cause for getting a brand new TV is a much bigger display (37%). Half of US adults are purchasing for a TV that is 65-inch or greater (50%).
- A very powerful options Individuals are contemplating are a high-quality image (72%) and a big display (60%). 42% need good options, however even fewer need AI integrations (12%).
- Over 4 in 10 (42%) of TV consumers anticipate they’re going to must make some sacrifices to remain inside finances, however CNET consultants say you may nonetheless get a great TV regardless of trade-offs.
CNET’s high TV picks
US adults need a new TV for a much bigger display
Practically 4 in 10 (37%) of US adults wish to improve their TV for a much bigger display. Half of these surveyed need a TV display that is 65 inches or greater.
A noticeably greater display was my high motivator for a brand new TV, too. After shopping for a home with a much bigger main bedroom, I discovered myself squinting to see on my smaller TV. Most TVs have Ultra HD 4K resolution, and you will want to sit down shut or get a much bigger display to see all the small print. And even in case you’re sitting the really useful distance for ideally suited TV viewing, you should still want a much bigger display to get the complete 4K impact.
Pendlebury says that in case you’re upgrading, take into account a much bigger measurement than what you initially need. For instance, in case you’re upgrading from a 50-inch to a 65-inch, take into account a 75-inch TV if it isn’t too massive on your room. Your improve might really feel small in just a few years, so getting a bigger measurement now might maintain you from shopping for a brand new TV sooner.
As a lot as a much bigger display could make a distinction in watching exhibits, it is best to measure before you purchase.
Most US adults need a high-quality image on their TVs
Practically three-quarters of US adults (72%) say an important characteristic in a brand new TV is a high-quality picture, whereas 60% cite a much bigger display. This is a better have a look at the must-haves:
It is necessary to know which specs actually present high-quality exhibits, films and video games. Pendlebury says all of it boils right down to distinction.
“The very first thing individuals discover is distinction. You will see brightness, which is what you see everytime you stroll right into a TV retailer — they have TVs jacked as much as the brightest factor,” Pendlebury mentioned. “However when you’ve got a TV in your home, what you may discover essentially the most is distinction.”
For instance, the large distinction you may discover with good distinction is how nicely the TV shows shadows and brightness. Brightness can be price contemplating for high-definition decision films or gaming. Nonetheless, shade is not as necessary as brightness and distinction.
“Whenever you stroll right into a TV retailer, they usually’re actually vivid and colourful, you are not going to look at content material that appears like that except you are watching a online game. That is why colours are usually not as necessary,” Pendlebury mentioned.
The large differentiator for an entry-level TV and a high-end decide is the flexibility to indicate quick motion, excessive brightness and shadow element collectively, Pendlebury mentioned.
There are completely different worth ranges. If you happen to’re seeking to spend below $500, you may possible get an LCD TV with a backlight and some zones. In the meantime, for $1,000, you may get an LCD TV with a mini-LED backlight. Ideally, search for an LCD with a backlight and lots of zones that mimic the look of an OLED or plasma TV, with good distinction. It exhibits very vivid and darkish components of the image, Pendlebury mentioned. OLEDs often price extra, and could also be price contemplating in case you’re planning to spend over $1,000, he provides.
“If you happen to can afford a TV that has OLED in it, or is an OLED, that is what I might suggest as a result of they nonetheless have the perfect image high quality for the cash,” he mentioned.
Pendlebury recommends the Samsung S95F for the perfect picture high quality. It has good distinction, off-angle viewing and glare discount, which might be useful in vivid rooms. The Samsung S95F prices near $2,300.
Practically half of US adults need good options
Amongst high options, 42% of US adults need good options for his or her TVs, like voice management and smartphone connectivity, and 31% say good residence compatibility is a should. CNET consultants say the best smart TV picks can vary from $100 to $2,000 — relying on the retailer, measurement and different options. And introductory TVs often have extra worthwhile good TV programs in contrast with pricier choices with higher image high quality.
Nonetheless, if good residence connectivity and good options are excessive in your TV characteristic checklist, CNET recommends the TCL QM8K series. It has nice image high quality, Google TV and connectivity for well-liked gaming consoles. The LG OLED C4 is a high-end good TV possibility that prices $1,300.
Surprisingly, AI integrations aren’t on the high of the checklist for TV consumers
Google built-in its Gemini AI assistant into some TVs final fall, so you may ask Gemini to present TV present suggestions, alter TV settings, create synthetic intelligence photos and even give upcoming sport occasions. It is a handy characteristic I take advantage of sometimes from my distant. Truthfully, it wasn’t a make-or-break on my checklist of high options.
AI is not essential for many US adults. Solely 12% of these purchasing for a brand new TV say that synthetic intelligence integration is an important characteristic. CNET discovered that different options are extra necessary — together with entry to a wide array of apps, akin to YouTube and Netflix (47%), a great guarantee and technical assist (45%) and the flexibility to hook up with wired units (45%).
Some US adults nonetheless discover different aesthetic options necessary, akin to a skinny, light-weight design (37%), a gorgeous and classy design (25%), and the flexibility to show artwork and photographs when not watching TV (15%).
Learn extra: These Are the Most Head-Turning TVs of CES 2026
3 TV buying tricks to know before you purchase
Planning to purchase a brand new TV within the coming weeks for the large sport? Pendlebury presents professional recommendation on choosing the proper TV on your residence.
1. Know your finances
The most effective TV is the one you could comfortably afford.
“There are some nice TVs you will get at an entry degree, between $200 and $300, that appear like TVs which can be far more costly,” Pendlebury says. Considered one of his suggestions is CNET’s best budget TV — the Hisense QD7QF. It has good distinction, totally saturated photos and prices round $350.
Staying inside your finances might imply sacrificing a few of your favourite options, akin to a much bigger display or higher image high quality. If you must select, go together with the perfect image high quality first, then select your measurement, Pendlebury says.
2. Know the scale you need (and want)
Before you purchase, ensure you’ve measured the house and used the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers’ equation to get the proper measurement. Typically greater screens aren’t at all times the perfect.
CNET consultants had hassle becoming a 115-inch TCL TV right into a freight elevator, and whereas that is not the priority for many, you may wish to be certain that it will possibly match up any stairs and doorways. And most significantly, be certain that the TV might be safely put in in a room earlier than shopping for. Think about getting an enormous TV that takes up half of your room and makes it uncomfortable to look at.
3. Know what TV options you propose to make use of essentially the most
Some options sound nice, however will not be ideally suited relying on what you propose to make use of the TV for. That is why Pendlebury recommends figuring out what options you want and plan to make use of essentially the most. For instance, avid gamers and avid film watchers might have excessive decision and gaming connectivity. Whereas I solely want TV apps and a display that does not harm my eyes. Figuring out what you want now and sooner or later can prevent cash and stress when narrowing down your choices.
Methodology
A quantitative survey was performed on-line between October twenty seventh – Nov ninth, 2025, with US adults aged 18 to 70. Over 3,700 individuals participated throughout two segments: N=2,665 CNET Media Group customers and a Nationally Consultant pattern of N=1,050 adults reflecting the US Census distribution on Age, Gender and Area. Knowledge is quantitative in nature, and comparisons between the CNMG Whole and Nationwide Pattern are statistically vital on the 95% confidence degree.
