Best TVs for watching TV

It may sound a bit old-fashioned today, but on a TV people still watch… television. 😉 If you belong to that group of people who don’t really care about bells and whistles like Smart TVs, hundreds of apps, or integration with your phone, and just want to watch the news, YouTube (often in poorer quality), or older movies and series – this ranking is just for you. What matters here is primarily how the television performs as a classic TV receiver.

How do we evaluate TVs for TV and YouTube?

The most important factor is of course image quality. Even if regular television doesn't offer content in the highest quality, the difference between a lesser and a better TV can be enormous.

That's why in our methodology, we take into account:

Contrast and colour reproduction after calibration – the foundation of good image quality
Viewing angles – so every household member can see everything as it should be
Upscaling – how well the TV handles upscaling lower quality (e.g. regular TV) to higher resolution
Colour gradation – smoothness of tonal transitions, particularly important in older productions
HDR – it has less significance here, but from time to time even regular television will feature content in HLG.

Example evaluation of a TV (TV/YouTube)

Criterion	Rating (1–10)	Weight (%)	Weighted Value (%)
Contrast	8.5	35.7	30.4
Colours after calibration	9.0	21.4	19.3
Viewing angles	6.5	14.3	9.3
Upscaling (decontour)	7.5	14.3	10.7
Gradation	7.0	10.7	7.5
HDR	5.5	3.6	2.0
Total	–	100	79.2

Final score: 79.2% (7.9/10)

Differences in Remotes – What to Pay Attention To?

The remote is often an underestimated element of the television, and in everyday use, it can make a huge difference. Each manufacturer approaches it differently – some focus on simplicity and minimalism, while others pack it with a multitude of features. It’s worth noting whether the remote connects to the television wirelessly (RF/Bluetooth) – then you don't have to aim at the screen. For some, backlit buttons or the presence of a numeric keypad will be important, especially if you often use traditional television. Additionally, there are extras like voice control, AI assistants, app shortcuts, solar panels or even USB-C charging. The differences between manufacturers are significant – and that’s why we prepared a comparison of the most popular brands.

Comparison of Remotes for Televisions from Different Brands

Brand	Remote control without aiming (RF/Bluetooth)	Backlit buttons	Numeric keypad	Extras
Samsung	Yes	No	No	Voice control, app shortcuts, ability to control other devices (large database), solar panel, USB-C charging
LG	Yes	No	No (on older remotes yes)	Magic remote – cursor control on screen, app shortcuts, voice search, ability to control other devices
Sony	Yes	Yes/No (only top models)	Yes/No (usually two remotes)	Often includes 2 remotes: classic with numeric keypad + smart with Google Assistant
Philips	No	Yes	Yes	Voice control (English), app shortcuts
Hisense	Yes	Yes/No (only top models)	Yes	App shortcuts, solar panel, USB-C charging, voice control
TCL	Yes	Yes/No (only top models)	Yes/No (depending on the model)	Google voice assistant, app shortcuts

What is the purpose of the electronic programme guide (EPG)?

EPG, or electronic programme guide, is now standard in most televisions. It essentially functions like a modern TV schedule. On one screen, you can see what’s currently on, as well as what shows are planned for the upcoming hours or even days. Instead of anxiously flicking through channels, a quick glance at the list is enough to choose something for yourself. Additional features enhance convenience: reminders for your favourite programmes, and in many models, the ability to schedule recordings to a USB drive.

Can inferior materials look good on a large screen?

When choosing a television for watching traditional TV or YouTube, the upscaling and digital image processing capabilities are particularly important. Most channels and online content are still broadcast in HD quality or even lower, and on a large 4K screen, any lack of detail is immediately noticeable. A good television can intelligently "boost" the resolution of the material, smooth tonal transitions, and reduce noise, making the image look sharp and clear. It is these technologies that determine whether a news program, a series from years ago, or an ordinary internet video will look good on 55 or 65 inches. If the upscaling is poor, a larger TV will quickly reveal all imperfections – therefore, choosing a model with refined algorithms means we can enjoy a bigger screen without compromises.

What television for seniors – what to pay attention to?

Although we do not rate this in our ranking, we always pay attention to improvements that can make using the television easier for older people. Firstly, the simplicity of operation is key. It's worth checking whether the menu allows for enlarged font and icons – larger letters are much more comfortable for those with poorer vision. It’s good if the television also supports audio description, which is a function that narrates what is happening on the screen. Most older people also appreciate classic remotes with a full numerical keypad. The problem is that these are increasingly rare in the package. Fortunately, such remotes (both original and universal infrared ones) can be easily purchased separately and may be easier to use. It’s also worth remembering that if the television is used together with a decoder from an operator like Canal+, Orange, Inea, etc., then in practice, the arrangement of buttons on the TV remote becomes less significant. Many people then almost exclusively use the decoder remote, only using the television remote to turn it on and off. Therefore, it’s not worth dismissing most televisions right from the start just because of the remote.