Best TVs for watching TV

This may sound a bit old-fashioned today, but on a television, people still watch… television. 😉 If you belong to that group of people who don't care so much about features like Smart TV, hundreds of apps, or integration with the phone, and simply want to watch the news, YouTube (often in lower 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 does not offer content in the highest quality, the difference between a lesser and a better TV can be colossal.

That’s why in our methodology we take into account:

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

Example of TV evaluation (TV/YouTube)

Criterion	Rating (1–10)	Weight (%)	Weighted Value (%)
Contrast	8.5	35.7	30.4
Colors 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 control is often an underrated element of the television, and it can make a huge difference in everyday use. Each manufacturer approaches it differently – some focus on simplicity and minimalism, while others pack in a ton of features. It’s worth noting whether the remote connects to the television wirelessly (RF/Bluetooth) – then there’s no need to aim at the screen. For some, backlit buttons or the presence of a numeric keypad will also be important, especially if you frequently use traditional television. On top of that, 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 exactly why we have prepared a comparison of the most popular brands.

Comparison of Remotes for Televisions from Different Brands

Brand	Remote control without aiming (RF/Bluetooth)	Button backlighting	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 (older remotes do)	Magic remote – cursor control on the screen, app shortcuts, voice search, ability to control other devices
Sony	Yes	Yes/No (only the highest models)	Yes/No (usually two remotes)	Often 2 remotes in the set: classic with numeric keypad + smart with Google Assistant
Philips	No	Yes	Yes	Voice control (English), app shortcuts
Hisense	Yes	Yes/No (only the highest models)	Yes	App shortcuts, solar panel, USB-C charging, voice control
TCL	Yes	Yes/No (only the highest models)	Yes/No (depending on the model)	Google voice assistant, app shortcuts

What is the electronic program guide (EPG) used for?

The EPG, or electronic program guide, is now a standard in most televisions. In practice, it functions like a modern schedule. On one screen, you can see what is currently airing, as well as what programs are scheduled for the upcoming hours or even days. Instead of nervously flipping through channels, a quick glance at the list is enough to choose something for yourself. The convenience is enhanced by additional features: reminders for your favorite program, and in many models, the ability to schedule recordings to a USB drive.

Can weaker 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 immediately stands out. A good television can intelligently "lift" the resolution of the material, smooth tonal transitions, and reduce noise, making the image look sharp and clean. These technologies determine whether a news program, a series from years ago, or a simple internet video will look good on 55 or 65 inches. If upscaling works poorly, a larger television will quickly reveal all the imperfections – thus, choosing a model with refined algorithms allows us to enjoy a bigger screen without compromises.

What TV for seniors – what to pay attention to?

Although we do not evaluate this in our ranking, we always pay attention to features that can make using the TV easier for older adults. Above all, simplicity of use matters. It's worth checking if the menu allows you to enlarge the font and icons – larger letters are much more comfortable for those with vision impairments. It's also good if the TV supports audio description, which is a feature that describes what is happening on the screen with voice. Most older people also appreciate classic remotes with a full numeric keypad. The problem is that these are becoming increasingly rare in the package. Fortunately, such remotes (both original and universal infrared ones) can be purchased without any problem and may be easier to use. It's also worth remembering that if the TV is used together with a decoder from a provider such as Canal+, Orange, Inea, etc., the layout of the buttons on the TV remote becomes less significant. Many people then use the decoder remote almost exclusively, and the TV remote only for turning the TV on and off. Therefore, it's not always worth dismissing most TVs at the outset based on the remote control.