The best smart TVs to buy in 2025
With so many variations to choose from, finding the best smart TVs is increasingly a matter of personal preference
Few sectors of the consumer technology sector have experienced growth as meteoric as smart TVs.
Smart TV ownership has risen from 11 per cent of the UK market a decade ago to over 75 per cent last year.
That means three quarters of the ten million sets purchased in 2024 were smart – but what qualifies a TV as such, and what should you look for when shortlisting your next set?
Smart thinking
A smart TV is one which can be connected to your home broadband, either using WiFi or along an Ethernet cable plugged into either your broadband router or a Powerline adaptor.
Once it’s been linked to your domestic broadband connection, the ‘smart’ term references a device’s ability to access live and on-demand streaming content.
Some TVs additionally host basic games and proprietary entertainment services, while the majority sport a series of pre-installed apps.
Similar to your smartphone or tablet, these bloatware apps can’t be deleted, and their value depends on your hobbies and preferences.
Each manufacturer has a proprietary software interface (sometimes more than one across different price brackets) and remote control designs (again, potentially more than one).
How to draw up a shortlist
When shortlisting the best smart TVs, these are some of the factors to think about (over and above the all-important price):
- Display. Don’t worry too much about LCD, LED or OLED. The latter is more vibrant but pricier, with marginal gains in picture quality compared to a decent LED screen.
- Speakers. Higher wattages are generally better but read sound quality reviews to be sure. External soundbars may lead to audio and video not being in sync, which is irritating.
- Sockets. Any smart TV should have multiple HDMI sockets supporting high-definition inputs, plus an Ethernet port, two or more USB inputs and a SCART connection for older hardware.
- Remote controls. Many people ignore this aspect, yet a poorly shaped or unresponsive remote can be a pain, especially as it’s the primary way of controlling the television.
You’ll also need to consider size.
In a spare bedroom, a 32-inch screen might be sufficient, whereas a large living room could accommodate a 75-inch display – or even larger. Modern TVs go up to 100 inches.
The distance between you and the screen also affects its optimal size, so break out the tape measure and do some basic maths to determine which dimensions would work in each room.
Five of the best smart TVs to buy in 2025
This article outlines models on sale in January 2025, but there may be older versions with slightly different product codes which do a similar job more affordably.
We haven’t quoted prices, because you can usually find a model priced well below its RRP if you scour the internet, wait for the sales and/or take a punt on a lesser-known retailer.
1. Samsung QN90D. Available sizes: 43 to 85 inches
Samsung hold over a third of the UK’s television market, and this model is widely acclaimed for its HDMI support, mini-LED display and punchy sound output courtesy of eight speakers.
2. LG G4. Available sizes: 55 to 97 inches
LG sets are currently owned by a fifth of UK households. Among their myriad products is this pricey OLED device with vibrant colours and a comprehensive WebOS interface.
3. Toshiba QF5D. Available sizes: 43 to 65 inches
Toshiba have been making TVs for almost a century. Alongside strong customer support, the QF5D offers a QLED display and Amazon Fire TV services – all at a temptingly low price.
4. Hisense U7N. Available sizes: 55 to 85 inches
If you don’t mind buying a Chinese device, the U7N packs Sony Bravia levels of brightness into a far more affordable package. It also works well as a gaming screen for a high-end PC.
5. Sky Glass. Available sizes: 43 to 65 inches
This is a leftfield choice, but Sky’s first television offers dish-free viewing with superb picture quality and impressive sound. It does tie you into a Sky subscription, though.
