TVs Price Comparison
Compare 1,296 TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony and more — find the best price across top UK retailers, from compact 32" sets to 98" flagship screens.
TVs price comparison UK
Few purchases reshape a living room quite like a new television. The gap between a budget 32-inch HD set and a flagship 98-inch Mini-LED behemoth is enormous — and so is the price gap, stretching from 228 £ to well over 4,334 £. What's striking when you look at this market closely is how much value has migrated downward: brands like TCL and Hisense now routinely offer 4K Smart TVs at prices that would have bought you a 32-inch Full HD panel just a few years ago.
Samsung dominates the catalogue with the widest range, but its average selling price sits noticeably higher than TCL or Hisense — you're partly paying for the Tizen platform and the brand's retail presence at Currys and John Lewis. LG commands the highest average price of the major players, largely because its OLED lineup pulls the figures up sharply. Sony, meanwhile, has fewer models listed but consistently targets the premium end, with an average well above 1,238 £ — a deliberate positioning that reflects its reputation for picture processing and Bravia XR technology.
Panel technology is where the real decisions happen. OLED panels — found primarily in LG's C and G series — deliver infinite contrast ratios and pixel-perfect blacks that no LCD-based technology can match. QLED and Mini-LED sets from Samsung and TCL fight back with raw brightness, sometimes exceeding 3,000 nits on flagship models, which makes them far better suited to bright living rooms. For most buyers, the sweet spot sits around 969 £, where you can find a well-specified 55-inch or 65-inch 4K set with Dolby Vision, a 120Hz panel, and HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming.
Smart platform matters more than many buyers realise. Samsung's Tizen and LG's webOS are the most polished and receive the longest software support. Google TV (used by TCL, Hisense and others) offers the broadest app ecosystem including all major UK streaming services. If you're comparing sets at similar price points, the platform can genuinely tip the balance — especially if you're already invested in a particular voice assistant ecosystem. You can also explore portable TVs and monitors if you need a secondary screen, or check out hospitality TVs for commercial or rental property use cases.
One thing our data makes clear: the best time to buy is rarely at launch. Black Friday, Boxing Day, and Amazon Prime Day consistently produce the sharpest discounts on last-season models — and a 2024 flagship often outperforms a 2025 mid-ranger at a fraction of the price. Use the price history tools on MagicPrices to track whether that deal is genuinely new or just a recycled RRP.
How to Choose the Right TV: Size, Panel and Platform
With 1,296 models listed and prices ranging from 228 £ to 4,334 £, picking a TV without a framework is a recipe for buyer's remorse. The three decisions that matter most — screen size, panel technology, and smart platform — interact in ways that aren't always obvious. Here's how to think through each one.
Screen size relative to your viewing distance
The single most common mistake is buying a screen that's either too small to impress or so large it causes eye strain. A rough rule of thumb: for 4K content, your viewing distance in inches should be roughly 1.5 times the screen diagonal. That means a 65-inch TV works best from about 8 feet away. If your sofa is closer than that, a 55-inch is the smarter choice — and you'll save money. Conversely, if you're sitting more than 10 feet back, a 75-inch or larger screen is worth the premium. Screens below 43 inches rarely justify 4K resolution at normal viewing distances.
Panel technology for your room conditions
This is the most technically consequential decision. OLED panels (LG, Sony) produce infinite contrast and perfect blacks — transformative for dark room viewing and cinematic content, but they struggle in very bright rooms and carry a small risk of burn-in with static content. Mini-LED sets (Samsung Neo QLED, TCL C855) counter with extreme brightness — some exceed 3,000 nits — making them the better choice for sun-drenched living rooms. Standard QLED and LED LCD panels sit in the middle: solid all-rounders, but without the wow factor of either extreme. If you watch a lot of sport in a bright room, lean Mini-LED. If you watch films in a darkened space, OLED is worth the stretch.
Refresh rate and gaming readiness
A 120Hz panel is no longer a luxury — it's the baseline for smooth sport and gaming. Most TVs at 969 £ and above now include 120Hz, but check carefully: some manufacturers advertise "motion enhancement" figures that are interpolated, not native. For gaming specifically, look for HDMI 2.1 ports (supports 4K at 120Hz from a PS5 or Xbox Series X), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and low input lag figures below 15ms. Budget sets often top out at 60Hz, which is fine for casual viewing but will disappoint gamers and sports fans.
HDR format compatibility
HDR transforms the impact of modern streaming content, but the format matters. Dolby Vision is the premium standard — it uses frame-by-frame metadata and is supported by Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV+. HDR10+ is Samsung's equivalent, supported by Amazon Prime Video. Ideally, you want a TV that handles both. HLG is used for broadcast HDR (BBC iPlayer, for instance) and should be present on any set bought in 2026. Avoid sets that only list "HDR10" without Dolby Vision or HDR10+ support — they'll look flat on premium streaming content.
Smart platform longevity
A TV bought today should receive software updates for at least five years. Samsung's Tizen and LG's webOS have the strongest track records here, with consistent UI updates and broad app support. Google TV (TCL, Hisense) benefits from Google's ecosystem but update schedules vary by manufacturer. Avoid obscure or proprietary platforms on budget sets — they often lose app support within two or three years, leaving you dependent on a streaming stick. If the platform matters to you, Samsung and LG are the safer long-term bets, even if they cost a little more upfront.
Audio output — and when to budget for a soundbar
Most TVs, even expensive ones, have underwhelming built-in speakers. A 40W output sounds better than 20W on paper, but the shallow cabinets of modern flat panels limit bass response regardless of wattage. If you're spending 969 £ or more on a TV, budget an additional amount for a soundbar — the difference in audio quality is dramatic. Look for eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) on the HDMI ports, which allows lossless audio passthrough to a compatible soundbar. Dolby Atmos support is a bonus but only meaningful if your soundbar also supports it.
- Budget picks (From 228 £ to 584 £) : Mostly 32-inch to 43-inch Full HD or HD sets from Toshiba, Sharp, Cello, and entry-level Samsung and TCL. Fine as a bedroom or kitchen TV, but don't expect 4K, 120Hz, or a polished smart platform. Toshiba and Sharp offer decent build quality at this level; Cello is functional but basic. Not recommended as a main living room screen.
- The sweet spot (From 584 £ to 969 £) : Where most buyers should be looking. A solid 55-inch or 65-inch 4K Smart TV with Dolby Vision, 60Hz or 120Hz panel, and Google TV or Tizen. TCL's V6 and P7 series and Hisense's A7 range offer remarkable value here. Samsung's entry QLED sets also appear at this level. Ideal for the main living room without overspending.
- Serious performance (From 969 £ to 1,575 £) : This is where OLED enters the picture — LG's C-series 48-inch and 55-inch models, Sony's A80 series, and Samsung's mid-tier Neo QLED sets. Expect 120Hz panels, HDMI 2.1, comprehensive HDR support, and noticeably better upscaling engines. The LG OLED C-series at this level is arguably the best all-round TV money can buy for most households.
- Flagship territory (Over 1,575 £) : Large-format screens (75 inches and above), flagship OLED and QD-OLED panels, and premium Mini-LED sets with thousands of local dimming zones. Samsung's QN95 and QN900 series, LG's G-series OLED, Sony's Bravia 9, and TCL's C855 in 85-inch and 98-inch configurations. Genuinely transformative picture quality, but diminishing returns set in quickly — make sure the room justifies the screen size before committing.
Top products
- LG OLED48C46LA.AEK TV 121.9 cm (48") 4K Ultra HD Smart TV Wi-Fi Black (LG) : The benchmark for picture quality at this size. LG's C-series OLED delivers infinite contrast, 120Hz, HDMI 2.1 and Dolby Vision — it's the TV most reviewers recommend above everything else. The 48-inch format is ideal for smaller living rooms or as a premium gaming monitor.
- TCL C6KS 65C6KS-UK TV 165.1 cm (65") 4K Ultra HD Smart TV Wi-Fi Metallic (TCL) : Excellent value for a 65-inch 4K set with Google TV. TCL's C6KS punches above its price bracket with solid HDR performance and a clean interface. Not the choice for dark-room cinephiles — the LCD panel can't match OLED blacks — but a strong all-rounder for bright living rooms.
- TCL 85C855K TV 2.16 m (85") 4K Ultra HD Smart TV Wi-Fi Black 3500 cd/m² (TCL) : 3,500 nits of peak brightness on an 85-inch Mini-LED panel is genuinely impressive — this is TCL's flagship and it shows. HDR performance rivals sets costing significantly more. The caveat: at this size you need a large room, and the Google TV platform isn't quite as polished as Samsung's Tizen.
- Samsung QE32Q50AEUXXU TV 81.3 cm (32") Full HD Smart TV Wi-Fi Black (Samsung) : The most sensible compact Samsung in the catalogue — Full HD at 32 inches is perfectly adequate for a bedroom or kitchen, and Tizen is the best smart platform at this size. Don't buy it expecting QLED picture quality; it's a practical secondary screen, not a showpiece.
- TCL 55V6C-UK TV 139.7 cm (55") 4K Ultra HD Smart TV Wi-Fi Metallic 270 cd/m² (TCL) : The budget-conscious buyer's 55-inch 4K option. At 270 nits brightness it won't dazzle in a sunny room, and HDR impact is limited — but for everyday streaming and Freeview in a moderately lit space, it's hard to fault at this price. A genuine best-value pick if your expectations are realistic.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What screen size TV should I buy for a typical UK living room?
For most UK living rooms with a sofa distance of 8–10 feet, a 55-inch or 65-inch TV is the ideal choice. A 55-inch works well from around 7 feet; a 65-inch from 8–9 feet. Anything larger than 75 inches in a standard-sized room risks being overwhelming and can cause eye strain. If you're unsure, err on the side of slightly larger — most buyers who go bigger don't regret it, but those who go smaller often do.
Is OLED really worth the extra cost over QLED?
For dark room viewing and cinematic content, yes — OLED's infinite contrast ratio and perfect blacks produce a genuinely different viewing experience that QLED cannot replicate. However, if your living room gets a lot of natural light, a bright Mini-LED QLED set will often look better in practice, as OLED panels can appear washed out in high ambient light. OLED also carries a small burn-in risk if you display static content (news tickers, game HUDs) for extended periods. For most mixed-use households, the LG C-series OLED represents the best balance of performance and price.
Do I need HDMI 2.1 on my new TV?
If you own or plan to buy a PS5 or Xbox Series X, yes — HDMI 2.1 is essential to get 4K at 120Hz from those consoles. Without it, you're capped at 4K/60Hz or 1080p/120Hz. Most TVs priced above 969 £ now include at least one HDMI 2.1 port, but budget sets often don't. Check the spec sheet carefully, as some manufacturers label ports as HDMI 2.1 but with bandwidth limitations that prevent true 4K/120Hz passthrough.
Which smart TV platform is best in 2026?
Samsung's Tizen and LG's webOS remain the most reliable and well-supported platforms in 2026. Both offer fast interfaces, all major UK streaming apps (Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4), and strong update commitments. Google TV — used by TCL and Hisense — has the broadest app library but update consistency varies. Avoid TVs with obscure proprietary platforms, particularly on budget sets, as app support can disappear within a couple of years, forcing you to rely on an external streaming stick.
Are cheap TCL and Hisense TVs actually any good, or should I stick to Samsung and LG?
TCL and Hisense have genuinely closed the gap on Samsung and LG at the budget and mid-range level — their 4K sets with Google TV offer strong value, and the TCL C855's Mini-LED performance at its price point is hard to argue with. Where Samsung and LG still lead is in picture processing quality, smart platform polish, long-term software support, and after-sales service through UK retailers like Currys and John Lewis. For a bedroom TV or a tight budget, TCL or Hisense is a sensible choice. For a main screen you'll use for five or more years, the premium for Samsung or LG is usually justified.
What's the best time of year to buy a TV in the UK?
Black Friday (late November) and Boxing Day are consistently the best periods for TV deals in the UK, with Currys, John Lewis, and Amazon all running significant discounts. Amazon Prime Day (usually July) is also worth watching, particularly for Samsung and LG models. New TV ranges typically launch at CES in January and arrive in UK shops from March — meaning last year's models see their sharpest price drops from October onwards. Use price history tracking to verify whether a "sale" price is genuinely lower than the recent average.
Should I avoid buying a TV without Dolby Vision support?
We'd strongly recommend avoiding sets that lack Dolby Vision if you stream regularly from Netflix, Disney+, or Apple TV+. Without Dolby Vision, you'll receive standard HDR10 at best, which produces noticeably less dynamic and impactful images on compatible content. The exception is Samsung TVs, which use HDR10+ instead of Dolby Vision — Samsung's format is supported by Amazon Prime Video and is technically comparable, though the content library is smaller. If you're buying a Samsung, HDR10+ is fine; for any other brand, Dolby Vision should be a non-negotiable.























