Let's be honest — the way we watch TV has completely changed. Whether you're deep into a Netflix binge at midnight, catching a live match on a streaming service, or rewatching your favourite films on Prime Video, having one of the best smart TVs makes a bigger difference than most people realise.
A mediocre TV can make even great content feel flat. But the right one? It genuinely feels like a mini cinema in your living room. And 2026 has brought some seriously impressive options across every budget. Here are the best smart TVs available right now — and what makes each one worth your attention.
Why Choosing the Best Smart TVs Actually Matters for OTT
Not every television is built with streaming in mind. If Netflix and OTT apps are your main use case, the best smart TVs should have:
• 4K Ultra HD resolution — most new content is shot in 4K, and watching it in lower quality wastes what you're paying for
• Dolby Vision / HDR10+ — these technologies make colours and contrast look dramatically better
• A fast, capable processor — nobody wants a laggy app interface while browsing Netflix
• A smooth Smart OS — Google TV, webOS, or Tizen all do this well
• Good built-in audio — because not everyone has a soundbar
Keep these in mind as you go through the list.
- Samsung Micro RGB R85H — 55" (MRA55R85H) | The Showstopper Technology: Micro RGB OS: Tizen with Vision AI
If budget isn't a concern and you want the absolute best smart TV for streaming right now, this is it. The MRA55R85H is built around Samsung's brand-new Micro RGB display technology — where microscopic red, green, and blue backlights operate independently to deliver 100% BT.2020 colour coverage. In plain terms: colours that are more accurate and more alive than anything achievable on a conventional LED or QLED panel.
The Micro RGB AI Engine processor precisely controls every backlight zone, delivering stunning contrast even in well-lit rooms. Samsung's Vision AI Companion handles smart content discovery across all major streaming platforms, and the Motion Xcelerator 144Hz is a welcome bonus for sports and gaming alike. The SolarCell Remote charges from ambient light — no batteries ever needed. Among the best smart TVs of 2026, it stands alone at the top.
Best for: Users who want the most advanced display technology available today, without compromise.
- Samsung Neo QLED QN80H — 55" (QA55QN80H) | The Premium All-Rounder Technology: Neo QLED (Quantum Mini LED) OS: Tizen with Vision AI
The QA55QN80H is one of the best smart TVs in Samsung's 2026 Neo QLED lineup — sitting right in the sweet spot between performance and price. The NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor uses 20 AI neural networks to optimise picture and sound in real time, adjusting scene by scene. Quantum Mini LED backlighting with Quantum Matrix Technology Core means precise local dimming — deep blacks and punchy highlights without the blooming issues of older LED TVs.
HDR10+ support, Dolby Atmos audio, and seamless access to all major OTT apps through Tizen OS make this a near-complete package. 100% DCI-P3 colour volume means HDR content on Netflix and Prime Video looks exactly as the creator intended.
Best for: Movie lovers and sports fans who want Neo QLED performance without paying Micro RGB prices.
- Samsung Neo QLED QN70H — 75" (QA75QN70H) | The Big-Screen Buy Technology: Neo QLED (Mini LED) OS: Tizen with Vision AI
Screen size matters — and if you want one of the best smart TVs for an immersive large-screen experience, the QA75QN70H delivers Samsung's Neo QLED picture quality on an impressive 75-inch canvas. AI Football Mode automatically adjusts picture and sound settings specifically for live sport, delivering richer colours, dynamic contrast, and clearer commentary audio.
Samsung backs the QN70H with 7 years of Tizen OS software updates — a rare and meaningful commitment that protects your investment long-term. If the living room TV is where your household gathers, this is one of the best smart TVs to make that experience genuinely special.
Best for: Families and sports enthusiasts who want a big, bright, immersive screen with smart features.
- Samsung Mini LED M70H — 55" (UA55M70H) | The Smart Mid-Range Pick Technology: Mini LED OS: Tizen with Vision AI
The UA55M70H proves that you don't need to spend a fortune to get one of the best smart TVs for everyday OTT streaming. Pure Spectrum Color delivers over 90% wide colour gamut, and Mini LED backlighting means meaningfully better contrast and deeper blacks than standard Crystal UHD TVs. HDR titles on Netflix and Prime Video look noticeably more vibrant.
Vision AI is on board for smart content recommendations and easy navigation across streaming apps. For a bedroom TV, a second set, or a main screen on a tighter budget, this is one of the best smart TVs delivering more than its price tag suggests.
Best for: Users who want genuine Mini LED performance without stretching to a premium model.
- Samsung Mini LED M71H — 43" (UA43M71H) | The Compact Performer Technology: Mini LED OS: Tizen with Vision AI
Not every room needs a 55-inch screen, and the UA43M71H makes a compelling case as one of the best smart TVs in the compact 43-inch category. Color Booster technology intelligently enhances colour expression to make every scene more vivid and dynamic — a meaningful step up from standard Crystal 4K TVs at a similar size and price.
Mini LED backlighting delivers solid contrast for a compact TV, and Tizen OS keeps the app experience smooth and consistent with Samsung's larger models.
Best for: Bedrooms, smaller living rooms, or anyone who wants Mini LED quality in a compact format.
- Sony BRAVIA 3 II — XR35M2 | The Cinematic Choice Technology: 4K LED with XR Processing OS: Google TV
Among the best smart TVs for movie lovers, the Sony BRAVIA 3 II makes a uniquely compelling case. The XR Processor analyses content the way the human eye actually perceives a scene, processing visuals in real time to improve depth, colour accuracy, contrast, and clarity. The result is images that look natural rather than processed — something that takes a few minutes to notice and then can't be unseen.
XR Clear Image AI upscales older content to near-4K quality by restoring detail lost during transmission, and factory panel calibration ensures consistent performance straight out of the box. Google TV brings clean, well-organised access to every major streaming platform with voice control built in.
Best for: Movie lovers and binge-watchers who want lifelike, cinematic picture quality over raw brightness.
- LG NanoCell AI NU88 — 55" (55NU880BPLA) | The Reliable Value Pick Technology: NanoCell 4K OS: webOS with ThinQ AI
Rounding out our list of the best smart TVs is LG's 55NU880BPLA — a well-rounded NanoCell model with the α7 AI Processor 4K Gen9 and one of the best Smart TV platforms available. NanoCell filters impure wavelengths at the pixel level, delivering accurate and consistent colour at wide viewing angles — ideal for family rooms where everyone watches from different positions.
HDR10 Pro support ensures HDR content looks rich and detailed. The α7 AI Processor handles upscaling, noise reduction, and picture calibration intelligently, and webOS remains one of the most refined Smart TV interfaces around.
Best for: Households that want accurate wide-angle colour, a premium smart platform, and long-term reliability.
All the Best Smart TVs at a Glance
Model Screen Technology Smart OS Best For
Samsung MRA55R85H 55" Micro RGB Tizen Ultimate picture quality
Samsung QA55QN80H 55" Neo QLED Mini LED Tizen Premium all-rounder
Samsung QA75QN70H 75" Neo QLED Mini LED Tizen Large-screen & sport
Samsung UA55M70H 55" Mini LED Tizen Mid-range value
Samsung UA43M71H 43" Mini LED Tizen Compact rooms
Sony XR35M2 55"-85" 4K LED + XR Google TV Cinematic realism
LG 55NU880BPLA 55" NanoCell 4K webOS Wide-angle & reliability
Display Technology: What Separates the Best Smart TVs
Micro RGB
Samsung's newest technology. Independent RGB backlights deliver the widest colour range of any LCD TV. The new benchmark for picture accuracy.
Neo QLED / Quantum Mini LED
Significantly better contrast and brightness than standard LED, with precise local dimming. A staple of the best smart TVs in the premium segment.
NanoCell
LG's colour-filtering technology for accurate, wide-angle viewing. A great choice for family rooms.
4K LED with XR Processing (Sony)
Sony's XR Processor makes standard LED panels punch far above their weight through intelligent, human-centred image processing.
For serious OTT streaming, Mini LED technology and above is strongly recommended. The best smart TVs at every tier all offer strong HDR support and smooth platform performance — the display technology is what separates good from great.
By Budget: Finding the Best Smart TVs for Your Spend
Tier Models
Ultra-Premium Samsung MRA55R85H (Micro RGB) / Samsung QA75QN70H (75" Neo QLED)
Premium Samsung QA55QN80H (Neo QLED 55")
Mid-Range Samsung UA55M70H (Mini LED 55") / Sony XR35M2 / LG 55NU880BPLA
Compact / Value Samsung UA43M71H (Mini LED 43")
Final Thoughts
The best smart TVs aren't just for people with big budgets anymore. As this list shows, Mini LED technology, AI-powered processing, and smooth streaming platforms are available across a wide range of price points in 2026.
If absolute picture quality is the priority, Samsung's Micro RGB R85H is in a class of its own. For those who want smart Neo QLED performance at a more accessible price, the QN80H and QN70H are outstanding choices. Sony's BRAVIA 3 II brings a uniquely cinematic quality that's hard to match at its price. And LG's NU880 delivers reliable colour accuracy with one of the best Smart TV interfaces around.
Before buying, run through these quick checks:
• Screen size suited to your room and typical viewing distance
• Display technology matched to your room's lighting conditions
• OTT app support for the platforms you use most — all the best smart TVs here cover the major ones
• Whether gaming, sport, or movie-watching is your primary use case
Any TV on this list will make your streaming experience meaningfully better. Pick the one that fits your life — and enjoy every stream.
