Buying guides
TV buying guides
Practical, room-first guidance to help you decide — organized by budget, size, and the questions we hear most.
- 01
The Best 65-Inch TVs of 2026
Our editorial picks for the best 65-inch TVs of 2026 — the LG C6 OLED as the all-rounder, the TCL QM8L for bright rooms on a budget, and the Samsung S90H for rooms that are bright by day and dark by night.
- 02
The Best 75-Inch TVs of 2026
At 75 inches, mini-LED gives you the most screen for the money. Our 2026 picks: the TCL QM8L, the Hisense U8QG for value and gaming, and the Sony Bravia 5 for processing.
- 03
The Best 85-Inch TVs of 2026
Thinking really big? Our 2026 picks for 85-inch TVs — the TCL QM8L, the budget TCL QM7L, and the Sony Bravia 5 — plus what to check before a TV this size arrives at your door.
- 04
The Best 55-Inch TVs of 2026
Our 2026 picks for 55-inch TVs with no price cap: the LG C6 OLED overall, the Samsung S90H for bright rooms, the Roku Pro Series OLED for value, and the TCL QM7L when your room is sunny and your budget is tight.
- 05
The Best 55-Inch TVs Under $800
Our 2026 editorial picks for the best 55-inch TVs under $800 — bright quantum-dot mini-LEDs that used to cost twice as much, plus a simple, no-fuss option.
- 06
The Best TVs Under $500
What $500 really buys in a TV in 2026 — which compromises matter, and the mini-LED and Fire TV picks that dip into this budget in smaller sizes.
- 07
The Best TVs Under $1,000
Our 2026 picks for the best TVs under $1,000 — where bright mini-LEDs, 75-inch screens, and careful OLED shopping all become realistic.
- 08
The Best TVs Under $1,500
At $1,500 you can choose between a great OLED and a great big mini-LED. Our 2026 picks: the LG C6, the TCL QM8L, and the Sony Bravia 5 — and how to choose between them.
- 09
The Best Gaming TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X
The best TVs for PS5, PS5 Pro, and Xbox Series X in 2026: 4K at 120Hz, VRR, low input lag, and enough HDMI 2.1 ports. Our picks: LG C6, Samsung S90H, and Hisense U8QG.
- 10
The Best TVs for Bright Rooms
Sunny living room? Brightness and anti-glare coatings matter more than perfect blacks. Our 2026 picks: the Sony Bravia 9 II, the TCL QM8L for value, and the glare-free Samsung S95H OLED.
- 11
The Best TVs for Watching Sports
For sports, you want smooth motion, a bright screen for day games, and a picture that holds up for everyone on the couch. Our 2026 picks: TCL QM8L, Hisense U8QG, and Sony Bravia 5.
- 12
OLED vs Mini-LED: Which TV Technology Should You Buy?
OLED or mini-LED? A plain-language explanation of how they differ in contrast, brightness, gaming, burn-in, and price — plus where 2026's new RGB mini-LED TVs fit in.
- 13
OLED vs QLED for Bright Rooms: Which Should You Buy?
In a sunny living room, brightness and glare matter more than perfect blacks. Here's how OLED and QLED/mini-LED really compare for bright rooms in 2026 — and what to buy.
- 14
2026 vs 2025 TVs: Should You Upgrade or Buy Last Year's Model?
Are 2026 TVs like the LG C6, Samsung S90H, and TCL QM8L worth paying more for than discounted 2025 models? What actually changed this year, and when last year's TV is the smarter buy.
- 15
The Best TVs for Bedrooms
The best bedroom TVs of 2026: the Roku Pro Series OLED for dark rooms and easy remotes, the LG B6 when you want a 48-inch OLED, the bright TCL QM7L for sunny rooms, and Amazon's Fire TV Omni for Alexa homes.
- 16
TV and Soundbar Pairings: What to Buy and How to Connect It
Thin TVs need help with sound. How to pair a soundbar with TVs like the LG C6, Samsung S90H, or TCL QM8L — eARC vs ARC, Dolby Atmos in plain English, placement, and what to spend at each budget.
- 17
TV Wall Mount Sizing Guide: VESA, Weight, and Height
How to choose and hang a TV wall mount: reading VESA patterns, matching weight ratings, fixed vs tilting vs full-motion, finding studs, and how high to put the screen.
- 18
What Size TV Should I Get? A Viewing-Distance Chart
How big a TV should you buy for how far away you sit? A plain-language viewing-distance chart for 55- to 98-inch TVs, the simple formula behind it, and our picks at each size.
- 19
HDMI 2.1 Gaming Setup: 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM
How to get 4K at 120Hz, VRR, and automatic game mode working on a PS5 or Xbox Series X: the right TV port, the right cable, TV and console settings, and where the soundbar goes.
- 20
When Is the Best Time to Buy a TV? A 2026 Holiday Guide
When TV prices really drop: Prime Big Deal Days (Oct 6–7, 2026), Black Friday and Cyber Monday, January clearance, and the Super Bowl — plus how to spot a real deal and whether to buy a 2026 or leftover 2025 model.
Product images: official manufacturer photos (Amazon, Hisense, LG, Roku, Samsung, Sony, TCL).
Headphones
Headphone buying guides
- 01
The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones of 2026
Our 2026 over-ear noise-cancelling picks: Sony's WH-1000XM6 for most people, Bose's QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) as runner-up, and AirPods Max 2 for iPhone.
- 02
The Best Wireless Earbuds of 2026
Our 2026 earbud picks: Sony's WF-1000XM6 overall, AirPods Pro 3 for iPhone, Galaxy Buds4 Pro for Samsung phones, and Soundcore's Liberty 5 Pro and Liberty 5 for value.
- 03
The Best Headphones Under $50: An Honest Answer
None of the headphones we review sell for under $50 right now. Here's what that budget really buys, how close our cheapest picks get on sale, and what to check before you buy a cheap pair.
- 04
The Best Headphones Under $100
The best headphones under $100 on Amazon: Soundcore's Space One over-ears and Liberty 5 earbuds, plus the Beats Solo 4, which is only under $100 on sale.
- 05
The Best Headphones Under $200
Under $200 on Amazon: AirPods Pro 3 for iPhone, Soundcore's Liberty 5 Pro for Android, Powerbeats Pro 2 for workouts, the Space One and Liberty 5 for value, and the Beats Solo 4 on sale.
- 06
The Best Travel Headphones of 2026
For flights and commutes: Sony's WH-1000XM6 over-ears and WF-1000XM6 earbuds, Bose's QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), and the 57-hour Sennheiser Momentum 5.
- 07
The Best Headphones for iPhone in 2026
AirPods Pro 3 are the best headphones for most iPhone owners. AirPods Max 2, Powerbeats Pro 2, Beats Solo 4, and Sony's WH-1000XM6 cover everyone else.
- 08
The Best Headphones for Android in 2026
Sony's WF-1000XM6 earbuds and WH-1000XM6 over-ears lead for Android. Galaxy Buds4 Pro are for Galaxy owners only, and Soundcore covers tight budgets.
- 09
The Best Headphones for Workouts in 2026
The best workout earbuds of 2026: Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for the most secure fit, Soundcore's Liberty 5 Pro for gym-to-office use, AirPods Pro 3 for iPhone runners, and the Liberty 5 on a budget.