ZDNET's August 2026 TV testing names the Samsung QN90F the best overall television, citing its object-tracking sound, HDR10+ support, and integrated Knox security chip. The list spans eight models from Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense, TCL, Roku, and Amazon, each slotted into a use case: bright rooms, color accuracy, budget buyers, big-screen seekers, and Alexa households.
Logicity's Take
For office conference rooms and retail display walls, the Hisense U8QG's high-brightness panel edges out OLED options that wash out under fluorescent lights. If you're fitting out a startup's demo room or a content studio, the LG C6's color accuracy matters more than peak nits. The Samsung QN90F sits in between, versatile but at a premium: expect street prices around $1,800 for the 65-inch.
Why 2026 TVs differ from last year's models
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Nearly every set on this year's list ships with 120Hz or higher refresh rates, VRR support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, and Dolby Atmos virtual surround. OLED panels have improved in brightness, shrinking the gap with QD-Mini LED sets in daylight viewing. Object-tracking sound, once a Samsung-only feature, now appears on multiple flagships.
Preloaded streaming apps and automatic picture modes for gaming are standard. Voice controls are everywhere. These features no longer differentiate models; price, peak brightness, and color volume do.
Samsung QN90F: best TV overall
The QN90F combines 4K resolution, HDR10+ tone mapping, and Dolby Atmos object-tracking speakers that steer sound to follow on-screen action. Samsung's Knox security chip encrypts streaming credentials, a detail enterprise buyers care about when TVs double as digital signage.
QD-Mini LED backlighting delivers punchy highlights without OLED's burn-in risk. For mixed-use environments, lobbies, or home offices that run a display all day, that longevity matters.
LG C6: best TV for color
LG's C6 series takes the top slot for color accuracy. The OLED panel covers a wide DCI-P3 gamut and ships factory-calibrated for professional workflows. Photographers, video editors, and content creators reviewing footage will notice the difference from consumer-grade sets.
ZDNET's lab testing found the C6 outperformed several competitors on Delta E color deviation. If you want details on how LG stacks against Hisense's flagship, we compared them head-to-head.
Direct comparison of the two TVs discussed here, with lab measurements
Hisense U8QG: best for bright rooms
Mini LED backlighting and a high-nit panel let the U8QG punch through ambient light. Conference rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, retail floors, or sunlit living spaces are its natural habitat. The tradeoff: black levels aren't OLED-deep, and viewing angles narrow compared to the LG C6.
At roughly $1,100 for 65 inches, Hisense undercuts Samsung and LG flagships by $500 to $700. For buyers who prioritize daytime visibility over perfect blacks, the U8QG is the rational pick.
Sony Bravia 8 II: best OLED TV
Sony's Bravia 8 II wins the OLED crown with superior motion processing and Acoustic Surface Audio, which vibrates the screen itself to emit sound. Cinephiles and home-theater purists notice the difference in panning shots and dialogue clarity.
The premium is steep. Expect to pay $2,200 or more for 65 inches. But if your use case is client screenings, executive lounges, or personal home cinema, the Bravia 8 II justifies the spend.
Budget and big-screen picks
The Roku Smart TV lands the budget slot at $178 for a 43-inch 4K panel. It's a second-screen option: break rooms, guest bedrooms, or dashboards that don't need flagship image quality.
TCL's QM6K targets buyers who want size over brand prestige. A 75-inch QD-Mini LED panel runs $698, less than half the cost of a comparably sized Samsung. Brightness and local dimming lag behind the QN90F, but for sports bars or casual family rooms, the compromise works.
Amazon's Fire TV Omni QLED suits Alexa-centric smart homes. Voice commands control playback, smart-home devices, and shopping lists from across the room. The panel itself is mid-tier, but the ecosystem integration justifies it for Amazon loyalists.
TCL QM8L: alternative for color accuracy
TCL's QM8L challenges the LG C6 on color at a lower price. It won't match OLED contrast, but for mixed content, gaming, sports, and streaming, the color volume is competitive. Buyers who want accuracy without OLED's burn-in worry should shortlist it.
Which TV should you actually buy?
Start with use case, not brand. If the display lives in a sunlit office or storefront, pick the Hisense U8QG. If color fidelity matters for creative work, the LG C6 or TCL QM8L. For all-around home use with security in mind, the Samsung QN90F. For cinema-grade black levels and motion, the Sony Bravia 8 II. And if you're stretching a budget, the Roku Smart TV and TCL QM6K deliver acceptable 4K at fractions of flagship prices.
VRR and 120Hz are now table stakes. The differentiators are brightness, color volume, and ecosystem lock-in. Pick the one that matches where the TV will live.
Need Help Implementing This?
Outfitting a conference room, retail display, or home office? Reach out to Logicity for vendor-neutral guidance on AV setups and enterprise display procurement.
Source: Latest news
Huma Shazia
Senior AI & Tech Writer
Produced with AI assistance and reviewed by the Logicity editorial team. Learn more in our Editorial Policy.
