The best Samsung TVs are at the top of the TV stack in terms of build quality, picture quality, and features. But it’s worth remembering that the best Samsung TV for you isn’t always the most expensive model in the range, there are more to choose from.
For example, while we’re big fans of the Samsung QN900B 8K QLED TV, which tops the list here and in our best TV guide, Samsung makes a range of TVs. While the biggest high-tech gadgets are exciting, they’re not right for every living room or every budget.
1. Samsung QN900B New QLED 8K
An 8K TV is too much for many living rooms, but if you have the space and the budget, there’s no question that the Samsung QN900B Neo QLED 8K TV takes home entertainment to a whole new level. The Samsung Mini LED Sport QN900B Neo QLED 8K TV delivers stunning picture quality, outstanding color and brightness, great sound and exceptional black levels. It also looks really nice when closed.
The TV’s display panel uses Samsung’s “Quantum” Mini-LED technology. These LEDs are 1/40th the thickness of regular LEDs, which means thousands of smaller LEDs can be packed closer together than other LED TVs. That means more accurate dimming, which allows Samsung to deliver black levels that our eyes are nearly indistinguishable from OLED displays.
Because another advantage of smaller LEDs is that they are more precise and less prone to haloing, ie. With this TV, you won’t see bright areas on the screen fade unnaturally into darker patches. Since it also features Samsung’s Multi-Intelligence AI Upscaling feature, the QN900A can deliver better-looking images than its source.
2. Samsung BU8500
The Samsung BU8500 aims to offer some cutting-edge features, an understated look, and rock-solid build quality at a price point most of us won’t shy away from. This is absolutely true. It’s an impressive 4K HDR LED display with good HDR (though like Samsung, no Dolby Vision HDR), three HDMIs, voice control, two remotes and a Tizen smart TV interface, Comes with all the streaming apps you could want. It’s easily one of the best TVs under £1,000.
It’s a very affordable TV, and while making an affordable TV requires some compromises, Samsung hasn’t cut corners here. The Crystal 4K processor does a good job of upscaling, though not to the same degree as the processors in Samsung’s best TVs, and the backlighting is accurate, with decent brightness and contrast. During our testing, we found that the sound quality wasn’t stellar, but most TVs these days require a soundbar.
The BU8500 has three HDMI 2.0 inputs, one with eARC for the soundbar. There is compatibility with the ALLM and HGiG aspects of the next-gen console specification, but no support for AMD FreeSync, which is a step backwards from the 2021 Samsung AU9000.
3. Samsung QN95B New QLED
The Samsung QN95B Neo QLED’s design follows the infinity theme of its predecessor, the Samsung QN95A, with virtually no bezel around the screen and a back that’s as flat as the front, creating a striking monocoque effect. During our testing, we found that all of these design features combine to make the QN95B look very premium.
Image quality is very good. Compared to the already impressive efforts of the QN95A mini-LED debut, the improved processing and backlight control provide noticeable improvements in most areas of the image, with less haloing, higher brightness, and more pronounced shadow detail. In our Samsung QN95B review, we wrote: “With its extreme brightness and vibrant quantum dot color system, the QN95B dazzles just how much HDR can affect image quality.”
4. Samsung S95B
After years of scoffing at the technology, Samsung has come out with OLED TVs. kind of. Because while Samsung oddly chose to describe the S95B as just another OLED, the truth is, it’s more than that. In fact, hiding inside its screen is a brand new OLED technology – one that combines the emissive properties of the famous self-OLED with the brightness and color gamut potential of QLED.
It’s almost absurdly innovative that this new technology takes the platform of the best OLED TVs, thanks to a screen on the back that’s no deeper than your average drink coaster. What we see here is a kitchen sink TV with Samsung’s latest AI image processor, a very comprehensive and redesigned Tizen-based smart system, the latest gaming features, and despite the slim design, a smart Object tracking sound system.
5. Samsung QN85B
If you want the brightness of an LED TV and the visual quality that approaches OLED, Samsung has the TV for you. The QN85B uses a ridiculously bright mini-LED panel to deliver impressive HDR and great gaming performance, and while it can’t match the deepest blacks of OLED sets, you might be surprised how close it comes.
All HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1, making it a particularly good choice for gamers, and if you don’t have one of the best soundbars around, six speakers inside will give you decent spatial audio.
The graphics here are very, very good once you get past Samsung’s overly bright and overprocessed display presets. We found Film mode to be nearly as accurate as Filmmaker mode, but you don’t have to sacrifice much brightness for visual accuracy.
Conclusion
We’ve tested many TVs over the years, so we know what we’re looking for, and the difference between solid performance and great performance. That means we also provide broader context and, where appropriate, recommend other brands you might consider, as well as the best Samsung TVs.
