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What are the best Samsung TVs, and is OLED or QLED better?
There is a whole new line of Samsung TVs on the market, including the company's very first OLED model. Each new model is packed full of high-end features that make a pretty compelling case to upgrade your home theater, especially ahead of February's Super Bowl Sunday. Looking for the best options around? Check out our extensive research on other premium TVs.
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If you're working with a smaller budget, you can still find affordable options like the AU8000 so you can enjoy your favorite shows and movies without draining your bank account. Samsung has also updated its 8K TV offerings with the QN900B, which (while still very expensive) is a bit more affordable than its predecessors and offers more ways to get the most out of it even though native 8K content is still a few years away.
If you're searching for a new TV for the new year, I've gathered a list of the best Samsung TVs available, and I've broken down their features to help you find the best fit for your budget, space, and entertainment needs.
Also: The 5 best OLED TVs of 2023
- Great sound and picture
- AMD FreeSync Premium Pro support
- Dolby Atmos support
- No Dolby Vision support
- Pricey at bigger screen sizes
Screen size: 50-85 inches | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Quantum HDR 32X, HDR10+ | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Panel type: Neo QLED
The QN90B is the updated version of its predecessor, the QN90A, and it's packed with enough premium features to cement it as our pick for Samsung's top offering. Ranging from 50- to 85-inches, you can find the right fit for your space. The screen is treated with an anti-glare coating that improves visibility in bright rooms as well as provide viewing angles.
Quickly recalibrate the screen in under ten minutes for professional-quality, top-tier color volume and accuracy. The panel offers Object Tracking Sound+ but also Dolby Atmos to enhance its virtual surround sound and built-in ambient sound sensors. This combination translates to boosted dialogue while leveling other sounds.
Additionally, the AI-enhanced processor provides upscaled 4K resolution and a depth-of-field filter will provide more life-like imagery on-screen. The TV also offers HDR10+ and Samsung's in-house Quantum HDR 32S technology; coupled alongside that 120Hz refresh rate, and you'll never miss a second of action during sports and action movies. For gamers, integrated AMD FreeSync Premium Pro helps prevent ghosting, screen-tearing, and stuttering. Use this model with Google, Bixby, and Amazon Alexa voice controls.
- Object tracking sound lite
- HDR10+ support
- Remote PC access
- No Dolby Atmos/Dolby Vision support
- Only 60Hz refresh rate
Screen size: 43- to 85-inches | Resolution: 4K | HDR: HDR10+ | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Panel type: LED
The 55-inch AU8000 from Samsung snagged our top pick on our best budget TV list, and for very good reason. Though it retails for less than $500, the AU8000 has some premium-grade features like Samsung's object tracking sound lite feature which has audio follow the on-screen action for a more immersive experience. It's also Q Symphony compatible, so you can connect a Samsung soundbar to your TV to get room-filling surround sound without needing to buy a ton of extra equipment. If you have a Samsung smartphone like the Galaxy S22 Ultra, you can take advantage of the tap view feature, which allows you to instantly share photos, videos, and music from your mobile device by touching it to your TV.
You can even use the AU8000 as a remote PC monitor, allowing you to work on your desktop, laptop, or tablet while using a much larger screen; this is perfect for virtual meetings and video calls with lots of participants so you can actually see everyone as well as working on presentations and reports that may have lots of small text that is difficult to see on a typical monitor. The AU8000 has a native 4K resolution with support for HDR10+ to provide great picture quality without needing to spend a ton of money on a top-tier TV. The voice-enabled remote works with Samsung's Bixby, Alexa, and Hey Google for hands-free controls, while the integrated cable management channels in the back of the TV help you keep your HDMI and power cords neat and organized.
- Eye comfort mode
- Dolby Atmos support
- Google Duo support
- No Dolby Vision support
- On the expensive side
Screen size: 85-Inches | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Quantum HDR24X, HDR10+ | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Panel type: Neo QLED
The QN85B is set to replace the Q70A model that was released in the spring of 2021, and the 85-inch version is our pick for the best big screen option from Samsung. The screen uses Samsung's Neo QLED technology to produce over 1billion colors along with excellent native and upscaled 4K resolution; support for both HDR10+ and Samsung's Quantum HDR 24X gives you enhanced contrast and detailing for even better picture quality. With the new depth enhancer feature, each image is processed with a slight 3D effect for better depth-of-field and more lifelike images. The eye comfort mode puts a blue light filter over the on-screen images to reduce eye strain while marathoning the second season of Bridgerton or screening the entire extended edition version of the Lord of the Rings trilogy in a single day for your one friend who has (somehow) never seen the films before.
And to back up the great picture quality, the integrated speakers work with both Samsung's object tracking sound and Dolby Atmos technology to follow the on-screen action for virtual, 3D surround sound that provides a more immersive experience. You can also connect compatible smart speakers to the TV for whole-home sound while streaming music, shows, and movies so you never miss a second of dialogue and can blast your favorite Spotify playlist while you do chores. The QN85B has another trick up its sleeve: you can connect a compatible webcam to the TV and use it with the Google Duo app to have video calls with friends and family right in your living room.
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Excellent picture quality
- Dolby Atmos support
- No Dolby Vision
- Expensive
- Limited 8K content
Screen size: 65-85 Inches | Resolution: 8K | HDR: Quantum HDR 48X, HDR10+ | Refresh rate: Up to 144Hz | Panel type: Neo QLED
Since native 8K resolution hasn't hit streaming services (yet), broadcast TV, or even video games just yet, the best way to get the most out of Samsung's signature 8K QN800B TV is to take advantage of the updated processor's upscaling capabilities. The chip uses 20 neural networks to analyze shows and movies scene-by-scene and provide the cleanest, clearest picture possible. It also has a max refresh rate of 144Hz, putting it on par with high-end gaming PC monitors; and in my review of this panel, I found that 144Hz refresh rate really made my all-time 2023 favorite show, House of the Dragon, truly shine during action sequences.
The QN900B uses Samsung's Neo QLED technology to produce up to 100 percent of the DCI-P3 color spectrum; and with the companion calibration app, you can get professional-quality fine-tuning so you get the most consistent color volume possible. Integrated speakers work with Samsung's Object Tracking Sound Pro feature as well as Dolby Atmos for virtual surround sound.
If you worry about keeping your home theater or living room organized, you can use a single cord to connect all of your playback devices and game consoles via Samsung's OneConnect; this is a small device that is similar to an HDMI switch, allowing you to plug in all of your playback devices into a single unit that tucks out of the way for a cleaner-looking entertainment center. With the multi-view feature, you can watch up to 4 separate video sources at once, which is great for sports fans trying to keep up with tournaments or gamers who want to follow a walkthrough video for a tricky boss or puzzle section.
- Various sizing makes for ultimate customizability in a space
- Dolby Atmos
- Motion Detection
- Dedicated Ambient Mode
- No Dolby Vision
- Reports of software bugs
- Weak sound
Screen size: 32-85 Inches | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Quantum HDR, HDR10+ | Refresh rate: Up to 120Hz | Panel type: Neo QLED
It's hard to look past Samsung's most popular TV, The Frame. Because of its popularity, it features the widest size range available for ultimate customizability as well as specialized clip-on bezels to make sure the flat-wall TV matches your space. Its other design claim to fame? The matte finish on the screen that prevents glare and makes the dedicated Ambient Mode look like a true work of art hanging on your wall, thanks in part to that Neo QLED picture.
The Frame offers HDR10+ and the signature Samsung Neo QLED screen that makes this a great panel for bright spaces, and the wide viewing angle means that it can work in larger spaces, too. A 120Hz variable refresh rate makes this a great TV for gaming, and when it's not in use, choose from thousands of artworks to display on the screen (note: some of these will require a subscription but there are free options, too). You can also opt to enjoy personal photos during Ambient Mode, and it will automatically shut off when the motion sensor doesn't detect any person in the room while coming back to the mode when it's triggered.
- Dolby Atmos support
- Excellent picture
- TV-to-Mobile mirroring
- Expensive
- Only available in 55 or 65-inch models
- Weak SDR upscaling to HDR
Screen size: 55 and 65 Inches | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Quantum HDR OLED, HDR10+ | Refresh rate: 120hz | Panel type: OLED
With the OLED market being absolutely dominated by LG, and to some extent Sony, it's exciting to finally see a Samsung OLED TV available to consumers. It uses the same OLED tech as its peers, with over 8 million individually lit pixels to provide incredible detailing and contrast that makes images come to life. Combined with Samsung's new Real Depth Enhancer feature, the OLED panel is capable of creating images that could knock anything LG can produce out of the top spot. It supports both HDR10+ and Samsung's new Quantum HDR OLED technology to supplement and enhance the already incredible picture quality, and the speakers use both Dolby Atmos and Samsung's object tracking sound tech for room-filling surround sound.
The S95B has one more really cool feature: the ability to not only mirror your phone or tablet screen on the TV, but to also mirror the TV to your mobile device. This is perfect for when you want to get settled in bed for the night, but you also want to bask in the chaos and drama of HBO's latest release, The Last of Us. It's also a great option for anyone with sensory issues or is neurodivergent: you can mirror the movie you're watching with friends to your phone and go sit in another room to alleviate sensory overloads while still participating.
What is the best Samsung TV?
The best Samsung TV available right now to consumers is the QN90B. Based on its premium features, the range of panel sizes, and the price point, its the best bang for your buck. However, we break it down below so you can see the specs. Keep in mind that the prices will vary, but the price below reflect 55- to 65-inch panel prices, since those sizes tend to be the most popular.
| Product | Price | Screen Range | Panel Type |
| Samsung QN90B | $1,298 | 50-85 inches | Neo QLED |
| Samsung AU8000 | $500 | 43-85 inches | LED |
| Samsung QN85B | $2,798 | 55-98 inches | Neo QLED |
| Samsung QN900B | $3,799 | 65-85 inches | Neo QLED |
| Samsung The Frame TV | $1,499 | 32-85 inches | QLED |
| Samsung S95B | $1,600 | 55-65 inches | OLED |
Which Samsung TV is right for you?
Once you've hammered out a budget and made sure that the new TV will fit in your space, the most important factor to consider when buying a new Samsung TV is how you will use it. Have you cut the cord and moved exclusively to streaming? Choose a model with a preloaded suite of popular apps as well as the ability to mirror your mobile device screens. Are you a console gamer? There are options from Samsung with dedicated gaming modes for reducing input lag and response times as well as toggling VRR technology like FreeSync and G-Sync on or off.
| Choose this Samsung TV... | If you want... |
| Samsung QN90B | The best overall Samsung TV |
| Samsung AU8000 | A budget-friendly choice |
| Samsung QN85B | A huge TV screen |
| Samsung QN900B | An 8K Samsung TV |
| Samsung The Frame TV | Design and streaming combined |
| Samsung S95B | A great OLED Samsung TV |
How did we choose these Samsung TVs?
Samsung offers a wide variety of TVs, and as someone who's personally tested some of these panels, I wanted to highlight which are considered the best based on my experience as well as other customers' opinions. I also focused on panels that can make the picture truly shine in your space.
While I focused on price, personal (expert) experience, and design, I also analyzed the fine print on these models, including type of TV (OLED vs QLED), software (HDR10 vs HDR10+), and more. Each model on this list has been included while also considering its siblings and other competitors like LG and Sony.
While the new 2023 models have been announced, they're not yet available to consumers, so I opted to bring you the best of what you can buy right now at most retailers. If you're looking for the 2023 models to see how they stack up against their 2022 predecessors, check back later, as I'll update the list once I get a chance to test some of them.
What is the best sound bar for a Samsung TV?
For a Samsung TV, it's best to go with an in-house pairing. The best soundbar for a Samsung TV is the HW-Q910B 9.1.2ch soundbar since it comes with a subwoofer and includes Dolby Atmos sound, DTS:X, and rear speakers for a fully immersive surround sound experience.
However, we realize it's a pricey investment. If you're looking for a more wallet-friendly soundbar, opt for the HW-Q700B 3.1.2ch soundbar. It still comes with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X alongside Samsung's signature Q Symphony software.
What size TV is best for my room?
The best way to find the ideal TV size for your space is to measure the distance (in inches) from where your TV will be mounted on the wall or placed on a stand to where you will be sitting, and then divide that distance in half. So if your couch is 120 inches (10 feet) from where your new TV will be, the ideal screen size for your room would be around 60 inches.
You can go a bit bigger or smaller depending on what sizes are available from each brand and what your budget allows. But there is such a thing as a TV that is too big or too small. A screen that is too large will overwhelm your space and could even cause motion sickness, while a screen that is entirely too small will make your room feel like a huge cavern and force everyone to crowd around in order to see.
What's the difference between QLED and OLED?
Short answer: Marketing.
Long answer: Unlike OLED, the term "QLED" is a marketing gimmick rather than an acronym for a specific piece of technology. A QLED television from Samsung or another brand like Hisense really just uses a regular LED panel to create an image while a fancy processing chip uses proprietary software to boost color, brightness, and contrast. The "Q" in QLED stands for "quantum," which is itself a snazzy marketing term to get you interested in the TV rather than indicative of actual quantum TV tech (whatever that would be).
In contrast, an OLED television uses a special LED panel where each individual pixel is represented by a single LED bulb with its own power source. By allowing individual LED lights to be switched off completely, an OLED television is capable of true blacks that make brighter colors pop and enhance contrast. They also use an organic substrate which is activated by an electrical current to produce colors. This substrate is very expensive and difficult to produce, which is why OLED TVs are so much more expensive than their LED and QLED counterparts.
How long will a Samsung TV last?
If you aren't running your Samsung TV 24/7/365, you can reasonably expect it to last at least 5 years; though you can extend the life of your Samsung TV by ensuring that the operating system and firmware are up-to-date via automatic updates.
Unfortunately, the era of TVs lasting decades as long as there weren't any mechanical issues is long over. Since almost all new televisions, Samsung's included, are internet-enabled, there will eventually come a point where they are no longer able to support new firmware updates or new versions of streaming apps. This means that you'll almost be forced to buy a new TV every 10 or so years if you've cut the cord and moved exclusively to streaming your content, but the average TV lifespan will give you plenty of time to save up for when the time comes to upgrade.
Are there alternative Samsung TVs worth considering?
Samsung offers a wide range of televisions, from budget-friendly smart TVs to premium-grade laser projectors. Here's a short list of other Samsung models that I thought were great choices: