The 7 most important specifications you should check before buying a smart TV

Most TV options available now are all smart models. For this reason, you may be tempted to buy the cheapest unit at the hardware store (or on Amazon). However, you should know that not all smart TVs are made the same way. So, these are some of the most important specifications that you should check before spending your hard-earned money.

1 Screen size and dimensions

These are often the first specs any TV buyer looks at, and while it's tempting to get the biggest specs you can afford, we don't recommend it. You should first consider the space where you will place the TV – after all, you don't want to take out your newly purchased entertainment screen and then find that it doesn't fit in your room. So, measure the stand or stand where you are going to put it and check the specifications to see if it will fit.

On the other end of the spectrum, you won't want to go too small because you'll likely make your TV setup less immersive. Therefore, it is better to find the right place according to your available space and viewing distance. According to the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, the ideal screen size is when it fills at least 30 degrees of your field of view.

To make things easier to calculate, most publications recommend multiplying the viewing distance (i.e. the distance between where you will place your TV and where you will sit) by 0.625. For example, I have a TV at the foot of my bed. Since I watch and play games on TV while leaning against the headboard of my bed, this gives me a viewing distance of about 7.5 feet, or about 90 inches. If you multiply this distance by 0.625, you get 56.25 inches. This makes the 55-inch TV the closest ideal TV size, which I currently own.

2 accuracy

Most TVs now start at either 1080p (for 40 inches or under) or 4K. Some options offer 8K resolution, but you probably don't need that kind of quality unless you have a very large TV and want to be up close and personal with it.

If you can't decide, RTINGs has published a chart showing the ideal resolution based on your TV screen size and ideal viewing distance. The general rule is that it should be at least 1080p or Full HD when choosing a TV. If you want screen sizes larger than 40 inches, it won't hurt to choose 4K resolution.

If money is no object, you might want to get an 8K smart TV. However, this will likely cost you, as the 75-inch Samsung Neo QLED 8K TV is already priced at nearly $2,300 on Amazon. Furthermore, there isn't a lot of content optimized for this resolution, so you won't be able to get the most out of it just yet. Here's a comparison between 4K and 8K TVs if you're hesitant between spending that extra cash you have on an HDTV or a better soundbar set.

3 Screen type

In the past, your only option when purchasing a TV was a CRT. However, with the advent of plasma and LCD TVs, consumers now have several options to choose from, and things have become confusing. Today there are three basic types of screens in TVs: LED, QLED, and OLED.

LED TVs are just LCD TVs that use LEDs instead of fluorescents for backlighting. This makes it the oldest type of monitor widely available, and it's also usually the cheapest option. If you're not a visual connoisseur, an LED TV will suit most of your needs.

OLED TVs, on the other hand, are known for their excellent color accuracy and deep blacks. For this reason, they are often the most expensive TVs on the market. However, they also have one major weakness – OLED TVs aren't as bright compared to LED and QLED TVs, so you may want to put them in a room where you can control the light levels.

QLED is a great compromise between OLED and LED TVs. These TVs offer better brightness than OLED TVs, but they may not be as vibrant. On the other hand, they have better color quality than LED TVs but are also more expensive. This makes QLED TVs a great choice for TVs placed in areas with many windows, such as your living room.

Other technologies, such as QNED and QD-OLED TVs, provide the brightness of QLED TVs and the color accuracy of OLED TVs. However, these tend to be the most expensive options because they often have the best image quality money can buy.

4 HDR compatibility

Many movies and TV shows now support HDR, so you'll need a TV that does. However, you shouldn't get any monitor that says HDR on the box, but instead look for one that has official logos and branding. For example, you can look for the DisplayHDR trademark, which is a certification that VESA gives to display makers if they pass their strict HDR guidelines.

Alternatively, you can look for standards like Dolby Vision, HDR10, or HLG, which tell you you're getting a TV with proper HDR processing. You can learn more about HDR technology in our guide on how to choose an HDR monitor.

5 Contact

Most smart TVs offer multiple physical ports and wireless connectivity to connect your devices, and almost all of them have at least one HDMI port. However, you may want a device that has at least two or three devices, especially if you plan to connect multiple devices, such as a media computer and gaming console. Furthermore, you should check if the TV has the appropriate speaker connections for use with an amplifier or home entertainment system with surround sound.

Apart from that, you should double-check if the smart TV you choose has built-in Wi-Fi. Most brand new models have this feature, but it's best to be sure, especially if you plan to use them to stream movies and TV shows. Bluetooth connectivity will also come in handy, especially if you want to connect headphones to your TV so you don't disturb people around you while watching your favorite show.

6 Refresh rate

The refresh rate tells you how many times your TV displays a new image on the screen every second. Most smart TVs now offer at least 60 frames per second (FPS), but if you plan to play games on them, you'll need a device with at least 120 FPS.

Higher FPS numbers reduce screen blur. This will make action scenes and sporting events clearer. Moreover, a higher FPS rating will make gameplay smoother and may give you an edge in competitive online gaming.

7 Operating system

Smart TVs are computers in themselves. So, these devices require an operating system, just as computers require Windows or macOS. If you're mostly an Android user, you'll want a smart TV that runs Google TV, as it will provide you with a smoother experience.

However, other popular brands also have their own operating systems. For example, LG uses WebOS, Samsung has TizenOS, Amazon offers Fire TV, and Roku gives you Roku TV. Each of these operating systems has its own pros and cons, so you should check out our smart TV operating system comparison to find the one that suits you.

These are the specifications that matter when it comes to smart TVs. So, if you're in the market, make sure you check the box or product details so you know what that particular TV has to offer.