CNET staff -- not advertisers, partners or business interests -- determine how we review products and services. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
Almost every single TV you can buy is a smart TV, but what does that even mean? A smart TV is a television which includes built-in streaming for watching TV shows and movies over your internet connection, without needing a cable box or antenna (although you can still hook those up, too). Connect your smart TV via Wi-Fi or wired Ethernet and you'll be able to enjoy all the best streaming apps including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus and Max. The top smart TV systems include Roku, Google TV and Amazon Fire TV, as well as proprietary systems such as Samsung Tizen and LG WebOS.
What is the best smart TV right now?
After testing some of the best TVs this year, the TCL QM8 series (2024) sits at the top of the list for a couple of key reasons. It offers superb picture quality overall, all the features you need in a modern television -- including 4K/120Hz input and variable refresh rate that can get the most out of consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X -- and a relatively affordable price tag. Its smart TV system is Google TV, which is very good and has all the apps you need. When friends ask what TV to buy from 65 to 98 inches, we tell them the TCL QM8 series.
There are plenty of other excellent choices, so although the QM8 is our current favorite for most people, it might not be right for your preferences or budget.
Our hands-on, side-by-side comparison reviews take smart TV systems into account, but we think picture quality for the money is more important when buying a new TV. That's because you can always "replace" the TV's built-in system with a good streaming device, most of which cost less than $50. The exception is for budget TVs, where the price of a new streaming device would take up a significant percentage of the cost.
Our list below is generally arranged in order of which TVs provide the best picture for the money, but we also note how much we like (or dislike) the built-in smart TV system. Our recommendations for the best smart TVs of 2025 are as follows.
Best smart TVs in 2025
Ty Pendlebury/CNET Photo Gallery 1/1 Ty Pendlebury/CNET Best smart TV overall TCL QM8 (2024) Pros Relatively affordable
Excellent overall image quality
... continue reading