Uploaded February 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Shopping for TVs is exciting...but it can also be a little overwhelming. In our experience, different TVs all have their strengths, and finding the one that works best for your situation ensures you have the best experience possible with your purchase.
This buying guide seeks to show the difference between different TV types, plus help you narrow down your choice until you've found the one that fits your particular requirements. Got a bright room? An odd viewing space? Are you a gamer? We'll help you find one that works best.
*Shop for TVs* at Crutchfield: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc2ZZ/m_260050/TVs.html
Watch our *OLED vs LED* video: youtu.be/opu7pJyyUwk
So why do some TVs cost more than others?
One major difference in TVs is in the backlighting. Entry-level LED TVs tend to have edge-lit panels, and as you go up the line you'll see more precise zone and local dimming, plus more capable processors, which adds up to give you a more realistic on-screen picture.
OLED TVs light each pixel individually, meaning individual pixels can be turned off for true blacks and near-infinite contrast.
Watch us take apart a 4K TV in our warehouse: youtu.be/itahzptQWIc
HDMI specs, refresh rates, Smart TV features, resolution, HDR...we'll explain what these mean and more importantly, why they matter when you're evaluating TVs. The bottom line is, we want you to have the best TV viewing experience you possibly can, and without breaking your budget.
Crutchfield, America's trusted electronics specialist since 1974, has award-winning customer service, free lifetime tech support, and free shipping on most orders. Shop for all your audio and video needs at Crutchfield.com and sign up for the catalog and email newsletter at crutchfield.com
See more home and car electronics videos on our channel: youtube.com/user/crutchfieldtv
0:00 Intro — there's a lot to think about
0:28 Primary or secondary TV?
0:53 Narrow your search
1:18 TV size
2:11 Resolution
2:52 HDMI differences
3:18 Gaming-friendly features
4:12 High Dynamic Range, or HDR
5:01 OLED or LED?
5:46 Different LED backlights
6:05 Is burn-in still an issue?
6:37 Refresh rate
7:06 Turn off the "soap opera" effect!
7:35 Smart TV features
8:26 Network requirements
8:53 Over-the-air broadcasts
9:26 Recap and contact info
Shopping for TVs is exciting...but it can also be a little overwhelming. In our experience, different TVs all have their strengths, and finding the one that works best for your situation ensures you have the best experience possible with your purchase.
This buying guide seeks to show the difference between different TV types, plus help you narrow down your choice until you've found the one that fits your particular requirements. Got a bright room? An odd viewing space? Are you a gamer? We'll help you find one that works best.
*Shop for TVs* at Crutchfield: crutchfield.com/i-rYTVc2ZZ/m_260050/TVs.html
Watch our *OLED vs LED* video: youtu.be/opu7pJyyUwk
So why do some TVs cost more than others?
One major difference in TVs is in the backlighting. Entry-level LED TVs tend to have edge-lit panels, and as you go up the line you'll see more precise zone and local dimming, plus more capable processors, which adds up to give you a more realistic on-screen picture.
OLED TVs light each pixel individually, meaning individual pixels can be turned off for true blacks and near-infinite contrast.
Watch us take apart a 4K TV in our warehouse: youtu.be/itahzptQWIc
HDMI specs, refresh rates, Smart TV features, resolution, HDR...we'll explain what these mean and more importantly, why they matter when you're evaluating TVs. The bottom line is, we want you to have the best TV viewing experience you possibly can, and without breaking your budget.
Crutchfield, America's trusted electronics specialist since 1974, has award-winning customer service, free lifetime tech support, and free shipping on most orders. Shop for all your audio and video needs at Crutchfield.com and sign up for the catalog and email newsletter at crutchfield.com
See more home and car electronics videos on our channel: youtube.com/user/crutchfieldtv
0:00 Intro — there's a lot to think about
0:28 Primary or secondary TV?
0:53 Narrow your search
1:18 TV size
2:11 Resolution
2:52 HDMI differences
3:18 Gaming-friendly features
4:12 High Dynamic Range, or HDR
5:01 OLED or LED?
5:46 Different LED backlights
6:05 Is burn-in still an issue?
6:37 Refresh rate
7:06 Turn off the "soap opera" effect!
7:35 Smart TV features
8:26 Network requirements
8:53 Over-the-air broadcasts
9:26 Recap and contact info
