FAQ

OLED TVs use self-emitting pixels that can turn completely off, producing perfect blacks and infinite contrast. QLED TVs use quantum dots to enhance an LED backlight, resulting in brighter images but less perfect blacks. OLED is better for dark rooms and movies, while QLED excels in bright rooms.

The ideal TV size depends on your viewing distance. As a rule of thumb, divide your viewing distance (in inches) by 1.5 to get the minimum recommended screen size. For example, if you sit 9 feet (108 inches) from the TV, aim for at least a 72" screen. Most living rooms work best with 55-75" TVs.

HDMI 2.1 is necessary if you want to play games at 4K resolution with 120Hz refresh rate on PS5 or Xbox Series X. It also enables VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) which eliminates screen tearing. If you only play at 60fps or have older consoles, HDMI 2.0 is sufficient.

The best times to buy are Black Friday (November), Super Bowl week (late January), and Amazon Prime Day (July). Black Friday typically offers the deepest discounts of 30-50%. Super Bowl week is especially good for large screen TVs (65"+).

Modern OLEDs have burn-in mitigation features that make burn-in unlikely for normal use. However, if you watch news channels with static logos for many hours daily, or use the TV as a PC monitor with static elements, you may want to consider QLED instead. For most users, burn-in is not a practical concern.

Neither is universally "better"—they have different strengths. Mini-LED offers higher brightness (great for HDR and bright rooms) and no burn-in risk. OLED provides perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and faster pixel response. Choose Mini-LED for bright rooms and OLED for dark viewing environments.

For next-gen gaming (PS5, Xbox Series X, PC), look for: HDMI 2.1 ports, 120Hz refresh rate, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and low input lag (ideally under 10ms). These features ensure smooth, responsive gameplay.

At typical viewing distances, 4K makes a noticeable difference on screens 50" and larger. For smaller TVs (under 43") or if you sit far away, 4K may not be dramatically better than 1080p. However, 4K TVs are now standard and similarly priced, so there's little reason not to get one.

Dolby Vision is a premium HDR format that offers better picture quality than standard HDR10. It uses dynamic metadata to optimize every scene. Most streaming services (Netflix, Disney+) support it. While not essential, it's a nice-to-have feature that's included on most mid-range and premium TVs.

TVs are better for everyday use: they're brighter, work in any lighting, and require no setup. Projectors are ideal for dedicated home theaters where you can control lighting and want a truly massive (100"+) image. For most people, a large TV (75-85") offers the best balance of size, quality, and convenience.

Modern TVs typically last 7-10 years with normal use. OLED panels may dim slightly over time (like phone screens), but this takes many thousands of hours. Smart TV software support may end sooner (3-5 years), but you can always add a streaming device. Hardware reliability is generally excellent.

For most people, extended warranties aren't worth it. Modern TVs are reliable, and if they're going to fail, it usually happens within the manufacturer's warranty period. However, for very expensive OLEDs, a warranty may provide peace of mind against burn-in or panel issues.