TVs by panel type
- OLED: each pixel lights itself and can turn off completely, so black is truly black and the picture holds up from the side. In QD-OLED sets, a layer of quantum dots lifts colour brightness further.
- Mini LED: an LCD lit by thousands of tiny LEDs grouped into zones that dim independently. It goes extremely bright and keeps blacks impressively deep for LCD technology. Look out for Samsung's Neo QLED and TCL's QD-Mini LED, which are both this type.
- RGB LED: the latest backlight, using red, green and blue LEDs instead of white for brighter, richer colour. You'll see it called RGB LED, RGB Mini LED or Micro RGB.
- QLED: LED backlighting plus quantum dots, giving punchier colour than a basic set. Hisense's name for it is Hi-QLED.
- LED: the most straightforward LCD TVs, labelled UHD, Crystal UHD or NANO. Good value in every size.
- Art and lifestyle TVs: designs such as Hisense Canvas and Samsung The Frame look like framed art or furniture when they're off.
Which panel suits you?
| Panel | Suits | Worth checking |
| OLED | Films and gaming in a room you can darken. | Brightness for a very sunny room, and not leaving a still image up for hours. |
| Mini LED | Bright lounges, sport and HDR. | How many dimming zones it has, and viewing angles if seats are spread out. |
| RGB LED | The most vivid, saturated colour. | Mostly found on bigger screens at the top of a range. |
| QLED | Colourful 4K at a mid-range price. | Contrast in a dark room won't match Mini LED or OLED. |
| LED | Kitchens, bedrooms and tighter budgets. | Resolution, as the smallest screens are often below 4K. |
| Art TV | Rooms where the TV should blend in. | Whether a wall mount or stand is supplied, and how the art mode works. |
Making the choice
Screen size
Measure from your seat to the wall or unit. Two-thirds of that figure gives a comfortable 4K screen diagonal, which works out at about 55 inches for 2 metres, 65 for 2.5 metres and 75 or more for 3 metres. Check the unit or wall is wide enough too.
Resolution
From 43 inches up, 4K is standard and gets the best from streaming services and UHD discs. Lower resolutions are fine on a small screen you sit close to. A handful of top models are 8K, which mainly pays off on very big screens.
HDR and brightness
HDR brings brighter highlights and more shadow detail. Broadcasters use HLG; HDR10 is the baseline; and plenty of streamed films come in Dolby Vision or HDR10+. Sets differ in which of these they support, so compare the product page with the services you use. In a sunny room, a brighter TV shows HDR off better.
Gaming
Gamers with a recent console or PC should want HDMI 2.1 sockets offering 4K at 120Hz or more, VRR for smooth motion and ALLM, which switches on game mode for you. If you own two consoles, check how many sockets carry these features.
Smart platform
Sony and TCL sets generally run Google TV; Samsung uses Tizen, LG webOS and Hisense VIDAA. Whichever you get, the big streaming apps are there. Many sets also bring UK channels and catch-up through Freely or Freeview Play, and most offer voice control through the remote.
Sound
Thin screens have little space for speakers, so a soundbar is the easy upgrade. For more, see home cinema.
Before you order
- Check the stand. Some TVs have feet near each end and need a unit nearly as wide as the screen; others use a central stand.
- Measure the route in. A large set arrives in a long, heavy box. Make sure it'll pass through doorways, up the stairs or into the lift, and have a second person on hand to unpack it.
- Wall mounting. Check the VESA size and weight, make sure the wall can take it, and run the cables first. Brackets are in TV accessories.
- Signal. Broadcast channels come from an aerial, or over broadband with Freely, and 4K streaming needs a steady connection.
The brands we sell
Our TVs come from TCL, Samsung, Metz, Sony and Sharp. Compare them with the brand filter beside the products and use the price filter to set a budget.
Buying a TV from KDH Electrical
Every TV is backed by the manufacturer's UK guarantee. Delivery is free when your order exceeds £600, and usually takes 3–7 working days.
Lower price at another UK retailer? Our price match is worth asking about. Call 01622 541312 for help choosing, or phone before visiting our showroom in Rochester to check which TVs are on display.
TVs: your questions answered
What size TV is right for my room?
Work out how far you sit from the screen and take two-thirds of it as the diagonal for a 4K set. That's around 55 inches at 2 metres, 65 at 2.5 metres and 75 at 3 metres.
OLED or QLED: what's the difference?
In an OLED, every pixel glows by itself and can go fully dark. A QLED uses an LED backlight with quantum dots to boost colour. In a dim room OLED's contrast is better; in a bright one, QLED and Mini LED have more punch.
What is Mini LED?
LCD technology with a backlight of thousands of very small LEDs, split into independently dimming zones. It's very bright with deeper blacks than standard LED, so it suits bright rooms.
Should I worry about OLED burn-in?
Not with everyday viewing. Current OLEDs move and refresh the picture to look after the panel. Simply don't leave something static, like a paused game, on screen for hours on end.
Which TVs are best for gaming?
Look for HDMI 2.1 with 4K at 120Hz or more, plus VRR and ALLM. OLED and Mini LED sets usually have the quickest response and the best HDR.
Is 4K worth it?
From 43 inches up, yes; it's the norm, and streaming and UHD discs are made for it. Below that, many kitchen and bedroom TVs are HD or Full HD, which is plenty sharp on a small screen.
Can a smart TV get Freeview?
Yes. Connect an aerial and the built-in tuner picks up live channels, while Freely or Freeview Play on many models adds catch-up. Portable and art screens can differ, so check the product page.
Do I need a TV licence?
In the UK, yes, if you watch or record programmes as they air on any channel, or use BBC iPlayer.