What Size TV Should I Buy?

Most people who upgrade say they wish they'd gone bigger. With 4K TVs you can sit closer to a large screen without seeing pixels, so the best size usually comes down to your room and your budget.

Size by viewing distance

A common rule of thumb for 4K TVs is a seating distance of roughly 1 to 1.5 times the screen size. Measure from your seat to where the screen will be:

• About 4–5 feet: 43–50 inch.
• About 5–7 feet: 55–65 inch.
• About 7–9 feet: 65–75 inch.
• 9 feet or more: 75 inch and up.

TV sizes are measured diagonally. Check the stand width too, since some TVs have feet at the far edges that need a wide piece of furniture.

Specs that matter when comparing deals

• Resolution: 4K (UHD) is standard at 43 inches and up. 1080p is fine for small bedroom or kitchen TVs.
• Refresh rate: a native 120Hz panel makes sports and games look smoother. "Motion rate" numbers are marketing figures and are often double the real refresh rate.
• HDR and brightness: HDR only looks good on a reasonably bright TV. Budget TVs list HDR support but can't always show much of a difference.
• Panel type: QLED and Mini-LED get brighter; OLED has the best contrast and viewing angles but costs more.
• Gaming: look for HDMI 2.1, 120Hz and VRR if you have a PS5, Xbox Series X or gaming PC.

When TVs are cheapest

TV prices usually drop the most around Black Friday and in the weeks before the Super Bowl, and older models get discounted when new lineups arrive in spring.