65" TVs exist in the price/performance sweet spot. It is the size that delivers the maximum impact for your money. With a 65" screen you'll enjoy the extra resolution of 4K, and today's 65" screens almost universally support HDR.

LCD (FALD and edgelit) vs. OLED

OLED


When shopping for an affordable 65" TV, you'll find most of the bargains are LCD TVs, either edgelit or full array local dimming models. However, even OLED prices continue to drop and it is now possible to pick up a 65" OLED for under $2000. That may still be a bit pricey in LCD TV terms, but depending on your application a 65" OLED TV could be seen as a bargain, considering the performance it delivers.

The reason OLED provides such great picture quality is that each pixel is self-emissive, meaning it generates its own light and does not rely on a backlight, unlike LCD TVs. the primary benefits of this approach are high native contrast and wide viewing angles. With OLED TVs, in a darkened room you will experience essentially "perfect" black levels. Meanwhile, there is little loss in image fidelity when you view an OLED TV from an angle. As for weaknesses, OLED has limited brightness as compared to FALD LCD, and even some edgelit models. And, concerns about image retention and burn in continue to linger, even though the risk of experiencing this issue is relatively low for most viewers.

FALD LCD

This panel type has taken the TV world by storm. FALD LCD TVs are what's known as transmissive displays, they rely on a backlight. This TV type achieves its picture by having individual pixels block the backlight, which is essentially the opposite of what emissive TVs do. The advantage is that the backlight can be brighter than what has traditionally been achievable with emissive displays.

FALD stands for full array local dimming, and that means that the backlight array is located behind the screen. There are several benefits to this approach, as opposed to edgelit LCD. For one, FALD allows for zone dimming, which improves overall contrast. Also, FALD allows for a powerful backlight that results in a very bright TV that can overcome ambient light such as a living room with windows during the daytime.

Direct LED with Frame Dimming

A step under full array local dimming, but still better than edgelit. Direct LED places the LED backlight behind the panel, similar to FALD. However, there are no zones, there is simply "global dimming" where the entire image brightness is adjusted based on the scene. This is similar to how projectors utilize an iris to increase dynamic contrast.

Edgelit LCD

When it comes to affordable TVs, edgelit is where it's at if you want the largest screen for the lowest price. However, this approach to illuminating an LCD panel comes with several caveats. Typically, edgelit is not as bright as FALD. And, local dimming is extremely limited with edgelit designs. But in terms of advantages, an edgelit LCD can have a very stylish, thin profile, yet still sport a low MSRP. Edgelit LCD can look good if done well, but as a rule a good FALD LCD TV will outperform edgelit.


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1. TCL 5-Series

Here's a TV that gives you a ton of desirable features—Dolby Vision, FALD backlight, low latency for gaming, Roku TV, QLED—all at a price that until recently only got you entry-level features. But TCL has proven itself a disruptive presence in the TV market, offering features that are cutting edge at prices that make it unnecessary to wait until Black Friday just to buy a TV.

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Gamers will enjoy the Auto Game Mode function plus low latency. Movie lovers will appreciate the dark letterbox bars, vivid color and high contrast of the screen. And people who simply like having a ton of content at their fingertips will love the vast selection available on Roku.

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Highlights
  • The TCL 5-Series supports 4K resolution and HDR including Dolby Vision. For resolution below 4K, the TV employs TCL's upscaling engine
  • This TCL is a FALD-LCD (full array local dimming) design for great picture quality
  • The TV can be voice controlled with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Roku Search
  • Inputs include 4 HDMI, 1 USB, Ethernet
  • Supports ARC and eARC
  • QLED display tech provides vivid color
  • Available in sizes ranging from 50 inches to 75 inches
  • Auto game mode

2. TCL 6-Series

Want more than the TCL 5-Series offers? Look no further than the 6-Series. With this model you get a true high performance display that features a state-of-the-art FALD backlight using mini LED. The result is a TV capable of impressive brightness levels while maintaining high contrast. And thanks to the 120 Hz panel the THX Certified game mode offers gamers groundbreaking performance for a TV.
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When you choose the TCL 6-Series, you are getting a TV that pulls no punches when it comes to performance. It is a thoroughly modern TV that is as comfortable showing sports in a bright living room as it is playing movies at night in a dark room. It even allows you to adjust the HDR picture to match your viewing conditions.

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Highlights
  • The TCL 6-Series is a 4K HDR TV that supports Dolby Vision
  • This TCL is a FALD-LCD (full array local dimming) design with mini-LED, for stunning picture quality
  • The TV works along with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Roku Search
  • 4 HDMI, 1 USB, Ethernet inputs
  • Supports ARC and eARC
  • Variable refresh rate
  • QLED display tech for vivid color
  • Available in sizes ranging from 55 inches to 75 inches


3. LG BX OLED

Okay, so this is where the term "affordable" becomes relative. But, what the LG BX OLED represents is the most affordable of LG's OLED offerings. And here's the thing about OLED, there is much less difference between entry-level and flagship models than what you find with LCD TVs. And what that means for you, is that you get the amazing picture quality provided by OLED emissive pixel technology and to the incredibly notable contrast plus wide viewing angles that it enables.

in addition to the intrinsically high quality that OLED panels deliver, this TV is equipped with the "a7 Gen 3 Processor 4K" that deftly handles tasks such as upscaling, noise reduction and motion processing.
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This TV is absolutely packed with high-end features. In particular, gamers will love the fact that it supports NVIDIA G-Sync as well as AMD FreeSync variable frame rate technologies, providing smooth and low lag gaming to complement the incredible picture quality. This TV runs on LG's proprietary WebOS platform and comes with the gesture operated Magic Remote, for easy navigation.

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Highlights
  • Pixel-level dimming
  • Extremely high native contrast
  • Variable refresh rate
  • The TV technology of choice for movie lovers
  • Wide viewing angles


4. Sony X80J

This 2021 model from Sony is available in sizes ranging from 43 inches up to 75 inches, all offered at competitive prices and packed with advanced TV technology. This 4K TV runs on the Google TV platform and response to voice commands using the Google Assistant. it offers advanced picture processing thanks to the 4K HDR processor X1 chip.

This TV is HDR compatible and supports Dolby Vision. It also supports Dolby Atmos sound. it has Chromecast built-in, and a light sensor that will intelligently adjust picture brightness to match room conditions. The included smart remote has plenty of buttons to access features, but also offers one-button access for video on demand services as well as voice search.

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This is the "direct LED" type TV with frame dimming, which means that the LEDs are located behind the panel, but the dimming is applied universally, as opposed to zones. This makes it a bit less sophisticated in terms of backlight technology.

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5. Vizio M-Series Quantum

The Vizio M-Series Quantum supports supports 4K resolution and Dolby Vision. it leverages quantum dots for a wide color gamut as well as full array local dimming for up to 800 nits of brightness. This lets it deliver a compelling image, whether you're watching SDR or HDR content. 90 zones of local dimming help enhance contrast and keep letterbox bars dark when watching widescreen movies.
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In addition to Dolby Vision, this TV supports HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG varieties of HDR video, which cover all the formats currently available to consumers. Vizio TVs operate on the company's SmartCast platform.

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Highlights
  • Broad support for HDR formats
  • ProGaming Engine
  • Chromecast and Apple AirPlay built-in


6. Hisense H8 Quantum Series

This 2020 model sports a 90-zone FALD array and can reach 700-nit brightness. Rich color and high contrast is assured thanks to HDR compatibility including Dolby Vision support. It has a speedy game mode and a voice remote that controls the Android TV system.

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This TV is available in screen sizes ranging from 50 inches to 75 inches. It sports a modern design with a thin bezel.

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Highlights
  • Voice remote with Google Assistant
  • Dolby Atmos supported
  • Quantum dot color


7. Samsung TU-8000 Series

This edgelit TV from Samsung is a 2020 model that is all about giving you plenty of screen for your TV dollar. It is sold in sizes ranging from 43 inches at 85 inches, with the 85 inch model perhaps being the most interesting since it can be had for under $2000. Meanwhhile, on the other side the size spectrum, the 43 inch model offers a lot of features for TV of that size. whether it's a big screen in the living room, or small one in a bedroom, this Samsung could be the perfect TV for watching sports and playing video games.
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This TV runs on its own Smart TV platform powered by Samsung's Tizen. It has Alexa support built-in, including a voice button on the remote.

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Highlights
  • Voice remote with Alexa support
  • Crystal Display screen with vivid color
  • The remote can detect and control compatible connected devices