Almost every new TV launched comes with basic support of HDR. Unfortunately, basic support simply means that the TV can accept HDR metadata and not necessarily that it will display the HDR content as intended. To reproduce HDR content accurately, TVs must be able to get brighter and display more saturated colors than before (check out our HDR vs SDR article to find out more about the differences with HDR). 

We've tested 77 TVs that can display HDR content, and below are our recommendations for the best HDR TVs you can buy in 2018.

Note: Prices and availability fluctuate a lot at the end of the year and especially after Black Friday.

1. Best 4k HDR TV: LG B8

   

   LG B8

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   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2015
   • 0.9: Winter 2014
   • 0.8: Winter 2013

   See changelog and how ratings work

   9.0

   HDR Movies

   What it is: HDR Movies and TV shows. The TV will be used to watch 4k UHD HDR content, with a wide color gamut and a high peak brightness. Either via UHD Blu-rays or HDR streaming.

   Score components:

   • 22% Contrast
   • 13% Local Dimming
   • 12% 4k Input
   • 11% Black Uniformity
   • 6% HDR Peak Brightness
   • 6% Color Gamut
   • 6% Color Volume
   • 5% Gray Uniformity
   • 4% Stutter
   • 4% 24p Judder
   • 2% HDR ABL
   • 2% Motion Interpolation
   • 2% Pre Calibration
   • 2% Gradient
   • 1% Post Calibration
   • <1% HDR10
   • <1% Dolby Vision

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : OLED
   Sub-Type

   What it is: Type of display technology used by the TV.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different performance and are suited to different uses

   Good value: IPS maintains good color accuracy at an angle, but has a poor contrast ratio from in front. VA has great picture quality in front, but loses saturation at an angle. OLED maintains good color accuracy at an angle without any of the other issues seen with IPS and VA, as they keep good brightness and contrast at an angle.

   : WRGB
   Resolution : 4k
   Sizes : 55" 65"

   The best HDR TV we’ve tested so far is the LG B8. It has an excellent picture quality (it is the same as the more expensive model LG C8) with true blacks due to its emissive OLED technology. When displaying HDR content, the B8 can display rich and saturated colors with highlights that pop due to its wide color gamut and decent brightness. It is also a TV with excellent motion handling and a low input lag that makes it very responsive for most gamers. Just like all OLED TVs, the B8 is also suitable for wide seating arrangements as it has great viewing angles, just as good as the previous model, the LG B7A (if you can still find it, you should get this one).

   However, displaying static images for a prolonged period runs the risk of causing temporary image retention or permanent burn-in, although we don't expect most people to experience this issue.

   Overall, the LG B8 is a great TV that makes HDR movies in a dark room a great experience.

   See our review

2. Larger Alternative: Sony X940E

   

   Sony X940E

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   Amazon.com

   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   What it is: Type of display technology used by the TV.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different performance and are suited to different uses

   Good value: IPS maintains good color accuracy at an angle, but has a poor contrast ratio from in front. VA has great picture quality in front, but loses saturation at an angle. OLED maintains good color accuracy at an angle without any of the other issues seen with IPS and VA, as they keep good brightness and contrast at an angle.

   : VA

   Resolution : 4k

   Sizes : 75"

   If you want a larger TV than the LG B8, get the Sony X940E. It is a large 75" TV that is an excellent choice for watching HDR content in a dark room, and will also perform very well in most other usages. You will not have the perfect blacks of the B8 and the image loses accuracy when you view it from the side. On the upside, the Sony X940E has deep blacks, can get very bright and in HDR, it can display vivid and saturated colors with highlights that pop.

   See our review

3. Cheaper Alternative: Vizio P Series Quantum

   

   Vizio P Series Quantum

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   B&H

   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   What it is: Type of display technology used by the TV.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different performance and are suited to different uses

   Good value: IPS maintains good color accuracy at an angle, but has a poor contrast ratio from in front. VA has great picture quality in front, but loses saturation at an angle. OLED maintains good color accuracy at an angle without any of the other issues seen with IPS and VA, as they keep good brightness and contrast at an angle.

   : VA

   Resolution : 4k

   Sizes : 65"

   If you find the LG B8 expensive and want a cheaper and brighter TV, then get the Vizio P series Quantum. The PQ65-F1 does not have the excellent picture quality of the LG B8 and the image deteriorates when viewed at an angle. On the other hand, the P Series Quantum is among the TVs with the highest levels of brightness we've measured so far and due to its wide color gamut, great local dimming and native contrast ratio, it delivers a remarkable performance in HDR.

   See our review

4. Best Mid-Range 4k HDR TV: Sony X900F

   

   Sony X900F

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   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2015
   • 0.9: Winter 2014
   • 0.8: Winter 2013

   See changelog and how ratings work

   8.4

   HDR Movies

   What it is: HDR Movies and TV shows. The TV will be used to watch 4k UHD HDR content, with a wide color gamut and a high peak brightness. Either via UHD Blu-rays or HDR streaming.

   Score components:

   • 22% Contrast
   • 13% Local Dimming
   • 12% 4k Input
   • 11% Black Uniformity
   • 6% HDR Peak Brightness
   • 6% Color Gamut
   • 6% Color Volume
   • 5% Gray Uniformity
   • 4% Stutter
   • 4% 24p Judder
   • 2% HDR ABL
   • 2% Motion Interpolation
   • 2% Pre Calibration
   • 2% Gradient
   • 1% Post Calibration
   • <1% HDR10
   • <1% Dolby Vision

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : LED
   Sub-Type

   What it is: Type of display technology used by the TV.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different performance and are suited to different uses

   Good value: IPS maintains good color accuracy at an angle, but has a poor contrast ratio from in front. VA has great picture quality in front, but loses saturation at an angle. OLED maintains good color accuracy at an angle without any of the other issues seen with IPS and VA, as they keep good brightness and contrast at an angle.

   : VA
   Resolution : 4k
   Sizes : 49" 55" 65" 75" 85"

   If you find the LG B8 too expensive, the best 4k HDR TV we’ve tested in the mid-range category is the Sony X900F. It has a VA panel and lacks the wide viewing angles of the LG B8, and although blacks are deep, they are not perfect like on the LG. 

   On the upside, the Sony X900F has an impressive picture quality. It has a high contrast ratio and full array local dimming support that produce deep blacks that look great in a dark room. It has a wide color gamut and excellent brightness levels that can produce bright colors and vivid highlights in HDR. It has a remarkable motion handling with a fast response time that leaves only a small blur trail in fast-moving content. Finally, it has a low input lag that will satisfy most gamers.

   Overall, the X900F is a great HDR TV in this price range. 

   See our review

5. Cheaper Alternative: Vizio P Series 2018

   

   Vizio P Series 2018

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   Amazon.com

   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   What it is: Type of display technology used by the TV.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different performance and are suited to different uses

   Good value: IPS maintains good color accuracy at an angle, but has a poor contrast ratio from in front. VA has great picture quality in front, but loses saturation at an angle. OLED maintains good color accuracy at an angle without any of the other issues seen with IPS and VA, as they keep good brightness and contrast at an angle.

   : VA

   Resolution : 4k

   Sizes : 55" 65" 75"

   If you want to spend less than the cost of the Sony X900F, get the Vizio P Series 2018. It does not get as bright as the Sony and does not have the great uniformity of the X900F. On the upside, it has a very good picture quality, deep blacks due to effective local dimming, wide color gamut and when displaying HDR content, colors are rich and highlights pop. 

   See our review

6. Best Budget 4k HDR TV: TCL R617

   

   TCL R617

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

   Test Benches:

   • 1.2: Winter 2018
   • 1.1: Summer 2017
   • 1.0: Winter 2015
   • 0.9: Winter 2014
   • 0.8: Winter 2013

   See changelog and how ratings work

   8.1

   HDR Movies

   What it is: HDR Movies and TV shows. The TV will be used to watch 4k UHD HDR content, with a wide color gamut and a high peak brightness. Either via UHD Blu-rays or HDR streaming.

   Score components:

   • 22% Contrast
   • 13% Local Dimming
   • 12% 4k Input
   • 11% Black Uniformity
   • 6% HDR Peak Brightness
   • 6% Color Gamut
   • 6% Color Volume
   • 5% Gray Uniformity
   • 4% Stutter
   • 4% 24p Judder
   • 2% HDR ABL
   • 2% Motion Interpolation
   • 2% Pre Calibration
   • 2% Gradient
   • 1% Post Calibration
   • <1% HDR10
   • <1% Dolby Vision

   Score distribution:

   See our best recommendations
   Type : LED
   Sub-Type

   What it is: Type of display technology used by the TV.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different performance and are suited to different uses

   Good value: IPS maintains good color accuracy at an angle, but has a poor contrast ratio from in front. VA has great picture quality in front, but loses saturation at an angle. OLED maintains good color accuracy at an angle without any of the other issues seen with IPS and VA, as they keep good brightness and contrast at an angle.

   : VA
   Resolution : 4k
   Sizes : 55" 65"

   If you find the Sony X900F too expensive, the best budget HDR TV we've tested is the TCL 6 Series 2018 R617. You will not get the perfect blacks or the wide viewing angles of the OLEDs.

   On the other hand, the TCL R617 is a very good TV for almost every usage. It has a good picture quality and an effective local dimming that helps display deep blacks that look great in dark rooms. The TV has a wide color gamut and can get brighter than more expensive models like the LG B7A, and this is great for HDR watching as colors are rich and highlights pop. It also has a low input lag that will please gamers and very good motion handling to please sports fans.

   Overall, the TCL R617 is a very good TV that will please most of those who wish to use it for watching HDR content.  

   See our review

7. Cheaper Alternative: TCL S517

   

   TCL S517

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   What it is: Type of display technology used by the TV.

   When it matters: Different technologies have different performance and are suited to different uses

   Good value: IPS maintains good color accuracy at an angle, but has a poor contrast ratio from in front. VA has great picture quality in front, but loses saturation at an angle. OLED maintains good color accuracy at an angle without any of the other issues seen with IPS and VA, as they keep good brightness and contrast at an angle.

   : VA

   Resolution : 4k

   Sizes : 43" 49" 55" 65"

   If the TCL R617 is still above your budget and you want a TV that will do well in HDR, then get the TCL 5 Series 2018 S517. You will not have features like local dimming and the motion handling is not as good as the R617. On the upside, the TCL S517 supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision. It has a high native contrast ratio and a wide color gamut and can produce great vivid colors, but the highlights are not as bright. Finally, it has a very low input lag that will please gamers. 

   See our review