The 6 Best 4k HDR TVs - Spring 2018
Reviews

HDR, much like 4k, is nowadays a commodity. Just about every TV recently launched comes with basic support of it, as it is quite simple for manufacturers to implement its essentials. Unfortunately, basic support does not mean the TV will provide a satisfactory HDR experience. To accurately reproduce HDR content, TVs have to 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 49 TVs and below are our recommendations for the best HDR TVs to buy in the spring of 2018.

Best HDR TV: LG B7A

LG B7A

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Amazon.com

Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

✕

Test Benches: test

• 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

9.1

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
• 14% 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
• 3% HDR ABL
• 2% Motion Interpolation
• 2% Pre Calibration
• 2% Gradient
• 1% Post Calibration
• 1% HDR10
• 1% Dolby Vision

See our best recommendations

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

The best TV for HDR viewing currently on the market is the LG B7A. It can display true blacks as well as a wide color gamut, helping it to produce an exceptional picture quality.

HDR is typically dimmer than SDR content, so it is even more important for the TV to be bright in order to display details properly. The B7A, while not the brightest TV we have tested, is bright enough to fully enjoy HDR content. While LCD TVs like the Samsung Q9FN display colors with a higher level of saturation, LCD TVs still can't compete with the infinite blacks and perfect local dimming of an OLED TV.

While any of the OLED TVs would be great for HDR movies or gaming, the LG B7A currently offers the best value on the market. Depending on availability and local deals, the C7 might be cheaper, in which case it is a better buy.

See our review

Larger Alternative: Sony X940E

Sony X940E

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Amazon.com

Type : LED

Sub-Type

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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're looking for something available in sizes not typically available with OLEDs, the Sony X940E is an excellent larger alternative. It is one of the brightest TVs we have ever reviewed, and has excellent dark room performance, although it does have a limited viewing angle. While there are OLED TVs available in large sizes like the Sony A1E or the LG C8, they are prohibitively expensive.

See our review

Best Mid-Range HDR TV: Sony X900E

Sony X900E

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Amazon.com

Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

✕

Test Benches: test

• 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

8.2

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
• 14% 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
• 3% HDR ABL
• 2% Motion Interpolation
• 2% Pre Calibration
• 2% Gradient
• 1% Post Calibration
• 1% HDR10
• 1% Dolby Vision

See our best recommendations

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

The best mid-range HDR TV is the Sony X900E 4k Android TV. It is a versatile 4k TV with great HDR capabilities, unmatched by more expensive models like the Samsung MU9000 or the NU8000.

It doesn't have the infinite contrast of the OLED panels or the excellent viewing angles, but for most rooms, the X900E offers great picture quality at an affordable price. Local dimming is essential for good HDR viewing, and while not as advanced as some other LED TVs, the X900E is able to effectively dim areas to help small bright highlights stand out. The X900E is available in a variety of sizes, and the 75" is a great alternative to the X940E.

See our review

Dark Room Alternative: Vizio P Series 2017

Vizio P Series 2017

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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 (except 55")

Resolution : 4k

Sizes : 55" 65" 75"

For viewing in a very dark room, the Vizio P Series 2017 is a better choice than the Sony X900E. The Vizio has better black uniformity and more advanced local dimming, great for watching in a pitch-black room. They are also similarly priced, although the Vizio can be found even cheaper on sale. 

See our review

Best Budget HDR TV: Vizio M Series 2017

Vizio M Series 2017

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B&H

Usage Ratings - Version 1.2

✕

Test Benches: test

• 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

7.8

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
• 14% 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
• 3% HDR ABL
• 2% Motion Interpolation
• 2% Pre Calibration
• 2% Gradient
• 1% Post Calibration
• 1% HDR10
• 1% Dolby Vision

See our best recommendations

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

The best budget HDR TV is the Vizio M Series 2017 4k SmartCast TV. It has similar picture quality to the 2017 Vizio P-Series but lacks some of the more advanced options.

It is nearly as bright as the P-Series and has a similar contrast ratio, but dark scene performance isn't as good as the local dimming feature is not as efficient. It is able to effectively dim zones, but it darkens moving highlights too much, so it is not as good for fast-paced movies with HDR. It does not have any motion interpolation options.

See our review

Alternative for Gaming: TCL R617

TCL R617

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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"

If you are looking for a budget HDR-capable TV for gaming, get the TCL R617. The 2018 model has been upgraded from the P607 with better motion handling and much better brightness, especially in HDR. The color gamut isn't as wide as more expensive models, but it should still please most people. The excellent low input lag and great motion handling make it a great choice for gamers, but there are some issues with gray uniformity depending on your specific panel.

See our review

Notable Mentions

• Sony X930E. Excellent LED TV for HDR, but the OLED LG B7 isn't much more. See our review
• Sony Z9D. One of the best HDR TVs available, but tough to justify the price over the X940E. See our review
• Sony A1E. Exceptional HDR TV, but the LG C7 offers the same HDR performance for cheaper. See our review
• Samsung Q9FN. Excellent HDR performance, but the X940E and LG B7 are even better for less money. See our review
• Samsung Q7F. The Q7F performs very well with HDR movies, but the similarly priced Sony X930E offers better value. See our review
• LG SJ8500. Good HDR TV, but unless you need a wide viewing angle, the Sony X900E is better. See our review
• Samsung MU6300. Decent entry level 4k TV, but the cheaper TCL P607 offers much better HDR capability. See our review
• Samsung MU9000. Good HDR TV with great handling of reflections, but budget models offer much better value for money. See our review
• LG C7. Great OLED TV, but almost identical to the similarly priced B7. See our review

All Reviews

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best HDR TVs to buy for most people. We factor in the price (a cheaper TV wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors and availability (no TVs that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our reviews of 4k TVs that support HDR. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no TV is perfect, most TVs are great enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.