The 7 Best 4k HDR TVs - Summer 2019
Reviews

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 over 100 TVs that can display HDR content, and below are our recommendations for the best HDR TVs you can buy in 2019.

1. Best 4k HDR TV: LG B8 OLED

   

   LG B8 OLED

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.3

   9.0

   HDR Movies
   Type : OLED

   Sub-Type

   : WRGB

   Resolution : 4k

   Sizes : 55" 65"

   The LG B8 is the best 4k TV for watching HDR content like movies or games. This TV has an OLED panel, which delivers an outstanding dark-room viewing experience as it can turn individual pixels off, resulting in perfect inky blacks. It also delivers an outstanding color gamut and great wide viewing angles.

   Unfortunately, like all OLED TVs, some people might experience temporary image retention or even permanent burn-in. With varied usage, though, we don't expect this to be an issue for most people. The brightness also tends to vary significantly with different content, and large, bright scenes aren't very bright, so this TV isn't the best choice for a bright image with specular highlights that pop.

   Overall, this is an outstanding TV for HDR content. There are other, newer OLED TVs available, including the LG C9 and Sony A9G. They all deliver very similar picture quality, but their features vary a bit between models.

   See our review

2. LED Alternative: Samsung Q9FN/Q9/Q9F QLED 2018

   

   Samsung Q9FN/Q9/Q9F QLED 2018

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   : VA

   Resolution : 4k

   Sizes : 65" 75"

   If the shortfalls of OLED technology concern you, the Samsung Q9FN/Q9/Q9F QLED 2018 is the best LED alternative. This TV has outstanding contrast, and it can get extremely bright with HDR content, so specular highlights look closer to what the content creator intended. This TV doesn't look quite as good as the LG B8 OLED in a dark room, but there shouldn't be any issues for most people. Unfortunately, the image on this TV degrades when viewed at an angle, but on the other hand, burn-in and temporary image retention aren't an issue.

   See our review

3. Cheaper Alternative: Vizio P Series Quantum 2018

   

   Vizio P Series Quantum 2018

   SEE PRICE

   B&H

   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   : 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 2018. This TV doesn't have the excellent picture quality of the LG, and the image deteriorates when viewed at an angle. It's also hard to find in stock. On the other hand, it's 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 4k HDR TV For Color Accuracy: Sony X900F

   

   Sony X900F

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.3

   8.4

   HDR Movies
   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   : VA

   Resolution : 4k

   Sizes : 49" 55" 65" 75" 85"

   If you want the most accurate display out of the box, check out the Sony X900F. This TV has outstanding accuracy with only a few setting changes, so you don't have to worry about having your display professionally calibrated for an accurate image. This TV delivers great picture quality with deep, uniform blacks, and it has excellent peak brightness, although it isn't quite as bright in HDR as the Vizio P Series Quantum 2018 or the Samsung Q9FN.

   This TV supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision from most connected devices. Due to the way Sony added Dolby Vision, though, some devices might not work properly, or might not even support Dolby Vision when connected to the TV.

   Unfortunately, the picture quality of this TV degrades when viewed at an angle, so it isn't as well-suited if you have a lot of side seating. Overall, though, this is a great TV for almost any use, and it should please most people.

   See our review

5. Cheaper Alternative: Vizio P Series 2018

   

   Vizio P Series 2018

   SEE PRICE

   B&H

   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   : VA

   Resolution : 4k

   Sizes : 55" 65" 75"

   If you still find the Sony X900F expensive but don't want to compromise much in performance, then get the Vizio P Series 2018. It can't reach the brightness levels of the Sony, and its reflection handling isn't as good. Nonetheless, it's a great TV for watching HDR. It can display deep blacks in a dark room, has a wide color gamut, and has good brightness that delivers vibrant HDR content with rich colors and bright highlights.

   See our review

6. Best Budget 4k HDR TV: TCL 6 Series/R617 2018

   

   TCL 6 Series/R617 2018

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.3

   8.1

   HDR Movies
   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   : VA

   Resolution : 4k

   Sizes : 55" 65" 75"

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

   On the other hand, this is a very good TV for almost every use. It has a good picture quality and 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; 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, this is a very good TV that will make those who wish to use it for watching HDR content happy.

   See our review

7. Cheaper Alternative: TCL 5 Series/S517 2018

   

   TCL 5 Series/S517 2018

   SEE PRICE

   B&H

   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   : 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/S517 2018. You won't have features like local dimming, and motion handling isn't as good as the R617. On the upside, this TV supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision. It has a high native contrast ratio, 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