The 4 Best 4k TVs under $1,500 - Spring 2018
Reviews

The $1500 price range is one of the more volatile sections of the TV market as the selection of TVs available around that price change quite drastically depending on the period of the year. This early in the year though, TVs launched in 2017 are at or close to their lowest price since launch, giving you a lot for your money. Quite a few new models were announced in January at CES, but those TVs are still 6 months or longer away from being reasonably priced.

We've tested 17 TVs that are currently available under $1500 and below are the best ones to buy in the spring of 2018.

Best TV under $1,500: Sony XBR65X900E

Sony XBR65X900E

SEE PRICE

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

Mixed Usage

✕

What it is General purpose. The TV will be used for a variety of content and usages. Movies at night, TV shows during the day, video games from time to time, etc.

Score components:

• 22% TV Shows
• 22% Sports
• 16% Movies
• 16% Video Games
• 10% HDR Gaming
• 9% HDR Movies
• 6% PC Monitor

See our best recommendations

8.3

Movies

✕

What it is Movies in the dark. The TV will be used for watching movies in a controlled environment, directly in front, in a home theater way. Mostly only high quality content, like Blu-rays, UHD Blu-rays, streaming and a little bit of HDR.

Score components:

• 20% Contrast
• 17% Local Dimming
• 12% 1080p Input
• 10% Black Uniformity
• 8% Gray Uniformity
• 8% 4k Input
• 6% 24p Judder
• 5% Motion Interpolation
• 5% Stutter
• 3% SDR ABL
• 3% Pre Calibration
• 2% Post Calibration
• 2% 480p Input

See our best recommendations

8.2

TV Shows

✕

What it is TV Shows in a bright living room. The TV will be used in to watch TV shows, in a bright room during the day, from multiple viewing positions at different angles. The content watched has an average quality: cable, streaming, SD channels, etc.

Score components:

• 29% Reflections
• 16% SDR Peak Brightness
• 11% Viewing Angle
• 9% 1080p Input
• 7% 720p Input
• 5% Gray Uniformity
• 5% 4k Input
• 5% Sound Quality
• 5% Smart Features
• 3% Motion Interpolation
• 2% Permanent Burn-In Risk
• 2% Pre Calibration
• 2% Temporary Image Retention
• 1% Post Calibration

See our best recommendations

8.0

Sports

✕

What it is Sports in a living room. The TV will be used to watch sports during the day, like football or hockey. Usually watched with a group, so from multiple viewing position.

Score components:

• 25% Reflections
• 20% Response Time
• 14% SDR Peak Brightness
• 11% Viewing Angle
• 10% Gray Uniformity
• 8% 720p Input
• 5% Sound Quality
• 4% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
• 2% Permanent Burn-In Risk
• 1% Flicker-Free
• 1% Temporary Image Retention

See our best recommendations

8.3

Video Games

✕

What it is Video games. The TV will be used to play video games, directly in front, in a controlled light environment. Usually fast games, like online FPS, where motion blur and input lag is important.

Score components:

• 33% Input Lag
• 22% Response Time
• 6% 1080p Input
• 6% 4k Input
• 4% Contrast
• 4% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
• 3% Reflections
• 3% Gray Uniformity
• 3% Sound Quality
• 3% Local Dimming
• 2% Black Uniformity
• 2% SDR Peak Brightness
• 1% Flicker-Free
• 1% Permanent Burn-In Risk
• 1% Pre Calibration
• 1% Stutter
• 1% Variable Refresh Rate
• 1% 4k @ 60Hz
• 1% Temporary Image Retention
• 1% Post Calibration
• 1% 1440p @ 60Hz

See our best recommendations

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

8.1

HDR Gaming

✕

What it is HDR Gaming. The TV will be used to play HDR video games using consoles that support it or on current generation gaming PCs. Xbox One S, PS4 Pro, GTX 10 series and AMD RX series graphics cards.

Score components:

• 25% 4k @ 60Hz + HDR
• 15% Response Time
• 8% Contrast
• 7% Color Gamut
• 7% Color Volume
• 5% Local Dimming
• 4% 1080p Input
• 4% 4k Input
• 4% Black Uniformity
• 3% HDR ABL
• 3% HDR Peak Brightness
• 3% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
• 2% Gray Uniformity
• 2% Gradient
• 2% Reflections
• 1% Variable Refresh Rate
• 1% HDR10
• 1% Dolby Vision
• 1% Sound Quality
• 1% Permanent Burn-In Risk
• 1% Flicker-Free
• 1% Pre Calibration
• 1% Temporary Image Retention
• 1% Post Calibration

See our best recommendations

8.2

PC Monitor

✕

What it is PC Monitor. The TV will be used as a PC monitor, from 2-3 feet away, either for productivity purposes or gaming. Sharp text is important, as well as a high resolution.

Score components:

• 28% Inputs
• 14% Viewing Angle
• 13% Response Time
• 8% Permanent Burn-In Risk
• 6% Reflections
• 5% Temporary Image Retention
• 4% 4k Input
• 3% SDR Peak Brightness
• 3% 1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
• 3% 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
• 2% Contrast
• 2% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
• 2% Curved
• 2% Gray Uniformity
• 2% 1080p Input
• 1% Local Dimming
• 1% Black Uniformity
• 1% Flicker-Free
• 1% Pre Calibration
• 0% Post Calibration

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 TV available under $1500 for most people is the Sony XBR65X900E. It offers great performance with a few more advanced features typically found on more expensive models.

It has great picture quality, with an excellent native contrast ratio and decent local dimming feature, and it is well suited for dark and bright room viewing. It also has an excellent response time, is nearly flicker-free and has an optional black frame insertion feature, great for watching fast-paced action movies or sports. It has a great selection of native apps and has the same powerful Android TV interface found on high-end Sony TVs but it has a limited viewing angle so it isn't as versatile as some OLED TVs.

See our review

Brighter HDR Alternative: Sony XBR55X930E

Sony XBR55X930E

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

If you plan on watching a lot of TV in a brightly lit room, or want the best possible HDR experience, the Sony XBR55X930E is an extremely bright alternative. At these prices, you will only be able to get the 55" model, but it offers slightly better picture quality than the Sony X900E and it is one of the brightest TVs we have ever reviewed. It has similar low input lag and motion handling and has the same great smart features found on the X900E.

See our review

Best Value for Size under $1,500: Sony KD70X690E

Sony KD70X690E

SEE PRICE

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

7.4

Mixed Usage

✕

What it is General purpose. The TV will be used for a variety of content and usages. Movies at night, TV shows during the day, video games from time to time, etc.

Score components:

• 22% TV Shows
• 22% Sports
• 16% Movies
• 16% Video Games
• 10% HDR Gaming
• 9% HDR Movies
• 6% PC Monitor

See our best recommendations

6.9

Movies

✕

What it is Movies in the dark. The TV will be used for watching movies in a controlled environment, directly in front, in a home theater way. Mostly only high quality content, like Blu-rays, UHD Blu-rays, streaming and a little bit of HDR.

Score components:

• 20% Contrast
• 17% Local Dimming
• 12% 1080p Input
• 10% Black Uniformity
• 8% Gray Uniformity
• 8% 4k Input
• 6% 24p Judder
• 5% Motion Interpolation
• 5% Stutter
• 3% SDR ABL
• 3% Pre Calibration
• 2% Post Calibration
• 2% 480p Input

See our best recommendations

7.3

TV Shows

✕

What it is TV Shows in a bright living room. The TV will be used in to watch TV shows, in a bright room during the day, from multiple viewing positions at different angles. The content watched has an average quality: cable, streaming, SD channels, etc.

Score components:

• 29% Reflections
• 16% SDR Peak Brightness
• 11% Viewing Angle
• 9% 1080p Input
• 7% 720p Input
• 5% Gray Uniformity
• 5% 4k Input
• 5% Sound Quality
• 5% Smart Features
• 3% Motion Interpolation
• 2% Permanent Burn-In Risk
• 2% Pre Calibration
• 2% Temporary Image Retention
• 1% Post Calibration

See our best recommendations

7.3

Sports

✕

What it is Sports in a living room. The TV will be used to watch sports during the day, like football or hockey. Usually watched with a group, so from multiple viewing position.

Score components:

• 25% Reflections
• 20% Response Time
• 14% SDR Peak Brightness
• 11% Viewing Angle
• 10% Gray Uniformity
• 8% 720p Input
• 5% Sound Quality
• 4% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
• 2% Permanent Burn-In Risk
• 1% Flicker-Free
• 1% Temporary Image Retention

See our best recommendations

8.4

Video Games

✕

What it is Video games. The TV will be used to play video games, directly in front, in a controlled light environment. Usually fast games, like online FPS, where motion blur and input lag is important.

Score components:

• 33% Input Lag
• 22% Response Time
• 6% 1080p Input
• 6% 4k Input
• 4% Contrast
• 4% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
• 3% Reflections
• 3% Gray Uniformity
• 3% Sound Quality
• 3% Local Dimming
• 2% Black Uniformity
• 2% SDR Peak Brightness
• 1% Flicker-Free
• 1% Permanent Burn-In Risk
• 1% Pre Calibration
• 1% Stutter
• 1% Variable Refresh Rate
• 1% 4k @ 60Hz
• 1% Temporary Image Retention
• 1% Post Calibration
• 1% 1440p @ 60Hz

See our best recommendations

6.8

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

7.7

HDR Gaming

✕

What it is HDR Gaming. The TV will be used to play HDR video games using consoles that support it or on current generation gaming PCs. Xbox One S, PS4 Pro, GTX 10 series and AMD RX series graphics cards.

Score components:

• 25% 4k @ 60Hz + HDR
• 15% Response Time
• 8% Contrast
• 7% Color Gamut
• 7% Color Volume
• 5% Local Dimming
• 4% 1080p Input
• 4% 4k Input
• 4% Black Uniformity
• 3% HDR ABL
• 3% HDR Peak Brightness
• 3% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
• 2% Gray Uniformity
• 2% Gradient
• 2% Reflections
• 1% Variable Refresh Rate
• 1% HDR10
• 1% Dolby Vision
• 1% Sound Quality
• 1% Permanent Burn-In Risk
• 1% Flicker-Free
• 1% Pre Calibration
• 1% Temporary Image Retention
• 1% Post Calibration

See our best recommendations

8.0

PC Monitor

✕

What it is PC Monitor. The TV will be used as a PC monitor, from 2-3 feet away, either for productivity purposes or gaming. Sharp text is important, as well as a high resolution.

Score components:

• 28% Inputs
• 14% Viewing Angle
• 13% Response Time
• 8% Permanent Burn-In Risk
• 6% Reflections
• 5% Temporary Image Retention
• 4% 4k Input
• 3% SDR Peak Brightness
• 3% 1080p @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
• 3% 4k @ 60Hz @ 4:4:4
• 2% Contrast
• 2% Black Frame Insertion (BFI)
• 2% Curved
• 2% Gray Uniformity
• 2% 1080p Input
• 1% Local Dimming
• 1% Black Uniformity
• 1% Flicker-Free
• 1% Pre Calibration
• 0% Post Calibration

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

If you want to get the largest TV possible while staying under $1500, the Sony KD70X690E offers decent performance for the price.

It isn't as bright as the Sony X900E and has a worse viewing angle so it is better suited for a dim room with less natural light. It has similar motion handling and excellent low input lag, making it a great choice for gamers. While it has good picture quality, the X690E lacks some of the more advanced features found on the X900E or X930E. It runs a Sony custom smart interface, and the app selection is limited.

See our review

Larger Alternative: Vizio E75-E3

Vizio E75-E3

SEE PRICE

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

If you're looking for a larger alternative, the Vizio E75-E3 4k LED TV is a good choice. This TV focuses on the basics to keep the price low. It lacks a few of the HDR-focused features like wide color gamuts and high brightness, but its picture quality in SDR is still quite good.

See our review

Notable Mentions

• Vizio P65-E1. Good 65 inch TV with great picture quality, but the more versatile Sony X900E is likely to please more people. See our review
• LG 55SJ8500. Decent 4k TV for its picture quality at an angle, but poor blacks in a dark room and bad value for money. See our review
• Samsung UN55MU8000. Better than average 4k TV but no real advantage over the similarly priced Sony X900E. See our review
• LG 55UJ7700. Decent LED TV with a wide viewing angle, but the Vizio E offers better picture quality and a larger size. See our review

• All Reviews

  Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best TVs under $1,500 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 TVs that are less than $1,500. 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.