Manufacturers have focused their efforts to release models that will keep sports fans happy. When looking for a sports TV, one must look for brightness, uniformity (to avoid screen shade clouding also known as dirty screen effect), fast motion handling and wide viewing angles to accommodate for your friends when watching the Superbowl together.

We've tested 80 TVs and below are our recommendations for the best TVs for sports to buy in 2018. See also our recommendations for the best TVs on the market.

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

1. Best TV for Watching Sports: 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

   8.6

   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
   • 9% 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

   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 TV for sports is the LG B8. The LG B8 (and the equally good but more expensive LG C8) has an excellent picture quality. Its emissive OLED technology allows it to display true blacks that make the image look remarkable when viewed in a dark room. It can also get bright enough for most rooms but not for the brightest ones. It has an almost instantaneous response time and thus there is almost no motion blur when watching a hockey game. It has wide viewing angles so you can invite a group of friends to watch the Stanley Cup finals without worrying who will be sitting on the side. It also performs well in HDR as it has a wide color gamut and can display rich and saturated colors. It has excellent reflections handling so it will not be an issue if your room has a few spotlights. Finally, the good gray uniformity ensures an image, free from dirty screen effect so you can keep your focus on the game.

   Just like all OLEDs, the B8 has the risk of temporary image retention and can develop permanent burn-in if you display static images over prolonged periods of time. However, we don't expect most people to experience that with normal, varied use.

   Overall, the B8 (or the C8) is an excellent choice for all those sports fans out there.

   See our review

2. Brighter LED 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 want a TV for a very bright room and find that the brightness of the LG B8 is not enough, then get the Vizio P Series Quantum. It is currently very difficult to find and it is unknown if/when this will change. You will not get the wide viewing angles or the great upscaling of cable content of the LG. On the upside, the P series Quantum is one of the brightest TVs we have tested so far and has an excellent reflection handling, so you will have no issues placing it in a room full of large windows. It has excellent motion handling and good uniformity so it delivers an impressive performance in sports.

   See our review

3. Best Mid-Range TV for Watching Sports: 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

   8.1

   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
   • 9% 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

   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 expensive, the best TV we’ve tested in the mid-range category is the Sony X900F. You will not get the excellent picture quality of the LG B8 or its perfect blacks, and for those who plan to place it in a wide room, you will lack the good viewing angles the OLEDs have.

   On the upside, the Sony X900F, just like its predecessor the X900E (get that one if you can still find it) is a great TV with an excellent brightness that can be placed in well-lit rooms. It has good gray uniformity and thus it is unlikely that you will notice any dirty screen effect. This TV has a remarkable response time and excellent motion handling, better than more expensive models like the Samsung Q7FN, and you will enjoy every moment of your favorite sport. Finally, since the Sony has a VA panel, you do not have to worry about burn-in.

   Overall, the Sony X900F is a great choice if you are a sports fan and want good quality at a reasonable price.

   See our review

4. Wider Room Alternative: LG SK9500

   

   LG SK9500

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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.

   : IPS

   Resolution : 4k

   Sizes : 65"

   If you often watch sports with a group of friends and you find the Sony X900F does not have the good viewing angles you want, then get the LG SK9500. The LG does not have the Sony’s excellent response time, so you might see a longer blur trail, but on the upside, the SK9500 is a great TV that you can place in a large bright room and enjoy your favorite sport. The picture quality is good, and the motion handling will not let you down.

   See our review

5. Best Budget TV for Watching Sports: LG UK7700

   

   LG UK7700

   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

   7.8

   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
   • 9% 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

   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.

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

   If you think that the Sony X900F is expensive, the best budget sports TV we’ve tested is the LG UK7700. The UK7700 does not have the great picture quality or the excellent motion handling of the Sony X900F.

   The UK7700 is a good TV for mixed usage but also a good choice for sports watching due to its fast response time and good gray uniformity. It has excellent reflection handling so placing it in a room with many lights should not be a problem. Also because of its IPS panel, watching from the side is ok since the viewing angles are better even when compared to more expensive models that have VA panels, like the Samsung Q6FN.

   Overall the UK7700 is a good TV for watching sports and can be placed in a variety of rooms with different lighting conditions.

   See our review

6. Cheaper Alternative: 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're looking for a cheaper alternative than the LG UK7700, then get the TCL 6 Series R617. You will not get the wide viewing angles of the UK7700 and you might spot some dirty screen effect depending on your panel. However, the TCL R617 is a TV with very good picture quality, good reflection, and motion handling, that will keep you happy for almost any usage and certainly for sports.

   See our review

7. Larger Screen Alternative: Vizio E Series 2018

   

   Vizio E Series 2018

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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 : 43" 50" 55" 65" 70" 75"

   If you would like a TV in the budget category that is available in bigger sizes than the LG UK7700, then get the Vizio E Series 2018. You will not get the wide viewing angles or the excellent reflection handling of the UK7700. On the upside, the E Series 2018 is a TV with decent picture quality, low input lag and good motion that will perform well in most usages including sports, and is only found in larger sizes.

   See our review