The 7 Best 4k TVs For Watching Sports - Summer 2019
Reviews

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 Super Bowl together.

We've tested 80 TVs and below are our recommendations for the best TVs for sports to buy in 2019.

Note: Since new TVs tend to launch at very high prices, it's unlikely that these newer models will become reasonable choices until the latter half of the year. Because of this, some of the 2018 models remain as picks in our recommendations.

1. Best TV For Watching Sports: LG B8 OLED

   

   LG B8 OLED

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   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.3

   Test Benches:

   • 1.3: Spring 2019
   • 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

   8.7

   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 watching sports is the LG B8. This OLED TV has outstanding wide viewing angles, great for sharing the big game with a bunch of friends. It also has a nearly instantaneous response time, so there is no distracting blur-trail behind the players as they move, and it has very good uniformity, with very little dirty screen effect.

   Unfortunately, this TV can't get extremely bright, so if you have a lot of windows, it might not be ideal for watching a game in the afternoon. As an OLED TV, there is also the risk of experiencing permanent burn-in or temporary image retention, but we don't expect this to be an issue for most people.

   Overall, this is an outstanding TV that should please most sports viewers. If you're looking for a different design or better speakers, the LG C8 or LG E8 are equally good choices.

   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 the possibility of burn-in with the LG B8 concerns you, or you have a bright room, the Vizio P Series Quantum is the best, brightest LED alternative. This TV can get extremely bright and has outstanding reflection handling, so you should have no issues, even if your living room is surrounded by windows. Like the LG, this TV has an outstanding response time, with very little blur trail and good gray uniformity.

   Unfortunately, unlike the LG, this TV doesn't have good viewing angles, so it isn't as well-suited for watching the big game with a large group of friends, as people sitting off-angle will see a worse image. Overall, though, this is an excellent TV for watching 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 1.3

   Test Benches:

   • 1.3: Spring 2019
   • 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 want something less expensive than the LG B8, then get the Sony X900F, the best TV we’ve tested in the mid-range category. This TV can't deliver the perfect blacks the LG can, and the image loses accuracy when viewed from the side. 

   On the upside, this is a VA panel TV and thus does not have the risk of burn-in. It has a great picture quality and can deliver deep blacks in a dark room thanks to the high native contrast ratio and the local dimming support. It can get very bright and is suitable for any well-lit room. The gray uniformity is good, and you can hardly notice any dirty screen effect, which is great for sports. The response time is remarkably fast and displays crisp motion, so you will enjoy every moment of your favorite sport.

   Overall, if you want a great mid-range TV to watch your favorite sports, the Sony X900F is a great choice.

   See our review

4. Wider Room Alternative: LG SK9000

   

   LG SK9000

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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.

   : IPS

   Resolution : 4k

   Sizes : 55" 65"

   If you enjoy watching sports with a group of friends and find that the Sony X900F doesn't have great viewing angles, then get the LG SK9000. This TV does not have the excellent response time found on the Sony, and fast-moving content will have a longer blur trail. On the upside, this TV is a great choice for a large bright room, as the image remains accurate when viewed at an angle. This means you can enjoy your favorite sport with a group of friends without worrying about who will sit on the side. 

   See our review

5. Best Budget TV For Watching Sports: LG UK7700

   

   LG UK7700

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   B&H
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.3

   Test Benches:

   • 1.3: Spring 2019
   • 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. This TV does not have the great picture quality or the excellent motion handling of the Sony.

   This 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 okay since the viewing angles are better even when compared to more expensive models with VA panels, like the Samsung Q6FN.

   Overall, this 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 6 Series/R617 2018

   

   TCL 6 Series/R617 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'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 LG, and you might spot some dirty screen effect, depending on your panel. However, the TCL is a TV with very good picture quality, as well as good reflection and motion handling. It'll make you happy for most uses, 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 LG. On the upside, this is a TV with decent picture quality, low input lag, and good motion that will perform well in most uses, including sports. It's only found in larger sizes.

   See our review