The 7 Best 4k TVs For Watching Sports - Spring 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: Prices and availability fluctuate a lot at the beginning of the year as last year's models are gradually replaced by newer ones.

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, the B8 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, the LG B8 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 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 B8 concerns you, or you have a bright room, the Vizio P Series Quantum is the best, brightest LED alternative. The P Series Quantum 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 B8, the P Series Quantum has an outstanding response time, with very little blur trail and good gray uniformity.

   Unfortunately, unlike the B8, the P Series Quantum 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, the Quantum 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 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

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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. 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 okay 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 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 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, as well as good reflection and motion handling, that will keep you happy for almost any use, 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 uses, including sports, and is only found in larger sizes.

   See our review