Choosing the right television can feel overwhelming with all the options out there, but if you’re looking for a fantastic balance of brightness, color, and value, QLED is the way to go. I’ve spent a lot of time testing various models, and the best QLED TVs consistently deliver a picture that pops, even in well-lit rooms. They use a quantum dot layer to enhance the color and brightness of an LED-backlit screen, which means you get incredible vibrancy without the premium price tag of OLED. For most people, this technology hits the sweet spot.
As we look at the 2025 lineup, the competition is fiercer than ever. Brands are pushing the boundaries with mini-LED backlighting for better contrast, higher refresh rates for smoother gaming, and smarter operating systems. Whether you’re a movie buff, a dedicated gamer, or just want the best for your family’s streaming nights, there’s a perfect model for you. This list breaks down my top picks for the year, focusing on real-world performance and features that actually matter.
The Top 10 Best QLED TVs for 2025
- Samsung S95D QLED TV
- TCL QM8 Series QLED TV
- Hisense U8K QLED TV
- Sony X95L Mini-LED TV
- Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV
- Vizio M-Series Quantum QLED TV
- LG QNED85 Series TV
Samsung S95D QLED TV
Let’s start with a real showstopper. The Samsung S95D isn’t just a QLED TV; it’s what happens when Samsung throws its best technology into one panel. I was genuinely impressed by the anti-glare coating on this screen. Even with bright sunlight coming through the window, the picture remained clear and vibrant without any of those annoying reflections that usually wash out the image. The colors are incredibly rich and the blacks are surprisingly deep for a QLED, getting very close to the perfection of OLED.
For gamers, this TV is a dream. It supports all the major features like 4K/144Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, and HDMI 2.1, making everything feel incredibly smooth and responsive. The Tizen operating system is also snappy and easy to navigate. While it’s definitely positioned at the higher end of the price spectrum, the performance justifies the cost. If you want a top-tier viewing experience with minimal compromises and a screen that can handle any lighting condition, the S95D is a fantastic choice.
Pros
- Excellent anti-glare screen performs well in bright rooms
- Outstanding color volume and brightness
- Top-notch gaming features with low input lag
Cons
- Premium price tag
- Sound quality is good, but an external soundbar is recommended for the best experience
TCL QM8 Series QLED TV
If you’re searching for incredible performance without breaking the bank, the TCL QM8 Series needs to be on your shortlist. This TV uses mini-LED technology, which means it has a huge number of local dimming zones. In practice, this translates to a picture with fantastic contrast. Bright highlights shine with impressive intensity right next to inky, dark blacks. I found that watching movies with lots of dark scenes, like sci-fi or horror, was a real treat because there was very little of the grayish “blooming” effect you sometimes see on other LED TVs.
The QM8 also gets remarkably bright, making it a great fit for rooms with a lot of ambient light. The gaming performance is solid, with support for 144Hz refresh rates and VRR. While the built-in Google TV platform is comprehensive and user-friendly, the overall processing and motion handling aren’t quite as refined as what you get from Sony or Samsung. However, for the price, the sheer picture quality you get is almost unbeatable. It’s a true value champion.
Pros
- Exceptional contrast and black levels for the price
- Extremely high peak brightness
- Great value for money
Cons
- Motion processing can be less smooth than competitors
- Viewing angles are somewhat narrow
Hisense U8K QLED TV
Hisense continues to be a major player in the value segment, and the U8K is proof. This TV goes head-to-head with the TCL QM8, offering similarly impressive mini-LED performance. Where the U8K really stands out for me is its color gamut. It covers a very wide range of the color spectrum, resulting in pictures that feel vibrant and natural. Whether I was watching a nature documentary or an animated film, the colors popped off the screen with a lifelike quality that belies the TV’s affordable price.
It’s also a very capable gaming TV, featuring full HDMI 2.1 support and a 144Hz native panel. The Google TV interface is clean and responsive. My main critique is with the local dimming algorithm; sometimes it can be a bit aggressive, causing slight fluctuations in brightness during certain scenes. However, this is a minor quibble when you consider the overall package. The U8K delivers a premium viewing experience that challenges TVs costing hundreds of dollars more.
Pros
- Wide color gamut produces rich, accurate colors
- High brightness and good contrast
- Strong gaming feature set
Cons
- Local dimming can be inconsistent in some content
- Built-in speakers are fairly basic
Sony X95L Mini-LED TV
Sony’s mastery of image processing is on full display with the X95L. While it uses a mini-LED backlight like others on this list, it’s the Cognitive Processor XR that sets this TV apart. This chip doesn’t just analyze individual picture elements; it tries to understand how we see, cross-analyzing thousands of elements to make the picture look more natural and lifelike. The result is a picture with incredible depth and realism. Details are sharp without looking artificial, and colors are beautifully nuanced.
Where the X95L truly excels is with upscaling lower-resolution content. Standard definition and 1080p videos look cleaner and more detailed here than on any other TV I tested. Motion handling is also second to none, making it the ideal choice for sports fans. The main drawback is the price, which places it firmly in the premium category. But if you want the absolute best in processing and accuracy, and you watch a wide variety of content, the Sony X95L is worth the investment.
Pros
- Best-in-class image processing and upscaling
- Superb motion handling for sports and fast action
- Bright, colorful picture with excellent local dimming
Cons
- One of the more expensive options
- Design has a somewhat thick chassis
Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV
The Samsung QN90C is a brilliant all-arounder that has been a crowd-pleaser for a few years now, and the 2025 model continues that tradition. “Neo QLED” means it uses mini-LEDs for superior backlight control. The contrast is excellent, with deep blacks and virtually no blooming around bright objects. What always gets me about this TV is how bright it can get. HDR content feels incredibly impactful, and it has no problem overpowering glare in a sunny room.
It’s also a gaming powerhouse. With four HDMI 2.1 ports, it’s ready for multiple next-gen consoles and a PC. The Game Bar menu makes it easy to adjust settings on the fly. The Tizen smart system is fast and has a huge selection of apps. My only real complaint is that the viewing angles aren’t the best; the picture loses some contrast if you’re sitting off to the side. For a primary TV where you’ll be sitting directly in front, however, the QN90C delivers a spectacular and reliable performance.
Pros
- Extremely high peak brightness for impactful HDR
- Great contrast with minimal blooming
- Excellent gaming features and connectivity
Cons
- Picture quality degrades at wider viewing angles
- Remote feels a bit cheap for a premium TV
Vizio M-Series Quantum QLED TV
The Vizio M-Series is your ticket to the QLED world if you’re on a tight budget. Don’t let the low price fool you; this TV delivers a solid performance that easily outclasses standard 4K models. The quantum color technology provides a noticeable boost in color saturation compared to basic LEDs. I found that watching colorful content like animated movies and video games was a genuinely enjoyable experience.
It also supports basic gaming features like VRR and a 120Hz refresh rate on some models, which is impressive at this price point. The SmartCast operating system is simple, though it can feel a bit slower than more premium platforms. The main trade-offs are in peak brightness and local dimming. It won’t get as eye-searingly bright as the high-end models, and the local dimming is more basic, so blacks can look gray in a dark room. For a secondary TV or a budget-conscious main set, the M-Series offers great value.
Pros
- Very affordable entry point for QLED technology
- Good color performance for the price
- Includes some gaming-friendly features
Cons
- Lower peak brightness than more expensive QLEDs
- Basic local dimming leads to average black levels
LG QNED85 Series TV
LG is famous for its OLEDs, but its QNED line offers a compelling alternative, especially if your room is very bright. The “QNED” name combines quantum dots with NanoCell technology and a mini-LED backlight. The standout feature here is the excellent viewing angles. Unlike many QLED TVs, you can sit far off to the side and the picture remains consistent, with minimal color shift or loss of contrast. This makes it a great choice for wide seating arrangements.
The picture is bright and colorful, and LG’s webOS is one of my favorite smart platforms—it’s intuitive, fast, and the magic remote is a joy to use. Where the QNED85 falls a bit short is in absolute black level. Despite the mini-LED backlight, it can’t achieve the same inky blacks as the best Samsung or TCL models, so dark room performance isn’t its strongest suit. But for a bright living room where people will be sitting at various angles, it’s a strong contender.
Pros
- Excellent viewing angles
- Bright, vibrant picture ideal for well-lit rooms
- User-friendly webOS platform with great remote
Cons
- Black levels are not as deep as competing mini-LED TVs
- Local dimming could be more effective