How to Buy a 4K Smart TV
This short guide explains what to check before you buy a 4K smart TV. It condenses the key choices, must-have specs and quick buying tips so you can make a confident purchase fast.
Key factors to consider
Types and screen technologies
- LED LCD with edge or direct backlighting: affordable and common. Direct lit full array gives better contrast than simple edge lit panels.
- Quantum Dot / QLED: improved colour volume and brighter highlights compared with standard LED LCDs.
- HDR formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ affect picture performance on compatible content.
- Smart platforms: different sets use different operating systems and app stores. Look for the apps you use and a responsive interface.
- Audio options: from built-in stereo up to object-tracking sound and support for immersive formats such as Dolby Atmos.
Important features and specifications to check
- Resolution and upscaling: 4K is now standard. A good upscaling processor improves non-4K sources.
- HDR compatibility: check which HDR formats the TV supports for the best movie and TV performance.
- Panel and contrast: direct full-array backlight or local dimming improve blacks and HDR effect.
- Refresh rate and gaming: 60Hz is common at this price. If you game on modern consoles, look for HDMI 2.1 features such as higher bandwidth, VRR and ALLM.
- Connectivity: confirm at least three HDMI ports, one supporting ARC or eARC, plus USB and ethernet if needed.
- Sound: on-board sound is often limited; plan for a soundbar if you want cinema-like audio. Look for eARC and Dolby Atmos passthrough.
- Smart features and voice: built-in voice assistants and app platforms vary. Make sure your key streaming services are supported.
- Practical checks: energy rating, VESA mount pattern, tuners and available firmware updates.
Where to buy, mistakes to avoid and expert tips
- Online vs retail: buy online for convenience and price comparison. Visit a showroom if you want to compare picture quality in person. Check delivery times and return policy for large items.
- Common mistakes to avoid: buying purely on screen size or marketing terms; ignoring port and HDR format needs; failing to measure the space or doorways for delivery.
- Expert tips: read real user reviews and look for consistent comments on reliability and firmware; turn off energy saving modes when judging picture quality; update the TV firmware after setup; if you watch films, spend a bit on a simple soundbar for much better audio; keep an eye on seasonal sales, where similar sets often drop in price.
Final Thoughts
Match screen size to room and viewing distance, prioritise the right ports and HDR support for your content, and check real-world reviews and return terms. For most buyers a 43 to 55 inch 4K smart TV with good HDR support and at least three HDMI ports offers the best balance of price and performance.

![LG 55UA73006LA 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD HDR Smart TV (webOS 25 Platform with AI Concierge, alpha 7 AI Processor 4K Gen8, Game Optimiser & ALLM, 60Hz) [Model 2025]](https://cdn.gptopreviews.com/imageman?image=https%3A%2F%2Fm.media-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F41el3jTRY3L._SL160_.jpg)
![LG 55UA73006LA 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD HDR Smart TV (webOS 25 Platform with AI Concierge, alpha 7 AI Processor 4K Gen8, Game Optimiser & ALLM, 60Hz) [Model 2025]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41el3jTRY3L._SL160_.jpg)
![LG 43QNED70A6A 43-Inch 4K UHD Smart TV (α7 AI Processor, Amazon Alexa, 60Hz) [Model 2025]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51oIv3vq4rL._SL160_.jpg)







