The Best 4K Smart TVs for Watching the Super Bowl
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Some of the best screens are designed to bring your favorite blockbusters to life, but watching fast-paced games is a different story. If you’re looking for a last-minute upgrade for your Super Bowl party this weekend, the best TVs for sports let you keep track of lightning-fast athletes, race cars and more — and some will even arrive before the big game.
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While watching sports at home is a different experience than sitting courtside or ringside, today’s state-of-the-art TVs offer features such as wide-screen viewing, Dolby Vision and immersive Dolby Atmos that make you feel as if you’re in the middle of the game. And cord-cutter sports fans have no shortage of options for watching NFL, NBA, NCAA, MLB and other games on their TV or elsewhere, including Thursday Night Football on Prime Video and MLS Pass and Friday Night Baseball on Apple TV+.
For sports fans, “it’s an exciting time, but we are only at the beginning of what Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos can bring to the live broadcast world,” John Couling, senior vice president of entertainment at Dolby, tells The Hollywood Reporter.
During CES 2024 in Las Vegas, tech companies continued promoting 8K TVs, but many experts agree that the resolution is not necessary for watching sports or even movies. Content options are still few and far between as filmmakers and sports broadcasters have yet to dive into 8K. One exception is in the U.K., where BT Sport recently broadcast the first 8K HDR sporting event for homes using Sony UHC-8300 cameras — but only those with 8K television sets were able to watch. (The U.K. sports network also delivered the first live public 8K broadcast in 2020.)
“Any advancement in picture quality is a good thing, but when it comes to sports, no events are currently shot in 8K so 4K is the most resolution you’ll need to match the way content is produced today,” Couling points out. “What’s more important is to look for a TV that supports HDR or Dolby Vision. HDR can enable the best picture possible from your TV by delivering images filled with more brightness, contrast, color, and detail. And it’s an exciting time to be in the market for an HDR TV if you love sports. Over the last 12 months, many of the biggest events in sports were, or will be available, for the first time ever in Dolby Vision like the Super Bowl and NFL playoffs, World Cup, and past Winter Olympics.
Great picture is equally as important as great sound, which is why I’d recommend looking for a TV with Dolby Atmos if you care about sports. It plays a critical role in making you feel as if you are in the stadium by bringing the electricity of the crowd alive. Luckily, many TVs that support Dolby Vision today also come with Dolby Atmos, so you don’t have to choose between the two.”
Many streaming devices and platforms offer special features designed for specifically for sports fans. Roku’s Sports experience allows viewers to keep track of upcoming games, while LG’s TVs have a Sports Card feature that lets users get notifications on start times and scores. Those with an Amazon Fire TV can ask Alexa to share updates on game and conference schedules, scores and leagues.
Ahead, Couling sheds more light on the different types of televisions for watching sports, as well as his top tips for setting up your home theater.
QLED vs. OLED TVs: What’s the Difference?
Before buying a new TV, it’s important to know the differences among the types of screens, mainly QLED and OLED displays.
“QLED is a variant based on liquid-crystal display (LCD) that extends the display’s color saturation using an LED backlight combined with an advanced color conversion material called ‘Quantum Dots,’ often abbreviated as QD,” says Couling. “LCD features a transparent screen that doesn’t create light on its own. Instead, these screens are combined with a backlight, often comprised of an array of LEDs (light-emitting diodes) used to illuminate the pixels in the panel.”
OLED, or organic light-emitting diode, “can illuminate each pixel at an individual level, making a backlight unnecessary,” adds Couling.
“Each technology has its benefits, and all have improved significantly over the past 10 years — especially when paired with features like HDR. Choosing what’s best for you is really about customer preference. There is no right or wrong answer,” he says.
Refresh vs. Frame Rate: What’s the Difference?
Whether you’re a gamer, a sports fan or a movie buff, knowing the difference between a TV’s refresh rate and the frame rate will also help decide on the best screen.
“Refresh rate refers to how quickly a screen updates (or refreshes) the image it is displaying. This is not to be confused with frame rate, which describes how many frames (individual images) are displayed on the TV by the content, such as a movie or game,” says Couling. “Simply put, the TV’s refresh rate has to align in a meaningful way to the frame rate, but it’s not something consumers should worry too much about as modern displays take care of this process for them.”
He adds that lower frame rates used by filmmakers result in the “cinematic look and feel” seen in many movies and TV shows, “which is a deliberate choice by the creative. … Support for 24 and 60 frames per second (fps) has been available in modern TVs for some time.”
Higher frame rates (about 60 fps) are usually used in sports to make games look smoother. “This is a functional choice to make sure the action looks natural, like a quarterback throwing a pass to an open receiver.” And in gaming, higher frame rates (such as 120 fps) are becoming more commonly supported especially as next-gen gaming consoles are being introduced. “[They] allow players to react within split seconds of what they see on screen. This is huge in the world of competitive gaming. If gaming is important to you, you’ll want to look for this in your next TV purchase.”
What’s the Best Distance for Setting Up TVs?
“The distance between your couch and TV can have an impact on your viewing experience, but the optimal distance is a balance of what looks best to you, scientific recommendations, and what you plan to watch,” says Couling. Many viewers assume that big-screen TVs of 55 inches or larger require a longer distance between the couch and the TV, but that’s not always the case, he adds.
“As the resolution of modern TVs has also increased over time, it can be the opposite. Generally, for most types of content, images will start to lose detail if the distance between your couch and TV is greater than three times the TV’s vertical picture height (the distance between the top and bottom of your screen),” says Couling. For those who are watching in 4K, “that distance needs to be even closer (about 1.5 picture height, to be precise) as our eyes can’t differentiate the fine detail of individual pixels from further away.”
That means a 65-inch TV should be about four feet away from your couch, “but many people likely don’t sit this close while others may not be in the market to purchase a larger TV.”
He adds: “This is why a TV with HDR, or Dolby Vision, should be top of mind when looking for your next purchase. These technologies will produce the biggest improvements in picture quality, and luckily for consumers, viewing distance is less critical with HDR because our eyes can see more colors, higher brightness, and better contrast from farther distances. HDR can even make images feel like they have more detail. Manufactures also bundle 4K and HDR together, so if you purchase an HDR or Dolby Vision TV, it will also support 4K.”
What’s the Best Way to Set Up TV Speakers?
Couling recommends that viewers who want the best audio experience should invest in a soundbar or a home theater audio system. If you’re not ready to buy one or your TV is already equipped with Dolby Atmos, there are a few ways to ensure optimal sound:
Mount your TV above a table “Most new TVs have downward-facing speakers placed behind the panel. Placing your TV above an entertainment center or table allows the sound to bounce off the surface and reflect throughout the room, which will create a fuller-sounding experience,” says Couling.
Mount your soundbar or place it on the edge of your entertainment center “This way, the audio can reflect outward into the room vs. bouncing against your TV,” he says.
Help large rooms absorb sound Laying down a rug, hanging art on the wall or installing curtains can help absorb sound if your space sounds too echoey, Couling recommends.
The Best 4K TVs for Watching Sports
If you’re looking to upgrade your home theater ahead of the Super Bowl, we’ve rounded up the best 4K TVs for watching sports based on Couling’s advice. Now that many cable networks are broadcasting sports in 4K quality (which is four times the resolution of 1080 HD), fans can follow their favorite teams on a big screen with crisp details and no blurring.
We’ve recommended screens of at least 65 inches (though other sizes are available), and that feature refresh rates of 60Hz and 120Hz so that they can accommodate the motion of fast-paced games. These TVs also have high-dynamic range (HDR), which gives images a more life-like quality with a wide color gamut, stunning contrast, deeper hues and brighter highlights.
Check out our top picks for the top-rated televisions for sports below.
The Best 4K TVs for Watching Sports
BEST OLED TV OVERALL
1. LG C3 Series OLED EVO 4K Ultra HD Smart TV
$1,546.99 $1,999.99 23% off
$1,599.99 $2,499.99 36% off
$1,599.99 $2,099.99 24% off
You’ll never miss a game with LG’s C3 Series OLED TV (the next generation of the company’s C2 series TVs), which has a convenient Sports Alert mode that notifies you of start times, scores and updates on your favorite NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and Premier League teams, even if you’re tuned to another channel.
The OLED display’s eight million pixels deliver perfect blacks, over a billion colors and stunning contrast, while the Filmmaker Mode combines to let you watch movies exactly as directors intended. Rounding out the movie night-ready features are Dolby Vision IQ (which automatically adjusts the TV for different lighting conditions), Cinema HDR and Dolby Atmos for room-filling audio.
The TV’s α9 Gen6 AI processor 4K automatically adjusts the picture and sound to deliver the best entertainment experience, while gamers will appreciate the Auto Lo-Latency Mode and Game Optimizer that brings easy access to settings.
LG’s ThinQ AI lets you use Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa to control your TV.
LG C3 Series OLED EVO 4K Ultra HD Smart TV Specifications
Sizes available 42, 48, 55, 65, 77 or 83 inches
Display OLED
Resolution 4K Ultra HD (2160p), HDR 10, Dolby Vision IQ
Audio 2.2 channel built-in down-firing speakers; Dolby Atmos, 7.1.2 channel support
Refresh rate 120Hz
Voice assistants Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Ports 4 HDMI, 3 USB, 1 eARC/HDMI 2, 1 antenna/cable, 1 3.5mm audio, 1 optical
Network compatibility Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Weight 71.2 pounds without stand; 91.7 pounds with stand
BEST QLED TV OVERALL
2. Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV
$1,299.99 $1,999.99 35% off
The best QLED TV for watching sports, Samsung’s QN90C Neo QLED TV delivers smooth motion in up to 4K with Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ and a high refresh rate of 120Hz. The Neo Quantum HDR+ and Neural Quantum processors use AI-based deep-learning analysis to optimize quality no matter the source, signal and content type. Viewers can expect to watch sports, movies and TV shows in realistic quality with brilliant detailing in the dark thanks to Samsung’s Quantum Matrix and Mini LED technology.
For sports, the QN90C TV lets you track every movement on its anti-glare screen, and the MultiView feature lets you simultaneously watch your phone screen, allowing you to see live sports stats and the game side-by-side, depending on your mobile device. The TV has built-in speakers on all sides, and Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+ projects 3D audio to make you feel like you’re in the center of it all. What’s also great is that the Anti-Glare Ultra Wide Viewing angle technology delivers an accurate picture no matter where you’re sitting, making it ideal for viewing parties.
Gamers can enjoy Samsung’s Super UltraWide GameView (21:9 and 32:9 screen ratios) and Gaming Hub, an on-screen menu that lets you adjust input lag check, frame rate, wireless headset settings, screen ratio and more. Audiophiles can listen with Q-Symphony, a feature that works with compatible soundbars for immersive synchronized sound.
Samsung’s Tizen-powered smart TV lets you use voice control assistants (including Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant), and it supports many streaming services including Hulu, Netflix, YouTube and more. The brand’s Samsung TV Plus platform also gives access to 150 channels and subscription-free movies, sports and TV shows.
Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV Specifications
Sizes available 43, 50, 55, 65, 75 or 85 inches
Display QLED
Resolution 4K Ultra HD and HDR 10+
Audio Dolby Atmos
Refresh rate 120Hz
Voice assistants Amazon Alexa, Samsung Bixby, Google Assistant
Ports 4 HDMI, 2 USB, 1 LAN, 1 optical
Network compatibility Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Weight 45.4 pounds
BEST 4K MINI LED TV FOR SPORTS
3. TCL QM8 4K Ultra HD Smart TV with Google TV
$899.99 $1,299.99 31% off
Ahead of the upgraded QM7 series 4K TV (one of our top picks from CES 2024), TCL’s latest QM8 QLED 4K Smart Mini LED TV is one of the best LED TVs for sports fans who want to see every detail of the game and a true-to-broadcast quality. (TCL is the NFL’s official TV partner.) Equipped with Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos and HDR Pro Pack, the TV is also an excellent option for movie watchers seeking life-like picture, impressive depth, immersive sound and IMAX Enhanced certification.
Featuring up to 2,300 local dimming zones and up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness, the QM8 boasts an advanced TCL AIPQ learning engine, HighBrightness Ultra LED backlight and Full Array Ultra Local Dimming — resulting in uniform, crisp and brilliant images and striking contrast and highlights. The 120Hz refresh rate means that sports fans — especially football and soccer lovers — and gamers alike can enjoy lag-free motion, speedy responsiveness and smooth images across a wide field of vision.
The AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Game Accelerator 240 and Auto Game Mode (ALLM) makes this TV particularly great for gamers who want an optimal big-screen gaming experience with speedy responsiveness and smooth images.
The Google TV interface and mobile app also work with Amazon’s Alexa and Apple HomeKit for voice commands, so you can easily ask to change channels, switch inputs and find movies and TV shows.
TCL QM8 4K Ultra HD Smart TV Specifications
Sizes available 65, 75, 85 and 98 inches
Display Mini LED
Resolution 4K Ultra HD (2160p) and HDR
Video Dolby Vision, HDR Ultra (Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10 & HLG)
Audio Dolby Atmos
Refresh rate 120Hz
Voice assistants Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit/Siri
Ports 4 HDMI (1 eARC), 1 optical, 2 USB, 1 antenna/cable
Network compatibility Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Weight 124.6 pounds
BEST AMAZON FIRE TV FOR SPORTS
4. Amazon Fire Omni QLED Series 4K Ultra HD Smart TV
$679.99 $799.99 15% off
$679.99 $799.99 15% off
Amazon got into the smart television game with its Fire TV series, the company’s new Omni QLED series screen promises some of the best cinematic quality on a budget. Released last year, the 4K Ultra HD smart TV brings an even more vibrant and affordable screen to movie and sports lovers, thanks to Dolby Vision IQ, HDR 10+ and a new adaptive brightness feature that results in a more dynamic picture quality.
It delivers impressive contrast for the price, thanks to 80 full array local dimming zones, while a built-in ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the brightness based on the lighting conditions.
The TV supports the NBC Sports and NFL apps, and sports lovers can ask Alexa to help you stay updated your favorite teams, sports scores, event schedules and more. Gamers can play a selection of titles for free on Amazon’s Luna gaming platform.
If you’re already living in an Amazon-powered household, you’ll appreciate the automatic integration for the e-comm giant’s smart home devices (such as the Ring video doorbell and thermostat) and Alexa voice controls. Use the screen as your home’s hub for the weather, controlling the thermostat and lights or checking your household’s schedules, or take Zoom meeting using the built-in smart camera and microphone (you can control the privacy settings for those, too). The Alexa Home Theater lets you wirelessly pair Echo speakers with the TV, or you can connect a soundbar or an AV receiver via Bluetooth or the eARC port.
Amazon Fire Omni QLED Series 4K UHD Smart TV Specifications
Sizes available 65 or 75 inches
Display QLED
Resolution 4K Ultra HD (2160p) and HDR 10+
Video Dolby Vision IQ, HLG
Audio Dolby Digital Plus
Refresh rate 60Hz
Voice assistants Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Network compatibility Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Ports 3 HDMI 2.0, 1 eARC 2.1, 1 USB, 1 antenna/cable, 1 3.5mm audio, 1 optical
Weight 45.4 pounds without stand
BEST FOR COLOR ACCURACY AND VIEWING ANGLES
5. Sony Bravia XR A80L 4K UHD OLED Google TV
$1,698 $2,296.00 26% off
Ideal for Playstation gamers, Sony’s latest Bravia XR A80L 4K UHD OLED Google TV delivers high-contrast picture with a wide viewing angle and impressive reflection handling, making it great for watching sports, too. Its Cognitive Processor XR gives life-like picture quality with natural colors and detailed blacks, while the XR Triluminos Max and XR OLED Contrast Pro combine to offer Sony’s widest palette of natural-looking hues and realistic brightness.
The 120Hz refresh rate and Auto Genre Picture Switch help to set the right mode and cut out the digital noise and blurring that comes with fast-moving on-screen objects (say, basketballs, footballs and Formula 1 cars).
Rounding out the perks for movie fans are Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos to bring the cinematic experience to your living room. Gamers (especially those on the PS5) can expect realistic and responsive gameplay thanks to the 4K VRR (variable refresh rate), low input lag and G-Sync compatibility.
And when it comes to sound, the A80L boasts more dynamic sound and powerful bass with three actuators, two down-firing subwoofers and Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ — a step up from the previous model.
Sony Bravia XR A80L 4K UHD OLED Google TV Specifications
Sizes available 55, 65, 77 or 83 inches
Display QD-OLED
Resolution 4K Ultra HD (2160p) and HDR 10
Video Dolby Vision, HLG
Audio Dolby Atmos, Acoustic Surface Audio+, DTS Digital Surround support
Refresh rate 120Hz
Voice assistants Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa
Ports 4 HDMI 2.1 (including eARC), 2 USB, 1 optical, 1 video input, 1 RS-232, 1 cable/antenna
Network compatibility Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Weight 55.1 pounds
BEST QLED 4K UHD TV UNDER $700
6. Hisense Class U8 Series Mini LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV
$698.00 $1,099.99 37% off
$699.99 $799.99 13% off
The official TV of the NBA, Hisense’s latest U8 Series Mini-LED 4K UHD Smart TV is one of the best QLED televisions that you can buy under $700. (The U6GR Roku TV model is another option.) Sports fans, film lovers and gamers alike can keep up with the action with the TV’s 144Hz refresh rate — and coupled with the screen’s up to 1500 nits of peak brightness across up to 1620 local dimming zones, fast-moving scenes will look vibrant, sharp and crystal clear in well-lit environments.
Dolby Vision HDR and Atmos combine for an excellent cinematic experience when you connect to your own speaker system, and gamers get smooth, speedy gameplay with the FreeSync Premium Pro, Automatic Low-Latency Mode (ALLM), 144Hz variable refresh rate (VRR) that reduce input lag and screen jitter.
Hisense Class ULED U8 4K UHD Mini LED Smart TV Specifications
Sizes available 50, 55, 65 or 75 inches
Display Mini LED
Resolution 4K Ultra HD (2160p) and HDR 10+
Video Dolby Vision IQ
Audio Dolby Atmos
Refresh rate 144Hz
Voice assistants Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit/Siri
Ports 4 HDMI (including eARC), 2 USB, 1 optical, 1 video input, 1 RS-232, 1 cable/antenna
Network compatibility Wi-Fi, Ethernet
Weight 55.10 pounds
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