Best Samsung TV 2023: 4K and 8K options to suit every budget
Upgrade your home entertainment experience with our pick of the best Samsung TVs available
Samsung has served up the biggest television range around for the past few years, making picking the best Samsung TV for your needs a far from straightforward task.
The South Korean manufacturer provides options across a huge range of price points and specifications, but one thing that’s been conspicuously absent from its lineup over the past decade is any sort of OLED support. That changed in 2022, however, with Samsung’s new twist on OLED technology, Quantum Dot OLED, providing competition for key rivals LG and Sony.
It has expanded its OLED lineup for 2023, but the S90C and S95C are just two of a number of Samsung televisions launched this year and while the choice the new range offers is very welcome, it makes working out which TV to buy a little tricky. To help you choose the right Samsung TV, we’ve selected the best entries in Samsung’s current lineup and put together a buying guide detailing all the things to consider before making buying one.
Best Samsung TV: At a glance
- Best for picture quality: Samsung S95C | £1,599
- Best for home cinema: Samsung QN900C | £4,799
- Best value: Samsung BU8500 | £399
How we test the best Samsung TVs
The majority of our in-house and freelance testing of Samsung televisions is conducted using an X-Rite colorimeter in conjunction with Portrait Displays’ Calman colour calibration software.
This combination allows us to take accurate measurements of numerous key metrics of TV picture performance, including colour gamut coverage, greyscale and colour accuracy, and peak brightness on both a 10% window and full-field pattern.
We also watch a great deal of “real-world” content on the Samsung TVs we test. As Samsung TVs don’t support the Dolby Vision HDR format that’s one less format for us to analyse, but we view SDR, HDR10+ and HDR10+ material across a range of sources including terrestrial channels, Netflix, Disney+ and 4K HDR Blu-rays. The type of content we watch is extremely varied and may include anything from political panel shows to Love Island and everything in between.
Close attention is paid to audio performance when consuming content from the above platforms, with a focus on Dolby Atmos on sets that support it. We also test out a TV’s wireless streaming capabilities using AirPlay 2 or Chromecast built-in if supported and its next-gen gaming performance when hooked up to a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X.
Samsung’s Tizen OS is put under the microscope, too, with every aspect of the operating system assessed as we navigate our way around it. The selection of services and apps is analysed and we test as many out as possible to ensure everything works smoothly.
How to choose the best Samsung TV for you
Picking the Samsung TV best suited to your needs has historically meant picking from a variety of different Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) TV specifications. That changed last year with the S95B quantum dot OLED range and there’s even more choice in 2023 with the S90C available in addition to the updated S95C.
Now you need to think about whether a self-emissive QD OLED or LCD TV will suit your viewing habits and wants best, as well as trying to pick between mini LED, Quantum Dot LCD or more affordable edge-lit LCD technologies.
Samsung’s TV range has also been complicated by the arrival of a few low-contrast IPS-type LCD panels alongside the more contrast-rich VA panels the brand once exclusively used. Some sizes of last year’s QN85B and most sizes of the QN80B Mini LED range use IPS panels, for instance. We typically recommend VA panels over IPS panels due to their better contrast, though the latter normally have superior viewing angles.
With that important information out of the way, you can begin narrowing down your shortlist by asking the following key questions.
How much should I spend on a Samsung TV?
Unless you’re lucky enough to be a member of the ‘money’s no object’ club, picking a budget you can comfortably handle will immediately trim down your Samsung TV consideration list. Especially as Samsung’s premium Mini LED and 8K Mini LED TVs are among the most expensive sets available from any brand.
READ NEXT: What is OLED TV technology?
What kind of content will I be watching?
If you spend most of your time watching regular TV broadcasts, you will typically want to go for a TV that delivers a good combination of brightness and value. Samsung’s premium Mini LED models are its brightest but they also cost a lot. So, for most relatively casual (rather than home cinema-oriented) viewers, a better option would be a mid-range set such as the Quantum Dot-based Q70B or the Crystal Colour BU8000.
If you’re a serious gamer, you will need a fairly high-end model with 4K/120Hz and variable refresh rate support. And if you’re a serious movie fan, we would recommend as premium a picture engine as your budget can afford, and so would suggest Samsung’s new S95B QD OLED sets, a premium 4K Mini LED set or, if your budget is up to it, an 8K Mini LED model.
What connections and inputs do I need?
Any TV you buy should be capable of connecting all the AV sources you own and ideally be able to unlock the maximum performance from those sources. These days the only connections that count for most people are HDMIs. So, you should ensure that the TV you settle on has enough of those to accommodate whatever Blu-ray/4K Blu-ray players, Sky or Virgin receivers, streaming boxes or games consoles you own.
Not all HDMIs are equal, though. Different grades of HDMI can support different features due to the different amounts of data they can ship. This is particularly important if you’re into gaming, as if you own a Sony PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X or recent high-end PC you will want a set with HDMI 2.1 ports capable of handling 4K resolution at frame rates of 120Hz, variable refresh rates (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for automatically switching a display into Game mode when a game source is detected.
What are the differences between LCD panel types?
If you opt for one of Samsung’s LCD TVs rather than its new S90C or S95C QD-OLEDs, it’s important to note that the company produces three types of Liquid Crystal Display panels.
Its most basic (found on the Q70B and below) are illuminated by regular LEDs situated around the edges of their panels. These lack the ability to dim specific areas of the panel and therefore deliver inferior contrast to more advanced models.
Above the basic LED LCD options are those that support Full Array Local Dimming (FALD). Here, regular-sized LEDs are placed behind the screen and driven by a number of dimming zones. The Q80B range supports this approach – though some screen sizes of this range use IPS panels.
The flagship system is Mini LED, where much smaller LEDs are used, so more of them can be fitted into the available screen area. The LEDs are grouped into hundreds, or in some cases, thousands of separate dimming zones, and this allows for much finer light control. Samsung calls these models Neo QLED sets, and they can be identified by ‘QN’ letters before the final numbers in their model names.
READ NEXT: The best soundbars to pair with your TV
The best Samsung TVs to buy in 2023
1. Samsung S95C: Best Samsung TV for picture quality
Price when reviewed: From £2,699 (55in) | Check price at Amazon 
The S95C is the follow-up to Samsung’s first OLED television in almost a decade – the S95B – and improves on its predecessor in just about every way. It’s extremely bright for an OLED and this, combined with its quantum dot filter, allows it to produce incredibly saturated colours that look absolutely fantastic regardless of the type of content you’re viewing.
Unlike the S90C below, the S95C comes with Samsung’s One Connect box and this makes cable management a lot neater and more straightforward. It also features a beefier 4.2.2-channel sound system with 70W of amplification and support for the most advanced version of Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound technology (OTS Pro). This sees sounds move around to match what’s happening on screen and it works a treat within the broad soundstage the S95C creates.
A quartet of HDMI 2.1 ports supporting every key next-gen gaming feature ensure the S95 is a superb, if rather pricey choice, for gamers, and these credentials are backed up by very low input lag and the third iteration of Samsung’s Game Bar, which provides quick access to important gaming settings.
Those looking for value should gravitate towards the S90C, but if you want the best QD-OLED Samsung has to offer, this is the TV to buy.
Read our Samsung S95C review
Key specs – Screen sizes: 55in, 65in (tested) and 77in; Panel type: QD OLED; HDR format support: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+; Connectivity: 4 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x USB-A, digital optical audio output, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RF tuner port
2. Samsung S90C: A cheaper alternative to the S95C
Price when reviewed: From £2,199 (55in) | Check price at Amazon
The S90C is the cheaper of Samsung’s two QD-OLED TVs in 2023 and makes a few sacrifices to hit a lower price point. Despite this, it remains a sensational television. Picture quality is fantastic, with high peak brightness (for an OLED), rich, vibrant colours, exceptional contrast and highly impressive viewing angles highly impressive. Meanwhile, an upgraded screen filter helps eliminate reflections and reduce the impact of ambient light conditions on your viewing experience.
On top of that stunning picture performance, the S90C has first-rate gaming support courtesy of four HDMI 2.1 ports, a decent 40W 2.1-channel sound system that supports Dolby Atmos, a comprehensive smart platform, and looks great to boot. The S90C proves QD-OLED technology is here to stay and is one of the best TVs from any manufacturer, let alone just Samsung.
Read our full Samsung S90C review
Key specs – Screen sizes: 55in, 65in (tested) and 77in; Panel type: QD OLED; HDR format support: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+; Connectivity: 4 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x USB-A, digital optical audio output, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RF tuner port
3. Samsung BU8500: Best-value Samsung TV
Price when reviewed: From £399 (43in) | Check price at Amazon
The eye-catchingly priced BU8500 inevitably requires you to accept a few compromises. Colours aren’t made using Quantum Dots, so they’re not quite as vibrant. Backlighting uses an edge-mounted LED system with no local dimming, so the contrast is more limited. There’s no support, either, for the latest 4K/120Hz and variable refresh rate gaming features. None of these compromises, though, stop the BU8500 from being outstanding value.
Compared with other similarly priced sets it actually boasts a bounty of great performance-enhancing features. Despite not using Quantum Dots, the BU8500’s Dynamic Crystal Colour system still delivers a wider colour range than most rivals. It’s also exceptionally bright, yet still retains more contrast than other LCD TVs in its price bracket.
Samsung’s picture processing gets impressive detail out of the BU8500’s native 4K resolution and, after a little tweaking, it also avoids the blurring and processing mess that motion in a picture often causes at this price level. Its Tizen-based smart system carries an exceptionally comprehensive range of apps, too, its remote control is, uniquely, solar-powered, and its ‘AirSlim’ design gives it an unusually premium appearance for what it costs. Even if this TV was £200 dearer, we would still think it was good value. It’s also worth considering the Samsung BU8000, which is ostensibly the same TV, but features a slightly different stand and is available in a wider range of sizes.
Read our full Samsung BU8500 review
Key specs – Screen sizes: 43in, 50in, 55in, 65in, 75in; Panel type: Edge-lit LED; HDR format support: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+; Connectivity: 3 x HDMI 2.0b, 2 x USB-A, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RF tuner port
4. Samsung QN900C: Best Samsung TV for home cinema
Price when reviewed: From £5,099 (65in) | Check price at Samsung
The QN900C is very expensive but those willing to splash out on this premium 8K television will be getting arguably the most spectacular mainstream TV available today.
Samsung’s AI-driven 8K upscaling engine converts 4K sources to 8K remarkably well, while the density of all those pixels crammed into the QN900C’s screen contributes to a seamless, lifelike image that’s pure cinema. Its home cinema credentials are further enhanced by an onboard sound system that’s among the most effective we’ve ever tested. The 6.2.4-channel arrangement packs a punch thanks to 90W of amplification, the height channels handle Atmos content commendably, and Object Tracking Sound Pro adds an extra level of immersion by matching sounds to specific objects on the screen.
Samsung’s attractive Infinity Screen design and One Connect Box help sweeten the deal, while four HDMI 2.1 ports ensure the QN900C doubles up ably as a gaming TV when you’re not watching the latest Hollywood blockbuster.
Read our Samsung QN900C review
Key specs – Screen sizes: 65in, 75in (tested) and 85in; Panel type: Mini LED; HDR format support: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+; Connectivity: 4 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x USB-A digital optical audio output, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RF tuner port
5. Samsung Q70B: Best Samsung TV for gamers on a budget
Price when reviewed: £799 (55in) | Check price at Amazon 
The Q70B feels like it was designed as much with gamers as movie fans in mind and strikes a very keen balance between price and performance. Its HDMIs support the 4K at 120Hz and variable refresh rate (including AMD Freesync Premium Pro) features most serious gamers now demand. It also features Samsung’s Game Bar menu, which provides at-a-glance access to key information on your graphics feed and quick access to key gaming-related adjustments.
The screen’s response time in its Game mode is exceptionally fast, and the set supports the HGiG system for a superior HDR experience. The Q70B also supports ultra-wide aspect ratios from PC games that offer wide field of view options; can automatically recognise when a console or PC is outputting game or video sources and adjust its settings accordingly; and even lets you raise the brightness of dark parts of the picture in isolation so that you can better spot enemies lurking in the shadows without spoiling the rest of the picture.
Add to all these gaming-related treats an ultra-sharp, bright, colourful but also surprisingly contrasty picture that also delivers the goods with regular TV and movie sources, and the Q70B can also add great all-around value to its many charms.
Key specs – Screen size: 55in, 65in, 75in and 85in; Panel type: Edge-lit LED; HDR format support: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+; Connectivity: 4 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x USB-A, Ethernet, optical digital audio output, Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi, RF tuner port
6. Samsung The Frame: Best Samsung TV for style
Price when reviewed: From £849 (43in) | Check price at Amazon 
Even the most attractive TVs turn into big ugly black holes in your gorgeous decor when not in use. Unless that is, they’re one of Samsung’s The Frame sets. Far from gaping black holes, these unique TVs turn into works of art when you’re not watching them.
They can be fitted with various magnetic clip-on frames – including wood finish options – of the sort you would normally find around a painting rather than a TV. The ‘TV becomes a painting’ effect is further enhanced by an included ultra slim mount that lets you hang the TV flush to the wall and the ability to play digitised artworks (or your own digital photographs) on the screen in a low-power mode. The final touch is a remarkable ‘matte finish’ screen that suppresses all the reflections you get with normal TVs.
Happily, The Frame’s stunning style is accompanied by excellent picture quality too, full of high contrast, rich colours and beautiful 4K detail.
Key specs – Screen sizes: 32in, 43in, 50in, 55in, 65in, 75in and 85in; Panel type: Edge-lit LED; HDR format support: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+; Connectivity: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x USB-A, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RF tuner port
7. Samsung The Sero: Best Samsung TV for TikTok lovers
Price when reviewed: £1,599 | Check price at Samsung
While The Frame has style on its side, The Sero has a unique rotating ability to set it apart from the competition. It can be switched from landscape to portrait orientation and back again with the press of a single button, making it the perfect choice for those obsessed with the vertical videos found on social media platforms such as TikTok.
It also offers excellent audio quality thanks to a 60W 4.1-channel sound system built into its stand. Support for Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound Lite technology helps deliver a more convincing three-dimensional sonic presence, while Adaptive Sound+ and Active Voice Amplifier further boost its audio credentials.
Picture quality is solid when viewing both SDR and HDR content on the quantum dot LED panel, though you don’t get quite the same HDR pop as you would from Samsung’s more advanced Neo QLED models, which offer improved backlight control thanks to the use of Mini LEDs in their panels.
Read our full Samsung The Sero review
Key specs – Screen sizes: 43in; Panel type: IPS LCD LED; HDR format support: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+; Connectivity: 3 x HDMI 2.0, 2 x USB-A, Ethernet, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RF tuner port