TV Buying Guide
Our team of tech experts have put together this comprehensive TV buying guide to ensure you can pick the perfect TV to meet all your entertainment needs.
last updated 13.07.23
Not sure where to start?
Buying a new TV can be a significant investment so there’s several important questions to think about before you begin browsing:
What do you love to watch the most?
If you’re a film fan or love nature programmes, you’ll want a TV with the picture technology that brings everything to life. From swooping through New York with Tom Holland to racing across the Serengeti with a herd of gazelles, you need the detail, colours and contrast that really wrap you in the moment. If you’re more into your sports or gaming, look for a TV that can reproduce all the action with buttery-smooth motion. This guide will walk you through all the features to find a TV that meets your needs.
What TV screen size do you need?
Think about the size of the room and the distance between the TV and your seating area. To give you an idea of what might work best we’ve added the recommended viewing distances for each TV size in this guide.
What kind of picture technology and resolution?
There are various display technologies available and each has its own advantages. To give you a quick example, OLED TVs typically offer deeper blacks and better contrast so you can see all the action no matter how dark the movie scene, while QLED TVs can provide more colourful pictures due to their brighter highlights.
Should you wall mount your TV?
If you want to save on floor space you’ll want to consider using a TV stand or getting a wall mount installed for an overall sleeker look. Want to give installing a go yourself? Our guide will walk you through it step by step.
What about your accessories?
You might want to include a soundbar or home theatre system to enhance the audio quality, HDMI cables to connect devices such as games consoles and projectors, and a cable management solution to keep everything nice and organised.
Now that you have your tick boxes at the ready, our handy guide is here to walk you through. We’ll explain any TV jargon you come across and answer all the big questions along the way, so let’s get started!
What Will You Use Your TV For?
With more entertainment choices to enjoy than ever before, it’s important to find the TV that will really get the best out of what you love to watch. From family movie nights to big sports events to epic online gaming sessions, let’s find the tech perfectly tailored to your viewing habits.
Movies and Streaming
When it comes to choosing the best TV for watching films, go for a higher resolution (the total number of pixels/dots that make up the picture on your television) like 4K or 8K to ensure greater detail and clarity and really bring your movies to life. Consider the HDR (High Dynamic Range) compatibility too as the vibrant colours and enhanced contrast make for a truly immersive viewing experience.
If you’re looking to enjoy movies with the whole family, opting for a bigger TV will provide wider viewing angles and ensure everyone gets a great seat. Some TV brands even offer a Movie Mode feature that automatically adjusts picture and audio settings, giving you the most authentic cinematic experience possible.
To truly amp up your movie nights, consider adding a soundbar to your setup. Soundbars use multiple internal speakers to create immersive, cinematic sound, with effects that come at you from every direction! So grab some popcorn, get comfy, and enjoy your favourite films in superb audiovisual quality.
Sports
If a ringside seat from your living room is what you’re after, then consider a larger tv screen and 4K resolution. These are key in allowing you to see every detail clearly, from the expressions on the players’ faces to the iconic venues, and the precise shots that lead to those unforgettable moments.
A high frame rate is crucial for handling fast-moving action without any blurring on your screen. Look for a TV with a high refresh rate (number of times per second the image on screen refreshes), ensuring smooth and crisp visuals even during the most intense moments. Some TV brands offer a Sports Mode feature, automatically optimising the visual and audio settings to provide a stadium-like experience. Imagine; you’re right there in the crowd at Wimbledon, the ball flowing across the net, the roar of the crowd surrounding you, and the players’ emotions vividly etched on their faces. That’s the power of Sports Mode!
If watching sports is a family affair then consider a TV with wide viewing angles, so everyone can enjoy a front row view from any position in the room. When watching a sports broadcast with lower-resolution, find a TV with top-notch upscaling technology which will enhance the picture quality and make them appear sharper and more detailed.
With these features in place, you can fully immerse yourself in the excitement of sports, making every game-watching moment a thrilling experience.
Gaming
If you’re a gamer, finding the perfect gaming TV can significantly enhance your gaming experience.
Prioritise a TV with low input lag and aim for a higher refresh rate, ideally 120Hz or more, for smoother motion and less blurring in fast-paced gaming scenes. TVs with variable refresh rate (VRR) technology like Freesync or G-Sync prevent screen tearing (when the screen shows fragments of multiple frames at the same time) and deliver a seamless gaming experience. Features like Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Game Mode optimise settings specifically for gaming, further reducing input lag.
For next-generation consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S you’ll need a TV that can keep up with all the action! These consoles are designed for 4K gaming and provide lots of additional detail and clarity. HDR compatibility (High Dynamic Range) enhances colours, making them more vibrant and lifelike, while also improving visibility in shadowed areas. Higher frame rates also make sure your game playing is smooth and seamless so look for a TV that can match your console’s 120Hz capability.
Some TV brands even offer a Gaming Mode feature that automatically adjusts the TV’s visual and audio settings to provide you with the ultimate gaming experience. Gear up for exhilarating gaming adventures with a TV that’s tailored made to meet your gaming needs!
What size TV do I need?
You don’t want to end up squinting at a small box in the corner of your room or feeling overpowered by a giant screen. The shape and size of your room, the viewing angle and the distance from the screen are all important in finding your ideal TV. For everyone to have the best viewing experience, keep this in mind - the wider the room, the wider the TV.
Recommended Viewing Distance
Use a viewing distance of roughly 1.5x the size of your screen to keep your peepers relaxed and stress-free.
How To Measure Your TV Screen
Screen size is measured diagonally from the bottom left to the top right. With bezels (the frame around the edge of the screen) having shrunk to minimal size in recent years, buyers’ preferred choice of screen size has steadily increased, with a 55-inch TV now the most popular for the lounge in UK homes. The 32-inch model remains most popular in the kitchen and bedroom.
Which Picture Resolution Should I Choose?
The higher the resolution, the greater the number of pixels and the finer the detail and depth. Ultra HD 4K has introduced a spectacular revolution in viewing standard to our homes, with 4x the detail of Full HD. But do you need to go one step further and futureproof your TV with 8K (yes, 4x better again than 4K!)? Let’s walk through the options.
What is a HD Ready TV?
A HD-Ready TV can display 720p images (1280 x 720 pixels). That’s a big step up from Standard Definition (640 x 480) but still not as sharp as Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080). HD-Ready is fine for smaller, 24-inch or 32-inch TVs for the kitchen or bedroom, but if you’re buying a bigger TV then you probably want to go for Full HD or 4K Ultra HD.
What is Full HD TV?
Full HD offers a 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution that’s four times the quality of HD-Ready, so you get crisp, beautifully detailed pictures to help you see everything that’s going on. Great for a budget purchase and medium-sized TVs, Full HD resolution often comes with HDR to ensure colours are also more vivid and realistic.
What does 4K Ultra HD mean?
Take your entertainment to the next level with Ultra HD featuring a 3840 x 2160-pixel resolution that’s four times the quality of Full HD. Thanks to the incredible detail, lifelike colours and natural motion that 4K brings to life, everything you watch feels more realistic, immersive and thrilling. There’s lots of 4K content to be found via providers such as BBC, ITV, Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube.
What does 8K Ultra HD mean?
That’s 12 times the quality of Full HD! Feast your eyes on flawlessly realistic detail with greater depth, incredible perspective, and almost no pixelation regardless of how big your TV is – ideal for TVs 70 inches and above. 8K content is not yet widely available but broadcasters and streaming services are updating their products all the time, so you can buy safe in the knowledge you’re future-proofed!
What Screen Technology Should I Choose?
Understanding your OLED from your QLED can be a little tricky at first. But our experts have got your back with the ultimate lowdown on screen technology to help you understand all the TV size, content type and budget-friendly options out there to match your preferences.
What are LED TV’s?
LED stands for light-emitting diode. LED is the most common TV technology and is used to light the screen either at the back or sides. This provides bright images with good picture quality for engaging viewing and a sleek-looking TV design.
Available in the widest range of sizes.
Bright pictures in any light.
Great value for money.
Energy efficient.
What are OLED TVs?
OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode. Individual pixels turn on and off for beautifully bright and vibrant colour, as well as enhanced contrast, smooth motion and superb detail, depth and texture. OLED TVs are also often ultra-slim because they don’t require backlighting.
Rich colour, deep blacks and outstanding contrast.
Smooth motion when the action gets hectic.
Wider viewing angles.
Energy efficient.
What are QLED TVs?
QLED TVs use Quantum Dot technology. Each ‘dot’ is a semiconductor nanocrystal that can change size to emit different colours (wow!), which means it’s very precise and gives amazingly lifelike images. As well as those incredible colours, the contrast ratio is also naturally improved when brightness is higher for truly crisp, rich images.
A big step up in picture quality.
Brighter, more lifelike colours.
Reduced glare.
Great viewing from all angles.
What are projector TVs?
Projector TVs let you supersize your viewing while removing the need for an actual TV set. Create a screen of up to 100 inches or more by projecting TV shows, movies and games onto any wall or flat surface for epic viewing in up to 4K resolution that’s ideal for sharing. Unlike standard TVs, many are also easily portable.
Adjustable image size up to 100 inches.
Lots of streaming options and console compatibility.
Portability adds to the fun.
Most feature built-in speakers.
What TV Accessories Do I Need?
The right TV accessories can enhance your viewing experience, expand your entertainment options and ensure you get the right look for your room. Top tip - Make sure to check the number and type of TV ports (especially HDMI and USB) to make sure you can link up everything at the same time!
Soundbars
What could be better than sweeter soundtracks, bigger bangs and words you can actually hear? A soundbar makes everything sound more punchy, detailed and clear, so mumbled dialogue becomes a thing of the past and your home cinema set-up becomes even more immersive and thrilling. Most also include Bluetooth streaming so you can liven up the living room with your favourite playlist even when the TV is off.
Gaming Console
Why just watch a film when you can take the lead role with the latest AAA (high budget, high profile) games on Xbox and PlayStation? The latest consoles feature incredible 4K graphics that – which means, the bigger your TV, the more epic the action becomes. Are you ready for the spotlight?
Blu-ray Player
Film fans love to delve into their collections and pick out a classic. Blu-Ray Players are great for savouring Hollywood’s finest moments or gathering the family to watch an old favourite together.
TV Unit
Display your new TV in style with a unit that co-ordinates with your home décor and keeps everything tidy. As well as a stylish piece of furniture, the right TV stand can tuck away cables, TV boxes and more to keep the look sleek and tidy.
Wall Mount
What works best in your room? Bigger TVs often look better wall mounted – or perhaps you’ve got a smaller TV you want to locate above a fireplace. Adjustable wall mounts (extend, tilt & swivel) are also available if you need to adapt the viewing angle.
TV Box
If you subscribe to a TV package such as Sky, Virgin or BT, you’ll have a TV Box to hook up. Perhaps you’ve got a Fire stick for apps such BT Sport or Amazon Prime – the options are endless!
Projector
Projector TVs let you supersize your viewing! Create a screen of up to 100 inches or more by projecting TV shows, movies and games onto any wall or flat surface for epic viewing in up to 4K resolution.
FAQ’s
With so many features to think about when it comes to buying a TV, we’ve made life a little easier by rounding up the most commonly asked questions and providing you with the answers. From the secrets of smart TVs to what are the best accessories, our FAQs are designed to provide you with helpful insight and handy tips.
What Is A Smart TV?
Welcome to the world of streaming! Connect up your new TV and home WiFi to access a vast selection of content via a choice of streaming sites, including BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Amazon Prime, NOW TV, BT Sport, BritBox, Disney+, Apple TV, YouTube and many more. You’ll never be short of something to watch again! Different TV brands use different operating systems, so it’s a good idea to check your favourite apps work with the TV you have in mind. Some TVs also come with a built-in voice assistants such Bixby, Alexa or Google Assistant, so you can search for and play content simply by talking to the remote control! If you’ve already got a smart home with plenty of interconnected devices, then why not find a TV you can sync up too?
Do All TVs Come With A Built-in Tuner?
If you choose a TV with Freeview Play you’ll have access to over 60,000 hours of TV and over 1,500 boxsets across BBC iPlayer, ITV X, Channel4, My5, UKTV Play and more all for free. You can also scroll back through the guide to easily catch up on up to 7 days of programs you may have missed via on-demand services. Just make sure your TV or recorder is connected to the internet and you’re good to go. If you live in an area where Freeview reception is poor, Freesat is an alternative that delivers its TV channels via a satellite broadcast rather than down your aerial.
What is HDR?
High Dynamic Range (HDR) gives you a much wider range of brightness and colour than standard picture technology by boosting the contrast between the brightest whites and darkest blacks. As a result, colours have greater depth and richness, making what you’re watching feel more lifelike and immersive.
Don’t be alarmed that HDR comes in more than one format. HDR10 is the basic standard, HLG (Hybrid-Log Gamma) is sometimes found on TV shows and the most common is Dolby Vision, which adjusts the HDR effect on a frame-by-frame basis, which results in more accurate and lifelike colours. Dolby Vision is usually found on Blu-ray films too. So try to ensure that your choice of TV supports the format used in your favourite content – and most TVs support more than one of them.
Should I wall mount my TV?
Your new TV may come with a stand but does mounting it on a wall suit the space in your home better? If you want to create the perfect viewing angle then consider extending, tilting and swivelling wall mounts - or perhaps you want a super-slim TV that sits incredibly snug to the wall for a clean, streamlined look. With a little preparation, most flat-screen TVs can be hung on either brick or stud frame walls. VESA standards (the distance between the horizontal holes and vertical holes on the back) are the key to finding the perfect wall bracket to match your TV – match them up and you’re ready to go.
How do I install a wall mount for my TV?
Wall mounting a TV may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and knowledge, it’s a process that many people can do themselves. Here are some general steps to follow:
Choose the right location: Decide on the location of the TV, taking into consideration viewing angles, sunlight, and accessibility to electrical outlets and inputs.
Choose the right wall mount: Make sure the wall mount you choose is compatible with your TV’s size and weight and has the necessary VESA pattern to attach to the TV. Wall mounts come in various types, such as fixed, tilting, and full-motion.
Assemble the wall mount: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to assemble the wall mount, ensuring all the pieces are in their correct positions and tightened securely.
Check your walls: Most homes have a combination of brick walls and stud walls. Both types can support a TV, but you need to be more careful with a stud wall, with a stud finder required to help you identify the location of the studs in the wall as these will be what you’ll attach the wall mount to.
Mark the holes: Place the wall mount on the wall and use a pencil to mark the locations of the screw holes. Double-check that the mount is level.
Install the mount: Use the appropriate screws to attach the mount to either a brick wall or the wall studs. For the latter, it’s important to drill pilot holes first to prevent splitting the wood studs. Make sure the mount is level and attached securely.
Attach the mounting plate to the TV: Depending on your TV and mount, this process may differ. If necessary, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for attaching the mounting plate to the TV.
Mount the TV: Attach the TV to the wall mount. Depending on the type of wall mount and the heaviness of the TV, you will probably need someone to assist you with this step!
Once the TV is mounted on the wall, double-check that it’s level and securely attached to the wall mount. Then sit back and enjoy your newly wall-mounted TV from every angle.
Do I Need Sound Enhancement for my TV?
All TVs come with their own built-in speakers but you can add an extra audio dimension to your entertainment with a soundbar or speaker system. Perhaps you want a basic soundbar to help you hear the dialogue a bit more clearly or stop the advert breaks from blaring after the kids have gone to bed. Or why not invest in something a bit fancier if you’re a film fan who wants the full cinematic experience with sound effects that come at you from all directions? Some higher-end TV brands offer audio features such as clear voice tech, object tracking sound and adaptive sound that offer what you need without extra accessories if you want to keep things clean and simple.
How Do Smart TVs Work?
Smart TVs come with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and require connecting to your broadband, either wirelessly (using your WiFi password) or via an ethernet cable. Once linked up, you can access a variety of streaming services, including free options such as ITV X or subscription-based services such as Netflix and Disney+. The result is a huge choice of content that ensures you’ll never be stuck for something to watch again.
What Sizes Do TVs Come In?
There’s a huge range of UK TV sizes to suit all your needs, ranging from a compact 24-inch TVs for your kitchen or bedroom to deluxe 85-inch TVs for larger lounges or a cinema room. If you want to go even bigger, then a Projector TV is the perfect option! Find a blank wall and project epic images that can entertain a crowd.
How Long Do TVs Last?
The average lifespan of the LEDs in TV screen at close-to-maximum brightness is 40,000 - 60,000 hours, or roughly 4.5 - 6.8 years – if your TV was on 24 hours a day! If you watch a more sensible 6 – 8 hours a day, then your TV could last around 13 years, provided none of the other components fail beforehand.
What To Do With An Old TV?
If it’s broken, then take your set to the tip for recycling.
If your TV still works, perhaps you could sell it at a car boot sale or via a local buy and sell page.
Give it away for free to a local charity that accepts electrical goods.
What Are The Best Picture Quality TVs?
Of course, it all comes down to personal preference but there’s no doubting that 4K Ultra HD and HDR picture technology make everything look better. Picture technology such as QLED and OLED bring rich colours and deep contrast to the party, while a high frame rate will keep everything super-smooth and blur-free regardless of how hectic the action gets.
Hopefully we’ve answered your big questions in this guide and cleared the pathway to finding your perfect TV. Very.co.uk will still be here to help after you’ve made your decision too, starting with delivery straight to your door. Of course, your TV will come with a manufacturer’s guarantee but you can also enjoy extra peace of mind with our optional Very Protect insurance offer, which will ensure we’ve got you covered should anything go wrong.
We’ve got a great range of accessories to expand your entertainment options, including gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, soundbars and more. Or perhaps your new TV will require a new piece of furniture to show it off properly – don’t worry, our range has options to suit every type of home décor.