Choosing a TV in 2026 means navigating between three technologies (OLED, QLED, Mini-LED) and prices ranging from €300 to over €3,000. The best TV isn't the most expensive: it's the one suited to your room and your habits. Here is our guide to paying the right price without falling into marketing traps.

How to choose the right TV

Before comparing prices, clarify your use and environment:

  • Screen technology: OLED offers perfect blacks and unmatched contrast (ideal for dark rooms and cinema); Mini-LED/QLED goes brighter (ideal for well-lit rooms).
  • Size: match it to your viewing distance. For a sofa 3 m away, a 55 to 65 inch panel is a good starting point.
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz (and HDMI 2.1) is essential for gaming on recent consoles; 60 Hz is enough for TV and streaming.
  • HDR: Dolby Vision and HDR10+ genuinely improve the picture, provided the panel is bright enough to make the most of it.
  • The system: Google TV, Tizen or webOS — check that your favourite streaming apps are available.
Picksly tip: an OLED panel shines in a dark room; in bright sunlight, a very bright Mini-LED will often be more pleasant. The best TV depends on your living room.

Our selection by profile

Budget profile: the best under €500

For everyday TV and streaming use, entry-level LED/QLED models like the TCL C series or the Hisense E series offer excellent picture quality for the price. A refurbished high-end model from the previous year can also beat a basic new one on quality.

Smart profile: the best value for money

The €700–1,200 range is ideal: a bright Mini-LED or an entry OLED, 120 Hz and good HDR. The Samsung QLED Q series, the LG OLED B series or the mid-range Sony Bravia illustrate this segment well.

Premium profile: the best quality, no compromise

Reference-level OLED, record brightness and top-tier picture processing: the LG OLED G series, the Samsung OLED S series or the high-end Sony Bravia lead the pack. Reserved for film buffs and demanding gamers.

How to pay the right price

TVs are among the products with the most volatile prices: differences of several hundred euros depending on the retailer and the time of year. Rather than comparing manually, let Picksly find the most relevant alternative for your profile, at the current real price.

FAQ

What is the best cheap TV?

Under €500, the TCL C series and Hisense E series offer the best value for money in QLED. A refurbished high-end model from last year is also an excellent option.

OLED or QLED: which should you choose?

OLED excels in dark rooms (perfect blacks, cinema); QLED/Mini-LED shines in bright rooms thanks to its high brightness. The choice mostly depends on how much light your living room gets.

Do you need a 120 Hz TV?

Only if you play on a recent console or PC: 120 Hz (with HDMI 2.1) brings genuine smoothness to gaming. For TV and streaming, 60 Hz is plenty.

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