Which TV to buy in 2026 – a complete guide

Which TV to buy in 2026? OLED, QLED, or Mini LED – a guide

Choosing a new TV in 2026 still boils down to a few key questions: which display technology to choose, what screen size will be best, and which features are really worth paying attention to. For some, perfect black levels and home cinema performance will be crucial; for others, high brightness in a bright living room is key, while gamers will prioritize HDMI 2.1, 120 Hz, and low input lag.

In this guide, we show you which TV to buy in 2026, what differentiates OLED from QLED and Mini LED, which model is suitable for PS5 or Xbox, and what to look for when choosing the popular 55-inch size. This is a practical guide based on technologies and models that fit the Prestige TV offering.

Table of contents

• Introduction: new TVs 2024–2026
• Main display technologies: OLED, QLED, Mini LED
• Technical trends: 4K, 8K, 120 Hz, and HDMI 2.1
• Gaming TV (PS5, Xbox) – what you should have
• Best 55-inch TVs – our top picks
• Installation and picture settings – how to set up your TV
• Additional Prestige TV services: calibration, installation, delivery
• FAQ – frequently asked questions

Which TV to buy in 2026?

• OLED – best contrast, blacks, and home cinema
• Mini LED – very bright image for the living room and large screen sizes
• QLED – good value for money
• for PS5 and Xbox – HDMI 2.1 and 120 Hz are mandatory
• most popular size – 55 inches

Introduction: new TVs 2024–2026

Modern TVs from 2024–2026 offer increasingly higher brightness, better image processing, more refined Smart TV systems, and broader support for gamers. Today, 4K remains the standard for mid-range screen sizes, and in many models, you will already find 120 Hz refresh rates, HDR in Dolby Vision or HDR10+ standards, and gaming features such as VRR and ALLM.

In practice, the choice of a TV should depend on how you will use it. For movies and evening viewing, OLED is the best choice. For a bright living room and large screens, QLED and Mini LED are great options. If you play on a console, pay special attention to HDMI 2.1, 120 Hz, and low input lag.

If you want to learn the details of specific technologies, also see our guides: OLED or QLED, Mini LED vs OLED, which TV for PS5, which 55-inch TV, and is it worth calibrating a TV.

Main display technologies: OLED, QLED, Mini LED

OLED

OLED is a self-emissive technology — each pixel emits light on its own. Thanks to this, OLED TVs offer perfect blacks, excellent contrast, and very wide viewing angles. It is the best choice for people who want to build a home cinema or watch a lot of movies in the evening.

QLED

QLED is an evolution of LCD TVs with a quantum dot layer. This construction allows for high brightness and very vivid colors. QLED works well during the day, in bright rooms, and where a good picture at a reasonable price matters.

Mini LED

Mini LED is a more advanced version of LCD with a very high number of backlight zones. Thanks to this, Mini LED TVs offer better contrast than classic QLED, while maintaining very high brightness and avoiding the typical risk of burn-in. It is often the best compromise between OLED and classic LCD.

Quick comparison

In summary: OLED wins in black quality and contrast, while QLED and Mini LED offer advantages in brightness and better prices for large screens.

Technical trends: 4K, 8K, 120 Hz, and HDMI 2.1

In 2026, for most users, a 4K TV remains the best choice. It is still the most reasonable standard for 43–65-inch sizes. 8K TVs appear mainly in larger screen sizes, but they still require appropriate content, which is significantly less available than 4K content.

Increasingly important are:

• 120 Hz or more — especially for gamers and motion fluidity,
• HDMI 2.1 — necessary for 4K120,
• VRR — variable refresh rate,
• ALLM — automatic low latency mode for gaming,
• HDR10+ and Dolby Vision — improved image dynamics.

If you are buying a TV for PS5 or Xbox Series X, a model with HDMI 2.1 and 120 Hz is the safest choice today.

Gaming TV (PS5, Xbox) – what you should have

If you are wondering which gaming TV to choose, pay attention to a few key elements:

• 120 Hz — in practice, the most important minimum for modern consoles,
• HDMI 2.1 — needed for 4K120,
• VRR and ALLM — improve fluidity and convenience,
• low input lag — important especially in dynamic games,
• good contrast and fast panel — OLED or a strong QLED/Mini LED.

For more details, see our article: which TV for PS5.

Best 55-inch TVs – our top picks

55-inch TVs remain the most popular choice for most living rooms. This size works well for viewing from about 2–3 meters away and offers a wide range of technologies and prices.

Below are our picks in the 55-inch size:

1. LG 55G54

This is a proposition for people looking for a premium TV for home cinema. The LG G series has for years been associated with very high image quality, great blacks, and strong contrast characteristic of OLED. It is a model for demanding users who want to make the most of a modern panel's capabilities.

2. Samsung 55S95F

A very strong choice for people looking for a modern premium-class TV with an emphasis on brightness, great colors, and very good gaming capabilities. It is a model that works well both for movies and for playing on PS5 or Xbox Series X.

3. Philips 55OLED910

An interesting choice for people who want to combine the advantages of OLED technology with the additional Ambilight visual effect. This TV works well in the living room and during evening viewing sessions, where atmosphere, contrast, and more cinematic experiences matter.

When choosing a 55-inch TV, pay attention to:

• panel type,
• image brightness,
• Smart TV system,
• number of HDMI ports,
• support for HDMI 2.1 and 120 Hz,
• extras such as Dolby Vision, HDR10+, or Ambilight.

More on this topic can be found in our guide: which 55-inch TV to choose.

Installation and picture settings – how to set up your TV

Even a very good TV can look average if it is not set up correctly. After purchase, it is worth starting by restoring factory settings and selecting the "Movie", "Cinema", or a similar picture mode closest to natural calibration.

To start, set:

• brightness so that blacks are not grey,
• contrast without losing details in whites,
• sharpness moderately, without artificial outlines,
• color temperature closer to "warm" than "cool".

If you want to get the maximum out of your image, consider professional calibration.

You can find more tips here: is it worth calibrating a TV.

Additional Prestige TV services: calibration, installation, delivery

At Prestige TV, we focus on comprehensive service, which is why we help not only with choosing a TV but also with preparing it for daily use.

We offer:

• TV checking and calibration — we help ensure the hardware works correctly and set up the image to make use of its capabilities,
• secure delivery — we take care to ensure the TV arrives to the customer under proper conditions,
• wall or stand mounting — we help with the correct installation of the TV and connection of selected devices,
• accessory selection — we help select mounts, HDMI cables, and other elements needed for a complete set.

Thanks to this, the entire process — from purchase to turning on the TV at home — can be carried out conveniently, safely, and with greater confidence that the equipment will work as it should.

FAQ – frequently asked questions

What to pay attention to when buying a TV in 2026?

The most important factors are display technology, resolution, refresh rate, HDMI 2.1, HDR, and screen size. For some, OLED will be best, for others, QLED or Mini LED.

Is a 55-inch TV a good choice?

Yes. It is the most universal size for most living rooms and one of the most popular segments of the market.

Is it worth calibrating a TV?

Yes, because even a good TV after calibration can display more natural colors, better contrast, and a more balanced image.

Gaming TV – what is most important?

Most important are 120 Hz, HDMI 2.1, low input lag, and support for VRR and ALLM.