Best TVs to give for the holidays 2021
-
TCL 6-Series
Best TV for the money
$1,000 at Best Buy
-
LG OLEDC1P series
Best high-end TV for the money
$1,800 at Best Buy
-
Samsung QN90A series
Best OLED alternative
$2,200 at Best Buy
-
TCL 4-Series
Best budget TV
$298 at Walmart
-
Vizio V-series
Best budget TV runner-up
$430 at Target
-
Sony X90J series
Best midpriced alternative to TCL, Vizio
$1,200 at Best Buy
-
Samsung Q60A series
Best design, features in a midpriced TV
$750 at Best Buy
This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.
If a TV is on your holiday shopping list, you’ll want to know that some of the best prices of the year are on their way. The tough part is figuring out which TV to give that lucky recipient (let’s face it, or yourself), but we can help. Our picks for the best TVs of 2021 can help you find the perfect set to give or get this holiday season. We look at?contrast ratio,?local dimming, brightness,?color,?uniformity,?gaming input lag?and?refresh rate, as well as the number of HDMI ports,?streaming?service support and more, all to help give you the information you need to make the best home theater choice.
For this list, all the prices you’ll see are for 65-inch models, unless otherwise noted. Although most of these TVs are 2021 models, a few came out in 2020. These remain on our list because we think they still offer a good combination of features and value.
Looking for a specific screen size? Check out: 43-inch TVs, 55-inch TVs,?65-inch TVs?and 75-inch TVs.
David Katzmaier/CNET
TCL 6-Series
Best TV for the money
Nov 2020
The TLC 6-Series just might be the TV with the best bang for the buck. No set we’ve ever tested offers this much picture quality for as little cash. This TV has an excellent image thanks to?mini-LED tech?and well-implemented?full-array local dimming?that helps it run circles around just about any other TV at this price. This 4K Ultra HD TV is also a solid choice for gamers with a THX mode that combines?low input lag?and high contrast. As if that’s not enough, the Roku TV operating system is our hands-down favorite. This TV came out in 2020 but will stay on sale throughout 2021 and remains our top choice.?
Sizes: 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-inch. (The prices shown below are for the 55-inch size.)
Read our TCL 6-Series (2020 Roku TV) review.
$1,000 at Best Buy
David Katzmaier/CNET
LG OLEDC1P series
Best high-end TV for the money
Nov 2021
If you are looking to splurge this holiday season, the C1 could be for you. This LG TV costs a bundle, but if you can afford it, its amazing image quality is worth the money. The key to that picture quality is OLED technology, which outperforms other types of TVs. It’s more expensive than entry-level OLED TV options but has better features, and still costs less than higher-end models like the G1. The only real advantage to the G1 over the C1 is its slim styling, but the C1 is slim itself and comes in a wider array of sizes.
Sizes:?48-, 55-, 65-, 77-, 83-inch.
Read our LG C1 series OLED TV review.
$1,800 at Best Buy
David Katzmaier/CNET
Samsung QN90A series
Best OLED alternative
Looking for a high-end TV with spectacular image quality, but don’t want an OLED? The Samsung QN90A is your best bet. This TV uses QLED TV tech augmented by mini-LED for a brighter image than any OLED TV. The spectacular contrast of OLED still won out in my side-by-side tests, but the QN90A QLED screen comes closer than ever.?
Sizes: 50-, 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-inch.
Read our Samsung QN90A series (2021) review.
$2,200 at Best Buy
Sarah Tew/CNET
TCL 4-Series
Best budget TV
Those looking for a good TV without breaking the bank might be interested in the TCL 4-Series. Roku is our favorite platform for live TV streaming services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, and it’s even better baked into the TV. This TCL 4-Series can’t beat any of the models above on image quality — its 4K resolution and HDR performance don’t do much to help the picture — but this smart TV is fine for most people, especially at this price.?
Sizes: 43-, 50-, 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-inch. (The prices shown below are for the 43-inch size.)
Read our TCL 4-series Roku TV (2021) review.
$298 at Walmart
$500 at eBay
$364 at Amazon
Geoffrey Morrison/CNET
Vizio V-series
Best budget TV runner-up
Vizio’s V-series is our favorite budget alternative to the TCL 4-Series Roku TV. We liked Roku’s smart TV system better (sound familiar?), but the V-series has some advantages, including a better remote with voice and more advanced picture settings. Picture quality between the two was basically the same, so if you don’t have a preference, it makes sense to get the cheapest one.
Sizes: 43-, 50-, 55-, 58- 65-, 75-inch.
Read our Vizio V-series (2021) review.
$430 at Target
David Katzmaier/CNET
Sony X90J series
Best midpriced alternative to TCL, Vizio
There’s a lot of competition in the midpriced TV category. With excellent picture quality, anchored by full-array local dimming and plenty of brightness to make HDR content shine, the X90J makes a case for itself as Sony’s answer to the TCL 6-Series and step-up Vizio models. This LED TV’s sleek looks and the?Google TV?operating system score additional points, as does its?next-gen console support?(it has 4K and 120fps inputs and Sony promises VRR… sometime) and built-in?NextGen TV tuner. If you want an “S” brand, this is one of the best values we’ve tested.
Read our Sony X90J series (2021) review.
$1,200 at Best Buy
$1,180 at eBay
David Katzmaier/CNET
Samsung Q60A series
Best design, features in a midpriced TV
Samsung is the TV brand that sells more TVs than anyone and one of the most popular is the Q60A series. Its sleek OLED screen design stands out compared to the other TVs on this list — although the ultra-thin OLED TV models are even sleeker — it offers better features and image quality than budget models like the TCL 4-Series, and it comes in a vast array of sizes. The TVs above are all superior values, and the Sony X90J has a better picture, but if you want a Samsung TV and can’t afford the QN90A, this is a great choice.
Sizes:?43-, 50-, 55-, 60- 65-, 70- 75-, 85-inch.
Read our Samsung Q60A series (2021) review.
$750 at Best Buy
$898 at Walmart
$797 at Amazon
Other stuff to know about giving a new TV for the 2021 holidays?
We’re sure you’d be happy with any one of the TVs above, but a new set can be a big investment, so maybe you’re looking for a bit more information. Here’s a quick and dirty list.
- In our opinion, bigger is better. In general, your money is best spent on large screen sizes rather than a slight upgrade in image quality.
- If you don’t like the built-in smart TV system, you can always add a streaming device from Roku, Amazon, Google or Apple. They’re generally cheap and easy to use for streaming services — and they receive updates more frequently than most smart TVs. See our picks of?the best streaming devices here.
- The sound quality of most built-in speakers is terrible, so it’s worthwhile to pair your new set with a sound bar or other speaker system. Good ones start at around $100. See the best soundbars here.
More home entertainment recommendations?
- Buying a new TV in 2021
- Best TV antennas for cord cutters, starting at just $10
- Dolby Atmos: Why it’s cool, how it works and how to get it
- Best Sonos speakers starting at $100
- QLED vs. OLED: Which TV tech should you buy?
- HDR formats like Dolby Vision, HDR10, Technicolor and HLG explained
- Best TVs for gaming
- Best 75-inch TVs for 2021
- Best Blu-ray players of 2021
Find The Perfect Gift
107 results
Five S Kneading Massager
$35 at Amazon
Hydro Flask
$35 at Hyrdo Flask
Nintendo eShop Gift Card
$50 at Amazon
Fox in the Forest
$12 at Amazon
SteelSeries Arctis 1
$50 at Amazon
Jacques Torres bonbons
$55 at Jacque Torres
A bouquet of exotic meats
$90 at Man Crates
Sarah Chloe diamond locket
$145 at Sarah Chloe
The Bouqs Co. Pixie bouquet
$99 at The Bouqs Co.
Sweet heart bamboo
$35 at Plants.com
Max Brenner chocolates
$37 at Max Brenner
Ingarden microgreens garden
$100 at Amazon
Shun Sora Japanese petty knife
$70 at Amazon
Wolf Circus Toni gold bracelet
$95 at Wolf Circus
Champagne Gummy Bears
$9 at Sugarfina
MakiMaki sushi roll kit for 2
$125 at MakiMaki
Cote des Roses rosé
$16 at Wine.com
Flavored Truffle Gift Box
$38 at La Maison du Chocolat
Barrel Aged Hot Hive Honey and Reaper Salt Series
$40 at Fuego Box
Carrie Hoffman X studs earrings
$290 at Carrie Hoffman
Wanna Date? sweet date spread
$12 at Uncommon Goods
Italian olivewood serving board
$17 at Sur la table
Three-piece cheese knife set
$20 at CB2
A delivery of fresh pasta
$25 at Goldbelly
Maison Miru heart nap earrings
$75 at Maison
Bokksu Japanese snack box
See at Amazon
State cashmere blanket throw blanket
See at Amazon
HyperChiller
See at Amazon
Nixplay smart digital photo frame
$20 at CB2
Online cooking classes
See at Online Cooking School
Washable Silk Tee & Shorts
See at Quince
Ouai Chill Pill Bath Bombs
See at Ulta
60 Hour Candle
See at TheraBox
Dyson Supersonic hair dryer
See at Dyson
Mint & Lily Mama necklace
See at Mint & Lily
Sephora gift card
See at Sephora
Google Nest Hub
See at Google
Theragun Prime
See at Therabody
Matador NanoDry Towel
See at REI
Mixbook
See at Mixbook
Tiki fire pit
See at Amazon
Mario Badescu face spray set
See at Ulta
Flower delivery from BloomsyBox
See at BloomsyBox
Slip silk pillowcase
See at Amazon
Aarke water carbonator
$230 at Bed Bath & Beyond
Disney Plus Gift Subscription
$80 at Disney
DJI Minin 2 Fly More Combo
$600 at Amazon
Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera
$69 at Amazon
ThisWorx Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner
$36 at Amazon
Perfect Pot
$165 at Our Place
Letterfolk Customizable Tile Mat
$75 at West Elm
Parks Project Candle
$36 at Parks Project
iPad Mini 2021
$500 at Best Buy
Crown & Paw Pet Canvas
$50 at Crown & Paw
Coravin Wine Preservation System
$150 at Target
Botley 2.0
$47 at Amazon
Arcade1Up Arcade Machine
$600 at Best Buy
Biolite TraveLight 135
$40 at Biolite
Blockaroo Blocks
$40 at Amazon
Gloomhaven: Jaws of The Lion Board Game
$32 at Amazon
JBL Go 3
$50 at Amazon
Illy Y3.3 Espresso and Coffee Machine
$149 at Amazon
Lenovo Smart Clock
$35 at Best Buy
Keurig K-Slim Coffee Maker
$79 at Amazon
Lego Speed Champions Corvette
$30 at Amazon
Madewell Transport Tote
$178 at Madewell
Lunya Silk Sleep Mask
$48 at Lunya
Lite-Brite
$13 at Target
Lodge Cast-Iron Grill Pan
$20 at Amazon
EarFun Air Pro 2
$80 at Amazon
Sony WF-1000XM4
$250 at Walmart
Sony PlayStation 5
$499 at Amazon
Roku Express 4K Plus
$39 at Amazon
Apple iPad 2021 (9th generation)
$309 at Amazon
Acer Chromebook Spin 713
$530 at Amazon
MacBook Air M1
$1,000 at Best Buy
Bose SoundLink Flex
$150 at Best Buy
Dell G15
$1,100 at Best Buy
HP Pavilion Aero 13
$1,000 at HP
Lenovo Yoga 7i (2-in-1)
$850 at Best Buy
Mosaic Plant-Based Meal Delivery
$70 at Mosaic
Trade Coffee Subscription
$40 at Trade
Vizio MQ7 65-inch
$1,000 at Amazon
Apple Watch SE
$269 at Amazon
Apple Watch Series 7
$399 at Best Buy
Atlas Tea Club
$199 at Atlas Tea Club
iPhone 11
$499 at Apple
iPhone 13
$799 at Apple
Fitbit Charge 5
$179 at Amazon
Google Pixel 6
$599 at Amazon
iPhone 13 Pro
$999 at Apple
LG C1 OLED 65-inch
$1,797 at Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
$1,166 at Amazon
TCL Series 4 TV 65-inch
$529 at Amazon
TCL Series 6 TV 65-inch
$999 at Amazon
