The World Cup starts in less than a week, and we bet a lot of people are making last-minute changes to their schedules, including switching on a new TV.
TV shipments are up six percent annually, according to a global technology market research firm Omdiaand while we hope everyone buying a new set checks out our carefully curated list of the best TVs, chances are there’s a fair amount of random shopping going on.
Don’t judge here, and we understand that most people will go into the store and pick out the biggest and cheapest 4K TV you can find, but we urge you to take stock before swiping your card and calling it a day.
The World Cup lasts for just over a month, but your TV will last a lot longer; maybe not a lifetime, but most TV manufacturers tell us that the average person replaces their TV every seven years.
With that in mind, I’ve developed a simple three-question plan that anyone should ask themselves in order to shop consistently this weekend.
Question 1: is this TV good value?
A cheap 4K TV is one thing; good value 4K TV is something else entirely.
Yes, we’re seeing the popularity of Hisense and TCL line shelves with affordable 4K sets, and some of them are really good TVs – take the award-winning, sub-£400 TCL C6KS, for example. But some of these cheap sets can cut corners.
Panel technology becomes very basic at this level. That’s great for those who want to catch a game, but for cinephiles who appreciate movies as much as they do footy, you might want to consider looking up to the Mini LED models at least.
Image processing is also often heavily considered at this level, too. Movement and upscaling are two processing factors to be considered – the first to accommodate running players from all over the field, while the latter can deal with sharpening standard correction feeds from terrestrial broadcast channels.
Gaming specifications are also interesting here, with very few TVs at this level offering HDMI 2.1 support. While they aren’t completely barebones, you can expect to miss out on high-frame console games in 4K, and some budget 4K models sport fewer HDMI sockets overall.
While choosing an affordable 4K set is never a bad decision, you should also remember that you will be using this TV for many years to come, so future proofing is always good.
If you’re looking for TVs that tread the line between cheap and good value, you should check out our list of the best cheap TVs for some inspiration.
Question 2: will it stand the test of time?
Almost every TV we see these days features a smart platform. Google TV is used by TCL and Philips, Tizen OS is installed on Samsung, webOS is on LG TVs, and Hisense uses its Vidaa platform on its sets.
Not all operating systems are created equal, and updates and app support can vary greatly between brands. While we saw decent coverage of major streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, we saw some worrisome gaps.
BBC iPlayer, for example, is not on Philips’ current TV line-up, which is quite a problem considering that a large number of World Cup matches will be streamed for free on BBC iPlayer.
Longevity is also something to keep in mind. Notably, Samsung and LG have both committed to backing their TVs with seven years of software support.
If you want a permanent TV, and you rely on built-in streaming systems, then we recommend that you go for a TV from one of these brands, or instead invest in an external streaming device.
Question 3: do I leave room in my budget for a sound bar?
Our advice to anyone buying a new TV is to budget for a sound bar to pair with it.
TV sound, unless you look at the high end of OLED TVs that include speaker systems tuned by notable hi-fi brands, is almost always low.
And if you’re prepared to listen to commentators for hours on end, the last thing you want is a built-in sound system that’s thin, small, and tiring on the ears.
A good soundbar doesn’t have to cost the Earth. Take the Sony HT-SF150, which delivers a solid cinema sound experience for under £100; or the award-winning Hisense AX5125H, which includes Dolby Atmos support, surround speakers and a subwoofer for under £200.
While a good sound system will undoubtedly give you a more authentic experience during the game (think of the audience singing and cheering), you will also get a range of benefits, including a better sound experience when it comes to music and movies.
MORE:
Here we are World Cup technical deals
Check out our selection of best budget soundbars
As well as- excellent OLED TVs