Best HDTV by size

 

 

32 inches or less

 

Product

Editors' rating

Price

Summary

Samsung LN-S3251D 
Samsung LN-S3251D

7.6 out of 10 7.6
Very good

Review date:
08/17/2006

$1030-$1800

from 30 stores

 

The 32-inch Samsung LN-S3251D/LN-S3252D may cost more than budget LCDs, but its eye-catching looks and impressive image quality help it pull away from the name-brand LCD pack.

Specs: LCD TV, TFT active matrix, 32 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 3D-Y/C digital, Stereo, Piano black

Sharp LC-32D4U 
Sharp LC-32D4U

7.3 out of 10 7.3
Very good

Review date:
03/08/2006

$996-$1799

from 13 stores

 

A step above most LCDs in terms of performance, features and styling, the Sharp LC-32D4U makes a good case for spending a bit more.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 32 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 1080i, 3D-Y/C digital, Stereo, Piano black

Dell W3201C 
Dell W3201C

7.3 out of 10 7.3
Very good

Review date:
12/09/2005

$1399

from 1 store

 

While we'd like to see its price drop a bit, the Dell W3201C's impressive feature set and solid image quality definitely set it apart from the budget pack.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 32 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 3D-Y/C digital, Stereo

Sony KDL-32S2000 
Sony KDL-32S2000

7.0 out of 10 7.0
Very good

Review date:
04/19/2006

$960-$1900

from 25 stores

 

The Sony KDL-32S2000's impressive image quality and slick styling make it a viable HD LCD option, but there are lots of better values available.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 32 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 3D digital, Stereo, Dolby Digital, Medium silver

Sharp LC-20B8U-S 
Sharp LC-20B8U-S

7.0 out of 10 7.0
Very good

Review date:
11/03/2005

$450-$710

from 7 stores

 

This Sharp LC-20B8U has the right combination of size and performance to serve up TV and even HDTV in your kitchen or bedroom.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 20 in, 4:3, Remote control (Infrared), 1024 x 768, Stereo, Black

JVC LT-32X787 
JVC LT-32X787

6.4 out of 10 6.4
Good

Review date:
06/06/2006

$1030-$1300

from 13 stores

 

Although its design gets off on the wrong foot, the midpriced JVC LT-32X787 boasts plenty of features and a better picture than most LCD TVs.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 32 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 720p, 3D-Y/C digital, Stereo

ViewSonic N3260W 
ViewSonic N3260W

6.3 out of 10 6.3
Good

Review date:
05/26/2006

$822-$1177

from 33 stores

 

Despite a couple of picture-quality issues, the ViewSonic N3260W is one of the better bargains among LCD TVs today.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 32 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, Stereo, Black

Vizio L32HDTV 
Vizio L32HDTV

6.3 out of 10 6.3
Good

Review date:
03/24/2006

$800-$900

from 2 stores

 

While certainly not suited to discerning low-light viewing, the inexpensive Vizio L32HDTV is a good bargain for people seeking a solid everyday television.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 32 in, Remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 3D digital, Stereo

 

 

33 to 43 inches

 

Product

Editors' rating

Price

Summary

Pioneer PDP-4360HD 
Pioneer PDP-4360HD

8.0 out of 10 8.0
Excellent

Review date:
12/14/2005

$2240-$2699

from 14 stores

 

Pioneer's PDP-4360HD offers improved black-level performance and excellent overall picture quality, but it costs a bit more than the competition.

Specs: Plasma TV - Color, Plasma (PDP), 43 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1024 x 768, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, Stereo

Sony KDL-40XBR2 
Sony KDL-40XBR2

7.9 out of 10 7.9
Very good

Review date:
08/28/2006

$2349-$3500

from 18 stores

 

Sure the high-end Sony KDL-40XBR2 offers a commendable picture with more tweaks than you'll ever use, but let's face it: Style is this LCD's main weapon.

Specs: LCD TV, 40 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1920 x 1080, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, Stereo, Silver

Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK 
Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK

7.8 out of 10 7.8
Very good

Review date:
02/22/2006

$1766-$2995

from 24 stores

 

The 42-inch Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK is a great deal for the money, but only if you're comfortable adding inputs, you don't need a tuner, and you remember to buy a stand.

Specs: Plasma panel - Color, Plasma (PDP), 42 in, 16:9, 1024 x 768, Stereo

Panasonic TH-37PHD8UK 
Panasonic TH-37PHD8UK

7.8 out of 10 7.8
Very good

Review date:
11/07/2005

$1679-$2595

from 21 stores

 

Despite limited features and connectivity, the Panasonic TH-37PHD8UK is one of the best small-screen plasmas on the market today in terms of picture quality.

Specs: Plasma panel - Color, Plasma (PDP), 37 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1024 x 720, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, Stereo

Sharp LC-37D90U 
Sharp LC-37D90U

7.7 out of 10 7.7
Very good

Review date:
07/12/2006

$1749-$2700

from 17 stores

 

Sharp's LC-37D90U is too small to take full advantage of its high 1080p resolution, but it's still one of the best-performing LCDs we've tested yet.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 37 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1920 x 1080, 1080p, Stereo, Titanium silver

Panasonic TH-42PX60U 
Panasonic TH-42PX60U

7.5 out of 10 7.5
Very good

Review date:
04/28/2006

$1649-$2500

from 25 stores

 

The Panasonic TH-42PX60U sets the standard for value among full-featured 42-inch plasmas.

Specs: Plasma TV - Color, Plasma (PDP), 42 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1024 x 768, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 3D-Y/C digital, Stereo

Sharp LC-37D40U 
Sharp LC-37D40U

7.0 out of 10 7.0
Very good

Review date:
05/17/2006

$1350-$2200

from 32 stores

 

The Sharp LC-37D40U delivers some of the deepest blacks and very good overall image quality for an LCD, making it worth the extra dough for home-theater fans.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 37 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, Stereo

Philips 42PF9830A 
Philips 42PF9830A

7.0 out of 10 7.0
Very good

Review date:
12/14/2005

$2500-$2750

from 7 stores

 

The Philips 42PF9830A is one of the best-performing LCDs we've reviewed, although it still doesn't rival the better plasmas at this size.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 42 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 3D digital, Stereo, Pearl white silver

Samsung LN-S4051D 
Samsung LN-S4051D

6.9 out of 10 6.9
Good

Review date:
05/12/2006

$1599-$2500

from 26 stores

 

Although it looks downright dreamy on the outside, the Samsung LN-S4051D's image quality has a hard time keeping up with the best flat panels.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 40 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, Stereo

Dell W3706MC 
Dell W3706MC

6.9 out of 10 6.9
Good

Review date:
03/31/2006

$1599

from 1 store

 

Despite its relatively light blacks, the Dell W3706MC has a decent picture, and its jack pack and versatile speakers sweeten the deal.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 37 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, Stereo

Dell W4201C 
Dell W4201C

6.9 out of 10 6.9
Good

Review date:
02/08/2006

$1999

from 1 store

 

While the Dell W4201C is suitable for brightly lit environments, its image quality for home theater falls short of that of the best plasmas we've seen.

Specs: Plasma TV - Color, Plasma (PDP), 42 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1024 x 768, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, Stereo, Silver

Hitachi 42HDT52 
Hitachi 42HDT52

6.8 out of 10 6.8
Good

Review date:
10/21/2005

$1900-$2999

from 10 stores

 

While the Hitachi 42HDT52 plasma is full-featured and downright beautiful to look at, its image quality doesn't quite measure up to that of the tough competition.

Specs: Plasma TV - Color, Plasma (PDP), 42 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1024 x 1024, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 3D-Y/C digital, Stereo, Black

 

 

33 to 43 inches

 

Product

Editors' rating

Price

Summary

Pioneer PDP-4360HD 
Pioneer PDP-4360HD

8.0 out of 10 8.0
Excellent

Review date:
12/14/2005

$2240-$2699

from 14 stores

 

Pioneer's PDP-4360HD offers improved black-level performance and excellent overall picture quality, but it costs a bit more than the competition.

Specs: Plasma TV - Color, Plasma (PDP), 43 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1024 x 768, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, Stereo

Sony KDL-40XBR2 
Sony KDL-40XBR2

7.9 out of 10 7.9
Very good

Review date:
08/28/2006

$2349-$3500

from 18 stores

 

Sure the high-end Sony KDL-40XBR2 offers a commendable picture with more tweaks than you'll ever use, but let's face it: Style is this LCD's main weapon.

Specs: LCD TV, 40 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1920 x 1080, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, Stereo, Silver

Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK 
Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK

7.8 out of 10 7.8
Very good

Review date:
02/22/2006

$1766-$2995

from 24 stores

 

The 42-inch Panasonic TH-42PHD8UK is a great deal for the money, but only if you're comfortable adding inputs, you don't need a tuner, and you remember to buy a stand.

Specs: Plasma panel - Color, Plasma (PDP), 42 in, 16:9, 1024 x 768, Stereo

Panasonic TH-37PHD8UK 
Panasonic TH-37PHD8UK

7.8 out of 10 7.8
Very good

Review date:
11/07/2005

$1679-$2595

from 21 stores

 

Despite limited features and connectivity, the Panasonic TH-37PHD8UK is one of the best small-screen plasmas on the market today in terms of picture quality.

Specs: Plasma panel - Color, Plasma (PDP), 37 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1024 x 720, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, Stereo

Sharp LC-37D90U 
Sharp LC-37D90U

7.7 out of 10 7.7
Very good

Review date:
07/12/2006

$1749-$2700

from 17 stores

 

Sharp's LC-37D90U is too small to take full advantage of its high 1080p resolution, but it's still one of the best-performing LCDs we've tested yet.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 37 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1920 x 1080, 1080p, Stereo, Titanium silver

Panasonic TH-42PX60U 
Panasonic TH-42PX60U

7.5 out of 10 7.5
Very good

Review date:
04/28/2006

$1649-$2500

from 25 stores

 

The Panasonic TH-42PX60U sets the standard for value among full-featured 42-inch plasmas.

Specs: Plasma TV - Color, Plasma (PDP), 42 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1024 x 768, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 3D-Y/C digital, Stereo

Sharp LC-37D40U 
Sharp LC-37D40U

7.0 out of 10 7.0
Very good

Review date:
05/17/2006

$1350-$2200

from 32 stores

 

The Sharp LC-37D40U delivers some of the deepest blacks and very good overall image quality for an LCD, making it worth the extra dough for home-theater fans.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 37 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, Stereo

Philips 42PF9830A 
Philips 42PF9830A

7.0 out of 10 7.0
Very good

Review date:
12/14/2005

$2500-$2750

from 7 stores

 

The Philips 42PF9830A is one of the best-performing LCDs we've reviewed, although it still doesn't rival the better plasmas at this size.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 42 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, 3D digital, Stereo, Pearl white silver

Samsung LN-S4051D 
Samsung LN-S4051D

6.9 out of 10 6.9
Good

Review date:
05/12/2006

$1599-$2500

from 26 stores

 

Although it looks downright dreamy on the outside, the Samsung LN-S4051D's image quality has a hard time keeping up with the best flat panels.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 40 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, Stereo

Dell W3706MC 
Dell W3706MC

6.9 out of 10 6.9
Good

Review date:
03/31/2006

$1599

from 1 store

 

Despite its relatively light blacks, the Dell W3706MC has a decent picture, and its jack pack and versatile speakers sweeten the deal.

Specs: LCD TV - Color, TFT active matrix, 37 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1366 x 768, 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p, 720p, 1080i, Stereo

Dell W4201C 
Dell W4201C

6.9 out of 10 6.9
Good

Review date:
02/08/2006

$1999

from 1 store

 

While the Dell W4201C is suitable for brightly lit environments, its image quality for home theater falls short of that of the best plasmas we've seen.

Specs: Plasma TV - Color, Plasma (PDP), 42 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1024 x 768, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, Stereo, Silver

Hitachi 42HDT52 
Hitachi 42HDT52

6.8 out of 10 6.8
Good

Review date:
10/21/2005

$1900-$2999

from 10 stores

 

While the Hitachi 42HDT52 plasma is full-featured and downright beautiful to look at, its image quality doesn't quite measure up to that of the tough competition.

Specs: Plasma TV - Color, Plasma (PDP), 42 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1024 x 1024, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 3D-Y/C digital, Stereo, Black

 

 

60-plus inches

 

Product

Editors' rating

Price

Summary

Sony KDS-R60XBR1 
Sony KDS-R60XBR1

8.7 out of 10 8.7
Excellent

Review date:
11/16/2005

$2716-$4300

from 15 stores

 

By today's standards, the Sony KDS-R60XBR1 is expensive, but its fabulous performance and feature set make it well worth the price for early adopters.

Specs: Rear projection TV - Color, Projection, 60 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1920 x 1080, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 3D digital, Stereo

HP MD6580n 
HP MD6580n

8.3 out of 10 8.3
Excellent

Review date:
11/28/2005

$4200

from 1 store

 

While it doesn't quite deliver the best picture among 1080p HDTVs, the HP MD6580n's innovative design and future-ready inputs may tip the scales in its favor anyway.

Specs: Rear projection TV - Color, DLP DLP, Projection, 65 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1920 x 1080, 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 3D digital, Stereo

Samsung HL-R6768W 
Samsung HL-R6768W

7.6 out of 10 7.6
Very good

Review date:
11/21/2005

$2700-$3750

from 10 stores

 

The Samsung HL-R6768W is a strong contender for the best 1080p HDTV we've reviewed yet, but nondefeatable DNIe processing spoils its chances.

Specs: Rear projection TV - Color, DLP DLP, Projection, 67 in, 16:9, Remote control (Infrared), 1920 x 1080, 1080p, 3D digital, Stereo

JVC HD-61FH96 
JVC HD-61FH96

7.7 out of 10 7.7
Very good

Review date:
02/27/2006

$2649-$4272

from 15 stores

 

With its competitive image quality and price, the JVC HD-61FH96 is a strong contender against the other 1080p big screens on the market.

Specs: Rear projection TV - Color, Projection D-ILA, Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS), 60 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1920 x 1080, 1080p, 3D-Y/C digital, Stereo, Black

Mitsubishi WD-62628 
Mitsubishi WD-62628

6.9 out of 10 6.9
Good

Review date:
11/21/2005

$2350-$3249

from 7 stores

 

Although blessed with a great feature package, the Mitsubishi WD-62628's picture quality falls short of the competition.

Specs: Rear projection TV - Color, DLP DLP, Projection, 62 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1920 x 1080, 480i, 480p, 720i, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, Stereo

Panasonic PT-61DLX76 
Panasonic PT-61DLX76

6.5 out of 10 6.5
Good

Review date:
07/24/2006

$2498-$3300

from 10 stores

 

The Panasonic PT-61DLX76 didn't deliver the best picture quality we've seen among 1080p DLPs, but a solid features-to-price ratio helps increase its appeal.

Specs: Rear projection TV, DLP DLP, Projection, 61 in, 16:9, Universal remote control (Infrared), 1920 x 1080, 480p, 720p, 1080p, 3D-Y/C digital, Stereo