If you're the type of person who refuses to settle for less than the best when shopping for electronics, then off-brand HDTVs just won't cut it. Luckily, our friends at CNET have published a list of the best HDTVs of 2011 to guide the discerning dealnews reader's buying decision. But what can you expect in terms of price for these top TVs? We hit the (virtual) pavement in search of the best deals for each model, and, using our archives, we also looked at each model's all-time low to see which are ripe for buying.
Interestingly enough, on average, CNET's top-rated TVs have dropped in price by 37% since their debut. (Excluding the Sharp LC-70LE73U, which has been replaced by a different model.) The largest drops went to the LG 47LW5600 and the Panasonic TC-P50GT30, which dipped 52% and 50% on their original prices, respectively.
There are 13 TVs in all, ranging from a Samsung 46" LED-backlit LCD HDTV to Sharp's massive 70" LCD HDTV. TV aficionados, cast your eyes on the ultimate 2011 TV buying guide — with review information from CNET, and price advice from dealnews.
Top-Rated HDTVs
Current Low
dealnews Lowest Price
CNET Says
Samsung PN51D8000
$1,468.99 + free shipping at Paul's TV via Buy.com
$1,468.99
"The Samsung PND8000 makes a strong case for being the best overall plasma TV of 2011."
Samsung PN59D7000
$1,821.82 via coupon code "PAYCHECK" + $39 s&h at East Coast TVs
$1,821.82
The Samsung PND7000 plasma is an excellent value for videophiles on a budget who don't demand brand new, top of the line.
Panasonic TC-P55VT30
$1,759.10 via coupon code "PAYCHECK" + $39 s&h at East Coast TVs
$1,759.10
"Superb all-around picture quality, anchored by the deepest plasma black levels of the year, make the Panasonic TC-PVT30 series the best-performing TV we've tested in 2011."
Sony XBR-55HX929
$2,282.42 via coupon code "PAYCHECK" + $39 s&h at East Coast TVs
$2,282.42
The Sony XBR-HX929 is one of the best-performing LED-based LCDs we've ever tested, and rivals today's top plasma TVs.
Samsung UN46D8000
$1,547.42 via coupon code "PAYCHECK" + $39 s&h at East Coast TVs
$1,547.42
The Samsung UND8000 TV boasts sharp looks and features, but its picture quality doesn't outdo that of many less expensive models.
Panasonic TC-P50GT30
$994.70 via coupon code "PAYCHECK" + $39 s&h at East Coast TVs
$943
The Panasonic TC-PGT30 gives you the advantages of plasma wrapped in a thin LCD-like form.
Vizio XVT553SV
$1,399.81 + $49.99 s&h at Sam's Club
$1,398
This TV's excellent picture quality, design, and features combine to make it the best value among high-end LED-based LCD TVs.
Sony KDL-60NX720
$1,599.99 + free shipping at TigerDirect via eBay Daily Deals
$1,599.99
"The Sony KDL-NX720 series produces deeper black levels than any edge-lit LED-based TV we've tested."
Samsung UN46D6400
$1,106.42 via coupon code "PAYCHECK" + $39 s&h at East Coast TVs
$1,035
With its solid 2D and 3D picture quality, the Samsung UND6400 is one of the better edge-lit LED-based LCD TVs.
LG 50PZ950
$1,399.99 + free shipping at Crutchfield
$900
The LG PZ950 series delivered excellent color in bright and dark areas, along with the even screen uniformity you've come to expect from plasmas.
LG 47LW5600
$979.02 via coupon code "PAYCHECK" + $39 s&h at East Coast TVs
$799
The LG LW5600's 2D picture quality is very good for an edge-lit LED-based LCD TV.
Panasonic TC-P50ST30
$899.64 via coupon code "PAYCHECK" + $39 s&h at East Coast TVs
$924
It's not the best-looking TV, but excellent picture quality and an impressive feature set make this one of the best TV values around.
Sharp LC-70LE732U
$2,533.18 via coupon code "DEALNEWS15" + free shipping at Abe's of Maine
$2,508
In the market for a colossal flat-screen TV, but don't want a plasma or a projector? The 70" Sharp LC-70LE732U offers very good picture quality, especially in bright rooms.
Note: Prices current as of October 2011. All prices are subject to change.
Keep in mind that, with Black Friday around the corner, we expect deals on these TVs to sink even lower (although not as much as deals on off-brand TVs), making the next month or so an ideal time to upgrade your HDTV.
An avid gadget lover, Louis Ramirez has covered technology for Gizmodo, CNET, Laptop, and various other publications. Follow him on Twitter at @LouisRamirez. You can also sign up for an email alert for all dealnews features.
DealNews may be compensated by companies mentioned in this article.
Please note that, although prices sometimes fluctuate or expire
unexpectedly, all products and deals mentioned in this feature were
available at the lowest total price we could find at the time of
publication (unless otherwise specified).
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