The Ultimate TV Buying Guide
Shop smarter with our money-saving guides to TV technology, digital antennas, and non-smart TVs!
Updated
Check out all our money-saving advice and learn what to look for when buying a TV, what to know about digital TV antennas and non-smart TVs, and more!
When Is the Best Time to Buy a TV?
Black Friday remains the best time to buy a new TV, but it's not the only time you can find a good deal. At least a few notable deals tend to pop up during the weekend of the Super Bowl; just don't expect rock-bottom prices. However, keep an eye out in March and April for surprising savings.TV deals are always available, but we outline the best time to buy a new TV if you're looking to save big.
Everything You Need to Know About the Latest TV Technologies
Buying a new TV goes beyond just price and size now — it's helpful to know about HD sets versus 4K TVs, as well as about ports and smart TV functionalities. And that's just a handful of what you'll see on a spec sheet!From resolution to refresh rate, we explain everything you need to know about the latest TV technologies to help you shop smarter.
10 Essential Terms to Know When Buying a TV
| TV Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Resolution | The number of pixels on the screen |
| 1080p Resolution | 1,920 columns and 1,080 rows of pixels |
| 4K Resolution | 3,840 columns and 2,160 rows of pixels |
| 8K Resolution | 7,680 columns and 4,320 rows of pixels |
| LCD | Liquid crystal display; LCD panels are used in the manufacturing of other sets |
| LED LCD | Traditional LCD panels backlit by light-emitting diodes; TVs with these are typically noted as being LED |
| QLED | Quantum LED; describes an LED set that has a nanoparticle filter between the LED backlight and LCD panel |
| OLED | Organic light-emitting diode; these displays can adjust the luminosity of each individual pixel |
| Refresh Rate | How many times per second a video screen is updated |
| HDR | High dynamic range; this feature expands a TV's range of contrast and improves color accuracy |
Want to Buy a Digital TV Antenna? Here's What You Need to Know!
Cutting the cable cord can help you save on bills, but it can also put a serious dent in your entertainment. The good news is you don't have to subscribe to a ton of streaming services to make up for cancelling your cable subscription — a digital antenna might be all you need! Check out our guide to buying a digital TV antenna, which answers questions like these:- What can you watch with a digital antenna?
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- How much do digital TV antennas cost?
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- What antenna accessories will you need?
Can You Still Buy a Non-Smart TV?
Shopping for a new TV these days is challenging, at best. You have to consider size, display type, resolution, and even the number of ports if you want to cover all your bases. And you must decide whether or not you want a smart TV. Are smart TVs worth it, really?It might surprise you to know you don't have to buy a smart set if you don't want one — and there are solid reasons to skip it. However, shopping for a "dumb" TV won't be that easy if you're worried about brand or size. If you're interested in owning a non-smart TV, read this TV buying guide to learn what you can expect during your search.
Senior Staff Writer
Julie joined DealNews in 2015. Her work has been featured on MSN, Business Insider, Lifehacker, The Motley Fool, GoBankingRates, and Moneyish. In her spare time, she enjoys baking sweets, reading thrillers, and listening to an ever-growing list of podcasts.
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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