Best smart TV 2020

Need a smart TV, or don't understand why you'd need one? You've come to the right place.

Pretty much all the new televisions released these days are smart TVs – so much so that the word 'smart' feels superfluous. You'd have to hunt high and low to find a brand new TV that doesn't come with some smart features built-in – whether that's Google's Android TV that's used on Sony and Hisense TVs, LG's WebOS, or the Tizen platform used on Samsung TVs.

Smart TVs have moved on significantly in recent years. The early days were marked by sub-standard performance, non-existent software updates, and a general lack of manufacturer support. But now? Today's smart TV platforms give you broad access to apps and on-demand services, like Netflix, Disney Plus, and countless others. They allow for ways to connect to your smart home and offer their own unique form of navigation and layout to help you get to the things that matter quickly and efficiently – or at least that's the aim.

That's why we've put together this guide to the best smart TV platforms available right now – and the best smart TVs running each one.

Entering 2020, there are five main smart operating systems: Android TV, webOS, Tizen, Roku TV, and SmartCast that are used by Sony, LG, Samsung, TCL, and Vizio, respectively. In the UK, you'll find that Philips also uses Android while Panasonic uses its own proprietary system called MyHomeScreen.

The vast majority of smart TVs will use one of these smart platforms, though others – especially cheaper sets – will often use basic proprietary services instead. We recommend one of the major players for the best smart TV experience, though.

In this guide, we'll run you through how well each set performs basic functions like speed, ease of use, and app support – with a scale covering awful, bad, OK, better, and best performance in each category. Plus YOu can save a lot with appliance direct just search for appliances direct discount code.

Best smart TVs at a glance:

1. Best smart TV with webOS: LG C9 OLED
2. Best smart TV with Tizen: Samsung Q70R
3. Best smart TV with Roku TV: TCL 6-Series
4. Best smart TV with MyHomeScreen: Panasonic GZ2000
5. Best smart TV with SmartCast: Vizio P-Series Quantum X
6. Best smart TV with Vidaa U: Hisense U8B
7. Honorary mention: Amazon Fire TV

FAQ

Q. What can smart TVs do?

 Smart TVs are internet-connected televisions that stream shows, films, and programs over the internet, alongside (or instead of) terrestrial broadcasts.

Q. What's a 'dumb' TV? 

A dumb TV is a set without smart capabilities or internet connection, though set-top boxes or streaming sticks can add those things in.

Q. What channels are on smart TVs? 

This varies between the country, and also your TV manufacturer. On Samsung smart TVs you'll get the Samsung TV Plus app that has over 100 channels, while Vizio TVs come stocked with the Pluto TV-powered WatchFree app that has some 200 channels. Most smart TVs come stocked with at least a few services that offer some free content, however; UK viewers will get 12 HD channels and 60 standard channels through Freeview, with more available through paid-for entertainment packages like Sky 

Q. Do smart TVs have built-in Wi-Fi?

 No: you'll need a home internet connection, either over ethernet (wired) or Wi-Fi (wireless).

Q. Do smart TVs have Netflix?

 All major smart platforms will support Netflix, even those with Amazon's Fire TV interface – while some remotes these days even come with a dedicated Netflix button. You will need to subscribe to Netflix to access the content within the app, though.

Do you need Wi-Fi for smart TVs?

 You'll need the internet of some description to use internet services on the TV, whether through Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Casting from your phone to the TV, though, is one way around this.