TV Buying Guide 2026

In the market for a new TV? Whether you’re looking for something simple to replace your family TV, need a TV that’s perfect for Gaming, or are after the latest and greatest in viewing technology, you’ll find a huge range of TVs available. With so many different models to choose from and an assortment of features and specifications to consider, we’ve created a TV buying guide to help make shopping simpler. Learn about what to look for when buying a new TV.

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When shopping for a new TV, you’ll find that the type of display technology used from model to model may vary and understanding the different types of TV can help to narrow your search. Here’s a breakdown of some of the most popular types of TV to help you work out which might work best for your home:

The most affordable type of display technology, LED TVs use a combination of LED (light-emitting diode) backlighting and LCD (liquid-crystal display) technology to form a quality picture. While LED models may be thicker than other types of TVs, they perform well in most lighting situations and offer decent contrast.

• LED TVs are typically quite energy efficient.

• Cheaper to purchase than OLED TVs.

• Often thicker in profile than OLED TVs.

• May have limited viewing angles, depending on the model chosen.

• Black areas may not have the same depth as provided by OLED TVs.

A newer type of display technology, OLED (organic light emitting diode) TVs are lit at the pixel level using an organic carbon-based material instead of traditional LED lighting. They often provide a better viewing experience than LED TVs, complete with rich colours, deeper blacks and better contrast.

• Typically produce better colour and contrast than LED TVs.

• Tend to be more expensive than LED models, although prices continue to drop.

• The display colours black areas with greater depth than LED TVs.

• Often thinner in profile than LED TVs.

• Wider viewing angles than most LED TVs.

Popular OLED TV brands: Samsung, LG, Sony

Although the names sound similar, QLED TVs are in fact fundamentally different to OLED TVs. QLED, which stands for Quantum Light-Emitting Diode, uses tiny nanoparticles called quantum dots to super-charge its brightness and colour. In essence QLED TVs work in the same way as a regular LED TV, however they use a quantum dot colour filter in front of its LCD backlight, which improves contrast and colour vibrance.

Popular QLED TV brands: Samsung, TCL, Hisense

Frame TVs are increasing in popularity due to their ability to seamlessly blend into your living space. These artfully designed units complement and enhance the aesthetics of your home and are a great option for those who don’t want a large blank screen sitting in the corner of the room.

Products like the Samsung Frame TV transform their screen into a work of visual art when not in use. Choose from built-in artwork options, or access hundreds of world-renowned pieces available from the Samsung Art Store.

The frames of lifestyle TVs can also often be customised with different colours to suit the specific decor in your home and hang flush to the wall, completing the illusion of an original work.

Popular Lifestyle TV brands: Samsung, LG

Although it may sound as though it's something quite technical, screen resolution is actually just a numerical representation of the number of pixels shown on a TV screen. It is typically measured horizontally and vertically, giving you a measurement in a format similar to the following: 1920 x 1080. In this example, it indicates that the TV screen has 1920 pixels from left to right and 1080 pixels from top to bottom. In general, the higher the number of pixels, the better the resolution will be as the appearance of individual pixels on the screen is lessened, providing a crisper image.

Sharper than a standard TV, Full HD displays are made up of more than 2 million individual pixels. With a 1920 x 1080 resolution, they’re great for watching high definition videos and television shows, with a great range of content available in full HD. Full HD models do tend to be cheaper than 4K or 8K displays, but will eventually be phased out as more 4K and 8K content is developed.

Popular Full HD TV brands: Hisense, Sony, TCL, CHiQ

Although display resolutions are important to picture quality, there are several other factors that can influence the quality of content you enjoy. They may include refresh rates, response rates and more.

WHAT ARE REFRESH RATES?

Refresh rates are a measure of how often the images shown on a TV are refreshed. In general, a higher refresh rate allows for a clearer picture and smoother transitions than models with a much lower refresh rate. TV refresh rates are measured in hertz (Hz) per second, with a measurement of 120Hz, for example, indicating that a new image is shown on the screen 120 times each second. Higher refresh rates are preferable for watching sports and films with high action scenes.

WHAT ARE RESPONSE RATES?

Referring to the amount of time it takes the pixels within a TV's display to switch to and from an active state, the response time helps to indicate just how long it takes for information to be displayed on-screen. As a general rule of thumb, a lower response time is desirable.

WHAT DOES HIGH-DYNAMIC RANGE (HDR) MEAN?

High-dynamic range (HDR) heightens the contrast of the picture displayed on the TV. It helps to reproduce colours and shading more accurately, heightening the contrast that exists between dark blacks and bright whites. Images become more lifelike with this feature, but it is generally only supported by 4K TVs. If the TV you are looking at is HDR compatible, be sure to find out whether the feature is on by default or whether it needs to be activated manually.

IN-STORE TESTING

If you happen to be browsing for a new TV in-store, there are a few simple tests that can help you judge the quality of a TV’s picture quality:

• Look at how skin tones are displayed on screen. Skin tones shouldn’t be tinted yellow or green and should have a life-like appearance. If any visible discolouration can’t be removed by adjusting the TV settings, it might be worth looking at another model.

• Check the viewing angle. It’s quite normal that when you move away from the centre of a TV screen that the image may start to lose some contrast and colour. Test this out on any models you may be interested in, and, if the results are less than ideal, consider some of the other models available.

• Cycle through each model’s settings. A TV’s picture quality can vary based on the picture settings in use. Trying out the different picture settings available, you’ll have a better idea of whether the picture is at its peak or simply on a sub-optimal setting.

TV SIZE GUIDE

When it comes time to buy a new TV, it’s important to choose a model that’s the right fit for your home. Not only should it be proportional to the space that it’s set to sit in within your home, but it should also be the right size to allow for optimal viewing. As a general rule of thumb, you should allow a seating distance equal to 1.5 to 2.5 times the size of the screen for a Full HD TV and around 1 to 1.5 times the screen size for a 4K TV. As 4K Ultra HD TVs have a higher resolution than their Full HD TV counterparts, you can sit closer to models with this type of display without affecting your viewing experience.

Modern TVs are sleek and stylish – but that often comes at the cost of sound quality. Not to worry though, there are plenty of ways to ensure you have a fantastic sound experience with your new TV. Learn more about the different sound options available and check out our top tips to elevate your audio experience:

Built-In TV Speakers

Great for casual viewing or secondary rooms, built-in speakers are functional but often lack depth and bass.

Soundbars

A popular choice for easy upgrades. Soundbars sit neatly under your TV and can pack a punch. Some come with subwoofers or even rear speakers for virtual surround sound.

Recommended for: Everyday users, apartments, renters.

Surround Sound Systems & Home Theatres

Want cinema-quality sound at home? A 5.1 or 7.1 channel setup creates full immersion with front, centre, and rear speakers.

Recommended for: Movie buffs, gamers, and home theatre setups.

Still not sure which audio option will suit you best? Check out our Home Theatre Buying Guide to learn more.

• Audio quality. While picture quality is often considered to be one of the most important things to look out for when buying a TV, it’s a good idea to also think about audio quality. Quality may vary from model to model, so be sure to test out your shortlist of TVs when you head in-store.

• Remote control. It’s important that your remote control is simple to use and that all the important functions, such as the volume controls and channel selector, can be found easily. If you find that you tend to lose your TV remote around the house, a model with good inbuilt controls may be worth considering.

• Device connections. If you have an older Blu-ray player, DVD player or gaming console, you’ll need to investigate what kind of device connections you’ll need and if they are compatible with the models you’re considering. Many modern TVs only come with HDMI connections, so you may need to research connector convertors to make your existing technology compatible.

• Smart TV capability. Connecting to your home internet network and offering the added option to stream content from Netflix, Stan, free-to-air channel apps, YouTube and more, smart TVs are becoming increasingly common. If smart TV capability is important to you, be sure to check if the models you have interest in have the feature built in.

• Wall-mounted or table top. TVs can generally either be mounted on a wall or sat on a table top stand. Using a table top stand is easier and doesn’t require any additional installation, but may not be the best choice if you have small children. Wall mounting can be a good option if you are tight on space, but be aware that the viewing angle should be carefully considered to avoid discomfort when in use. Additional installation is also required.

Get the most out of your TV with the right accessories and enhancements. From superior sound quality with soundbars to must-have TV accessories like wall mounts and HDMI cables, these essentials will transform your TV into the centerpiece of your home entertainment setup, providing exceptional viewing quality and comfort.

Soundbars & Home Entertainment

TV Accessories

Discover Bing Lee’s top TVs from trusted brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony. Our selection features advanced technology, vibrant displays, and options tailored to every type of viewer. As your go-to destination for home entertainment, Bing Lee is here to help you find the ideal TV for a superior viewing experience.

Q: What are the best TV brands?

At Bing Lee, we stock a range of different TV brands, including Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense, TCL and CHiQ. Each brand has its own unique features and benefits to suit various needs and preferences. You can explore customer reviews on each product page to find the perfect TV for you.

Q: How are TVs measured?

TVs are measured diagonally from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner. This measurement is typically given in inches and refers only to the screen size, not the frame or the entire unit. To find the best fit for your space, consider both the diagonal measurement and the TV's overall dimensions, including its height and width.

Q: How to clean a TV screen?

To clean a TV screen, first turn off the TV and unplug it. Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe the screen in a circular motion. For stubborn spots, lightly dampen the cloth with distilled water or a screen-safe cleaning solution. Avoid using paper towels, abrasive materials, or cleaning solutions containing alcohol or ammonia, as these can damage the screen.

Q: Do I need a soundbar with my new TV?

While most TVs come with built-in speakers, a soundbar can significantly improve audio quality by providing clearer dialogue, deeper bass, and a more immersive sound experience. Our range of Soundbars from top brands like Samsung, JBL, LG and more help take your TV viewing experience to the next level.