Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Between the Winter Olympics and the eagerly awaited Grammys Super BowlMaybe you’re looking for something new television To watch all the action on a larger screen or in higher resolution. I just bought a new one myself.
My husband and I upgraded our bedroom TV to TCL Q77K Series 55-inch 4K UHD QLED Smart TV (55Q77K). I would have liked a larger screen than my 13-year-old 42-inch Roku smart TV. but TVs We’ve come a long way since then. Every night, I’m blown away by the high-quality picture and sound that cost me less than $300.
There are plenty of reasons why you might want to upgrade your TV. A TechPulse survey by CNET shows that 37% of US adults, like myself, say their top reason is for a larger TV screen — and that they’re willing to pay nearly $1,200 to upgrade a TV.
Here’s an in-depth look at what the CNET survey found and what a CNET TV expert wants you to know about buying a new TV before the big game.
- U.S. adults expect to spend an average of $1,177 On a new TV, and CNET’s TV expert wasn’t surprised.
- The main reason for buying a new TV is a larger screen (37%). One in every two adults in the United States is shopping for a television 65 inches or larger (50%).
- The most important features that adults in the United States think about are a High quality image (72%) and large screen (60%). 42% want smart features, but fewer want AI integrations (12%).
- More than 4 in 10 (42%) of TV shoppers expect they’ll need to make some sacrifices to stay within budget, but CNET experts say you can still get a good TV despite the trade-offs.
U.S. adults spend an average of $1,177 on a new TV
CNET found that Americans plan to spend nearly $1,200 on a new TV. This price doesn’t surprise a CNET TV editor, Ty Pendlebury –Actually, that’s how much he’ll spend.
If you’re looking to get a new TV before the big game or the Winter Olympics, you’ll likely need to get the 2025 model, as Pendlebury noted that 2026 models typically aren’t released until March or April. With a budget of around $1,200, you can find a good deal on a top-tier 2025 TV model without paying full price.
Pendlebury Recommends CNET Editors’ Choice for Best TV Samsung S90F OLED TV. It has excellent image quality and fast movement for players. Last March, the price of the TV was $2,500, but prices dropped in the fall. You can now get the Samsung S90F for between $500 and $1,100, depending on the size and retailer.
Adults in the United States want a new TV with a larger screen
Nearly four in 10 (37%) U.S. adults want to upgrade their TVs to a larger screen. Half of US adults want a TV screen that is 65 inches or larger.
The noticeably larger screen was my biggest motivation for buying a new TV, too. After purchasing a house with a larger master bedroom, I found myself squinting to see on my smaller television. Most TVs have it 4K Ultra HD resolutionand you’ll need to sit up closer or get a larger screen to see all the details. And even if you sit at the recommended distance for optimal TV viewing, you may still need a larger screen to get the full 4K effect.
Pendlebury says that if you’re upgrading, consider a larger size than you initially want. For example, if you are upgrading from 50 inches To A 65 inchesConsider A 75 inch TV If it’s not too big for your room. Your upgrade may seem small in a few years, so getting a bigger size now may keep you from buying a new TV soon.
As much as a larger screen can make a difference in viewing shows, it’s best to measure up before purchasing.
Most adults in the United States want a high-quality picture on their televisions
Nearly three-quarters of US adults (72%) say the most important feature of a new TV is High quality imageWhile 60% indicated a larger screen. Here’s a closer look at the must-haves:
It is important to know the specifications truly View high-quality shows, movies and games. It all boils down to contradiction, says Pendlebury.
“The first thing people notice is the contrast. You’ll see the brightness, which is what you see whenever you walk into a TV store — they have TVs hooked up to the brightest things,” Pendlebury said. “But when you have a TV in your home, what you’ll notice most is the contrast.”
For example, the big difference you’ll notice with good contrast is how well the TV displays shadows and brightness. Brightness is also worth taking into consideration for HD movies or games. However, color is not as important as brightness and contrast.
“When you walk into a TV store, and it’s really bright and colorful, you know you’re not going to see content that looks like that unless you’re watching a video game. That’s why colors aren’t as important,” Pendlebury said.
Pendlebury said the big difference between an entry-level TV and a high-end TV is the ability to show fast action, high brightness and shadow detail together.
There are different price points. If you’re looking to spend less than $500, you’ll likely get LCD TV With backlight and few zones. Meanwhile, for $1,000, you’ll get an LCD TV with a mini LED backlight. Ideally, look for an LCD screen with a backlight and several zones that mimic the look of a screen OLED Or plasma TV, with good contrast. It shows very bright and very dark parts of the image, Pendlebury said. OLED displays typically cost more, he adds, and may be worth considering if you’re planning to spend more than $1,000.
“If you can buy a TV that has OLED, or OLED, that’s what I recommend because it still has the best picture quality for the money,” he said.
Pendlebury recommends the Samsung S95F for the best image quality. It has good contrast, off-angle viewing and reduced glare, which can be useful in bright rooms. The Samsung S95F costs approximately $2,300.
Nearly half of US adults want smart features
Among the top features, 42% of US adults want smart features for their TVs, such as voice control and smartphone connectivity, and 31% say smart home compatibility is a must. CNET experts say Our best smart TV picks Its price can range from $100 to $2,000 – depending on the retailer, size, and other features. Introductory TVs usually have more valuable smart TV systems compared to more expensive options with better picture quality.
However, if smart home connectivity and smart features are at the top of your TV features list, CNET recommends TCL QM8K series. It has great picture quality, Google TV, and connectivity to popular gaming consoles. The LG OLED C4 is a high-end smart TV option that costs $1,300.
Surprisingly, AI integrations aren’t at the top of the list for TV shoppers
Google has integrated it Gemini AI Assistant on some TVs Last fall, you could ask Gemini to make TV show recommendations, adjust TV settings, create AI images, and even set times for upcoming games. It’s a convenient feature that I sometimes use from the remote. Honestly, it wasn’t a hit or miss on my list of top features.
Artificial intelligence is not a necessity for most adults in the United States. Only 12% of US adults shopping for a new TV say AI integration is the most important feature. CNET found that other features are even more important — including access to a wide range of apps, such as YouTube and Netflix (47%), good warranty and technical support (45%), and the ability to connect to wired devices (45%).
Some U.S. adults still find other aesthetic features important, such as a thin and lightweight design (37%), an attractive and elegant design (25%), and the ability to display artwork and photos when not watching TV (15%).
Read more: These are the most interesting TVs at CES 2026
3 TV shopping tips you should know before purchasing
Are you planning to buy a new TV in the coming weeks for the big game? Pendlebury offers expert advice on choosing the right TV for your home.
1. Know your budget
The best TV is the one you can comfortably afford.
“There are some great TVs you can get for $200 to $300 that feel like much more expensive TVs,” Pendlebury says. One of his recommendations is CNET Best budget tv – Hisense QD7QF. It has good contrast, fully saturated images, and costs around $350.
Staying within your budget may mean sacrificing some of your favorite features, like a larger screen or better image quality. If you have to choose, choose the best image quality first, then choose the size that works for you, Pendlebury says.
2. Know the size you want (and need)
Before you buy, be sure to measure the space and use the SMPTE formula to get the right size. Sometimes, bigger screens aren’t always better.
CNET experts had a problem installing a TCL 115 inch TV In a freight elevator, although this is not a concern for most people, you will need to make sure that it can fit any stairs and doors. Most importantly, make sure the TV can be safely installed in the room before purchasing. Imagine that you got a large TV that takes up half of your room and makes it uncomfortable to watch.
3. Find out which TV features you plan to use the most
Some features sound great, but may not be ideal depending on what you plan to use the TV for. That’s why Pendlebury recommends knowing which features you need and plan to use the most. For example, gamers and avid movie watchers may need high resolution and connectivity for gaming. While I just need TV applications And the screen doesn’t hurt my eyes. Knowing what you need now and in the future can save you money and stress when narrowing down your options.
methodology
A quantitative online survey was conducted from October 27 to November 9, 2025, with US adults ages 18 to 70 years. More than 3,700 people participated across two categories: n=2,665 CNET Media Group consumers and a nationally representative sample of 1,050 adults, reflecting the US Census distribution of age, gender, and region. The data are quantitative in nature, and comparisons between the total CNMG and the national sample are statistically significant at the 95% confidence level.