Best Reviewed LCD TVs

Best Reviewed:

Big Screen TV – Samsung LN52A650 (around $2,000)

Experts are near unanimous in their praise of the 52-inch Samsung LN52A650. Many say that it produces one of the best pictures of any LCD TV. Blacks are impressive, shadow detail is good and colors are very accurate. The TV is packed with features, including 120Hz image processing that’s described as very good; an InfoLink feature that gathers news, weather, sports and other information from the Internet; and a distinctive Touch of Color (ToC) bezel that marries a red effect to the traditional black. The TV set’s shinier-than-normal LCD screen helps improve picture quality, but is more prone to reflections from room lighting. Picture quality is equally great, but some question whether the add-ons are worth the price premium.

The Good:

• Great black levels and shadow detail
• Near perfect color
• Distinctive styling
• Lots of features

The Bad:

• Screen is more reflective than most
• Viewing angle shallower than some other LCD TVs
• Remote can be awkward to use

Best 47 inch LCD – LC 47LG60 (around $1,500)

Black levels that are lighter than the very best performers leave some reviewers lukewarm, but others heap nothing but praise on the distinctively styled LG 47LG60 HDTV. Nicknamed Scarlet by the maker, the bright red cabinet and piano-black bezel make a statement even when this 47-inch TV is turned off. But color also lies at the heart of what makes the 47LG60 so noteworthy — as in accurate colors and near-perfect grayscale, either out of the box or after some tweaking. Speaking of tweaking, tons of video controls will keep fiddlers obsessed for hours. Outstanding signal processing for HD and SD material is another strong plus. Among other LCD TVs in the same class, the Samsung LN46A650 (around $1,515) has better black levels, but a more reflective screen that could be a problem in some well-lit rooms. The Sony KDL-46XBR6 (around $2,120) delivers strong picture quality with great black levels and a more matte screen, but some question whether the performance is worth its price premium.

The Good:

• Great color
• Great HD and SD image processing
• Lots of picture controls
• Distinctive styling

The Bad:

• Black levels poorer than other high-end TVs
• Styling might not appeal to everyone

Best Value for 40 inch LCD TV – Samsung LC40A550 (around $1,000)

Expert and user reports on Samsung’s Series 5 TVs, including the 40-inch LN40A550, are very positive. Many say these TVs strike an excellent balance between performance and value. Black levels are not quite as deep as those on the very best LCD TVs, but they are close and notably better than on less expensive options. If you have a little more to spend, Samsung’s step-up LN40A650 (around $1,230) offers slightly better picture quality and striking styling, plus some high-end extras such as 120Hz image processing. However, its more reflective screen doesn’t do as well in well-lit rooms.

The Good:

• Very good color and black levels
• Easy to use
• Excellent value

The Bad:

• Sound quality isn’t the best
• Lacks some high-end features

Best 32 inch LCD TV – Samsung LN32A450 (around $650)

With good blacks and very good colors, the 32-inch Samsung LN32A450 is one of the better 32-inch LCD TVs currently available, according to reviews. This is a 720p set (instead of the higher 1080p), but experts say that resolution is appropriate for this screen size. The TV also does a nice job with standard-definition TV signals. Styling is sleek, thanks to its hidden speakers. If you have a little more to spend and a slightly bigger space, the set’s 37-inch brother, the Samsung LN37A450 (around $765) is equally well regarded. If you are on a somewhat tighter budget, the 32-inch AOC Envision L32W761 (around $550) doesn’t provide quite as impressive a picture, but is still a solid performer at a hard-to-beat price.

The Good:

• Good black levels
• Accurate, well-saturated colors
• Sleek profile
• Well-designed remote
• Ample picture controls

The Bad:

• Expensive for its size
• Soft image with 1080i sources