
These models run the interface natively, meaning you get Gemini AI recommendations and voice control without needing an external stick or dongle.
If you want the absolute best picture quality, Sony is the top choice. If you want maximum brightness for the money, TCL and Hisense offer incredible Mini-LED panels for a fraction of the price.
Remember you can also leave a comment or contact us if you have any questions about these TVs or feedback. We love hearing from you!
New to the platform? Read our guide on What is Google TV? to understand why it’s different from Roku or Fire TV.
🏆 The Top Smart TVs with Google TV
#1 Best Overall
Sony BRAVIA 9
The best Mini-LED TV you can buy. Incredible brightness meets OLED-like control.
#2 Best Value
TCL QM8
The brightness monster. 5,000 nits of peak brightness for 60% of the price.
#3 Best Budget
Hisense U6N
The disruptor. Real local dimming at an entry-level price.
Know Your Tech: 2026 Display Terms
Before we dive into the list, it is important to understand the two main technologies battling for your living room.
Mini-LED (The Brightness King)
Used in the Sony BRAVIA 9 and TCL QM8. It uses thousands of tiny LEDs to blast light, making it perfect for bright rooms with lots of windows.
OLED (The Contrast King)
Used in the Sony A95L. Each pixel makes its own light, creating perfect blacks. This is best for dark rooms and movie nights.
1. Sony BRAVIA 9 (K-65XR90)
BEST OVERALL
The BRAVIA 9 is the statement piece of 2026. Sony has proven that Mini-LED, when controlled by their superior processor, can look almost as good as OLED in the dark while getting much, much brighter. It suppresses “blooming” (that annoying halo effect around bright objects) almost perfectly.
✅ The Good
- Unrivaled light control (almost no blooming).
- Extremely bright for sunny rooms.
- Best-in-class upscaling for streaming movies.
❌ The Bad
- Expensive premium price tag.
- Only 2 high-speed HDMI 2.1 ports.
2. Sony A95L (XR-65A95L)
BEST FOR CINEMA
This TV produces the best colors we have ever seen. It uses a special technology called QD-OLED to make colors bright and vibrant, without the washed-out look some older OLEDs had. If you have a dark room for movie nights, this offers the most “cinematic” picture available.
✅ The Good
- Infinite contrast (Perfect blacks).
- Unmatched color vibrancy.
- Exclusive PS5 integration features.
❌ The Bad
- Not as bright as Mini-LED TVs.
- Risk of burn-in (though very low).
3. TCL QM8 (QM851G)
BEST VALUE
The TCL QM8 is a “brightness monster.” It physically outshines almost everything else on the market. If you have a room with lots of windows, this is the one to get. It offers 95% of the performance of a flagship Sony for a much lower price.
✅ The Good
- Incredible 5,000 nits peak brightness.
- 144Hz refresh rate for PC gaming.
- Built-in subwoofer for better sound.
❌ The Bad
- Viewing angles are narrower than OLED.
- Motion handling isn’t quite as smooth as Sony.
4. Hisense U8N
FEATURE PACKED
The U8N is packed with features. It includes special tuners for free 4K broadcast TV and super-fast Wi-Fi. It delivers a punchy, high-contrast image that is perfect for sports fans, cord-cutters, and gamers.
✅ The Good
- Includes NextGen TV tuner for free 4K broadcasts.
- Extremely vibrant, colorful image.
- Great gaming features (144Hz).
❌ The Bad
- Colors can look too bold out of the box.
- 75-inch model uses a different type of screen.
5. Sony BRAVIA 8 (K-65XR80)
BEST OLED VALUE
If the flagship A95L is too expensive, the BRAVIA 8 is the smart alternative. It uses standard OLED technology to give you perfect blacks and smooth motion, making it ideal for watching movies in the dark.
6. TCL QM7 (QM751G)
FLAGSHIP KILLER
This is the “Flagship Killer.” It performs better than expensive TVs from just a few years ago but costs much less. It delivers a fantastic, bright picture and is a great choice for gamers and streamers on a budget.
7. Hisense U6N
BEST BUDGET
This TV proves you don’t need to spend a fortune for a good picture. Unlike other cheap TVs that look gray in the dark, this one uses real local dimming tech to make the picture pop. It is the perfect TV for a bedroom or dorm.
✅ The Good
- Real local dimming at an entry price.
- Great for movies and streaming.
❌ The Bad
- Only 60Hz (Not for advanced gaming).
Buying Advice: What Matters?
- Don’t obsess over “Zones”: Just because one TV has more dimming zones (like TCL) doesn’t always mean it’s better than Sony. The processor controlling those zones is just as important.
- Watch the Weight: Mini-LED TVs are significantly heavier than OLEDs. If you buy a massive 75-inch Sony or TCL, make sure your wall mount is strong enough to hold it.
- Antenna Users: If you watch free broadcast TV with an antenna, the Hisense U8N and Sony BRAVIA 9 are your best bets because they have the newest tuners (ATSC 3.0) for future 4K channels.
