Searching for your next television can feel downright daunting given the sea of ever-advancing options. But you need not mortgage the house to bring home gorgeous 4K picture quality and comprehensive smart connectivity.
The $1,000 to $1,400 price range has become today‘s sweet spot, unlocking premium performance and future-proofed features from highly reputable brands. Here savvy shoppers will discover stunningly clear and colorful visuals perfect for movies, sports and gaming – often rivaling models double the cost!
To help simplify your buying journey, I‘ve compiled this definitive guide to the 5 top-rated televisions available under $1,400 for 2023 after extensive product testing and evaluation.
Below I break down what makes each awesome pick stand out, whether you crave the deepest blacks, vibrant quantum dot color, butter smooth gaming response or expansive big-screen real estate. My goal is to arm you with everything needed to discover your ideal match!
How I Selected the Best TVs Under $1,400
As a tech specialist and home theater enthusiast with over 5 years advising consumers, I subjected this affordable TV crop to rigorous scrutiny across several pivotal criteria:
Picture Quality: Contrast, brightness, color accuracy and upscaling chops were assessed through lab testing and side-by-side evaluations. All picks clearly beat rivals in delivering phenomenal 4K resolution.
Features: Refresh rate, connectivity options like HDMI 2.1, smart platform usability, gaming readiness and voice assistant compatibility were compared to gauge versatility.
Audio: I weighed speaker channel count, wattage ratings, premium format support like Dolby Atmos, and clarity for everyday TV, movie and gaming usage.
Design: Bezel thickness, stand and wall mount options were inspected to gauge both aesthetic appeal and flexibility for space savings.
Value: Most importantly, TVs were selected that provide the most impressive performance, visual thrills and future-proof smart connectivity possible given the budget.
In finalizing these winners, I additionally factored in manufacturer reputation, product availability, and overwhelmingly positive consumer reviews. Let‘s explore why each model sits among the finest displays money can buy!
Five Phenomenal Televisions Under $1,400
Best Overall: LG 65” C2 Series 4K OLED TV
Screen Size: 65” OLED
Resolution: 4K UHD
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
HDMI 2.1 Ports: 4
Dolby Vision & Atmos: Yes
Earning my Best Overall title for blending sublime picture performance, gaming chops and smart integration at this price point is LG’s latest mid-range OLED offering. Self-illuminated pixels and intelligent processing translate true next-level contrast that outshines even the priciest LED alternatives. Expect scintillating color accuracy from infinite blacks through searing highlights that lend cinematic realism to films and eye-popping wow factor to games.
Over 33 million individually lit OLED pixels switch on and off at lightning pace for staggering contrast completely free of backlight haloing on high spec content. Shadow detail emerges spectacularly from inky blacks while colors seem to burst from the screen with impressive volume and accuracy. Quick-action set pieces carry incredible fluidity and blistering pace thanks to nearly instantaneous response times.
The α9 Gen 5 AI Processor works wonders upscaling lower resolution sources to pristine 4K integrity. Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG format support unlock a high dynamic range color volume 200% greater than standard televisions. Testing revealed extremely accurate Rec. 709 and P3 color gamuts out of the box.
For gaming, the C2 checks every box with four HDMI 2.1 inputs supporting 4K 120fps, sub-10ms input lag, Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium VRR technology. The dedicated Game Optimizer provides quick access to settings ensuring players gain a competitive edge.
webOS smart platform makes hopping between apps and inputs incredibly intuitive. The second-gen Magic Remote works great for universal control. Built-in Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple AirPlay 2 afford advanced hands-free operation. At just $1,296, no television offers better overall value.
Ideal For: Movies, Streaming, Next-Gen Gaming
See It At: Best Buy
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect black levels with vibrant color | Mediocre off-axis viewing angles |
| Flawless gaming response time | Peak brightness vs top LED TVs |
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What To Prioritize When Buying a TV Under $1,400
Display Type – While LED LCD models dominate the affordable category, pay attention to backlighting implementation. Full array local dimming significantly boosts contrast and HDR dynamics versus basic edge lighting. Higher-end quantum dot and OLED panels offer wider color gamuts but cost more.
Resolution – All featured models include native 4K Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160) or better pixel resolution. This quadruples Full HD for tremendously enhanced clarity, textures and fine detail. Generally the higher resolutions support larger optimal viewing sizes.
High Dynamic Range – HDR compatible televisions can display greater luminosity between the darkest and brightest colors on screen. This greatly expands range and realism. Ensure compatibility with HDR10 and advanced formats like Dolby Vision.
Refresh Rate – Measured in hertz (Hz), a TV’s native refresh rate determines how smoothly it can display frame changes without motion blur. Faster is better, especially for live sports and gaming. HDMI 2.1 enables 4K resolution up to 120 fps.
Smart Platform – All reviewed TVs include capable smart platforms for consolidating your favorite streaming apps and services. Prioritize intuitive navigation, voice assistant compatibility, future extensibility via firmware updates and casting versatility.
Connectivity – Futureproof your purchase by ensuring enough HDMI ports for gadgets like games consoles and 4K Blu-ray players. The latest HDMI 2.1 specification enables higher video bandwidth up to 10K resolution and Dynamic HDR at higher frame rates. One port will futureproof your TV for forthcoming devices.
Matching Use Case With the Right Model Under $1,400
For Cinematic Film Buffs
LG 65” C2 Series OLED – Perfect blacks, vibrant Accurate color reproduction, Dolby Vision IQ adaptive tone mapping – this TV offers reference-level performance rivaling commercial cinema screens.
For Sweaty-Palmed Game Nights
TCL 65” R655 Mini-LED TV – Blazing fast 144Hz variable refresh rate paired with mini-LED backlight precision will give FPS addicts and racing fanatics a real competitive edge without breaking $1K.
For Bright Daytime Sports Viewing
Hisense 65U6 Quantum Dot LED – A scorching 600 nit peak brightness and full array local dimming manage glare beautifully while quantum dots keep colors bold for following the big game.
For Giant Screen Immersion
Sony 75” X90K LED TV – This 75-inch stunner leverages cognitive intelligence to dynamically optimize contrast and color from any source on its glorious native 4K display.
For Smart Home Automators
Samsung ‘The Frame’ QLED TV – Integrates seamlessly with SmartThings, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit ecosystems while hiding cables and blending into walls when not entertaining.
Final Takeaways Finding Your Perfect TV
The great news? This new decade continues rapid innovation that makes top tier imaging, connectivity and convenience more affordable than ever. While performance varies between models, compromising on a quality television is no longer necessary for those shopping under $1,400. Dimly lit basement media rooms can realize inky OLED blacks just as sunlit living spaces can achieve impressive brightness.
Gamers are treated to silky smooth visuals while cinephiles immerse in pinpoint contrast between shadows and highlights. Streamers enjoy intuitive and universal access to services. Modern thin bezels and ergonomic stands blend displays seamlessly into décor as centerpieces.
Finding your ideal match ultimately comes down to user priorities. By outlining the standout strengths of each model pick across essential buying criteria plus summarizing tailor-fit recommendations per usage scenario, my aim was to simplify and empower your search for TV greatness without busting budget.
You’re now equipped with everything needed to discover the perfect screen to fulfill your household needs. Feel free to reference back as you evaluate options. Happy deal hunting and may your next binge watch usher total viewing nirvana!
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