6 mistakes when buying Smart TV

But while the endless choice and never-ending deals may make you want to take home a new model as soon as you see it, it's important to avoid these common pitfalls that can lead to post-purchase regret.

1. Buying a TV based on an in-store demo or a salesperson's pitch

Many people only buy a TV after seeing a demo in a store. However, buying a TV because the model in the store works well can be a mistake, and a costly one at that.

TVs in stores are often running in demo mode, which has altered display settings. This is why you see sharp images and overly saturated, vibrant colors. Sure, these settings look impressive under bright store lights, but they rarely match what you see in real life.

Likewise, it's best not to base your decision on a salesperson's pitch. Sure, they may be knowledgeable and sound convincing, but their primary goal is to sell a product, not to have your best interests at heart. When buying a TV, do your own due diligence, familiarize yourself with the TV's key specifications, and make an informed decision.

2. Buying the wrong size

If you want to choose the right TV for your living room or any other space in your home, pay attention to the size. If it is too big, it can overwhelm the space and make the viewing experience unpleasant. On the other hand, if you buy a TV that is too small, you will have the opposite problem; no matter how advanced the technology is, the screen will not be impressive and you will have to strain your eyes to see the details.

To get the right TV size, consider your viewing distance (i.e. the distance from where you sit to the screen). A general rule of thumb is to maintain a viewing distance of 1.2 to 1.6 times the diagonal of the screen. So if you have a viewing distance of about 10 feet, choose a TV with a 65' or 75' screen.

3. Forgetting to check your TV's operating system

Just like phones that run on iOS or Android, smart TVs have operating systems. For example, Samsung TVs run on Tizen, a Linux-based operating system. If you own a Samsung phone, you'll find that the integration between your phone and your TV is particularly seamless.

For example, you can use Bixby voice commands to control your TV the same way you use your phone, and an automatic hotspot to connect your TV to the Internet without having to manually set anything up. Likewise, other ecosystems like Google's Android TV or LG's webOS offer unique features and benefits. Make sure you're familiar with your TV's operating system before you buy!

4. Not considering display technology and connectivity options

When you start looking at smart TVs, you'll see manufacturers using a variety of abbreviations, including QLED, OLED, and LED, to refer to display technology.

It may seem confusing, but these abbreviations are important and can make a big difference to the image quality you get. And the truth is that some monitors are better than others for certain settings.

For example, if you're looking for a smart TV to put in a well-lit room, you're best off with a QLED TV with a bright screen. But, say, you're setting up a home theater and you can control the lighting in the room, then getting an OLED TV for the immersive experience is worth it. OLED won't work in a well-lit room because the screen isn't bright enough, so even if you spend money on an expensive model, you'll be disappointed with the results if you put it in a space with a lot of natural light.

On the other hand, if you are looking for a cheap smart TV for your bedroom, an LED TV might be your best bet as it offers good picture quality but comes in a wide range of price points. When shopping, you will also want to make sure that your smart TV has enough HDMI and USB ports to connect the necessary devices. HDMI ports can help you connect gaming devices, laptops, and sound systems, while USB ports can connect to external storage devices.

5. Focus only on price

Smart TVs vary widely in price. From cheap LED TVs that cost a few hundred dollars to the best OLED TVs that cost upwards of $2,500, there are plenty of options to choose from. But don't make the mistake of making your decision based solely on the price of the TV.

A high-priced TV doesn't always guarantee the best picture or sound quality. On the other hand, choosing the cheapest option may seem like a smart move at first, but lower picture quality and limited features could mean you'll need to buy a new model in just a few years. So balance your budget with your current needs and familiarize yourself with the features and terminology you should know to make an informed decision.

6. Don't budget for external speakers

Have you ever wondered why modern TVs sound so bad? It's no secret that TVs have gotten thinner over time. While this is great aesthetically, it's not great for sound. Thin designs leave less room for powerful speakers, so manufacturers have had to use smaller, less powerful speakers in their models.

So even a smart TV with a great screen can have poor sound, so you should budget some money for external speakers or at least a soundbar that you connect to your TV. Of course, if you're just buying a basic TV for your bedroom, you might not need external speakers.

But if you want your main TV to be the centerpiece of your living room, make sure to budget for external speakers as well so you don't miss out on the cinematic experience your TV can provide. Remember, even the best TV can be uninspiring without great sound!

Buying a smart TV is about more than just picking the one with the biggest screen or the best display in the store. Avoid these mistakes to ensure you get the most out of your purchase and don't regret your decision.

Marvin Fry

Update 10 September 2024