If you're thinking about buying a new TV, then you're probably already become familiar with different panel types, and specifications about contrast ratios and resolutions but there's still a lot to choose from. Of course, some of the decisions you make also depend on factors beyond the technical - most people will buy the biggest TV that comes in their budget, and most people will choose the viewing distance depending on the size of their rooms.
(Also see: Everything You Need To Know Before You Buy a TV)
In my previous article on buying TVs, I tried you separate innovations from gimmicks. Now, let's help you to reduce the list from hundreds of different sets on the market, to our top recommendations for every budget. For each price point, I considered at least half a dozen popular models from known brands. The first list was based on reviews and recommendations, and then the final list was made from my personal experience with the TVs. These were tested on multiple factors including picture quality (colour reproduction, backlight uniformity, panel's ability to render blacks), longevity (including after-sales), and value proposition, to narrow down the selection.
It is tempting to fall for domestic brands such as Micromax, Vu, Videocon, and Onida that seem to offer excellent value, but in my experience, the relative panel quality took all these off the list of recommendations. Some of the international brands fared better, but few were able to justify hefty price tags based more on the brands' reputation than the products themselves.
Here's what I picked.
Best TV under Rs. 10,000
LG 20-inch LCD (LED backlight) 20LB452A
Price: Rs. 9,800
Thanks to the competitive pricing from reputed brands such as Samsung, LG, and Panasonic, you don't have to settle for cheap re-brands even in the entry-level segment. Under Rs. 10,000, our first choice is the LG 20LB452A, as it's the cheapest TV we found that features an IPS panel. This TV offers relatively better colour reproduction and wide viewing angles. The only niggle is the not-so accessible ports.
My second pick under Rs. 10,000 would be the Panasonic 19-inch LCD (LED backlight) TH-19C400DX, available at Rs. 8,800.
Best TV under Rs. 20,000
LG 32-inch LCD (LED backlight) 32LF550A
Price: Rs 19,300
A bigger budget means that you can move to a bigger screen as well, and you will get more ports and options as well. LG has been doing a good job with offerings at affordable prices, and this TV offers excellent quality without breaking the bank. The LF550A TV offers impressive a really good IPS panel, and although the looks shouldn't be a priority, we can't deny that LG's all-metal body is a head-turner. It's still restricted to HD-ready and not full-HD (1920x1080pixels), but at screen sizes of less than 40-inches, if you're more then 7-feet from the screen, there's no real benefit as your eyes can't tell the difference.
If you don't like the LG television then you can instead check-out the Sharp 32-inch LDC (LED backlight) LC-32LE341M at Rs. 18,900. Keep in mind though that Sharp India does not offer a warranty on products sold by Snapdeal so buy this one from somewhere else.
Best TV under Rs. 30,000
Sharp 39-inch LCD (LED backlight) LC 39LE155M
Price: Rs 28,500
If you're spending up to Rs. 30,000 then instead of putting that money towards a higher resolution at the same 32-inch size, you should look at getting a bigger display. This is where the Sharp LC 39LE155M kicks in. It offers a 39-inch full-HD screen, which is just about the size where you should be starting to notice the difference between HD-ready and full-HD. For the price, the colour reproduction of this panel is also much better than I have seen on the competition. One thing to note is that the TV is listed at Rs. 27,490 on Snapdeal, but Sharp does not offer a warranty on products sold there. You can get it for just over Rs. 30,000 on Amazon (linked above), but local retailers will drop the price to around Rs. 28,500 - Rs. 29,500, if you bargain a little.
Currently, in this price range, we think that this TV is the best option - you're better off buying a cheaper and smaller TV or spending more money, rather than getting a 32-inch TV for the same price.
Best TV under Rs. 40,000
LG 42-inch Plasma 42PN4500
Price: Rs 31,400
If you crave the best picture quality, then the LG 42PN4500 is the only television you should consider in this price range. The TV's black levels, colour reproduction, and refresh rate are something even top-end LCDs can't match. That makes it ideal for sports and video games. The only downside is its HD-ready resolution, compared to the similarly priced full-HD panels. If you're sitting in a largish room more than 10-12 feet from the television, this shouldn't be an issue but it could affect your experience in smaller rooms.
If you would rather get a full-HD screen, you will have to settle for an LCD (with LED backlight) instead of a Plasma TV. In that case, I recommend the Panasonic 40-inch TH-40C200DX, priced at Rs. 33,000. Most of the TVs at the higher end of this price range have extra features such as Smart TV, which aren't really worth your money, as you're better off buying an easily replaceable accessory like a Chromecast or Teewe, rather than spending on a Smart TV you can't cheaply upgrade.
Best TV for most users - budget no bar
LG 50-inch Plasma PB6600
Price: Rs 65,000
Unlike many other new TVs, LG's PB6600 does not try to be slim, but it focuses on giving you the best display you can get. It made it to my list due to its brilliant screen that delivers accurate colours, deep blacks, and zero motion blur. Pair it with a decent after-market smart box and you are good to go. Until some manufacturer introduces a 50-inch OLED, the PB6600 will continue to reign.
Beyond this, there are still plenty of more options at even higher budgets, from giant sized 4K TVs that will cost more than your car, to small OLED TVs that still cost a couple of lakhs. That's a different category altogether though, and needs to be considered separately from these other televisions. For most people though, these are definitely the best televisions you should be choosing from.
Chandrakant Isi has been covering all-things-tech for over 10 years. He is a sci-fi aficionado, wannabe space explorer, and Content Lead at MySmartPrice
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