The Super Bowl showdown between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks is nearly right here. Should you’re planning to select up a brand new TV to your Super Bowl watch party, how a lot are you keen to pay for the TV you actually need?
CNET’s TechPulse findings present that US adults plan to spend a mean of $1,177 on a brand new TV. In reality, that is how a lot CNET’s TV editor, Ty Pendlebury, mentioned he would spend.
But 42% count on to make some sacrifices on their TV want record, together with a much bigger display screen (11%) and high-quality footage (6%). Fortunately, Tremendous Bowl Sunday is days away, and you’ve got loads of TV deals to select from forward of the large sport.
Our editor-in-chief’s favourite TV, the LG C4, is now $400 off, bringing the overall all the way down to $1,600. And CNET’s finest OLED TV, the Samsung S95F, is $400 off, all the way down to $1,900. Even when you’re not seeking to spend that a lot, the 75-inch Onn 4K LED Smart Roku TV is $428.
This is what CNET’s findings present about what TV consumers really need and methods to get one of the best TV to your cash earlier than this Sunday’s sport.
- US adults count on to spend a mean of $1,177 on a brand new TV, and CNET’s TV skilled is not shocked.
- The highest purpose for getting a brand new TV is a much bigger display screen (37%). Half of US adults are purchasing for a TV that is 65-inch or larger (50%).
- An important options Individuals are contemplating are a high-quality image (72%) and a big display screen (60%). 42% need good options, however even fewer need AI integrations (12%).
- Over 4 in 10 (42%) of TV consumers anticipate they’re going to must make some sacrifices to remain inside price range, however CNET specialists say you may nonetheless get a very good TV regardless of trade-offs.
CNET’s high TV picks
US adults need a new TV for a much bigger display screen
Practically 4 in 10 (37%) of US adults need to improve their TV for a much bigger display screen. Half of these surveyed need a TV display screen that is 65 inches or larger.
A noticeably larger display screen was my high motivator for a brand new TV, too. After shopping for a home with a much bigger main bedroom, I discovered myself squinting to see on my smaller TV. Most TVs have Ultra HD 4K resolution, and you will want to take a seat shut or get a much bigger display screen to see all the main points. And even when you’re sitting the beneficial distance for ultimate TV viewing, you should still want a much bigger display screen to get the complete 4K impact.
Pendlebury says that when you’re upgrading, take into account a much bigger dimension than what you initially need. For instance, when you’re upgrading from a 50-inch to a 65-inch, take into account a 75-inch TV if it is not too large to your room. Your improve could really feel small in a couple of years, so getting a bigger dimension now could hold you from shopping for a brand new TV sooner.
As a lot as a much bigger display screen could make a distinction in watching reveals, it is best to measure before you purchase.
Most US adults need a high-quality image on their TVs
Practically three-quarters of US adults (72%) say an important characteristic in a brand new TV is a high-quality picture, whereas 60% cite a much bigger display screen. This is a more in-depth take a look at the must-haves:
It is necessary to know which specs actually present high-quality reveals, motion pictures and video games. Pendlebury says all of it boils all the way down to distinction.
“The very first thing individuals discover is distinction. You will see brightness, which is what you see everytime you stroll right into a TV retailer — they have TVs jacked as much as the brightest factor,” Pendlebury mentioned. “However when you’ve gotten a TV in your home, what you may discover probably the most is distinction.”
For instance, the large distinction you may discover with good distinction is how nicely the TV shows shadows and brightness. Brightness can also be value contemplating for high-definition decision motion pictures or gaming. Nonetheless, colour is not as necessary as brightness and distinction.
“Whenever you stroll right into a TV retailer, and so they’re actually vibrant and colourful, you realize you are not going to look at content material that appears like that except you are watching a online game. That is why colours are usually not as necessary,” Pendlebury mentioned.
The large differentiator for an entry-level TV and a high-end choose is the flexibility to point out quick motion, excessive brightness and shadow element collectively, Pendlebury mentioned.
There are completely different worth ranges. Should you’re seeking to spend beneath $500, you may seemingly get an LCD TV with a backlight and some zones. In the meantime, for $1,000, you may get an LCD TV with a mini-LED backlight. Ideally, search for an LCD with a backlight and lots of zones that mimic the look of an OLED or plasma TV, with good distinction. It reveals very vibrant and darkish elements of the image, Pendlebury mentioned. OLEDs normally price extra, and could also be value contemplating when you’re planning to spend over $1,000, he provides.
“Should you can afford a TV that has OLED in it, or is an OLED, that is what I might suggest as a result of they nonetheless have one of the best image high quality for the cash,” he mentioned.
Pendlebury recommends the Samsung S95F for one of the best picture high quality. It has good distinction, off-angle viewing and glare discount, which will be useful in vibrant rooms. The Samsung S95F prices near $2,300.
Practically half of US adults need good options
Amongst high options, 42% of US adults need good options for his or her TVs, like voice management and smartphone connectivity, and 31% say good house compatibility is a should. CNET specialists say the best smart TV picks can vary from $100 to $2,000 — relying on the retailer, dimension and different options. And introductory TVs normally have extra worthwhile good TV methods in contrast with pricier choices with higher image high quality.
Nonetheless, if good house connectivity and good options are excessive in your TV characteristic record, CNET recommends the TCL QM8K series. It has nice image high quality, Google TV and connectivity for fashionable gaming consoles. The LG OLED C4 is a high-end good TV possibility that prices $1,300.
Surprisingly, AI integrations aren’t on the high of the record for TV consumers
Google built-in its Gemini AI assistant into some TVs final fall, so you may ask Gemini to provide TV present suggestions, modify TV settings, create synthetic intelligence pictures and even give upcoming sport instances. It is a handy characteristic I take advantage of sometimes from my distant. Truthfully, it wasn’t a make-or-break on my record of high options.
AI is not vital for many US adults. Solely 12% of these purchasing for a brand new TV say that synthetic intelligence integration is an important characteristic. CNET discovered that different options are extra necessary — together with entry to a big selection of apps, resembling YouTube and Netflix (47%), a very good guarantee and technical assist (45%) and the flexibility to hook up with wired units (45%).
Some US adults nonetheless discover different aesthetic options necessary, resembling a skinny, light-weight design (37%), a beautiful and trendy design (25%), and the flexibility to show artwork and images when not watching TV (15%).
Learn extra: These Are the Most Head-Turning TVs of CES 2026
3 TV buying tricks to know before you purchase
Planning to purchase a brand new TV within the coming weeks for the large sport? Pendlebury provides skilled recommendation on choosing the proper TV to your house.
1. Know your price range
The perfect TV is the one you could comfortably afford.
“There are some nice TVs you will get at an entry stage, between $200 and $300, that appear like TVs which are way more costly,” Pendlebury says. One in every of his suggestions is CNET’s best budget TV — the Hisense QD7QF. It has good distinction, absolutely saturated pictures and prices round $350.
Staying inside your price range could imply sacrificing a few of your favourite options, resembling a much bigger display screen or higher image high quality. If it’s a must to select, go along with one of the best image high quality first, then select your dimension, Pendlebury says.
2. Know the dimensions you need (and want)
Before you purchase, be sure you’ve measured the area and used the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers’ equation to get the proper dimension. Generally larger screens aren’t all the time one of the best.
CNET specialists had bother becoming a 115-inch TCL TV right into a freight elevator, and whereas that is not the priority for many, you may need to make sure that it may well match up any stairs and doorways. And most significantly, make sure that the TV will be safely put in in a room earlier than shopping for. Think about getting an enormous TV that takes up half of your room and makes it uncomfortable to look at.
3. Know what TV options you intend to make use of probably the most
Some options sound nice, however will not be ultimate relying on what you intend to make use of the TV for. That is why Pendlebury recommends realizing what options you want and plan to make use of probably the most. For instance, players and avid film watchers might have excessive decision and gaming connectivity. Whereas I solely want TV apps and a display screen that does not harm my eyes. Understanding what you want now and sooner or later can prevent cash and stress when narrowing down your choices.
Whether or not you are buying a new TV otherwise you’re proud of the one you’ve gotten, be sure to set up your TV correctly forward of kickoff. You continue to have time to be sure you have sufficient bandwidth and to regulate your audio and brightness settings.
Methodology
A quantitative survey was carried out on-line between Oct. 27 and Nov. 9, 2025, with US adults aged 18 to 70. Over 3,700 individuals participated throughout two segments: N=2,665 CNET Media Group shoppers and a Nationally Consultant pattern of N=1,050 adults reflecting the US Census distribution on age, gender and area. Information is quantitative in nature, and comparisons between the CNMG Complete and Nationwide Pattern are statistically vital on the 95% confidence stage.
