Stiftung Warentest tests televisions – a 55-inch device is particularly worthwhile

Stiftung Warentest awarded a “good” rating in each of the categories of image, sound, handling and environmental properties. The Smart TV with WebOS and its 4K panel with 60 Hz, HDR10 Pro and HLG scored points here. The HLG standard makes it possible to transmit an image in HDR quality via cable or satellite. The LG 43UN73906LE is currently available in stores for 450 to 500 euros.

The price-performance winner in this class is the Samsung GU43TU8079. At around 360 euros, it is even cheaper than the LG TV and also achieved a good overall result in the Stiftung Warentest test. The experts awarded the grade “good” in the categories image, handling, versatility and environmental properties. In terms of sound, the Samsung GU43TU8079 only achieved a “satisfactory” rating. However, due to the flat design, many smaller televisions cannot score with a rich sound. TECHNOLOGYBUTTON therefore always recommends that buyers couple the TV to a soundbar or music system.

Best TV in the 50 inch category

The test winner in the 50 inch category – the Samsung GQ50Q60T – also achieved a good overall result. Samsung’s Q60T costs around 640 euros in this size. It is a model with a QLED display, so it comes very close to the much-vaunted OLED properties. The equipment includes 4K, a triple tuner, Tizen OS, Bluetooth and three HDMI. The Q60T also allows voice control via Google Assistant, supports AirPlay 2 and HDR10 +. The Samsung television achieved a good result in all tested categories. There were no outliers up or down. Stiftung Warentest particularly praised the low power consumption and the image quality during fast movements (e.g. action and sport).

Overall winner of Stiftung Warentest: 55-inch TVs from LG

Due to its diverse connections and options, it received a very good rating in this category. The experts still rated image, sound, handling and environmental properties as “good”. 4K, HDR10 Pro, time-shift television and the sound optimizations Ultra Surround and Clear Voice 3 are part of the equipment. The support of numerous streaming services was particularly praised in the test. The apps from Netflix and Disney + are already available and access to Amazon Video and Apple TV is possible directly via the Smart TV. The equipment also includes AirPlay 2, voice control via the Google Assistant, USB recording (PVR ready) and a whopping four HDMI connections. The television uses WebOS as a system and is currently available in stores for around 500 euros.

Tips for buying a television

If you are looking for a new television, the results of product tests such as those from Stiftung Warentest are always a good way to get an overview of good models. However, you can reduce the selection a little in advance by answering a few questions yourself.

What size should my smart TV be?

• If the distance between the sofa and the TV is around two meters , a smaller TV with a screen diagonal of up to 49 inches is ideal

• If, on the other hand, the seat spacing is around three meters , you can confidently choose the popular size of 50 to 65 inches .

• In even larger rooms with a greater distance from the sofa, there is also space for the large Smart TVs from 65 inches .

LCD or OLED?

OLED televisions are often significantly more expensive than models with an LCD screen. This is due to the screen technology used. LCD TVs  are usually built very flat and are therefore ideal for hanging on the wall. They are also considered to be quite durable. The disadvantage: the backlight is usually attached to the edge and is large. For this reason, individual pixels are also illuminated when they should actually remain dark. As a result, black likes to look a bit gray, the contrasts are less pronounced.

Not so with  OLEDs . Here each pixel is illuminated individually. If it is switched off, it appears deeply sharp, which is how the high contrasts and rich colors come about. In the past, some users were afraid that the picture could burn in if they stood for a long time. Modern OLED TVs have been improved in such a way that this no longer happens.

Does it really have to be 4K?

Meanwhile, 4K / UHD televisions predominate on the market. They have a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. Their price has dropped significantly, so that it is hardly worthwhile to use a television with Full HD resolution. However, buyers do not have to resort to the slowly emerging 8K resolution. There is still far too little content for this and such high-definition televisions are simply too expensive.

A smart TV should also have all the necessary connections. Before buying, therefore, check carefully which devices you want to connect.