8 best smart TVs to buy in Australia in 2023
Samsung’s 2023 flagship OLED TV is brighter and better than ever, making it a top pick for premium entertainment.
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Equipped with internet, advanced features and the ability to access services like Netflix and Amazon Prime without a streaming device, smart TVs are a popular choice for those after a better entertainment experience.
With most TVs on the market now falling into the ‘smart’ category though, it can be difficult to decide which one is best for your needs.
To help you out, we’ve rounded up a list of the top models currently available, based on picture quality, features, specs, design, customer ratings and our own experience with some products.
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In the mix, you’ll find both the leading models for 2023, along with the most impressive options from last year that are still available to purchase.
Ready to upgrade your screen? Scroll on to see our top picks, or head to our best TV deals page to find your favourite model at a discounted price.
Please note: We have provided the starting price for each model, based on the smallest available screen size. We update this page regularly but, as TV pricing fluctuates, prices and availability are subject to change.
QUICK LINKS:
- Best overall
- Best 8K
- Best OLED
- Best for picture quality
- Best for gaming
- Best for sound
- Best value for money
- Best budget
BEST OVERALL
Samsung S95C 4K QD-OLED Smart TV (2023), from $3395 at The Good Guys
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
If you’re looking for an excellent TV for any usage, Samsung’s new S95C is a superb choice. Bringing together QLED and OLED technologies, the S95C bumps up the brightness from last year’s S95B model by almost 40 per cent, while retaining impressive picture quality and wonderful colour vibrancy.
As a result, the model is much better suited to bright rooms than its predecessor, while sports, movies and TV shows continue to look spectacular in darker environments thanks to the model’s near-infinite contrast ratio.
It’s also a hugely impressive option for gaming, as it packs in variable refresh rate support up to 144Hz, low input lag and four HDMI 2.1 ports. The lack of Dolby Vision support is a little disappointing here, but the model remains a standout choice that should more than impress most viewers.
BEST 8K TV
Samsung QN900C Neo QLED 8K Smart TV (2023), from $6495 at The Good Guys
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
In a market full of standout OLED TVs, it can be hard for QLED models to compete, but Samsung’s QN900C left us thoroughly impressed. Combining 8K and Mini-LED technology, the QN900C produces stunning HDR images, bright backlighting and excellent black levels, while also delivering immersive in-built sound.
Equipped with Alexa and Bixby and a ton of SmartThings features, the model has plenty of smarts and easily connects to other products within Samsung’s ecosystem. There’s also an extensive array of built-in gaming features, including Xbox Game Pass, Game Bar, Ultrawide Game View and Freesync Premium Pro.
When combined with the return of Samsung’s popular One Connect box, an easy set up and top-notch upscaling too, the QN900C presents a great case for its premium price tag. We also love the handy solar remote control that ditches traditional batteries for charging via a solar panel on the back, or through the USB-C port on the bottom.
There’s no support for Dolby Vision and, with most streaming services still only offering movies and shows in HD or 4K, the full 8K capabilities of the QN900C are difficult to experience. Still, if you are looking to make the leap to an 8K TV, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more deluxe option.
BEST OLED
LG C3 OLED Evo 4K UHD Smart TV (2023), from $2595 at Bing Lee
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
While we do actually think the G3 OLED (also on this list) is LG’s most impressive TV model to date, the C3 series offers such a great balance of features and performance for the price that it is better suited to most people.
There aren’t many significant changes to the underlying OLED panel, but the screen on the C3 is a little brighter than last year’s model and the image quality is improved thanks to a new Alpha9 Gen6 chip for picture processing. The WebOS platform has also received an upgrade, which has made navigation and search easier than ever.
Beyond its impressive visual capabilities, the C3 is packed full of features for gamers, including four HDMI 2.1 inputs with support for 4K 120Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium, NVidia G-Sync compatibility, VRR support and low input lag.
It hasn’t taken significant strides from last year’s C2 model, but some minor tweaks have ensured the C3 is one of 2023’s best models so far.
BEST PICTURE QUALITY
Sony A95K Bravia XR OLED 4K Google TV (2022), $4495 at The Good Guys
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Marrying the perfect blacks and superb contrast levels of an OLED with the brightness of Quantum Dot LCD TVs, Sony’s A95K was easily one of the best models to arrive in 2022. While it is harder to come by now, the model is still worth a look in for its gorgeous image quality and impressive built-in sound.
The A95K looks incredible both in well-lit and dark rooms, making it an ideal choice for any usage. It also offers seriously decent sound by TV standards along with a wide viewing angle, so it’s great for families or for movie nights with friends.
With vivid colours and VRR support for full compatibility with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, there are several features here for gamers too. However, the A95K’s input lag is higher than other TVs in this price range and there’s only two HDMI 2.1 ports, so those after a gaming specific TV may want to look to LG’s OLED range instead.
The A95K is being replaced by the Sony A95L relatively soon, with the new model promising to be even brighter and more dynamic. If you want to save some cash though, you can still find a few A95K 65-inch models floating around at major electronics stores.
BEST FOR GAMING
LG G3 3K OLED EVO Smart TV (2023), from $4195 at The Good Guys
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
LG’s G2 OLED was one of last year’s best gaming TVs, so it should come as no surprise that its successor is our top pick for 2023. Combining new Micro Lens Array technology with the brand’s existing Brightness Booster Max technology, the G3 delivers incredibly bright images without needing to use more power.
Reflection handling is superb and, with a wide viewing angle and near-infinite contrast ratio, the TV is easily slotted into any room in the house, regardless of lighting conditions. When combined with an incredibly low input lag, great peak brightness, four 4K/120Hz capable HDMI ports, a dedicated Game Optimiser and VRR support too, the G3 is a truly outstanding choice for gamers.
Sound is a little mediocre, which we’ve come to expect from ultra-thin TVs, so you may want to think about pairing the G3 with a decent soundbar. With very little else to fault here though, we can’t complain too much.
BEST FOR SOUND
Sony A80K Bravia XR OLED 4K Ultra HD HDR Smart Google TV (2022), from $2295 at Bing Lee
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
As smart TVs get progressively thinner, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find one with decent speakers, but Sony’s A80K hits the nail on the head. Featuring two subwoofers and five actuators that vibrate the screen, the built-in audio system is hugely impressive, making an additional soundbar unnecessary for a lot of viewers.
With vivid colours and a near-infinite contrast ratio for deep blacks too, the A80K is excellent for watching movies or TV shows in dark rooms. It also handles reflection well, though it doesn’t get bright enough to fight a lot of glare, so it may not be the best choice for extremely well lit rooms.
It’s also great for gaming, with variable refresh rate (VRR) support, HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, auto low latency mode and low input lag. The A80K is being succeeded by Sony’s A80L, making now a great time to snap the model up at a discounted price.
BEST VALUE FOR MONEY
TCL C835 Mini-LED 4K Smart Google TV, from $1799 at Appliances Online
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
TCL may not be as well known as the other brands on this list, but if you’re after a high quality TV at a bargain price, you won’t do much better than its C835 model. Boasting a Quantum Dot Mini-LED display and 1,500 nits of brightness, the C835 puts up a fight against its OLED competitors, looking gorgeous in both well-lit and dim environments.
With stereo down-firing speakers and a built-in subwoofer, the TV offers an easy listening experience that can be further enhanced using Dolby Atmos and DTS. The Google TV operating system meanwhile brings easy navigation and customisation options, while automatic low latency support and support up to 120/144Hz make the C835 a solid gaming companion.
It may not quite stand up to the top options on this list, but the C835 remains an impressive option that won’t blow your budget.
BEST BUDGET
Hisense A7HAU 4K UHD LED LCD Smart TV (2022), from $495 at Harvey Norman
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Whether you’re shopping on a budget or looking for an entry level smart TV, Hisense’s A7HAU is an impressive option. With a good balance of brightness, saturation and colour, the picture quality easily exceeds expectations for this price bracket.
Set up and navigation is simple, though there is limited app availability, which will disappoint some users. Sound doesn’t get super loud and can be a bit inconsistent, so you may want to consider pairing the A7HAU with a soundbar to remedy this.
There’s also a dedicated Game Mode Plus, which brings Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode, making it a decent TV for gamers on a budget. However, all HDMI inputs are 4K/60Hz andGame Mode Plus doesn’t feature HDMI 2.1 input, so there are some concessions to be made, which is to be expected for a TV at this price.
HOW TO CLEAN A TV SCREEN
To maintain your TVs picture quality and keep it looking its best, you should be cleaning it regularly. As TV screens can be delicate though, it’s important to know how to clean it properly to avoid any damage.
First, you should turn off your TV at the power point and unplug it for your own safety. You can then use a soft, dry microfibre cloth to wipe down both the frame and screen in a circular motion to remove any dust.
It’s important not to use anything abrasive on your TV screen, including paper towel, as this can lead to minor scratches. You should also never spray cleaner or liquid directly onto your TV screen.
If you need to remove fingerprints or greasy smudges, you can instead purchase a bottle of screen cleaning solution, place a small amount of cleaner on a cloth and gently rub the screen to remove.
2023 TECH DEALS BY CATEGORY
Looking for a great tech offer? Check out one of our handy guides below:
- Best laptop, 2-in-1 and gaming laptop deals
- Best TV deals
- Best Nintendo Switch deals
- Best PlayStation deals
You can also head to our news.com.au checkout electronics section to see all the latest product guides and reviews, head to news.com.au Coupons page to see a list of current deals or sign up to our news.com.au checkout shopping newsletter.
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