If you’re buying a new TV today – any new TV – then you can almost 100% guarantee that it’s a smart TV.
Most manufacturers of modern televisions build in at least some smart features, even on their cheapest models.
This has been the case for some time, yet TV retailers are still shouting about it.
But what separates a smart TV from a ‘dumb’ TV, and are some smart TVs better than others?
For a TV to be considered ‘smart’, all it really needs is some kind of smart platform – often referred to as an operating system (OS) – and the ability to connect to the internet.
Some manufacturers have their own smart platforms, while others use variants of an OS made by another company, such as Google.
Smart TV platforms don’t all come with the same range of features and applications, though, so you do need to choose carefully to make sure you get the features you need, such as support for your preferred streaming services.
In this guide, we’ll outline the best smart TV platforms around and highlight the TVs that will let you get the most from them.
First, though, we’ll dive into a quick FAQ to help you decide whether a smart TV is right for you.
READ NEXT: The best 4K HDR smart TVs you can buy
Smart TV platforms: What you need to know
Do you need an internet connection to use a smart TV?
Smart TVs can connect to your home’s internet connection over Wi-Fi or through a wired ethernet connection.
That doesn’t mean you can’t use your smart TV offline, though; you’ll still be able to watch normal TV if you have Freeview reception, and Blu-ray players and gaming consoles will operate just as they would on a non-smart TV – you’ll just miss out on all the features which rely on an internet connection.
So why should you get your smart TV online?
Ideally, though, you want to be able to make use of in-built smart TV streaming apps such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Now TV and YouTube to name a few.
TV catchup apps like Freeview Play also depend on an internet connection, so these will remain unavailable to you when you’re offline.
Keeping your TV online also guarantees that you’ll automatically receive the software updates sent out by the manufacturer, helping to keep your TV up to date with the latest bug fixes and features which may improve your user experience.
How many channels do you get with a smart TV in the UK?
UK viewers can receive up to 70 standard definition and 15 HD live TV channels with Freeview, although this number changes from region to region.
Through Freeview Play you can catch up on BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, All 4, UKTV Play and Demand 5 content whenever you’d like.
If you subscribe to a paid TV service you could get an awful lot more, though: for instance, Sky Q grants access to over 300 live channels including some that broadcast in 4K/UHD.
What about streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer?
You’ll find the Netflix app on practically every smart TV going, along with plenty of other popular streaming services like Disney Plus, Now TV and Amazon Prime Video.
Don’t forget that you’ll need to pay the individual subscription fees if you actually want to watch the content that’s on them.
As mentioned above, BBC iPlayer and all the other free UK catchup services come as standard on modern smart TVs, accessible either through their own dedicated apps or collectively within the Freeview Play platform.
READ NEXT: What is HDR TV?
The best smart TV platforms right now
1.
LG WebOS
Found exclusively on LG TVs, WebOS is quite simply the best smart TV platform out there.
The interface design is simple yet effective, featuring an app bar at the bottom of the screen that’s easy to scroll through but does not obscure much of the display.
It’s also very easy to customise the ordering of the apps so that you can jump right into your favourites.
The best thing about WebOS is definitely the Magic Remote.
The Magic Remote works in the same way as a mouse on a computer screen; you point the remote at the TV, move the cursor around like a laser pointer, and then click to select.
Alternatively, you can scroll through the UI with the remote’s wheel or control the TV through voice commands.
On the pricier OLED models, the UI responsiveness is exceptional, though it does become progressively slower as you go down towards the cheaper ranges due to their lack of processing power.
Likewise, HDR format support is better on pricier models: HDR10 and HLG can be found on most, while high-end models get Dolby Vision as well.
WebOS has all the important streaming apps including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus and Freeview Play, although you need to download YouTube from the LG Content Store.
On 120Hz models, you’ll get the benefit of 24fps playback for a judder-free movie experience, and across the whole range of LG TVs, you’ll have access to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Best LG WebOS TV: LG C9 OLED (OLED65C9)
Price when reviewed: £3,299 | Buy now from John Lewis
The LG C9 OLED is one of our favourite OLED televisions, and for good reason.
With its sublime picture quality, nippy user interface and strong HDR support, it’s the reigning champ in its price range.
At the time of our five-star review, the LG C9 OLED 65in would have set you back just shy of £3,300.
That’s enough to make any wallet wince but, these days, it can be scooped up for a more palatable £1,999.
LG’s WebOS has long been considered the gold standard for smart TV platforms and version 4.5, showcased here, proves why.
It’s intuitive, responsive and generous when it comes to digital assistance.
Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant both work on the LG OLED C9 and, if you haven’t bought into either of those, LG’s ThinQ is there to lend a helping hand too.
All the standard streaming services are on board, from Netflix to Prime Video and Apple TV.
| LG C9 OLED | Read our full review | |
| Display type: OLED | HDMI inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1 |
| Screen sizes: 55in, 65in (reviewed), 75in | Streaming: Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Apple TV, Freeview Play, Rakuten TV, Hulu etc. |
| Resolution: 4k/UHD (3,840 x 2,160) | Smart assistants: LG ThinQ AI, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant |
| HDR formats: HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG, Technicolor Advanced HDR | OS version: WebOS 4.5 |
Buy now from John Lewis
2.
Samsung Tizen
Samsung’s Tizen platform may not be up to LG WebOS standards, but then nothing else really is.
Tizen has an intuitive and nicely designed interface that’s easy to get to grips with.
At the bottom of the screen is a two-tier bar for scrolling through apps.
The lower bar houses the apps themselves, and when hovering over an icon Tizen highlights content from that service on the upper bar.
You can then jump directly into that film or show unless it’s on a paid service that you haven’t yet subscribed to.
Reordering the app icons to your liking is a simple process too.
All of the major streaming platforms are here, from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to Dinsey Plus and Now TV, plus all of the free UK catch-up apps like iPlayer and All4.
One main downside of opting for a Samsung TV is that it precludes access to Dolby Vision.
Most new Samsung TVs will support HDR10 and HLG as standard, while pricier models also include HDR10+, a Dolby Vision rival developed by Samsung.
As is the case with LG, Samsung’s 120Hz models offer 24fps film playback.
Samsung has made sure that the Tizen UI performs optimally across all its models, even those with weaker processors, which ensures that the platform is responsive no matter which Samsung TV you opt for.
TVs with Tizen also support voice assistants including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Samsung’s own Bixby AI.
READ NEXT: Samsung model numbers explained
Best Samsung Tizen TV: Samsung Q90R (QE65Q90R)
Price when reviewed: £3,799 | Buy now from Amazon
The best way to experience Samsung’s slick Tizen platform right now is on Samsung’s flagship Q90R QLED TV, which runs the latest Tizen 5.0 OS and offers you the choice of three smart assistants.
Its staggering brightness, wide viewing angles and quantum dot layer make it the perfect TV for bright rooms.
Although the 65in model launched at £3,799, it’s slowly become more affordable; a year on from our original review it can be found for less than £2,000.
Samsung’s Q90R has all the major streaming platforms ready to go, with dedicated apps for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV and Rakuten TV.
The usual free catch-up apps, like BBC iPlayer and All 4, are all present and correct too.
HDR support includes HDR10, Hybrid Log-Gamma and HDR10+ but it does lose out on Dolby Vision.
Rounding it off is the bundled One Connect box, an elegant cabling solution that feeds all your A/V devices to the Q90R through a single, thin 5m fibre-optic cable (and you can buy a 15m cable for more ambitious installations).
Without a doubt, this is the best QLED TV you can buy.
| Samsung Q90R | Read our full review | |
| Display type: VA LCD LED (QLED), FALD lighting | HDMI inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.1 |
| Screen sizes: 55in, 65in (tested), 75in | Streaming: Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Rakuten TV, BBC Player, ITV Hub, All 4, My 5 etc. |
| Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160) | Smart assistants: Google Assistant, Alexa, Bixby |
| HDR formats: HDR 10, HDR10+, HLG | OS version: Tizen 5.0 |
3.
Roku TV
Though Roku TV has been kicking around for a while in the US, it’s only recently made its debut in the UK.
It’s definitely an underdog compared to big players like Samsung and LG, but it’s nevertheless earned a place on this list thanks to its incredibly user-friendly interface and unparalleled streaming coverage.
Roku TV’s inviting home page features a grid made up of large, colourful app tiles.
All your entertainment options are laid out here, from streaming and catch-up apps to gaming consoles and personal media libraries.
These can be rearranged with ease or filtered using options on the left-hand side of the screen (e.g Freeview Play).
There’s also a free-to-watch service called Roku Channel, which serves up an interesting array of (largely public domain) content.
If you can’t afford to pay for a streaming service for a month or two then this might just about tide you over.
Having dedicated tabs for consoles is an absolute joy, saving you the hassle of skipping through sources to find the one that’s connected to your Xbox One.
The universal search function is equally welcome; type in the name of the film or show you’re after and Roku tells you which services it’s available on and whether or not it’s free or paid.
That list of streaming services is impressive, too: Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Apple TV+, Rakuten TV, YouTube and Freeview Play are all here, ensuring you won’t need to buy any additional streaming devices.
For now, HDR support on Roku TV in the UK is restricted to HDR10 and HLG.
Roku’s smart TV platform can only be found on one (budget) range of Hisense TVs, but it’s possible that we’ll see Roku TVs with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ in the future.
Best TV with Roku TV: Hisense Roku TV B7120
Price when reviewed: £349 | Buy now from Argos
Being the sole Roku TV model in the UK, the Hisense Roku TV B7120 is the best Roku TV by default.
It comes in a range of sizes, from 43in to the 50in set that we reviewed and upwards to 55in and 65in.
As 50in 4K HDR TVs go it’s an exceptionally affordable set, launching exclusively at Argos for a mere £350.
Admittedly, HDR performance is pretty lacklustre but at this price, you simply can’t complain.
4K SDR content looks excellent for such an affordable set and content that’s upscaled from FHD looks pretty good too.
Ultimately, the Hisense Roku TV B7120 is a cheap (not to mention the only) way to get access to the fantastic range of streaming services offered through Roku’s smart TV platform.
It has the broadest selection of apps going, plus the free Roku Channel streaming service, though it’s a shame that the TV only supports HDR10 and HLG.
Finally, gamers working to a budget might be interested to learn that the Hisense Roku TV B7120 has a super-low input lag of just 16ms when ‘Game’ mode is engaged, making it an excellent choice for playing competitive, reflex-based titles.
| Hisense Roku TV | Read our full review | |
| Display type: VA LCD LED direct-lit | HDMI inputs: 3 x HDMI 2.0 |
| Screen sizes: 43in, 50in (reviewed), 55in, 65in | Streaming: Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Apple TV+, Roku Channel Freeview Play, YouTube etc |
| Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 (4K/UHD) | Smart assistants: Roku voice control |
| HDR formats: HDR10, HLG | OS version: Roku TV OS 9.2 |
Buy now from Argos
4.
Android TV
Android TV by Google is essentially an alternative version of the Android OS found on the majority of smartphones and tablets – except that it’s for televisions instead.
There are a few ways to get Android TV in the home: Philips, Sony and Hisense all offer TVs that run Android TV, and it’s also the OS used by Nvidia’s TV devices, the Nvidia Shield TV and Nvidia Shield TV Pro.
In its latest iteration (9.0 at the time of writing) Android TV is an easy-to-use platform with an intuitive and visually appealing layout.
The customisable top row provides instant access to your most-used apps, and the rows or ‘channels’ below showcase featured content from individual apps.
The UI is responsive when traversing the various menus, although pricier TVs will provide the smoothest, slickest experience.
One benefit of choosing Android TV is that it gives you access to the Google Play Store for seeking out and downloading new apps, so anyone who uses an Android smartphone will feel right at home.
Google Assistant comes built-in on Android TVs and can be activated by pressing the mic button on the TV’s remote.
Its universal search function could be better, however, as it almost always pushes you towards renting/buying from Google Play Movies instead of showing you where else you could watch the same content.
Depending on which model of television you go for, your Android TV may support every HDR format going, from HDR10 and HDR10+ to HLG and Dolby Vision, and on certain models 24p playback is available.
Android TV’s streaming coverage includes most of the main platforms like Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and Freeview Play, but Now TV is a notable omission.
If you’re after the latter, a Now TV streaming stick is your best bet.
READ NEXT: The best Android TV boxes
Best TV with Android TV: Philips OLED 804 (65OLED804)
Price when reviewed: £1,999 | Buy now from Currys PC World
Android TV can be found on plenty of brilliant high-end televisions these days, but the mid-range Philips OLED 804 is arguably one of the best.
The 65in model we reviewed goes for around £1,999, while the smaller 55in model has been on sale for as little as £1,099.
Although it only has a simple Mediatek processor and 2.5GB RAM, its Android TV 9.0 Pie user interface feels extremely fluid.
Now TV’s app is sadly absent from the 804’s streaming roster but all the other big names are here.
Being an Android TV, the only built-in smart AI is Google Assistant.
One nice surprise here is the rather impressive inbuilt down-firing speaker system.
Adding to the immersion is Philips’ proprietary Ambilight technology, comprised here of three banks of LEDs that cast ‘bias lighting’ onto the wall surrounding the TV to enhance the perceived contrast of on-screen images.
It’s a movie buff’s dream.
| Philips OLED 804 | Read our full review | |
| Display type: OLED | HDMI inputs: 4 x HDMI 2.0b |
| Screen sizes: 55in, 65in (reviewed) | Streaming: Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Freeview Play, Google Play Store, Rakuten TV etc. |
| Resolution: 4K/UHD (3,840 x 2,160) | Smart assistants: Google Assistant |
| HDR formats: HDR, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG | OS version: Android TV 9.0 Pie |
Buy now from Currys PC World
