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The pandemic kicked off a not entirely surprising surge in electronics sales. TV sales enjoyed a full 12 percent boost from pre-pandemic numbers.
It makes sense as so many people found themselves and many still find themselves spending more time at home watching TV than going out. Of course, buying a TV sounds simpler than it actually proves in practice. There are a lot of things you must keep in mind before you shell out your hard-earned cash.
Not sure what you should consider going into a new TV purchase? Keep reading for some key TV buying tips.
Tips to Consider Before Buying a TV
Size
While most people take it for granted that they’ll get a flat-screen TV, the size of that flat screen is a bigger decision. Before you commit yourself mentally to getting that 55-inch screen, think about where it will go.
Do you live in a small apartment? If so, that 55-inch screen will consume a massive amount of wall space whether you wall-mount it or not.
Are you ready to give up that much wall real estate? If not, consider a smaller screen like a 42-inch.
If you live in a big home with a dedicated living room, that massive screen may make more sense.
Smart TVs
It’s the rare home these days that doesn’t subscribe to at least one or two streaming services. As a TV owner, you probably want a TV that offers native support for the service or services you use on a regular basis.
Check the specs on the TV and make sure you won’t need a secondary device just to use your streamer of choice.
HDMI
Almost all connections between your TV and secondary devices, such as gaming consoles, happen via HDMI these days. Again, you’ll want to check the specs and see how many HDMI ports a TV offers before you buy it.
If you don’t have a specific number in mind already, aim for no less than four.
LCD/LED vs OLED
Both LCD/LED and OLED operate as flat-screen panels, but the technologies are very different. LCD uses backlighting to light up the pixels. OLED light individual pixels.
LCD typically costs less, but you sacrifice image quality compared to OLED.
Reception
Yes, some people do still watch live TV transmissions, such as sporting events. While your average TV will have decent reception, you might want to check out this service to see about boosting your reception potential.
Buying a TV for Your Home
Buying a TV for your home is about a lot more than just going to the store and picking one. You must consider several factors to make sure it’s a good fit.
For example, will the TV comfortably fit into your living space? Will it natively support your preferred streaming services? Does it have enough HDMI connectors to support your peripheral devices, such as gaming consoles?
Beyond that, there is the question of saving money with LCD or getting better quality with OLED.
Looking for more tips on consumer electronics? Check out the posts in our Technology and Lifestyle sections.
