Summary
The greatest Google TVs are among the best smart TVs available. That’s because Google TV is one of the most recent smart TV platforms to enter the market, and we believe it’s one of the finest.
We like it because it makes it simple to discover anything new to watch by providing a flurry of fresh suggestions each time you turn on the TV, and it also supports all of the main streaming providers.
On top of that, Google TVs have Chromecast and Google Assistant. This makes it simple to run a Google-based smart home and share films from your phone or tablet.
So, where can you discover the greatest Google TV? After years of testing, we discovered that Sony, TCL, and Hisense make the finest ones, however the specific models are always changing. The Sony A95L OLED is now at the top of the list, since it is the flagship of Sony’s 2023 series and one of the finest TVs we reviewed last year.
1. Sony Bravia XR A95L OLED
When it comes to Google TVs, nothing beats the Sony A95L OLED. It has a QD-OLED screen that combines the best of QLED and OLED TVs, and its Cognitive XR Processor is custom-built to let Google TV work as smoothly as butter.
In terms of real image quality, the A95L is top in its class: The A95L can cover 99.95% of the UHDA-P3 color gamut and an unprecedented 89.41% of the Rec2020 color space. That outperforms every other TV we’ve ever tested. Brightness may be a little low (remember, this is an OLED screen), but 1,215 nits in HDR is more than enough to do justice to your favorite films and TV programs.
If there is one major disadvantage of the A95L, it is its rather large input latency of 16.1ms. That will make this package less than optimal for gamers. However, if you just intend to use this to watch material from services such as Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Max, and others, there is no need to be concerned.
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2. Sony Bravia XR A80K
The Sony Bravia XR A80K OLED has a simple mission: to provide a thrilling entertainment experience in practically every manner. Fortunately, that is a goal it easily achieves—and given how amazing it looks and sounds, it’s a small marvel this TV doesn’t cost more.
Why is it so expensive? This 4K OLED has cutting-edge features like as HDR, 120 Hz refresh rate, ATSC 3.0 tuner, Google TV streaming, Sony’s Bravia Core service, Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, and more. Sure, not everyone will need everything here, but it’s wonderful to have the choice.
Free with The A80K includes a 12-month membership to Bravia Core, Sony’s high-quality, proprietary streaming service, as well as five credits for any movie or program you desire. This is a fantastic feature that adds value to an expensive television.
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3. Hisense U8K ULED TV
The Hisense U8K is a standout among mid-range Google TVs. For slightly over $1,000, it provides excellent performance and many useful features. Competitors such as TCL and Samsung have shown that they can get high brightness from comparably specced TVs, but only Hisense has perfected the art of producing beautiful images and great brightness at an affordable price.
Despite these impressive features, the Hisense U8K is not without flaws. Among the issues we discovered throughout our testing were average input latency (13.2ms) and somewhat longer load times when switching from one streaming program to another. The TV’s color loudness is excellent, but its accuracy of 4.46 in our Delta-E test leaves a lot to be desired.
Still, if you want a Google TV that will really ‘wow’ you and don’t want to spend $2,000 or more on top-tier Sony TVs, the U8K undoubtedly delivers.
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4. Hisense U7K Mini-LED TV
The Hisense U7K Mini-LED TV is the greatest Google TV in terms of gaming performance. While the U7K has a wealth of fantastic features, including video game-supporting technology like as AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Dolby Vision Gaming, it is also reasonably priced. Its 65-inch model costs $800, although it is often discounted to roughly $750 at various stores.
The U7K’s use of Google TV, which provides immediate and simple access to all of your favorite content, demonstrates its excellence in the TV ecosystem. Most applications are instantly logged in upon launch, enabling you to go right into viewing your favorite new episodes, such as Hulu’s “Shogun” or the exquisite Crunchyroll anime “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.”
The U7K’s performance is impressive for a TV at this price point. You’re getting some high-quality characteristics, such as vivid color volume and brightness, for a reasonable price. That’s not to mention its gaming ability, which boasts 13.2ms of input latency and a gaming bar for quick access to all of the relevant settings, like VRR and an fps counter.
There aren’t many big complaints about the U7K, however it does suffer from a little lack of motion processing, so keep that in mind. Aside from that, it’s an excellent choice among the top Google TVs, one that will undoubtedly make any and all guests to your updated home entertainment system happy.
The Hisense U7K Mini-LED TV is the greatest Google TV in terms of gaming performance. While the U7K has a wealth of fantastic features, including video game-supporting technology like as AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Dolby Vision Gaming, it is also reasonably priced. Its 65-inch model costs $800, although it is often discounted to roughly $750 at various stores.
The U7K’s use of Google TV, which provides immediate and simple access to all of your favorite content, demonstrates its excellence in the TV ecosystem. Most applications are instantly logged in upon launch, enabling you to go right into viewing your favorite new episodes, such as Hulu’s “Shogun” or the exquisite Crunchyroll anime “Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End.”
The U7K’s performance is impressive for a TV at this price point. You’re getting some high-quality characteristics, such as vivid color volume and brightness, for a reasonable price. That’s not to mention its gaming ability, which boasts 13.2ms of input latency and a gaming bar for quick access to all of the relevant settings, like VRR and an fps counter.
There aren’t many big complaints about the U7K, however it does suffer from a little lack of motion processing, so keep that in mind. Aside from that, it’s an excellent choice among the top Google TVs, one that will undoubtedly make any and all guests to your updated home entertainment system happy.
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5. Sony Bravia XR A90K OLED
The Sony Bravia XR A90K, which is only available in 42-inch or 48-inch screen sizes, is a little television that thinks large. You can’t buy it in massive sizes, but you don’t have to; it has an OLED screen and combines all of Sony’s industry-leading image technology, resulting in a set that performs as well in technical benchmark testing as it does in ordinary movie and television watching.
The A90K’s remote is also the updated one we saw with the A95K, increasing the set’s swank factor even further. Instead of matte-black plastic, it has a shimmering gunmetal sheen; the buttons are all backlit; and discovering the misplaced remote is as simple as activating the TV’s far-field microphone and yelling “Hey Google!” “Find my remote!” followed by the beeping sound of the lost gadget.
Want great visual quality but don’t have the space for a full-size TV? The A90K will (literally and metaphorically) light up any area, and it is a significant product that should not be overlooked due to its small size.
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6. Sony Bravia X95K Mini-LED TV
The Sony Bravia X95K Mini LED TV, the brand’s first set with Mini LED illumination, is an excellent Google TV if you want high performance. It delivers HDR performance that matches movie theaters, combining the set’s high brightness and focused lighting management with lots of detail and realistic richness.
In our testing, the Sony Bravia X95K Mini LED TV covered 99.89% of the Rec 709 color gamut, which is practically excellent for the typical viewer of an LED TV. The X95K’s greatest Delta E score was an impressive 1.88 in Filmmaker Mode, which is not unexpected given Sony’s lengthy emphasis on retaining the filmmaker’s intent in image processing. Pretty on-brand for a TV maker and movie studio.
It’s a touch costly and outperforms the OLED in our top slot, but those looking for something a little brighter that still supports Google TV will like the X95K.
The Sony Bravia X95K Mini LED TV, which is the first of its kind to use Mini LED backlighting, is an excellent choice for those seeking high-performance Google TVs. The HDR performance of the set is comparable to that of movie theaters, combining high brightness and precise lighting management with enough subtlety and realistic brilliance.
The Sony Bravia X95K Mini LED TV achieved a coverage of 99.89% of the Rec 709 color space during our testing, indicating an excellent ability to reach the typical viewer with an LED TV. The X95K achieved a commendable Delta E score of 1.88 in Filmmaker Mode, aligning with Sony’s longstanding commitment to retaining the filmmaker’s artistic vision throughout image processing. Prominent for a television maker that also operates as a film studio.
The X95K is very expensive and is surpassed by the OLED in our top ranking. However, anyone seeking a slightly brighter display option for Google TV will find it appealing.
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Google TV: What is it?
You may have wondered, very well, what the difference is between Google TV and Android TV if you saw that some of the devices on the list above are Google TVs and some are Android TVs.
The Android operating system, which powers smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices, is the foundation for both. The TV-focused version of Android was referred to as Android TV for a number of years. We have regarded Android as a major participant in the smart TV market ever since the release of Android 8.0 in 2019.
Google rebranded the operating system as Google TV, launching Android TV 11 in late 2021. In the next years, all Google-powered smart TVs will be referred to as Google TV and the term Android TV will be discontinued.
But the distinctions go beyond nomenclature. With a redesigned UI, improved live TV integration and discovery, a mobile remote, and personal accounts with watchlists and child accounts that come with built-in parental controls, Google TV represents a substantial improvement over the previous iteration of Android.
See our post, Google TV vs. Android TV: What’s the difference? for a more thorough comparison of the enhancements offered by Google TV.
How to choose your ideal Android or Google TV
You’ve significantly reduced the scope of your TV purchasing if you’ve already decided on a Google TV or Android TV model. However, there are still a number of crucial factors to take into account when selecting the ideal TV for you. These are the essential points to consider.
Size: You also won’t have to give up on screen size. The excellent possibilities at 55, 65, and even 75-inch sizes are included in our suggestions above, so you don’t have to let your budget stop you from purchasing the exact size TV you desire. See our article, What size TV should you buy? to determine the screen size that suits you the best.
HDR: We advise purchasing a set that supports high dynamic range (HDR) for the best image. Dolby Vision is a higher-caliber format than HDR10, and when you have the option, we advise choosing Dolby Vision support.
Pay attention to the ports: Whenever feasible, we advise purchasing a TV with four HDMI connections. And we definitely prefer TVs with HDMI 2.1 connectors, even if they do cost a little more. They will prolong the life of your TV and provide greater gaming features.
We provide lots of guidance in our TV purchasing guide, which covers everything from smart features to port choices and delves into the specifics of features like HDR, various display kinds, and even extended warranties. Additionally, read over Smart TVs: Everything you need to know if you still have concerns regarding the features and capabilities of smart TVs.
How we test Android and Google TVs
Every TV evaluation is subjected to a common series of benchmark tests in order to gauge the essential components of TV performance, regardless of whether it runs Android TV, Google TV, or any other smart TV software. Several aspects of image quality, including color accuracy, color gamut, brightness, and contrast, are measured in our lab testing.
Every TV undergoes rigorous hands-on testing by the reviewer in addition to lab testing. To find out how well the TV works in everyday situations, we’ll link up one of the newest gaming consoles, play test footage, and view movie snippets.
Our reviews use both subjective assessments and objective test results to provide readers with the most realistic picture of a TV’s performance. How does it sound, look, and work? To assist you in determining if a TV is the perfect choice for you, we examine every aspect of the device, from the remote control design to the smart features and port options.
