TV & monitor recommendations

The flat panel TV and monitor recommendations list is updated regularly. It features the most recent recommendations on TVs and monitors from FlatpanelsHD.
Last update: April 19th 2013.

Here you can find a list of TVs and monitors that FlatpanelsHD recommends, compiled after our extensive review findings and research. Before you jump to the list it is important to understand why we recommend these screens; every screen has advantages and disadvantages as no TV or monitor is perfect – yet. Therefore we list both pros and cons for each product, and we suggest that you read the review to find out why.

We also have an Award-section. TVs or monitors that perform extraordinarily well in reviews are awarded as highly recommended. See the award list here: FlatpanelsHD Awards

Be sure to look up monitor panels if you are looking to buy a PC monitor. You can use our panel search tool here: Panel Search Tool

Recommendations

It is important to underline that we have not seen every TV or monitor available on that market. Some of the recommendations are based on other trusted reviewers’ opinions that we regularly converse with but the recommendations are primarily based on our own reviews. If a specific screen does not appear on our list, it might be that we just missed it, so help us keeping this list updated with your feedback at the bottom. We also test TVs and monitors on our Danish site FlatpanelsDK. Not all reviews are translated.

TV recommendations – For the living room

These TVs are recommended for daily TV watching in the living room, and thus satisfy many different viewing needs. We consider picture quality most important but we also evaluate factors such as ease of use.The order of the TV list is random.

Model	Size	Test	Pros	Cons	Price & Retailer
Samsung ES8000 (LED)	46-65"		Picture Quality, black depth, response time, accurate colors in the Movie profile	Standard settings, Smart TV still not recommendable	US UK
Panasonic VT50	50-65"		Picture quality, response time, black depth, 3D picture quality, louver filter	3D glasses flicker, Smart TV not recommendable	US UK
LG LM7600	47-55"		Picture quality, response time, Cinema 3D, design, Magic remote improved	Smart TV content lacking, black depth, standard settings	US UK
Panasonic GT50	50-65"		Picture quality, black depth, color reproduction, response time, game and sports reproduction	Standard settings, Smart Viera not recommendable, buzzing	US UK
Sony HX850	46-55"		Picture Quality, no clouding, color reproduction in Movie profile,	reflections, Bravia Internet Video confusing, 3D experience	US UK
Samsung ES7500/ES7000	46-60"	()	Same as ES8000, cheaper	Same as ES8000	US UK
Sharp 70"	70"		HD picture quality, black depth, 3D experience (only on 735U in the US), price vs. size ratio	Too big for low quality material, out-of-box settings	US UK
Panasonic ST50	50-65"		Picture quality, black depth, color reproduction, response time, game and sports reproduction	Standard settings, Smart Viera not recommendable, buzzing	US UK
Samsung E8000 (plasma)	64"		Picture quality, 3D picture quality, response time, low phosphor trailing	Standard settings, black depth, power consumption, buzzing	US UK

TV recommendations – For the kitchen/room

A cheaper and smaller but functional TV is required for other rooms in the house such as the kitchen or bedroom. These TVs are inexpensive but offer the most basic TV functions. The order of the TV list is random.

Model	Size	Test	Pros	Cons	Price & Retailer
Samsung 32EH5000	32"		Design, picture quality on digital TV, built-in tunes, fairly good media player, low power consumption	Analogue picture quality, viewing angles	US UK
Panasonic L32E5	32"		Picture quality on digital TV, viewing angles, low power consumption	Analogue picture quality, black depth	US UK
Samsung 26EH4000	26"		Fair picture quality on digital TV, built-in tuners, fairly good media player, low power consumption	Analogue picture quality, viewing angles	US UK

TV recommendations – Console gaming and Media center

These TVs are recommended based on fast response time, low input lag, and high motion resolution. The factors are important if you seek a TV for gaming or fast action-paced content viewing. The list includes both LCD/LED and plasma TV suggestions.The order of the TV list is random.

Model	Size	Test	Pros	Cons	Price & Retailer
Samsung ES8000 (LED)	46"		Picture Quality, black depth, response time, accurate colors in the Movie profile	Standard settings, Smart TV still not recommendable	US UK
LG LM7600	47"		Picture quality, response time, Cinema 3D, design, Magic remote improved	Smart TV content lacking, black depth, standard settings	US UK
Panasonic GT50	50"		Picture quality, black depth, color reproduction, response time, game and sports reproduction	Standard settings, Smart Viera not recommendable, buzzing	US UK
Panasonic VT50	50-55"		Picture quality, response time, black depth, 3D picture quality, louver filter	3D glasses flicker, Smart TV not recommendable	US UK
Panasonic ST50	50"		Picture quality, black depth, color reproduction, response time, game and sports reproduction	Standard settings, Smart Viera not recommendable, buzzing	US UK
Sharp 70"	70"		HD picture quality, black depth, 3D experience (only on 735U in the US), price vs. size ratio	Too big for low quality material, out-of-box settings	US UK

Media streaming boxes

Our recommendations for the best internet video streaming boxes.

Model		Test	Pros	Cons	Price & Retailer
Apple TV			Very user friendly, 1080p, Airplay, iTunes+Netflix+Hulu	Requires iOS device to get full benefit, no app store, not a network streamer	US UK
Roku 2 XS			Cheap, a lot of streaming services	User interface could be better, faster processor would help	US UK

Monitor recommendations – Gaming monitors

If you seek a gaming monitor for your PC you need to consider you gaming needs. If you prefer fast games such as FPS games you should prefer a fast 120 Hz monitor with fast response time and low input lag. If you prefer strategic gaming such as StartCraft 2 or World of Warcraft you should prefer an IPS or VA based monitor with better picture characteristics.

Model	Size	Test	Pros	Cons	Price & Retailer
Asus VG236H	23"W		120 Hz, response time, low input lag, standard settings, stand	Viewing angles, TN panel, glossy panel	US UK
Alienware AW2310	23"		Response time, 120 Hz, low input lag, shadoe detail, color reproduction, 3D, ergonomic	Black level, price, viewing angles	US UK
BenQ XL2420T	24"W		120 Hz, black level, response time, no input lag	Viewing angles, TN panel, overdrive trailing	US UK
Eizo Foris FS2332	23"		IPS panel, picture quality, accurate colors, price	Black level, no height adjustment	US UK
Asus VG278H	27"W		120 Hz, response time, low input lag, fairly good 3D	Viewing angles, TN panel, color accuracy	US UK
Samsung S23A750D	23"W		120 Hz, response time, low input lag, gaming monitor	Viewing angles, TN panel, color accuracy, 3D picture quality	US UK
Dell U2312HM	23"		IPS panel, viewing angles, accurate colors, ergonomics, price	Black level, no HDMI	US UK
Eizo Foris FS2331	23"		VA panel, picture quality, accurate colors, price, black level	Some overdrive trailing, viewing angles	US UK

Monitor recommendations – Graphics/Photography monitors

These monitors are recommended based on accurate color reproduction, high color detailing and quality panels. Any graphic or photography artist, professional or amateur, need a proper monitor for working with images.The order of the monitor list is random.

Model	Size	Test	Pros	Cons	Price & Retailer
Dell U2410	24"		IPS panel, viewing angles, accurate colours, response time, pre-calibrated colours, ergonomic adjustability, functionality	Black level	US UK
Dell U2412M	24"		Price, IPS panel, viewing angles, accurate colours, response time, ergonomic adjustability	Black level, no HDMI	US UK
Dell U2312HM	23"		IPS panel, viewing angles, accurate colours, ergonimics, price	Black level, no HDMI	US UK
Eizo SX2762W	23"		IPS panel, color accuracy, calibrator solution, no bleeding	Black level, price	US UK
Eizo CG243W	24"		Picture Quality, accurate colours, setting options, ergonomic adjustability, backlight homogeneity	Black level, No A-TW filter, price	US UK
NEC PA241W	24"W		IPS panel, accurate colours, ergonomic, viewing angles, resolution	Price, Black levels, response time, No A-TW polarizer	US UK
HP LP2475W	24"W		H-IPS panel, Picture Quality, ergonomic adjustability, accurate colors, viewing angles	Out-of-box settings, Black level	US UK
Eizo S1932S	19"		S-PVA panel, Picture Quality, accurate colours, Black level, ergonomic adjustability	Viewing angles, response time	US UK
Dell U2713HM	27"W		IPS panel, picture quality, ergonomic adjustability, viewing angles, resolution, dirty screen look reduced	Response time, sRGB profile could have been better, black levels	US UK

Monitor recommendations – Office monitors

These monitors offer basic monitor features and a pleasant picture that the user can endure after long hours at the office or home office. Color reproduction is fairly good but not crucial. Good ergonomic adjustability is considers important.The order of the monitor list is random.

Model	Size	Test	Pros	Cons	Price & Retailer
Dell U2412M	24"		Price, IPS panel, viewing angles, accurate colours, response time, ergonomic adjustability	Black level, no HDMI	US UK
Dell U2410	24"		IPS panel, viewing angles, accurate colours, response time, pre-calibrated colours, ergonomic adjustability, functionality	Black level	US UK
Dell U2713HM	27"W		IPS panel, picture quality, ergonomic adjustability, viewing angles, resolution, dirty screen look reduced	Response time, sRGB profile could have been better, black levels	US UK
Dell U2312HM	23"		IPS panel, viewing angles, accurate colors, ergonomics, price	Black level, no HDMI	US UK
BenQ BL2400PT	24"		Black depth, color accuracy, no clouding, ergonomics	response time, human sensor, viewing angles	US UK
Eizo S1932S	19"		S-PVA panel, Picture Quality, accurate colours, Black level, ergonomic adjustability	Viewing angles, response time	US UK

Note

Help us keeping the recommendations list updated by providing your feedback and product suggestions in the comment box below. If you want help on choosing a specific TV or monitor please use the forums.

Changes to the recommendation list:

April 19, 2013: