It's 2023, which means now is a great time to buy a TV. TV prices are cyclical, and every year the best TV deals start happening during the fall and into the winter as stores slash prices and TV-makers compete for your dollar. But which TVs are actually good?
Our list, featuring TVs we've reviewed side by side, is designed to help you find the best TV for you, from high-end OLED and QLED models to budget LCD TVs and everything in between. We've reviewed many of the best TVs of the year and are presenting three of CNET's favorites in the list below. And for more great TVs for different preferences and budgets, check out our complete roster of the best TVs of 2022 at CNET.com.
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Best TV for the money: TCL 6-Series Roku TV
Best TV for the money: TCL 6-Series Roku TV. (CNET/TNS)
CNET TAKE: For the last five years the TCL 6-Series has been our favorite TV for the money, and the 2022 version — also known as the R655 series — is no exception. This TV has an excellent image, thanks to mini-LED tech and well-implemented full-array local dimming that helps it run circles around just about any other TV at this price. It improves upon the previous R635 series with improved gaming extras and a new center-mount stand that you can elevate to make room for a soundbar, though the new 85-inch size has standard legs. And finally, the Roku TV operating system is our hands-down favorite.
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Best high-end TV for the money: LG OLED C2
Best high-end TV for the money: LG OLED C2. (CNET/TNS)
CNET TAKE: The LG OLED C2 represents the pinnacle of picture quality at a price that's admittedly high, but not too crazy. It beats any non-OLED TV we've reviewed, including the Samsung QN90B, with its perfect black levels, unbeatable contrast and superb off-angle viewing. It also has superb gaming features, making it the perfect companion to an Xbox Series X or S, PlayStation 5 or both. The C2 comes in a variety of sizes as well, although the bigger models are expensive.
Improvements over the C1 from last year include carbon-fiber construction for up to 47% lighter weight — the 65-inch version we reviewed weighs just 37 pounds with its stand, compared to 72 pounds for the 65-inch C1 — as well as some additional tweaks to game mode and a new "always ready" feature.
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Best midpriced TV for tighter budgets: Vizio MQX
Best midpriced TV for tighter budgets: Vizio MQX. (CNET/TNS)
CNET TAKE: The Vizio MQX is one of the least expensive TVs to feature full-array local dimming, which lets it reproduce TV shows, movies and games with enough contrast and pop to do HDR justice. The MQX has fewer dimming zones than more expensive TVs like the TCL 6-Series and Hisense U8H, but it offers 16 zones on the 50-inch, 30 on the 65-inch and 42 on the 75-inch, which is more than enough for excellent overall picture quality, with bright highlights, dark black levels, punchy contrast and accurate color.
Unlike the M7 last year, the MQX has a true 120Hz refresh rate, which allows compatibility with 4K/120Hz signals from game consoles like the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, and worked well in our tests. Vizio supports both major HDR formats, HDR10 and Dolby Vision, in the M-Series. If you can't save up for the TCL or the Hisense but want a better picture than the TCL 4-Series or Vizio V-series, the Vizio MQX is an excellent happy medium.
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8 times you’re using the wrong credit card
Which card is the right card?
There’s no such thing as a universal best credit card. The right card for you depends on your lifestyle, your goals and your credit history. For instance, if you’re looking for travel rewards but your friend is building credit, the best card for each of you will differ greatly.
And while there may not be one best card for you — the average American has about three cards, according to a 2021 Experian study — there are many times a card can be wrong for a specific situation.
Here are eight times you could be using the wrong credit card, and what you can do instead.
1. You're still using your starter credit card
You may have started out by building your credit with a secured card, student card or alternative card, but once your credit is in better shape, it may be time to upgrade.
If you’ve used a starter card responsibly by keeping your utilization rate low and paying balances in full every month, you may qualify for a card that’s a better fit now. A different card could offer a higher credit limit, better rewards earnings and perks like cellphone protection and travel benefits. Some card issuers may automatically upgrade your card once you’ve reached certain thresholds, while others may not. Contact the issuer to check your options.
2. You're not using a card enough to earn the sign-up bonus
New cardholders can often earn a lucrative welcome bonus but usually with a caveat: You have to spend a minimum amount within a specific time frame to get it. Note the spending requirements for a card’s sign-up bonus, and use the new credit card enough by the deadline. If you continue to pay with an older credit card that’s already in your wallet, you risk missing out on the bonus if you don’t spend enough on your new card.
A little planning can help. Think about upcoming big purchases you need to make, such as a car repair or a new laptop. Just one of those could be enough to hit the bonus’s spending requirements.
3. You're using a store-specific card
It’s true a store credit card can save you money, especially if you are a frequent, heavy spender at that store. However, the rewards earned with a store credit card are often only redeemable at that store, limiting their usefulness.
Most shoppers would be better off using a general rewards credit card and earning more flexible rewards. Some cards have elevated rates for online shopping purchases, while others earn as much as 5% back at popular merchants like Target, Walmart and Amazon.
4. You didn't realize 5% cards take extra work
Several cards boast a top 5% cash-back rate in popular spending categories like grocery stores, restaurants and gas. The catch, though, is that you’ll have to do some work to earn that rate. In most cases, you’ll need to track categories: Qualifying 5% purchases may rotate quarterly, or you may have to choose your own categories. If you’re spending outside of those categories with this card, you’ll likely earn a paltry 1% instead of the juicy 5% you think you’re earning.
Most times, you’ll have to activate the bonus categories before the issuer’s deadline to earn the 5%, even if you’re spending in the right category. Plus, you’ll likely run into spending caps in those 5% bonus categories; once you hit those caps, the rewards rate drops to 1%. For those who find a 5% card to be high maintenance, opt for one that earns a flat 2% cash back on every purchase instead.
5. You mix up the card names
According to a 2020 NerdWallet study, 14% of Americans view credit cards as “complicated,” and it’s not hard to see why. Some issuers offer suites of cards in the same family and have names that are nearly identical. The logos of some issuers are strikingly similar, too. Perform a quick audit of your credit cards to make sure that they are the cards you intended to get. Cards that look and sound nearly the same may be worlds apart in terms of fees and rewards structure.
6. You're regularly using a balance transfer card for purchases
Balance transfer cards can be excellent tools for paying off debt. They consolidate several debts into one place, making them easier to keep up with, and they can give you a breather on interest for many months. However, if you’re using a balance transfer card for everyday expenses as well, it will be hard to whittle that balance to $0. Plus, many balance transfer cards don’t come with rewards. Leave the balance transfer card at home but take the cash-back card with you — and be sure to make regular payments toward both.
7. You aren't using the right card for that purchase
It pays to know the rewards rates for all of your credit cards. Say you have two credit cards, one that earns 4% on gas and another that earns only 1%. Using the 4% card whenever you fill up would return $30 more if you spent $1,000 annually on gas. That $30 may not seem like a lot, but small amounts add up, especially if you have multiple rewards credit cards. To help keep track of different rewards rates, you could label your cards with sticky notes or keep a small reference guide in your wallet.
Often you’ll have to keep spending caps in mind, too. Issuers typically cap earnings on their highest rewards rates after you reach a certain amount of spending in a particular category. Make sure you track your progress toward that cap and switch to another card with a better rate when you reach it — until the limit resets.
8. You're not using a credit card at all
Though they may look and feel virtually the same, a debit card is very different from a credit card. Credit cards offer protections and perks that debit cards (and cash) do not. You can earn cash back and other rewards with credit cards that you won’t get with debit, and it’s often easier to recover from losing a credit card than a wallet full of cash. More importantly, responsible credit card use builds your credit score, which can translate into more favorable loan terms and insurance rates, among other money-saving benefits.
PennyWise podcast: 5 tips to help avoid credit card debt
The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Editorial Director - TVs and Streaming David Katzmaier and Copy Editor Jim Hoffman. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
