What size TV should I buy?

A TV with a deep sea scene on the display in a light living complete with white and cream furniture.
Credit: Howard Bouchevereau


A TV with a deep sea scene on the display in a light living complete with white and cream furniture.
Credit: Howard Bouchevereau

There are a ton of things to consider when buying a new television, from brand to budget and even backlight technology. One of the most important, however, is deciding what size TV you should buy, which isn’t as easy as it might sound.

The perfect TV size for your home depends on a few key factors, such as room size, resolution, screen type, and viewing distance. If you just want our recommendation of the best TV in 2023 to skip the palaver, then look no further than the LG OLED evo C3. Otherwise, we’ll walk you through what to look out for, why it matters, and how you can choose the right size television for you.

Screen size and resolution

Let's first run through these two key attributes of a TV to work out which size to buy.

Screen size

A black flatscreen TV with two arrows measuring from corner to corner in inches.
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Credit: Samsung

TV screens are measured diagonally from one corner to the other. The measurements are in inches and often rounded up to the nearest whole number. For example, a model billed as a 55-inch TV screen usually has a diagonal measurement of 54.5 inches from one corner to the other. It’s just that much more marketable dropping the decimal point.

A general rule of thumb is to double the size of your TV to find out the distance you should place it from your seating area. For instance, if you were seated 8.5 feet from the TV, a 52-inch screen would be appropriate. However, a smaller screen size, like 40 inches, sitting closer, like four feet away, would be best suited.

The purpose of the TV must also be taken into account. Smaller screen sizes might be suitable for a bedroom or a tiny living area. However, a larger screen size might be necessary for setting up a home theatre or entertainment space.

Resolution

Image of a TV in a living room in front of a large floor-to-ceiling window featuring crystalised rocks on the display.
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Credit: Samsung

The resolution of a TV is the number of pixels shown on the screen. The higher the resolution, the higher the clarity and detail level in the image. The three most popular TV resolutions now are 1080p (Full HD), 4K (Ultra HD), and 8K (Ultra HD).

  • 1080p HD: 1080 HD refers to a TV screen with a (1920 x 1080) pixel resolution. It’s a typical resolution for TVs and computer monitors. It is also called Full HD.
  • 4K (Ultra HD): 4K UHD has a resolution of (3840 × 2160) pixels. 4K has four times the resolution of 1080p. This indicates that the image is more detailed, sharper, and has more brilliant colours. Many modern TVs and streaming platforms currently offer content in 4K.
  • 8K (Ultra HD): 8K UHD has a (7680 x 4320) pixels resolution. It has two times the resolution of 4k and sixteen times the resolution of 1080p. It is also referred to as Super Hi-Vision. The image has even brighter colours, smoother borders, and is extremely sharp and detailed. However, little 8K content is available for now, and it needs a fast processor to display adequately.

A 1080p resolution can be adequate if you're buying a smaller TV. But if you're buying a bigger TV, we advise that you choose one with a 4K resolution. This is due to the possibility of pixelation and image quality degradation with a greater screen size and lower resolution.

Room size and viewing distance

The size of the room and the viewing distance should both be taken into account when selecting your TV size. Remember that rooms do not expand to accommodate larger TVs, so you must pick the right size for your room.

Room size

Someone sat on a black sofa watching a wall-mounted flatscreen TV.
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Credit: freepik

Choosing the right TV size requires careful consideration of your room's size. Too large of a TV could be overwhelming and make your room feel crowded.

On the other hand, a TV that is too small can not offer an immersive watching experience if your room is spacious. The TV screen size should be at least a third of the viewing distance. For instance, a screen size of about 52 inches would be excellent if you intend to watch TV from 6 feet away.

Viewing distance

LG G3 TV sat in a well-lit room next to a window sat in front of a cream sofa and glass table.
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Credit: LG

Choosing the proper TV size requires careful consideration of the viewing distance. Sitting too close to a large TV can cause pixelation and distortion; sitting too far away from a small TV can make viewing the screen's details challenging.

It’s generally advised that the viewing distance be 1.5 to 2 times the TV's diagonal length. The recommended viewing distance for 4K UHD is 1½ times the vertical screen size. In contrast, the recommended distance for HD TVs is three times the TV's vertical screen size.

While sitting too close to the television may give you a headache from straining your eyes, it won't give your eyes any long-lasting damage. Optimal viewing distance isn't about eye health but getting the most out of your television's picture quality.

LG OLED evo C3

LG C3 TV mounted onto a grey wall featuring a green and blue pattern on the display.
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Credit: LG

The LG OLED evo C3 is one model to consider when shopping for a new TV. It is a high-end television with several sophisticated features and cutting-edge technology. The OLED display on this TV is one of its most notable qualities because it offers amazing picture quality with deep blacks and bright colours. This technology makes it possible to manage each pixel separately, producing an exceedingly sharp and detailed image.

The TV provides 4K Ultra HD resolution, four times higher than Full HD. As a result, viewers will experience a more immersive viewing environment with sharp, clear visuals and breathtaking detail. The TV also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, which improves the image's colour and contrast and gives it a more realistic appearance.

It also comes in a variety of screen sizes, ranging from 55 inches to 77 inches and up to 86 inches. Because of this, it is suitable for a range of room sizes and viewing distances. While the smaller sizes are ideal for bedrooms or smaller living areas, the larger sizes are perfect for home theatres or large living rooms.

In conclusion

Choosing the right TV size can greatly impact your viewing experience. When selecting the ideal TV size, it is crucial to consider the room size, the screen size, the viewing distance, and the resolution. The LG OLED evo C3 is a versatile option for any home entertainment system because it comes in various screen sizes with 4K Ultra HD. Choosing the right TV size requires balancing your budget, screen size, and preference. To ensure the TV matches your requirements and has the desired features, it's also important to do your own due diligence and read customer reviews.

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