Combs sold his majority stake in Revolt following a slew of allegations from those once close to him.
The company said its employees will now be the largest shareholders.
Sean "Diddy" Combs has sold his majority stake in Revolt, the media company he cofounded.
As first reported by The New York Times, the organization announced Tuesday that Combs had officially sold his shares, over a decade after Revolt first launched.
With this sale, the private company's largest shareholder group is now made up of employees, according to The Times.
Revolt CEO Detavio Samuels confirmed the rumors to NYT ahead of Tuesday's announcement. The press release announcing the ownership change assured that Revolt would remain Black-owned.
"We are stepping into the most revolutionary chapter yet for Revolt," Samuels said in a statement.
Combs is facing a lawsuit from his former longtime girlfriend Casandra Ventura, accusing him of sexual abuse. Combs' lawyer previously said the hip-hop star "vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations."
Following the sexual assault accusations, Combs stepped down from his role as the chairman at Revolt as rumors swirled that he'd be selling his shares.
M1A2 Abrams tank seen before a high-intensity training session
Artur Widak/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Retired US Army general Mark Hertling challenged Ukrainian soldiers' criticisms of the M1 Abrams tank.
Ukrainian soldiers complained the armor is insufficient and that the tank has equipment issues.
Hertling said the high maintenance demands for the tanks makes them less suitable for Ukraine.
Retired US Army general Mark Hertling pushed back after Ukrainian soldiers criticized US-supplied M1 Abrams tanks during a recent interview with CNN.
"That's BS," Hertling said on Monday in response to Ukrainian soldiers who told CNN last week that the armor on the Abrams offers inadequate protection and "is not sufficient for this moment" in which exploding drones threaten anything that moves.
The Ukrainian tank crew members told CNN that what they really need is artillery and aviation assets. "We have no aviation and artillery. We have only tank. And it's the problem," one soldier said.
The soldiers also complained that the Abrams tanks are not well suited for the environment, specifically the rain and fog, which they say has damaged the electronic equipment inside the tanks.
"Some of the indicators they talked about like condensation on the instruments — that's BS," Hertling told CNN's Jessica Dean. He argued that the Abrams tank was built for war in Europe. This tank was built with the Soviet threat in mind.
Sorry for getting passionate about tanks, but there were a few things that Ukrainian tank crew said that were just not true. https://t.co/NW3rqywM7F
The former tanker and commander of United States Army Europe dismissed the Ukrainian soldiers' claims that the tank has the wrong kind of ammunition and that it couldn't bring down a house even after 17 rounds were fired into it.
The general said that "I know for a fact having fired these vehicles and having been a tanker all my life that this is a crew that is not either selecting the right weapon system or isn't maintaining their tanks very well."
Hertling said he spent three decades on the Abrams in Europe and didn't encounter the problems that the soldiers described. He suggested they were simply complaining because the vehicle broke down, noting that disgruntled tankers will sometimes give every reason for why something is not working or why "this piece of crap" is something they don't need.
That said, the Abrams "was not the best tank to give to Ukraine because there are maintenance challenges and you have to have a highly trained crew," he said. But "Ukraine continued to ask for these vehicles even though they knew there was a high maintenance standard to keep them running."
Throughout the war, Ukrainian troops have had to learn how to use a wide variety of systems, some more complicated than others. The Abrams, particularly the engine, is a complex system. And maintenance has long been a concern.
A Department of Defense Office of Inspector General report from February concluded that there wasn't a plan for sustainment and that "without deliberate and planned sustainment support, including proper spare parts, ammunition, and maintenance support, the Ukrainians would not be capable of maintaining these weapon systems in their ongoing fight against Russia's full-scale invasion."
All 31 of the Abrams tanks the US provided are currently in service with the 47th Mechanized Brigade.
The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower sails in the Mediterranean Sea on Nov. 3, 2023.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Janae Chambers
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group has spent months defending ships from Houthi attacks.
The strike group's deployment has just been extended, keeping the warships in the Middle East.
It comes as the Red Sea conflict shows no signs of slowing down.
The US Navy carrier strike group that has spent months fighting the Houthis from the Red Sea will be staying in the region for a little while longer, as the Iran-backed rebels continue attacking shipping lanes.
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group — which consists of the aircraft carrier Ike, the cruiser USS Philippine Sea, and the two destroyers USS Gravely and USS Mason — recently had its restless deployment extended, a US defense official told Business Insider on Tuesday.
It is the latest signal from the Pentagon that a US naval presence is still very much needed in the region to counter the Houthis. American forces are routinely tasked with intercepting missiles and drones launched by the rebels, who have relentlessly targeted ships transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin first directed the strike group to the Middle East in late October, shortly after the warships left their homeport in Virginia. The move followed an outburst of violence across the region that was triggered by Hamas' Oct. 7 terror attacks in Israel and the latter's subsequent retaliatory assault in Gaza.
The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower in November.
US Navy photo by Information Technician Second Class Ruskin Naval
Austin extended the strike group's deployment a few weeks ago. He then extended it again in May, according to the Associated Press, which first reported on the development last week. The Ike will now remain in the region for at least another month, and it's unclear when, exactly, the strike group will ultimately return home.
The deployment extension comes as the conflict shows no signs of slowing down.
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines told lawmakers in May that the Houthis will likely remain active for "some time" and that Iran — the group's main backer — is unlikely to stop providing support. She also said US and coalition airstrikes targeting the militants in Yemen have been insufficient at eliminating the threat.
American and British forces have conducted several rounds of joint strikes targeting the Houthis since January. Just last week, for instance, the two militaries hit more than a dozen targets in Yemen. More frequently, though, US forces have unilaterally carried out preemptive strikes targeting Houthi missiles and drones as they are being prepared for launch against nearby ships.
The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower conducts flight operations in the Red Sea in February.
US Navy photo
The Eisenhower strike group has already expended more than 500 munitions during its deployment, striking the Houthis in Yemen and engaging their threats, according to Navy officials. This figure includes a collection of air-to-surface, air-to-air, surface-to-air, and land-attack munitions.
After months in this high-tempo combat environment, the Ike and Gravely made a brief port visit earlier in the spring at US Naval Support Activity Souda Bay in Greece, where they were resupplied and rearmed, before returning to the Middle East to continue their maritime security mission.
Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, meanwhile, disclosed in April that the Navy had fired nearly $1 billion worth of munitions battling the Houthis over the previous six months. The figure has only gone up in the weeks since, with attacks and interceptions continuing on a routine basis, underscoring the growing financial cost of the American naval presence in this ongoing conflict.
In the past week alone, the Houthis have launched dozens of drones and anti-ship ballistic missiles at targets in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. Some of the threats were shot down by US forces, while others landed in the water, but at least one commercial ship was struck by missiles.
It's no secret that people's day-to-day lives in the 1920s were very different than they are now.
Prohibition, the 19th Amendment, and the Harlem Renaissance were key points of the decade.
Jazz, the Charleston, and flapper fashion had their moments in the '20s, too.
It may be hard to believe, but the start of the Roaring Twenties was over 100 years ago.
The 1920s brought amazing artistic, cultural, and technological advancements in the form of Jazz, new voting rights, radio, and more. But while the decade is best known for its glitz and glamour, there's a darker side to its history, too, that includes many of the same societal issues the world continues to grapple with, like racism, sexism, and wealth disparities.
Take a look at 55 vintage photos that show society's immense progress, the simple pleasures we all still enjoy, and where we can look to improve in the next century to come.
The Roaring Twenties marked a new era of automobile advancements, with stylish vehicles becoming an iconic part of the decade.
A woman with a Chrysler vehicle, circa 1920s.
Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
The 1920s are often looked at as one of the most influential decades of automobile advancements.
Long before Uber and Lyft, cabs were classy vehicles.
Cabs looked a tad different than they do now.
Dick Whittington Studio/Corbis via Getty Images
Here, a woman was photographed outside a cab vehicle in Los Angeles, circa 1925.
The Model T vehicle defined much of the 1920s — it was sold until 1927.
A Ford Model T descending a hill in San Francisco, circa 1921.
Underwood Archives/Getty Images
The Model T was sold by the Ford Motor Company 1908 until 1927, per History.com. The vehicle was the earliest effort to make a modern car that was affordable to the masses.
As explained by the History Channel, the Model T was so affordable that it helped rural Americans connect to other parts of the country, which eventually led to the creation of the numbered highway system that's known throughout the US today.
Luxe fabrics, flapper girl silhouettes, and art-deco style dominated the fashion world in the '20s.
A woman wearing a fur coat and hat in the '20s.
Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images
In the Roaring Twenties, fashion was characterized by fringe, loose fabrics, and glamorous details. The garments differed immensely from the athleisure and street style-inspired looks that fill clothing racks today. But as fashion historians explain, trends are cyclical — meaning '20s-inspired clothes could (and will likely) make a comeback into mainstream fashion again.
Prohibition banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol within the US until 1933.
People by a Prohibition sign reading, "No booze sold here."
Ullstein Bild/Getty Images
Prohibition went into effect in 1920 with the 18th Amendment. Until it was repealed in 1933, the law greatly impacted American culture and society, giving way to organized crime and speakeasies.
Prohibition led people to create speakeasies, or secret bars where they could drink in private.
A speakeasy cellar, circa 1920.
Bettmann / Contributor
Here, people drink at a speakeasy around 1920.
Suffragettes rallied for women's right to vote in America.
A flag and ballot box supporting women's suffrage.
Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
On August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote. However, the law largely applied to white women, as Black women, Indigenous women, and other women of color were prohibited from voting for many decades to come.
Suffragettes throughout the US celebrated the victorious moment the 19th Amendment was ratified.
Women wave American flags to celebrate the ratification of the 19th Amendment.
Bettmann/Contributor/Getty
Here, a photographer captured celebrations after the newly ratified 19th Amendment in August 1920.
In the 1920s, drugstores weren't only places to pick up prescriptions — they were also soda and candy counters.
Frankfurt Pharmacy in Rosemead, California, in 1927.
Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Drugstores weren't just places to grab quick convenience items like they are today; they were central gathering spots in the community. At a 1920s-era pharmacy, customers could sit at the counter and enjoy a root beer float or an egg cream.
These pharmacies of a bygone era were much more ornately decorated — with marble countertops and beautiful light fixtures — than the fluorescent lighting-clad drugstores of today.
General stores were the go-to spots for workers, food, and household items.
A group of people gathered in a small general store, Utica, Mississippi, circa 1920.
Underwood Archives/Getty Images
General stores became less common after the 1920s, but throughout the decade, they were still popular for various goods for farmers and industrial workers, as well as equipment and food.
Schools for young students around 1920 were typically large classrooms that fit as many pupils as possible.
Young students in a classroom, circa 1920.
JHU Sheridan Libraries/Gado/Getty Images
At the time, classrooms and schoolhouses were designed to hold as many students as possible to maximize space.
But in the 1920s, more educators and administrators started to support "progressive" schools that were built to house programs that were new at the time — allowing more open-air, light, and access to outdoor activities, per a 2012 report from the National Institute of Building Sciences about school design.
The Roaring Twenties saw the birth of historic figures, such as Queen Elizabeth II, who was born in 1926.
Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) with her grandmother in 1929.
Edward G. Malindine/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
Here, the Queen — then known as Princess Elizabeth — was pictured in 1929 at a train station, apparently on the way to the family's Sandringham estate for Christmas.
Prominent civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was also born in the 1920s.
Martin Luther King Jr. delivering a speech at UC Berkeley's Sproul Plaza in 1967.
Michael Ochs Archives/Stringer/Getty Images
He was born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta and became one of the most important figures in the Civil Rights Movement during the '50s and '60s.
A hundred years ago, the Charleston was the dance of choice.
The iconic Charleston dance move.
Bettmann / Contributor
Here, two people photographed around 1926 do the Charleston dance.
The famous Charleston dance came from a song in the Broadway show "Runnin' Wild."
A group of girls dancing in Harlem, New York City, circa 1920s.
NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images
Per the Charleston County Public Library, it became a mainstream dance after the musical's release in 1923 and defined the rest of the decade.
Jazz music was the most popular genre of the decade.
American jazz musician Louis Armstrong poses on stage with a band for the WMSB radio station in New Orleans, Louisiana, 1920s.
Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images
Jazz music dominated 1920s culture in America thanks to popular musicians like Louis Armstrong.
The genre was a key feature of the Harlem Renaissance, which encompassed music, literature, and art created by Black Americans.
King Oliver's Creole Jazz Band in Chicago circa 1923. The band included Honore Dutrey, Baby Dodds, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Lil Hardin, Bill Johnson, and Johnny Dodds.
Throughout the 1920s and '30s, Black creatives across disciplines shared their art en masse, documenting what it was like to be Black in America during a period known as the Harlem Renaissance.
Iconic works from the likes of Nella Larsen, W.E.B. Du Bois, Zora Neale Hurston, and more were all produced during this era.
However, throughout the 1920s, Black people continued to face barriers like segregation, discrimination, and even violence.
Segregated waiting rooms in Rosslyn, Virginia, circa 1928.
Bettmann/Contributor
In the photo above, the waiting room on the right was designated for "Colored" individuals while that on the left was for white people.
Segregation was a prominent aspect of life in the US following the Civil War, especially in the South where Jim Crow laws were harshly enforced.
Other minority groups also faced discrimination. Below are Japanese "picture brides" who immigrated to the US in 1920 to marry American men as a result of exclusionary immigration laws.
Japanese picture brides having their passports investigated by members of Congress in 1920.
Bettmann/Contributor
Immigration from Japan to the US was largely limited during the 1920s as a result of the 1907 Gentlemen's Agreement.
However, it had an exception for Japanese wives of current American residents, which led to the practice of American men choosing Japanese women to be their wife solely based on photos.
Many of the Japanese "picture wives" faced discrimination, spousal abuse, and poor living conditions upon arrival to the US, Women & the American Story reported.
Such marriages were made illegal by the 1924 Immigration Act, which barred any immigrant who wouldn't be eligible for citizenship from coming to the US.
People of Asian descent were denied full US citizenship until the 1950s.
The year 1920 also saw the first Olympic Games since before World War I.
Swimmers at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium.
Bob Thomas/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images
After the 1916 Olympic Games were canceled due to World War I, the 1920 summer Olympics were set in Antwerp, Belgium, as a way to honor "the suffering that had been inflicted on the Belgian people during the war," the Olympics reported.
It was also the first year the Olympic Rings symbol was publicly displayed.
Back then, sporting equipment like tennis balls, footballs, and other athletic gear was often handmade.
General Photographic Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Here, people carry newly manufactured tennis balls.
In the 1920s, athletic wear was very different from the nylon pants we're familiar with now.
A football team lined up for a portrait in Winchester, Kentucky, 1921.
Underwood Archives/Getty Images
Pictured here, a football team poses in sporting uniforms at Oliver High School in Kentucky in 1921.
Gym class appeared much more elegant in the '20s than it is today.
People throwing balls in sync in a 1920s gym class.
Time Life Pictures/Mansell/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images
This looks way more sophisticated than a sweaty game of kickball.
Cities were changing in the Roaring Twenties, with public transportation advancements giving people new ways to commute.
A London Underground entrance.
Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
Pictured here is a subway entrance in London, circa 1924. Transport for London reported that the city's Underground was the first subway in the world, having opened in 1863.
Beyond underground trains, rail trains were also a central part of life in the 1920s.
Rail trains were a popular mode of transportation in the 1920s.
JHU Sheridan Libraries/Gado/Getty Images
Here, a group of employees stand in front of a train in 1920.
Train travel in the 1920s was often comfortable and glamorous compared to the cramped cars that many commuters know today.
Commuters on a train, circa 1920s.
Historica Graphica Collection/Heritage Images/Getty Images
Train travel was arguably its most glamorous from 1910 through 1950.
However, much of public transportation has stayed the same over the decades, like the realities of crowded bus and subway stops.
Waiting at the bus stop.
Kirn Vintage Stock/Corbis via Getty Images
Here, a group of people wait to board a bus in Chicago around 1925.
Fire engines in the 1920s looked much more ornate than today's modern, large trucks.
Firefighters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, circa 1920.
Underwood Archives/Getty Images
Here, members of a fire department in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were photographed around 1920.
Horse races were a ritzy leisure activity that often involved fabulous outfits and hats.
A woman wearing a voluminous feather hat at a horse race.
Topical Press Agency/Getty Images
Here, people attend a horse race at Ascot Racecourse in Ascot, England, around 1920.
In the 1920s, a trip to the fair became a popular pastime. Fairgoers could go for a spin on the carousel …
People enjoying a fair attraction, circa 1920.
Central Press/Getty Images
Carnivals and state and county fairs in the US were popular summertime activities during the early 20th century.
… or make a go-around on bumper cars.
People ride bumper cars, circa 1925.
Kirn Vintage Stock/Corbis via Getty Images
USA Today reported that Coney Island's Luna Park is believed to have had one of the first bumper car attractions.
Coney Island in Brooklyn represented a new era of entertainment at the turn of the 20th century in America.
Advertisements at Coney Island, circa 1920s.
Irving Browning/The New York Historical Society/Getty Images
Coney Island was an iconic part of the early 20th century that transformed how Americans spent their free time.
Here, groups of couples competed in a dance contest at the Coney Island boardwalk.
People dancing at the Coney Island boardwalk, circa 1928.
Bettmann / Contributor
The Brooklyn park gave locals and visitors new ways to stay entertained and spend time with one another in the form of roller coasters and rides, animal exhibits, and a lively boardwalk and beach.
Here, women competed at a patriotic-looking beauty pageant at Coney Island.
Women at a Miss Coney Island pageant.
Bettmann / Contributor
Miss Coney Island 1924 and 1925, respectively, appeared to stand on the Coney Island boardwalk sometime during the mid-1920s.
Long before the days of Instagram, photographers captured the moment at county fairs.
All smiles at a county fair, circa 1920.
H. Armstrong Roberts/Retrofile/Getty Images
This snapshot from around 1920 shows fair attendees having their picture taken.
Spending time at the beach in the '20s sometimes meant catching shrimp with huge nets, apparently.
A family at a beach around 1920.
The Montifraulo Collection/Getty Images
Around 1920, a family was photographed at a beach in Germany holding up shrimping nets.
Silent films dominated the movie industry in the 1920s …
The filming of a German silent film in the 1920s.
ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images
The National Endowment for the Humanities reported that the silent film era began in 1894 and continued through the 1920s. Before there were "talkies," audiences were dazzled by films starring actors like Charlie Chaplin and Clara Bow.
… but the decade also saw the transition to the "talkies," or movies with spoken dialogue.
A scene from "The Jazz Singer," 1927.
John Springer Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images
In 1927, "The Jazz Singer" became the first feature-length movie to feature dialogue scenes, marking a transition from the silent film era, per the Museum of Modern Art.
The World reported that the first film (that wasn't a feature-length movie) with talking scenes was actually created in 1898 by Alice Guy-Blaché.
As film began to include sound, musical movies captured the hearts of audiences.
A shot from the filming of a movie with dancers, circa 1920.
Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Musical movies produced in the late 1920s, like "Broadway Melody," continued to push "talkies" into the mainstream.
Vaudeville, which consisted of short acts of dancers, musicians, magicians, and comedians, was also a popular form of entertainment throughout the 1920s.
The Dolly Sisters.
adoc-photos/Corbis via Getty Images
The Dolly Sisters, pictured here, were famous vaudeville performers in the early 20th century.
Another iconic vaudeville production during the 1920s was the Ziegfeld Follies, PBS reported, which preceded the modern Broadway musical and helped launch the career of many theatrical stars of the time.
Leo, the lion that became a symbol of MGM Studios, made his debut in 1927.
A woman is held up by elephants at a circus in 1926.
ullstein bild/ullstein bild via Getty Images
In the almost 100 years since this photo was taken, some states in the US have banned the use of animals in circuses, while others have enacted partial bans.
The famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus show, "The Greatest Show on Earth," shut down in May 2017 after 146 years of shocking the nation with its acrobatic and animal performances. It reopened five years later, but without animals.
In recent years, changing attitudes toward animal rights, as well as high operating costs of shows, and declining attendance rates, have led to the demise of the circus.
Women outside of a circus in New York.
Bettmann / Contributor
Here, women are photographed holding pigs outside of a circus in New York around 1920.
Before modern conveniences like central air conditioning, people found creative ways to stay cool in the summer, like this group of women who appeared to be sitting on a chunk of ice.
A group of women on a golf course, circa 1920.
Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
Willis Carrier invented the first air conditioner in 1902, but it wasn't until 1929 that Frigidaire introduced a unit that was suitable for use in homes, the US Department of Energy reported.
Any curiosity about what was going on in the world required a look at the daily newspaper.
Josephine Baker reading a newspaper in 1928.
Bettmann/Contributor
People relied on newspapers for local, national, and global updates, as well as advice columns, entertainment, and other stories.
The world's first commercial radio broadcast was made in 1920.
Frank Conrad, the founder of KDKA radio station.
Bettmann/Contributor/Getty Images
The Pennsylvania Center for the Book reported that Pittsburgh radio station KDKA produced the world's first radio broadcast on November 2, 1920.
Frank Conrad is known as the "father of radio broadcasting" for inventing the first station, which was located in his garage.
Throughout the decade, radio continued to grow as a pivotal technology that changed the way people received the news, communicated, and connected with pop culture.
Rufus P. Turner was a student at the Armstrong Technical High School.
Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images
Per MIT Black History, Rufus P. Turner was the first Black radio station operator. He began operating his station, W3LF, in Washington, DC, in 1928.
Wedding-dress styles from the '20s included ornate headpieces.
Brides and grooms gathered in the St. George Church on Christmas Day in 1920.
Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
Brides Magazine reported that beaded headbands were common additions to wedding gowns during the Jazz Age, as were dresses with high necklines and cape- or flutter-style sleeves.
Cruise ships in the Roaring Twenties were often extravagant.
Passengers dance on the Saturnia ship.
Touring Club Italiano/Marka/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Here, passengers onboard the Saturnia ship partake in an evening dance in the 1920s. The Saturnia was an Italian liner that sailed until the 1960s. Along with its sister ship, Vulcania, it was among the first large transatlantic liners driven by diesel engines, the Italian Liners Historical Society reported.
Telephones looked just a tad different from the smartphones we know today.
A woman uses a mobile-type telephone in London, circa 1920.
Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images
Phones of the 1920s and '30s were characterized by their rotary dials and "spit cup" receivers.
Being a switchboard operator was a common job for many women in the early 1920s.
Telephone switchboard operators, circa 1920.
GraphicaArtis/Getty Images
Being a switchboard operator often required saying the phrase "number please" hundreds of times per hour for eight hours a day, according to a 1922 op-ed in The New York Times, as cited by Time.
The shift from rural to urban living was prominent in the 1920s.
Aerial view of lower Manhattan, New York City, 1923.
FPG/Staff/Getty Images
The US Census Bureau reported that the 1920 census marked the first time over 50% of Americans reported living in urban areas compared to rural ones.
Kitchen appliances were much different than they are now.
Women at the Soho School of Cookery in London in the 1920s.
FPG/Getty Images
The beginning of the 20th century brought many advancements to the home — from gas ranges to the advent of refrigerators, which became commonplace in homes by the 1920s — but kitchens certainly didn't have the multi-functional, high-tech gadgets many homes are equipped with today.
While much has changed in the past century, from cars and technology to pastimes, many of the simple pleasures of life have remained constant, like getting ice cream from a snack stand …
A summer day in Paris.
Harlingue/Roger Viollet via Getty Images
Here, kids were photographed at a soda stand on a street in Paris around 1920.
The only thing that would make this sweeter was if Coca Cola still cost a nickel.
… and catching up with good company at a café.
Women at a café in Paris, circa 1920.
Branger/Roger Viollet via Getty Images
Here's to all the changes and all the lasting pleasures of the next 100 years.
First Lady Jill Biden enters court on the second day of Hunter Biden's gun trial.
AP/Matt Slocum
First Lady Jill Biden has so far attended each day of Hunter Biden's trial, which opened Tuesday.
Her presence underscores the absence of another first lady, Melania Trump, at Donald Trump's trial.
Both the Biden and Trump trials feature unsavory personal allegations.
First Lady Jill Biden has sat in the front row each day of Hunter Biden's federal gun trial in Delaware this week, wearing crisply tailored pants suits, jotting on a white legal pad, and joking during breaks with her son.
Her presence underscores how the first family is rallying behind Biden during his trial. And it sets up a stark contrast to another first lady, Melania Trump, who was a no-show for the entirety of Donald Trump's seven-week hush-money trial in Manhattan.
First Lady Jill Biden walks into federal court in Wilmington, Delaware, on the first day of Hunter Biden's gun trial.
AP/Matt Slocum
Jill Biden turned 73 on Monday and spent part of the day watching jury selection at the Delaware courthouse.
"Happy Birthday," Hunter Biden was overheard telling the first lady at one point, according to The Washington Post. "I got you a special event."
The first lady returned to court on Tuesday for opening statements. Also attending at the J. Caleb Boggs Federal Courthouse in Wilmington was Biden's wife, Melissa Cohen Biden.
Hunter Biden and wife Melissa Cohen Biden enter federal court in Wilmington, Delaware for opening statements in his gun trial.
AP/Matt Slocum
The trial marks the first time in American history that a sitting president's child has been a defendant in a criminal trial. He is accused of lying about his then-drug use on federal paperwork when he bought a handgun in 2018.
In opening statements, his attorney, Abbe Lowell, argued that Biden kept the gun in a locked box until his sister-in-law-turned girlfriend, Hallie Biden, threw it in a grocery store trash can 11 days after its purchase.
Lowell suggested that Biden, an admitted recovering crack-cocaine addict, misread a federal firearms application and believed he was telling the truth when he affirmed that he was not an "unlawful user" of controlled substances, according to trial coverage by multiple news outlets.
Biden may have believed he was being accurate because he was not using drugs at the time he filled out the paperwork, Lowell's opening statement suggested.
The president's son tried to strike a plea agreement with prosecutors last year, but that deal collapsed under Judge Maryellen Noreika, a Trump appointee.
Trump's son, Eric, attended roughly half the trial. Donald Trump, Jr., and daughter Tiffany Trump attended for several days. But a rotating cast of Republican Trump supporters was a constant trial presence.
A spokesperson for Melania Trump did not immediately return a request for comment, and the White House did not immediately return a request for comment on behalf of Jill Biden.
Both the Biden trial and Trump hush-money trial featured testimony that close family members could find difficult to sit through.
Lyft CEO David Risher drove three trips for the rideshare app in Napa Valley.
Michael Liedtke/The Associated Press
Lyft CEO David Risher spent time driving customers around Napa for the rideshare service.
Risher completed three trips in 90 minutes, a rate that some commenters said isn't typical for Lyft.
Other commenters took issue with the pay Risher got and his implication that Lyft is better than Uber at customer service.
Some Lyft drivers are deriding a post by the company's CEO after he spent an hour-and-half shuttling customers around Napa Valley last weekend.
David Risher, Lyft's CEO, posted on LinkedIn on Monday about a series of rides he completed in California's wine county. Risher said that he spent the time behind the wheel to learn more about what working for Lyft as an independent contractor is like.
David Risher's LinkedIn post
LinkedIn
Risher ended up driving three rides traveling between wineries in the region.
In one case, he made an unscheduled stop at a supermarket so that a customer could pick up something to alleviate his allergies. On two of the rides, one of the passengers indicated that they chose Lyft after having bad experiences with rides via Uber, according to the post.
Together, the rides cost $48.05. Risher said in the post that he got $29.10 of that, plus $13.54 in tips. Lyft, meanwhile, got $7.96 from the rides, he said in the post.
"This was a surgical strike: I only had 90 minutes, and was lucky enough to get three rides nearly back-to-back," he wrote.
"Obviously I drive to learn, not to earn, and your mileage may vary," Risher added. "But I came away with even more appreciation for the driving experience."
Some comments on the post lauded the CEO for seeing what the job that keeps his company running is actually like. "So much to applaud about this, but I especially appreciate the breakdown of what your driver vs Lyft is earning," one commenter wrote.
But not everyone in the comments liked what they read.
"I appreciate your willingness to get in the field, but I don't think Napa Valley is representative of what most of your drivers experience daily," another comment reads. "I just drove 30 mins across town from Gilbert AZ, to Tempe AZ at 8:30am and did not receive a single ride request. Getting 3 rides in 90 mins here is basically unheard of."
Another commenter took issue with Risher's depiction of Lyft as providing better customer service than rival Uber.
"As a driver, I have both Uber and Lyft stickers on my car," the commenter wrote. "Some people claim that Lyft drivers are friendlier, but that's a misconception since most of us drive for both companies."
A Lyft spokesperson told Business Insider that Risher completed the rides without a status boost under the Lyft Rewards program. Drivers can earn statuses such as Elite depending on their performance.
Risher has also driven for Lyft before, mainly in San Francisco, the spokesperson said.
"We understand that every market will be different, so we're continually looking for ways to improve driver pay and transparency across the board, the spokesperson said, pointing to an announcement in May that Lyft drivers now receive "70% or more of rider fares each week."
Risher's experience isn't the first time that a rideshare CEO has spent time behind the wheel.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has driven passengers and delivered food for his company before. In one case, he agreed to deliver an order that had a large tip only to see it yanked away after delivering it — a practice known as "tip-baiting."
Khosrowshahi said that his experiences made him realize some of the problems that drivers face. Afterward, he even held a staff meeting titled "Why We Suck."
Do you work for Lyft, Uber, Instacart, or another ride-hailing or delivery service and have a story idea to share? Reach out to this reporter at abitter@businessinsider.com
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi during the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28 High Level Segment meeting in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on December 1, 2023.
NurPhoto/Getty Images
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party suffered a devastating blow.
Though Modi is claiming victory, his party is seeing major losses in the country's general election.
Some are touting his opposition's unexpected leads as a win for democracy.
For a decade, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held a decisive grip on his country's politics.
But as election results roll in on Tuesday, it appears Modi's grip may be slipping.
Modi, who leads India's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), is claiming victory for a historic third term as the country's prime minister. But, even though Modi is projected to hold onto his position, his party isn't doing as well as he predicted.
Though India is still counting the votes in its 2024 general election, one unexpected trend is emerging: Modi's party is projected to lose its majority in Parliament. That's a big blow to Modi, whose party was long expected to win a full majority in Parliament.
Now, he'll have to gather enough allies to form a government.
The BJP's main opposition party, the Indian National Congress, performed better than expected, according to preliminary results.
The Indian National Congress had set a goal to double its 52 seats in Parliament, and as of Tuesday afternoon, it had a lead in almost 100 seats, The New York Times reported. It was also leading in nearly 230 races, according to the Times.
In an election that saw record voter turnout — with 642 million people voting, according to Al Jazeera, in the seven-phase process that began in April and ended on Saturday — the surprise results indicate that voters' trust in the BJP is waning.
The BJP's Hindutva ideology promotes Hindu nationalism, which critics have accused of stoking anti-Muslim hate and right-wing extremism.
Modi has even accused the Congress party of plotting to redistribute India's wealth to the Muslim minority, BI previously reported. Modi has denied targeting the Muslim minority to win the favor of the Hindu majority, Reuters reported.
Though Modi is still popular across India, some see him as an authoritarian leader, and his opponents called signs of his fading power a victory for democracy on Tuesday.
The president of the Congress, Mallikarjun Kharge, called the election a "moral and political loss" for Modi, adding that, "This is public's victory and a win for democracy," PBS News Hour reported.
Raghuram Rajan, the former Reserve Bank of India Governor, echoed Kharge's sentiment in a post on LinkedIn.
"The Indian voter has spoken," Rajan wrote. "And what a wise decision! This is a win for Indian democracy and a win for the Indian economy. Regardless of what happens over the next few days, we will have a strong opposition that forces the government to change course."
US President Joe Biden shakes hands with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Jim Watson / Getty Images
President Joe Biden said there's 'every reason' to think Netanyahu is prolonging the war for political gain.
His remarks came during a recent interview with TIME.
Biden previously laid out a plan for a permanent cease-fire and the release of hostages.
President Joe Biden in a recent interview said there's "every reason" for people to conclude that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is drawing out the war in Gaza as a way to stay in office.
"There is every reason for people to draw that conclusion," Biden told the outlet.
Still, Biden tried to steer clear of direct criticism of Netanyahu. The interview was held three days before Biden gave a major speech spelling out a three-part plan which would lead to a permanent cease-fire and the release of hostages.
The president's decision to lay out the plan publicly was seemingly made to put pressure on the Israeli government. On Monday, a senior Israeli official told NBC News that the proposal detailed by Biden was "not accurate."
The official called into question the notion that Israel would fully withdraw from Gaza in order to secure the release of hostages.
"Israel has not changed its conditions to reach a permanent cease-fire," the official told NBC News. "That will only happen after our objectives are met including destroying Hamas' military and governing capabilities."
Biden has tried to navigate what he says is the US's "ironclad" commitment to Israel with his frustration with how Netanyahu has conducted the war. The president also faces potential domestic political concerns as some progressive activists urge Democrats to vote "uncommitted" in presidential primaries to send a message to the White House.
A reporter checked out one of Kate Middleton's go-to stores.
Jordan Pettitt-WPA Pool/Getty Images/Samantha Grindell/Business Insider
The fashion brand Me+Em, a favorite of the royals, recently opened stores in New York.
I went to the store's flagship location on the Upper East Side to see if it lived up to the hype.
The high-end store was inviting, and I could see why Kate Middleton likes the brand.
The royal family's fashion, from the brands they choose to the outfits they like to rewear, is often a source of fascination for the public.
The UK-based fashion brand Me+Em has become a royal favorite in recent years. Kate Middleton has reworn a pink dress from Me+Em to royal engagements, and Meghan Markle sported a jacket from the brand in 2020.
Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, was even spotted wearing the same Me+Em dress Queen Camilla owns in 2023, as Hello! reported.
Kate Middleton at the Chelsea Flower Show in May 2023.
WPA Pool/Getty Images
Clare Hornby founded Me+Em in 2009, and the brand has made a name for itself in part thanks to its direct-to-consumer business model. Because Me+Em does all its merchandising in-house, its customers don't have to "choose between luxury and cost," its website says.
Me+Em sells 14 collections a year, and its lines contain mostly elevated casual looks like the dresses royals often wear to daytime events.
Meghan Markle in March 2020.
BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Hornby told The New York Times she designs clothes for people who are "socially busy, working and juggling a family."
"We give them the wardrobe solutions that they need but don't have time to hunt for," she said.
The royals might not be your average working parent, but they have become some of the most visible champions of Hornby's designs. The brand has been expanding in recent years, particularly after it received £55 million, or about $70 million, in funding in 2022, as Fashion Network reported.
Queen Camilla attends a "mini-Carnival" in July 2022.
WPA Pool/Getty Images
As part of its growth, Me+Em opened three brick-and-mortar stores in New York in 2024: a flagship store on Madison Avenue in February and two boutiques in SoHo and East Hampton in May.
I checked out the flagship store to see if it lived up to the royal hype.
The store had a luxe feel
As I walked up to the Madison Ave store, which had glass windows and a bold silver sign letting me know I'd found my destination, I couldn't help noticing Me+Em sat directly across from The Carlyle, one of the most exclusive hotels in New York.
The exterior of Me+Em.
Samantha Grindell/Business Insider
The Carlyle is the go-to hotel for royals when they visit New York, so it makes sense that one of their favorite fashion destinations is near it. Walking toward the boutique's entrance, I could easily imagine the royals popping into the store the next time they stayed at the hotel.
Because of its high-end location, Me+Em exuded glamorous energy before I even stepped inside the store, and I was delighted that the interior didn't disappoint.
Much of the store had curved walls painted dark cream, drawing the eye to the clothes organized by color.
I also noticed immediately that the store had an inviting aroma, which a staffer told me was thanks to a Diptyque candle burning near the entrance.
The clothes were organized by color.
Samantha Grindell/Business Insider
Two salespeople greeted me when I walked in, offering me water and letting me know they could start a room for me at any time as I browsed through the clothing racks. They were attentive without being overbearing, and I felt at ease as I browsed the clothes in the store.
I was surprised to see that the racks lining the edges of the store weren't stuffed with items. There was typically only one size of each garment on a rack, so I had to ask a staff member to get a size for me if I wanted to try something on.
The apparent scarcity of items on the floor added to the space's luxury feel, though it did seem inconvenient for the staff to run back and forth to a back room anytime someone was interested in a garment.
Despite the unusual setup, I found several pieces I wanted to try.
I see why the royals love Me+Em's clothes
I brought two dresses, a top, and a pair of pants to the dressing room.
The dressing room was just as inviting as the rest of the store. It was spacious, with a heavy curtain providing privacy and modern racks floating on the walls.
The dressing room at Me+Em.
Samantha Grindell/Business Insider
The mirror was huge, and the lighting was built into the walls to save space. There was even an outlet set up with phone chargers for shoppers who needed to charge their phones.
It wasn't quite as comfortable as the halter dress, as it was structured in a way that made it hard to imagine wearing it to dinner or a party. But the structure and material made it feel fancier, so the hefty price tag made sense to me. I could see a royal family member slipping into it for a summertime engagement, as they wouldn't be wearing it to relax.
The clothes were all comfortable.
Samantha Grindell/Business Insider
My least favorite piece I tried on was the $165 Cotton Delicate Broderie Shirred Top, as the ruffles and textured bodice felt a little too thick for summer.
But it was still pretty, and the wide-legged pants I paired with it were some of the most comfortable trousers I had ever worn. They were also versatile because of their shape. I could see myself wearing them on a flight or to the office.
After seeing the Me+Em store and its clothes, I understood why it had charmed the royals. The clothes were effortlessly luxurious without feeling unattainable for the average buyer, just as members of the monarchy have aimed to seem to the public.
Whether you're a royal fan or not, I think Me+Em is worth the visit.
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The best 4K TVs include QLED and OLED displays from brands like TCL and Samsung.
Ryan Waniata/Steven Cohen/Business Insider
The best 4K TVs are smart, colorful, sharp, and reliable, enabling them to act as the entertainment center of any room for movies, shows, sports, and video games. But, while all 4K TVs offer an Ultra HD resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, overall picture quality can vary greatly between different models.
To help you find the right display for your needs, we picked the best 4K TVs you can buy in 2024 with image performance and general usability in mind. Our top recommendation, the Samsung S90C OLED, offers pixel-level contrast while delivering brighter colors than similar TVs from other brands. Buyers on a budget should consider the Hisense U6K QLED, the cheapest 4K TV we've seen with an advanced Mini LED backlight.
We also recommend top OLED models from Sony and LG, as well as picks geared toward midrange pricing and bright rooms. All of the displays listed below are sold in multiple screen sizes, and most retailers let you select different sizes from their listing pages.
The Samsung S90C delivers the best balance between picture performance and price of any 4K TV we've reviewed. The display uses an OLED panel with quantum dots, enabling an infinite contrast ratio, a wide range of colors, and a brighter image than direct competitors from LG and Sony.
OLED tech gives the S90C inky black levels and wide viewing angles, while the display's use of quantum dots allows it to produce richer colors than a regular OLED. This makes the TV a great fit for dark home theaters and average living rooms. HDR (high dynamic range) movies and shows from 4K Blu-rays or streaming services like Prime Video and Disney Plus look especially stunning using the HDR10 and HDR10+ formats.
The Samsung S90C uses quantum dots to deliver brighter colors than most OLEDs in its price range.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
Smart TV features are also robust, with access to every popular app and Alexa and Bixby voice control. Though we wish navigation was a little smoother, the interface is solid. It even includes a Gaming Hub that lets you access services like Xbox Game Pass to stream games without a console. If you pair the TV with a gaming PC, it can support a smooth 144Hz refresh rate.
The only notable con is the TV's lack of Dolby Vision support. Most Dolby Vision content will instead play in standard HDR10, which isn't quite as precise, but the TV's HDR10 performance is so strong that most people won't notice a difference. Check out our HDR TV guide for more details on how Dolby Vision compares to other formats.
Though there are better-looking TVs on the market, including Samsung's own S95C and S95D, they cost a lot more. There's also a new 2024 version of this display, called the S90D, that can get a bit brighter, but again, it's much more expensive. With deal prices as low as $1,500 for the 65-inch model, the S90C is still the best 4K TV — and the best TV period — that you can get for the money.
Note: The 83-inch version of the S90C does not use quantum dots, so its color performance can't match that of smaller models.
Best on a budget
The Hisense U6K is the best 4K TV for anyone who wants an affordable QLED display that doesn't skimp on picture quality.
The TV uses quantum dots and full-array local dimming, which are features typically reserved for midrange and high-end display models. Even better, the U6K also uses a Mini LED backlight, which gives it better control over its light output. At a typical sale price of just $550 or less, the 65-inch U6K is the most affordable Mini LED TV we've ever seen.
Hisense's U6K is the most affordable QLED with a Mini LED backlight that we've ever seen.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
The TV's contrast performance isn't on par with pricier QLEDs, and during testing, its black levels proved to be less deep than what we saw on Hisense's step-up U7K or TCL's high-end QM8. But that's understandable, given the difference in cost. You still get a wide color gamut and up to 600 nits of brightness, which is enough to start seeing the benefits of HDR content. You even get Dolby Vision support to produce the most accurate HDR image the TV can produce.
On the downside, the display is limited to a 60Hz panel, so you can't enable 120Hz support with a PS5 or Xbox Series X. Viewing angles aren't great either, but they're on par with what you can expect in this price range. And though the Google TV interface lags more than we'd like, it still performs well enough for a budget set.
If you want to dip your toes into the 4K HDR market, the Hisense U6K is a great entry-level choice. It's affordable without sacrificing features that make a 4K HDR TV worth owning. Hisense does sell a new version of this TV for 2024, the U6N, but it currently costs more and doesn't offer a big upgrade.
If you want the best 4K TV for a high-end home theater setup, the Sony A95L OLED is the current champ. Like Samsung's competing OLEDs, it uses an advanced panel with quantum dots to achieve a brighter picture with better color volume than a typical OLED.
We measured a peak of 1,500 nits on the A95L during our tests. That's 50% brighter than Sony's previous-gen A95K, making the A95L's image really pop during scenes with especially bright highlights. Samsung's brand-new S95D OLED can get a bit brighter with a peak of around 1,700 nits, but unlike the S95D, the A95L supports Dolby Vision and benefits from Sony's proprietary picture processing to optimize its images and upscale lower-quality sources. The differences between the A95L and top OLEDs from Samsung and LG can be subtle, but Sony remains the leader in delivering the most accurate picture for the best movie-watching experience.
The Sony A95L delivers the best all-around image quality we've ever seen on an OLED TV.
Steven Cohen/Insider
The A95L's Google TV operating system also works well, allowing you to stream all your favorite services. A voice remote is included with Google Assistant voice control, and it has a handy backlight that turns on when you pick it up. The TV's stand can even be set up in either a high-profile arrangement (if you want to put a soundbar in front) or a low-profile mode for a flush look on your entertainment console.
It's expensive, but the Sony A95L OLED is the best 4K TV for high-end performance. Most people will be satisfied with something cheaper, like the Samsung S90C, but if you can afford it and want a premium TV that does it all, the A95L is the display to buy. The only notable downside is its lack of a 144Hz mode, but that feature only benefits dedicated PC gamers.
Best midrange OLED
LG's C3 is easily a contender for the best 4K TV you can buy. In fact, if it weren't for the Samsung S90C's competitive price, the C3 would likely earn the top spot on this list. While it lacks the quantum dot tech that gives Samsung's OLED a boost in brightness and color volume, the C3 still delivers great picture quality and reliable smart TV performance.
Like all OLED displays, the C3 has an infinite contrast ratio with deep black levels that look fantastic when watching movies in a dark room. It also has wide viewing angles, so the image doesn't distort or fade if you're sitting toward the side of the TV. Peak brightness is solid for a midrange OLED, at around 800 nits, but it can't match the 1,000+ nits that more expensive OLEDs can achieve.
On the plus side, the C3 does have one picture-quality perk that our top pick lacks: Dolby Vision support. Dolby Vision is regarded as the best HDR format since it can more precisely tell your TV how to display contrast and colors. However, its benefits are subtle, especially on TVs in this class. We don't consider Dolby Vision to be a must-have feature, but it is a nice inclusion.
LG's webOS platform also provides easy access to popular apps, and the TV's unique Magic Remote allows you to navigate menus by pointing at the screen to move a cursor.
The Samsung S90C's image performance has an edge over the C3 at this price point, but the C3 is an excellent alternative for buyers who prefer the LG brand or consider Dolby Vision essential. Shoppers should also note that LG now sells a 2024 version of this TV, called the C4. We got a hands-on look at the C4, and it's a great TV with a slightly brighter picture. However, it costs much more than the C3 and doesn't offer a huge upgrade. As a result, we still recommend the C3 as the better value.
Best smart TV system
The Roku Pro Series is an excellent 4K TV for anyone who wants a simple and straightforward smart TV experience. The display is one of the few QLEDs in the upper-midrange class to come with the Roku OS (operating system) built-in. Roku OS is our favorite interface thanks to its streamlined navigation and reliable performance.
Roku's home screen focuses on apps with access to every major streaming service there is. Apps are arranged via large icons that you can order however you like. Unlike other smart TV systems, like the Fire TV OS, Roku doesn't bombard you with content recommendations on the homepage, but you can always jump into the "What to Watch" section on the sidebar menu to see various recommendations across different categories.
The TV's assembly is also convenient with left and right feet that can be attached without any tools. Instead, they have knobs that can be turned to keep them in place. You can also choose between a low or high position to accommodate a soundbar.
The Roku Voice Remote Pro is rechargeable and has backlit keys and a handy "find my remote" chime.
Ryan Waniata/Business Insider
Roku's remote is user-friendly, too, with several handy features that are rare in other models in this class. You can charge the remote via USB, so you don't need batteries, and it has backlit buttons for easy use in a dark home theater. Voice search is supported hands-free with a wake word, but you can deactivate this with a switch and engage search by a button if you prefer. Our favorite feature is the "lost remote finder," which activates a chime on the remote if you press a button on the TV or in the Roku app.
When it comes to picture quality, the Roku Pro Series is no slouch. This is the brand's new flagship TV, and it delivers good image performance. The QLED panel has a Mini LED backlight with local dimming, which enables vibrant colors, high HDR contrast, and solid black levels. However, viewing angles are poor compared to OLED TVs and pricier QLEDs from Samsung. Likewise, the TV's processing and peak brightness can't quite match other top QLEDs, like the TCL QM8 or Hisense's new U8N.
But when looking at the total package, we like how the Roku Pro Series balances ease of use without forgoing advanced image quality features like Mini LEDs and quantum dots.
TCL's QM8 4K TV is one of the most impressive QLED models available, and it costs less than competing high-end options from brands like Samsung. When set in its most accurate picture mode, the display produces a peak of around 2,000 nits, which enables it to deliver stunning HDR performance, even in bright rooms.
Thanks to its Mini LED backlight and full-array local dimming capabilities, the QM8 can also maintain excellent control over its light output across more than 1,000 zones on its screen. This results in deep black levels, and we didn't see any large halos around bright objects during our review. But despite its high number of dimming zones, contrast control still can't match the pixel-level precision of an OLED.
The TCL QM8 QLED offers dazzling HDR performance with one of the brightest pictures on the market.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
This is especially true if you watch TV from an off-center position. Viewing angles are lacking, so contrast fades, and color accuracy distorts if you sit to the side of the display. The TV's anti-reflective coating also has a side effect that's worth noting. While the QM8's high brightness allows it to perform exceptionally well in rooms with a lot of ambient light, the panel can exhibit a rainbow-streak effect when reflecting certain overhead lights. Samsung's similarly bright QN90C QLED TV doesn't have this issue, but it costs at least $600 more.
Gamers will find all the latest features, including support for a fast 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC. And like most TCL models, the QM8 uses the Google TV interface and includes a Google Assistant voice remote. We encountered smooth navigation during our review and noticed slightly snappier performance than the competing Hisense U8K provides.
That said, we ran into a strange WiFi error several times during testing. The TV would often display a "WiFi Not Connected" message despite no problems with our connection. This seems to be an isolated glitch with our internet setup, however, so we don't expect it to be a recurring issue for most buyers.
The 65-inch QM8 is often on sale for just $1,000, which is an incredible price for this level of performance. However, buyers should note that TCL now sells a new 2024 QM8 that can get even brighter. That said, we don't think most viewers will need the new model's higher brightness capabilities, and since the 2023 edition is cheaper, we still recommend the older set.
Samsung's 2024 S95D is the brightest OLED TV we've ever tested. It also boasts an anti-glare screen with a matte finish to combat reflections better than any other display in this guide. These two qualities make it an ideal OLED for buyers who have bright rooms plagued by glare from windows and lights.
With the S95D set in Filmmaker mode (the TV's most accurate picture preset), we measured a peak brightness of 1,700 nits. That's 200 nits more than we measured on top OLED models from Sony and LG. Though the S95D can only sustain that number briefly before dimming significantly, most HDR highlights that need to get that bright (like an explosion) only appear on screen for quick flashes. As a result, we don't consider this behavior to be a big deal.
Samsung's S95D has a new anti-glare screen that uses a matte finish to prevent reflections.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
In addition to delivering excellent HDR10 and HDR10+ performance with vivid colors and punchy highlights, the TV's high brightness gives you more wiggle room to play with settings and adjust the display's luminance to suit rooms that let in a lot of light. The S95D is also one of the few TVs you can buy that uses a matte screen instead of a glossy screen.
Though glossy displays have some key perks, they're prone to showing lots of reflections in bright rooms. In contrast, the S95D's matte finish essentially eliminates glare and reflections entirely. This makes it a game changer for people who struggle with reflections caused by lights from indoor sources and windows. However, there is one catch that comes with the matte screen: it hurts black-level performance in a bright room.
The S95D's black levels in a dark room look just as deep and inky as they do on any OLED, but once you put the lights on, black levels become elevated with a more grayish and hazy look. This is particularly noticeable when you watch movies and shows with lots of dark scenes.
Ultimately, whether you like the S95D's matte screen comes down to personal preference and your priorities as a viewer. But if you want a display that almost completely eliminates reflections and delivers high-end image quality, this is the best 4K TV to get. The only other notable TV on the market with a similar matte screen is Samsung's Frame, but that model can't match the S95D's overall image performance and extra features, like 144Hz gaming support.
LG's G3 OLED is designed to hang flush on your wall with virtually no gap. It features a thin design measuring just under an inch and looks beautiful when wall-mounted. The G3 serves as the successor to the LG G2 OLED, and while that model was already stellar, the G3 offers a nice jump in brightness.
Though there are OLED TVs with thinner profiles, like the Samsung S95D, that display requires a separate connection box to house its ports and processing components. The G3 maintains a slim design while keeping everything within the TV's cabinet.
The stand LG sells for the G3 causes the display to lean back slightly.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
And thankfully, the display's picture performance is just as impressive as its elegant styling. The panel doesn't use quantum dots like Sony and Samsung OLEDs, but instead uses "Micro Lens Array" (MLA) technology to produce similar peak brightness levels. We measured a peak of around 1,470 nits, just under the highest measurement we got with the Sony A95L. On the downside, the G3's lack of quantum dots means that color volume isn't as high as what you'd get on the A95L or Samsung's OLEDs.
It's also important to note that the G3 is built for wall mounting — so much so that it doesn't even come with a traditional TV stand. You can buy one separately, but that adds to the cost, and we don't love how the screen tilts back slightly when placed on the stand.
However, LG does have a new 2024 edition of this display, called the G4, that includes a stand with the 55- or 65-inch options. This new stand doesn't cause the TV to tilt back. We've tested the G4, and it's a gorgeous display, but it only has minimal performance improvements over the G3. If you plan to wall mount your TV, the cheaper G3 remains a better buy.
How we test 4K TVs
We test TVs in various lighting conditions.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
We evaluate several key factors to test TV models for consideration in our guide to the best 4K TVs, including picture clarity, high dynamic range (HDR) performance, color gamut, contrast, viewing angles, smart TV capabilities, navigation speed, and value.
We use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter with test patterns found on the Spears & UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray to measure a TV's brightness and color capabilities.
We also use a series of demo scenes and real-world content to evaluate each TV's overall picture quality, with a specific focus on scenes that emphasize black levels, specular highlights, color fidelity, and sharpness with native 4K, high-definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) material via cable, Blu-ray players, and all of the best streaming services. TVs are also evaluated in different viewing conditions, including a completely dark room for critical movie watching and environments with various lights on and sunlight let in through windows to test daytime performance and reflection handling.
Smart TV functionality is also considered, with tests to measure how long apps take to launch and how smooth menu navigation is. We also evaluate voice search responsiveness and digital assistant capabilities.
4K TV FAQs
The C4 is one of LG's new OLED models for 2024
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
Are 2024 4K TV models worth it?
New 2024 4K TV models are now rolling out to stores. However, 2023 models will remain available throughout the year while supplies last.
Most 2024 TV models only offer modest performance upgrades, and their prices are much higher than what their 2023 counterparts sell for. There are exceptions, but generally, we think 2023 4K TV models remain a better value for most buyers.
What are the best brands for 4K TVs?
LG, Samsung, and Sony are among the top TV brands. Though typically more expensive than other options, these companies' TVs are known for delivering cutting-edge technology, modern designs, and great quality control. If you're in the market for a premium TV, you can't go wrong with flagship models from these manufacturers.
Meanwhile, brands like TCL, Hisense, and Vizio are top midrange and value-priced TV market players. Though build quality isn't always on par with more expensive brands, these companies offer advanced features, like quantum dots and Mini LED dimming, for less than the competition. If you want the best bang for your buck in a midrange TV, these are the brands you should consider first.
Companies like Amazon and Roku have also started manufacturing entry-level and midrange TVs with mixed results. Their flagship offerings are decent options when on sale, but you can typically find better displays for less money from TCL, Hisense, or Vizio.
Finally, budget brands like Toshiba and Insignia are known for selling entry-level LED displays that use Amazon's Fire TV operating system. Though inexpensive, these sets are about as basic as TVs get. We typically recommend paying a bit more to get one of our picks for the best 4K TVs listed above, but these displays are decent enough if you just want a cheap TV for casual viewing, especially in a smaller screen size.
What size 4K TV should I get?
What size 4K TV you should buy depends on how much space you have, how far you will sit from your display, and your budget. In general, bigger TVs cost more than smaller ones with comparable features, and you'll need to have enough wall space or a large enough TV stand to accommodate whatever display you get.
TV sizes start as small as 24 inches and reach around 98 inches. A few manufacturers have premium models that are even larger. Many companies reserve their best picture quality and design features for their bigger sizes. Though not a hard rule, midrange features are often reserved for models that are 50 inches or larger, and high-end features tend to start in 55-inch models.
Most companies use 65 inches as their flagship size to highlight their best 4K TVs, and for many people, 65 inches hits just the right sweet spot to offer a solid home theater experience without taking up too much real estate or totally breaking the bank.
If space and budget aren't a concern, what size 4K TV you should get can be best determined by how far you plan to sit from your display. This is because the benefits of 4K resolution become most noticeable when you sit at a distance of about one to 1.5 times the size of your TV. For instance, to get the most out of a 65-inch 4K TV, you should sit between 5.4 and 8.1 feet from your TV. Crutchfield has a handy chart recommending 4K TV sizes based on your seating distance.
For 4K TV recommendations tied to certain sizes, check out our size-specific guides:
Practically any new 4K TV you buy will be a smart TV, which means it features built-in support for accessing popular apps and streaming services. However, different companies use different smart TV interfaces. Here's a rundown of the different platforms that each brand uses.
Tizen: Samsung
webOS: LG
SmartCast: Vizio
Google TV: Sony, TCL, Hisense
Roku TV: Roku, TCL, Hisense
Fire TV: Amazon, Toshiba, Insignia, Pioneer, Hisense
Though a few services may be missing here and there, all major streaming players are supported across every platform. However, each system's navigation style, personalization options, and extra features differ.
We prefer Roku's interface for being the simplest, most user-friendly, and most reliable of the bunch, but its visual style is a bit outdated compared to other operating systems that present a more content-focused approach. Ultimately, every system has pros and cons, but they all get the job done.
If you're unhappy with your TV's built-in interface, you can purchase a separate streaming device with your preferred platform. Roku and Fire TV options are often sold for as low as $20. Check out our guides to the best streaming devices and best Fire TVs for more details.
What's the difference between OLED and QLED?
OLED and QLED TVs are two of the most popular display types on the market, and they each have their own pros and cons.
OLEDs have self-illuminating screens. This means they can precisely dim and brighten each pixel to create an infinite contrast ratio. This makes OLED the ideal choice for people who want the absolute best image quality, especially if you like watching movies in a dark home theater.
QLED TVs, meanwhile, are a type of LED TV that relies on older LCD panel technology that requires a backlight to illuminate their pixels. These backlights can include multiple zones to brighten and dim specific areas, but even the most advanced QLED models can't match the pixel-level contrast of an OLED. This can cause an uneven look in dark scenes where you can see halos around bright objects or washed-out black levels that look gray.
Where QLED TVs have an edge, however, is with max brightness. Midrange and high-end QLED TVs can get brighter than most OLEDs. QLED models also tend to be less expensive than OLED TVs, and they present no risk for burn-in. For more details on the differences between each panel type, check out our QLED vs. OLED comparison.
What is burn-in?
Even the best OLED TVs are technically susceptible to an issue called burn-in. If a static image is left on the screen for hours on end — the CNN or ESPN logo in the corner, for example — a faint, ghostly image can get left stuck on the TV.
Though OLED owners should be aware of this risk, OLED TVs have specific measures built-in to prevent burn-in, including pixel-refreshers and pixel-shift modes. Publications like Rtings have conducted long-term tests with OLEDs, and while their results do show that burn-in is possible, their tests show that people with regular viewing habits don't need to worry about it.
I've owned an LG CX OLED TV for over two years, and the display has no signs of burn-in. Though burn-in is something that QLED TV owners don't have to think twice about, in my experience, as long as you don't plan on watching CNN all day long, burn-in shouldn't be a factor when deciding whether to buy an OLED.
Best overall
The Samsung S90C uses quantum dots to deliver brighter colors than most OLEDs in its price range.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
The Samsung S90C delivers the best balance between picture performance and price of any 4K TV we've reviewed. The TV uses an OLED panel with quantum dots, enabling an infinite contrast ratio, a wide range of colors, and a brighter image than direct competitors from LG and Sony.
OLED tech gives the S90C inky black levels and wide viewing angles, while the display's use of quantum dots allows it to produce richer colors than a regular OLED. This makes the TV a great fit for average living rooms and dark home theaters alike. HDR movies and shows from 4K Blu-rays or streaming services like Prime Video and Disney Plus look especially stunning using the HDR10 and HDR10+ formats.
Smart TV features are also robust, with access to every popular app there is, along with Alexa and Bixby voice control. Though we do wish navigation was a little smoother, the interface is solid, and it even includes a Gaming Hub that lets you access services like Xbox Game Pass to stream games without a console. And if you pair the TV with a gaming PC, it can support a smooth 144Hz refresh rate.
The only notable con here is the TV's lack of Dolby Vision support. Most Dolby Vision content will instead play in standard HDR10, which isn't quite as precise, but the TV's HDR10 performance is so strong that most people won't notice a difference.
There are better-looking TVs on the market, including Samsung's own S95C, but they cost a lot more. With deal prices as low as $1,600 for the 65-inch model, the S90C is easily the best 4K TV — and the best TV period — that you can get for the money.
*The 83-inch version of the S90C does not use quantum dots, so its color performance is not expected to match that of smaller models.
Best budget
Hisense's U6K is the most affordable QLED with a Mini LED backlight that we've ever seen.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
The Hisense U6K is the best 4K TV for anyone who wants an affordable QLED display that doesn't skimp on picture quality.
The TV uses quantum dots and full-array local dimming, which are features typically reserved for midrange and high-end display models. Even better, the U6K also uses a Mini LED backlight, which gives it even better control over its light output. At a typical sale price of just $550, the 65-inch U6K is the most affordable Mini LED TV we've ever seen.
The TV's contrast performance isn't on par with pricier QLEDs, and during testing, its black levels proved to be less deep than what we saw on the more expensive U7K, Samsung QN90C, or TCL QM8. But that's all understandable, given the difference in cost. You still get a wide color gamut and up to 600 nits of brightness, which is enough to start seeing the benefits of HDR content. You even get Dolby Vision support to produce the most accurate HDR image the TV is capable of.
On the downside, the display is limited to a 60Hz panel, so you can't get 120Hz support with a PS5 or Xbox Series X. Viewing angles aren't the best either, but they're on par with what you can expect in this price range. And though the Google TV interface lags more than we'd like, it still performs well enough for a budget set.
If you're looking to dip your toes into the 4K HDR market, the Hisense U6K is a great entry-level choice. It's affordable without sacrificing features that really make a 4K HDR TV worth owning.
The U7K is even brighter than the U6K and adds support for up to a 144Hz refresh rate.
Ryan Waniata/Insider
The Hisense U7K delivers performance that's on par with many displays that cost quite a bit more, making it one of the best 4K TVs you can get for under $800. Like the cheaper U6K, the display uses a QLED panel and a Mini LED backlight for precise local dimming and contrast control. But this model has a higher peak brightness of 1,000 nits, and we saw noticeably richer black levels during our tests.
Of course, you get tradeoffs when going with a midrange set, but the U7K impresses for the money. Though brightness can't match more expensive QLED TVs like the step-up U8K or TCL's QM8 and Samsung's QN90C, the U7K has good HDR performance and supports all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision.
On top of that, the TV has a 120Hz panel with HDMI 2.1, so it can support advanced gaming features when paired with a PS5 or Xbox Series X. Its refresh rate can even go up to 144Hz if you pair it with a compatible gaming PC. The display's Google TV platform can lag a little, but you still get access to every app you could want, along with Google Assistant voice control.
The 65-inch model is often on sale for as low as $680; the U7K delivers unmatched value at that price. You'll need to pay more if you want something brighter and with wider viewing angles, but if you're looking for a solid home theater display that has great gaming performance without breaking the bank, the U7K should be your top choice.
The Samsung QN90C is one of the brightest TVs you can buy.
Amazon
The Samsung QN90C delivers one of the brightest images you can get. With a peak of around 2,000 nits, the Neo QLED display is able to make high dynamic range highlights really pop, making it an excellent choice to show off HDR movies and shows using the HDR10 and HDR10+ formats.
The TV also makes use of quantum dots to enable excellent color volume and a Mini LED backlight with full-array local dimming to produce deep black levels. However, the backlight's dimming isn't as precise as an OLED panel, so you might see some minor blooming and haloing around bright objects. But, compared to cheaper QLEDs like the Hisense U6K andU7K, the QN90C gets remarkably close to OLED-level contrast while delivering nearly double the peak brightness of a typical OLED.
The TV's high brightness capabilities also make it an ideal choice for living rooms that let in a lot of ambient light. Though the previous-generation model used a screen filter that caused some rainbow streaks when it reflected light from certain angles, the QN90C is able to minimize glare and reflections without this distracting side effect. And it has wide viewing angles for a QLED, giving it an edge over less expensive options in this class, like the Hisense U8K and TCL QM8. Smart TV capabilities are also solid, with access to plenty of apps and Samsung's Gaming Hub.
When it comes to high-end TVs, we still prefer OLEDs thanks to their superior contrast handling, but the QN90C is an excellent QLED TV for buyers who want an extra-bright display with good viewing angles and don't want to ever think twice about burn-in.
Best midrange OLED
LG's C3 can't match the color performance of top Sony and Samsung OLEDs, but it's still an excellent TV for the money.
Best Buy
Year after year, LG's C-Series remains a top contender for the best 4K TV you can buy. And the C3 is no different. In fact, if it weren't for the Samsung S90C's competitive price, the C3 would likely earn the top spot on this list. While it lacks the quantum dot tech that gives Samsung's OLED a boost in brightness and color volume, the C3 still delivers great picture quality and reliable smart TV performance.
Like all OLED displays, the C3 has an infinite contrast ratio with deep black levels that look fantastic when watching movies in a dark room. It also has wide viewing angles, so the image doesn't distort or fade if you're sitting toward the side of the TV. Peak brightness is solid for a midrange OLED, at around 800 nits, but it can't match the 1,000+ nits that more expensive OLEDs can achieve.
On the plus side, the C3 does have one picture-quality perk that our top pick lacks: Dolby Vision support. Dolby Vision is regarded as the best HDR format since it can more precisely tell your TV how to display contrast and colors, and Dolby Vision is supported on tons of streaming services and 4K Blu-ray discs.
LG's webOS platform also works well to provide easy access to popular apps, and the TV's unique Magic Remote allows you to navigate menus by pointing at the screen.
Though we do think the Samsung S90C has an edge over the C3 when it comes to image performance at this price point, the C3 is an excellent alternative for buyers who prefer the LG brand or who consider Dolby Vision support to be essential.
Best high-end OLED
The Sony A95L delivers the best all-around image quality we've ever seen on an OLED TV.
Steven Cohen/Insider
If you want the best high-end OLED 4K TV for a home theater, the Sony A95L is the current champ. Like Samsung's OLEDs, it uses an advanced panel with quantum dots to achieve a brighter picture with better color volume than a typical OLED.
But while Samsung's top OLEDs max out at around 1,350 nits, we measured a peak of 1,500 nits on the A95L during our tests. That's 50% brighter than Sony's previous-gen A95K, and it makes the A95L's image truly pop during scenes with especially bright highlights.
And unlike Samsung OLEDs, the A95L also supports Dolby Vision and benefits from the company's proprietary picture processing to optimize its images and upscale lower-quality sources. Sony remains the leader when it comes to delivering a truly accurate picture for the best movie-watching experience.
The A95L's Google TV operating system also works well so that you can stream all your favorite services. A handy voice remote is included with Google Assistant voice control, and it has a backlight that turns on when you pick it up. The TV's stand can even be set up in either a high-profile arrangement (if you want to put a soundbar in front) or a low-profile mode for a flush look on your entertainment console.
It's expensive, but the Sony A95L OLED is the best 4K TV you can buy for truly high-end performance. Most people will be satisfied with something cheaper, like the Samsung S90C, but if you can afford it and you really want a premium TV that does it all, the A95L is the display to buy. The only notable downside is its lack of a 144Hz gaming mode, but that's a feature that will only benefit dedicated PC gamers.
Best for gaming
Samsung's S95C offers premium HDR performance, a fast 144Hz refresh rate, and Xbox Game Pass streaming support.
Steven Cohen/Business Insider
For the most part, we consider our top overall pick, the Samsung S90C, to be the best 4K TV for gaming. But if you're looking for an even more high-end alternative that can deliver a slightly more premium experience, Samsung's step-up S95C model is also a fantastic buy.
The S95C has all of the essentials that gamers look for, including VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) support and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Like the S90C, it's also one of the few OLED TVs that has 144Hz capabilities and built-in support for cloud gaming services like Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now.
With a 144Hz panel, you can connect a gaming PC or gaming laptop to the TV to get incredibly smooth gameplay, so long as your computer is powerful enough to output 144 frames per second. And though the PS5 and Xbox Series X don't support 144Hz, they do support 120Hz through the S95C.
The S95C has very low input lag, so there's little delay between button presses and their corresponding actions on screen. AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync are both supported as well to reduce screen tearing.
The cheaper S90C also offers the above features, but the S95C steps things up with a 30% brighter image that's capable of a peak of around 1,360 nits. That's one of the brightest pictures we've ever measured on an OLED, and it's only a bit behind what the Sony A95L and LG G3 can offer. But while brighter, those competing OLEDs do not support 144Hz.
The S95C also boasts a more premium design than the S90C. It has a uniformly thin profile and a separate One Connect Box for all of its inputs, which could make it easier to hide all your cables from view.
Again, we still recommend our best overall pick, the S90C, as the top gaming TV for most people. But the S95C delivers an even more high-end experience for shoppers who want a little extra. When it comes to pure picture quality, this is the best Samsung TV you can buy.
The LG G3 has a thin screen that's designed to be hung on your wall with virtually no gap.
Best Buy
LG's G3 OLED is specifically designed to hang flush on your wall with virtually no gap. It features a thin design measuring just under an inch and looks beautiful when wall-mounted. The G3 serves as the successor to the LG G2 OLED 4K TV. While that model was already stellar, the G3 offers a nice jump in brightness.
Though there are OLED TVs with thinner profiles, like the Samsung S95C, that display requires a separate connection box to house its ports and processing components. The G3 maintains a slim design while keeping everything within the TV's cabinet.
And thankfully, the display's picture performance is just as impressive as its elegant styling. The panel doesn't use quantum dots like Sony and Samsung OLEDs but uses "Micro Lens Array" (MLA) technology to produce similar peak brightness levels. In fact, we measured a peak of around 1,470 nits, which is just under the highest measurement we got with the Sony A95L. On the downside, its lack of quantum dots does mean that color volume isn't as high as what you'd get on the A95L or Samsung's OLEDs.
It's also important to note that the G3 is really built with wall mounting in mind. So much so that it doesn't even come with a traditional TV stand. You can buy one separately, but that adds to the cost, and we don't love how the screen tilts back slightly when placed on the stand. We recommend going with a different model if you want something to rest on an entertainment console.
How we test 4K TVs
We use a series of test patterns, demo discs, and real-world content to evaluate the picture quality of each TV we review.
Steven Cohen/Insider
To test TV models for consideration in our best 4K TVs guide, we evaluate a series of key factors, including picture clarity, high dynamic range (HDR) performance, color gamut, contrast, viewing angles, smart TV capabilities, navigation speed, and value.
We use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter with test patterns found on the Spears & UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray to measure a TV's brightness and color capabilities.
We also use a series of demo scenes and real-world content to evaluate each TV's overall picture quality, with a specific focus on scenes that emphasize black levels, specular highlights, color fidelity, and sharpness with native 4K, high-definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) material via streaming services, cable, and Blu-ray players.
Smart TV functionality is also considered, with tests to measure how long apps take to launch and how smooth menu navigation is. We also evaluate voice search responsiveness and digital assistant capabilities.
4K TV FAQs
The Samsung S95C uses the Tizen smart TV platform.
Steven Cohen/Insider
When will 2024 4K TV models be released?
New 4K TV models are typically released in the spring of every year. Most companies announced their 2024 TV models at the CES tradeshow in January, but official pricing and exact release dates have not been detailed yet.
Once 2024 4K TVs hit stores, 2023 models will remain available while supplies last. Though new models will offer some performance upgrades, they'll likely launch at much higher prices than their 2023 counterparts currently sell for. Generally, we think 2023 4K TV models will remain a better value while they're still available.
What are the best brands for 4K TVs?
LG, Samsung, and Sony are among the top TV brands. Though typically more expensive than other options, these companies' TVs are known for delivering cutting-edge technology, modern designs, and great quality control. If you're in the market for a premium TV, you can't go wrong with flagship models from these manufacturers.
Meanwhile, brands like TCL, Hisense, and Vizio are top players in the midrange and value-priced TV market. Though build quality isn't always on par with more expensive brands, these companies offer advanced features, like quantum dots and Mini LED dimming, for less than the competition. If you want the best bang for your buck in a midrange TV, these are the brands you should consider first.
Companies like Amazon and Roku have also started to manufacture their own entry-level and midrange TVs with mixed results. Their flagship offerings are decent options when on sale, but you can typically find better displays for less money from TCL, Hisense, or Vizio.
Finally, budget brands like Toshiba and Insignia are known for selling entry-level LED displays that use Amazon's Fire TV operating system. Though inexpensive, these sets are about as basic as TVs get. We typically recommend paying a bit more to get one of our picks for the best 4K TVs listed above, but these displays are decent enough if you just want a cheap TV for casual viewing, especially in a smaller screen size.
What size 4K TV should I get?
What size 4K TV you should buy really comes down to how much space you have, how far you're going to sit from your display, and what your budget is. In general, bigger TVs cost more than smaller ones with comparable features, and you'll need to have enough wall space or a large enough TV stand to accommodate whatever display you get.
TV sizes typically start as small as 24 inches and can go up to 98 inches. A few manufacturers have premium models that are even larger. A lot of companies reserve their best picture quality and design features for their bigger sizes. Though not a hard rule, midrange features are often reserved for models that are 50 inches or larger, and high-end features tend to start in 55-inch models.
Most companies use 65 inches as their flagship size to highlight their best 4K TVs, and for many people, 65 inches hits just the right sweet spot to offer a solid home theater experience without taking up too much real estate or totally breaking the bank. Check out our best 65-inch TV guide for more display recommendations for that size. And if you want something a little smaller, be sure to visit our guide to the best 55-inch TVs.
If space and budget aren't a concern, what size 4K TV you should get can be best determined by how far you plan to sit from your display. This is because the benefits of 4K resolution become most noticeable when you sit at a distance of about one to 1.5 times the size of your TV. For instance, to get the most out of a 65-inch 4K TV, you should sit between 5.4 and 8.1 feet from your TV. Crutchfield has a handy chart that provides recommended 4K TV sizes based on your seating distance.
What are the best smart TV interfaces?
Practically any new 4K TV you buy will be a smart TV, which means it features built-in support for accessing popular apps and streaming services. However, different companies use different smart TV interfaces, and some may prefer one platform over another.
Here's a rundown of different smart TV interfaces with details on which TV manufacturers use them:
Tizen: Samsung
webOS: LG
SmartCast: Vizio
Google TV: Sony, TCL, Hisense
Roku TV: Roku, TCL, Hisense
Fire TV: Amazon, Toshiba, Insignia, Pioneer, Hisense
Though a few services may be missing here and there, all of the major streaming players are supported across every platform. However, navigation style, personalization options, and extra features differ across each system.
We prefer Roku's interface for being the simplest, most user-friendly, and most reliable of the bunch, but its visual style is a bit outdated compared to other operating systems that present a more content-focused approach. Ultimately, every system has its own pros and cons, and they all get the job done.
But if you are unhappy with your TV's built-in interface, you can always purchase a separate streaming device with the interface you prefer. Roku and Fire TV options are often on sale for as low as $20.
What's the difference between OLED and QLED?
OLED and QLED TVs are two of the most popular display types on the market, and they each have their own pros and cons.
OLEDs have self-illuminating screens. This means they can precisely dim and brighten each pixel to create an infinite contrast ratio. This makes OLED the ideal choice for people who want the absolute best image quality, especially if you like watching movies in a dark home theater.
QLED TVs, meanwhile, are a type of LED TV that relies on older LCD panel technology that requires a backlight to illuminate their pixels. These backlights can include multiple zones to brighten and dim specific areas, but even the most advanced QLED models can't match the pixel-level contrast of an OLED. This can cause an uneven look in dark scenes where you can see halos around bright objects or washed-out black levels that look gray.
Where QLED TVs have an edge, however, is with max brightness. Midrange and high-end QLED TVs can get brighter than most OLEDs. This makes a QLED TV a better fit for rooms that let in a lot of light. QLED models also tend to be less expensive than OLED TVs, and they present no risk for burn-in.
What is burn-in?
Even the best OLED TVs are technically susceptible to an issue called burn-in. If a static image is left on the screen for hours on end — the CNN or ESPN logo in the corner, for example — a faint, ghostly image can get left stuck on the TV.
Though OLED owners should be aware of this risk, OLED TVs have specific measures built-in to prevent burn-in, including pixel-refreshers and pixel-shift modes. Publications like Rtings have conducted long-term tests with OLEDs, and while their results do show that burn-in is possible, their tests show that people with regular viewing habits don't need to worry about it.
I've owned an LG CX OLED TV for more than two years, and the display has no signs of burn-in. Though burn-in is something that QLED TV owners don't have to think twice about, in my experience, as long as you don't plan on watching CNN all day long, burn-in shouldn't be a factor when deciding whether to buy an OLED.