• Google Scholar is a searchable database of academic literature.
• It connects users with studies and journal articles on nearly any topic of scholarly interest.
• Google Scholar is free to search, but some of the results may require payment or membership to read.

Google Scholar is a search engine Google created to parse though a massive database of scholarly literature, looking for the best matches for your search terms.

Google Scholar was released in beta form in late 2004, and soon used far and wide by students, researchers, authors, and others. The search engine not only grants users to access vast troves of information, but it also makes it easy to cross reference things against other sources and keep up with the latest research as it is published.

And what you won't get on Google Scholar are search results from non-academic sources like personal blogs, social media posts, YouTube videos, or other less substantive and reliable sources. 

If you want fun and games, go with Google Games; if you want scholarly research, stick with Google Scholar.

Using Google Scholar, found at scholar.google.com, you can access these kinds of sources (and more):

• Journals
• Conference papers
• Academic books
• Pre-prints
• Theses and dissertations
• Abstracts
• Technical reports

Here's everything you need to know about the powerful research tool:

How to use Google Scholar

Anyone can access the search database. And while it's built with college and grad students, researchers, and other academics in mind, anyone can reap its benefits.

Here are just a few examples of what you can do through Google Scholar: 

• Create alerts. Google Scholar is for creating a body of research around a topic of interest, such as global warming, let's say. Much like with the standard Google Alerts, you can create alerts for the topic so you're always up-to-date on the latest info.
• Explore related works. You can gain deeper knowledge of any topic in which you're interested by exploring related citations, authors, and publications, as identified by Google Scholar.
• Check out the References section. Accessing an article's References section can help you branch out your research to see what sources an author used for their paper. 
• Save articles to your library. Saving your searches to your Google Scholar library helps you organize and keep track of your favorite results. 
• Cite articles in your preferred format. On the search results page, click the Cite button; the pop-up window will offer citations ready in whichever style you need, like MLA, APA, and Chicago.

Accessing information 

Google Scholar is free to use as a search tool. However, since it pulls information from many sources, it's possible that some of the results you pull up will require a login or even a payment to access the full information.

Whether an article is free depends on a variety of factors, like the publication and its funding agency mandates. Go to the Public Access section of the Google Scholar profile to view its mandates — if a free version is available, you'll see an HTML or PDF link on the right side. 

Still, descriptions or abstracts are typically free and provide an overview of the article's content so you can make an informed decision about whether to spend money. 

Remember that not all scholarly research is created equal — different journals have different standards for publication. Not every article listed on Google Scholar will be peer-reviewed (a peer review is when the author's fellow researchers and scholars in the same field review the article's content for research quality). 

To find out whether a research article on Google Scholar is peer-reviewed, the best strategy is to visit the website of the journal the article is published in. Most peer-reviewed journals will explicitly state they are peer-reviewed.

Search tips and best practices 

• Sort your searches by date (or specify a starting date) to find the newest, most relevant data. At the top left corner of the search results page, you can choose to search for articles published "Any time," since a given year, or in a custom range of year — say between 2015 and 2020, were you to want to research a topic without the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic coloring it. 
• Look out for the keywords "all versions," "related articles," and "cited by" to include free versions of articles in your search results; you should look for PDFs and postings by libraries.
• Look through an article's references to gain a deeper understanding of a topic.
• Check out metrics like the h-index to see the output and impact of a researcher or publication.

Overall, Google Scholar provides an excellent avenue into scholarly research, and while it does have its drawbacks, it's a tool that can be used to help clarify, explore and inform users about a wide variety of topics. 

Just as Google Earth can help guide you around the planet and Google Translate can demystify other languages, Google Scholar can unlock the world of academia for all.

• Google Scholar is a searchable database of scholarly literature.
• It connects users with studies and journal articles on nearly any topic of interest.
• Not all articles are free — you might need a membership to read the full versions.
• Visit Insider's Tech Reference library for more stories.

Established in 2004, Google Scholar is a massive database of scholarly literature that allows users to access information, cross reference it with other sources, and keep up with new research as it comes out.

Using Google Scholar, you can access these kinds of sources:

• Journals
• Conference papers
• Academic books
• Pre-prints
• Theses and dissertations
• Abstracts
• Technical reports

Here's everything you need to know about the powerful research tool.

How to use Google Scholar

Anyone can access the search database. And while it's built with college or grad students and other academics in mind — to help those writing academic papers create bibliographies more easily — anyone can reap its benefits.

Here are just a few examples of what you can do through Google Scholar: 

• Create alerts. You can create a library of research around a topic of interest, like global warming, and create alerts for it so that you're always up-to-date on the latest research.
• Explore related works. You can gain deeper knowledge around a complicated topic that you're interested in, like studies in the field of astronomy, by exploring related citations, authors, and publications.
• Check out the References section. Accessing an article's References section can help you branch out your research to see what sources an author used for their paper. 
• Save articles to your library. Saving your searches to your Google Scholar library helps you organize and keep track of your favorite results. 
• Citation export. You can export an article's full citation in your preferred format using the "Bibliography Manager" section. 

Accessing information 

Google Scholar is free to use as a search tool. However, since it pulls information from many other databases, it's possible that some of the results you pull up will require a login (or even payment) to access the full information.

Still, descriptions or abstracts are typically free and provide an overview of what's contained within the article. 

Overall, Google Scholar provides an excellent avenue into scholarly research, and while it does have its drawbacks, it's a tool that can be used to help clarify, explore and inform users about a wide variety of topics.

• A wild attempted bribery is rocking a Minnesota pandemic fraud trial.
• A woman dropped off a bag of $120,000 in cash to the juror's house.
• "This is stuff that happens in mob movies," the prosecuting attorney told the court.

Like something straight out of a mob movie, a juror in a Minnesota pandemic fraud trial was offered $120,000 cash to vote for acquittal.

Just before the jury was set to begin deliberations on Monday, Assistant US Attorney Joseph Thompson announced the apparent attempted bribery to the court, according to the Minnesota Reformer.

The unnamed 23-year-old juror was assigned to a federal fraud case against seven people accused of stealing $49 million from a federally funded child nutrition program, the Reformer reported.

Their case is just one in a series of cases against dozens of individuals who, through a nonprofit called Feeding Our Future, the DOJ alleges stole a total of $250 million in the largest pandemic relief fraud scheme to date.

Thompson told the court that on Sunday night, a woman driving a Madza went to the juror's home and left a bag containing $120,000 in cash with her father-in-law, telling him there'd be "another bag tomorrow" if she voted for acquittal, the Minnesota Reformer reported.

The juror, who was not home at the time of the illicit delivery, later called 911, and the FBI picked up the money from her on Monday morning, according to the Reformer.

"This is outrageous behavior," Thompson said in court, according to the outlet. "This is stuff that happens in mob movies."

Defense attorney Andrew Birrell also expressed dismay at the bizarre development, calling it "a troubling and upsetting accusation," according to the Reformer.

The FBI has confiscated the defendants' cell phones until a search warrant can be granted, and the prosecution is asking to have them held in custody until a verdict is decided, MPR News reported.

After questioning all the other jurors in the case, the judge determined that none of them had also been approached about the case. Still, according to MPR News, she said she plans to sequester the jury overnight.

The juror who alerted authorities to the alleged bribery attempt was excused from the trial, the Reformer reported.

Lawyers for the defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment from BI. Thompson also did not respond to a request for comment.

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The best cheap cellphone plans offer all of the following criteria without compromise — dependable coverage, fast service speeds, and as much data as you need at affordable prices. Usually, affordable plans come from mobile virtual network operators (or MVNOs) and stand-alone budget-friendly carriers, and choosing the plan for you will come down to your budget and priorities.

Among the best cheap cellphone plans, it's hard to beat our top pick, Mint Mobile's new customer promotion, which sets any of its three-month plans, including its "unlimited" plan, at the same low cost of $15/month. If you want to extend your savings further, we recommend Tello Mobile's Build Your Own plan, which can cost as low as $5/month. 

Our top picks for the best cheap cellphone plans

Best overall: Mint Mobile (Any 3-month plan) – See at Mint Mobile

Best overall alternative: US Mobile (Unlimited Starter plan) – See at US Mobile

Best true budget plan: Tello Mobile (Build Your Own plan) – See at Tello

Best unlimited plan: Visible Wireless (Visible+ plan) – See at Visible

Best international plan: US Mobile (Unlimited Premium plan) – See at US Mobile

Best overall

Mint Mobile's prepaid plans for three, six, or 12 months offer affordable options and easy plan management, like adjusting data allotments per line at any time. The MVNO's plan variety, flexibility, and value make it our first recommendation for a budget carrier. 

Your best entry point into the Mint Mobile landscape is its current, limited-time new customer promotion, which sets each of its three-month prepaid plans at just $15/month. This discount means you can get anywhere from 5GB, 15GB, 20GB, or "unlimited" (40GB) monthly data for the same low, entry-level price.

Mint Mobile's plans include high-speed data on T-Mobile's network (subject to deprioritization in congested areas), with slower speeds once you've hit your data cap. 

After your promotional three months are up, any of Mint's 12-month plans will provide the most savings, as the monthly price and data remain the same as the three-month plans. All are great deals; in particular, the 5GB ($15/month) and 15GB ($20/month) plans are well-priced considering the competition.

The overall customer experience makes Mint Mobile stand out from the competition. Its user-friendly setup and app experience, readily accessible support and FAQs, and easy-to-understand language, in addition to its price point, make it an easy recommendation.

Consider your data usage patterns before signing up, but with Mint's excellent app or website, you can change your plan at any time with no added cost.

Read our full Mint Mobile review.

Best overall alternative

US Mobile's Unlimited Starter plan for $29/month is a remarkable option among MVNO and budget-friendly plans. It easily meets and exceeds expectations as a value-forward plan with superior and unique features that directly benefit you, the customer.

Like many budget-friendly carriers, US Mobile operates on major carrier networks. In this regard, US Mobile is unique. Where you typically only have access to one major carrier's network, US Mobile offers the choice between Verizon's or T-Mobile's full network, including their fast high-band 5G networks. You can even switch networks as often as twice a month, so you can try which works best for you for everyday use, whether for coverage, data speeds, or for a particular scenario, like traveling. 

US Mobile's names for Verizon's and T-Mobile's networks are "Warp" and "GSM," respectively. Only the Warp network comes with premium prioritized data, whereas the GSM network includes deprioritized data. However, we can't say we've felt much of an impact from deprioritization in our testing of the GSM or T-Mobile's network, nor can we really tell, as there's no indication or notification specifying as much. 

Whichever network you pick, US Mobile's Unlimited Starter plan price stays the same even if you switch. 

The Unlimited Starter plan's 35GB of high-speed data should be more than enough for the vast majority of users. If you do end up using more than 35GB, US Mobile reduces your data speeds to 1Mbps until the end of the billing cycle, which is significantly faster and more usable than the reduced speeds on other carriers that vary between dubiously slow 40 and 256Kbps speeds. 

To be sure, some carriers like Visible don't reduce speeds at all, no matter how much data you use. Instead, they offer deprioritized data that can potentially slow down without warning when the host network is experiencing congestion. That's a great proposition, but we feel the option to pick which host network works for you, as well as the other benefits listed here, are more valuable.

US Mobile also offers multi-line discounts, unique among budget-friendly carriers and ideal for families or groups.

You get even more value with the annual payment option, which reduces US Mobile's Unlimited Starter monthly price to $23/month ($276 for the year). And to top it all off, taxes and fees are included, so the price you see advertised is the price you pay. 

Read our full US Mobile review. 

Best true budget plan

The varied plans from Tello Mobile are the cheapest options we can recommend, and they offer the most customization.

With Tello's Build Your Own plan, in particular, you can adjust the minutes and data allotment for each line on your account, making it a great choice to cover the basics for kids, grandparents, students, or anyone who uses a minimum amount of data or is simply on a budget.

As you build your plan, you choose your monthly data amount (from no data to 1GB, 2GB, 5GB, 10GB, 15GB, or unlimited) and your monthly minutes (none, 100, 300, 500, or unlimited), the combination of which adds up to $5/month at the cheapest and $25/month at the most expensive. 

The Build Your Own plan is particularly enticing if you want to specify a data allotment on a per-line basis — for example, setting data limits for a kid who just got their first phone while allowing them unlimited minutes. 

Read our full Tello Mobile review.

Best unlimited plan

For truly unlimited data and extensive coverage, Verizon's budget-friendly carrier, Visible Wireless, has an excellent option with its Visible+ plan at $45/month. 

While the Visible+ plan has the highest price point of all the MVNOs we've included in this list, it provides by far the most high-speed monthly data and the closest approximation to "unlimited." It guarantees 50GB of premium prioritized data while your phone is connected to Verizon's basic 5G and LTE networks before you experience any form of data speed deprioritization. The Visible+ plan also offers unlimited premium prioritized data while your phone is connected to Verizon's fast high-band 5G "Ultra Wideband" network. 

By offering deprioritized data after using up to 50GB of data, you shouldn't notice a difference in data speeds or usability unless you're in an area experiencing heavy network traffic at the specific time you're using your phone. Even if your data is actively being deprioritized, you may not even notice.

For those who use a lot of data and call for a truly unlimited plan, that's an enticing proposition, as some MVNOs and budget-friendly carriers dramatically reduce speeds to frankly unusable speeds until the next billing cycle if you exceed your plan's allotted data. 

The Visible+ plan also provides extended coverage with 5G "Ultra Wideband" areas, though Verizon's standard coverage (and the Visible base plan's coverage) is already very good. Before signing up, check Visible's coverage map to ensure you're covered.  

Visible recently updated its plans with an annual payment option (versus the standard monthly payment option) that reduces the Visible+ plan's price from $45/month to $33/month (totaling $395/year), which is incredible value and should be considered if making an annual payment is an option. 

Read our full Visible Wireless review.

Best international plan

It's surprising that so many budget-oriented carriers and plans have any international features at all, and some have pretty decent ones, too. However, none have anything quite as comprehensive as US Mobile's Unlimited Premium plan. Just make sure to pick or switch to US Mobile's "GSM" network before you set off, as the "Warp" network doesn't include nearly as many international features. 

With US Mobile's Unlimited Premium plan, you get unlimited calling and texting from the US to over 200 countries. If you're traveling abroad to one of the 180 supported countries, you get 5GB or 10GB of data and 500 or 1,000 minutes and texts, depending on the country. (Unfortunately, US Mobile doesn't make it abundantly clear which countries support how much data or how many minutes and texts.)

If the premium price tag is out of reach, US Mobile's Unlimited Starter plan has similar international features with reduced minutes, texts, and data that might still be enough for your needs — 1GB of data and 150 minutes/texts.

No doubt, at $50/month, US Mobile's Unlimited Premium plan is on the pricier side when thinking about "cheap" cellphone plans, but keep in mind that US Mobile offers an annual payment option that reduces the price to $37.50/month (totaling $450/year).

Alternatively, if you don't need as much domestic data as the Unlimited Premium plan offers in a typical month, you can sign up for US Mobile's Unlimited Starter plan on a monthly basis, so you pay less when you're at home and only upgrade to the Unlimited Premium plan for the month(s) you're traveling. 

Read our full US Mobile review. 

How we test cellphone plans

In our testing, we spend at least a week with a specific plan from a phone carrier, often longer, and primarily assess the quality of the plan and carrier by the following criteria:

• Plan offerings and flexibility: We consider the pricing and features included in a carrier's range of plans and assess its flexibility in allowing you to switch out of or between plans. 
• Coverage area: For MVNOs, we note the approximate coverage area provided by the network or networks backing a budget carrier and evaluate whether particular locations consistently match their purported coverage type (e.g., 5G or 4G/LTE). 
• Service reliability and speeds: In consistent testing locations, we assess the reliability of phone and video calls, note how fast videos and apps load over cellular data, and, with MVNOs, mark any apparent effects of deprioritization on service speeds.  
• Customer support: We make a holistic assessment of a carrier's customer support system and online (or in-person) user experience for setup, use, and troubleshooting. 

We also take into account secondary considerations such as ongoing discounts and any other notable perks or outstanding features.

What to look for in a cheap cellphone plan

If you aren't in the market for the best cellphone plans from major carriers, you have no shortage of options for spending less on a phone plan, as affordable carriers have proliferated in recent years. 

The best cheap cellphone plan for you will primarily reflect your needs for monthly data and minutes, the constraints of your budget, and the coverage of your local area by the network or networks backing a particular plan. 

We set a few baseline criteria in choosing plans for this guide, in that all the plans listed above cost no more than $50/month and, as with most MVNO plans, do not require a contract.

Before signing up for a service, take a granular look at the coverage map that an MVNO should make readily accessible on their website — marking the US network range of its backing carrier — and appraise the coverage of your location to ensure dependable service.

• John Jacob Astor built his fortune in the fur business and New York real estate.
• John Jacob Astor III and William Backhouse Astor Jr. cofounded the Waldorf-Astoria after a feud.
• Modern Astor descendants have been politicians, philanthropists, and British royal associates.

Astoria, Queens. Astor Place. The Waldorf-Astoria. Even if you're not a New Yorker, you've heard of these iconic places. You also probably know they're named for one very powerful family: the Astors.

To this day, the Astors' money and influence still make waves in society.

So how do you build a dynasty like this one, with money that lasts for generations? Take a look at how the Astors made their fortune.

This story was originally published in April 2012. It was updated in May 2024.

• The struggling Washington Post has a new plan: Launch a new news site.
• This one seems like the opposite of the existing Post: It will be focused social media, for a broad audience.
• It's going to be hard to pull that off — especially when the Post is still operating the old Post at the same time.

The Washington Post is in trouble. It's bleeding money, and its audience is shrinking. Its owner — Jeff Bezos, who bought the paper in 2013 — wants a new plan.

And that plan is … make a new version of BuzzFeed?

That seems to be what the paper's leadership has announced, using different words. Here they are, via CEO/publisher Will Lewis:

I am excited to let you know that later this year we will be launching a new division of the newsroom entirely dedicated to better serving audiences who want to consume and pay for news differently from traditional offerings. This third newsroom will be comprised of service and social media journalism and run separately from the core news operation. The aim is to give the millions of Americans — who feel traditional news is not for them but still want to be kept informed — compelling, exciting and accurate news where they are and in the style that they want.

That's not a ton to go on — and a Post PR rep declined to comment further — and there are some basic questions left unanswered here. (For instance — what exactly is "social media journalism?" Making TikToks? Writing stories about TikToks? Makings TikToks about TikToks? All of the above?)

Still, it's quite clear that Lewis, installed by Bezos last fall, has surveyed the existing Washington Post business strategy — run a newspaper with national ambitions and a subscription-based revenue model — and concluded that it didn't work. So the new, yet-to-be-named thing will be something else.

It's possible that some kind of subscription may be part of the new thing — note Lewis' reference to "pay[ing] for news differently." But it sure feels like the aim is to make news and news-adjacent stuff that reaches a much bigger audience than the Post does today, using social media platforms, and to monetize that attention with ads.

And if that sounds familiar, it's because we saw a lot of that in the last round of digital media, where companies like BuzzFeed and Vice (and Business Insider, the site you're reading right now) attach themselves to Facebook and its rocket trajectory. The problem was that when Facebook's goals diverged from publishers' goals, the publishers were left by the side of the road.

Which isn't to say that running a large, mostly free, advertising-based digital media company is a guarantee for failure. It may still be possible to pull that off, especially if you can keep your costs low (While Lewis' note also mentions "embracing AI to help," it's worth noting that he was asked about staffing plans at an all-hands call on Monday and provided a non-answer, according to an employee who listened to the meeting.) The UK's Daily Mail, for instance, has built a very large business with free, clickable headlines.

It's also reasonable for a new manager to show up at the job, assess that the old way wasn't working, and want to make a dramatic pivot. And just because many publishers are increasingly relying on subscriptions instead of social media doesn't mean they're right, either.

The more concerning part of Lewis' plan is that he now has two plans: There's The Washington Post, which will presumably continue to act like the old Washington Post. And there's the new, unnamed version of The Washington Post, which will operate very differently.

And while Lewis can expect to have some kind of synergy between the two operations — his existing ad sales team, for instance, will be telling themselves the new operation will give them the ability to reach a different set of clients — that can't go that far. If this thing works, it will be because he's figured out how to operate two newsrooms, with two different goals, in an environment that's so challenging that it's taxing the patience of one of the world's richest men. Good luck with that.

• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia refused to address Anthony Fauci as a doctor during a hearing.
• The Republican chairman admonished Greene for breaking with decorum.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia was reprimanded on Monday for refusing to recognize Dr. Anthony Fauci as a doctor during a combative House hearing on Fauci's role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Mr. Fauci, because you're not doctor, you're Mr. Fauci in my few minutes," Greene, a Republican, said, addressing Fauci.

Fauci tried to respond to Greene's question about masking guidelines during the pandemic, but his response could not be heard as his microphone did not appear to be on. Shortly after, Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, jumped in to clarify if Greene could simply ignore Fauci's title.

"Mr. Chairman, in terms of the rules of decorum, are we allowed to deny that a doctor is a doctor because we don't want him to be a doctor?" Raskin said.

Republican lawmakers grilled Fauci during his first hearing since leaving the federal government in 2022. Fauci was testifying before the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, a panel investigating the federal response to the pandemic.

Fauci, the nation's foremost infectious disease expert, played a major role in shaping the response to the outbreak. Over time, then-President Donald Trump soured on Fauci's guidance. Since then, conservatives have assailed the doctor to the point that he testified that he still receives death threats.

Greene defended her treatment of Fauci, replying to Raskin: "Yes, because in my time that man does not deserve to have a license. As a matter of fact, it should be revoked, and he belongs in prison."

She later added that Fauci had committed "crimes against humanity."

Fauci played a major role in the Trump administration's development of COVID-19 vaccines, which have been found to decrease the risk of hospitalization and death.

Rep. Brad Wenstrup of Ohio, the Republican who leads the panel, admonished Greene for her actions.

"The gentlelady should recognize the doctor as a doctor," Wenstrup said.

Rep. Robert Garcia of California, Democrat who spoke immediately after Greene, apologized to Fauci who how he was treated.

"Quite frankly — this might be the most insane hearing I've ever attended, and I've only been in Congress for a year and a half," Garcia said. "I'm so sorry that you are subjected to those levels of attacks."

Greene, a close ally of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, has returned to her roots of challenging GOP leadership and upending House hearings with her questions. Greene led an unsuccessful effort to oust Speaker Mike Johnson.

She has also threatened to defund the entire state of New York after a jury found Trump guilty on 34 felony counts related to a scheme to falsify business records to cover up hush money payments to a porn star.

• Apple is gearing up to deliver big announcements at WWDC on June 10.
• Apple is expected to reveal more about its AI strategy. 
• Here's what we know about what to expect at WWDC 2024.

Apple's highly anticipated Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off next week, and the tech community is buzzing with expectations and predictions of big announcements.

Analysts and tech experts aren't expecting new hardware, but they've said WWDC will still include major upgrades to operating systems across its ecosystem.

Apple is expected to showcase iOS 18, which Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said is "considered internally to be the biggest upgrade in the device's history." The new operating system is expected to become available in September.

And after recent events by Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI showcasing their AI assistants, all eyes will be on Apple on June 10 at 1 p.m. ET to deliver equally innovative updates.

OpenAI and Apple have reportedly been discussing a partnership that would bring ChatGPT to iOS, and the details are expected to come out at WWDC. And Siri is expected to get a major AI overhaul.

Some of the other updates include new Vision Pro software, voice memo transcriptions, and more advanced photo editing, Bloomberg reported.

Here's what we know about some of the other major announcements expected at WWDC.

Home Screen

Although small updates to the iPhone home screen have occurred over time, it's reported that iOS 18 will make it much more customizable.

The redesign could make the traditional grid pattern that Apple devices are known for optional. Users would be able to change the color of app icons and arrange them freely .

Siri

Siri is getting an overhaul with Apple's own large language models to power generative AI features, according to Bloomberg.

For years, Siri has been able to do small tasks like calling a contact or setting a reminder at a user's request.

The new, AI-powered Siri is expected to be integrated into Apple apps and perform more specific tasks. For example, you could tell it to edit a photo, organize your Notes app, or delete an email.

Although details about Siri's revamp are expected to be announced next week, its full AI capabilities will likely be available in 2025, Bloomberg reported.

AI-powered emojis

Generative AI has immense capabilities, and one of the ways Apple might use them is making emojis more fun.

The tech giant is reportedly working on genAI, which would allow iOS 18 users to use AI to create emojis for specific situations.

It's not as groundbreaking as an AI virtual assistant, but it sounds better than searching for the right emoji to convey your emotions.

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If you're shopping for a new TV in 2024, you have lots of options to choose from. Stores are packed with bright 4K displays, cheap HDTVs, and razor-sharp 8K sets. But while picture quality and specific features vary, the best TVs all share one thing in common: a reliable viewing experience.

After hands-on testing and extensive research, we've selected the eight best TVs you can buy right now. The Samsung S90C is our top pick thanks to its high contrast, wide viewing angles, bright colors, and highly competitive price. Shoppers who want to spend less should consider our budget pick, the Hisense U6K. Its Mini LED backlight helps it deliver better image quality than other TVs in its price range.  

Below, you'll find all of our best TV picks, including high-end, midrange, 8K, and even HD models, to ensure that all budgets and viewing needs are accounted for. 

Note: All of our recommendations are available in multiple screen sizes. You can select different sizes on each retailer's page. Features are typically carried over across sizes, but there may be slight performance differences.

Our top picks for the best TVs

Best overall: Samsung S90C 4K TV – See at Amazon 

Best OLED on a budget: LG B3 4K TV – See at Amazon

Best high-end display: Sony A95L 4K TV – See at Amazon

Best smart TV system: Roku Pro Series 4K TV – See at Amazon

Best budget QLED: Hisense U6K 4K TV – See at Walmart

Best anti-glare screen: Samsung S95D 4K TV – See at Amazon

Best 8K display: Samsung QN900C 8K TV – See at Amazon

Best HDTV: TCL S3 Series HDTV – See at Amazon

---

Best overall

The Samsung S90C is our pick for the best TV you can buy right now. It delivers top-notch image quality with color performance you won't find on other sets in its price range. 

The S90C has a 4K QD-OLED panel. The "QD" before "OLED" means it uses a screen technology called quantum dots, which can deliver a nearly unrivaled range of colors. The "OLED" part stands for "organic light emitting diode," which results in an infinite contrast ratio. The S90C is the most affordable QD-OLED on the market, giving it an edge over similarly priced LG and Sony OLEDs that don't use quantum dots. For the money, the S90C is simply the best 4K TV we've tested. 

The display can achieve a peak brightness of about 1,000 nits, which helps the S90C deliver vibrant high-dynamic-range (HDR) images. That's still not as bright as top QLED TVs, but the S90C's OLED panel gives it pixel-level contrast control, which enables it to produce deeper black levels and more precise highlights without any blooming.

The only notable feature the S90C lacks is Dolby Vision support. Without getting too into the weeds, Dolby Vision is regarded as the best HDR format, and it's supported on Sony and LG OLEDs. However, the benefits of Dolby Vision are subtle, especially on TVs that get as bright as the S90C, so we don't consider this a dealbreaker. You can learn more about different high-dynamic-range formats in our HDR TV guide.

Though not our favorite smart TV platform, the S90C's Tizen interface works well enough and gives you access to all the best streaming services. And Samsung is the only TV brand that supports the Xbox Game Pass app, which lets members stream Xbox games without a console. The TV also supports a smooth 144Hz refresh rate with a computer, a feature missing on some similarly priced LG and Sony models.

Samsung does sell more expensive OLED TVs that get even brighter, like the S95C OLED and brand-new flagship S95D OLED, but it's hard to beat the S90C's overall value. There's also a 2024 version of this TV, the S90D, now available. However, the S90D costs considerably more and doesn't offer a huge performance upgrade.

Read our Samsung S90C 4K TV review.

Note: The 83-inch S90C doesn't use quantum dots, so its color performance is inferior to that of smaller models. 

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Best OLED on a budget

Though you can find plenty of affordable QLED and LED displays, cheap OLED TVs are hard to snag. Currently, LG's B3 is the closest thing to a budget OLED, with the 65-inch model often on sale for $1,300 or less.

Like the more expensive OLEDs we recommend, the B3 offers an infinite contrast ratio with perfect black levels and wide viewing angles. On the downside, the B3 has a lower peak brightness of about 600-700 nits. HDR content still looks good, especially with Dolby Vision support, but the brightest highlights you see won't pop with the same vibrancy that you'd get on Samsung's S90C, Sony's A95L, or LG's pricier C and G series TVs. The lower brightness also makes the B3 less suited for spaces with many windows that let in sunlight.

On the plus side, the B3 has a 120Hz panel and HDMI 2.1 ports, just like many of LG's step-up models. This means it can support high-frame-rate gaming on a PS5, Xbox Series console, or PC. It also supports VRR (variable refresh rate). And the TV's webOS platform gives you access to plenty of apps.

It's important to note that LG just released a 2024 version of this TV, the B4, but its specifications suggest only minor improvements. And right now, the B4 costs even more than our top pick, the Samsung S90C, so we don't recommend it as a budget OLED. 

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Best high-end display

The Sony A95L OLED is the absolute best TV you can buy for high-end picture performance. Like many of Samsung's OLEDs, it uses quantum dots to offer industry-leading color and contrast. But on top of that, the A95L boasts some of the highest peak brightness levels we've seen on an OLED and benefits from Sony's unique picture processing to produce superior image accuracy and upscaling. 

The differences are subtle, but the A95L edges out other premium TVs in this class, including the Samsung S95 series and the LG G series. And unlike Samsung OLEDs, it supports Dolby Vision. Though not a huge benefit for a TV in this class, Dolby Vision is a nice perk since it gives the TV scene-by-scene guidance for rendering color and contrast when watching Dolby Vision content on popular services like Netflix and Disney Plus. 

The A95L is also one of the brightest OLEDs we've tested. With the TV in its most accurate "Professional" mode, we measured a peak of 1,500 nits. That's 50% brighter than its predecessor, the A95K, and about on par with LG's G4. However, Samsung's brand-new S95D can get even brighter in certain situations, reaching around 1,700 nits. 

But while the A95L's brightness can't quite match the S95D's, its overall image quality remains our favorite. The TV's proprietary picture processing does an excellent job of upscaling lower-quality sources, so cable TV and HD streams show fewer flaws. And Sony's tech leads the industry in delivering the most accurate picture for the best home theater experience. We also like how the A95L's glossy screen preserves black levels better than the S95D's matte screen in a bright room. But, the S95D is better at reducing reflections. 

The A95L's Google TV operating system works well, so you can stream all your favorite services with simple navigation. A handy voice remote is included with Google Assistant, and it has a convenient backlight that activates when you pick it up. Sony even includes a webcam for video calls and gesture controls. 

The TV also has some nice design perks, including a stand that can be set up in one of two orientations: low profile, so the bottom of the screen is nearly flush with your entertainment console, or high profile, so the TV is lifted a bit to make room for a soundbar in front. And since this year's model uses left and right feet rather than a pedestal design, the low-profile option no longer causes the display to lean back.

As far as high-end displays go, the A95L is a nearly flawless TV. Its only real drawbacks are its limited number of 120Hz HDMI ports (just two) and its lack of 144Hz PC support. But if you have the funds and want the most impressive picture quality that money can buy, the A95L is the best TV to get. 

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Best smart TV system

The Roku OS (operating system) is our favorite smart TV system thanks to its streamlined interface, and the Roku Pro Series is one of the best TVs you can buy with this OS built in. While its image quality can't quite match rivals in this price range, it has a leg up regarding ease of use. 

The Roku homepage puts your apps front and center with an easy-to-organize tile system. Many competing platforms, like the Fire TV OS, focus more on content recommendations, which leads to a more cluttered look that can be overwhelming. Roku's view is cleaner and straightforward. However, if you do prefer seeing content options rather than icons for your apps, you can simply navigate to the "What to Watch" section on the sidebar menu to access rows of recommendations across different categories.

Roku's user-friendly approach extends to its remote, which is rechargeable via USB, so it doesn't require batteries. It also supports voice search through hand-free commands or by pressing a button if you prefer to deactivate its "always-listening" function. The remote has backlit keys (something that's increasingly rare), which makes navigation in the dark easy. And perhaps most handy of all is the "lost remote finder" feature, which lets you press a button on the TV to activate a chime on the remote so you never misplace it.

We also love how convenient the TV's assembly is. Unlike most displays that require screws and tools to attach their stands, the Roku Pro Series comes with two feet that use a unique knob system. You simply tighten the knobs with your hands, and the stand is ready to go. The stand also supports a high or low position, so you can easily fit a soundbar in front of the TV.

Outside of its navigation and design conveniences, the Roku Pro Series is also an impressive-looking TV. It has a QLED panel with a Mini LED backlight and local dimming to enable rich colors, great contrast control, and fantastic HDR brightness. That said, the TV's image quality is a slight step down from other new QLEDs in this price range, like the Hisense U8N. But those models use the Google TV OS and lack many of the Roku Pro Series' usability perks. 

Roku still licenses its interface to other TV manufacturers, but it's now mostly used on entry-level models like the TCL S3, our top HDTV pick. It's rare to find a Roku TV with this level of performance, which helps cement the Roku Pro Series as an ideal pick for people who want smart TV simplicity without sacrificing picture performance. 

Read our Roku Pro Series 4K TV review. 

Best budget QLED

The Hisense U6K is the most affordable TV of its kind. It has quantum dots and local dimming with a Mini LED backlight. The former feature enables a wide range of bright colors, while the latter gives the TV deep black levels. Mini LEDs are especially rare on a TV in this price range, and they provide more precise control over the panel's contrast levels.   

You can often find the 65-inch U6K on sale for just $550 or less, an incredible value. Sure, it has fewer dimming zones than step-up models like the U7K, but its performance is nearly unmatched by rivals in this class. Most budget TVs lack wide color support and often top out at about 300 nits, but the U6K offers an expanded color gamut and up to 600 nits of brightness. We generally recommend at least 800-1,000 nits for the best performance, but 600 is enough to start seeing the benefits of HDR. 

However, gamers should remember that the TV only has a 60Hz refresh rate rather than 120Hz. This means it can't support high frame rate gaming on a PS5, Xbox Series X/S, or PC. The display's viewing angles are also poor, but that's to be expected for pretty much any TV in this class.

The U6K is a bit of an outlier in the TV market right now, hitting an especially appealing sweet spot between entry-level pricing and performance. There are cheaper TVs, but the U6K offers a big jump in image quality over other budget options while maintaining a low price. Hisense does have a brand-new 2024 version of this set, called the U6N, but it's not expected to offer a big upgrade and currently costs more than the U6K.  

Read our full Hisense U6K 4K TV review. 

Best anti-glare screen

Most TVs use glossy or semi-glossy screens that are prone to reflections in rooms with many lights and windows. But Samsung's S95D OLED takes a different approach. It's one of the few TVs available to use a matte screen that can significantly reduce glare.

During our tests in a bright living room setting, the S95D nearly eliminated the mirror-like effect we're used to seeing on most TVs. We could still make out some very faint fuzzy reflections in certain instances, but the anti-glare filter here is a huge step up from what we've seen on any other display. This makes the S95D a game changer for viewers who struggle with light and don't want to use blackout curtains when watching TV during the day.

In addition, the S95D is the brightest OLED TV we've reviewed. We measured a peak of around 1,700 nits, which allows the display to deliver punchy HDR highlights when needed. Since it uses an OLED panel, the S95D also delivers pixel-level contrast without any blooming.

On the downside, the S95D's matte screen negatively impacts black levels in a bright room. Rather than the deep, inky quality that OLED TVs are known for, the S95D's black levels can take on a hazier, gray appearance when viewed with the lights on, giving dark scenes a flat look. Thankfully, with the lights off, the S95D's black levels are just as impressive as any other high-end OLED we've tested. 

Whether you prefer deep black levels or top-notch anti-glare performance comes down to personal preference. If you aren't bothered by reflections, we recommend opting for a less expensive OLED, like the S90C or S95C, to get the best black levels. But if cutting down glare is a priority, the S95D is the best TV with a matte screen on the market.   

Check out our Samsung S95D 4K TV review and our S95D vs. S95C comparison.

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Best 8K display 

Samsung's QN900C is one of the company's top-of-the-line QLED TVs. It boasts an 8K panel, which can deliver four times the total number of pixels compared to a 4K TV. It also uses a Mini LED backlight with exceptional local dimming capabilities to produce some of the best contrast and black-level performance we've ever seen on an LCD-based display. 

The QN900C is also one of the brightest TVs you can buy. During our tests, it managed a peak of about 2,300 nits in Filmmaker Mode. This results in fantastic HDR images. And though it still can't compete with the infinite contrast ratio of an OLED, the QN900C's specular highlight performance has a bit more punch. Best of all, the TV can hit this high brightness while maintaining deep black levels with minimal blooming. Viewing angles are also superior to most rival QLED TVs, so colors and contrast degrade less when sitting off to the side. 

Of course, what really differentiates the QN900C from Samsung's other high-end TVs is its 8K screen, which offers a resolution of 7680 x 4320 versus the 3840 x 2160p resolution you'd get on a 4K TV. But while that is four times the resolution, the actual benefit of all those extra pixels is hard to see. Don't get us wrong, the QN900C is a razor-sharp display. But so are Samsung's top 4K TVs. The higher pixel density does give 8K sets a slight edge in clarity if you like to sit up close to a big display, but otherwise, we don't think 8K resolution is a big selling point.

This is reinforced by the fact that there really isn't any native 8K content to watch. Outside some YouTube videos, everything you'll find on major streaming services, discs, or cable will be in 4K, HD, or SD. The QN900C does an excellent job upscaling these lower resolutions to 8K, but again, the results aren't dramatically better than what you'll see on a much cheaper 4K model.     

But if you're set on getting an 8K TV, you can't go wrong with the QN900C. It's one of the best Samsung TVs you can buy, especially if you opt for a 75-inch model or larger. You're more likely to notice the subtle benefits an 8K panel can provide at that screen size, so we don't recommend considering an 8K TV smaller than that.

Samsung just launched a new 2024 edition of this set, the QN900D, which looks incredible in person as well. But the 75-inch QN900D sells for about $2,000 more than the QN900C is going for right now, and it doesn't deliver a big enough performance jump to justify that increase. However, we do expect the QN900D to drop in price as the year goes on. 

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Best HDTV

Buyers who just want a cheap HDTV in a smaller screen size should look no further than this affordable TCL display. 

The S3 Series is a basic 1080p smart TV that ranges in size from 32 to 43 inches. At such small screen sizes, you'd be hard-pressed to see the full benefits of a 4K display, so the TV's Full HD resolution suits it just fine. Its smaller form factor makes it a nice choice for cozier spaces like a bedroom.

When it comes to image quality, the S3 is nothing special. It doesn't use quantum dots or feature local dimming, so color, contrast, black-level performance, and brightness won't be anywhere near what you'd get with any of the more expensive TVs we recommend. It technically supports HDR10 playback, but the TV's specs aren't really capable of showing the benefits of that format, so we don't think HDR is all that useful on a TV in this class. However, the S3's basic picture performance gets the job done, especially if you just want something for casual viewing. 

For smart TV streaming, the S3 uses the Roku OS. Roku's interface is our favorite, thanks to its simplicity and reliability. It's not the most modern-looking platform, but it offers easy access to all the most popular streaming services. 

Home theater fans and gamers should look elsewhere, but buyers who need a cheap HDTV should be satisfied with the S3. 

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Other TVs we tested

Though they didn't quite make the cut, we tested several other models for consideration in our guide to the best TVs. Here's a rundown of some other notable displays we reviewed, along with details on why they didn't make our selection of top picks. 

Hisense U7K QLED 4K TV – See at Amazon

The U7K was our pick for the best midrange TV, but it's now hard to find in stock. If you can find the 65-inch model for around $700, we still recommend it as a great buy. Hisense has replaced this model with the new U7N, which looks like a worthy successor. We'll be testing the U7N soon for consideration in this guide.  

Read our Hisense U7K review. 

TCL Q7 QLED 4K TV – See at Amazon
TCL's Q7 is an excellent mid-tier 4K TV. It's similar to the Hisense U7 series, but the U7K and U7N have an edge thanks to their Mini LED backlights, which gives them better contrast control. TCL has a new QM7 model for 2024 that adds Mini LEDs, and we'll be reviewing that model soon. 

Read our TCL Q7 4K TV review.

Roku Plus Series QLED 4K TV – See at Best Buy
The Roku Plus Series is a budget-friendly QLED TV with solid performance across the board. But we think most people shopping for a TV in this class are better off with the Hisense U6K, our top QLED pick on a budget, which costs a bit less.

Read our Roku Plus Series 4K TV review.

Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED – See at Amazon
The Omni QLED is Amazon's flagship smart TV model. It offers convenient hands-free Alexa control, but its picture quality is beaten by cheaper sets like the Hisense U6K. 

Read our Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED review.

Amazon Fire TV Omni – See at Amazon
Amazon's standard Omni series 4K TV delivers mediocre picture performance for the money. If the TV's Alexa integration is a selling point, we recommend getting the Omni QLED instead since it delivers much better image quality for nearly the same price.

Read our Amazon Fire TV Omni review. Check out our Fire TV buying guide. 

How we test TVs

We selected our best TV guide picks based on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by extensive expertise in the home entertainment product space. We evaluate displays across a series of testing factors, including image clarity, contrast, high dynamic range capabilities, peak brightness, color range, viewing angles, smart TV features, and overall value. 

We use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter to measure a TV's brightness and test patterns from the Spears & UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc to evaluate other objective display capabilities. 

We also rely on an assortment of clips from movies and TV shows to get a better feel for how a TV actually performs under regular use. Clips are selected to focus on sequences that help demonstrate a TV's black levels, highlight performance, color range, and clarity. We also watch a mix of native 4K resolution (Ultra HD), high definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) content to see how a TV handles various resolutions through streaming, cable, and Blu-ray players. Viewing is conducted in both bright and dark rooms. 

Smart TV features and navigation are also tested to determine how long it takes for apps to load and how reliable overall stability is. Voice search and digital assistant performance are taken into account as well, along with other extra perks like ambient modes, smart home control, and game streaming support.

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What to look for in a TV

If you buy a TV in 2024, chances are it will be branded as one of four primary display types: OLED, QD-OLED, QLED, or LED. Though performance varies depending on which specific model you buy, each technology has its own strengths and weaknesses that could make it better suited for different kinds of viewers. 

Below is a rundown of the pros and cons for each, along with info on different smart TV platforms and size recommendations. For a more detailed breakdown of TV panel technology, check out our QLED vs. OLED comparison.

What is an OLED TV?

An OLED (organic light-emitting diode) TV uses self-illuminating pixel technology to display its images without a backlight. 

Who it's best for: OLED TVs are best for people who want high-end picture performance in a space that doesn't let in a ton of ambient light. Though they still look good in most living rooms, some models can be too dim for areas filled with direct sunlight.

Pros:

• Infinite contrast ratio
• True black levels
• Wide viewing angles
• Expanded color gamut
• Overall performance is similar across different models

Cons:

• Peak brightness is typically dimmer than top QD-OLED or QLED TVs*
• Color volume can't match the best TVs with quantum dots
• Some risk of burn-in in extreme cases
• Limited sizes and budget tiers to choose from

*LG's G3 and G4 OLED TVs use Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology, enabling them to match top QD-OLED TVs' peak brightness.

What is a QD-OLED TV?

A QD-OLED TV is a type of OLED TV that adds a filter of quantum dots in its panel to enable better color and brightness performance

Who it's best for: QD-OLED TVs are great for people who want the absolute best picture quality. Since they're brighter than regular OLED models, QD-OLED TVs are suited for both home theaters and average living rooms alike, and they deliver a bit more HDR punch in highlights.  

Pros: 

• Infinite contrast ratio
• True black levels
• Wide viewing angles
• Expanded color gamut
• Brighter than a regular OLED
• Better color volume than a standard OLED

Cons:

• Peak brightness still can't match top QLED TVs
• Some risk of burn-in in extreme cases
• Limited sizes and budget tiers to choose from

What is a QLED TV?

A QLED is a TV that uses an LCD (liquid crystal display) panel with an LED (light emitting diode) or Mini LED backlight and a filter of quantum dots. QLED TVs may or may not include local dimming, which enables contrast control over specific LEDs on the screen. To get the best performance on a QLED TV, you should look for models with local dimming and a Mini LED backlight. 

Who it's best for: QLED TVs are good for people who favor high brightness to get the best performance in rooms that let in a lot of outside light. High-end models can also deliver excellent overall picture performance with vibrant HDR highlights, but we still prefer OLED technology for the best quality in a home theater.

Pros: 

• Top models have industry-leading brightness and color volume 
• Models with local dimming and Mini LEDs can provide great contrast 
• No risk of burn-in
• Lots of sizes and budget tiers to choose from

Cons:

• Even top Mini LED models can't match the contrast of an OLED
• Black levels are lacking on models without local dimming
• Viewing angles are typically mediocre
• Performance varies a lot across different models and budget tiers

What is an LED TV?

An LED TV uses LCD panel technology with an LED or Mini LED backlight. Backlights can either be direct or edge-lit. The main difference between an LED and a QLED TV is that LED TVs don't use quantum dots. Most TVs branded as LED are budget-focused models without local dimming or wide color support, but some exceptions exist.

Who it's best for: LED TVs are best suited for budget shoppers. Most of these displays only offer basic image quality and lack the color and contrast performance you'd get on a QLED or OLED. 

Pros: 

• No risk of burn-in
• Lots of sizes and affordable options

Cons:

• Typically lack wide color support
• Contrast is mediocre without local dimming
• Edge-lit backlights can lead to uneven black levels
• Viewing angles are usually mediocre

What size TV is best?

TVs come in various sizes, with some models offering options as small as 24 inches and others offering options as large as 100 inches or more. When deciding what size TV to get, you should consider a few factors, including the display's resolution, the size of the room it's in, how close you plan to sit, and how much money you're willing to spend. 

Typically, bigger screen sizes are pricier than comparable models in smaller sizes, and you'll need to have a big enough TV stand or wall to fit the TV you buy. Certain sizes are also better suited for certain resolutions.

For instance, HD resolution screens are still acceptable for smaller sizes, around 43 inches or under. In that range, it's difficult to see the benefits of a higher resolution from an average viewing distance. On sets 50 inches and larger, however, we recommend opting for a 4K set to get the best image quality, especially if you plan to sit close to your display. Meanwhile, the benefits of 8K resolution are best appreciated on extra-large TVs that are 75 inches or more.

Many companies use 65 inches as their flagship size to show off their best TV models, and we think this size offers a great balance between big-screen immersion and value without getting too big for most living rooms.

Check out our size-specific guides to see our top recommendations for each major class:

• Best 85-inch TVs
• Best 75-inch TVs
• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 55-inch TVs
• Best 50-inch TVs

What smart TV interfaces does each brand use?

Pretty much any new TV you buy in 2024 will be a smart TV with built-in support for accessing various streaming services. However, different brands use different smart TV operating systems (OS). 

Here's a breakdown of popular smart TV platforms and the brands that use them:

• Android TV: Older models from Sony, TCL, and Hisense
• Fire TV: Amazon, Toshiba, Insignia, Pioneer, Hisense
• Google TV: Sony, TCL, Hisense
• Roku TV: Roku, TCL, Hisense
• SmartCast: Vizio
• Tizen: Samsung
• webOS: LG

There are slight differences in the selection of apps across each service, but every major smart TV platform offers access to all the most popular streaming services. They all deliver similar features, but the style of navigation, personalization options, and extra perks vary.

We generally like Roku's interface the best since it's the most straightforward and reliable. However, its design is a little outdated compared to other platforms that offer a more slick, content-focused style. 

Which smart TV OS is best for your needs depends on personal preference and whether you're already plugged into a smart home ecosystem. For instance, a Google TV or Fire TV will pair more seamlessly with existing Google or Amazon accounts and devices you might already own. 

If you don't like the interface built into your TV, we recommend checking out our guide to the best streaming devices. You can choose a stand-alone streaming device with whatever OS you prefer. Stand-alone streaming players also tend to offer snappier performance than built-in smart TV interfaces. Reliable Roku and Fire TV devices are frequently on sale for as little as $20. 

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TV FAQs

Should you buy a new 2024 TV or a 2023 model?

Many brands have launched their 2024 TV lineups, and additional models will continue to be released throughout the spring and summer. 

That said, 2023 TV models will remain available throughout the year until stock runs out. Though there are exceptions, performance upgrades are often minor when comparing 2023 TVs to their 2024 counterparts, and 2024 options are currently selling for a lot more money. With that in mind, we think most 2023 TVs remain the best value

When is the best time to buy a TV?

If you're shopping for a new TV, the best time to purchase a display is during big deals events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Amazon Prime Day. TVs often drop to their lowest prices during these sales. You can also find big discounts in the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl and shopping events tied to holidays like the Fourth of July and Memorial Day.

However, TVs still get smaller discounts year-round, so finding a solid deal outside a big sales event is not rare. For current discounts, check out our ongoing guide to the best TV deals. 

What TV brands should you consider?

There are many TV brands to choose from, but some are better for certain needs than others. Sony, Samsung, and LG are the cream of the crop if you're looking for the latest display technologies and the best build quality. However, their midrange and entry-level TVs are slightly overpriced compared to similar options from competing brands. If you want a high-end OLED or QLED TV, the above brands should be your first choice, but you can often get more bang for your buck from other companies. 

For instance, Hisense, TCL, and Vizio all sell affordable mid-tier QLED TVs that offer similar, if not better, picture quality than comparable options from Sony, LG, and Samsung. You'll still get better build quality and fancier design perks from those more expensive brands, but these value-geared companies deliver advanced features like quantum dots and local dimming without breaking the bank.   

Roku and Amazon have also launched midrange and entry-level TVs to compete with Hisense, Vizio, and TCL. Their top models are solid buys if you can snag them on sale, but otherwise, you can find options with slightly better specs for about the same price from other companies. 

Buyers who just want a no-frills entry-level LED TV should also consider budget brands like Insignia and Toshiba. Both companies sell inexpensive 4K and HDTVs that use the Amazon Fire TV interface, and they tend to get heavily discounted during sales like Prime Day and Black Friday. Generally, we recommend paying a bit more to get a TV from one of the other brands we've already mentioned, but these displays are fine for casual viewing, especially if you want a smaller screen for a bedroom or dorm.  

Do TVs offer good sound quality?

Generally speaking, TVs offer mediocre sound quality. To keep TVs thin and affordable, manufacturers use small speaker drivers, often positioned in areas with poor performance. This leads to weak sound quality with muddy dialogue, flat dynamics, and a lack of bass. 

We recommend purchasing a soundbar or a full surround sound system to get the best sound quality with your TV. Check out our guides to the best soundbars, best budget soundbars, and the best Dolby Atmos soundbars to see our top recommendations.

And for more details on the latest advancements in immersive surround sound technology, check out our guide to all the ins and outs of Dolby Atmos.

Can I watch free local channels on my TV?

All of the best TVs include integrated digital tuners that can receive free over-the-air broadcasts when paired with an antenna and a coaxial cable. Reliable digital antennas can cost as little as $20. Check out our guide to the best indoor TV antennas to see our top recommendations. 

The exact number of channels you'll be able to pick up relies heavily on where you live, but so long as you're within a certain distance from local broadcast towers, you should be able to watch channels like ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. You can check the available channels in your community through the AntennaWeb tool. 

If you live in an area with poor antenna reception but still want an alternative to cable that provides access to popular channels, check out our guide to the best live TV streaming services.

Should I be worried about burn-in on my TV?

If you leave a static image on your TV for too long, some displays are susceptible to an issue called burn-in. When burn-in occurs, a faint outline of an image gets permanently stuck on your display. Thankfully, burn-in is rare on modern TVs, so most people don't need to worry about it. However, there are some considerations you should be aware of.    

First and foremost, OLED is the only current TV technology prone to burn-in. Though LCD-based TVs, like QLED and LED, are not 100% immune to burn-in, cases are so rare that they're not considered to be at risk like an OLED TV. But while OLED shoppers should be mindful of this risk, all OLED TVs have built-in features designed to prevent burn-in, including pixel-shift modes and pixel-refreshers. 

Websites like Rtings have done long-term burn-in tests with various OLED models. Though their results prove that burn-in can technically occur on even the best OLED TVs, their tests reveal that it's not really an issue for people with regular viewing habits. Burn-in only happens in extreme situations, like if you just watch the same cable channel with the same logo at the bottom of the screen all day long. 

I've owned an LG CX OLED TV for over two years. I stream various services, watch cable TV, and play video games (with plenty of static elements) regularly, and the TV shows no signs of burn-in. Unless you plan to stay tuned to the same cable news channel 24/7, we don't think burn-in should be a primary factor when deciding between an OLED TV or another display type.

• X is formally giving adult content the green light — with a few stipulations.
• AI-generated pornography is also allowed.
• But the content must be consensual, and must be labeled, X said.

Get ready for more ░L░I░N░K░S░I░N░B░I░O░.

Elon Musk's X is formally giving X-rated content the green light, allowing adult images and video — with a few rules.

Users can share nudity and sexual content — including AI-generated pornography — "provided it's properly labeled and not prominently displayed," the company's policy says.

But there are checks in place. Content must be made and posted consensually and cannot be shared to "highly visible places" like profile photos or banners, X said.

Creators must also switch on settings that will cause a warning to appear atop their pornographic posts. Users under age 18 — or those who decline to provide a birthday — won't be able to click through.

Content that exploits or sexualizes minors is also prohibited, X said.

"We believe in the autonomy of adults to engage with and create content that reflects their own beliefs, desires, and experiences," the company wrote.

In March, Bloomberg reported that X was testing the ability for users to create NSFW communities.

And the platform's head of engineering, Haofei Wang, recently said it would make 'likes' private so people can like "edgy" content undetected.

Hidden 'likes' first rolled out to paying X subscribers in September.

Since Elon Musk took over Twitter — which he rebranded to X — the self-described "free-speech absolutist" has sought to loosen restrictions on content while also shrinking the platform's moderation.

Porn bots surfacing in readers' comments have gamed the algorithm changes that have prioritized engagement on posts, NPR reported earlier this year.

The bots have become so widespread that one go-to phrase advertising raunchy images has become a meme.