BUYING GUIDE
What is worth paying for in a television?
Compare the screen you need, the connections you use and the cost of watching. Build a TV budget around your room.
THE SHORT ANSWER
A television is good value when it fits your room and your viewing habits. Compare the complete setup before paying for a larger screen or extra features.
1. Start at your usual seat
Measure the space for the television, including the stand, and mark the proposed screen outline on the wall. Check it from every seat you regularly use. Notice reflections in daytime and where lamps sit at night. In a shop, ask to see ordinary programmes as well as demonstration footage. Your own viewing position is a better starting point than automatically choosing the largest screen within budget.
2. Pay for features you will actually connect
List the devices you want connected at the same time: a console, soundbar, receiver or streaming box. Check the exact model manual for the ports and supported features each device needs. If a particular gaming mode matters, confirm that it works with your console and chosen connection. Check your essential streaming apps too. A feature on the specification sheet has little value if your setup cannot use it.
3. Turn electricity use into a yearly amount
The EU label separates standard dynamic range (SDR) and high dynamic range (HDR) consumption. Use the figure for your viewing scenario. Illustrative calculation: 60 kWh per 1,000 hours, watched four hours daily, is 87.6 kWh a year. At an assumed €0.30/kWh, that is €26.28. Repeat with the other model’s label. This excludes standby and connected equipment; picture settings and viewing habits change actual consumption.
4. Compare the installed price
Add delivery, a suitable wall mount or furniture, installation and any audio equipment you actually need. For example, a €550 TV with €150 of necessary extras costs €700 before electricity. Those are example figures, not current offers. Compare the same screen size and exact model suffix at each shop, then check the delivered price and seller. A cheaper previous model may be sufficient if it still meets every requirement.
Before you buy
Sources & further reading
This is buying guidance, not a hands-on product test. Examples are illustrative; check the exact model and current retailer information.