Use Our Best TV Size Chart to Find the Perfect TV for Your Home

Hey there! Getting a new TV is so exciting, but I know it can also feel overwhelming with all the options out there. You‘re probably wondering: how do I choose the right size TV for my room? Should I go as big as possible? What about things like resolution and smart features? Don‘t worry, friend. I‘m here to help walk you through the entire process of using my handy TV size chart to find the absolute perfect television for your space.

By the end of this guide, you‘ll know exactly which size to look for, extra features that are worth it, and recommendations on great models to consider. Let‘s dive in!

First – Take Measurements for the TV Size Chart

The very first step is measuring the distance from where you sit to where the TV will go on the wall. This viewing distance determines the ideal screen size. Here‘s how to take the measurements:

Make sure your furniture is arranged properly in the room. Only buy the TV after placing all your seating and tables.
Grab a long string, rope, measuring tape – anything about 20 feet long. Don‘t worry about being exact.
Tape one end of the string on the wall where the middle of the TV will go.
Now sit in your usual #1 viewing spot – your favorite chair or main couch.
Hold the string straight out at eye level. Have someone mark the string where it lines up with your eyes.
Do this again from any other seats in the room. Measure each viewing distance for the size chart.
For the most accurate read, take measurements from both your seated eye level and standing eye level. This accounts for both positions.

Ideally, do the measurements during both day and evening. TV viewing distance often changes between daylight and nighttime lighting conditions in a room.

Now you have your viewing distances quantified. Let‘s use those numbers to find the perfect screen size.

Consulting the TV Size Chart

Here is my TV size chart for recommending the ideal television based on viewing distance:

Viewing Distance	Recommended TV Size
5-6 ft	32-43 in
7-9 ft	50-55 in
10-12 ft	58-65 in
12-15 ft	70-75 in
15-18 ft	80-85 in
18+ ft	90-100 in

As you can see, the recommended screen size gets significantly larger as the seating distance increases from the TV wall.

A few pointers on using the chart:

For a range like 32-43 inches, choose the larger size if your room has high ceilings or your furniture is toward the longer distance.
If you want less visual dominance, go a bit smaller than the chart suggests.
For super long distances, consider a projector instead of an huge TV.
Measure every seat if possible and go with the biggest size the chart recommends to accommodate all viewers.

Now match up your measurement with the chart to identify your starting TV size.

But the dimensions are only part of the equation…

Factor in Room Aesthetics

Beyond just the technical fit, you also want your new TV to look pleasing within your overall space.

A few aesthetic factors to keep in mind:

Wall size – Make sure the recommended size is proportional to the wall. A 70-inch screen on a small wall can look weird.
Furniture sizes – Large TV cabinets and media units can handle bigger screens without being dwarfed.
Ceiling height – High ceilings allow you to size up without the TV dominating the room.
Mock it up – Use cardboard cutouts to mock up the size on the wall before buying. Check if it "feels right".
Future-proof – Consider a size upgrade if you‘ll move seating closer eventually.

Weigh both the technical fit from the chart along with the room aesthetics to hone in on the perfect TV size.

TV Resolution – 1080p vs. 4K

Now that you have the ideal TV size, the next key factor is resolution. Resolution determines the level of detail and picture clarity.

There are two main resolutions to choose from:

1080p – The HD standard for many years provides a picture resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. This is over 2 million pixels total, which is adequate for smaller screen sizes.

4K – The latest resolution standard called 4K or Ultra HD quadruples the pixel count to 3840 x 2160 pixels. This equates to over 8 million pixels for unbelievable clarity.

Here are my tips on which resolution to look for based on TV size:

Under 50 inches – A 1080p screen is just fine for smaller TVs like 32-43 inches. Most content today is still 1080p.
50-65 inches – In this range, strongly consider upgrading to a 4K model. The extra resolution will be noticeable at this size.
Over 65 inches – 4K is a must for larger screens. At this size, 1080p resolution will look obviously pixelated from close viewing distances.

While 4K does cost more, the prices have come down dramatically. In general, I‘d suggest investing in 4K if at all possible to future-proof your purchase.

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Smart TV Platforms and Connectivity

Beyond just size and resolution, today‘s TVs provide smart platforms and connectivity for streaming media. Here are some key considerations:

Smart TV apps – All major brands include built-in apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and many more. This allows you to stream movies right from the television.
Voice assistants – Many smart TV systems have integrated voice control. For example, Google Assistant in Android TVs or Alexa built into Fire TV models.
Gaming features – If you‘ll use the television for gaming, look for auto low latency mode, VRR, 120Hz refresh rate, and HDMI 2.1 inputs. These all provide a smooth gaming experience.
Audio – Larger screen sizes pair nicely with surround sound. Look for Dolby Atmos support and audio configurations like 3.1, 5.1 or 7.1 for immersive sound.
Connections – Ensure your TV has the right quantity and types of connections. This includes HDMI for devices, ethernet for wired streaming, USB for accessories and optical audio out.

Prioritize the smart capabilities and connectivity you‘ll actually use to avoid overspending.

TV Display Technology: LED vs. OLED vs. QLED

The next decision is the type of display technology inside your television. There are three main options in today‘s market:

LED/LCD – This is the most common technology, using a LED backlight and liquid crystal display (LCD). LED TVs allow for very thin displays and offer good brightness uniformity.

OLED – OLED (organic light emitting diode) televisions have independent pixels that can turn on and off for perfect black levels. OLED excels at contrast but is more expensive.

QLED – QLED TVs from Samsung utilize quantum dot LED backlights and LCD panels. Quantum dots produce super-intense color volume and brightness.

Here‘s a comparison of the advantages of each display type:

Display	Pros	Cons
LED/LCD	Affordable price, good brightness	Contrast could be better, not the best blacks
OLED	Perfect blacks, infinite contrast, thin	More expensive, brightness lower than LED
QLED	Intense color and brightness, great for HDR	VA panel viewing angles, expensive

For most buyers, an LED/LCD television is the best blend of performance and value. But definitely consider OLED for the best contrast or QLED for amazing colors in your budget allows.

Top Recommended TVs by Size

Ready to see some real-world TV models that I recommend? Here are my top picks across various popular size categories:

43-Inch TVs

TCL 4 Series – $229. Great smart Roku TV for bedrooms or kitchens on a budget.
Hisense A6G – $260. Android TV delivers smarts plus Google Assistant for voice control.
Samsung The Frame – $800. Doubles as wall art with customizable frames when not in use.

55-Inch TVs

TCL 5 Series – $500. Mini-LED backlight technology with QLED color at a bargain price.
Hisense U7G – $530. ULED boosts color gamut and brightness with quantum dot tech.
Sony X80K – $698. Excellent Google TV interface with hands-free Google Assistant.

65-Inch TVs

TCL 6 Series – $900. Outstanding Roku smart TV with mini-LED backlighting.
LG C1 OLED – $1700. Flagship OLED TV with perfect black levels and razor-thin panel.
Samsung Q70A – $1100. QLED provides amazing brightness and color saturation. Great for gaming.

75-Inch TVs

Vizio M7 – $850. Budget big-screen option with Vizio‘s SmartCast platform.
Sony X90K – $1300. Features advanced cognitive intelligence to optimize all content.
LG UP8770 – $1150. LG‘s newest QNED TV combines quantum dots and mini-LED backlights.

85-Inch TVs

TCL 6 Series – $1700. Our top-rated TV scaled up to a massive 85-inch size.
Samsung QN85A – $2600. Flagship Neo QLED TV with ultra-bright mini-LED backlight and amazing contrast.
Sony X91K – $1800. Google TV provides smarts with the powerful X1 4K processor for upscaling.

As you can see, there are lots of great options depending on your budget and the screen size you need based on the viewing distance chart. I‘d be happy to provide personal recommendations once you measure your room!

Optimizing Your New TV for the Best Picture

You‘ve got the perfect TV all picked out – awesome! Here are my tips for dialing in the best possible picture:

Break it in properly – Use the ideal settings out of the box for the panel. Turn off any vivid modes that sacrifice accuracy.

Calibrate the screen – Use test patterns to fine tune brightness, color, contrast, etc for your lighting.

Choose the right modes – Experiment with presets like Cinema, Sports, etc and enable HDR when watching HDR content.

Adjust the audio – Place speakers properly. Change audio modes based on content like movies or news.

Control reflections – Add blackout curtains if needed. Position bias lighting behind the TV to reduce eye fatigue.

Clean it gently – Use a microfiber cloth and careful wiping motions on the screen to prevent scratches.

Let me know if you need any advice dialing in your new TV. I‘m always happy to help fellow TV tech enthusiasts get the most out of their home theaters!

Find the Perfect Fit TV for Your Room

Well there you have it! I hope this guide gives you total confidence finding and installing the ideal television for your space. To recap the key steps we covered:

Measure your room seating distances to determine the recommended TV size from the chart.
Factor in aesthetic considerations like wall size and room layout for the best fit.
Look for the right features like 4K resolution, smart apps and connectivity based on your needs.
Choose the display technology – LED, OLED or QLED – that fits in your budget.
Pick from our top recommended models in the size category you need.
Optimize the picture quality out of the box and with proper calibration.

Finding the perfect TV for your room doesn‘t need to be frustrating. Use this process to enjoy the TV shopping experience. Let me know if any other questions come up! Enjoy your new television.