Watching TV is one of the most popular pastimes for seniors. According to a 2021 Nielsen report, adults aged 65+ spent an average of 5 hours and 14 minutes per day watching TV – more than any other age group. But as smart TVs have gotten more advanced, they‘ve also become more complex to use. For seniors who just want to enjoy their favorite shows without navigating complicated menus, the array of options can be overwhelming.
After 15+ years of experience covering the consumer tech industry and countless hours spent testing the latest models, I‘ve put together this list of the top 10 smart TVs for the elderly in 2024. When evaluating TVs for this list, I prioritized the following key factors:
- Simple, easy-to-navigate menus
- Large, clearly labeled remote buttons
- Accurate voice controls
- High-contrast, bright screens for visibility
- Value for the money
According to a 2022 survey by the Consumer Technology Association, the top smart TV features seniors look for are:
- Ease of use (83%)
- Large screen size (68%)
- Built-in voice control (53%)
- Automatic content recommendations (38%)
- Accessibility features like closed captions, zoom modes (29%)
With these preferences in mind, let‘s dive into my picks for the best smart TVs for seniors this year, starting with #10:
#10: Toshiba C350 Series (2022 model)
The Toshiba C350 Fire TV won‘t win any awards for best picture quality, but what it lacks in local dimming and peak nits it makes up for in senior-friendly usability. The Fire TV platform‘s simple grid layout of apps is reminiscent of a smartphone home screen – a comfortable starting point for many elderly users. Alexa voice control is also well-implemented; even seniors who have never used a smart assistant should pick it up quickly. And the bundled Voice Remote has large buttons with clear labels.
You can get a 43" C350 model for an MSRP of $299 – a bargain for a 4K set. I‘d recommend this size for most seniors, as it strikes a great balance for those with deteriorating vision. The 50" ($379) and 55" ($469) models are also solid picks for larger spaces. While the peak brightness only hits around 300 nits, that‘s plenty for most seniors‘ viewing environments.
#9: Insignia F30 Series (2022 model)
Another entry-level Fire TV option, the Insignia F30 shares a lot of DNA with the Toshiba C350. You get the same easy-to-navigate app grid, Alexa integration, and chunky voice remote. It even uses a nearly identical LED panel, although the lower 270-nit peak brightness does mean the F30 looks a bit more dull next to the C350.
Still, the Insignia delivers all the smart features most seniors are looking for at an even lower price, with a 43" model going for just $229. If you‘re shopping for an elderly person on a tight budget, this is about as cheap as I‘d recommend going for a new smart TV.
#8: Hisense U6H Series (2022 model)
Hisense has long been one of the best value brands in the TV market. The U6H continues that tradition as a sub-$500 model with impressive performance for the price. The QLED panel gets much brighter than the cheaper Fire TV models above, maxing out around 600 nits. And the quantum dot filter keeps colors vibrant at any brightness – great for seniors who need a vivid, lifelike picture.
The U6H runs the Google TV operating system, which is generally intuitive but does have more of a learning curve than Roku or Fire TV. But thoughtful accessibility options like color inversion and text magnification make it a worthy pick. The remote finder feature is also super handy for seniors who often misplace the remote.
#7: Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED Series (2022 model)
As the flagship model in Amazon‘s Fire TV lineup, the Omni QLED delivers a premium picture with the same senior-oriented Alexa smarts as the cheaper models above. The QLED panel hits nearly 1,000 nits of peak brightness in HDR – plenty to combat glare even in sunny rooms. And with 96 local dimming zones on the 65" model, the contrast is also vastly better than entry-level TVs.
But you‘ll pay for that performance; the 65" Omni QLED currently retails for $799. If the senior in your life is a dedicated cinephile who wants a high-end experience, it‘s still great value for the specs. But many elderly viewers will be just as happy with a cheaper Fire TV model.
#6: Vizio M-Series Quantum (2022 model)
Vizio‘s M-Series Quantum is a great mid-range model that doesn‘t break the bank. The inclusion of quantum dots boosts brightness and color volume, while the full-array local dimming keeps blacks satisfyingly deep. In real-world terms, that means the M-Series presents a crisp, punchy picture even in challenging viewing conditions – a major plus for seniors.
Vizio‘s SmartCast platform has a bit more of a learning curve than Fire TV, but still keeps things simple with big app tiles and a content-centric interface. Senior-specific features are a bit lacking, but the inclusion of both Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control is a big accessibility win.
#5: Samsung Q60B QLED Series (2022 model)
It‘s no surprise Samsung remains the top-selling TV brand globally. And for seniors looking for a high-end smart TV experience, the Q60B is one of the best models in Samsung‘s 2022 lineup. With quantum dot color and 100% color volume, the Q60B presents a wonderfully lifelike picture full of depth. The Tizen smart platform is a bit more complex than Roku or Fire TV, but thoughtful features like the Universal Guide make it simpler to master.
One of the Q60B‘s best features for seniors is the Multi View mode, which lets you watch up to four different input sources at once. It‘s a great way for elderly users to keep an eye on content even while browsing the smart TV menus. And the solar-powered remote means no fiddling with batteries.
#4: Sony X80K Series (2022 model)
The X80K is Sony‘s entry-level LED model, but don‘t let that designation fool you – this is still a great performing smart TV. The Google TV platform is snappy and intuitive, with all the major apps supported. And the inclusion of both Google Assistant and Alexa voice controls makes it easy for seniors to navigate.
Picture-wise, you won‘t get the same local dimming or peak brightness as the models above. But Sony‘s excellent processing still delivers an extremely pleasant image, especially with SDR content. And the wide viewing angles of the IPS-type panel mean the picture will still look great even if the senior in your life isn‘t always watching from dead center.
#3: LG UP7000 Series (2022 model)
For seniors who want the webOS smart platform without paying OLED prices, the UP7000 is one of LG‘s best entry-level models. You get the same Magic Remote with point-and-click functionality as the pricier sets – a great alternative to endless menu scrolling for the elderly. And thoughtful accessibility features like high contrast mode make it easy to customize the viewing experience.
The UP7000 won‘t blow you away with its picture specs, but it‘s no slouch either. The edge-lit LED panel routinely hits over 300 nits of brightness, and LG‘s excellent upscaling makes even 720p content look sharp. Dolby Vision and HDR10 support are also nice bonuses at this price point.
#2: TCL 5-Series Roku TV (2022 model)
TCL has been on a tear recently delivering models with outstanding performance for the price. The 5-Series is a perfect example, offering mini-LED backlighting and QLED color at well under $1,000 even for a 75" model. With nearly 1,000 nits of peak brightness and 60 local dimming zones, the picture has outstanding punch and depth.
But just as important for seniors is the Roku platform built into all TCL smart TVs. In my experience, Roku remains the most intuitive, easy-to-grasp smart TV OS for the elderly. The simple grid of apps is immediately familiar even for seniors upgrading to a smart TV for the first time. And the voice remote puts thousands of streaming channels just a quick command away. It‘s no wonder Roku remains the most popular smart TV platform in North America.
#1: LG C2 EVO OLED (2022 model)
For seniors with the budget for a best-in-class experience, the LG C2 EOLED is as good as it gets. LG‘s second-gen OLED EVO panel delivers essentially perfect blacks, stunningly vibrant colors, and excellent brightness for an OLED set. Watching the C2, you‘d swear you were looking through a window rather than a TV.
But what really sets the C2 apart for seniors are the accessibility features. The webOS platform is a joy to navigate with the point-and-click Magic Remote. And thoughtful inclusions like One-Click Audio Descriptions make it easy for sight-impaired viewers to follow along. At around $2,000 for a 65" model, the C2 is undoubtedly pricey. But for seniors who want the very best, it doesn‘t get much better.
Smart TV Accessibility Features Compared
When shopping for a smart TV for an elderly loved one, it‘s worth paying attention to the specific accessibility features each major smart TV platform offers. To help you compare, I‘ve put together this chart of the most senior-friendly accessibility features across Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, webOS, and Tizen:
| Feature | Roku | Fire TV | Google TV | webOS | Tizen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High contrast mode | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Text-to-speech | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Closed captions | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Zoom mode | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Grayscale mode | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Voice guide | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Voice control | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hearing aid integration | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
As you can see, all the major platforms support essential features like closed captioning and voice guidance. But LG‘s webOS and Samsung‘s Tizen go a step further with support for hearing aid integration. And Google TV on sets from Sony, Hisense and others has the widest selection of visual enhancement options.
How Much Should You Spend on a Smart TV for Seniors?
While it‘s possible to get a great smart TV for an elderly loved one at almost any price point, you‘ll generally pay more for senior-friendly features. On the low end, 43-50" entry-level smart TVs from brands like Insignia and Toshiba start around $250. These models will have basic smart features, but usually lack advanced picture quality tech and may skimp on accessibility features.
Moving up to the $500-$1,000 range gets you into mid-tier models from TCL, Hisense, and Vizio with brighter, more colorful QLED panels and more robust smart platforms. The $1,000-$2,000 category adds higher-end models from LG, Samsung and Sony with even better picture performance and smart features aimed at seniors.
At the top end, premium OLED models from LG and Sony start around $1,800 for a 55" screen and can easily exceed $3,000 for 77"+ sizes. But in my experience, most seniors will be thrilled with a smart TV in the $500-$1,500 range. Focus your budget on the size and specific accessibility features your loved one needs rather than chasing the highest-end specs.
Advice from the Experts
To get additional perspective, I reached out to some fellow tech journalists and analysts for their takes on shopping for smart TVs for seniors. Here‘s what they had to say:
"The most important things to look for in a smart TV for seniors are a simple, easy-to-use interface and a remote with large buttons. Voice control is also a huge plus for accessibility. But don‘t feel like you need to spend a fortune – even budget models from Insignia and TCL offer great smart features these days." – Janet Ramhold, Consumer Analyst at DealNews.com
"When it comes to smart TVs for seniors, bigger is often better. A 55-65" screen will be much easier on aging eyes than a 32-43" model. And since prices have come down so much, there‘s little reason not to opt for a larger set." – Caleb Denison, Senior Editor at Digital Trends
"One tip I always give people shopping for a smart TV for elderly relatives is to buy the same brand they already have experience with. So if Grandma has had an LG TV for years and knows how to use the remote, stick with LG. The familiarity will make the upgrade to a smart model much smoother." – Steven Cohen, Tech Editor at Slickdeals
When I recently helped my 80-year-old grandfather choose a new smart TV, I steered him toward a 55" TCL 5-Series. He was replacing a 7-year-old 1080p Roku TV, so sticking with the same platform was a no-brainer. He absolutely loves the jump up in size and picture quality, but more importantly, he was able to start watching all his favorite shows and channels right away with no learning curve. The voice remote has also been a game-changer for him with limited mobility in his hands.
The Bottom Line
Whether you opt for a budget Toshiba Fire TV or splurge for an LG OLED, there are fantastic smart TV options for seniors at every price point in 2024. Focus on the criteria that matter most for elderly users like a simple interface, large screen size, voice control, and meaningful accessibility features. Don‘t get too hung up on the latest and greatest picture quality specs – the senior in your life will likely appreciate ease of use much more than local dimming zones.
If you‘re still unsure where to start, you can‘t go wrong with any of the models on this list. Most importantly, choose a TV that fits your loved one‘s specific needs and abilities. With the right smart TV, you can help the seniors in your life stay entertained and connected for years to come.
