The SLMan Guide To… TVs

What’s the most important thing to consider before you invest in a new TV?
The amount of space you have to work with. Depending on the screen size, it’s best to leave a good amount of distance between your sofa and TV. Not only will this help you see the full effect of the picture, but it’ll also help prevent eyestrain. For a 30in TV you should leave a space of around 3-5ft. For 50in TVs and above, we’d recommend leaving at least 6ft between your sofa and television. It’s important to consider the positioning of the TV too – make sure it doesn’t reflect or block any light from your windows.

What features should you look out for?
Right now, there’s a great range of high-spec TVs out there, with options for every budget. If you want the latest technology, check out smart TVs and new 4K HDR TVs. Smart TVs have a huge array of functions – look at the apps you need and assess if a particular model will fulfil those needs. Music streaming apps, catch-up services, Netflix and YouTube are available on most models these days, but if you want a greater range of apps, ensure the TV has a function for downloading them and customising its homepage accordingly. 4K HDR TVs have a super high picture quality (four times the quality of a standard HD TV) – thanks to QLED and OLED technology you’ll see the world in incredible colour.

How long should a good TV last?
It depends on who’s using it, but usually between five and eight years. If you’re an avid film watcher or gamer, screen graphics are constantly evolving, so you might want to update your TV more regularly to keep up with new technology. With a lot of us currently watching more TV than ever before, make sure you get a good guarantee. Before you buy anything, check out online reviews and look for long-lasting models. If you want a model that will stand the test of time, always go for a high-spec option – right now, that’s a 4K TV. 8K TVs (double the screen quality of a 4K TV) are also a future-proof purchase, meaning you won’t need to upgrade any time soon.

How much should you be prepared to spend?
Ultimately, it depends on your usage. At AO.com, our most popular price bracket is between £300 and £499. However, TVs from premium brands, those with larger screen sizes, or those with premium functions, will obviously be more expensive. Look at the design, technology and user functions you need, then align them with your budget. Although you can buy TVs through finance schemes, only buy what you can afford to pay off quickly – there’s no point buying an 8K TV for £2,000 if it will take you a few years to pay it off.

Is there anything else you need to consider?
If you’re purchasing a larger TV because you want an immersive experience when watching action films, consider looking into soundbars or home cinema systems for absolute audio clarity. Home cinema systems offer depth to sound, creating a cinema-like feel through sound alone, while soundbars enhance sound quality on your TV without creating a surround-sound feel.

Interested? Here's Kevin’s pick of the best TVs out there right now…