Best TVs to give for the holidays 2021 – CNET [CNET]

If you have a TV on your holiday shopping list, then rejoice — some of the best prices of the year are on their way. The tough part is figuring out which TV to give that lucky recipient (let’s face it, or yourself). Thankfully, we’re here to help: We’ve rounded up the best TVs of 2021 so you can find the perfect one to give or get this holiday season. We look at contrast ratio, local dimming, brightness, color, uniformity, gaming input lag and refresh rate, as well as the number of HDMI ports, streaming service support and more, all to help give you the information you need to make the best choice for you and your family. 

For this list, all the prices you’ll see are for 65-inch models, unless otherwise noted. Although most of these TVs are 2021 models, a few came out in 2020. These remain on our list because we think they still offer a good combination of features and value.

Looking for a specific screen size? Check out: 43-inch TVs, 55-inch TVs, 65-inch TVs and 75-inch TVs.

Other stuff to know about giving a new TV for the 2021 holidays 

We’re sure you’d be happy with any one of the TVs above, but a new set can be a big investment, so maybe you’re looking for a bit more information. Here’s a quick and dirty list.

• In our opinion, bigger is better. In general, your money is best spent on large screen sizes rather than a slight upgrade in image quality.
• If you don’t like the built-in smart TV system, you can always add a streaming device from Roku, Amazon, Google or Apple. They’re generally cheap and easy to use for streaming services — and they receive updates more frequently than most smart TVs. See our picks of the best streaming devices here.
• The sound quality of most built-in speakers is terrible, so it’s worthwhile to pair your new set with a sound bar or other speaker system. Good ones start at around $100. See the best soundbars here.

More home entertainment recommendations 

• Buying a new TV in 2021
• Best TV antennas for cord cutters, starting at just $10
• Dolby Atmos: Why it’s cool, how it works and how to get it
• Best Sonos speakers starting at $100
• QLED vs. OLED: Which TV tech should you buy?
• HDR formats like Dolby Vision, HDR10, Technicolor and HLG explained
• Best TVs for gaming
• Best 75-inch TVs for 2021
• Best Blu-ray players of 2021