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10 Best 42 Inch Tvs 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.7 score

INSIGNIA 42" Class F20 Series Smart Full HD Fire TV, Voice Remote with Alexa, Free & Live TV

The Insignia 42-inch Class F20 Series Smart TV offers a solid entry into the world of smart TVs, particularly for those who enjoy streaming content. With a full HD 1080p resolution, it delivers clear and vibrant images, making it great for movies and shows. The built-in Fire TV experience is a significant plus, as it grants access to a vast library of streaming services, including popular ones like Netflix and Hulu. Additionally, the integration of Alexa through the voice remote is a convenient feature for those who prefer hands-free control, allowing for easy navigation and content search.

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,450
Resolution
Smart TV Features
Connectivity

Most important from
12735 reviews

Resolution
The picture quality is crisp and vibrant with stunning Full HD 1080p resolution, bringing movies, shows, and sports to life with rich, vivid colors.
Smart TV Features
The setup was incredibly easy, and the seamless integration with the Fire TV interface is fast, responsive, and user-friendly.
Connectivity
A great value for an amazing price with easy WIFI connection and overall intuitive setup.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is solid, but pairing it with a soundbar enhances the experience significantly.
#2
9.4 score

TCL 43-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV with Fire TV (43S551F, 2024 Model), Dolby Vision, HDR PRO+, Dolby Atmos, Alexa Built-in with Voice Remote, Apple AirPlay 2 Compatibility, Streaming Television

The TCL 43-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV (43S551F, 2024 Model) offers a lot of features that make it a strong contender in the 42-inch TV market. Its 4K UltraHD resolution ensures sharp and detailed images, four times clearer than standard 1080p Full HDTVs. The High Brightness LED Backlight and Enhanced Color technology provide vibrant and bright visuals, suitable for any room lighting.

Rating
9.4
Smart TV Features
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
Connectivity

Most important from
2280 reviews

Smart TV Features
The built-in Alexa voice remote is incredibly convenient for controlling the TV hands-free and works seamlessly with smart home devices.
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
The picture quality is stunning with Dolby Vision and HDR PRO+, bringing vibrant colors and deep contrast.
Connectivity
Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility is a nice bonus, making it easy to share content from phones or tablets.
Sound Quality
The sound quality is impressive with Dolby Atmos, delivering clear and immersive audio, especially during action scenes.
Viewing Angle
The color is fantastic, and the picture is great in terms of backlight, brightness, and sharpness.
#3
9.1 score

LG 42-Inch Class OLED evo C4 Series Smart TV 4K Processor Flat Screen with Magic Remote AI-Powered with Alexa Built-in (OLED42C4PUA, 2024)

The LG 42-Inch Class OLED evo C4 Series Smart TV stands out in the 42-inch TV category, primarily due to its impressive OLED technology that delivers rich, vibrant colors and deep contrasts thanks to self-lit pixels. With a 4K resolution and a refresh rate up to 144Hz, it offers smooth visuals ideal for both movie watching and gaming. This model is particularly appealing for gamers, featuring NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync Premium, which minimize lag and enhance gameplay, along with a dedicated Game Mode. The a9 AI Processor Gen7 optimizes picture quality automatically, ensuring you get the best experience no matter what content you’re watching.

Rating
9.1
Resolution
Refresh Rate
Smart TV Features

Most important from
960 reviews

Resolution
The picture quality is incredible, and the built-in AI optimizes settings automatically based on the content.
Refresh Rate
The TV features 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs at 144Hz, making it an excellent choice for PC gamers.
Smart TV Features
The WebOS operating system is extremely fast and efficient, making navigation smooth and enjoyable.
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
HDR highlights pop off the screen, and the contrast is perfect, enhancing the viewing experience.
Sound Quality
The onboard sound system is decent, but pairing the TV with a soundbar or surround system significantly enhances the audio experience.

Top 10 Best 42 Inch Tvs 2025 in the United States

Sony 42 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV A90K Series: BRAVIA XR OLED Smart Google TV with Dolby Vision HDR and Exclusive Features for The Playstation® 5 XR42A90K- Latest Model,Black

Resolution: 4K
Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
Smart TV Features: Google TV, Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max
HDR (High Dynamic Range): Auto HDR Tone Mapping
Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI
Sound Quality: Acoustic Surface Audio+, Dolby Atmos
Viewing Angle: Excellent viewing angles
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Buying Guide for the Best 42 Inch Tvs

Choosing the right 42-inch TV can significantly enhance your viewing experience. When selecting a TV, it's important to consider various specifications that can impact picture quality, sound, connectivity, and overall performance. Understanding these key specs will help you make an informed decision that best suits your needs and preferences.
ResolutionResolution refers to the number of pixels that make up the picture on the screen. Higher resolution means more pixels and a clearer, sharper image. Common resolutions include Full HD (1080p), 4K (2160p), and 8K. For a 42-inch TV, 4K resolution is often ideal as it provides excellent picture quality without being overly expensive. If you primarily watch standard definition content or sit far from the TV, Full HD might suffice. However, for future-proofing and the best visual experience, 4K is recommended.
Refresh RateThe refresh rate is the number of times the TV updates the image on the screen per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). Common refresh rates are 60Hz, 120Hz, and 240Hz. A higher refresh rate can result in smoother motion, which is particularly beneficial for watching sports, action movies, or playing video games. For most users, a 60Hz refresh rate is adequate, but if you are a gamer or enjoy fast-paced content, a 120Hz TV might be a better choice.
Smart TV FeaturesSmart TV features allow you to connect to the internet and access streaming services, apps, and other online content directly from your TV. This can include popular services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube. When choosing a 42-inch TV, consider the smart platform it uses (such as Android TV, Roku, or proprietary systems) and ensure it supports the apps and services you use most frequently. A user-friendly interface and regular software updates are also important for a smooth experience.
HDR (High Dynamic Range)HDR enhances the contrast and color range of the TV, providing a more realistic and vibrant picture. It allows for brighter whites, deeper blacks, and a wider range of colors. There are different HDR formats, such as HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG. For a 42-inch TV, having HDR support can significantly improve your viewing experience, especially for movies and high-quality streaming content. Look for TVs that support multiple HDR formats for the best compatibility.
ConnectivityConnectivity options determine how you can connect other devices to your TV, such as gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, soundbars, and streaming devices. Key ports to look for include HDMI, USB, and optical audio out. More HDMI ports allow you to connect multiple devices without constantly swapping cables. For a 42-inch TV, having at least three HDMI ports is ideal. Additionally, ensure the TV has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities for wireless connections.
Sound QualitySound quality is an important aspect of your TV experience. While many TVs have built-in speakers, they often lack the depth and clarity of external sound systems. Look for TVs with good built-in audio features, such as Dolby Audio or DTS, if you prefer not to use external speakers. However, for the best sound experience, consider pairing your TV with a soundbar or home theater system. Check if the TV has audio output options that are compatible with your preferred sound system.
Viewing AngleThe viewing angle refers to how well the picture quality is maintained when viewed from different angles. A wider viewing angle ensures that the picture remains clear and vibrant even when watching from the side. This is particularly important if you have a wide seating arrangement or often watch TV with a group. Look for TVs with IPS panels or technologies that enhance viewing angles to ensure everyone gets a good view.

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