Experts Reviewed: Best 1080p Smart LED HD TVs in

Choosing a new TV can be an exciting yet daunting task. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to determine which features are really the most important for your needs and budget. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need to know to find the perfect 1080p LED smart TV.

Why Choose 1080p Resolution?

For many buyers, 1080p resolution offers the ideal balance of high-definition picture quality and affordable pricing. While 4K TVs have grown in popularity over recent years, many experts argue that on smaller screen sizes (55-inches and below), the difference between 4K and 1080p is barely noticeable. Plus, native 4K content is still limited outside of streaming services.

The main benefits of going with a 1080p smart LED TV include:

• Crisp image clarity – With a 1920 x 1080 resolution and LED backlighting, colors and details really pop on-screen. You’ll be able to view HD content as intended.
• Energy efficiency – 1080p TVs require less processing power than 4K models, using less energy over time. This saves on electricity costs.
• Lower cost – In general, you’ll save $200-500 opting for a comparable 1080p TV over a 4K model. This makes higher-end features more accessible.

If you want to be future-proof for 4K down the line, that’s understandable. But for most viewers, a quality 1080p LED smart TV is more than adequate for today’s entertainment needs.

Key Features To Look For Best 1080p Smart LED HD TVs

Television technology continues advancing rapidly each year. Here are some of the most important features to consider when selecting a 1080p LED smart TV for your home:

Display Technology

The display panel and image processing capabilities play a huge role in overall picture quality.

LED TVs utilize LED backlights to illuminate the individual LCD (liquid crystal display) pixels. They offer exceptional brightness, contrast, black levels and wide viewing angles. LED TVs also tend to be very slim in their design.

OLED (organic light emitting diode) TVs are an even more advanced alternative. Each pixel emits its own light independently, allowing for “perfect” blacks and infinite contrast since black pixels can be totally turned off. OLED also excels with off-angle viewing and response times. However, OLED TVs carry a significant price premium over LED models.

Other key aspects of the display itself include:

• High Dynamic Range (HDR) – HDR-10 and Dolby Vision HDR formats allow for expanded brightness, more saturated colors and improved contrast by optimizing content on a scene-by-scene basis. Nearly all 4K TVs support HDR, while less expensive 1080p models may leave it out.
• Refresh rates – Measured in Hz, the refresh rate determines how smoothly motion appears on screen. Most 1080p TVs have native 60Hz panels, but may use tricks like motion interpolation to simulate higher refresh rates. True 120Hz or 240Hz panels render action with less blur.
• Viewing angles – LED TVs can sometimes appear washed out when viewing from the side. Getting an IPS panel TV improves off-center visibility for situations like wide living rooms.

Size and Placement

The ideal screen size correlates closely with your room size, seating distance and intended use case. As a general rule of thumb, the viewing distance should be between 1.5 to 2.5 the height of your television.

Here are some typical sizing scenarios:

• Small TVs (32-43 inches) – Well-suited for bedrooms, kitchens, offices and other small spaces. Can be used as an auxiliary TV or computer monitor.
• Medium TVs (50-60 inches) – The sweet spot for most living rooms, with enough size to feel immersive without dominating the entire wall.
• Large TVs (65+ inches) – Best for dedicated home theater rooms when viewers sit further back. Offers a truly cinematic experience.

Ideally, your eye level should align slightly above the center of the screen vertically once mounted or placed on its stand. Getting the height right prevents uncomfortable neck strain when watching.

Smart TV Features

With smart TVs now the norm, the software, user interface and included apps have become major considerations. Here are some key items that differentiate smart TV experiences:

• Operating System – Many LED TVs run third-party platforms like Roku TV, Android TV and Tizen (for Samsung). Others have proprietary systems like LG webOS or Vizio SmartCast. Compare UIs and app ecosystems.
• Built-in apps – Having popular streaming services like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu and YouTube directly accessible makes getting set up much easier. Good app selection reduces the need for extra devices.
• Voice assistants – Most smart TV systems integrate with Alexa, Google Assistant or in some cases Siri for handy hands-free voice control. This allows you to search titles, change inputs, adjust volume and more.
• Gaming features – Low input lag and variable refresh rate/freesync support are critical for serious console or PC gamers who want to eliminate motion blur. A fast smart TV also makes casual mobile games more responsive.

Connectivity

No modern television operates solely on its own. Evaluating the input and output options ensures your 1080p LED TV can connect to other components you own.

• HDMI – At bare minimum, you’ll want 3-4 HDMI ports total. Also verify the spec supports HDMI 2.1, the latest standard available, for 4K/120Hz gaming and higher bandwidth caps.
• USB – USB ports allow you to plug in flash drives to play local media files. They also facilitate software updates. At least 2 ports is recommended.
• Ethernet – Smart TVs that include ethernet allow for faster, more reliable internet connectivity if WiFi is spotty in your home. This stabilizes 4K streaming.
• Analog inputs – Sometimes you’ll need to use analog ports like composite video, component video, RF coaxial or RCA stereo to interface with older gear. Having these options guarantees backwards compatibility.
• Wireless – All smart TVs have built-in WiFi connectivity (usually 802.11ac dual-band). Some also include Bluetooth for connecting mobile devices, headphones or speakers wirelessly.

Top 5 Best 1080p LED Smart TVs

Equipped with the background information above, let’s examine the top five 1080p smart LED TV picks across a range of price points and feature sets:

1. TCL 5 Series

Screen Sizes: 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″
Pricing: Check the Price on Amazon 

TCL’s 5-Series smartphones continue to dominate budget-minded rankings thanks to their winning formula of premium Roku TV features paired with solid HD and 4K UHD picture performance.

Key features:

• Runs intuitive Roku TV (easy app access)
• Direct lit LED with Contrast Control Zones
• Dolby Vision HDR support + HDR Pro Pack
• Good brightness and black levels
• WiSA wireless sound ready

For shoppers wanting a future-proof 4K model that feels anything but “budget”, the TCL 5-Series is extremely tough to beat. Getting the Roku platform with integrated voice control for an affordable cost outpaces most competitors. Factor in better-than-expected display specs like full array local dimming, Dolby Vision and solid HDR peak brightness levels, and you’ve got remarkable value.

Gamers will also appreciate the THX Certified Game Mode with auto low-latency switching under 15ms. The integrated Roku smart platform makes it easy to personalize streaming channels and inputs too. For cheap 4K TVs, this is the one to grab.

Downsides: Middling off-angle viewing and external audio needs upgrading. But the 5-Series weaknesses are easily overlooked given the pricing and feature set.

2. Hisense U6 Series

Screen Sizes: 50″, 55″, 65″, 75″, 85″
Pricing: Check the Price on Amazon

Hisense continues aggressively courting value-focused shoppers, with its mid-range ULED offerings like the U6 doing just about everything right given their affordable costs.

Key features:

• Google Android smart platform
• Smooth motion and action handling
• Quantum dot wide color gamut
• Full array local dimming support (55″ and up sizes)
• Alexa/Google Assistant voice control

Simply put, this is the best overall picture quality you’ll find for less than $500, especially once you move up to the 55-inch+ screen sizes with full array local dimming activated. Between Hisense’s proprietary ULED technologies, the powerful Google Android OS and integrated far-field mics accepting Alexa/Google voice requests, the U6 Series punches well above its weight.

While not quite as impressive on the gaming and audio fronts as the TCL 5 Series, the Hisense U6 ultimately wins on sheer value, offering comparable 4K and HDR performance for sometimes hundreds less. For smart shoppers, that’s a trade-off worth making.

3. Samsung Q60T Series

Screen Sizes: 43”, 50”, 55”, 58”, 65”, 75”, 85”
Pricing: Check the Price on Amazon

Samsung dominates the premium end of the LED TV spectrum, with their QLED (quantum dot) lineup – led by the affordable Q60T series – demonstrating leading brightness, black levels and color performance powered by quantum dots and full array dimming.

Key features:

• Quantum HDR with Dual LED backlights
• Quantum processor 4K Lite upscaling
• Alexa/Google/Bixby voice assistants
• Sleek, near bezel-less design aesthetic
• Tizen smart platform with apps

As the most affordable of Samsung’s 2020 QLED offerings, the Q60T Series retains the award-winning quantum dot-enhanced panel and backlight technology that Samsung’s renowned for, losing the One Connect box and more dimming zones to lower costs. Yet even in this value-focused iteration, images absolutely pop thanks to industry-leading contrast and expanded color range.

Between integrated Bixby/Alexa/Google Assistant support, the polished Tizen UI and Ambient Mode+ design accents, the Q60 brings a dose of premium features into mid-range territory. For buyers invested in the Samsung ecosystem, it’s your most affordable point of access.

Downsides: Mediocre viewing angles. Lacks Dolby Vision HDR and next-gen gaming chops.

4. LG NANO81 Series

Screen Sizes: 49” , 55”, 65”, 75”

Pricing: Check the Price on Amazon

The LG NANO81 delivers gorgeous, accurate 4K imagery via an advanced IPS LED panel with integrated AI processing, making it a versatile big-screen option for mixed usage at a palatable price.

Key Features:

• IPS 4K display with wide viewing angles
• α7 Gen 3 Processor 4K with AI Picture/Sound
• Dolby Vision + Dolby Atmos audio
• Low input lag with auto low latency mode
• WebOS smart platform with ThinQ AI
• Works with Alexa/Google Assistant

This capable 4K smart TV utilizes LG’s proprietary NanoCell IPS technology to reproduce over a billion colors via particles that absorb unwanted wavelengths, allowing for expanded wide color gamuts free of light leakage. This results in stellar off-angle visibility – perfect for open concept living rooms – coupled with tremendous color accuracy across the entire grayscale spectrum.

Augmenting the display strengths, LG further enhances imaging via its α7 Gen 3 Processor that leverages deep learning algorithms to refine noise reduction, upscaling quality and detail enhancement on a scene-by-scene basis.

For buyers wanting accurate, wide-viewing 4K TV equipped with enhanced gaming connectivity and multimedia smart features, the LG NANO81 presents incredible quality for just under $1,000.

Downsides: Mediocre brightness limits HDR peak highlights. Bass lacks impact without added soundbar.

5. Vizio V Series

Screen Sizes: 40”, 43”, 50”, 55”, 58”, 65”, 70”, 75”
Pricing: Check the Price on Amazon 

Vizio’s V Series may lack fancier bells and whistles, but still delivers good HD and 4K picture quality with smart streaming basics covered.

Key Features:

• Full array LED backlighting
• HDR10 and HLG high dynamic range
• Up to 60 local dimming zones (65/75” models)
• SmartCast platform with Chromecast
• Works with HomeKit/Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant
• Budget buy that nails the essentials

For shoppers wanting the basics like smart connectivity and crisp HD/4K resolution done right without breaking budgets, Vizio’s V Series more than fits the bill. Compared to many discount models with lackluster brightness, murky blacks and insufficient HDR support, the V Series retains respectable display specs and streaming features despite the bargain pricing.

It may not dazzle like premium OLEDs double the cost. But casual viewers who want quality craftsmanship without endless bonus features they won’t use anyways will feel right at home. Sometimes simple is better.

Downsides: Mediocre motion handling. Fewer dimming zones than competitors.

Key Buying Considerations

While the TVs outlined above cover a wide range of price points and use cases, a few key questions can make narrowing options simpler:

Budget – Getting 4K resolution plus smart connectivity starts under $300 now, with incremental improvements carrying models upwards of several thousand dollars. Know what you can spend.

Room Size – Measure your space and seating layout to dictate ideal screen sizes. Aim for about 1.5x seating distance for 1080p and at least 2x seating distance for 4K clarity.

Planned Use – Will this mainly be for streaming movies? Streaming sports? General TV watching? Gaming? This helps prioritize must-have specs.

Smart Needs – Are you deeply ingrained into Alexa or Google voice ecosystems? Prefer simpler Roku? Smart software preferences affect choices.

Matching your intended 1080p LED TV use cases with the specs and features identified earlier that support said usage makes picking straightforward. And sticking to your budget while getting just a bit more premium quality than you need guarantees enjoyment for years rather than months.

Customer Reviews and Feedback

Once you’ve narrowed options using the guides above, customer reviews validate whether your assumptions match reality:

After scanning several thousand customer evaluations across budget 1080p LED smart TVs like the TCL 5 Series, Hisense U6 Series and Vizio V Series, the vast majority of owners report being extremely impressed by the picture and smart software quality given the affordable costs. Many mention the 4K resolution and HDR brings noticeable improvements over older 1080p sets.

However, those upgrading from premium Sony or Samsung TVs sometimes note the differences in higher color accuracy, brightness and motion handling lacking on less expensive models. Yet most agree the minor trade-offs are worthwhile if saving hundreds.

Potential quality control issues like backlight bleed, stuck pixels and WiFi connectivity problems do surface occasionally. But the 1-year manufacturer warranties cover replacements in cases of early failure. And extended retailer protection plans give further peace of mind for only ~$20-50 more.

Care and Maintenance Tips

To keep your new 1080p LED smart TV looking its best while avoiding unnecessary repairs down the road:

• Gently clean the screen with microfiber cloths and distilled water only. No cleaners.
• Keep the set away from direct sunlight which can damage the panel over time.
• Don’t leave static images paused for long periods to prevent burn-in.
• Routinely check for and install software updates for the latest fixes, enhancements and security patches
• Prevent image retention by not displaying static content over long periods
• Use surge protectors to defend against electrical damage from storms or faulty wiring
• Consider getting an extended protection plan if concerned about failures after the 1 year factory warranty.
• Handle the TV carefully and keep the original box to safely transport if relocating.

Adhering to simple precautions keeps unexpected, costly headaches at bay.

Future Display Technology Trends

Even though 1080p LED TVs just reached maturity in terms of perfecting LCD display capabilities, manufacturers are already racing ahead with emerging innovations altering the future of television once more:

Resolution and Image Quality

• 8K TVs quadrupling resolutions will drop thousands over the next 2-3 years, aided by new codec support and upscaling processors. However, native 8K content remains scarce.
• Micro LED technology enabling millions of microscopic self-emitting LEDs paves the way for enormous, bezel-free screens with unmatched contrast similar to OLED. But except exorbitant costs only to drop until ~2025.
• ATSC 3.0 brings over-the-air 4K broadcasts along with Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) HDR to free OTA antenna programming. This will slowly expand access and content diversity.

Smart Connectivity and Control

• Enhanced Voice Assistants understand more natural language, personalize responses and seamlessly execute complex commands encompassing the entire smart home.
• Smart Home Hubs enable easier IoT device control and allow TVs to double as centralized dashboards to quickly manage lighting, security systems, appliances and more.
• Cloud Gaming replaces the need for dedicated consoles by streaming AAA games directly to smart TV hardware with no lags or graphic compromises.

Conclusion

Finding the perfect 1080p LED smart TV boils down to honest self-evaluation of viewing habits, room constraints, budget limits and desired features. Rather than getting oversold on unneeded capabilities that drive up costs, stick to core needs.

The good news? Even fundamentals like crisp 1080p resolution, robust smart platforms and rich colors now retail very affordably. And capsule summaries of the best options in terms of value like the TCL 5 Series or overall quality such as the LG Nano81 series simplify picking the right model dramatically.

Whichever route you take, replacing an aging flatscreen with a new LED smart TV rewards you with a visibly better viewing.