Sony is known for their high-quality OLED TVs, which feature excellent picture and audio quality as well as high refresh rates for smoother motion while watching sports and fast-paced TV and movie scenes or console gaming. The latest Sony TVs also have exclusive VRR support for gaming on the PlayStation 5 to prevent screen tearing and stuttering that can ruin your immersion.
While Sony TVs can get expensive, especially at larger screen sizes, there are more affordable options that still offer premium-grade features like Acoustic Surface Audio+, which turns the whole screen into a speaker for better syncing and object-tracking sound. With a variety of screen sizes available, from 43 inches to an impressive 98 inches, you’ll be able to find a fit for just about any space.
What is the best Sony TV right now?
I chose the Bravia 8 II as the best Sony TV you can buy, with its updated QD-OLED panel, Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology for better audio and video syncing and object-tracking sound, and AI-assisted audio and picture processing. If the price is a bit steep, the Bravia 3 retails for under $2,000, even at its largest screen size of 75 inches. Keep reading below to find out more about the Bravia 8 II, Bravia 3, and my other picks for the best Sony TVs.
Also: Best TVs under $1,000
The best Sony TVs of 2025
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The Bravia 8 II is Sony’s latest iteration of their premium-grade OLED TV, sporting an updated QD-OLED panel and a host of other upgrades like AI-assisted audio and picture processing.
Why we like it: The updated QD-OLED panel gives you a brighter picture with bolder, more lifelike colors. With dedicated, studio-calibrated picture modes for streaming movies and shows, you’ll get more details and sharper contrast. It also features exclusive VRR support and automatic HDR tone mapping for gaming on the PS5.
Who is it for: The Bravia 8 II is a premium grade OLED TV with a price point to match, but if you’re looking to invest in a long-lasting TV, it’s worth the cost. Especially if you prioritize picture and audio quality when choosing a new screen for your home theater.
Who should look elsewhere: Since the Bravia 8 II is a more expensive TV, you’ll want to check out Sony’s mid-range and budget friendly options if you’re looking to stay under a certain dollar amount.
Sony Bravia 8 II tech specs – Screen size: 65 inches | Panel type: QD-OLED | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos, Acoustic Surface Audio+ | Voice controls: Google Assistant, Alexa
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While the Sony A95L is from the 2024 lineup, it still offers excellent, signature OLED picture quality as well as high-quality, object-tracking sound with Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology.
Why we like it: The Sony A95L has a 120Hz refresh rate, QD-OLED panel for enhanced contrast and color accuracy, and support for Dolby Vision HDR. You’ll also get exclusive VRR support for gaming on the PS5, preventing annoying screen tearing and stuttering. With four HDMI ports as well as component and composite connectivity, it’s the perfect TV for setting up multiple game consoles, even retro.
Who is it for: Whether you game on the PlayStation 5, Switch, or Xbox Series X|S, you’ll be able to take full advantage of the A95L’s fast refresh rate, OLED picture quality, and Dolby Vision HDR while playing your favorite titles.
Who should look elsewhere: Even though the A95L is a slightly older OLED TV, it can still get quite pricey. If you’re looking for a second screen to dedicate to console and PC gaming, there are other, much more affordable options.
Sony A95L OLED tech specs – Screen size: 55 to 77 inches | Panel type: QD-OLED | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos, Acoustic Surface Audio+ | Voice controls: Google Assistant, Alexa
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Sony is known for their high-quality, and often high-price TVs, but the Bravia 3 is a much more budget-friendly option that still offers premium-grade features.
Why we like it: The Sony Bravia 3 is available in screen sizes from 43 to 85 inches, with prices well below $1,500 and even $1,000, depending on the model. Just because they’re more affordable, that doesn’t mean the Bravia 3 skimps out on features. You’ll still get excellent picture and audio quality with support for both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, as well as Bluetooth connectivity and AirPlay 2 support.
Who is it for: Whether you’re looking for an affordable upgrade for your main TV or an inexpensive second screen for your office or bedroom, the Bravia 3 is a solid choice for streaming and gaming.
Who should look elsewhere: The Bravia 3 has only a 60Hz refresh rate, which is perfectly fine for most people, but if you’re a fan of live sports or want a dedicated gaming TV, you may want to check out a Sony option with a 120Hz refresh rate.
Sony Bravia 3 tech specs – Screen size: 43 to 85 inches | Panel type: LED | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Voice controls: Google Assistant, Alexa
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The Sony Bravia 5 is now available in screen sizes up to 98 inches, making it a perfect choice for upgrading your home theater with a truly cinema-sized screen.
Why we like it: The previous iteration of the Bravia 5 had a size cap of 85 inches, but the 2025 release added a 98-inch option for buyers looking to create a truly cinematic experience in the comfort of their own home. Along with the super-sized screen, the new release is packed with refreshed features like an IMAX Enhanced picture mode, support for both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and support for both AirPlay 2 and Google Cast for screen sharing media from your Android and iOS devices.
Who is it for: With both 85- and 98-inch screen size options, the Bravia 5 is a solid option for creating a movie theater in your own home. The updated Mini LED panel supports automatic HDR tone mapping for console and PC gaming, a 120Hz refresh rate, and enhanced picture and audio processing.
Who should look elsewhere: Since the Bravia 5 is favored for its larger screen sizes, if you don’t have the space to accommodate an 85- or 98-inch display, you’ll want to either opt for a smaller Sony option.
Sony Bravia 5 tech specs – Screen size: 55 to 98 inches | Panel type: Mini LED | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos, Acoustic Multi-Audio+ | Voice controls: Google Assistant, Alexa
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What are the tariffs in the U.S.?
The recent U.S. tariffs on imports from countries like China, Vietnam, and India aim to boost domestic manufacturing but are likely to drive up prices on consumer electronics. Products like smartphones, laptops, and TVs may become more expensive as companies rethink global supply chains and weigh the cost of shifting production.
CNET: Tariff Pricing Tracker: We’re Watching 11 Products You Might Need to Buy
Televisions, many of which are manufactured in these nations, may experience price increases of up to 20%, making them less affordable for consumers. Manufacturers contemplate relocating assembly operations to countries with tariff exemptions, but such moves involve logistical challenges and substantial costs. Companies like Samsung, which produces a significant portion of their TVs in Mexico, anticipate being less affected than competitors relying heavily on Chinese manufacturing.
Overall, consumers should brace for higher prices and potential shifts in product availability within the home entertainment market.
Right now, it looks like some tech may be exempt from the issued tariffs, but since it’s always changing and developing, we are keeping an eye on it and will update you on the latest.
Also: Tariff exemptions for electronics offer a break for tech – but not for long
Latest news on Sony TVs
Sony has refreshed their TV lineup for 2025, introducing updated versions of the Bravia line with AI-assisted picture and audio processing, dedicated studio calibrated picture modes, and brighter OLED panels.
I chose the Sony Bravia 8 II as the best Sony branded TV you can buy for it’s updated OLED panel, dedicated studio-calibrated picture modes for movies and shows, and exclusive VRR and automatic HDR tone mapping for gaming on the PS5. It also supports both Dolby Vision HDR for enhanced contrast and Dolby Vision for virtual surround sound. The Bravia 8 II uses Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology to turn the whole screen into a speaker for near perfect video and audio syncing and object-tracking sound.
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Best Sony TV |
Price |
HDR/Audio |
Screen size |
|
Sony Bravia 8 II |
$4,000 |
Dolby Vision, Dolby Audio, Acoustic Surface Audio+ |
65 inches |
|
Sony A95L |
$3,300 |
Dolby Vision, Acoustic Surface Audio+ |
55 to 77 inches |
|
Sony Bravia 3 |
$700 |
Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos |
43 to 85 inches |
|
Sony Bravia 5 |
$1,700 |
Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Acoustic Multi-Audio+ |
Up to 98 inches |
Once you’ve nailed down a budget for your new Sony TV, you should make a list of features you want to prioritize. If you want the best picture possible for watching movies and TV shows, you’ll want to get an OLED model for its excellent color volume, contrast, and detailing.
If sound quality is your top priority, you’ll want a model with either Acoustic Multi Audio or Acoustic Surface Audio for object tracking sound or near-perfect video and audio syncing, respectively.
|
Buy this best Sony TV… |
If you need… |
|
Sony Bravia 8 II |
A high-quality Sony OLED TV with top-notch picture and audio quality, exclusive VRR support for PS5, and an enhanced OLED panel. |
|
Sony A95L |
A premium grade Sony TV to use as a dedicated gaming screen with exclusive VRR support, a 120Hz refresh rate, and automatic HDR tone mapping. |
|
Sony Bravia 3 |
A good quality but still affordable Sony TV available in a wide range of screen sizes. |
|
Sony Bravia 5 |
A big screen Sony TV that’s available with up to a 98-inch display. |
- Price: While Sony is best known for their high-end OLED models, they also offer several quality mid-range and budget-friendly lines. I have featured Sony televisions at multiple price points to fit a variety of budgets.
- Picture and sound quality: Whether you opt for a standard LED or premium OLED model from Sony, you still want it to look and sound great. Each TV on this list has been vetted and ensured that it supports at least HDR10+ and Dolby Digital audio codecs, though many feature more premium features.
- Connectivity: A TV isn’t just for watching movies and shows anymore. They’re also used to stream music, create photo slideshows, and for gaming. Many buyers have also come to expect Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity as standard in all new TVs from Sony and other brands. Each TV on this list has been ensured to have wireless connectivity as well as support for popular streaming apps and HDMI ports for physical connections to playback devices.
While testing and researching each TV featured on this list, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:
- Brand integrity: While it’s tempting to snap up that ultra-cheap TV from a smaller or unknown brand in order to save money, you may end up paying more in the long run. You could run into customer service issues when trying to make a return or troubleshoot an issue. Each TV on this list was chosen from a trusted brand with verified customer service options.
- Smart features: Customers have come to expect smart features like streaming apps and virtual assistants as-standard in their TVs. Each model on this list was chosen because it offers a host of features like preinstalled streaming apps, virtual assistant support, and Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Reasons to upgrade: Brands may release model updates almost yearly, but they don’t always give you a real reason to upgrade. Each TV we chose offers upgraded panels, brighter pictures, and in some cases better online security.
Bravia started out as a brand of Sony televisions, but it has since become a subsidiary wholly dedicated to producing high-quality televisions. It’s an acronym that stands for Best Resolution Audio Visual Integrated Architecture. All OLED, mini LED, and full-array LED Sony TVs are made under the Bravia moniker.
With the nature of smart TVs, there are some pretty hard limits on how long your new Sony TV will last. The good news? You can expect to get at least five years of use before starting to think about an upgrade.
You can also expect your Sony TV to have run its course around the 10-year mark since it’s highly unlikely to keep receiving firmware updates to run streaming apps or connect to the internet.
To find the ideal TV size for your space, you need to measure in inches the distance between your couch and where your TV will be wall mounted or placed on a stand. Then you’ll divide that number in half.
If your couch is 120 inches, or 10 feet, from where your TV will be, the best screen size will be 60 inches. You can always go a bit smaller or larger depending on your budget and what is available from manufacturers, but a screen that is too large may overwhelm your space and can even cause motion sickness. Conversely, a screen that is too small will make your room feel like a cavern and force everyone to crowd around in order to see properly.
Latest updates
- ZDNET was able to view the latest lineup of Sony TVs, assessing and photographing the Bravia 8 II and other refreshed models ahead of proper testing at the ZDNET lab.
More Sony TVs to consider
TV Models Reviewed and Compared
