A Quick Guide to Vizio’s Affordable 4K TVs

Vizio is one of the most popular manufacturers of 4K TVs in the US. It’s known for making 4K TVs that are both excellent and affordable — you can get a wonderful 4K TV that’s 65-inches or less for well under a $1,000.

We’re over halfway through 2020 and the new TVs that Vizio announced back in January at CES 2020 are (mostly) finally available. But which one is right for you? We’re here to break down the differences between the company’s entry-level, mid-range and premium lines 4K TVs so that you actually know what you’re paying extra for.

Also, Vizio just recently announced new soundbars and home theater systems that are specifically designed (and named) to be matched with a specific 4K TV line. So, if you want to buy a TV and and audio upgrade to match, you can do so in one fell swoop.

D-Series

Vizio

Sizes: 24″ – 70″

Vizio still sells its D-Series line, which used to be the most entry-level and affordable line of 4K TVs, but they aren’t making new models for 2020. The line is unique, however, because it has the smallest TV that Vizio makes, which is a 24-inch model. Each TV runs on Vizio SmartCast operating system (like all of Vizio’s other TVs) and supports with Chromecast and AirPlay 2. There are two main downsides to the D-Series. First, it does support HDR technologies, but only HDR10 and HLG and not Dolby Vision. And two, its max effective refresh rate is 60Hz, which is lower than Vizio’s other lines, meaning you’re going to experience more motion blur (not ideal) while gaming and watching fast-paced sporting events.

V-Series

Vizio

Sizes: 40″ – 75″

The “V” in V-Series stands for “value” and, as of 2020, it’s most entry-level and budget-friendly that the company makes. It supports all HDR technologies, including Dolby Vision, and has a max effective refresh rate of 60Hz. It also runs on a SmartCast operating system and supports Chromecast and AirPlay 2. In addition to being able to get a little brighter than the D-Series, each V-Series has a new local dimming feature, called Active Full Array, which helps improve contrast by creating darker blacks.

M-Series Quantum

Vizio

Sizes: 50″ – 70″

The M-Series is the company’s mid-range line and, for years, it’s been our go-to recommendation for people looking for a great 4K at a great price. It delivers a similar picture quality to Vizio’s higher-end P-Series. For example, the M-Series Quantum utilizes quantum dot technology, which helps brightness, contrast and color saturation, and it has the same ProGaming Engine (for an improved picture while gaming) as the P-Series. However, the M-Series still only has a refresh rate 60Hz, so it’s not the best for gaming. It also has a mostly plastic frame, instead of nicer metal frame on the P-Series.

Note: There are actually two different M-Series Quantum, the Q8 and Q7, to choose from. The Q8 is the nicer model, with 800 nits of peak brightness (versus the Q7’s 600 nits) and 90 local dimming zones (versus the Q7’s 30 local dimming zones). Each Q8 model is about $50 more expensive and it’s also an Amazon exclusive.

P-Series Quantum

Vizio

Sizes: 65″ – 75″

As you go up in from the M-Series, the main differences between the different TVs are going to come down to their peak brightness and the number of local dimming zones in its backlight. The P-Series Quantum has a peak brightness of 1,200 nits and 240 local dimming zones, both of which are marked improvements over the M-Series Quantum. Each P-Series Quantum TV also has an anti-reflective screen to better reduce glare.

P-Series Quantum X

Vizio

Sizes: 65″ – 85″

The P-Series Quantum X is the best 4K TV that Vizio currently makes, but it will likely only hold that title until the company releases its first-ever line OLED TVs later this fall. It gets way brighter than the P-Series Quantum, with a peak brightness of 3,000 nits versus 1,200 nits. It also has way double the amount of local dimming zones, 480 versus 240, to deliver better contrast and black levels. The other difference is that P-Series Quantum X can be purchased in an 85-inch model.

OLED

Vizio

Sizes: 55″ – 65″

Vizio will be releasing its first-ever OLED TVs this fall and the great news is that they’re primed to be some of the most affordable OLED TVs you can buy. OLED TVs are able to control each individual pixel, unlike LCD TVs that have an LED backlit panel and can only control clusters of pixels, and are able to deliver a more beautiful picture with far superior contrast. The “OLED” series will available in two sizes, 55″ and 65,” and they’ll have a frame with minimal bezels. The 55″ model is expected to cost $1,300, while the 65″ model is expected to cost $2,000.

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