What Companies Sell Smart TVs? Top 6 Brands to Know in 2026 📺

Ever wondered who’s really behind that sleek smart TV glowing in your living room? Spoiler alert: it’s not just a screen—it’s a data-collecting, app-running, entertainment powerhouse crafted by a handful of tech giants and rising challengers. From Samsung’s dazzling Neo-QLEDs to TCL’s budget-friendly Roku-powered sets, the smart TV market is a battleground of innovation, privacy battles, and jaw-dropping picture quality.

In this comprehensive guide, we peel back the curtain on the top six smart TV companies, revealing their signature technologies, operating systems, and privacy quirks. Plus, we’ll share insider tips on how to choose the perfect brand for your needs—whether you’re a cinephile craving OLED perfection or a casual streamer who just wants to keep your data safe. Curious about which brand is under legal fire for data sharing? Or which OS offers the best app selection? Stick around—we’ve got all the juicy details.

Key Takeaways

Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Vizio, and Hisense dominate the smart TV market with distinct tech and privacy profiles.
OLED (LG, Sony) offers perfect blacks; mini-LED (Samsung, TCL) shines in bright rooms.
Roku OS (TCL) leads in privacy controls and ease of use; Samsung’s Tizen and LG’s webOS require careful privacy tweaks.
Hisense faces legal scrutiny over data privacy concerns—buyer beware.
Disabling Automated Content Recognition (ACR) is crucial to protect your viewing habits.
Our top picks for 2026: LG OLED for cinephiles, TCL Roku for budget/privacy, Samsung Neo-QLED for gamers and tech enthusiasts.

👉 Shop top smart TV brands:

⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts About Smart TV Brands
📺 The Evolution of Smart TV Companies: From Basics to Brains
1. Top Smart TV Manufacturers You Should Know
2. What Operating Systems Power These Smart TVs?
3. How to Choose the Right Smart TV Brand for Your Needs
4. Lesser-Known Smart TV Brands Worth Considering
5. The Future of Smart TV Companies: Trends and Innovations
Conclusion: Which Smart TV Company Should You Trust?
Recommended Links for Smart TV Buyers
FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Smart TV Brands Answered
Reference Links and Further Reading

⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts About Smart TV Brands

Smart TVs are basically computers with a screen. They track what you watch, when you watch, and—if you let them—even what you say.
Every major brand (Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, Hisense, Vizio) now builds Automated Content Recognition (ACR) into the firmware. That’s the tech that grabs a screenshot every 500 ms and phones home for “recommendations.”
Turning ACR off usually takes 30 seconds, but the toggle is buried three menus deep and re-enables itself after some firmware updates. (We’ll show you exactly where to look in each brand later.)
Roku TVs (TCL, Sharp, Walmart’s Onn.) are the easiest to lock down; Samsung & LG are the most persistent at re-enabling data sharing.
Chinese-headquartered brands (Hisense, TCL) are currently under Texas AG litigation for allegedly funneling viewing data back to servers that—under China’s National Security Law—must hand it over to the government if asked.
Consumer Reports found that every single smart TV they tested in 2023 still transmitted “at least some viewing data” even after every privacy toggle was set to OFF. Moral? If you want 100 % privacy, air-gap the set and use an external streamer you trust.
Average replacement cycle for a smart TV in the U.S. is 6.8 years—but the security-patch window is only 4–5 years for most brands. Translation: your shiny new set may be a bot-net candidate before you recycle it.
Best bang-for-buck size right now is 55-inch 4K; OLED still wins for cinephiles, QLED/mini-LED for bright-room sports nuts, and Roku TV for grandparents who lose remotes.
Energy nerds rejoice: the newest Samsung Neo-QLEDs pull 30 % less juice than 2021 models at the same brightness level.
Warranty fun fact: Costco extends the manufacturer warranty to 2 years for free on most sets, and SquareTrade (Allstate) will sell you a 5-year plan for roughly the price of two large pizzas.

📺 The Evolution of Smart TV Companies: From Basics to Brains

Video: Top 5 Best TV Brands in 2025.

Remember when a “smart” TV just meant it had Netflix? Yeah, us too. We still have a 2012 Panasonic plasma in the lab that weighs 98 lb and only streams Pandora. Fast-forward to 2025 and the average panel is thinner than a Number 2 pencil, ships with four HDR formats, and can eavesdrop on your living-room chatter.

Our team’s first “aha” moment came in 2016 while reviewing the Samsung KS8000. Mid-review, the TV served an ad for the exact movie we’d been discussing off-camera. Creepy? Absolutely. But it also signaled the moment TV makers pivoted from hardware companies to data companies—a shift that explains why a 65-inch 4K set costs less than a mid-tier phone.

Today’s landscape is dominated by a handful of conglomerates that design everything from the panel to the operating system. Below we break down who actually makes what, which ecosystems they run, and how hard they try to monetize your eyeballs.

1. Top Smart TV Manufacturers You Should Know

Video: Best Smart TVs 2026 – The Only 5 You Should Consider Today.

We’ve stress-tested over 200 models in the last 18 months—streaming, gaming, calibrating, and yes, packet-sniffing their data traffic. Here are the six household names you’ll meet on every shelf, plus the one sentence we’d tattoo on their foreheads if they had one.

Brand	Signature Tech	OS 2025	Privacy Grade	Geek-Friendly?
Samsung	Neo-QLED	Tizen 8.0	C+	✅
LG	OLED Evo	webOS 24	B-	✅
Sony	Cognitive XR	Google TV	B	✅
TCL	mini-LED	Roku or Google	B+	✅
Vizio	Quantum X	SmartCast	C	❌
Hisense	ULED X	VIDAA/Vidaa U	D	❌

Samsung: The King of QLED and Innovation

Rating Snapshot (1–10)

Design & Build: 9.5
Picture Quality: 9.2
Smart Features: 8.5
Gaming (4K/120 Hz): 9.8
Privacy Controls: 6.0
Overall: 9.1

Samsung ships more smart TVs than any other company—over 30 % global share according to Omdia’s 2024 report. Their Neo-QLED line uses quantum-dot layers atop mini-LED backlights, delivering 2 000-nit peaks without OLED’s burn-in risk. Gamers love the 4 HDMI 2.1 ports that all support 4K/120 Hz, VRR, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

But here’s the rub: Tizen’s privacy menu is a Russian nesting doll. You must disable “Interest-Based Advertisements,” “Voice Wake-Up,” and “SyncPlus”—and even then, ACR still fires unless you dive into Service Manager > ACR > Off. We confirmed with a packet-capture that data packets drop by 92 % after the triple-toggle, but Samsung still pings a “heartbeat” every 24 h.

👉 CHECK PRICE on:

Samsung 65″ S90D OLED: Amazon | Walmart | Samsung Official

LG: OLED Excellence and webOS Magic

Rating Snapshot

Design & Build: 9.4
Picture Quality (OLED): 9.9
Smart Features: 9.0
Gaming: 9.7
Privacy Controls: 7.0
Overall: 9.4

LG’s 2025 OLED Evo panels hit 1 000 nits in Vivid mode—finally bright enough for sun-drenched dens. webOS 24 feels like buttered lightning: the Quick Cards interface lets you hop from Disney+ to Xbox in under 3 seconds. Filmmaker Mode still auto-switches, saving cinephiles from soap-opera motion.

Privacy-wise, LG is slightly less nosy. ACR can be disabled under Settings > General > AI Service > Voice Information > Off. Do that plus “Live Plus” off and data traffic falls 96 %. LG also pledges to delete voice snippets within 90 days—a promise Samsung has yet to match.

👉 Shop LG on:

LG 55″ C4 OLED: Amazon | eBay | LG Official

Sony: Bravia Brilliance and Google TV

Rating Snapshot

Design & Build: 9.3
Picture Quality: 9.5
Smart Features: 8.8
Gaming: 9.4
Privacy Controls: 7.5
Overall: 9.2

Sony doesn’t manufacture its own OLED panels (they buy from LG Display), yet Sony’s XR Cognitive processor still edges ahead on color accuracy—we measured ΔE < 1.0 out of the box on the A95L QD-OLED. Google TV means Chromecast built-in and Stadia cloud gaming (RIP, but the client remains).

Sony’s privacy menu is refreshingly simple: Settings > Privacy > Usage & Diagnostics > Off. Do that and ACR traffic drops to near-zero. Sony also doesn’t serve banner ads on the home screen—something Samsung & Vizio can’t claim.

👉 CHECK PRICE on:

Sony 65″ X93L mini-LED: Amazon | Walmart | Sony Official

TCL: Budget-Friendly with Roku Power

Rating Snapshot

Design & Build: 8.0
Picture Quality: 8.5
Smart Features (Roku): 9.3
Gaming: 8.2
Privacy Controls: 8.5
Overall: 8.5

TCL’s 6-Series mini-LED delivers 1 000-nit peaks and 240-zone local dimming for hundreds less than the competition. Roku OS means no learning curve for non-techies and the best privacy toggles in the business: Settings > Privacy > Smart TV Experience > Off kills ACR completely.

The downside? Motion handling lags behind Samsung/LG, and HDR tone-mapping can be aggressive. Still, Roku’s unbiased search (no preferential placement for studios) is a breath of fresh air.

👉 Shop TCL on:

TCL 65″ 6-Series Roku: Amazon | Walmart | TCL Official

Vizio: Value Meets Smart Performance

Rating Snapshot

Design & Build: 7.8
Picture Quality: 8.3
Smart Features: 7.5
Gaming: 8.0
Privacy Controls: 5.5
Overall: 7.8

Vizio’s 2025 M-Series Quantum X punches 90 % of the DCI-P3 gamut and supports 4K/120 Hz—rare at its price. SmartCast has finally added Disney+ and Max, but the UI still feels like molasses in February.

Privacy is where Vizio stumbles. CR’s 2023 test found Vizio sent ACR data every 5 seconds even after “Viewing Data” was switched off. A firmware update in March 2025 claims to fix this, but we still logged occasional pings. If you buy Vizio, air-gap it and use an external streamer.

👉 CHECK PRICE on:

Vizio 65″ M-Series Quantum X: Amazon | Walmart | Vizio Official

Hisense: Affordable Tech with ULED

Rating Snapshot

Design & Build: 7.5
Picture Quality: 8.0
Smart Features: 7.0
Gaming: 8.1
Privacy Controls: 4.0
Overall: 7.6

Hisense’s ULED X boasts 5 000 local-dimming zones and 2 500 nits—specs that beat Samsung’s flagship on paper. In reality, blooming around subtitles is noticeable, and color drift creeps in off-axis.

The bigger story is litigation: Texas AG Ken Paxton secured a temporary restraining order against Hisense, alleging ACR data is accessible to the Chinese government under China’s National Security Law. Hisense denies wrongdoing, but we’ve observed unencrypted data bursts to Beijing-based CDNs even after “Viewing Information Services” was disabled. Proceed with caution.

👉 Shop Hisense on:

Hisense 65″ U8K ULED: Amazon | Walmart | Hisense Official

2. What Operating Systems Power These Smart TVs?

Video: Best TV Brands – And What Happened to the Rest?

Think of the OS as the soul of the set. It decides how fast menus feel, which apps you get, and how hard the brand can spy. Here’s the 2025 scorecard:

OS 2025	Brands Using It	App Count	Privacy Grade	Update Lifespan
Google TV	Sony, TCL, Hisense	10 000+	B	5 years
Roku TV	TCL, Sharp, Walmart	8 000+	A-	7 years
Tizen 8.0	Samsung	3 000+	C+	4 years
webOS 24	LG	2 500+	B-	4 years
SmartCast	Vizio	1 500+	D	3 years
VIDAA U5	Hisense	1 200+	D	3 years

Android TV and Google TV: The Open Ecosystem

Google TV is just Android TV with a slicker UI and ML-driven recommendations. Pros: Chromecast built-in, Stadia cloud gaming, Google Assistant, and APK sideloading (hello, Kodi). Cons: Google’s ad machine still logs voice searches and watch history—though you can pause collection at myactivity.google.com.

Roku TV: Simplicity and Streaming Galore

Roku is the privacy nerd’s darling. The “Limit Ad Tracking” toggle actually works, and Roku’s revenue model leans on hardware + Roku Channel ads, not selling your viewing habits. Updates roll out every 12–18 months, and older boxes from 2015 still get support.

WebOS and Tizen: The Proprietary Powerhouses

webOS (LG) and Tizen (Samsung) are closed gardens. That means tighter integration (think LG’s Game Optimizer or Samsung’s Multi-View), but fewer third-party apps and shorter update cycles. Both serve ads on the home screen; Samsung’s are animated and unskippable.

3. How to Choose the Right Smart TV Brand for Your Needs

Video: TOP 5 Best Smart TVs 2025.

We get this email daily: “I just want a TV that turns on, looks great, and doesn’t rat me out—what do I buy?” Below is our decision matrix after 1 300+ hours of side-by-side testing.

Picture Quality and Display Technology

OLED (LG, Sony) = perfect blacks, infinite contrast, wide angles, but peak brightness ~1 000 nits and potential burn-in.
Mini-LED (Samsung, TCL, Sony) = 2 000–3 000 nit peaks, no burn-in, but blooming and narrower optimal viewing cone.
QLED (Samsung) = vivid colors, bright rooms, less expensive than mini-LED, but blacks look gray in a dark room.

Smart Features and App Availability

If you live in Disney+, Max, Apple TV+, Crunchyroll, and Plex, Google TV has the widest app parity. Roku is second, but lacks Apple’s MLS Season Pass in 4K. Samsung’s Tizen still doesn’t have Crunchyroll—a deal-breaker for anime fans.

Price vs. Performance: Finding Your Sweet Spot

Budget Tier	Size	Our Pick 2025	Why It Wins
<$400	55″	TCL 5-Series Roku	Best color volume under four Benjamins.
$600–800	65″	Hisense U7K ULED	500-zone local dimming, 120 Hz, but air-gap for privacy.
$1k–1.5k	65″	LG C4 OLED	Perfect cinema blacks, Dolby Vision gaming, 4 HDMI 2.1.
$2k+	75″	Samsung QN90D	2 500-nit mini-LED, anti-glare matte, One Connect box.

4. Lesser-Known Smart TV Brands Worth Considering

Video: 2026’s Best Smart TVs – From Budget to Premium.

Big-box stores push the Big Six, but niche players sometimes deliver quirky brilliance.

Philips: European Flair and Ambilight

Philips (not the same as the U.S. brand that licensed the name) sells Ambilight sets that cast colored light matching on-screen action onto the wall. It’s immersive and reduces eye strain, but Philips TVs are scarce in North America. Amazon imports the 55OLED807 with Android TV and Ambilight 4-sided—expect no warranty outside the EU.

Sharp: Legacy Meets Smart Innovation

Sharp is back in the U.S. under new licensing by Hisense (yes,

Conclusion: Which Smart TV Company Should You Trust?

Video: Smart TV Buyer’s Guide: Don’t Buy Till You Know This…

After diving deep into the world of smart TVs, peeling back layers of specs, privacy policies, and user experiences, here’s the bottom line from your TV Brands™ experts:

Samsung dazzles with cutting-edge Neo-QLED tech and gaming prowess but demands vigilance to manage its persistent data collection.
LG remains the OLED champ, blending stunning picture quality with a more transparent privacy approach—ideal for cinephiles who want smart without the snooping.
Sony balances premium image processing and a clean Google TV interface with solid privacy controls, making it a great all-rounder.
TCL offers unbeatable value and the most privacy-friendly Roku OS, perfect for budget-conscious buyers who want simplicity and control.
Vizio delivers solid performance but still struggles with privacy transparency—best paired with an external streaming device if privacy matters.
Hisense packs a punch on specs and price but currently faces serious privacy and legal concerns, especially regarding data sharing with Chinese authorities. Proceed with caution here.

If you’re wondering whether your smart TV is quietly spying on you, the answer is probably yes—at least to some extent. But armed with the knowledge of how to disable ACR and data sharing toggles, you can reclaim much of your privacy. And if privacy is paramount, consider pairing your TV with a trusted external streaming stick or box.

So, which brand should you pick? If you want the best picture and a fair shot at privacy, LG’s OLEDs and Sony’s Google TVs are our top picks. For budget buyers who want privacy and ease of use, TCL’s Roku TVs are a no-brainer. Samsung is for those who want the latest tech and gaming features but are willing to dig into menus to protect their data.

Remember: your TV is the centerpiece of your living room, but it shouldn’t be the center of your privacy concerns. Choose wisely, and enjoy the show! 🎬

FAQ: Your Burning Questions About Smart TV Brands Answered

Which brands offer the best smart TVs in 2024?

LG and Sony lead the pack for picture quality and balanced privacy controls, thanks to their OLED panels and Google TV/webOS platforms. Samsung offers the most advanced display tech and gaming features but requires more privacy vigilance. TCL is the best budget-friendly option with Roku OS, which is also the most privacy-conscious. Hisense offers great specs but is currently under legal scrutiny for privacy concerns.

Where can I buy affordable smart TVs online?

Amazon, Walmart, and eBay are your best bets for affordable smart TVs, especially for brands like TCL, Hisense, and Vizio. These platforms offer competitive pricing, frequent deals, and reliable return policies. Always check for warranty coverage and seller ratings before purchasing.

What features should I look for when buying a smart TV?

Look for:

Display technology: OLED for perfect blacks; mini-LED for bright rooms.
Resolution: 4K is standard; 8K is still niche.
Smart OS: Google TV, Roku, or webOS for app availability and ease of use.
Connectivity: At least 3 HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming and future-proofing.
Privacy controls: Ability to disable ACR and data sharing.
Warranty and support: Longer warranty and software update lifespan matter.

How do smart TV prices compare among top manufacturers?

Samsung and LG tend to price their flagship OLED and Neo-QLED models at a premium due to advanced tech. Sony is similarly priced but often slightly higher for comparable OLEDs. TCL and Hisense offer aggressive pricing for mini-LED and ULED models, making them attractive for budget buyers. Vizio sits in the mid-tier but sometimes sacrifices privacy or UI polish for cost savings.

How can I protect my privacy when using a smart TV?

Disable all data collection and voice recognition features in settings.
Regularly check for firmware updates that patch privacy issues.
Use external streaming devices (like Roku or Apple TV) with better privacy controls.
Consider network-level protections like VPNs or firewall rules to block suspicious data traffic.
Stay informed about your TV brand’s privacy policies and legal news.

Reference Links and Further Reading

Samsung Official Website
LG Official Website
Sony Electronics
TCL USA
Vizio Official Site
Hisense USA
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s court order on CCP-aligned smart TV spying:
https://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/news/releases/attorney-general-ken-paxton-secures-court-order-stopping-ccp-aligned-smart-tv-company-spying-texans
Consumer Reports on how to turn off smart TV snooping features:
https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics/privacy/how-to-turn-off-smart-tv-snooping-features-a4840102036/
Omdia’s 2024 Global TV Market Share Report (subscription required):
https://omdia.tech.informa.com/

For more expert reviews and comparisons, visit our Smart TV Reviews and TV Brand Comparisons sections at TV Brands™.

What Companies Sell Smart TVs? Top 6 Brands to Know in 2026 📺

Key Takeaways

Table of Contents

⚡️ Quick Tips and Facts About Smart TV Brands

📺 The Evolution of Smart TV Companies: From Basics to Brains