All set to buy a giant TV for your living room? Don't pop the popcorn just yet. When it comes to TVs, bigger isn't always better.: The best television for you and your family depends on a few factors, like how big your room is and the location of your couch.
At Asurion, we not only fix and protect your tech but also help you decide which devices you should own and how to get the most out of them. So, if you're wondering, "What size TV do I need?" you're in the right place.
What are standard TV sizes?
A TV's size refers to the diagonal screen size, measured from the TV screen's upper-left to lower-right corner. It's important to know this when shopping for a television—the dimensions of a 55-inch TV (measured diagonally), for instance, will be about 49 inches wide and 29 inches tall.
You can buy a TV as small as 24 inches and as large as 24 feet, but most people choose a television between 32 and 82 inches. Rather than aiming for the standard size or what everybody else is buying, think about your personal preferences: price range, picture quality, smart features you want, and the best TV size for your room.
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Buy the right TV for your room
Before you start shopping for a TV, decide which room it'll live in. The layout and size of the room matters most. Even if you've been dreaming of watching football on a massive 97-inch TV, it won't fit—or be comfortable to watch—in a small, narrow space.
Use the TV viewing distance formula
Wondering, “What size TV should I get for my room?" Try using the TV viewing distance formula.
First, measure your viewing distance—how far away you plan on sitting from the TV—in inches. If you'll be putting the TV in a bedroom, try measuring from the position of your head in your normal viewing position there. Next, divide by three. Voila, that's the screen size you'll want. For example, if your couch is 120 inches from where you plan on putting the TV, your screen size should be at least 40 inches.
Choose the best TV position and viewing angle
When deciding what size TV to buy, consider how and where you'll set it up in the room. If you use a stand to set the television on a table, you'll be watching from a shorter distance. If you mount the TV to a wall, you'll add a foot or more to the viewing distance, which means you'll probably want to buy a larger model.
One more tip: wherever you place your TV, the screen should be straight and at eye level (give or take 15 degrees). If you're mounting your TV, make sure it's not too high—you don't want to have to tilt your head to binge-watch Ted Lasso.
Need more help? Check out this guide for how to choose the right mount for your Smart TV.
Choose your TV screen resolution
TV resolution—the number of pixels that make up what you see on your screen—is another important factor to consider when deciding what size TV to get? The more pixels your TV has, the sharper the image will be, so you can sit closer to your TV without the image being distorted.
Here's a look at three of the most popular TV resolutions:
- Full HD. The most common option among smart televisions, Full HD TVs have a 1920 x 1080 resolution.
- Ultra HD:. Also referred to as 4K TV, Ultra HD's 3840 x 2160 resolution quadruples the number of pixels to nearly 8 million, which is close to 4 times more than Full HD .
- 8K TV:. This option has four times the resolution of 4K with 7680 x 4320, or nearly 32 million pixels. To fully experience the difference, try larger screens, like a 65-inch TV.
New tech? Protect it.
No matter what Smart TV you buy, make sure you have the right protection.
With the Asurion Home+ protection plan, your TV and all of your eligible home devices are protected against breakdowns, defects, and normal wear and tear. You'll get fast repairs—plus 24/7 tech support from trusted experts whenever you need them—regardless of the brand or when and where you purchased your device. To learn more about TV protection, visit asurion.com/homeplus.
