The Sony TV catalog of 2021 & 2022 has a variety of models that offer great value for money in all price ranges, starting from the cheapest models from $400, up to top models from more than 2000 dollars.
More than models, in this case, it is more correct to speak of series: each model of a certain series has identical main characteristics, and the only difference is the size, expressed in inches, according to the diagonal of the screen.
In this buying guide to Sony TVs, we see which are the best TV series of the brand, from high-end Sony TVs for home cinema, up to the smallest budget models.
The features that diversify the various model series are based on the type of TV panel itself, LCD, LED or OLED, color reproduction, the ability to connect to Alexa and Google Home home automation devices, and online streaming services, such as Netflix. , Youtube, Amazon Prime, the technology used to play audio.
Even the differences between the technologies for image enhancement go to influence the price and performance of a given set.
As for the aesthetic side, Sony TVs do not disappoint, providing a system to hide the cables in the back in order to keep the front clean and tidy.
Most of the selected models also have the mode for recording television programs on an external hard disk via USB , which will stop automatically at the end of the program itself.
To choose the right Sony TV, however, it is important to keep in mind, not only the size of the environment in which you are going to place it but also the distance from which you will look at the screen, which is proportional to the size of the TV itself.
Let’s now come to the ranking and see which are the best Sony TVs for functionality and value for money.
1. Sony BRAVIA XR X90J
Sony 4K Smart TV from 2021 running Android
Among the new 2021 Sony Bravia TV models we recommend those of the XR X90J series, which combine realistic images and audio, allowing you to obtain a cinematic visual experience. The higher contrast compared to a traditional LED TV ensures better reproduction of bright and dark scenes.
The XR Motion Clarity technology also allows you to follow fast actions smoothly and sharply, ensuring realistic images that do not lose brightness and with a minimization of the blur of high-speed scenes.
The panels used are Ultra HD LCDs with Full Array LEDs, brighter and with more contrast thanks to the greater number of LEDs positioned behind the screen.
This feature, added to the Local Dimming technology, allows you to independently dim or illuminate specific LED areas, directly acting on the contrasts and blacks, which are deeper than the previous series models thanks to the XR Contrast Booster system.
Viewing angles are one of the points where this television does not shine particularly: while the front view is perfect, as you move sideways you will see more washed-out colors and less faithful images. In addition, the screen is slightly reflective. Depending on the environment in which you intend to place the TV, these may be items to watch out for.
This series of 4K Ultra HD TVsit is ideal for those who want to enjoy a big screen show, getting involved not only by the images but also by the audio.
Present an Acoustic Multi-Audio system with two tweeters positioned on the back of the TV and with Bass Reflex speakers for realistic reproduction through XR Sound Position technology. The sounds are reproduced in perfect harmony with the images, for an immersive multimedia experience.
These Android TVs are compatible with Alexa and Google Home, and can also connect with popular online streaming services, including YouTube and Netflix. For the latter there is a dedicated mode, Netflix Calibrated Mode, to offer the same image quality that a television studio evaluation monitor provides, thus trying to be as faithful as possible to the filmmaker’s vision.
The available sizes of Sony TV XG9505 series are: 126cm (50 “), 139cm (55”), 164cm (65 “) and 189cm (75 ”).
2. Sony XBR-55A9G 55-inch TV
The best Sony TV for faithful reproduction of sound and images
The best Sony TVs are those of the Master series, which aims to reproduce the images on the screen as faithfully as possible as they were designed by the authors and directors.
These are 4K HDR Dolby Vision Atmos Smart TVs ideal for cinephiles who want to live an immersive experience like that of the cinema, in the comfort of their home, making the most of the advantages of IMAX Enhanced content.
The images are reproduced in a realistic way, thanks to the Pixel Contrast Booster technology that improves the contrast for each color nuance of the OLED panel, thus maximizing the chromatic range of the brightest scenes and allowing reproduction of deeper blacks.
the colors are reproduced more faithfully and with a brighter range, thanks to the Triluminos display that manages to reproduce every slightest nuance, even those of lights and shadows.
The Acoustic Surface Audio + system ensures an immersive experience as the sound reaches the viewer from multiple directions, just like it happens in concerts. The TVs of this series are in fact equipped with two actuators and two powerful subwoofers, but if that is still not enough, it is possible to connect the TV to a multichannel home theater system to obtain an immersive cinematic experience, using the TV as a central speaker.
The A9G Master series TVs are all Alexa and Google Home compatible Android TVs, thus allowing the integration of these devices within your home automation system.
It is also compatible with Apple AirPlay and Apple HomeKit, allowing you to stream audio and video to your TV directly from your Apple devices.
You can also watch programs from popular online streaming services, such as YouTube and Netflix. For the latter there is a dedicated mode, the Netflix Calibrated Mode, to offer the same image quality that a television studio evaluation monitor provides, thus trying to be as faithful as possible to the filmmaker’s vision.
Its minimal and clean design makes it suitable to be mounted on the wall, as if it were a painting, without having to worry about viewing it from various angles. In fact, the images will be clear and bright from any angle.
The available sizes for the Sony A9G Master Series TV are 55 “, 65” and 77 “, and we have also included this model in our ranking of the best 55-inch TVs this year.
3. Sony A8 series
Latest generation Sony TV for evening home cinema
The A8 is one of the best Sony TVs for those looking for an OLED model with excellent picture quality for home cinema and entertainment, a solid option at a high-end price.
The TV is available in 55 and 65-inch sizes, both at 4K Ultra HD resolution and with an OLED panel built by LG. Sony A8 series supports HDR10 standard and HLG technology.
For watching high-definition movies, the TV is compatible with Dolby Vision and if we connect a Home Theater system or an external soundbar we can activate the Dolby Atmos function (provided that the source is compatible with this type of audio format).
As for the functionality of the TV, we find the convenience of the integrated Android TV system, to be able to install all your favorite applications and to use the Google voice assistant for voice commands.
The build quality is extremely high, and we find the design very modern and clean. This TV is among the best you can buy for the living room.
As a top TV in Sony’s 2021 range, the Sony A8 offers truly excellent black quality and brightness distribution optimized for the content we are viewing.
The overall brightness is not up to par with LCD TVs, which is why we recommend it for those who want the best picture quality for watching movies during an evening session.
4. Sony XH80 series
One of the best 85-inch quality-price TVs on the market
Among the Sony TVs released in 2020, we find the XH80 series, available in the dimensions of 43 49 55 65 75 85 inches. It offers the same X1 processor as the more expensive models but without the local dimming function, which means that picture brightness is not as optimized as that of more expensive TVs.
If you look at the price of the 85-inch version you will notice that this TV does not require an incredibly high expense in relation to the proposed size. The KD-85XH8096 is, therefore, an excellent solution for those looking for a large Sony TV for Home Cinema and for watching games with friends.
The display type is LCD and the resolution is 4K 3840×2160, these mid-range televisions offer 4K X-reality Pro technology for greater clarity of detail and definition of content, while Live Color technology and TRILUMINOS Display allow you to see an image with accentuated contrast and very vivid colors.
One of the most noticeable features of Sony TVs is the presence of very little blur when images show rapid movement. for this reason we consider them particularly suitable for an audience that needs to watch high definition sporting events.
Furthermore, since this is an LCD television, the brightness is high enough to be well displayed even during a sunny afternoon in a living room with many windows.
5. Sony TV XH90 / P series
Best Sony Android TV for mixed-use
Among the new Sony TVs, the XH90 / P series is ideal for those looking for a versatile and good quality smart TV model at a price below 1000 € (for the 55 ” version).
The 4K HDR X1 Extreme processor processes images in real-time, which are converted to quality close to true 4K Ultra HD, with up to 6x more contrast than a conventional LED TV, capable of beautifully reproducing rich night scenes of blazing lights and deep blacks.
The X-Motion Clarity technology also allows you to enjoy scenes at high speed without losing details or brightness; moving images are controlled to minimize blur, making the action smooth and sharp.
Triluminos displays are capable of reproducing a wider color range, with faithful reproduction of light and shadow.
The audio sector presents the Clear Phase technology which analyzes the speaker response inaccuracies to compensate them, through a sampling of the frequency of the speaker itself for a natural and clean audio transmission, which is fluid over the entire frequency range.
The sound is also more engaging, for a more immersive experience, thanks to the Dolby Atmos system, which fills the environment with immersive surround sound.
Sony XH90 / P series TVs are compatible with Alexa and Google Home. Installed on this Android TV we already find many apps, including the most popular online streaming services, such as YouTube and Netflix, which can be seen in 4K Ultra HD.
The sizes available for this Sony TV are 139cm (55 ”), 164cm (65 ”) and 189cm (75 ”).
6. Sony TV X80J series
The ideal mid-range Sony Smart TV for gamers
Among the 2021 models, the Sony X80J series are excellent 4K Smart TVs with HDR support, with integrated Dolby Vision system, great for all gamers of Playstation 5 and Playstation 4 Pro consoles who want to live a responsive gaming experience with images detailed and intense colors.
The X-Balanced speaker also optimizes the TV sound by reproducing dialogues, music, and surround effects with greater clarity and definition, adapting to any type of content.
The 4K HDR X1 Extreme processor and 4K X-Reality Pro technology allow you to convert images to a quality approaching true 4K HDR, with sharp and detailed images.
The color range of Triluminos displays is wider, ensuring faithful reproduction of lights and shadows, with richer and more saturated colors. The multimedia experience is engaging and perfectly usable from multiple viewing angles. This TV is, therefore, suitable for use even in environments where the viewer is not always positioned in front of it.
Very good response time: moving images are controlled to minimize blur, making the action smooth and sharp. This feature will be highly appreciated by lovers of action cinema, as well as by gamers. For the latter, the input lag of just 11.8 seconds is also great news.
The Sony TVs of the X80J series are Android TVs with integrated Chromecast and are compatible with Alexa and Google Home. Pre-installed we also find the most popular online streaming services, including YouTube and Netflix.
The sizes available for this Sony TV are: 108cm (43 “), 126cm (50”).
Related: Best Gaming TVs in 2022
7. Sony TV XG8396 series
The ideal mid-range Sony smart TV for movie buffs
Sony TVs of the XG8396 series is ideal for cinema enthusiasts, thanks to the Object-based HDR technology, the Super Bit Mapping HDR, and the 4K HDR X1 processor, which allows the reproduction of more detailed textures and natural colors with high brightness for truly lifelike images.
The chromatic range of Triluminos displays is wider and reproduces lights and shadows more faithfully.
4K X-Reality Pro technology converts images to quality close to true 4K Ultra HD, optimizing all details.
With Super Bit Mapping HDR it is also possible to reproduce all the tones, shades, and gradations of light of a sunset, without the annoying “banding effect” present in other TVs, guaranteeing instead a uniform and more natural image.
The audio sector features ClearAudio + technology that optimizes the TV sound by reproducing dialogues, music and surround effects with greater clarity and definition, adapting to any type of content.
The DSEE technology also allows you to restore the frequency elements lost with the compression of digital audio files, thus obtaining more natural and enveloping audio.
Motionflow XR technology ensures smooth playback of fast action scenes every time, thanks to the insertion of additional frames between the original frames based on calculations made on the succession of the frames.
Some models insert black frames for blur-free viewing, thus attempting to recreate a cinematic experience. These Smart TVs are compatible with Alexa and Google Home and can connect with popular online streaming services, including YouTube and Netflix.
The available sizes of Sony TV XG8396 series are: 108cm (43 ”), 123cm (49 ”).
8. Sony TV X70 series
A good quality Sony TV for watching movies and series in the evening
Sony’s X70 series belong to the range of mid-range smart TVs. They have excellent picture quality and are ideal for those who enjoy watching their favorite movies and series in the evening, in a dark environment.
The panels are LCD, with Edge LED backlighting and there is a built-in Dolby Digital decoder. The screen resolution is UHD 4K .
The strong point of these smart TVs is the X-Reality PRO processor, which reproduces clean and optimized images, rich in details, without disturbances or smudges, with natural colors; also excellent with regard to blacks, very deep thanks to.
The video quality does not remain uniform if you change the position from which you are looking at the screen: the viewing angles are not very wide and favor the viewer who positions himself in front of the television. The recommended use is in dark or semi-dark conditions, due to the low level of brightness of the panel.
The audio sector instead sees 2 10W Bass Reflex Speaker speakers that give a clear and balanced sound, perfect in a home environment.
The only flaw is the Linux-based operating system, which limits the number of apps available to compatible online services only. However, you will find an integrated browser to browse the internet, as well as the mainstreaming services, from Netflix to YouTube.
This smart TV is also equipped with the Smart Plug & Play function, which allows you to share photos and videos from your mobile to the big screen.
9. Sony TV XG8096 series
Sony’s mid-budget smart TV with the best value for money
The Sony TVs of the XG8096 series are Smart TVs of the economic mid-range suitable for those who want a 4K HDR TV with a good quality/price ratio.
Triluminos displays guarantee a wider color gamut, a more faithful reproduction of light and shadow, and thanks to the 4K X-Reality Pro technology they are able to reproduce optimized images that approach the video quality of 4K Ultra HD.
Although Dolby Atmos is not integrated, the audio is still very good, thanks to the ClearAudio + technology, which optimizes the audio, making music and dialogue clearer, for an immersive and exciting experience.
The Clean Technology Phaseit also allows you to balance the frequency of the speaker, compensating for inaccuracies for a transmission that eliminates peaks and variations due to the speaker itself. The result is pure natural sound, with smooth reproduction across the entire frequency range.
S-Force Front Surround then mimics the way the brain interprets audio sources, emulating volume, audio delay and acoustic spectrum from just two speakers, left and right, for three-dimensional sound field emulation.
These Smart TVs are compatible with Alexa, Google Home, Google Play and have integrated Chromecast to be able to easily stream content from your smartphone. This way you can also view online streaming services like YouTube or Netflix from any Android, iOS device or laptop.
The available sizes of Sony TV XG8096 series are: 108cm (43 ”), 123cm (49 ”), 139cm (55″), 164cm (65 “), 189cm (75”).
10. Sony TV W800 series
The best budget smart Sony TV
Among the Sony TVs released in 2021, those of the W800 series represents an excellent choice within the economic range. These are Sony smart TVs suitable for those who want a compact device suitable for a not very large environment, even as a secondary TV or in the holiday home.
Very interesting in this price range, the presence on board of an Android operating system. We will therefore have at our disposal the same versatility and potential of a high-end Smart TV, including support for the Google Assistant, which can also be activated with voice commands.
The main apps for the use of streaming multimedia content can be installed without problems. It is also possible to connect your smartphone wirelessly, through the Chromecast built into the television. Also included is the recording function, which allows you to record and review your favorite broadcasts later.
Sony’s W800 series televisions are also suitable for console gaming. It is therefore an excellent choice for those who want an inexpensive device for their gaming station, to be placed in the bedroom or in a study.
As for the quality of the images, we have a not very high resolution (720p), which will not be excessively penalizing on a panel of this size. Present support for HDR10, which guarantees an engaging and realistic experience when watching movies, TV series, or during a game of video games.
Good handling of moving images, as well as color fidelity. The ideal is to use this television in a dark or semi-illuminated environment, due to its low brightness.
The audio sector features ClearAudio + technology that optimizes the TV sound by reproducing dialogues, music, and surround effects with greater clarity and definition, adapting to any type of content.
The available format of the Sony W800 series TV is currently only one, 32 ”.
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