Services like Spectrum have changed viewing forever, having blurred the lines between cable TV and streaming services.
But the Spectrum app has limitations when it comes to the smart TV platforms it works best with.
So, if you are signed up for Spectrum and want to get a smart TV that works with it, here are some choices to consider.
1. Our Top Pick: The Sony A9G
There’s plenty of action and fast-paced content on Spectrum programs, so it would be great to have a smart TV that can ably handle fast motion and quick transitions.
And the Sony A9G can do just that.
The Sony A9G handles motion impeccably. That means blurs and trails are not an issue.
Here’s what else the A9G has to offer.
- The A9G has wide viewing angles, and it also manages reflections quite well, so you can watch in any lighting.
- If you are looking for HDR, the A9G does not disappoint. It has a wide color gamut, good peak brightness, and great uniformity.
- For gamers, the A9G lacks a variable refresh rate. But it makes up for it with the 120 Hz refresh rate and low input lag.
- The A9G is an OLED TV, which makes it prone to burn-in. But that won’t be much of a problem if you shuffle through different kinds of content.
It also has Chromecast built-in, which is perfect for mirroring programs from your computer or smartphone to your TV. Learn more about screen mirroring in our article 4 Smart TVs Compatible With Screen Mirroring.
The A9G comes in 55, 65, and 77-inch models.
2. The Budget Pick: Samsung Q70T
The Samsung Q70T is a budget option to consider if you want a great but reasonably priced smart TV for watching Spectrum.
- The Q70T handles motion well with its Black Frame Insertion.
- It performs well in bright rooms and handles reflection and glare well.
- Its weakness, though, is mediocre viewing angles, which can wash out images at angles.
- The Q70T lacks local dimming, but it has a high contrast ratio to compensate and supplies deep blacks.
- It also falls short of a true HDR experience but can produce good color accuracy.
The Q70T comes in 55, 65, 75, 82, and 85-inch models.
3. Sony X950H
The Sony X950H is a good option to consider for watching content on Spectrum. It could have beaten the Samsung Q70T, but the latter came out on top price-wise.
Let’s look at what the X950H offers.
- It handles fast motion well.
- It has a high peak brightness and deals with reflections and different lighting situations well.
- The X950H also has Chromecast built-in, so you can easily do screen mirroring.
- The X950H has subpar viewing angles.
- The X950H is a full panel LED display, which might be a disappointment for those who are looking for OLED displays. But that can be a blessing in disguise since it doesn’t have the risk of burn-in that is often associated with OLED.
- The X950H has a great contrast ratio for deep blacks and remarkable HDR performance.
The X950H comes in 48 to 85-inch models.
4. Samsung Terrace
The Samsung Terrace is a smart TV meant for outdoor use.
- The response time is quick and delivers crisp images in fast-paced scenes. It also has Black Frame Insertion to mitigate motion blur.
- It works well under bright conditions, as it was designed to be watched outdoors, and it performs well at night with deep blacks and high contrast ratios.
- If you like using Spectrum to watch the big game, the Terrace is a great option. Since this TV is meant for the outdoors, you can enjoy the game while having a barbecue with your friends and family.
- It makes for an excellent HDR experience, with accurate colors and full-array dimming.
- If you are into gaming, the Terrace also has a 120 Hz refresh rate but no variable refresh rate support.
- The Terrace has mediocre viewing angles, which can wash out images when viewed from the side.
The Samsung Terrace comes in 55, 65, and 75-inch models. The Terrace was designed to be wall-mounted, but unfortunately, it does not come with a free mount.
5. TCL 6 Series 2020
The TCL 6 is the latest smart TV in the brand’s offerings.
It uses the Roku platform, which is compatible with the Spectrum app.
- When it comes to handling motion, the 6 Series does a great job, and it has a quick response time.
- It can handle brightness and glare quite well, but it performs a bit poorly in viewing angles.
- It also features a QLED panel that allows for a wide color gamut for HDR videos.
- It provides super highlights that help images stand out, as well as full-array local dimming.
- The TLC 6 is prone to a dirty screen effect.
The TCL 6 Series comes in 55, 65, and 75-inch models.
How Much Should You Spend on a Smart TV for the Spectrum App?
Considering the features needed to display high-quality, fast-paced content, you will want something that handles motion well.
Depending on the screen size, you should allot around $2,800 for excellent features and a minimum of $800 if you are on the budget side.
The prices will still vary depending on the size of the screen.
Final Thoughts:
Considering that Spectrum works on smart TVs that use Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, and the Tizen system, you have a lot of options to consider.
While there are a plethora of choices, you need to consider what kind of content you watch frequently when choosing a smart TV. If you won’t be watching many sporting events, you can probably look past motion handling and focus instead on color accuracy.
With that said, if you have some other smart TV in mind, look at the strengths and weaknesses of these smart TVs and see how it matches your needs.