The most common TV problems, from 10,811 verified buyers

1. The most common TV problem owners report: “Slow menus, ads, accounts or missing apps”, raised in 24% of the 1 to 3 star reviews, followed by “Picture disappointing, too dim or uneven in dark scenes” (19%).
2. What happy owners praise most: “A stunning, bright picture”, in 44% of the 4 and 5 star reviews we read.
3. 94% of verified buyers rated their TV 4 or 5 stars, against 93% across every product type in our study; TVs rank 11 of 37 for happy buyers.
4. 4% gave 1 or 2 stars, about 1 buyer in 25.
5. Across the 41 TVs with 30 or more ratings, the share of happy buyers ran from 80% to 100%.
6. Paying more did not disappoint more buyers: the pricier half of these TVs had a median of 94% happy buyers, against 94% for the cheaper half (up to £599).
7. Owners agree with experts here: models whose expert reviews earned our “great choice” verdict had a median of 96% happy buyers, against 91% for “good with caveats”.
8. Buyers in Asia, Africa and Oceania were the happiest (99% at 4 or 5 stars), and buyers in the US and Canada the least (86%).

Share of the 692 reviews of 1 to 3 stars that raise each problem, grouped across models. What to check before you buy.

1. 1. Slow menus, ads, accounts or missing apps24%
   Came up on 28 models
2. 2. Picture disappointing, too dim or uneven in dark scenes19%
   Came up on 25 models
3. 3. Broke down or developed a fault17%
   Came up on 23 models
4. 4. Weak or faulty built-in sound13%
   Came up on 20 models
5. 5. Didn't perform as well as hoped3%
   Came up on 9 models

The problems above, most common first, and how to avoid each one. Our advice; the order comes from the reviews.

1. 1. Slow menus, ads, accounts or missing apps (24% of complaints)

   The smart system matters as much as the panel: check it has every streaming app you use in your country, and expect an account and some ads on the home screen. A cheap streaming stick can fix a slow one.

2. 2. Picture disappointing, too dim or uneven in dark scenes (19% of complaints)

   For a bright room, look at measured brightness in independent reviews; for films in the dark, look for OLED or local dimming with many zones. Cheaper sets often look grey in dark scenes.

3. 3. Broke down or developed a fault (17% of complaints)

   Faults usually show in the first weeks, so buy from a shop with an easy returns policy, register the guarantee and keep the receipt. A longer maker's guarantee is worth paying a little for.

4. 4. Weak or faulty built-in sound (13% of complaints)

   Most thin TVs sound thin. Budget for a soundbar from the start if speech clarity or films matter to you.

5. 5. Didn't perform as well as hoped (3% of complaints)

   Judge the picture on independent tests, not the box: names like '4K HDR' say little about how bright or contrasty a set really is.

Share of the 3,243 newest 4 and 5 star reviews we read that praise each point.

1. 1. A stunning, bright picture44%
   Came up on 61 models
2. 2. Easy to set up18%
   Came up on 49 models
3. 3. Great value for the money18%
   Came up on 41 models
4. 4. Good sound for a TV13%
   Came up on 35 models
5. 5. Light, compact or easy to store3%
   Came up on 9 models

Regions with 30 or more ratings, by where the shop is. Shops in each region sell different models, so a gap can come from the models as much as from the buyers.