It didn't take long to confirm what I suspected during my Vizio V5-Series review--the slightly more expensive M-Series Quantum offers a far better picture. It's not perfect perfect by any means, but the color is more accurate, and the screen uniformity far outstrips that of the V-Series. If you're shopping mid-range Vizio, the M-Series Quantum is what you want. Skip a couple of lunches to save up the extra cash. The M-Series, including the 55-inch class model M55Q6 that I tested, are 60Hz, 3840 x 2160 (4K UHD), 10-bit TVs.

It's a very nice set, although we missed the deep black performance we've seen in some competitors outfitted with mini-LED backlights. The U8G-series is available in both 55-inch ($950) and 65-inch ($1,300, reviewed here) sizes. It uses a 120Hz, 10-bit, 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) panel featuring quantum dots for extremely accurate color. The TV is a bit on the heavy side, weighing close to 53.4 pounds on the wall (with VESA 400 mm x 400 mm mount), and 56 pounds including the stand. The bezel is thin, and there's a classy look to the whole deal.

Samsung's Neo QLED QN90A takes the company's already outstanding QLED color and brightness and, thanks to far more granular mini-LED backlighting, enhances it with far better blacks. The overall result is truly impressive, although Samsung still has some work to do on its zone dimming techniques. The 54.6-inch (55-inch class) version of the QN90A I tested currently retails for around $1,700 and features a 4K UHD (3840 x 2160), 120Hz, 10-bit display. Said display implements quantum dots for accurate, saturated color, and mini-LEDs for refined backlighting. Mini-LEDs, as you might guess, are far smaller than traditional backlight LEDs.

Vizio's V-series smart TV (the $300, 50-inch model V505-H19 is reviewed here) is the second 50-inch TV I've evaluated recently, the other being the slightly cheaper ($280) Konka U50. Both are infinitely superior to anything you could've found in this price range five years ago. That said, the Vizio provides a bit better processing, backlighting, overall image and experience. But it lacks the Konka's handy Bluetooth connectivity. The V505-H19 is a thin-bezel unit whose staid, but classy appearance belies its low price.

Samsung's Q90R was arguably the best 4K UHD LED-backlit LCD TV of 2019. This year's Q90T is in line for equal status, with picture tweaks that eliminate--or ameliorate--some of my complaints from last year. My gripes about the Q90R were few and far between, so consider the Q90T the best getting better. There is, however, one major change: this will please some and disappoint others, but the One Connect breakout box is now history--all the Q90T's ports reside on the TV itself. If you want One Connect, your only option is the reportedly wonderful, but expensive ($13,000) 8K UHD Q950TS.

Sony's new X800H is a major improvement over last year's G model, with interface tweaks and more powerful processing. Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos have been added to the mix, along with a redesigned remote control that finally looks like something that belongs with a Sony TV. With social distancing measures in place, my testing has been relocated from the TechHive lab to my home office, where the 65-inch X800H ($1,000) that Sony sent me for evaluation made for a tight squeeze. I'm guessing Sony sent this size because the 55-inch and smaller models don't have the fancy almond-shaped X-speakers that increase audio quality. I didn't hear the have-nots, so I can't comment on the difference, but the 65X800H's audio is definitely a step above the norm in this price range.