What's The Price Of A New TV In 2022?

At the end of a long day, there's nothing like relaxing on the couch and catching up on your favorite TV shows. However, if you're shopping for a new TV in 2022, you might be surprised by the retail price for some of today's top TVs. Per CNET, industry experts forecasted the average cost of TVs to rise to around $500 in 2021, and it's safe to say buying that a new TV still feels fairly expensive in 2022 when compared to any time before 2020. However, those shopping for specialty models, such as gaming TVs and 8K Ultra HD TVs, may end up investing thousands of dollars in their new TV.

Nowadays, flat panel LED TVs are found in most homes and dominate the US TV market, reports PCMag. These TVs stand out for their slim, sleek designs and are an affordable option for many consumers — even when they come equipped with smart TV functionality and other modern features. However, LED technology is fairly antiquated in 2022, so those seeking more modern TVs will have to contend with heftier price tags in order to buy a TV that keeps pace with next-gen tech.

There are a wide variety of factors that determine the cost of your new TV. While size and technology are two of the biggest considerations, it's also worth noting when the TV was introduced on the market, as well as what features it provides for its price tag.

Size

Naturally, a TV's size has a profound impact on the price you pay, especially when shopping for modern, high-tech TVs. For instance, while you can find quality OLED TVs from major brands for under $1000, you will likely be looking at TVs that are under 50-inches. OLED TVs that are larger than 75-inches, by comparison, are unlikely to be found for under $2,500 and can cost $5000 or more for a quality model.

Technology

LED TVs have been around since 2005 (per PCMag), so it's no wonder that they are considerably more affordable than newer technologies such as OLED or QLED. However, investing in newer TV technologies will often mean a better picture and a more natural viewing experience. If you're seeking a gaming TV that can compete with next-level gaming monitors in terms of its refresh rate and picture clarity, expect to pay thousands of dollars since this technology has not been widely adopted by most TV makers.

Features

Thankfully, 4K Ultra HD (UHD) and Smart TV functionality have become incredibly common, as well as affordable in modern TVs. As such, you should be able to find high-quality 50-inch UHD smart TVs for around $300 in 2022, as long as you are willing to settle for a lesser-known brand's LED offering. However, newer features such as 8K UHD still come with a hefty price tag, so expect them to be thousands of dollars more than comparably-sized 4K UHD TVs.

Model year

According to CNET, the year in which a TV was released can also have a major impact on its price. Realistically speaking, TV technology doesn't change a whole lot year-over-year, so purchasing a 2021 model can save you quite a few bucks without sacrificing much in terms of tech when compared to 2022 TVs.

When buying a new TV, it's pretty common to run into some additional costs that you might not anticipate. Sometimes, a newer TV will require you to invest in new technology or updated TV accessories in order to get the most out of your TV. If you're upgrading to a larger model that towers over your old TV, you can also expect to invest in a new wall-mount or TV stand.

Accessories

When upgrading a TV, it's only natural to invest in some ancillary accessories in order to have the best TV viewing experience possible. For instance, if your new TV has an amazing picture but subpar speakers, you may invest in a new soundbar or surround sound speakers. Thankfully, TV sound accessories have become much more affordable over the years, so you should be able to upgrade your TV's sound for as little as $100 – $500.

Upgrade compatible tech

Sometimes, investing in a new TV will make your existing tech obsolete. For instance, if you were an early adopter who purchased a Blu-ray player when it first hit the market, you may find it necessary to buy a new 4K Blu-ray player to complement a new 4K UHD TV. According to What HiFi, not all Blu-ray players are created equal, and the same can be said about gaming consoles as well. Using old technologies on a cutting-edge TV can make you feel as if you're using a much older TV, but upgrading all of your old technology can become expensive very quickly.

Mounting

If your new TV is considerably larger or smaller than your old TV, you might need to purchase a new mount or stand in order for your set-up to look natural in your room. Thankfully, there are many quality TV mounts on the market that are relatively inexpensive, so you can find a dependable option for $50 or $100. A new TV stand will set you back considerably more, especially if you are seeking a model that is built from solid wood or an equally-durable material.

Power costs

If your family members or housemates are avid TV watchers, your TV may stay on for large portions of the day. Upgrading your TV may affect your energy bill depending on how energy-efficient the model you choose is. Luckily, most modern TVs use a fraction of the energy of older models, but it's still worth comparing energy use across models you're considering.

Identifying the average cost of a TV in 2022 can be useful, but it won't tell you much unless you account for the type you are shopping for. From tried-and-true LED TVs to high-tech gaming TVs, there are a wide variety of models on the market that are suitable for casual TV watchers and hardcore hobbyists alike. Keep in mind that most TVs you will find these days will fall into multiple categories, such as a 4K UHD OLED smart TV.

Smart TVs

These days, most of the TVs you will see on the market can be described as smart TVs, describes Tom's Guide. This means that they are able to connect to the internet via an ethernet cable or Wi-Fi connection to stream content from your favorite apps, such as Netflix or Hulu. Since most TVs offer smart functionality, you won't need to pay a premium in order to buy a nice LED smart TV. However, smart TVs with OLED technology are likely to set you back thousands of dollars.

LED TVs

According to Digital Trends, LED TVs are TVs that utilize LCD technology. They improved upon the antiquated CCFL technology that was once widely used to backlight LCD TVs. Thus, most LCD TVs that you'll see on the market today are marketed as LED TVs. While these don't sport the picture quality of OLED or QLED TVs, they offer an amazing TV experience for their budget-friendly price tag. You can find a wide variety of impressive LED TVs for $500 or less, including large 60-inch models.

OLED TVs

OLED TVs stand out for their wide viewing angle and crystal-clear images, per TechTarget. They utilize much newer technology than LED TVs, relying on an organic substance to conduct electricity in light-emitting diodes. As a result, OLED TVs are considerably more expensive than comparable LED models, but are a great choice for bright rooms that produce a glare on LED screens. While some older OLED TVs can be found for under $1000, expect to pay $2000 – $5000 on average for a new OLED TV.

QLED TVs

Unlike OLED TVs, QLED TVs utilize an LCD display and LED backlighting, but they up the ante with newer technology. Business Insider explains that the "Q" in QLED references the quantum dots that these TVs use in order to provide a wider spectrum of colors than traditional LED TVs. While these TVs are usually not as impressive as OLEDs in terms of picture clarity, their use of quantum dots can make a big difference in the richness of your TV's image. QLED TVs tend to be priced similarly to modern LED TVs, so expect to be able to pick up a decent newer-model TV for under $700 dollars.

4K UHD TVs

Now that most streaming services offer programs in 4K UHD resolution (that's 3,840 by 2,160 pixels), investing in a 4K UHD TV isn't a bad choice. 4K UHD TVs are also suitable for next-gen gamers who own the latest-model Xbox or Playstation console, since the higher resolution will have a profound impact on the quality of their console's graphics. While 4K UHD TVs that offer LED or QLED technology are fairly inexpensive (you can find a great model for $400 to $700), 4K UHD OLED TVs will usually set you back $1,000 to $4,000.

8K UHD TVs

8K UHD TVs offer twice the amount of pixels of 4K UHD TVs for a whopping resolution of 7,680 by 4,320. According to CNET, these are more of a luxury purchase than a practical one, since 8K UHD technology isn't exactly common enough to justify the investment for most homeowners. That being said, eventually, the standard will change, and 8K UHD resolution will likely be far more common (and substantially less expensive). Right now, many 8K UHD TVs cost about $3,000, with premium models costing $30,000 or more.

Gaming TVs

Gaming TVs feature the crystal clear picture of modern UHDTVs and minimize input lag so that on-screen actions take place the moment you touch a button on your controller, explains CNET. As such, they usually sport a lightning-quick 120Hz refresh rate and a game mode to reduce input lag when you are playing a game on your next-gen console. Like gaming monitors, gaming TVs tend to be considerably more expensive than basic models, with most entry-level gaming TVs costing $1,200 or more.

While some people possess an "if it isn't broke, don't fix it" perspective, it's hard to argue that a new TV won't come in handy in a wide range of circumstances. Whether you enjoy watching sports, playing video games, or binging shows on Netflix, a new TV can elevate the enjoyment you feel when consuming your favorite media.

See shows the way they are meant to be seen

Nowadays, many films and shows are created and edited with 4K UHD in mind. That means that unless you have a TV that can handle a high resolution, you will be missing out on the nuances that the show's creators intended for you to see. While this won't mean much to casual viewers, hardcore cinephiles know how important it is to see a movie as the director intended.

Easy viewing

Older TVs that don't utilize modern technology are much harder to watch when in less-than-ideal conditions. For instance, if your balcony's French doors let a lot of light into the room, your TV may struggle to compensate for the glare. Newer technologies, such as OLED TVs, are a joy to watch in any situation, whether your room is dimmed or features a lot of natural light. They also offer a wider viewing angle than LED TVs. These technological improvements ensure that the media you watch is more enjoyable and helps keep your eyes from straining to see what's on the screen.

Take advantage of new technology

While you technically don't need a 4K UHD TV to enjoy your Xbox Series X or Playstation 5 (per Wired), having the right TV will elevate your overall experience with your next-gen game console. Sharpness and graphical clarity are two of the most important incentives of next-gen gaming, so playing your next-gen console on a 1080p LED TV will see you missing out on what high-tech gaming has to offer.

Transform your experience

Just as the shift from standard definition tube televisions to flat-panel HDTVs changed the way we watch television, upgrading to the latest TV technology can be a real game-changer. If you like watching content with fluid movements that happen in the blink of an eye (such as sporting events or action-packed movies), investing in a next-level TV that features the latest tech is a great idea.

Investing in a TV can have benefits that go well beyond your experience of watching your favorite shows and movies. In fact, a new TV can make your home a more inviting place and may even entice your friends to come over for fun-filled watch parties and movie nights.

Awesome nights at home

According to FlowingData, Americans spend a majority of their waking hours in the comfort of their own home. While too much time spent indoors might not be beneficial to everyone, it's important to make your home as happy and comfortable a space as possible. For this reason, investing in a high-quality TV that enhances the enjoyment you get out of your favorite shows, movies, and games makes so much sense.

Fun with friends

Would you like your home to be the place your friends flock to whenever it's time for a movie night or to watch the big game? If so, buying a large, ultra high-definition TV is great for entertaining crowds. Plus, if you're hosting, there's a chance that some of the burden can be taken off of your shoulders when it comes to supplying snacks and ice-cold beverages.

Elevate your living room

If your living room is designed with elegant and modern touches, an old, boxy TV can really ruin the Feng Shui. Even if you're not a prolific TV watcher, investing in a sleek, modern TV can be a great choice to make your living room a more inviting place. You may even consider investing in a more design-oriented TV, such as the unique framed models that have become incredibly popular in recent years.