Best plasma HDTVs
Your wife or significant other doesn't want to fill the living room with a boxy rear-projector, yet you still want a big picture. Welcome to the perfect compromise: an inches-thick flat plasma display. These panels can handle all your video needs, including HDTV, DVD, standard-def TV and often computers too. Plasmas are still more-expensive than rear-projection sets, but they're getting more affordable all the time and usually cost less than flat-panel LCDs at similar screen sizes. And can you really put a price on domestic bliss?
Panasonic TH-50PZ800U
8.7 Excellent (reviewed 5/23/08)
With the accuracy of its THX mode and great black-level performance, the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U is one of the best-performing HDTVs available.
Read review of the Panasonic TH-50PZ800U
Pioneer PDP-5020FD
8.4 Excellent (reviewed 7/18/08)
Best-in-class black levels and excellent all-around performance places the Pioneer PDP-5020FD near the top of the picture quality heap, but it will cost you.
Read review of the Pioneer PDP-5020FD
Panasonic TH-50PX850U
8.3 Excellent (reviewed 7/1/08)
The Panasonic TH-50PZ850U's color accuracy issues prevent it from topping the high-end plasma HDTV heap, but excellent picture quality and unique interactive features maintain its appeal.
Read review of the Panasonic TH-50PX850U
Samsung PN50A550
8.0 Excellent (reviewed 4/14/08)
Accurate color helps set apart the excellent picture quality of the Samsung PN50A550 50-inch plasma HDTV.
Read review of the Samsung PN50A550
Samsung FP-T5084
8.0 Excellent (reviewed 10/10/07)
With accurate color and deep black levels, the Samsung FP-T5084 50-inch plasma's picture stands up well against some tough competition.
Read review of the Samsung FP-T5084
Panasonic TH-58PZ700U
8.0 Excellent (reviewed 8/30/07)
While it costs more than just about any rear-projection big-screen, the 58-inch Panasonic TH-58PZ700U plasma offers superb image quality.
Read review of the Panasonic TH-58PZ700U
Panasonic TH-46PZ85U
7.7 Very good (reviewed 4/17/08)
A couple of issues keep its picture out of the top tier, but excellent black-level performance still makes the Panasonic TH-46PZ85U plasma HDTV stand out from the pack.
Read review of the Panasonic TH-46PZ85U
Panasonic TH-50PH10UK
7.7 Very good (reviewed 9/21/07)
While still offering excellent all-around picture quality, the "professional" Panasonic TH-50PH10UK plasma TV isn't quite as good a bargain as its "consumer" cousins.
Read review of the Panasonic TH-50PH10UK
LG 50PG60
7.6 Very good (reviewed 6/12/08)
Although its THX mode isn't as accurate as we'd like to see, the LG 50PG60 50-inch plasma TV still delivers a good picture.
Read review of the LG 50PG60
Panasonic TH-42PX80U
7.3 Very good (reviewed 4/30/08)
Panasonic's TH-42PX80U 42-inch plasma sets the picture quality-to-value standard for entry-level flat-panel HDTVs.
Read review of the Panasonic TH-42PX80U
LG 50PC5D
6.9 Good (reviewed 7/11/07)
The LG 50PC5D suffers a few picture quality faults compared to the best 50-inch plasmas, but its aggressive price and solid black levels really increase its appeal.
Read review of the LG 50PC5D
