Editors' Top Televisions
updated June 14, 2006

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Svelte and sexy LCD (liquid crystal display) flat-panels have been replacing bulky PC monitor tubes for the past several years. It was only a matter of time before those monitors grew up into bigger flat-panel TVs. Today's flat-panel LCD-based TVs range from 15 up to 45 inches and even bigger. They can be small enough to replace your old tube or big enough to compete against plasma. Here are our favorites.
-- David Katzmaier, senior editor

Editors' top televisions:

Best HDTVs overall | Best-performing HDTVs | Rear-projection HDTV | Plasma TV |

Flat-panel LCD TV

Flat-panel LCD TV

Televisions	Editors' rating	Price	Summary
Sony Bravia KDL-V40XBR1 Released: 08/15/2005	7.7 Very good	Email me when product is available	While not quite as good for home theater as the best plasmas, the expensive Sony Bravia KDL-V40XBR1 puts on a pretty face and delivers an impressive picture. Specs: LCD TV , 40 in, 1366 x 768 , 16:9 , Black

Sharp LC-32D4U Released: 08/15/2005	7.3 Very good	Email me when product is available	A step above most LCDs in terms of performance, features and styling, the Sharp LC-32D4U makes a good case for spending a bit more. Specs: LCD TV , 32 in, 450 cd/m2, 800:1 , 1366 x 768 , 16:9 , Piano black

Dell W3201C Released: 09/28/2005	7.3 Very good	Email me when product is available	While we'd like to see its price drop a bit, the Dell W3201C's impressive feature set and solid image quality definitely set it apart from the budget pack. Specs: LCD TV , 32 in, 450 cd/m2, 1000:1 , 1366 x 768 , 16:9

Sharp LC-37D40U Released: 04/15/2006	7.0 Very good	$1095	The Sharp LC-37D40U delivers some of the deepest blacks and very good overall image quality for an LCD, making it worth the extra dough for home-theater fans. Specs: LCD TV , 37 in, 450 cd/m2, 1200:1 , 1366 x 768 , 16:9

HP LC3200N Released: 08/01/2005	7.0 Very good	Email me when product is available	Although expensive, the HP LC3200N LCD manages to deliver a better picture than almost all of the competition. Specs: LCD TV , 32 in, 450 , 800:1 , 1366 x 768 , 16:9 , Black

Philips 42PF9830A Released: 09/01/2005	7.0 Very good	Email me when product is available	The Philips 42PF9830A is one of the best-performing LCDs we've reviewed, although it still doesn't rival the better plasmas at this size. Specs: LCD TV , 42 in, 550 cd/m2, 3500:1 , 1920 x 1080 , 16:9 , Pearl white silver

Sharp LC-20B8U-S	7.0 Very good	Email me when product is available	This Sharp LC-20B8U has the right combination of size and performance to serve up TV and even HDTV in your kitchen or bedroom. Specs: LCD TV , 20 in, 480 cd/m2, 500:1 , 1024 x 768 , 4:3 , Black

Samsung LN-S4051D Released: 04/15/2006	6.9 Good	Email me when product is available	Although it looks downright dreamy on the outside, the Samsung LN-S4051D's image quality has a hard time keeping up with the best flat panels. Specs: LCD TV , 40 in, 4000:1 , 1366 x 768 , 16:9

Dell W3706MC Released: 10/15/2005	6.9 Good	Email me when product is available	Despite its relatively light blacks, the Dell W3706MC has a decent picture, and its jack pack and versatile speakers sweeten the deal. Specs: LCD TV , 37 in, 500 cd/m2, 800:1 , 1366 x 768 , 16:9

Sharp AQUOS LC-45GX6U Released: 06/01/2004	6.8 Good	Email me when product is available	If you must have a large-screen LCD, this one's a decent choice, although plasma does offer better value. Specs: LCD TV , 45 in, 450 cd/m2, 800:1 , 1920 x 1080 , 16:9

JVC LT-32X776 Released: 07/15/2005	6.7 Good	Email me when product is available	If you're willing to spend the money, the JVC LT-32X776 delivers performance that beats bargain LCDs hands down. Specs: LCD TV , 32 in, 500 cd/m2, 800:1 , 1366 x 768 , 16:9

JVC LT-32X787	6.4 Good	Email me when product is available	Although its design gets off on the wrong foot, the midpriced JVC LT-32X787 boasts plenty of features and a better picture than most LCD TVs. Specs: LCD TV , 32 in, 500 cd/m2, 800:1 , 1366 x 768 , 16:9

Vizio L32 Released: 03/20/2006	6.3 Good	$600	While certainly not suited to discerning low-light viewing, the inexpensive Vizio L32HDTV is a good bargain for people seeking a solid everyday television. Specs: LCD TV , 32 in, 500 cd/m2, 800:1 , 1366 x 768

Westinghouse LTV-40W1HDC Released: 04/15/2006	6.2 Good	$1532	While the image quality of the Westinghouse LTV-40W1HDC didn't blow us away, its well-integrated DVD player should be a boon for kids. Specs: LCD TV , 40 in, 400 cd/m2, 700:1 , 1366 x 768 , 16:9 , Black

ViewSonic N3250W Released: 07/01/2005	6.0 Good	Email me when product is available	The ViewSonic N3250w outperforms most other budget 32-inch panels, putting pressure on its no-name competitors. Specs: LCD TV , 32 in, 500 cd/m2, 800:1 , 1366 x 768 , 16:9 , Black

Olevia LT32HV	6.0 Good	Email me when product is available	This dark-horse LCD delivers on price but not on picture quality. Specs: LCD TV , 32 in, 800 cd/m2, 1200:1 , 1366 x 768 , 16:9

Sony KLV-S32A10 Released: 08/15/2005	5.9 Average	$1129	Although Sony's KLV-S32A10 LCD produces relatively deep blacks, its overall image quality isn't worth the higher price. Specs: TV , 32 in, 1366 x 768 , 16:09 , Silver