(Jun 26, 2009)
David Katzmaier
Senior Editor
Our "best products" lists to the left take into account design and features, as well as picture quality, but for people seeking the best picture period, the models below fit the bill. Each scored at least an "8" in the performance sub-rating. The topmost is about to go extinct, but the rest are current models that deliver peak performance in their respective categories.
Pioneer PRO-111FD
Best overall picture quality: The deepest blacks in the business and dead-on color make this expensive plasma the best HDTV we've ever reviewed. If you have the money, get one before it disappears.
Price:$3,249.00 - $4,499.98 (check prices)
Filed in: Best HDTVs overall, Best plasma TVs
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Panasonic TC-PG10 series
Best picture for the money: If you don't have the scratch for the Pioneer, the THX-certified Panasonic plasma is a worthy substitute for half the price.
Price:$1,259.99 - $1,799.95 (check prices)
Filed in: Best HDTVs overall, Best plasma TVs
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Sony KDL-XBR8 series
Best LED-backlit LCD: It calls for a major investment, but the image quality delivered by its local dimming LED-backlit screen is still the best we've ever seen from an LCD TV.
Price:$4,348.00 - $5,499.99 (check prices)
Filed in: Best HDTVs overall, Best LCD TVs
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Samsung LNB750 series
Best non-LED-based LCD: Standard backlight technology works just fine for this flat-panel LCD, thank you very much, and it costs less than LED-based models to boot.
Price:$2,027.00 - $2,899.99 (check prices)
Filed in: Best HDTVs overall, Best LCD TVs
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Samsung HL61A750
Best big-screen: The practical choice for those who want a huge screen and don't want to sacrifice the image quality.
Price: Sorry, pricing not available
Filed in: Best HDTVs overall, Best HDTVs: 54 inches and above
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