In today’s fast-paced digital world, having a user-friendly television that offers a comprehensive range of content options is essential. That’s where smart TVs come in. These innovative devices combine the functionality of a traditional television with the convenience of modern technology, providing users with an intuitive and interactive entertainment experience. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the best smart TVs on the market, focusing on their voice control capabilities and how they enhance our viewing pleasure.
1. Introduction
In recent years, smart TVs have revolutionized the way we consume media. Gone are the days of flipping through channels or connecting external devices to access streaming services. With a smart TV, everything you need is built right into the device. These TVs are equipped with powerful processors, internet connectivity, and user-friendly interfaces that allow you to access a wide range of content with just a few clicks or voice commands.
2. How Smart TVs Work
Smart TVs combine the features of a traditional television with internet connectivity and smart platforms or operating systems. These platforms allow the TV to connect to the internet, access streaming services, and run various applications. Some manufacturers develop their own smart platforms, while others use existing operating systems such as Google’s Android TV or Roku OS.
Smart Platforms and Operating Systems
Smart platforms provide a range of features and applications, so it’s essential to choose a TV that supports your preferred streaming services. Popular platforms include Roku, LG webOS, Samsung Tizen, and Android TV. Each platform has its own interface and app store, offering a variety of entertainment options. When choosing a smart TV, consider the availability of streaming services and the user interface that suits your preferences.
Internet Connectivity
To access the full range of features, smart TVs require an internet connection. Most smart TVs can connect to your home network via Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet connection. With an internet connection, you can stream content from services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. It also allows the TV to receive software updates, ensuring you have the latest features and bug fixes.
Streaming Services and Apps
One of the main advantages of smart TVs is their ability to access a wide range of streaming services and applications. Popular services like Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer are available on most smart TVs. Some services require a subscription, while others are free to access, assuming you have the necessary licenses. Additionally, smart TVs often offer TV catch-up apps, allowing you to watch shows you may have missed.
Software Updates
Keeping your smart TV connected to the internet ensures that you receive regular software updates from the manufacturer. These updates include bug fixes, security patches, and new features. Regular updates help improve the overall performance and user experience of your TV, ensuring you get the most out of your investment.
3. The Advantages of Voice Control
Voice control is one of the most exciting features of modern smart TVs. It allows you to interact with your TV using natural language commands, making the entire experience more convenient and hands-free. Let’s explore some of the key advantages of voice control in smart TVs.
Convenience and Hands-Free Operation
With voice control, you can perform various tasks without having to use a remote control or navigate through menus. Whether you want to change the channel, adjust the volume, or search for a specific show or movie, you can simply speak the command, and your TV will respond accordingly. This hands-free operation is especially useful for those with mobility issues or when you’re busy doing other things.
Voice Assistants and Smart Speakers
Many smart TVs come with built-in voice assistants like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. These assistants can understand and execute voice commands, allowing you to control not only your TV but also other smart devices in your home. For example, you can ask your TV to dim the lights, adjust the thermostat, or play music on a compatible smart speaker. If you already have a smart speaker in your home, ensure that your TV is compatible with the voice assistant it supports.
Screen Mirroring and Mobile Device Integration
Smart TVs often offer screen mirroring or screen sharing capabilities, allowing you to view content from your smartphone or tablet directly on the TV screen. This feature is convenient for sharing photos, videos, or presentations with friends and family. Some manufacturers provide their own screen mirroring technology, while others use third-party solutions like Google Chromecast. Check if your smart TV supports screen mirroring to enhance your multimedia experience.
Smart Home Integration and Control
Another advantage of voice-controlled smart TVs is their ability to act as control hubs for other smart devices in your home. Once connected to your TV, you can manage devices like thermostats, lights, security cameras, and video doorbells. This integration allows you to control and monitor your smart home devices directly from your TV, providing a centralized and convenient way to manage your connected ecosystem.
4. Top Smart TVs for Voice Control
Now that we understand the benefits of voice control in smart TVs, let’s explore some of the top models on the market that excel in this area. These TVs offer a range of features, excellent picture quality, and seamless integration with voice assistants and smart home devices. Here are our top picks:
4.1 TCL RC630K: The Smart TV with the Biggest App Selection
The TCL RC630K is an affordable smart TV that runs on the Roku OS, providing users with an extensive selection of apps and streaming platforms. With support for popular services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV, you’ll have access to a wide range of content. Additionally, the Roku interface is user-friendly and highly intuitive, allowing you to customize the app grid to quickly access your favorite channels. The RC630K also utilizes a quantum dot LED LCD panel, delivering impressive picture quality with accurate colors and support for HDR10+ and Dolby Vision.
4.2 LG C2 OLED: The Best Smart TV for Gaming
The LG C2 OLED is a top-of-the-line smart TV that excels in gaming performance. With fantastic picture quality for both SDR and HDR content, this TV delivers a truly immersive gaming experience. It features four HDMI 2.1 ports, supporting 4K at 120Hz, Auto Low Latency Mode, and Variable Refresh Rate, making it ideal for next-gen gaming consoles. The C2’s input lag is impressively low at just 5ms, ensuring smooth and responsive gameplay. It also comes with LG’s webOS, providing easy access to popular streaming services and voice control capabilities.
4.3 Panasonic LZ2000: The Smart TV for Superior Audio Quality
If audio quality is a priority for you, the Panasonic LZ2000 is an excellent choice. This smart TV features a built-in 360° Soundscape Pro sound system, delivering immersive audio without the need for additional speakers. With a total sonic output of 150W, the LZ2000 can reproduce bombastic film soundtracks with impressive grandeur. Panasonic’s Space Tune calibration ensures balanced audio tailored to your living space. Alongside its audio prowess, the LZ2000 offers exceptional picture quality, support for major streaming platforms, and a sleek OLED display.
4.4 LG G2 OLED evo Gallery Edition: The Best Smart TV for Wall Mounting
The LG G2 OLED evo Gallery Edition is designed specifically for wall mounting, making it a stylish addition to any home. With its slimline design and OLED evo panel, this TV delivers stunning picture quality with enhanced brightness. While the G2 lacks HDR10+ support, it more than compensates with its sensational performance in other areas. It features LG’s webOS, offering a comprehensive selection of streaming services and voice control capabilities. Despite its slim profile, the G2 also delivers impressive sound quality through its built-in 70W 2.1-channel sound system.
4.5 Samsung QN95C: The Best Smart TV for Smart Home Control
The Samsung QN95C is a flagship 4K Neo QLED TV that excels in smart home control. Running on the latest version of Samsung’s Tizen smart platform, this TV offers an extensive range of streaming services and app support. The QN95C’s homepage fills the screen with recommended content, and you can customize it to access your favorite apps quickly. It also features an in-built module for controlling Zigbee and Thread smart devices, eliminating the need for additional dongles. With its superb picture quality, excellent gaming support, and impressive audio, the QN95C is a smart TV that stands out from the crowd.
4.6 Philips 807: The Smart TV for a Unique Viewing Experience
The Philips 807 offers a unique viewing experience with its four-sided Ambilight technology. This feature enhances the immersion by illuminating the wall behind the TV with colors that match the on-screen content. The Ambilight can also act as a bias light, improving perceived contrast and reducing eye strain. Alongside its Ambilight feature, the 807 boasts impressive SDR and HDR performance, thanks to its OLED display and advanced AI-led picture processing. It offers screen mirroring capabilities, a variety of streaming services, and a built-in 70W 2.1-channel sound system.
4.7 Sony A80J: The Best Smart TV for Voice Controls
The Sony A80J is our top pick for Google TV options, providing a fully functional smart assistant experience. With built-in Google Assistant and support for Alexa, this TV offers seamless voice control and integration with other smart devices. The Google TV platform is well-designed and intuitive, providing easy access to popular streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, and YouTube. The A80J delivers excellent picture quality, stylish design, and Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, transforming the panel into a speaker for immersive sound. It also features HDMI 2.1 ports for next-gen gaming capabilities.
5. Conclusion
Smart TVs have become an integral part of our entertainment experience, offering a wide range of features and functionalities. With voice control capabilities, these TVs provide increased convenience and seamless integration with other smart devices in our homes. Whether you’re looking for a TV with a vast app selection, superior gaming performance, immersive audio quality, smart home integration, or unique viewing experiences, our top picks have you covered. Choose the smart TV that best suits your needs and enjoy the endless possibilities of voice-controlled entertainment.
