TV Buying Guide Ireland: What to Look for in 2026

Buying a new TV should be exciting, not overwhelming. But with so many screen sizes, panel types, smart features, and brands to choose from, it's easy to feel lost. Whether you're upgrading your main living room TV or picking out a screen for the bedroom, this guide will walk you through everything that actually matters — and help you avoid paying for features you'll never use.

Here's your complete TV buying guide for the Irish market in 2026.

Step 1: Choose the Right Screen Size

Screen size is the single most impactful decision you'll make. The good news is there's a simple rule of thumb: measure the distance from your sofa to where the TV will sit, then divide by 1.5. That gives you the ideal screen size in inches.

For most Irish living rooms (viewing distance of 2–3 metres), that works out to 50""–65"" — which is the sweet spot for the majority of buyers. If you have a larger room or want a more cinematic experience, a 75"" model could be perfect.

One common mistake is buying too small. Most people who upgrade to a larger screen say they wish they'd done it sooner. If you're torn between two sizes, go bigger — you'll adjust within days and won't regret it.

Step 2: Understand Panel Types

TV panel technology has evolved rapidly, and understanding the key types will help you decide where to invest.

LED/LCD — The most common and affordable type. A backlight illuminates a liquid crystal display. Modern LED TVs deliver excellent brightness and colour, making them ideal for bright rooms. Available at every price point.

QLED — Samsung's enhanced LED technology with a Quantum Dot colour filter. Delivers richer, more vivid colours and higher brightness than standard LED, like the Samsung OLED range. Excellent for bright rooms and HDR content.

OLED — Each pixel produces its own light, delivering perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and stunning picture quality. Best for dark rooms, movies, and gaming. Premium pricing but increasingly competitive, as seen in models from LG OLED lineup.

Mini LED — An advanced LED backlight with thousands of tiny dimming zones. Offers much better contrast than standard LED while maintaining high brightness. A great middle ground between LED and OLED.

Step 3: Resolution — 4K Is the Standard

4K (3,840 × 2,160 pixels) is the standard resolution you should be looking at in 2026. Virtually all new TVs 43"" and above are 4K, and there's abundant 4K content on Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Ultra HD Blu-ray.

Full HD (1,080p) is fine for smaller secondary TVs (32"" and under), but for your main TV, 4K is the baseline. 8K exists but isn't worth the premium for most viewers due to limited content availability.

Step 4: Smart TV Features

Every modern TV is a smart TV, but the platform matters more than you might think. The main platforms you'll encounter in Ireland are Samsung's Tizen (Smart Hub), Google TV (used by Sony, TCL, and others), and LG's webOS.

All three support major Irish streaming apps — RTÉ Player, Virgin Media Player, Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and more. Samsung's Tizen is generally the fastest and most polished. Google TV offers the best voice assistant integration. LG's webOS is simple and intuitive.

Also check for built-in Chromecast or AirPlay support if you frequently cast content from your phone.

Step 5: HDR — What You Need to Know

HDR (High Dynamic Range) makes a genuinely visible difference to picture quality by expanding the range of brightness and colour your TV can display. Look for support for HDR10 (the baseline standard) and ideally Dolby Vision (a more advanced format used by Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+).

Samsung TVs use their own HDR10+ format instead of Dolby Vision, which is also excellent but less widely supported by streaming services. If Dolby Vision matters to you, LG and Hisense are strong options.

Step 6: Sound Considerations

Modern TVs are thinner than ever, which means built-in speakers are a compromise. For casual viewing, most mid-range TVs sound acceptable. But if you care about audio quality — especially for movies, music, or sport — consider budgeting for a soundbar.

Some TVs include audio features like Dolby Atmos decoding, which works well with compatible soundbars. Check whether the TV has an eARC HDMI port, which is essential for passing high-quality audio to an external sound system.

Step 7: Connectivity Checklist

Before you buy, check these essential connections:

HDMI ports — You'll want at least 3 HDMI ports. If you game, ensure at least one is HDMI 2.1 for 4K/120Hz support. USB ports — Useful for playing media from a USB drive. Ethernet — Wired internet gives more reliable streaming than Wi-Fi. Bluetooth — For connecting wireless headphones or speakers. Optical audio — For connecting to older sound systems.

Step 8: Energy Efficiency

With electricity costs in Ireland, energy efficiency is worth considering. TVs carry EU energy labels from A (most efficient) to G. OLED TVs tend to be more efficient than similarly-sized LED models since they don't need a full backlight. Look for energy-saving features like auto-brightness adjustment and eco modes.

Brands Available in Ireland

The main TV brands available at Euronics.ie include Samsung, LG, Hisense, and Toshiba — each offering different strengths across various price points. Samsung dominates at all price levels, LG leads in OLED, and Hisense offers excellent value at the budget and mid-range end.

Browse the full TV and Audio range at Euronics.ie to compare models, prices, and features across all brands.

Buying Tips for Irish Shoppers

When shopping for tvs in Ireland, timing your purchase can save you a significant amount of money. The best times to buy are during Black Friday sales in November, January sales after Christmas, and during bank holiday weekends when retailers frequently run promotions. Keep an eye on Euronics.ie for regular deals and seasonal offers.

Before you buy, always compare the total cost of ownership — not just the sticker price. Factor in energy consumption (check the EU energy label), expected lifespan, and any installation costs. A slightly more expensive model with a better energy rating can save you hundreds of euros over its lifetime in electricity costs, which is particularly relevant given Ireland's electricity prices averaging around €0.30 per kWh.

Delivery and installation are also worth considering. Many Irish retailers offer free delivery on large appliances, and some include basic installation. Check whether old appliance removal is included — having your old unit taken away can save you a trip to the recycling centre. Under Irish WEEE regulations, retailers are required to take back your old appliance when delivering a new one of the same type.

Frequently Asked Questions

What size TV should I buy for my living room?

Measure the distance from your sofa to the TV position in metres and divide by 1.5 to get the ideal screen size in inches. For a typical Irish living room (2.5m viewing distance), a 55 inch–65 inch TV is ideal. When in doubt, go bigger — most people wish they had.

Is QLED or OLED better?

QLED is brighter and better for well-lit rooms, while OLED offers superior contrast and perfect blacks for darker viewing environments. QLED also tends to be more affordable at the same screen size. Both deliver excellent picture quality.

How much should I spend on a TV in Ireland?

You can get a solid 55 inch 4K smart TV from around €400–600. Mid-range models with QLED or Mini LED technology sit at €700–1,200. Premium OLEDs start from around €900. The best value often sits in the €600–1,000 range where you get excellent technology without paying flagship prices.

Do I need a soundbar with my new TV?

For casual viewing, built-in TV speakers are fine. But if you enjoy movies, sport, or music, a soundbar makes a significant difference. Budget around €150–300 for a good soundbar. Make sure your TV has an eARC HDMI port for the best audio connection.

What smart TV platform is best?

Samsung's Tizen is the fastest and most polished. Google TV (on Sony and others) offers the best voice assistant integration. LG's webOS is simple and intuitive. All three support major Irish streaming services. Choose based on which ecosystem you already use.