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 in inches, then divide by 1.5. That gives you the ideal screen size in inches (1 metre is about 39 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: a TV can look smaller on your wall than it did in the shop. If you're torn between two sizes, measure your viewing distance and let the formula above decide.
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 — LED technology with a Quantum Dot colour layer, used by several brands. Delivers richer, more vivid colours and higher brightness than standard LED. 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: compare our OLED range.
Mini LED — An advanced LED backlight made of thousands of tiny LEDs, controlled in many separate 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. Google TV has Google Assistant built in, and each platform has its own layout, so choose the one you find easiest to use.
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 a format that adjusts the picture scene by scene: Dolby Vision (used by Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+) or HDR10+ (used by Amazon Prime Video).
Samsung TVs support HDR10+ rather than Dolby Vision. If Dolby Vision matters to you, check the HDR formats listed in each TV's specifications.
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
TVs carry an EU energy label rated from A (most efficient) to G for standard pictures, with a separate class for HDR. Larger, brighter screens usually sit lower on the scale, so compare models of the same size and look at the on-mode power in watts. Automatic brightness, which adjusts the picture to the light in your room, can also lower the power a TV uses.
Brands Available in Ireland
The main TV brands available at Euronics.ie include Hisense, LG, Samsung, and Toshiba, each with models across a range of sizes and price points.
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, check the EU energy label. Every TV is rated from A to G for standard pictures, with a separate class for HDR, and the label shows how much power the TV uses in watts. Larger, brighter screens usually sit lower on the scale, so compare models of the same size.
Check the delivery options for larger screens, and measure doorways and stairs if you are buying a 75" TV or bigger. Under Irish WEEE rules, retailers take back your old TV free of charge when you buy 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 inches (1 metre is about 39 inches) and divide by 1.5 to get the ideal screen size. For a typical Irish living room (2.5m viewing distance), a 55 inch–65 inch TV is ideal. If you're between two sizes, the bigger one usually suits that distance better.
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?
Decide on the size first, then the screen type: a standard 4K LED TV gives you the most screen for your money, QLED and Mini LED add brightness and colour, and OLED sits at the top for contrast. Compare current prices across our TV range.
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. Make sure your TV has an eARC HDMI port for the best audio connection.
What smart TV platform is best?
Samsung's Tizen, Google TV (on Sony and others) and LG's webOS all support the major Irish streaming services, and Google TV has Google Assistant built in. Choose based on which ecosystem you already use.
