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A 40-inch television is a great centerpiece for a living room or home theater and does not take up too much space.
With a medium screen size, the display is large enough to be seen from across the room without losing resolution or image quality. All 40-inch televisions may be the same size, but it is the inside that counts.
To find the right 40-inch television, you need to think about specifications like screen resolution, refresh rate, panel type, and other features. These specs are the best way to compare and contrast the different televisions available.
Exciting features like voice control, a user-friendly interface, and Chromecast can make the difference between an adequate TV and an amazing one.
Television screen technology has come a long way since the days of vacuum tubes. Today, most 40-inch televisions fall into one of two screen categories: LED and OLED.
Both terms refer to the pixels a TV uses to create the colors that form screen images. Much like plasma and LCD screens, these technologies use thousands of little colored lights to create images.
LED TVs: Light shines through a crystal panel, meaning the TV has a backlight to produce the illumination required to see the picture. Compared to OLED TVs, LED technology is less expensive. However, it has some limitations in terms of color and contrast.
OLED TVs: These cost more, but they have some distinct advantages over LEDs. Each pixel on an OLED display emits its own light. This eliminates the need for a backlight, decreasing the thickness of the TV. Since individual pixels can turn on and off to create deeper black and brighter white tones, OLEDs are a must-have for distinct image contrast.
A screen's resolution is a simple measurement of the number of pixels it has to create the details of an image. More pixels equal finer details, especially when you view a TV up close. In the 40-inch range, most TVs have at least a true HD resolution: 1,920 x 1,080 pixels.
Televisions with 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) have become more popular and affordable. These TVs quadruple the number of pixels the television has available. In most cases, this amount is enough for a great viewing experience.
The refresh rate is another important specification for the smoothest and most fluid picture available. It measures how quickly the screen can refresh the image and is usually expressed in hertz (Hz).
Lower rates can struggle with faster movements, like action sequences. A rate of 120 Hz or higher should be more than enough to offer a smoother view and is especially useful for playing video games online via Wi-Fi, where every moment may be the difference between victory and a loss.
While external sound systems are a popular preference with many home viewers, you shouldn't ignore the quality of a television's sound. The built-in speakers can supplement a larger sound system or fully drive the audio by themselves. Either way, sound quality is just as important as image quality when it comes to getting the most out of your shows and movies.
If you want to buy a sound upgrade and acoustic accessories, the quality of the built-in speakers is less important. It's easy to find a good soundbar, main speakers, and subwoofers to create a surround-sound setup that rivals many home theaters.
Nearly all 40-inch televisions include smart functionality for streaming videos and surfing the web, smart home controls, and other convenient features. One of the greatest things about owning a Roku TV, Fire TV, or Android TV is instant access to a range of favorite streaming apps like Netflix and Apple TV.
Whether they prefer the Nintendo Switch or Xbox Series X, gamers upgrading from an older HD or Full-HD TV will be pleased to know their video games will look better and play far more smoothly by connecting their console via an HDMI port. If you own and regularly play multiple video game consoles, consider a 40-inch TV with two or more HDMI ports.
Some television manufacturers have integrated voice controls into their remote controls. Voice assistants like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa make it even easier and faster to search through an ocean of streaming entertainment.
40-inch televisions are fairly affordable when compared to larger models, but prices vary depending on the screen resolution, incorporated technologies, and the manufacturer itself.
Using a TV mount can free up space in your bedroom, living room, or office. Nearly all televisions come with a stand you can set up on any flat service, but a dedicated wall mount is an affordable space-saving solution that doesn't require much installation time outside of a few small holes and additional screws.
You will need to double-check to ensure that the mount you are considering is compatible with your TV before you buy, or else you risk having a bad first experience with your brand-new TV.
Adjustable wall mounts are the best solution for securing your television to the wall regardless of its size. These mounts have sliding support bars that screw directly into the mounting holes in the back of the television. Some mounts also have an adjustable bracket that pivots, changing the angle of view for larger spaces or awkward corners.
A few 40-inch television options are under $150. Although you will save upfront, these cheap models are rarely more impressive than Full-HD, and some lack smart functionality as well. If you need a basic secondary TV, this may be a good solution, but if you need something for the long haul, it is worth spending more for a nicer viewing experience.
Between $150 and $500, the available televisions at this size increase in number. More manufacturers offer televisions in the range that include 4K resolution capabilities and some smart features. Most use LED screens to keep costs down.
Above $500, you can find extra-large OLEDs with lifelike colors and dynamic image contrast. Certain models also include cinema-like features like Dolby Atmos audio, full array local dimming, and an extra-wide viewing angle.
Televisions with HDR, or high dynamic range, offer better colors and image contrast for 4K content.
A. You don’t need the largest screen you can afford, but a larger screen does improve the experience. This is especially true in larger spaces.
A. For the best viewing experience, yes. A true 4K television displays greater details that make viewing more immersive than an HD TV. With that said, HD televisions are still perfect for enjoying visual content.
A. Screen size is determined when measured diagonally from one corner of the display to the other. Therefore, the average 40-inch television is approximately 35.5 inches wide and 22.6 inches high. Similarly, the average 43-inch would be about 37.9 inches wide and 24.7 inches tall.
