What TV should I buy? 

Choosing a TV depends on various factors such as your budget, room size, viewing habits, and desired features. What’s the best television for my living room? What TV screen size fits best? Which brand should is best for me? This television buying guide will help you explore all the key questions and help you decide on which TV is right for you. 

Understanding Resolution

TV resolution is one of the key factors in determining the picture quality of your television. Here’s a detailed guide on TV resolutions:

  • HD (720p) - Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels
    This resolution is considered the entry-level standard for HD. It’s less common in new TVs but can still be found in smaller, budget-friendly models. Suitable for smaller screens and basic viewing needs.
  • Full HD (1080p)  - Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
    This was the standard resolution for most TVs until recently. It offers good picture quality for most viewing experiences and is still widely available. Ideal for regular TV watching, streaming, and gaming on smaller to mid-sized screens.
  • 4K Ultra HD (2160p) - Resolution: 3840 x 2160 pixels
    Currently the most popular resolution for new TVs. 4K TVs provide four times the resolution of Full HD, resulting in much sharper and more detailed images, especially on larger screens. Great for a wide range of content, including movies, sports, and gaming.
  • 8K Ultra HD - Resolution: 7680 x 4320 pixels
     The latest advancement in TV resolution. 8K offers sixteen times the resolution of Full HD. While the content available in 8K is limited, this resolution provides an incredibly detailed picture, best appreciated on very large screens. 8K TVs are expensive and are more of a future-proofing investment.

    • What is an integrated washing machine?

    Want something you can easily hide away? A built-in or integrated washing machine is designed to slot into its own cupboard or under-counter space so it stays out of sight. Most will be built to fit standard cabinet sizes. But it’s still important to measure carefully if you want the best integrated washing machine for your space.

    What is a washer dryer?

    A washer dryer is perfect if you need to save on space, combining both a washing machine and a tumble dryer in one. Like regular washing machines, a washer dryer combo can be freestanding or integrated.

    Will it fit?

    How to measure for a new washing machine

    Before you start your search, it’s really important to measure the area you want your washing machine to go. This’ll help you narrow down your options and make sure you don’t get your heart set on a model that just won’t fit!.

    Grab your tape measure and record the height, width and depth of your space. Now subtract 5cm from the width and 15cm from the depth. This will allow enough of a gap for your machine to be properly ventilated – giving you your ideal washing machine measurements. Oh, and don’t forget to check you’ve got enough room to open your machine door to load and unload your washing.


    Standard washing machine measurements are roughly 84-85cm high, 59.5-60cm wide and 50-60cm deep. But things do vary between models, so, always double-check the product specs.

    Things to consider

    These are the standard features to look for in a TV, no matter what type you’re getting or budget you have. So if you’re weighing things up between two particular models, be sure to compare these TV features when making your final decision!

    Screen Size

    Calculating your TV size is less complicated than you might think. A TV's size refers to its diagonal length, measured from the upper left-hand corner of the actual TV screen to the lower right-hand corner. Most TV sizes are expressed in inches.

    It can be difficult to know how big your TV should be. We recommend that you choose the biggest TV size  you can fit in the room for a truly immersive viewing experience.

    TV viewing distance is something to keep in mind when deciding what is the best size TV for your room and calculating how far you should sit from your TV. All TVs have a recommended distance and angle that you will want to consider when setting it up in your home. The best, most immersive viewing experience occurs when 40 degrees of your field of view is taken up by the screen. (Source: Samsung)

    Resolution

    On a TV, screen resolution refers to the number of vertical and horizontal pixels there are in the display. Usually, the higher the screen resolution, the sharper the image will be.

    High-resolution displays – like ultra-high definition, or UHD TVs – produce more detailed images, whether you’re watching a film or TV show, or playing a game. For a long time, the standard resolution was 1920 x 1080 (or 1080p), - 4K UHD TVs have a screen resolution of 3840 x 2160, or 2160p, for example.

    8K TVs offer an even higher screen resolution than this, at 7680 x 4320 pixels (4320p). Both 4K and 8K TVs offer very high-quality images that are fantastic for watching almost anything.

     

    Energy Rating

    The energy label of a television indicates how sustainable the TV is on a scale from A to G. The closer the label is to A, the more energy-efficient the television is. An energy-efficient TV is more affordable in use, because you pay less electricity costs.  So whether you’re looking to purchase an extra large 75-inch OLED home cinema TV or something smaller for the study, it’s always important to know how much energy your TV uses while you watch. Thankfully, most TVs these days are built with efficiency in mind, so you can still enjoy brilliant immersive TV viewing on large screens without paying massive energy bills.

    Warranty

    TVs at Soundstore come with warranties ranging from 1-5 Years. Registration is normally required for extended warranty (>1 Year). 

    All Samsung TVs come with a 12-month manufacturer warranty. If you buy a Samsung Neo QLED, QLED or Lifestyle TV, you'll also get a 10-year Screen Burn warranty.

    Selected models of Sony Bravia TVs come with a 5 Year Warranty which customer must claim via registration. 

    When buying your TV always consider the warranty provided by the manufacturer. In addition, you can also purchase extended warranties with all our TVs. 

    Screen Type

    When it comes to TV screen types, there are several technologies available, each with its own set of features, advantages, and disadvantages.

    Here are some of the Screen types that you might come across. 

    1. LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

    2. LED (Light Emitting Diode)

    3. OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode)

    4. QLED (Quantum Dot LED)

    5. MicroLED

    6. Plasma

    Our extensive range of TVs includes just about every incredible display type you might want. We explain the display types on our product pages and our in store experts can also advise. 

     

    Connections

    Choosing a TV with the right connections depends on the devices you plan to use with your TV and your preferences for wired or wireless connectivity. You need to consider how many devices e.g. consoles, speakers etc that you  might want to connect and how many HDMI/USB inputs you might require. Do you need Bluetooth? Do you need an SD Card Slot? Do you want to connect your headphones with an audio jack?

    Here are some guidelines to help: 

    • Best for Video and Audio: HDMI
    • Best for Audio Only: Optical Digital Audio
    • Best for Internet: Ethernet for wired, Wi-Fi for wireless
    • Best for Legacy Devices: RCA (Composite/Component) and RF. 

    6 kg drum

    5 trousers & t-shirts or 1 single duvet

    7-9 kg drum

    7 trousers & t-shirts or 1 double duvet

    +10 kg drum

    10 trousers & t-shirts or 1 kingsize duvet

    Extra features

    Quiet performance

    No-one wants a racket while they’re washing their things - especially if you’re WFH! If you want a quiet washing machine, check its average noise level in decibels (dB). While you’ll never get a totally silent washing machine, anything below 50dB is considered particularly quiet.

    Auto-dosing

    With an auto-dosing washing machine, you fill up a special detergent compartment ahead of time. Then when it’s time to do your wash, it automatically adds just the right amount of detergent by correctly weighing your washing.

    Enhanced cleaning

    Spilling wine, coffee or anything else doesn’t have to be the end of your favourite outfit. Many machines now come with special enhanced cleaning or stain removal programmes. Some use steam to tackle the problem while others adjust the soaking time, temperature or drum action to remove stains

    Sensor guided wash

    Get rid of the guesswork! These washing machines have built-in sensors that automatically adjust the water, heat and spin speed amount depending on your laundry load. Plus, since you’re never using more energy or water than you need, it can help with the bills too.

    Add to the wash

    Everyone knows that feeling – you’ve put the wash on only to find you’ve missed a sock. A ‘pause cycle’ button or washing machine add-wash function lets you chuck those forgotten bits into the wash mid-cycle. So there’s no need to wait until your next laundry day.

    Self-cleaning

    To keep your washing machine working at its best, it’s a good idea to give the drum a clean every now and then. That’s why some machines have a self-cleaning cycle to remove softener, detergent and dirt build-ups in the drum.

    “Quick wash is brilliant when you’re in a bind, but it doesn’t have the cleaning power for your whole weekly wash. If you want speed every time, check for machines that can do a full load in under an hour.”

    —Kay, Soundstore Tech Expert

    Video guides

    How to disconnect a washing machine

    How to connect a washing machine

    How to connect a washing machine

    How we can help get you started

    Delivery

    Don’t fancy cramming it in the car? We can deliver your new TV for you! And what's more Larger Television (>55") are delivered the next working day in most parts of Cork for orders placed before 12 Midnight and in most parts of Munster for orders received before 3 PM provided the item is in stock in your region & within APPROX. 3-5 working days in all other areas. 

    Collect in Store

    Order online, avoid the shipping costs, and collect your items from any of our 6 stores in Munster, whenever and wherever is most convenient for you. You can check availability on our product pages and choose the store that is most convenient to you. For more information click here - Click & Collect

    Recycling

    You can take your old television along to your local Soundstore and we’ll recycle it for free – even if you bought it somewhere else - No purchase necessary. For more information on recycling at Soundstore click here - WEEE Recycling. 

    FAQ

    What size TV should I get?

    Consider the size of the room and the viewing distance. A general rule is that the TV's diagonal size should be about 1/3 to 1/2 the viewing distance.

    What resolution should I choose?

    For most viewers, a 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) TV is recommended as it offers a sharp and detailed picture. However, if you're on a budget or buying a smaller TV, 1080p (Full HD) might suffice..

    What about HDR?

    High Dynamic Range (HDR) enhances the contrast and color accuracy of the picture, providing a more lifelike image. Look for TVs that support HDR10 or Dolby Vision for the best experience.

    What refresh rate should I look for?

    A higher refresh rate (typically 120Hz or higher) can reduce motion blur, making it ideal for watching sports or playing video games.

    Should I buy a 4K or 8k TV?

    For most buyers, 4K Ultra HD is currently the best choice, offering a great balance between price, content availability, and picture quality. However, if you’re looking for a budget option, Full HD still provides good quality for everyday viewing. If you’re a technology enthusiast or want to future-proof your setup, consider investing in an 8K TV, keeping in mind the current limitations in content availability.

    What's the difference between OLED, QLED, and LED?

    LED: Uses LED backlighting and offers good brightness and color. It’s the most common and budget-friendly.

    QLED: Uses Quantum Dot technology for better brightness and color accuracy compared to standard LED.

    OLED: Each pixel emits its own light, resulting in deeper blacks and better contrast. It’s generally more expensive but offers superior picture quality.

    Smart TV features: Are they important?

    Smart TV functionality allows you to access streaming services, apps, and the internet directly from your TV. Look for platforms like Roku, Android TV, or webOS, depending on your preference.

    Which panel type is best?

    LED/LCD TVs are the most common and affordable, offering good picture quality. OLED TVs provide deeper blacks and wider viewing angles but tend to be more expensive. QLED TVs offer improved brightness and color volume compared to traditional LED/LCD TVs.

    Is the Brand important?

    Yes, brand reputation can indicate quality and reliability. Established brands like Samsung, LG and Sony are known for their durable and high-quality TVs. However, newer or lesser-known brands can offer good value for money.

    What connectivity options do I need?

    Ensure the TV has enough HDMI ports for your devices (e.g., cable box, gaming console). Other useful connections include USB ports, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi

    Is audio quality important?

    While many TVs have built-in speakers, they may not offer the best audio quality. Consider investing in a soundbar or external speakers for a better audio experience. Check out our range of soundbars here - Soundbars at Soundstore

    Where to buy a TV?

    Well, really we'd have to recommend Soundstore - you can visit our Stores in Cork - Wilton, Blackpool, Midleton, Waterford, Limerick or Tralee. Our instore experts will be ready to assist you or you can shop online at www.soundstore.ie. Best Prices Guaranteed. Next Day Delivery in most parts of Munster. Installations available also.