The Samsung 55-inch UN55KU6500 sits at the sweet spot in terms of screen size, price, and features. This 2016 HDTV offers today’s hottest tech neatly wrapped in a curved design for just $888.
As for the TV itself, the UN55KU6500 impresses visually and on paper. It uses direct LED lighting with local dimming, so that the clusters of light behind the screen can have their brightness adjusted independently of each other. Paired with Samsung’s High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, which provides a higher level of contrast between light and dark images, that means images take on a whole new level of detail so that dark scenes become less of a gloom-fest and bright images leap off the screen.
If you don’t have a library of 4K content to feed your TV — and who does — Samsung claims this TV’s upscaling picture engine will give any lower resolution video an instant visual boost.
Like most of today’s sets, the UN55KU6500 is a Smart TV and features built-in Wi-Fi (the fast 802.11ac variety) with support for Samsung’s Smart Hub. Popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Go are baked right into the TV without the need for a separate set-top box.
The UN55KU6500 also supports Sony’s PlayStation Now service. This subscription service lets gamers stream hundreds of PS3 games straight to your TV. (Plans start at $20/month and you’ll need your own DualShock controller.)
The included Smart Remote is a universal remote capable of controlling your cable box, Blu-ray player, game console, and streaming box. It supports voice commands and sports a built-in touchpad designed to simplify the navigation process.
In terms of connectivity, the TV offers three HDMI inputs and two USB ports.
Alternatively, Dell Home offers the Samsung 55-inch UN55KU6500 offers the same TV for $898.
$997.99 on Amazon $999.99 on Dell
