Best TV brands: Panasonic Viera TVs Panasonic Viera TV performance
About Panasonic Viera TVs
While its big rival Sony has dropped plasma from its line-up, Panasonic remains committed to plasma, with 15 new models hitting the shelves this year. The plasma range is topped off by the 65” Panasonic Viera TX-P65VT50B.
Panasonic also has a very large range of LED models, with smart TV functionality appearing almost across the board. Only models in the entry level X5-series, such as the Panasonic Viera TX-L32X5B, lack internet connectivity.
Fans of 3D are well catered for too. The ET5 range features passive 3D technology, with four pairs of glasses included with each set, while ET50 models and above sport active 3D.
The majority of Panasonic TVs also have Voice Guidance, to help those with a visual impairment navigate the Electronic Programme Guide and switch channels.
See our Panasonic TV reviews to see how all the models fared.
Panasonic Viera TV - the Which? verdict
If you're a Which? member, make sure you're logged in to unlock the table data.
If you aren't, try a trial membership to get access to all our online content.
| Panasonic TV brand data | |
|---|---|
| Number tested |  |
| Average score | |
| Range of scores | |
| Best Buys | |
| Don't Buys | |
| Best Buy hit rate | |
| Brand reliability | |
| Pros | |
| Cons | |
Panasonic sticks with plasma
The Panasonic Viera TX-32X5B is a 32" LED model with Freeview HD for under £400
While other manufacturers continue to gravitate towards LED technology, Panasonic proudly sticks to its plasma technology for a good chunk of its 2012 model range.
Traditionally, plasmas displayed deeper blacks and smoother fast-moving motion vs other types of TV, but we've found that the gap has closed recently. One clear advantage that plasmas do hold, however, is that sets tend to be cheaper than the equivalently-sized LED model. Beware of higher energy use however, we've seen some recent plasmas with running costs of over £70 a year, based on being switched on for five hours a day.
LED models tend to consumer far less energy.
- Which? Best Buy TV - find out which models we recommend
- LED, LCD or Plasma? - see the pros and cons of each type of TV technology
- - read our guide before you buy
