Why now is a great time to buy a TV 

The spring TV buying sweetspot is upon us. Last year's TVs are as cheap as they're going to get (for the most part) and new models cost a fortune.

Sure, they look tempting and brands make a big deal about the importance and difference new features make, but TVs cost too much at launch and are rarely better than models from the previous year. Set your sights on a 2024 TV instead and you'll find astonishing TVs heavily discounted.

In addition to the three models we've picked here, our TV deals page is flooded with amazing sets – over half of them are as cheap as they've ever been and cost far less than their 2025 counterparts. 

The 2025 TVs are coming, so check out our the best TVs from 2024 before they're gone.

Three TVs worth checking out

There are still plenty of 2024 models on sale, but they will start to vanish over the next few months and some already have. That's because manufacturers aren't making them anymore. The factories have switched over to producing 2025 models, so once they're gone they're gone.

LG OLED42C44LA 

This 42-inch OLED is one of LG's most high-end TVs from last year. At around £750 it's still costly, but bear in mind that the TV replacing it in 2025 will likely launch for double the price or even a bit more.

It's the smallest OLED available, but has the same high-end tech as bigger models in the range, including a top-tier processor designed to squeeze every drop of detail from the millions of light-producing pixels in the display.

The small screen makes it a popular model in the UK and one of our most looked at reviews from 2024. Being high-end also means it's likely to stick around for a bit longer, but it's still worth acting fast if this telly is right for you.

Check the full LG OLED42C44LA review to see our final verdict.

Hisense 50U6NQTUK

2024 was a good for Hisense. We saw a real improvement in quality from its TVs and it didn't increase its prices much in the process. 

The 50-inch 50U6NQTUK is a mid-range TV, but its priced like an entry-level one, and it has several features you wouldn't expect. Advanced HDR format Dolby Vision IQ, for better adaptive contrast, and variable refresh rate, to make games run smoother, are a surprising and welcome inclusion on a TV that costs less than £500.

Hisense TVs don't typically want for features, but have struggled in recent years with colour and contrast balance and thin sound.

Read the Hisense 50U6NQTUK review to see what improvements have been made.

Samsung QE55Q60D

Other brands have dabbled, but Samsung is the flagbearer for QLED tech. It's still a backlit display, like LCD models, but in addition to the liquid crystals you get quantum dots as well. These are designed to boost colours and Samsung makes some of the most vivid displays.

The 55-inch QE55Q60D is a mid-range QLED TV, so you're getting that screen improving technology as well as advanced HDR10+ that should help with contrast on 4K content.

Samsung TVs are the best for anyone with accessibility needs thanks to an impressive suite of features that other brands don't have, and the bigger screen means bigger speakers, which should lead to fuller sound.

Check the full Samsung QE55Q60D review to see what we thought of the picture and sound.

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How to spot a TV bargain in May

TV prices are predictable, which makes hunting for a bargain like shooting fish in a barrel. TVs launch in the spring for far too much money and start to fall almost immediately. Usually it takes a few weeks to a month before retailers start shaving off a few quid here and there.

From there the prices continue to fall. Black Friday and January sales are good times to buy, but the sweetspot is that glorious overlap where new models are releasing while TVs from the previous year are still available. That sweet spot is now.

Retailers want to get rid of these old sets, so prices reach their lowest point. Prices may get lower the closer a TV comes to the end of its shelflife, so waiting until the last possible bit of stock is available will likely get you the best price, but it's risky as you might miss out. 

So, if you're eyeing up a TV from 2024, you can be confident it's at a good price. Of course that doesn't mean it's a good TV, so always check our reviews or use our advice on how to spot a Don't Buy TV.

How to tell if a TV is from 2024

It's simple enough, but you need to understand how brands name their TVs. There's always a number or letter that tells you what year the TV was released. Here's what to look out for to spot a 2024 model.

• Samsung TV names end in a D or have a D after the screen size.
• LG TVs have T after the screen size, towards the end of the model name or have a four after the first letter if they are an OLED.
• Panasonic TVs have a W for LCD TVs or a Z for OLED TVs after the screen size in the model name.
• Sony's naming convention isn't as straightforward and there isn't anything in the name of its 2024 TVs that will tell you that's what year they were released.
• Hisense TVs from 2024 end with NQTUK.
• The second number in the name of a Philips TV will start with an eight.

For more information on how brands differentiate sets and what all the letters and numbers mean, check our guide on how to decode TV model names.

Where to find a bargain TV in May

Don't be surprised if you start struggling to find models in Currys, John Lewis, Richer Sounds and other major retailers. These shops will get their 2025 inventory first giving them more incentive to shift older stock more quickly or remove it from sale.

Typically, it's smaller local retailers to where you'll see the last vestiges of 2024 stock, so be prepared to consider some retailers you aren't familiar with. All our reviews have links to stores where the TVs are still available, plus you can be sure these are trusted retailers who won't rip you off. 

Here are some retailers where you're likely to see good savings:

• AO - similar to Currys and John Lewis. It has a wide range of TVs with five-year warranties available on some models.
• Appliances Direct - an online only retailer that can have cheaper prices than the likes of Currys and John Lewis. You need to pay extra for extended warranties.
• Currys - a popular retailer with a wide range of TVs, regular sales and five year warranties on some models. 
• Hughes - often one of the last places to have stock on older TVs, so it's a good place to look for 2024 models if you've left it late.
• John Lewis - online and physical store with a wide range of TVs. It offers a five-year warranty on most of them and it does well in our store survey for value for money and customer service.
• Richer Sounds - has the longest TV warranty at six years and often comes as the best retailer for value for money and customer service in our survey.