2013 Best of Year Television Awards
The TV market is a wild jungle of choices, so we hauled TV after TV into our labs in order to find the best.
Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.
{{boy_banner}}This article contains our picks from 2013. Looking for the best televisions of 2014? Check out our 2014 Best of Year Television Awards.{{/boy_banner}}
This year turned out to be a big one for television. First, cable integration hit the market. Searching for something to watch on a smart TV just got much easier, and a lot more fun. Then, UHD (ultra high definition, or "4K") displays started to crop up; with four times the pixels of regular HD TVs, these 4K televisions boast the sharpest pictures we've ever seen.
And just when you thought it couldn't get more exciting, a new technology emerged to blow plasma and LCD clean out of the water: OLED (organic light emitting diode) televisions from LG and Samsung made TV more beautiful and breathtaking than ever before.
Armed with a dark laboratory full of light meters, color meters, and calibration software, a few brave TV reviewers faced this brilliant technological jungle to shed light on the real talent. Today, we're proud to present the best of 2013.
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Best Television of the Year
Samsung OLED S9C
Samsung's OLED S9C TV can deliver true black levels, unlike older technologies—which means shadows and contours look more stunning than ever before. And since the S9C also wields an expanded color gamut, content has never looked so vibrant and lifelike either. This TV turns heads with more than just its picture quality, too: Samsung gave this titan a remarkable curved form. Some say it diverts unwanted glare, some say it delivers a more immersive picture, but everyone agrees that it's very unusual. Finally, the S9C also offers up flashy modern goods like voice and gesture control, cable integration, popular social apps, web browsing, 3D, and a gleaming touchpad remote. Bow down to the 2013 TV King. (Current list price approx. $8,998.99)
Read our full review of the Samsung OLED S9C here
Runner-up - LG OLED EA9800
The first of its kind to hit American soil, this LG OLED will dazzle viewers with its beautiful expanded color gamut. Nature documentaries positively pop off the screen. And did I mention it's the thinnest TV we've ever laid eyes on? It's not even a centimeter thick! And that's not even the most shocking aspect of its form factor: The EA9800 is also curved, appearing to float above its totally clear plastic stand. Users will also benefit from LG's excellent voice and gesture controls, integrated cable, and various web offerings. The OLED EA9800 is like no TV you've ever seen before, and it's our pleasure to award it this 2013 honor. (Current list price approx. $8,999.99)
Read our full review of the LG OLED EA9800 here
Best Innovation in Televisions
LG & Samsung for OLED TV Technology
These OLED displays are the only ones capable of perfect black levels, meaning the complete absence of light. Plasmas can't even do that. When you look upon a starry scene on the Samsung S9C or the LG EA9800, only the stars glimmer: Everything else is an impressive, lightless abyss, just as it should be. And unlike plasmas, OLED displays can also blow you away with blazing peak whites. In a word, OLED TVs finally give buyers the opportunity for perfect viewing in both sunny and theater-like settings. OLED tech even provides a more-colorful picture by offering a wider color gamut. The viewing angles are perfect, the panels are thinner, and the forms are lighter. Together, these huge strides earn LG and Samsung the Best Innovation in Televisions award.
Read about the LG OLED here and the Samsung OLED here.
Runner-up
LG & Samsung for Cable Integration
Using a simple piece of hardware known as an IR blaster, smart TVs from LG & Samsung collect information from your cable provider and repackage it for you; instead of scrolling through ugly lines of text, users can browse pretty, colorful posters to see what's on TV. Both platforms also take note of the programs you love in order to make recommendations based on your personal tastes. Browse by genre, interest, cast, or showtimes—finding something great to watch has never been easier or more enjoyable.
Read about LG's Smart Platform here and Samsung's Smart Hub here.
Best OLED TV - Samsung OLED S9C series
Read our full review of the Samsung OLED S9C here
Runner-up - LG OLED EA9800
Best Plasma Series - Panasonic ZT60 series
This plasma's jaw-dropping picture quality is accented by spiffy extras including a full-fledged smart platform, a touchpad remote, 3D tech, and a very deep menu system for ultimate picture customization. It may be expensive, but the ZT60 is the best plasma series of 2013. (Current list price approx: 60-inch, $2,999; 65-inch, $3,599)
Read our full review of the Panasonic ZT60 plasma series here
Runner-up - Samsung F8500 series
The F8500's big cherries on top include Samsung's wonderful cable integration, a touchpad remote, 3D tech, and a massive menu system. (Current list price approx: 51-inch, $1,898; 60-inch, $2,798; 64-inch, $3,398)
Read our full review of the Samsung F8500 plasma series here
Best Mid-Range Plasma Series
Panasonic Viera ST60 series
Read our full review of the Panasonic Viera ST60 series here
Runner-up - Samsung F5500 plasma series
Read our full review of the Samsung F5500 plasma series here
Best Value Plasma Series - LG PH6700 series
Read our full review of the LG PH6700 plasma series here
Runner-up - Samsung F5300 plasma series
Read our full review of the Samsung F5300 plasma series here
Best LCD Series - Samsung F6800 series
If you want the best LED LCD display that money can buy—a truly beautiful TV to serve as the centerpiece of your sunlit living room—the F6800 series is #1. Just keep in mind that only a robot can tell the difference between this series' picture quality and its runner-up. Humans, though, can tell the difference in price: The F6800 costs a great deal less. (Current list price approx: 46-inch, $1,047; 50-inch, $1,304; 55-inch, $1,700)
Read our full review of the Samsung F6800 LED LCD series here
Runner-up - Samsung F7500 series
Read our full review of the Samsung F7500 LED LCD series here
Best Mid-Range LCD Series - Samsung F6800
Read our full review of the Samsung F6800 LED LCD series here
Runner-up - Sony Bravia W900A series
Read our full review of the Sony Bravia W900A LED LCD series here
Best Value LCD Series - Vizio E551i-A2
This panel has both an impressive black level and admirable peak bright, and its colors are lush and mostly accurate. Sure, $768 won't get you top-tier motion performance or cool features, but a picture this solid—along with Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Instant Video—make it a terrific value for weary wallets. (Current list price approx: 55-inch, $768)
Read our full review of the Vizio E551i-A2 here
Runner-up - Samsung F5000 series
Read our full review of the Samsung F5000 LED LCD series here
Best TV Under $500 - Samsung UN40F5000
This display beat the competition in color color production, motion performance, and contrast, which is why it sweeps this honor. (Current list price approx: 40-inch, $496)
Read our full review of the Samsung F5000 LCD series here
Runner-up - Toshiba 39L4300U
Read our full review of the Samsung Smart Hub here
Runner-up - LG Google TV
Read our full review of the LG Google TV platform here
Best Design - Panasonic Viera WT60 series
Runner-up - LG OLED EA9800 series
Best Streaming Device - The Dish Hopper
Read our full review of the Dish Hopper here
Runner-up - Roku 3
Scores of people are giving up cable every day, and they're replacing it with streaming services like Netflix and Hulu Plus. If you're thinking of kicking the cable can and you don't already own a smart TV, the Roku 3 is ready to greet you with open arms. The Californian company really hit the nail on the head with this little box: For just $99, you'll get access to Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and HBO GO. Best of all? The included remote uses motion-control, voice commands, and a D-pad for quick, precise navigation. (MSRP: $95) **[Read our full review of the Roku 3 here] (https://televisions.reviewed.com/features/roku-3-review)**{{photo_gallery "large vanity"}}