Which 4K TVs are worth buying?

Both Netflix and Amazon stream in 4K. Cameras like the Sony a7S and the Panasonic Lumix GH4 can shoot in 4K. Even smartphones have been getting in on the act, with handsets like the LG G Pro 2 and Sony Xperia Z2 capable of recording 4K video. So with the amount of 4K content available increasing every day, you may have been thinking about buying a 4K set so you too can bask in the glow of 3,840 x 2,160 resolution. But 4K sets don't come cheap, and you're going to want to do a bit of research before dropping that much cash. While we don't really review televisions here at Engadget, we've done the next best thing, compiling the opinions of trusted critics from across the web. Which set offers you the most bang for your buck? Do bells and whistles like a curved screen make a difference? Check out a few members of the 4K Class of 2014 below.

Panasonic Life+Screen AX800

At first blush, the Panasonic AX800 series has a lot going for it. It's a nice-looking set that PC Mag says is "minimalist and unique," suited for both TV stands and entertainment centers. Turn it on, and the picture is equally impressive, delivering what AVForums calls "rich textures and nuanced lighting," while Reviewed.com thinks this LCD could stand toe to toe with a good plasma set, due to its "good black levels, accurate colors and reliable screen uniformity." But if you're looking to sit down and enjoy some House of Cards in beautiful 4K, you'll be disappointed -- Netflix on the AX800 is limited to 1080p (and lower). Given the relative scarcity of commercial 4K content, the inability to watch a major provider like Netflix is a big ding on an otherwise stellar UHD set.

Price: $2,300 and up

Samsung U9000

Walk into a room and the first thing you'll notice about the Samsung U9000 is its curved screen, which CNET says adds a "unique, futuristic look" to a set that is overall "drop-dead gorgeous." It says the picture is equally stunning, offering "deep black levels, accurate color and great bright-room viewing qualities." But what about that curve? Though it's meant to create a feeling of depth and immersion, CNET found it "didn't have any major effect on the picture aside from reducing reflections somewhat," and Reviewed.com found it actually made some reflections worse, such that "lamps and lights are occasionally stretched across the entire arc of the screen." It's worth noting that the U9000 also includes an improved Smart Hub experience, but you can also find other Samsung sets that are a lot cheaper (and less curvy).

Price: $3,297 and up

Samsung U8550

The Samsung U8550 is a set that eschews the curved screen of its high-end sibling U9000 in favor of "trim bezels and a very narrow panel" that Reviewed.com says "lend this television a modern air." The picture also does it credit, with LCD TV Buying Guide complimenting its "brilliant images in 4K," while Sound+Vision was impressed with the "crisp detail and the clean, smooth clarity" of its upconversions. As on the U9000, the Smart Hub has been upgraded with "subtle improvements" that "hit the mark" according to LCD TV Buying Guide, and Reviewed.com says it provides "all of the streaming content and web-browsing functions you'd expect for the price." And that's a price that undercuts the competition by $1,000, leaving you some extra cash for an awesome sound or gaming system on the side.

Price: $1,597 and up

Sony X900B

At first glance, it's clear that the Sony X900B is very different from other UHD sets, and even many regular ol' HDTVs, due to its huge set of front-facing speakers. The sacrifice of a slim bezel is well worth it, though, as What Hi-Fi compliments its "rich, open and detailed sound quality," while CNET calls it the "best sound of any TV we've heard, bar none." The picture is also up to the challenge, offering quality that HDTVTest calls "spectacular" and CNET says is the "best picture quality of any 4K TV we've tested so far." Sure, the X900B isn't as cheap as some other sets, but unlike the AX800, it supports Netflix and, with those massive speakers flanking the screen, you won't need to fork out the extra dough for a quality sound system.

Price: $2,998 and up

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Samsung, Sony

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