Brightness matters more than it used to because viewing habits have changed. Most people now watch a mix of streaming shows, sports, YouTube and games with lights on or during the day. Older LED and LCD TVs were designed for dimmer, cable-TV-era viewing and can look washed out in these conditions, particularly with HDR content. The newest display technologies are designed to solve that problem.

Mini-LED is the most straightforward upgrade path. It builds on traditional LED and LCD TVs by replacing a small number of large LEDs with thousands of tiny ones behind the screen. These are grouped into local-dimming zones that can brighten or darken independently, improving contrast and reducing the gray haze common on older sets. Mini-LED TVs are now widely available from brands such as Samsung, LG, TCL and Hisense, with prices that overlap older LED designs. Budget models use fewer dimming zones and less processing, which can lead to some halos around bright objects, but even these are a clear step up from standard LCD TVs for most viewers.

Micro RGB, sometimes called RGB mini-LED, takes the same idea further. Instead of using white LEDs with color filters, the backlight itself is made of red, green and blue LEDs that combine to produce more precise color. The result is higher brightness and a wider color range, particularly for HDR content. This remains a premium option. For 2026, Micro RGB models are appearing in larger screen sizes from manufacturers like LG and Samsung, positioned as flagship sets. Prices are higher and model choices fewer, but the payoff is brighter highlights and richer color than standard mini-LED can deliver, even in very sunny rooms.

OLED works differently. Each pixel produces its own light and can turn completely off, creating true blacks with no blooming around bright objects. That pixel-level control makes OLED the benchmark for movie watching in dim or dark rooms. While earlier OLEDs lagged behind in brightness, newer panels have closed much of the gap, making them more practical outside dark home-theater rooms. LG, Samsung and Sony now offer OLEDs across a wide range of sizes, and entry-level 55-inch models have become more affordable while still outperforming older HDTVs in contrast, color and viewing angles.

So, is 2026 the year to buy a new TV?

From a technology cycle perspective, 2026 is shaping up to be a good time to upgrade. Mini-LED has reached maturity, and that shows up in pricing. Features that once separated premium sets from the rest are increasingly standard in mid-range TVs. For many buyers, especially those watching in bright rooms, mini-LED now delivers most of the visible benefits at prices that can be comparable to regular LED TVs.

OLED is also reaching maturity. While it’s true that prices have come down, don’t expect it to ever be as affordable as the other two technologies. OLED will remain more expensive because it is harder to manufacture. In practical terms, this means OLED makes the most sense for viewers who enjoy a home theater experience and have the budget to support it.

Micro RGB, by contrast, is early in its development cycle. It shows where LCD-based TVs are headed, with higher brightness and more accurate color control than standard mini-LED. Limited model availability, larger screen sizes and premium pricing make it a technology to watch rather than one most households should rush to buy. Waiting a hardware generation or two will likely bring broader size options and more competitive pricing.

Taken together, the picture is clear. In 2026, mini-LED offers the strongest balance of price and performance for most buyers, with prices starting at around $500 and topping out at $3000. OLED sets remains the best choice for those with bigger budgets ($1200 to $4000 or more) who prioritize movie watching. Micro RGB is best viewed as a preview of what’s coming next. We may see mid-range, home-sized models enter the market between $2000 and $4000, a steep drop from today’s $10,000 and higher models, available only in 110-inch or larger screen sizes. This year you’ll find more good choices across price ranges than we’ve seen in years, especially for those moving up from an older LED TV.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.