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The strongest overall pick among 2026 Google TVs is the Sony BRAVIA 9 II, according to RTINGS’ US shortlist, which was last updated September 16, 2026. The list covers five sets across the price range: the BRAVIA 9 II for brightness, the BRAVIA 8 II OLED for dark rooms, the BRAVIA 7 II for mid-range accuracy, the Hisense U7SG for value, and the TCL QM6K for budget buyers. None of these is the best choice for every room, so the right pick depends on screen size, how bright the room is, and what you plan to connect.
What this list covers and what it does not
The shortlist applies to Google OS televisions sold in the United States. Prices, sizes and sale listings change quickly, and the sets below are ranked by RTINGS’ testing and stated buying criteria, not by sales volume. Treat the order as one defensible reading of the market rather than a universal ranking.
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Google TV is an interface built into televisions from several brands. Google’s own US catalogue lists featured Sony, TCL, Hisense and Philips models, which means a Google TV set is not automatically a Google-branded product. Confirm the operating system on the spec sheet or the on-screen About menu before you buy.
The five picks at a glance
| Category | Model | Sizes named by RTINGS | Where it stands out | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best overall | Sony BRAVIA 9 II | From 65 inches | Strong brightness, uniform dark blacks, limited haloing, vivid color | Not offered in smaller sizes |
| Best upper mid-range / home theater | Sony BRAVIA 8 II OLED | 55 and 65 inches | Inky blacks, vivid color, strong processing and upscaling | Lower brightness than the BRAVIA 9 II, so less suited to bright rooms |
| Best mid-range | Sony BRAVIA 7 II | 50 to 98 inches | Accurate picture out of the box, 120Hz, VRR | Less bright and vibrant than the BRAVIA 9 II; weaker dark-room contrast than the BRAVIA 8 II |
| Best lower mid-range | Hisense U7SG | Up to 100 inches | Strong peak brightness and contrast, HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on all four inputs | More haloing and color banding than the Sony sets |
| Best budget | TCL QM6K | Not stated in the RTINGS shortlist text reviewed | Full Google TV interface, effective local dimming, 4K at 144Hz with VRR | Lower brightness than the U7SG, visible glow around bright details and subtitles, weaker upscaling of low-quality content |
Best overall: Sony BRAVIA 9 II
RTINGS picks the BRAVIA 9 II because it combines high brightness with dark blacks that stay uniform across the screen and limited blooming around bright objects. Its color is vivid. The set includes Google TV 14 with Gemini, two HDMI 2.1 inputs with high bandwidth, and variable refresh rate (VRR).
#1 Best Overall
- The Google TV Streamer (4K) delivers your favorite entertainment quickly, easily, and personalized to you[1,2]
- HDMI 2.1 cable required (sold separately)
- See movies and TV shows from all your services right from your home screen[2]; and find new things to watch with tailored recommendations for everyone in your home based on their interests and viewing habits
- Watch live TV and access over 800 free channels from Pluto TV, Tubi, and more[3]; if you find an interesting show or movie on your TV, mobile app, or Google search, you can easily add it to your watchlist, so it’s ready when you are[2]
- Up to 4K HDR with Dolby Vision delivers captivating, true-to-life detail[4]; and you can connect speakers that support Dolby Atmos for more immersive 3D sound
The catch is size. RTINGS lists it starting at 65 inches, so it is a poor fit for a bedroom or a small wall. It is the set to consider when the room is bright and the screen is large.
Best upper mid-range and home theater: Sony BRAVIA 8 II OLED
If the room is dark or you watch mostly films, the BRAVIA 8 II OLED is the contrast pick. RTINGS highlights its inky blacks, vivid color, and strong processing and upscaling, which help standard-definition and lower-quality sources look cleaner. It is offered in 55 and 65 inches.
Its lower brightness than the BRAVIA 9 II is the limit. In a sunlit living room, the 9 II will look more punchy; in a dedicated viewing room, the 8 II’s black levels are the stronger argument.
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Rank #2
- 4K UltraHD Resolution: Experience incredible detail with 4X the resolution of 1080p Full HDTVs
- QLED (Quantum Dot Technology): Rich, vibrant colors covering nearly the entire DCI-P3 color space to bring images to lifeQLED – Quantum Dot Technology: Rich, vibrant colors covering nearly the entire DCI-P3 color space to bring images to life
- 120Hz Panel Refresh Rate: Watch action-packed movies, fast-paced video games, and live sports with an ultra-smooth viewing experience, free of motion blur
- TCL AIPQ Pro Processor: Powerful, advanced processor that intelligently optimizes the color, contrast, and clarity for an unrivaled 4K HDR experience
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Advanced spatial audio processing can be found in movies, TV shows, and video games
Best mid-range: Sony BRAVIA 7 II
The BRAVIA 7 II is RTINGS’ mid-range choice, and it has the widest size range on the list, from 50 to 98 inches. It offers an accurate picture out of the box, Google TV 14 with Gemini, 120Hz refresh and VRR, which makes it a practical gaming set for buyers who do not need top-tier brightness.
It is less bright and vibrant than the BRAVIA 9 II, and its dark-room contrast trails the BRAVIA 8 II. Buyers who want a large screen at a moderate price, and who are comfortable with a more restrained picture, should look here first.
Best lower mid-range: Hisense U7SG
RTINGS describes the U7SG as a value option with strong peak brightness and contrast, Google TV 14 with Gemini, and HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on all four inputs. That last point matters if you run several consoles or streaming boxes at once. The Sony sets handle haloing and color banding better; the U7SG shows more of both.
Rank #3
- Enjoy nextlevel streaming at an affordable price with the onn Google TV 4K Pro Streaming Devicewith Gemini This powerhouse streaming device delivers uncompromising performance and stunning visualstransforming your TV into a premium entertainment hub
- Immerse yourself in vivid colorssharp contrastand cinematic quality with stunning 4K Ultra HD and Dolby Vision
- Experience theaterqualitymultidimensional sound with immersive Dolby Atmos Audio
- Powerful performance with 3GB of RAMis 50% more than the 4K Plus modelfor super smooth app performancefast navigationand seamless multitasking
- Enjoy incredibly smoothbufferfree streaming and gaming with blazingfast WiFi 6 Connectivity or use the optional Ethernet Port for the feastestreliable connectivity
Model identity needs care. Hisense says the U7SG is the Google TV variant and the U7SF is the Fire TV variant of the U7 line, and retailer configurations vary. When you buy, use the full suffix and check the operating system before purchase.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIndependent test figures for the 65-inch U7SG
Tom’s Guide tested a 65-inch Hisense U7SG in its 2026 review. The reviewer found strong color and sound, but elevated black levels and shadow detail were a weakness. The review measured 2,866.9 nits of HDR brightness on a 10% window in Filmmaker mode and 9.8 ms of input lag in Game mode, and it lists four HDMI 2.1 ports and a native 165Hz panel. These are one publication’s measurements under its own test conditions, not manufacturer specifications or results that every unit will reproduce.
Pricing from the review should not be treated as current. At the time of Tom’s Guide’s review, the 65-inch model had an MSRP of $1,499 and a listed sale price of $899; check the live price before you rely on either number.
Rank #4
- 4K UltraHD Resolution: Experience incredible detail with 4X the resolution of 1080p Full HDTVs
- QLED (Quantum Dot Technology): Rich, vibrant colors covering nearly the entire DCI-P3 color space to bring images to lifeQLED – Quantum Dot Technology: Rich, vibrant colors covering nearly the entire DCI-P3 color space to bring images to life
- 144Hz Panel Refresh Rate: Watch action-packed movies, fast-paced video games, and live sports with an ultra-smooth viewing experience, free of motion blur
- TCL AIPQ Pro Processor: Powerful, advanced processor that intelligently optimizes the color, contrast, and clarity for an unrivaled 4K HDR experience
- Dolby Atmos Audio: Advanced spatial audio processing can be found in movies, TV shows, and video games.
Best budget: TCL QM6K
The QM6K is the entry point to this group. RTINGS says it keeps the full Google TV interface and effective local dimming, and it offers gaming features including 4K at 144Hz with VRR. For a budget set, that is a strong feature list.
The compromises are visible. It is less bright than the U7SG, shows a glow around bright details and subtitles, and handles low-resolution or low-quality content less well than the U7SG, according to RTINGS. Those trade-offs are acceptable for a secondary room or a gaming set; for a main living-room television that handles older cable or streaming content, the U7SG is the safer step up.
Alternatives outside the five picks
RTINGS names the TCL QM8L as an alternative for buyers who want a punchier picture than the BRAVIA 7 II’s more accurate presentation. It is a secondary option and is not one of the five picks. TCL’s own announcement identifies the QM9K as a Google TV Mini LED set with Gemini integration. Product identity and features from that announcement are reliable, but performance judgments should come from independent testing. Google’s catalogue also lists the Sony BRAVIA 8 II, TCL QM9K and Hisense UR9 among its US models.
Best Value
- A treat for the eyes: Sharp 4K brings out rich detail on our 43" flat screen TV, while colors pop off in lifelike clarity with HDR10. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. You get excellent picture quality, clear sound, automatic updates, and more. It’s simple to use. Hard to outgrow.
- TV, simplified: With setup that only takes minutes, a simple-to-navigate Home Screen, and an uncluttered remote control that does all you need—Roku makes it easier to watch the TV you love.
- A world of free entertainment: Enjoy a huge selection of free live TV, news, sports, movies, shows, and much more—all just a click away.
- More streaming, less searching: With personalized picks right on your Home Screen, quick access to the sports and entertainment you watch most, and fast and easy search in one place—the days of endless scrolling are over.
How to choose among them
- Bright room, large screen: the Sony BRAVIA 9 II, which RTINGS places at the top.
- Dark room, film-first viewing: the Sony BRAVIA 8 II OLED.
- Accurate picture at a moderate price, wide size choice: the Sony BRAVIA 7 II.
- Bright picture and four HDMI 2.1 inputs on a budget: the Hisense U7SG, with its haloing and banding in mind.
- Gaming on a tight budget: the TCL QM6K, which supports 4K at 144Hz with VRR but trails in brightness and upscaling.
Before you buy, check three things: the size that fits your wall or stand, the number of HDMI 2.1 inputs your devices need, and the exact model suffix with its operating system. Sizes and sale prices change, so confirm them on the retailer’s listing on the day you buy.
RTINGS’ shortlist was updated September 16, 2026. Tom’s Guide’s U7SG review is dated 2026 and reports its own measurements. Manufacturer announcements from Hisense, TCL and Google are useful for product identity but do not serve as independent performance evidence.
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