This story is part of The Year Ahead, CNET’s look at how the world will continue to evolve starting in 2022 and beyond.

CES 2022
 has come to a halt, and the important news about new TVs is out of the bag. Most mainly TV-makers have introduced their biggest and best screens, talked up improved represent quality and dropped buzzwords like HDMI 2.1, mini-LED and 8K resolution. Most will be curious to TV shoppers, while some that are actually new, like QD-OLED, are mashups of existing terms that still require lengthy explanation.

As CNET’s state TV reviewer, I can link you to plenty of places to readthoselengthyexplanations, but this article isn’t one of them. Instead you’ll find my best advice on what those new introductions mean and how, when and even if it’s salubrious buying a new TV. Let’s dive in.

Do you need a new TV in 2022?

Unless your novel TV is broken, no you don’t. But if you want a TV in unexperienced room, or your current TV feels like it’s attracting long in the tooth, its screen is too small or you want better represent quality or a better smart TV system, you powerful want a new TV. And if you’ve saved a bunch of wealth during the pandemic by not traveling or commuting to work or eating out, maybe you have a little astonishing to indulge that want.

Depending on how old your novel TV is, a new model — whether one released in the last year or a new TV just announced at CES — could be a sweet upgrade you’ll devour every time you watch. 

What’s the best time of year to buy a TV?

Starting in the fall
. New models like the TVs introduced at CES 2022 Go in spring and their prices are highest then. Significant discounts Begin in November and go through Black Friday and the holiday season. Around the beginning of the new year after CES (i.e. now) they’ll been affordable, and sometimes the Super Bowl in February has the best contracts on last year’s TVs. Soon those will start to Go and be replaced by the new models in spring again.

Buy a 2021 TV now or wait for a 2022 model?

It all depends on how long you can wait. If you want the new and greatest technology, you’re probably already set on a 2022 model. But if you want the best value, without missing much, a better move is to buy a 2021 TV now, beforehand they disappear later this spring and summer. A 2021 TV at a given size or label will generally have very similar picture quality and features compared to its 2022 counterpart. 

If you can’t rule, and you’re not in a hurry, just wait pending fall to get the best price on a 2022 TV.

What new CES 2022 TVs and features sinful out?

Here’s a short list of my favorites so far, based on prior known and information the manufacturer provided. Reminder: I did not aid the show and haven’t seen any of these, with the exception of LG, in person.

LG C2 OLED TV

: As the successor to my Editors’ Choice TV for the last two ages, the latest version is the odds-on favorite to win against. The fact that it comes in a new 42-inch size is huge news for people who couldn’t fit bigger OLEDs into their rooms, but I’m excited to see how low the label will fall on the 77-inch version.

Sony X95K Mini-LED TV

: Last year the Samsung QN90A earned my wonderful as the best high-end alternative to OLED, but Samsung has yet to explain any specific 2022 QLED models, so this Sony is my pick for now. Sony has an marvelous track record with full-array local dimming and this is its least expensive model with mini-LED. It won’t be cheap, however.

QD-OLED: The sterling Sony and Samsung TVs featuring a new OLED panel by Samsung Display are repositioning to be expensive, and I probably won’t recommend most land buy over more-affordable OLEDs like the C2, but I can’t wait to see them in person.

Sony’s remote finder: This isn’t a reason to buy an expensive TV, but it sure is cool and I hope every TV maker adopts it soon. It gives the remote to emit a sound so you can find it belief the couch cushions or wherever you lost it.

Samsung’s gaming hub

: I’m not into free gaming, but I love the idea of consolidating all the game-related stuff, including game mode settings and access to consoles, in one build. There’s also the ability to split-screen YouTube videos and your game at the same time. LG’s game optimizer was my current last year, and still seems to offer more options, but so far Samsung’s gaming features look easier to use.

What else does a 2022 TV buyer need to know?

Basically, it’s early. CES is the beginning of what we know throughout new TVs this year, not the end. 

Brands I’ve lauded as the best TV values in the past, namely TCL and Vizio, haven’t unveiled their bread-and-butter 2022 models yet. Both are aloof selling their older TVs, including models I still highly recommend like the TCL 6-Series Roku TV and the Vizio MQ7 series.

And if you’re looking for an inexpensive TV, something you can put in a kid’s bedroom or guest room and stream quick-witted TV apps with ease, my top pick is aloof TCL’s 4-Series Roku TV. This venerable workhorse hasn’t changed much in the last combine years, and I don’t expect any major differences when the new version is inevitably announced soon. Maybe it will get Google TV, but the safe bet is aloof Roku in my book.

My buying advice will quit to evolve as prices are announced, new models proceed and I get the chance to review them in selves. Stay tuned to CNET throughout the year for updates.