Panasonic has been no stranger to What Hi-Fi? TV Awards over the years, having produced some of the best TVs going at all sizes, from 40 inches right up to big-screen lounge fillers. So what should you look for when picking the best Panasonic TV? And where can you find the best Panasonic TV deals? Stick with us and we'll guide you through the buying process...
How to choose the best Panasonic TV for you
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Screen size is the most obvious consideration. Measure how much space you've got, and check out the full dimensions of your chosen set before spending any money. Some have slimmer bezels than others, which makes a real difference when squeezing into a tight space.
Do you want 4K? The picture quality has four times as many pixels as HD, making for sharper, crisper visuals. But if you only ever watch terrestrial, 4K won't be much use for a while yet.
The same goes for HDR. This enhances the difference between the light and dark parts of the picture, with more gradual steps in between. The result? Better contrast, which adds depth to the image, and makes it look more lifelike. Again, you'll need a streaming service like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video (or a 4K Blu-ray with HDR) to take advantage.
Right, time to take a closer look at the best Panasonic TVs 2023...
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On paper, the Panasonic TX-55LZ980B is arguably the least interesting of the Japanese brand’s 2022 OLED TV range. It's Panasonic's second most affordable 55-inch model of the year, lacking both the brightness-boosting panel tech found in Panasonic's pricier models and the Quantum Dot OLED technology of Sony and Samsung. But here it is, at the top spot in our list of best Panasonic TVs and with a 2022 What Hi-Fi? Award to its name. So what gives?
Inside is Panasonic’s latest HCX Pro AI processor, which is tuned with the help of Hollywood creatives. Dolby Atmos sound is supported, as are both Dolby Vision and HDR10 (most TVs pick one). These combine to create a superb AV experience.
Visuals are full of subtlety, balance and detail. Even faced with fierce competition in the OLED world, its ability to pick out the faintest shadow details, deliver the smallest of colour shifts, and manage the slightest of pixel light differences is truly something special.
Sonically, it goes pleasingly loud without distortion, with a soundstage that projects all around the room. It does lack a bit of forward projection, however, so we would recommend pairing it with a soundbar.
Still, for the money, this is the best Panasonic TV going.
Read the full Panasonic TX-55LZ980B review
Panasonic's 2000 series has always been sold as the best image and sound quality in one package, but in recent years the range has gone off the boil a bit. This 2022 model is a return to form.
It's a Master OLED Pro TV, meaning it uses LG's OLED panel technology, a heat management system, and extra tuning with the help of Hollywood colourists to get the most accurate picture possible. And it shows. The image is subtle and controlled, but at the same time bright and punchy when it needs to be.
It has it on the audio front, too. The Technics-tuned, 160W sound system has a speaker array consisting of a new, front-firing speaker array, two side-firing drivers, two up-firing speakers for extra height, a 20W woofer and two passive radiators. The so-called 360-degree Soundscape Pro solution is designed to make the most of Dolby Atmos soundtracks. The result is a soundstage that extends far and wide beyond the TV, more so than any other TV we've tested. And it goes loud. If you don't want to add a soundbar and still get great quality audio, this is the best Panasonic TV for you.
Read the full Panasonic TX-65LZ2000B review
How we test TVs
Here at What Hi-Fi? we review hundreds of products every year – and that includes many of the best Sony TVs. So how do we come to our review verdicts? And why can you trust them?
We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in London, Bath and Reading, where our team of expert reviewers do all of our testing. This gives us complete control over the testing process, ensuring consistency.
All products are tested in comparison with rival products in the same price category, and all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer, again helping to ensure consistency and avoid any personal preference.
The What Hi-Fi? team has more than 100 years experience of reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics.
From all of our reviews, we choose the best products to feature in our Best Buys. That's why if you take the plunge and buy one of the products recommended below, or on any other Best Buy page, you can be assured you're getting a What Hi-Fi? approved product.
- Our pick of the best LG TVs available
- And the best Sony TVs
