Panasonic has been no stranger to What Hi-Fi? TV Awards over the years, from the company's class-leading plasma TVs, which are sadly no longer with us, to more recent LED, 4K and OLED TVs.
Its sets tend to look a little industrial in the face of sleeker competition, but don't let that put you off. In recent years, Panasonic has 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 making a purchase?
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 little 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 an 4K Blu-ray with HDR to take advantage.
Let's have a look at the best Panasonic TVs around.
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Placement a bit of an issue? This Panasonic's stand swivels, so you can angle it accordingly, which should help you see the screen even if you're not sitting dead-on to it. Its small footprint of just 39cm gives you more options on smaller TV cabinets, too. And that tall neck is ideal for fitting a soundbar under the screen.
All formats of HDR are catered for, but the app selection isn't quite as exhaustive as rivals'. Though you do get all the big hitters.
But it's the picture quality that's the real highlight. Colours are rich but realistic, detail levels are excellent, and edges are supremely sharp without ever looking exaggerated. It’s not as bright or vivid as some rivals, but it is more subtle and nuanced.
The HZ1000 is an excellent handler of standard-definition content, too. So if you’ve got a much-loved library of regularly watched DVDs, it should go right to the top of your TV shortlist.
Overall, this is a superb TV. It’s just so balanced in its delivery: punchy but natural, sharp but not exaggerated, vibrant but controlled. And motion is smooth as butter. The best Panasonic around right now.
Read the full review: Panasonic TX-55HZ1000B
Despite using LG's OLED screen tech, this Panasonic model manages to be cheaper than the equivalent LG set. Go figure. Of course, screen quality is only one part of the equation - picture processing, aesthetics and audio can all make or break a TV. The GZ950B's bezels are so slim they practically disappear in a dimly lit room, allowing the picture to take centre stage. And a good job too, as it's a stunner: this is an exciting picture, with natural-looking contrast and colours, and plenty of dark detail to get your teeth into. It also sounds a lot better than we would expect at this price. Highly recommended.
Read the full review: Panasonic TX-55GZ950B
This TV is proof that sizeable sets need not cost the earth. It's relatively affordable for a 50-inch set. In terms of features, you get Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, plus loads more TV streaming apps. It also supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+. The image is natural-looking, with no motion judder, and contrast is decent, though it could do with wider viewing angles. Still, at this price, it's definitely worth further investigation.
Read the full review: Panasonic TX-50GX800B
If you want to spend a little more, you will be handsomely rewarded with this OLED set. It boasts rear-mounted, upward-firing speakers that help create an immersive Dolby Atmos effect. But Panasonic has also upgraded the picture quality, smoothing out the edges and boosting the colours, making it the best-performing OLED TV we've seen so far. If you can overlook its slightly utilitarian appearance, this telly will do you proud.
Read the full review: Panasonic TX-55GZ2000B
Read the full review: Panasonic TX-65GZ2000B
This 40-inch set is a lot better looking than some of its rivals at this size. It has a nice low profile, slim bezels and a barely there profile, meaning it should take pride of place wherever you plonk it. You get a decent array of HDR support, three HDMIs, and punchy, vibrant colours that really pop from the screen. It lacks a little nuance, but don't let that detract from what is a stellar set at this size.
Read the full review: Panasonic TX-40GX800
If a 65-inch telly is too big for you, but 55 inches isn't quite big enough, then this 58-inch set should suit you perfectly. It comes with its own soundbar, which – while not quite as good as a decent midrange offering – enhances the audio quality significantly. The picture is nice and bright, which is a godsend on a sunny day, and the colours are lively too, without ever looking too artificial. There's also a decent amount of detail, though not as much as we'd like in the darker parts of the picture. Still, this is an excellent buy if you want an in-between size.
Read the full review: Panasonic TX-58DX802
This is the 58-inch version of the 50-incher you can find further up this list. And as you would imagine, it too represents fantastic value for money. It boasts the same winning picture quality as its stablemate, with the same arsenal of HDR formats supported, and the same stellar audio performance. What more can we say?
Read the full review: Panasonic TX-58GX800B
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