Vizio has become one of the most popular TV brands in the US over the last two decades. Founded in 2002 in California, Vizio made a name for itself by offering budget-friendly HDTVs. Since then, the company has continued to expand its product lines and now competes with premium brands like Samsung and LG.
But are Vizio TVs still a good buy in today’s crowded TV market? While Vizio touts its affordable pricing, some wonder whether lower prices mean a sacrifice in quality. In this comprehensive article, we’ll examine the pros, cons, pricing, and performance of Vizio televisions to help you decide if they are the right fit for your home.
Overview of Vizio TVs
Vizio’s rise to become an industry leader in North America is impressive. They’ve succeeded by catering to budget-conscious consumers who want good value. Vizio first made a splash with its 1080p HDTVs in the late 2000s. The brand expanded into 4K Ultra HD in 2014 along with adding smart TV capabilities.
Today, Vizio offers a range of 4K television lines:
Entry-Level: D-Series, V-Series
Mid-Range: M-Series, M-Series Quantum
High-End: P-Series Quantum, P-Series Quantum X
The more expensive P-Series Quantum models boast superior performance and features. But even Vizio’s cheaper offerings still pack admirable specifications into an affordable package.
Over the past decade, Vizio has steadily improved its smart TV software and hardware quality too. Let’s examine the pros and cons of Vizio TV technology.
Pros of Buying a Vizio TV
Affordable Pricing
Without a doubt, price is the biggest advantage of going with Vizio. The brand offers some of the most competitively priced 4K and smart TVs across screen sizes, especially in the mid-range and lower-end of the market. A 32-inch Vizio smart TV can cost several hundred dollars less than a comparable model from LG or Sony. Even their more premium offerings like the P-Series Quantum line are hundreds less than an OLED TV.
Strong smart TV platform
Vizio TVs utilize the company’s SmartCast operating system. It provides:
- Built-in Chromecast for streaming from mobile devices
- Support for voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa
- Access to all popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max and more
- Vizio WatchFree service with over 160 free streaming channels
Many reviewers praise SmartCast as an easy-to-use and robust smart TV interface. The latest version is fast and responsive. Setup is quick and intuitive too compared to some competing platforms. SmartCast gives you access to thousands of streaming apps and supports casting content from your phone or tablet.
Impressive picture quality for the price
While high-end Vizio TVs can’t match the picture quality of more expensive OLED and QLED panels, they offer solid 4K resolution and HDR support. Vizio’s Quantum dot-enhanced sets in particular like the P-Series Quantum and P-Series Quantum X provide excellent contrast, black levels, and peak brightness for the money.
Local dimming helps maximize contrast by selectively controlling backlight zones. More expensive Vizio sets have up to 480 local dimming zones for deep blacks beside bright highlights.
Reviewers and buyers consistently praise Vizio 4K image quality as superb considering the lower costs. If you want great visuals but aren’t ready to pay thousands for an OLED, Vizio is a compelling option.
A reliable and growing brand
Vizio has established itself as a trusted brand that continues to grow. As of Q3 2021, Vizio is the #2 TV brand in North America by market share and they keep gaining ground on competitors.
While they don’t have the legacy pedigree of Sony or the luxury status of Samsung, Vizio has earned a reputation for reliable TVs that offer great value. The picture and sound quality is very competitive for the cheaper prices. Vizio TV reviews are generally positive across models.
Cons of Vizio Televisions
Of course, Vizio’s budget-friendly TVs aren’t perfect across the board. Here are some of the most common downsides:
Lower-end models lack features
While pricing is low on entry-level models, Vizio’s cheaper E and D-Series TVs do not have the full array local dimming (FALD) backlighting found on pricier units. This can negatively impact contrast and black levels.
The cheapest Vizios also tend to have lower refresh rates (60Hz), producing motion blur during action scenes. Peak brightness is lower as well – only about 300 nits on the E-Series. To get full HDR capability, look for sets with 600-800 nits brightness and FALD.
Limited screen size options
Vizio’s TV selection tops out at 85 inches. Brands like Samsung, Sony, and LG offer larger 98-inch and massive 110-inch+ screen sizes for premium home theaters. Big-screen shoppers may be disappointed.
That said, Vizio covers the most popular sizes well from 40″ to 75″. The 85″ screen is large enough for most buyers. But home theater enthusiasts may want to look at projection screens bigger than 100 inches. Vizio doesn’t cater to that high-end market.
Mediocre sound quality
Reviewers note Vizio’s audio quality is subpar on most models, especially cheaper units with basic downward-firing speakers. The sound lacks bass, richness, and clarity compared to higher-end brands. Investing in a soundbar or speakers is highly recommended to boost sound.
Quality control and customer service concerns
There are some complaints of quality control issues like panels arriving damaged and customer service being unhelpful. But this can be said for any TV manufacturer – electronics can be sensitive. Defective units and lemons happen with all brands.
Overall Vizio produces solid, reliable 4K TVs. But it may be wise to purchase an extended warranty just in case issues arise down the road.
Vizio TV Model Comparison
Let’s compare Vizio’s TV series to help you choose the right model based on price and performance needs:
Series | Pricing | Highlights |
D-Series | $200-$500 | Basic HD/4K TVs, 60Hz refresh rate |
V-Series | $300-$800 | Decent 4K picture, budget prices |
M-Series | $500-$1500 | Excellent value, quantum dots on some models |
P-Series Quantum | $800-$2000 | Great picture quality with FALD backlight |
P-Series Quantum X | $1500-$4000 | Vizio’s top-end performance, intense peak brightness |
The P-Series Quantum X delivers an impressive 3000 nits peak brightness, resulting in amazing contrast and brilliant HDR. It’s still cheaper than comparable OLEDs and Samsung QLEDs. Overall Vizio offers solid performance even at lower prices.
Should You Buy a Vizio Television?
Vizio presents an intriguing option for shoppers who prioritize price over top-of-the-line performance and features. But deciding if Vizio is right for you depends on a few factors:
If budget cost is your top priority: Vizio offers unmatched value, especially on lower-end models. Just don’t expect premium picture quality.
For a moderately priced TV with very good features: Vizio is extremely competitive here. The M-Series Quantum and P-Series Quantum provide awesome quality for the money.
If you want best-in-class luxury features and performance: Look to OLED TVs or QLED sets from LG, Samsung and Sony instead. Vizio competes on price, not premium performance.
For screen sizes under 85 inches: Vizio has lots of great 4K options at smaller TV sizes.
For TVs larger than 98 inches: Vizio doesn’t cater to huge screens, so look at projectors instead.
The key is identifying which Vizio series best fits your budget. Avoid the cheapest E-Series and D-Series if audio and picture quality are priorities. But models like the V-Series, M-Series Quantum and P-Series Quantum X offer outstanding performance per dollar spent. Vizio gives budget-minded shoppers lots of bang for their buck. But always compare Vizio against competitors like TCL and Hisense as well.
The Bottom Line
It’s understandable why Vizio has become so popular. They offer affordable pricing for new technology like 4K resolution, HDR, and smart TV features. Picture quality is impressive considering Vizio’s lower costs. The brand caters to budget-minded shoppers rather than premium performance demands.
While high-end
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Vizio TVs can’t match more expensive OLED and QLED models, they provide excellent value overall. Shoppers wanting good quality without blowing their budget will be happy with Vizio.
Just be sure to compare TVs carefully – Vizio’s cheaper E and D series cut more corners. Step up to at least the V-Series or M-Series Quantum for better display capabilities and smart features. Avoid the most basic models.
Vizio also falls behind in areas like sound quality, larger screen sizes, luxury design, and best-in-class picture performance. Integrated audio is subpar so invest in a soundbar. Those wanting 98-inch+ screens or the ultimate viewing experience should look at higher-end LG, Sony, and Samsung.
But for shoppers prioritizing value, Vizio delivers. Their mid-range and high-end models like the P-Series Quantum X provide impressive 4K picture quality at budget-friendly pricing. Vizio has earned its reputation for quality televisions at affordable costs. Just be sure to choose the right model for your needs and budget.
The Key Things to Know About Vizio TVs:
- Excellent pricing, routinely hundreds less than competitors
- Strong overall 4K picture quality and performance for the money
- Smooth and robust SmartCast smart TV platform
- Avoid Vizio’s cheapest E and D series models
- Mediocre integrated audio, invest in a soundbar
- Sizes max out at 85 inches, no giant screens
- Reliable brand that keeps gaining market share
- Great option for budget-minded shoppers wanting value
- Compare Vizio pricing and features against competitors too
If you want impressive visuals at wallet-friendly prices, Vizio deserves strong consideration. Their sets may not have the prestige and luxury of top-tier Sony and Samsung TVs. But Vizio consistently delivers performance and features that outshine their affordable costs. Vizio also offers SmartCast as its smart TV platform, unlike some competitors like TCL that use Roku TV. For budget-friendly 4K home theater entertainment, Vizio is a win.
FAQ’s
Are Vizio TVs any good?
Vizio offers competitive performance in each price bracket their products cover. For many years, they were a leading brand for value compared to price as their TVs tend to perform great in dark rooms, but they’ve slowly lost their lead over the past few years as the brand’s release schedule has slowed down.
Is Vizio TV better than Samsung?
Each has their strengths and weaknesses, as the Vizio has more gaming features like VRR support and better motion handling. However, the picture quality is better overall on the Samsung because it gets brighter in SDR, has better upscaling, and has fewer uniformity issues.
Which is better LG or Vizio?
The LG gets brighter in SDR and HDR, and it has a much quicker response time. However, the Vizio is a better choice for dark rooms due to its higher contrast ratio and better black uniformity.
Rockies Ripple is the founder and lead writer behind the independent blog tvplutos.com