Test method

How we test smart TVs

The uses we score and the tests we run on every smart TV: peak brightness, input lag, speaker loudness, boot and app speed, and power draw.

Smart TVs reviews

Every smart TV we review is used as the family TV for three to five weeks: IPL on JioHotstar, films on Netflix, a Tata Play or Airtel set-top box over HDMI and, where it makes sense, a console. The uses and tests below are the same for every set, so a brightness or input-lag figure means the same thing on every TV page.

Each test result in a review links back to the matching test on this page.

What we score

Streaming apps
How quickly the TV boots and opens JioHotstar, Netflix and YouTube, how many apps fit in its storage, and how wide its app catalogue is.
Cricket and sports
How steady fast pans and the ball look on IPL broadcasts on JioHotstar, and whether motion smoothing helps without a soap-opera look.
Films and HDR
Black levels, contrast and HDR highlights in a dim room, and how watchable the picture stays in a sunlit hall.
DTH and cable channels
How cleanly the TV upscales standard-definition and 1080i channels from a Tata Play or Airtel set-top box connected over HDMI.
Gaming
Input lag in game mode, refresh rate, and whether the console features a PS5 or Xbox owner looks for, such as HDMI 2.1 and VRR, are confirmed.

The tests

  1. Peak brightness, small window

    Measured in nits Higher is better

    We show a white window covering about 10 percent of the screen and read the luminance at its centre with a colorimeter. We take the reading three times and report the typical figure, alongside the brightness the listing claims.

  2. Input lag in game mode

    Measured in ms Lower is better

    We switch the TV to its game mode and measure the delay between the source signal and the picture with a game-mode lag timer. Three runs, typical result.

  3. Speaker loudness at 80% volume

    Measured in dB Higher is better

    We play pink noise through the built-in speakers at 80 percent volume and measure the sound level with a decibel meter two metres from the screen, about where a sofa sits. We also listen for harsh dialogue and missing bass at that level.

  4. Cold boot to home screen

    Measured in s Lower is better

    With the TV fully powered off, we time from switching it on to a usable home screen. Three runs, typical result.

  5. YouTube launch

    Measured in s Lower is better

    From the home screen, we time how long YouTube takes to open to a usable browse screen. Three runs, typical result.

  6. Netflix launch

    Measured in s Lower is better

    From the home screen, we time how long Netflix takes to open to a usable profile or browse screen. Three runs, typical result.

  7. JioHotstar launch

    Measured in s Lower is better

    From the home screen, we time how long JioHotstar takes to open to a usable browse screen. Three runs, typical result; a slower first launch is noted.

  8. Power draw in typical viewing

    Measured in W Lower is better

    A plug-in power meter between the TV and the wall logs the average draw while we watch streamed and set-top box content. Higher draw during bright HDR scenes is noted with the result.

  9. Standby under 1 W

    With the TV in standby, we read the same plug-in power meter. Pass means standby draw stayed under 1 W, so leaving the TV on standby costs next to nothing.

  10. Restarts after a power cut

    We cut mains power abruptly while the TV is playing and then restore it, three times. Pass means the TV restarted without errors every time, which matters in areas with frequent outages.