There are lots of things you need to know before buying a smart TV. What size do you want? How many HDMI ports do you need? Any extra features that are important to you?
But there's one question that people often overlook: which operating system should you buy? This article will help you answer that question.
Picking the Right Operating System Is Important
In 2021, it is almost impossible to find a new TV that isn't "smart." Take a trip to your local electronics store, and you'll be overwhelmed with promises of streaming, casting, sharing, and all the smart TV buzzwords.
But not all smart TVs are created equal. Much like the world of desktop operating systems, the various smart TV operating systems have their own strengths and weaknesses. Some have a more extensive choice of apps, some have a better user interface, some are more compatible with third-party devices, and so on.
So, which is the best? In this article, we pit Roku TV, Android TV, Fire TV, WebOS, and TizenOS against each other to see which smart TV operating system is best.
1. Roku TV
The Roku TV OS has some key differences from the streaming stick version of the operating system.
For example, unlike the other products in the Roku range, you can connect an HDTV antenna to a Roku TV and enjoy a full electronic program guide (EPG) from within the Roku ecosystem.
Other features include a universal search function, a customized feed of upcoming shows you'll be interested in, and a private listening mode.
Many manufacturers offer Roku TV televisions, including TCL, Element, Insignia, Philips, Sharp, RCA, Hitachi, and Hisense.
Of course, like all Roku products, you can also install private channels. They provide access to TV content which isn't available in the main store. We've previously looked at the best private Roku TV channels if you would like to learn more.
2. WebOS
WebOS is LG's smart TV operating system. After a curious history, the OS finally emerged as the leading smart TV operating system in 2014 thanks to its slick and easy-to-use interface.
Since 2014, LG has been steadily refining the OS, and it's now found in everything from fridges to projectors.
The operating system revolves around the launch bar at the bottom of the screen. On the bar, you will find all your apps and settings. You can customize the order of the bar so the apps you use most frequently show up first.
WebOS is Bluetooth compatible, meaning it's easy to hook up keyboards, mice, and other useful peripherals. It is also Miracast compatible. (Miracast is a cordless version of HDMI). There is support for Alexa and Google Assistant.
Other noteworthy features include live apps (so you can pause content in one app, start using another app, then return to the first app and pick up where you left off later in the day), 360-degree video playback, and an OLED image gallery. If you're looking for crisp and clean, WebOS is the clear winner.
3. Android TV
Android TV is probably the most common smart TV operating system. And, if you've ever used an Nvidia Shield, you'll know that the stock version of Android TV takes some beating in terms of the feature list.
However, with Android being Android, you will not get a consistent user experience across different TV manufacturers. They all feel the need to put their own twist" on it, usually for the worse. Error messages saying that a part of the OS system has stopped working are not uncommon on non-stock implementations.
On a more positive note, any television running Android TV will also have Chromecast support built-in. It makes streaming or casting content from your Android phone or tablet a breeze.
You can also cast directly to your TV from your computer as long as you have Chrome installed. Just go to Menu > Cast to begin.
You also be able to use Google Assistant. That means you can use your voice—via your TV—to control all your smart home devices such as lights, speakers, thermostats, electrical sockets, and more.
4. Tizen OS
TizenOS is a Linux-based operating system that has been developed by The Linux Foundation.
You will only find TizenOS on Samsung devices. It's in all the company's products, including TVs, cameras, ovens, and air conditioning units.
Visually, the operating system is fine. It's clearly taken a lot of design cues from WebOS; there's a horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen with all your apps and content.
Criticism of the OS comes in three forms. Firstly, it's not as intelligent as some of the other operating systems on this list. For example, while Roku learns what you like and suggests new content from all the apps you have installed on the OS, TizenOS merely suggests apps that you haven't opened for a while.
Secondly, it faces accusations of being too simplified. Whereas WebOS strikes a perfect balance, tech-savvy users will find the fun settings hidden being endless buttons and submenus.
Lastly, some users have bemoaned a lack of quality in the universal search features, with results often inconsistent.
5. Fire TV Edition
Fire TV Edition is the smart TV operating system version of the popular Amazon Fire TV devices. At the time of writing, you will only find Fire TV Edition on Toshiba and Insignia televisions.
Fire TV Edition also gives you access to Amazon Alexa. Like Google Assistant, it can control your smart home, update you on the news and weather, and engage with other apps that form part of your daily workflow.
Content-wise, you're limited to apps that are available in the Amazon Appstore. Even though Fire TV is based on Android, you cannot access the Google Play Store. Nonetheless, most mainstream apps are available.
However, you can sideload apps onto Fire TV devices, and Fire TV Edition is no different. You just need to get your hands on the APK file for the app you want.
Check out our article looking at the different versions of Fire TV if you're not sure whether Fire TV Edition is right for you. And if you've already bought a new Fire TV Edition, make sure you check out our list of essential Fire TV apps.
And the Best Smart TV OS Is...
We're going to call it a three-way tie between Android TV, WebOS, and Roku. In truth, each of the smart TV operating systems excels in a different area, but Amazon Fire falls flat due to the lack of the Google Play Store, while TizenOS is by far the weakest of the bunch.
If you want slick and minimal, go for WebOS. If you want the largest selection of apps, choose Roku. And if you want smart assistant capabilities, pick Android TV.