How Much do LED TV's Cost?  Buyer's Guide to HD LED TV's

If you haven't yet experienced the joys of flat-panel LED TVs first-hand, you're missing out. Flat-panel LEDs are energy-efficient, easy to install, and offer significant energy savings over traditional TV models and plasmas. LED TV prices vary widely, but there are three basic price ranges: entry-level, mid-range, and high-end. One thing to keep in mind is that even the cheapest modern LED TVs provide a much better viewing experience than older CRT models and even plasma TVs from a few years back. Here's a quick overview of what's available.

Entry-level LED TV Sets

If you're in the market for cheap LED TV's, you're in luck. The lowest price range for LED TVs is below $700. For under $700, you can get a reasonably-sized TV with plenty of features that should last a long time if you choose wisely. Most budget LED TVs feature contrast ratios in the neighborhood of 4000:1, refresh rates of around 120 Hz on average, and come with screens that are up to 42" on certain models. Your best bet when it comes to budget LED TVs is either Westinghouse, Toshiba, or LG for the greatest value.

Mid-range LED TV Models

Middle of the road models cost anywhere from $700 to $1500, and should offer enough features to satisfy all but the most fanatical home theater technicians. Most models in this price range feature a screen size of anywhere from 42" to a 55", and just about all of them come equipped with 3DTV. The main caveat is that they weigh substantially more than budget LED models. You can expect a mid-range set to weigh anywhere from 50 to 60 pounds once they're set up.

Top of the Line LED TV Units

At the high end, LED TVs generally cost between $1,500 to $3,000. The Sony Bravia 55-inch 1080p 3D LED HDTV, for example, will cost up to $2,000 new. That may seem a touch expensive, but you have to remember that high-end LEDs come with a number of extra features. The Bravia boasts a 960 Hz refresh rate as well as infinite contrast ratio. In other words, you get what you pay for. Most high-end LEDs feature tough Corning Gorilla Glass, Wi-Fi, 3D glasses, and all the other goodies you'd expect in lower-priced models.

Final Thoughts

The best way to select a new LED model is to peruse the many forums featuring LED TV reviews found online. That's the best way to get a good overall idea of how well any given model actually performs in the real world. As with any other electronic consumer product, LED TVs and their features are often over-hyped by their manufacturers. Just know that you don't have to take out a second mortgage to afford a solid LED TV that provides an amazing viewing experience.