The best smart TV for most NZ living rooms is the LG NanoCell NANO81 65″, a genuine large-screen 4K TV with LG’s own ThinQ AI platform and NanoCell colour technology. Buyers wanting premium picture and built-in cinema sound without the LG price tag should look at the SKYWORTH X8700G or Q7700G, both featuring QLED-class panels with a genuine 2.1.2-channel sound system and subwoofer built in. Budget and portable options round out the list, including a 12V model built for caravans, RVs and boats.
A genuine note on this category: most major TV brands, including Samsung, Sony and Panasonic, don’t sell TV units directly through the major online marketplaces at all, only accessories like remotes and wall mounts show up in search. This guide focuses on the smart TVs that are actually available to buy and ship to New Zealand, spanning LG, SKYWORTH, Kogan, ENGLAON and FPD.
Quick comparison
| # | Product | Best for | Size | Panel/OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LG NanoCell NANO81 | Best overall / largest screen | 65″ | NanoCell 4K, LG ThinQ AI |
| 2 | SKYWORTH X8700G | Best premium picture | 55″ | QD-Mini LED, Google TV |
| 3 | SKYWORTH Q7700G | Best built-in sound | 55″ | QLED+, Google TV |
| 4 | ENGLAON 24″ 12V | Best portable / RV & caravan | 24″ | HD LED, Google TV (Android 14) |
| 5 | SKYWORTH Q5600H | Best budget QLED | 32″ | QLED+, Google TV |
| 6 | Kogan 32″ Smart TV | Best budget | 32″ | LED, Google TV |
| 7 | FPD 32″ Smart TV | Best cheapest | 32″ | LED 720p, Google TV |
The 7 best smart TVs in NZ
1. LG NanoCell NANO81 65″ – Best Overall / Largest Screen
LG’s NanoCell NANO81 is the largest screen on this list at 65″, built around LG’s own NanoCell technology for genuine, accurate colour reproduction rather than a generic LED panel. The α5 AI Processor 4K Gen7 handles upscaling and picture processing, aiming to make older or lower-resolution content look sharper on the big screen.
LG’s own smart platform brings genuine convenience: ThinQ AI ties into LG’s smart home ecosystem, Chromecast is built in for casting from a phone or laptop, and Apple AirPlay support means iPhone and Mac users aren’t left out either, a broader ecosystem than most of the other picks on this list offer. It ships with a wall bracket included, a genuinely useful inclusion for a screen this size.
The honest caveat: stock was down to just 1 unit at the time of research, and delivery cost wasn’t clearly itemised at the product page, worth confirming at checkout before ordering. Being the largest and most established-brand TV here, it also carries the highest price on this list by a clear margin.
Pros
- Largest screen on this list at 65″, from an established, well-known TV brand
- Broad smart ecosystem: ThinQ AI, Chromecast built-in, and Apple AirPlay support
- Includes a wall bracket in the box
Cons
- Only 1 unit in stock at time of research
- Delivery cost not clearly shown at the product page, confirm at checkout
Key specs: 65″ NanoCell 4K panel, α5 AI Processor 4K Gen7, ThinQ AI, Chromecast built-in, Apple AirPlay, includes wall bracket.
2. SKYWORTH X8700G – Best Premium Picture
SKYWORTH’s X8700G steps up to QD-Mini LED, fusing Mini LED’s pinpoint backlight control with QLED’s colour brilliance for over 1.07 billion accurate colours, ultra-high brightness and genuinely deep blacks. Sapphire cooling materials and large lenses are built in to keep that performance stable over long viewing sessions rather than degrading with heat.
A 144Hz native refresh rate paired with MEMC motion processing makes this a genuinely capable gaming TV, not just a movie screen, fast-paced scenes and competitive games stay smooth and blur-free. Audio gets equal attention: a true 2.1.2-channel Magic Sound system with a 20W subwoofer and upward-firing speakers delivers genuinely immersive sound without needing a separate soundbar.
Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support round out the home-cinema credentials, and SKYWORTH’s Find-My-Remote feature is a small but genuinely handy inclusion for a household that regularly loses the remote in the couch cushions. Being a QD-Mini LED panel with this feature set, it does sit second-highest in price on this list, just below the LG.
Pros
- QD-Mini LED panel delivers genuinely deep blacks and over 1 billion colours
- 144Hz native refresh rate with MEMC, a strong gaming TV as well as a movie screen
- Built-in 2.1.2-channel sound with 20W subwoofer, no separate soundbar needed
Cons
- Real delivery cost is charged on top of the sticker price
- Lesser-known brand than LG, despite the genuinely premium spec sheet
Key specs: 55″ QD-Mini LED, 144Hz native refresh, MEMC, Dolby Vision + Atmos, 2.1.2ch built-in sound (20W subwoofer), Google TV, Find-My-Remote.
3. SKYWORTH Q7700G – Best Built-In Sound
The Q7700G is SKYWORTH’s QLED+ sibling to the X8700G above, trading Mini LED backlighting for a more traditional QLED+ panel that combines enhanced quantum dot material with an extra protective layer for vibrant colour and better long-term durability. It carries the same 144Hz native refresh rate and MEMC motion processing as its pricier stablemate.
Where it genuinely matches the X8700G is sound: the same 2.1.2-channel Magic Sound system with a 20W subwoofer and upward-firing speakers is built in here too, delivering room-filling audio without an external soundbar, a real point of difference from the LG and budget picks on this list. Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos are both supported, and SKYWORTH’s Chameleon 3.0 processor uses AI to tune contrast and colour scene-by-scene.
The trade-off against the X8700G above is backlight technology: standard QLED+ doesn’t match Mini LED’s per-zone dimming precision, so black levels and contrast in dark scenes are a genuine step below its pricier sibling. For most buyers not chasing the absolute best contrast, though, the savings are worth it for near-identical sound and gaming performance.
Pros
- Same 2.1.2-channel built-in sound system as the pricier X8700G above
- 144Hz native refresh with MEMC, strong for gaming
- Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support at a lower price than Mini LED rivals
Cons
- QLED+ backlighting doesn’t match Mini LED’s contrast and black-level precision
- Real delivery cost is charged on top of the sticker price
Key specs: 55″ QLED+, 144Hz native refresh, MEMC, Dolby Vision + Atmos, 2.1.2ch built-in sound (20W subwoofer), Google TV, EyeCare tech.
4. ENGLAON 24″ 12V – Best Portable / RV and Caravan
ENGLAON’s 24″ is built specifically for life on the move: it runs on either 12V DC or 240V AC, with vibration resistance and surge protection built in, genuinely designed for caravans, RVs and boats rather than adapted from a standard lounge-room TV.
Despite the compact 24″ size and modest 1366×768 HD resolution, it runs full Google TV on Android 14 with built-in Chromecast, so streaming apps and casting work exactly like a full-size smart TV. A frameless design keeps the bezel minimal for the screen size, and 2x8W Dolby speakers give it more genuine bass and clarity than most small TVs manage.
The obvious trade-off is resolution and scale: at HD rather than 4K and 24″ rather than a lounge-room size, this isn’t a primary home theatre TV, it’s built for a specific mobile or compact-space use case. For that use case, though, the 12V/240V dual power input is a genuinely rare and useful feature most standard TVs don’t offer.
Pros
- Genuine dual 12V/240V power input, built for caravans, RVs and boats
- Full Google TV (Android 14) with Chromecast, not a cut-down mobile OS
- Vibration resistance and surge protection built in for life on the road
Cons
- HD resolution only (1366×768), not 4K
- 24″ size suits a caravan or bedroom, not a main lounge-room TV
Key specs: 24″ HD LED, 1366×768, Google TV (Android 14), 12V DC/240V AC dual power, 2x8W Dolby speakers, vibration + surge protection.
5. SKYWORTH Q5600H 32″ – Best Budget QLED
The Q5600H brings SKYWORTH’s 5th-gen QLED+ technology down to a genuinely budget-friendly 32″ size, with a 90% DCI-P3 wide colour gamut and HDR10 support delivering noticeably richer colour than a typical entry-level small TV. It’s built around Google TV with a built-in Chromecast, so streaming apps and casting work exactly like the larger SKYWORTH models above.
Google Assistant voice control is built in for hands-free searching and smart-home commands, and Dolby Audio with six tuned sound profiles gives it more genuine audio flexibility than most 32″ TVs offer. SKYWORTH’s EyeCare technology, flicker-free backlighting and low blue light, is a thoughtful inclusion for a TV likely destined for a bedroom or smaller room used for longer viewing sessions.
Being HD rather than 4K resolution is the honest trade-off at 32″, though at this screen size the difference is far less noticeable than it would be on the 55″ or 65″ TVs above. For a second TV or a compact room, it’s a genuinely well-specified budget pick rather than a stripped-down basic model.
Pros
- 5th-gen QLED+ technology at a genuinely budget 32″ price point
- Full Google TV with Chromecast and Google Assistant built in
- EyeCare flicker-free, low blue light design suits longer viewing sessions
Cons
- HD resolution, not 4K, at this size
- 32″ size suits a bedroom or second room, not a main lounge TV
Key specs: 32″ QLED+ (5th gen), 90% DCI-P3, HDR10, Google TV, Chromecast, Google Assistant, Dolby Audio (6 sound profiles), Bluetooth 5.1.
6. Kogan 32″ Smart TV – Best Budget
Kogan’s 32″ LED Smart TV runs genuine Google TV with Google Assistant built in, giving it real voice control and smart home integration at a price well below the QLED picks above. The Google Play Store gives access to over 400,000 movies and TV episodes alongside live TV apps, and built-in Chromecast covers casting from a phone, laptop or tablet.
HDR support brings brighter highlights and better contrast than a basic non-HDR small TV, and Wi-Fi, Ethernet and HDMI inputs cover the connectivity most households need without anything missing. Kogan is also a genuinely recognisable brand across Australia and NZ, with an established retail and support presence beyond just this listing.
The honest trade-off is panel technology: this is a standard LED panel rather than QLED, so colour and contrast sit a step below the SKYWORTH picks above, even at a similar 32″ size. For a straightforward budget smart TV without QLED aspirations, though, it covers the genuine essentials well.
Pros
- Genuine Google TV with Google Assistant and Chromecast built in
- Established, recognisable brand across Australia and NZ
- HDR support at a budget price point
Cons
- Standard LED panel, not QLED, so colour and contrast trail the SKYWORTH picks
- 32″ size limits it to a secondary room rather than a main lounge TV
Key specs: 32″ LED, HDR, Google TV, Google Assistant, Google Play Store, built-in Chromecast, Wi-Fi/Ethernet/HDMI, USB-C.
7. FPD 32″ Smart TV – Best Cheapest
FPD’s 32″ Palette-Series is the cheapest genuine smart TV in this guide, and it still runs full Google TV with access to Netflix, YouTube and other major streaming apps organised in one interface rather than a cut-down or forked smart platform. A voice remote powered by Google Assistant lets you search by voice instead of typing with an on-screen keyboard.
HDR10 and Dolby Audio are both included, genuinely unusual at this price point, and smart home integration lets it control compatible lights, thermostats and cameras directly from the TV screen. Built-in Google Cast rounds out the connectivity for streaming from a phone or laptop without extra hardware.
The real trade-offs at this price are resolution and brand depth: 720p rather than 1080p or 4K, and a newer, lesser-known manufacturer without the retail history of Kogan or SKYWORTH. Delivery also isn’t free on this listing, and is charged on top of the sticker price, worth factoring into the total cost against the Kogan and SKYWORTH Q5600H above.
Pros
- Cheapest genuine smart TV on this list
- Full Google TV with HDR10 and Dolby Audio included
- Smart home integration controllable directly from the TV
Cons
- 720p resolution only, the lowest on this list
- Delivery is not free, unlike most other picks here
Key specs: 32″ LED, 720p, HDR10, Dolby Audio, Google TV, Google Cast, voice remote with Google Assistant, smart home integration.
How to choose a smart TV in NZ
Panel technology matters more than screen size alone. QLED and QD-Mini LED panels, like the SKYWORTH picks in this guide, deliver noticeably richer colour and deeper contrast than standard LED panels at a similar size. For a bedroom or secondary TV, standard LED (like the Kogan or FPD) is genuinely fine; for a main lounge-room screen, the jump to QLED is usually worth it.
Built-in sound quality varies enormously between models. The SKYWORTH X8700G and Q7700G both include a genuine 2.1.2-channel system with a dedicated subwoofer, while budget TVs typically rely on small, basic speakers. If a separate soundbar isn’t in the budget, checking the built-in audio spec closely is worth the extra few minutes.
Refresh rate matters for gaming and sport, not everyday viewing. A 144Hz native refresh rate, like the two premium SKYWORTH models here, makes a genuine difference for fast-paced gaming and sport, but standard 60Hz content like most TV shows and streaming won’t show a visible difference either way.
Check what the TV is actually built for before buying on size alone. A 24″ 12V model like the ENGLAON is purpose-built for a caravan or boat, not a lounge room, while a 65″ LG suits a main living space but is overkill for a bedroom. Matching the TV to its actual use case avoids paying for size or features that won’t get used.
Verdict
For most NZ living rooms, the LG NanoCell NANO81 is the strongest all-rounder, the largest screen here from an established brand with a broad smart ecosystem. Buyers wanting premium picture and genuinely immersive built-in sound without the LG price should look to the SKYWORTH X8700G or the more affordable Q7700G. The ENGLAON is the clear pick for caravans, RVs or boats, and the SKYWORTH Q5600H, Kogan and FPD all serve as capable, genuinely-smart budget options for a bedroom or secondary room, each trading a little picture quality or brand depth for a lower price.
Related guides:
- Want better sound for movie nights? See our best soundbars guide.
- Setting up a home theatre properly? Check our best portable projectors picks.
- Want music and podcasts around the house too? Browse our best true wireless earbuds guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t Samsung, Sony or Panasonic TVs show up in this guide?
Those brands don’t sell TV units directly through Amazon AU, only accessories like remotes, wall mounts and cables appear in search. This guide covers the smart TVs that are actually available to purchase and ship to New Zealand through Amazon AU, which comes from LG, SKYWORTH, Kogan, ENGLAON and FPD instead.
Is QLED better than a standard LED smart TV?
QLED panels, like the SKYWORTH picks in this guide, use quantum dot technology to deliver richer, more accurate colour and generally better contrast than a standard LED panel at a similar size. For a main lounge-room TV the difference is genuinely noticeable; for a bedroom or secondary TV, standard LED options like the Kogan or FPD are still a reasonable choice.
Do I need a 4K TV, or is HD enough?
For a 55-65 inch main TV, 4K resolution makes a real, visible difference. For smaller 24-32 inch TVs like several budget picks in this guide, HD resolution is far less noticeable at typical viewing distances, so it’s a reasonable trade-off for a lower price on a secondary screen.
What does a 144Hz refresh rate actually do?
It allows the screen to update up to 144 times per second instead of the standard 60, producing smoother motion for fast-paced gaming and sport. Regular TV shows, movies and most streaming content are filmed at much lower frame rates, so a 144Hz panel won’t make a visible difference outside of gaming and some live sport.
Can a TV with built-in speakers replace a soundbar?
For most everyday viewing, a TV with a genuine multi-channel sound system like the SKYWORTH X8700G or Q7700G’s 2.1.2-channel setup with a built-in subwoofer is a real step up from typical thin TV speakers. For a dedicated home theatre setup, a separate soundbar or full surround system still outperforms even a well-specified built-in system.
Is a 12V TV worth buying for a regular home?
Not usually, a 12V TV like the ENGLAON in this guide is purpose-built for caravans, RVs and boats, with a smaller HD screen and simpler speakers than an equivalent mains-only lounge TV at a similar price. It’s the right pick specifically for mobile or off-grid use, not as a primary home TV.
