Televisions have come a long way from bulky boxes with limited channels to sleek, feature-packed entertainment hubs. Today’s viewers expect more than just a screen — they want immersive experiences, high-definition visuals, and smart connectivity. One of the most sought-after screen sizes in 2025 is the 65 inch smart TV, offering a perfect balance between cinematic scale and home-space compatibility.
Among the top contenders in this category are Smart TVs, which bring internet streaming, voice assistants, and app ecosystems directly to your living room. But how do they stack up against regular TVs, which still appeal to budget-conscious users or those who prefer simplicity over features?
In this guide, we’ll break down the key differences between Smart TVs and regular TVs, focusing on performance, features, and value — especially in the 65 inch range. Whether you’re a tech-savvy streamer or someone seeking a dependable display without all the extras, this article will help you make the right choice for your viewing needs.
Also check out our in-depth comparison of the Best 65 Inch TVs in 2025 to explore top models and recommendations.
What Is a Smart TV and How Is It Different from a Regular TV?
A Smart TV is a television set that comes equipped with built-in internet connectivity and an operating system that allows users to stream content directly from popular platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. Unlike traditional TVs, Smart TVs do not require any external streaming device like a set-top box or HDMI dongle. They come with pre-installed apps, and most models support downloading additional ones through app stores. For example, the LG 65 inch Smart TV runs on WebOS and offers seamless access to streaming, voice control, and smart home integration. Similarly, the Samsung TV lineup—particularly their Tizen-powered 65 inch Smart TVs—includes voice assistants, smart hubs, and support for multiple streaming services.
In contrast, a regular TV (often called a non-smart TV) is primarily used for displaying content from external sources. These include cable or satellite boxes, DVD players, or streaming devices like Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, or Chromecast. They don’t offer app installation or internet access by themselves.
Modern Smart features go beyond streaming. Today’s Smart TVs offer voice control (Alexa, Google Assistant), screen mirroring, home automation controls, and even AI-based picture optimization. Some advanced models also include built-in cameras for video calls and fitness tracking.
Choosing between a Smart TV and a regular TV depends on your usage. If you’re looking for convenience and all-in-one entertainment, a Smart TV is the better choice.
For a detailed comparison of top-rated smart TVs, check out our guide on the Best 65 Inch TVs in 2025. You can also explore LG’s Smart TV offerings and Samsung’s Smart TV lineup to see the latest models and features.
Advantages of a 65 Inch Smart TV
A 65 inch smart TV offers much more than just an expansive screen—it’s a gateway to a smarter, more connected entertainment experience. With advanced smart features, these TVs have transformed the traditional viewing setup into an all-in-one entertainment hub.
One of the biggest advantages is built-in access to popular streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, and more. You can instantly stream your favorite movies and shows without needing any external devices such as a Fire Stick or Roku. Everything is conveniently accessible from your TV’s interface, saving both space and setup time.
Modern smart TVs like the Samsung QLED 65 inch TV or the LG 65 inch smart TV also come with voice assistant integration. With built-in Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, you can control your TV using voice commands—adjust the volume, change channels, or even ask about the weather without lifting a finger. This hands-free convenience adds another layer of comfort, especially for families or multitaskers.
Screen mirroring is another standout feature. Whether you’re casting videos from your smartphone, sharing a presentation from your laptop, or gaming on a bigger screen, a 65 inch smart TV ensures a seamless and high-quality mirroring experience.
These TVs also support smart home integration, allowing them to sync with your smart lights, thermostats, and security systems. For instance, using your TV’s remote or voice command, you can dim the lights or check your front door camera—all without leaving the couch.
Overall, a 65 inch smart TV offers more than just size—it delivers smarter functionality, sleek design, and a clutter-free setup by eliminating the need for external streaming devices.
- Check out our full guide on the Best 65 Inch TVs in 2025
- Learn more about Samsung’s latest QLED innovations
- Explore LG’s full smart TV lineup at LG.com
When a Regular 65 Inch TV Makes More Sense
While smart TVs dominate the market, a regular 65 inch TV can still be a practical and budget-friendly choice for many households. If you’re looking to save money without compromising on screen size, a cheap 65 inch TV offers excellent value. These TVs provide large, immersive displays ideal for watching cable, satellite, or DVDs—without the added cost of smart features you may never use.
One of the key advantages is flexibility. You can easily turn a standard 65 inch TV into a smart TV by connecting affordable streaming devices like the Amazon Fire Stick, Roku, or Google Chromecast. This way, you only pay for smart functionality if and when you need it.
Regular TVs are also a good fit for users who mainly rely on set-top boxes, gaming consoles, or satellite TV services, where the external device provides all the content access. They’re simple to use, often faster to set up, and come with fewer software updates or compatibility issues.
If you’re on a tight budget or just want a no-frills experience, a non-smart TV in the 65-inch category is a smart buy. For more budget options, check out our guide on the best 65 inch TVs in 2025.
Picture Quality: OLED, QLED, and LED Compared
When choosing a 65 inch smart TV, understanding the differences between OLED, QLED, and LED technologies is crucial to getting the best viewing experience.
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) panels deliver exceptional picture quality by lighting each pixel individually. This allows for perfect blacks, infinite contrast ratios, and vibrant colors. OLED TVs also offer wide viewing angles and excellent motion handling, making them ideal for cinematic experiences and gaming. Brands like LG are pioneers in OLED technology.
QLED (Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diode), developed by Samsung, uses quantum dots combined with LED backlighting to enhance brightness and color accuracy. A Samsung QLED 65 inch TV provides incredible brightness, making it suitable for bright rooms, and it generally lasts longer than OLEDs. While it doesn’t offer perfect blacks like OLED, the color reproduction and HDR performance are top-tier.
LED (Light-Emitting Diode) TVs, the most common and budget-friendly option, use a backlight behind the screen. While they offer decent color and brightness, they can’t match the depth of blacks or viewing angles of OLED or QLED panels. However, recent 4K LED TVs have improved significantly and are perfect for casual viewing.
Smart TVs often feature superior display technologies like QLED or OLED, enhancing the experience with features like HDR, AI upscaling, and auto-adjust brightness. If picture quality is your priority, opting for a 65 inch smart TV with OLED or QLED technology is a smart investment.
🔗 Read more about display technologies on Samsung’s official guide to QLED vs OLED.
Sound Quality Differences
Sound quality is a key factor when choosing a TV, and there are noticeable differences between Smart TVs and regular models. Most Smart TVs, especially premium ones like the Samsung TV lineup, come equipped with enhanced audio technologies. These include built-in support for Dolby Atmos, adaptive sound features, and even AI-driven sound enhancements that adjust based on content or room acoustics.
In contrast, regular TVs generally have basic built-in speakers without advanced processing. They’re designed more for visual output and often lack the audio clarity, depth, and surround sound effect that Smart TVs can provide. This means viewers may need to invest in an external soundbar or speaker system to get comparable audio performance.
Smart TVs also offer seamless integration with wireless soundbars and home theater systems, often supporting HDMI ARC or eARC connections. This allows for a cleaner setup and better audio synchronization.
Dimensions & Room Compatibility for 65 Inch Smart TVs
A 65 inch TV typically has a screen diagonal of 165 cm, with average dimensions of 145 cm wide by 83 cm high (without the stand). These measurements can vary slightly based on the TV model and bezel design. To ensure the TV fits well in your space, it’s important to consider both wall clearance and TV console or unit size.
For comfortable viewing, the ideal distance between your eyes and a 65 inch TV is around 2.5 to 3.5 meters. This ensures an immersive experience without straining your eyes, especially if you’re watching in 4K resolution. RTINGS offers a detailed viewing distance guide.
A TV bracket or wall mount can save space and elevate the screen to eye level, which is perfect for living rooms and bedrooms. Ensure your wall mount is VESA-compatible and can support the TV’s weight. For furniture setups, a TV console at least 150 cm wide is recommended to provide balance and storage.
Whether you’re creating a cinematic living room, a gaming den, or a stylish bedroom media setup, the 65 inch TV offers an impressive screen size without overwhelming most medium to large spaces. For more room setup tips, visit ByteFixers.com – Best TV Console Ideas.
Stands, Cabinets & Wall Mounts for 65 Inch TVs
When setting up a 65 inch TV, choosing the right support is essential for aesthetics, safety, and viewing comfort. You have three main options: TV stands, cabinets, and wall mounts—each with its own pros and best-use scenarios.
TV stands for 65 inch TVs are the most straightforward solution. These come in a variety of materials and designs, offering both support and storage. Whether you’re looking for modern glass styles or rustic wood finishes, television stands for 65 inch TVs can elevate the look of your living space while offering room for consoles and accessories.
TV cabinets for 65 inch TVs take it a step further by combining a stand with enclosed storage. These are ideal for users who want to hide cables, routers, and other electronics while maintaining a clean, organized entertainment area.
If floor space is limited or you prefer a minimalist look, a 65 inch TV wall mount is the best choice. Wall mounts come in several types:
- Fixed mounts keep the TV flush against the wall, ideal for rooms with eye-level viewing.
- Tilting mounts allow slight angle adjustments to reduce glare.
- Full-motion mounts offer the most flexibility, letting you swivel or pull the TV away from the wall—perfect for larger or multi-purpose rooms.
For unconventional layouts, a corner TV stand for 65 inch TVs offers a space-saving solution. These are specially designed to fit into room corners, maximizing layout options without compromising screen size.
Price Comparison & Budget Considerations
When choosing a 65 inch TV, price is often a deciding factor. Generally, smart TVs cost more than regular TVs due to their built-in features such as streaming apps, voice control, and smart home integration. A cheap 65 inch TV with basic features can start around $350–$450, especially from budget-friendly brands like Hisense. In contrast, a Samsung 65 inch OLED TV or an LG 65 inch smart TV with premium display technology and smart capabilities can range between $1,000 to $2,000 or more.
Brand plays a significant role in pricing.
- Samsung leads the premium segment with advanced features like QLED and OLED panels, which come at a higher price.
- LG offers excellent value in both mid-range and high-end smart TVs, particularly with its OLED lineup.
- Hisense, on the other hand, targets the budget-conscious audience, often offering 65 inch smart TVs with solid features at a fraction of the price.
For buyers seeking the best value, timing your purchase around seasonal promotions like Black Friday deals or Cyber Monday can lead to significant savings. These sales often slash prices by 20–40%, even on high-end models.
Ultimately, whether you’re after a cheap 65 inch TV or a top-tier Samsung 65 inch OLED TV, it’s wise to balance features with your budget and wait for promotional events to maximize value.
Which TV Brands Offer the Best 65 Inch Smart and Regular TVs?
When it comes to 65 inch TVs, four brands consistently stand out: Samsung, LG, Sony, and TCL. Each offers a variety of models in both smart and regular TV categories, but some truly shine depending on what you’re looking for.
Samsung TV
Samsung dominates the smart TV market, especially with its QLED lineup. The Samsung QLED 65 inch TV delivers exceptional brightness, contrast, and vivid colors, making it a top pick for streaming and gaming. Samsung Smart TVs also come equipped with Tizen OS, which is fast and user-friendly. However, they don’t offer many regular (non-smart) TV models in recent years.
LG TV
LG is renowned for its OLED technology. A 65 inch smart TV from LG, especially their OLED series, offers superior contrast, true blacks, and immersive viewing—ideal for cinema lovers. LG’s webOS platform is intuitive and supports a wide range of apps. For those who prefer regular TVs, LG offers budget LED models with solid picture quality, although they’re increasingly rare.
Sony
Sony’s 65 inch smart TVs are known for their excellent upscaling, making even non-4K content look impressive. Their OLED and LED Bravia series deliver fantastic color accuracy. Sony also uses Google TV, offering seamless app integration and voice control.
TCL
TCL is the go-to for budget-conscious buyers. Their 65 inch smart TVs, especially those with Roku TV or Google TV built-in, provide excellent value. While TCL doesn’t specialize in OLED or QLED, their LED TVs perform well for the price.
Also read: Best 65 Inch TVs in 2025
Best Use Cases: Smart TV vs Regular TV
Choosing between a Smart TV and a regular TV depends on how you plan to use your 65 inch TV.
Smart TVs are ideal for streamers, gamers, and tech-savvy users. With built-in apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video, Smart TVs eliminate the need for external streaming devices. They also support screen mirroring, voice assistants, and smart home integration—perfect for users who enjoy seamless, connected experiences. Gamers benefit from low latency modes and faster refresh rates found in many 65 inch smart TVs, making them a solid choice for console and cloud gaming setups.
On the other hand, regular TVs suit elderly viewers, minimal users, or anyone who primarily watches cable or satellite channels. These TVs are often easier to use and more budget-friendly. If the goal is to watch traditional broadcasts or use a DVD player, a regular 65 inch TV offers exactly what’s needed without the extra features that might go unused.
For family living rooms, a Smart TV adds entertainment versatility. For home theaters, a large-screen Smart TV with 4K resolution enhances the cinematic experience. However, for guest rooms or spaces with infrequent use, a regular TV might be a better cost-effective solution.
Whether you’re upgrading your main TV or setting up a secondary screen, understanding your viewing habits will help you make the right choice.
Setup & Maintenance: Smart TV vs Regular TV
When it comes to setup, Smart TVs generally require more initial configuration compared to regular TVs. Upon unboxing, users must connect the TV to Wi-Fi, log into streaming accounts like Netflix or YouTube, and possibly install updates. However, most modern Smart TVs come with user-friendly setup wizards that simplify this process. Mounting either type on a TV bracket or placing it on a TV unit is identical from a hardware perspective.
Regular TVs, on the other hand, are plug-and-play. Once you connect a cable box or external streaming device via HDMI, you’re ready to go. This makes them ideal for users who prefer minimal setup or aren’t tech-savvy.
In terms of maintenance, Smart TVs require occasional firmware updates, which may introduce new features but can also bring software bugs. These updates usually install automatically, but sometimes users must initiate them manually. Connectivity problems—such as unstable Wi-Fi—can also impact performance.
By contrast, regular TVs rarely face these issues. With no internet connection or app updates to worry about, they typically operate with fewer glitches.
Smart TVs offer multiple connectivity options: HDMI, USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi, making them more versatile for modern media setups. Regular TVs also support HDMI and USB, but usually lack advanced smart features unless paired with external devices.
For households looking for ease of use and fewer tech troubles, a regular TV might be more suitable. However, those who want an all-in-one entertainment hub will appreciate the flexibility of a Smart TV.
Final Verdict – Which Should You Buy?
Choosing between a 65 inch Smart TV and a regular 65 inch TV depends on your needs, budget, and preferences.
- Best for Smart Features: If you’re a fan of streaming, voice assistants, and smart home integration, a Smart TV is the way to go. With built-in apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime, you’ll enjoy seamless entertainment without needing external devices like Roku or Fire Stick. A Samsung 65 inch Smart TV offers a top-tier experience with support for voice assistants and smart home systems.
- Best Value: If you’re on a budget but still want a large screen TV, a regular 65 inch TV could be a more affordable option. You can later turn it into a smart TV with devices like a Chromecast or Fire Stick. Hisense 65 inch TV is a budget-friendly choice, offering good performance for its price.
- Best Picture Quality: If picture quality is your top priority, an OLED TV, like the Samsung 65 inch OLED TV, will give you unmatched contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. This is ideal for movie lovers and gamers who want the best visual experience in 4K resolution.
Ultimately, if you want a fully integrated smart experience, go for a Smart TV; if you’re looking for the best picture quality, an OLED TV is the winner, and for the best value, a regular 65 inch TV with added external devices will be the most cost-effective solution.
FAQs
- Is a 65-inch TV too big for my room?
A 65-inch TV can be ideal for larger rooms, but it’s important to consider viewing distance. A general rule is that the optimal distance for a 65-inch TV is 8 to 10 feet. If your room is smaller, it may feel too large for comfortable viewing. - What’s better: OLED or QLED?
OLED offers superior contrast and deeper blacks, as each pixel emits its own light. QLED, on the other hand, uses a quantum dot filter to enhance color and brightness. If you prioritize picture quality, OLED is the better choice, but QLED is more affordable and still offers great performance. - Can I turn a regular 65-inch TV into a smart one?
Yes, you can convert a regular 65-inch TV into a Smart TV by using external devices like a Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, or Apple TV. These devices allow you to access streaming services and apps, adding smart functionality to your TV. - What’s the best brand for a 65-inch Smart TV?
Top brands for 65-inch Smart TVs include Samsung, LG, and Sony. Samsung’s QLED models offer excellent picture quality, LG’s OLED displays provide stunning contrast, and Sony is known for superior motion handling and clarity, especially for gaming. - Do I need a special wall mount for a 65-inch TV?
A special wall mount may be necessary, depending on the TV’s size and weight. Ensure the mount supports a 65-inch TV and has a VESA pattern compatible with your TV’s mounting holes. Full-motion mounts are ideal if you need flexibility in viewing angles. - What’s the difference between a TV stand and a TV console?
A TV stand is a simple piece of furniture designed to hold your TV, typically with minimal storage. A TV console is larger and often includes drawers or shelves for additional storage, making it ideal for organizing media devices, gaming consoles, and other accessories.
