Black Friday is almost here. For many customers, this is the prime time to grab new high-end smart technology at rock-bottom prices. But a great deal on a TV only matters if your home network can support it. After all, a beautiful, big-screen smart TV is wasted if your service constantly buffers or drops connection during streaming.
In this guide, Mercury Fiber will help you pair your next smart TV with the right internet expectations, so your viewing experience lives up to its specs.
Why Black Friday Matters for Smart TV Buyers
Last year, at least 169 million people shopped for Black Friday deals and retailers know TVs are big-ticket items that draw shoppers. Every year, they discount TVs aggressively during Black Friday. While a brand new model may look tempting, we suggest holding off. Historically, flagship and premium models from the previous year are a better deal, with price cuts of 20 percent to 40 percent (or more) as retailers make way for next-gen units.
What To Look for in a Smart TV (2025 Edition)
Before investing in a new smart TV, here are some things to keep on your radar:
- Display technology: OLED, QD-OLED are great for dark rooms due to their exceptional contrast and black levels.
- Resolution: For resolution & HDR support, stick with 4K. If you already have Mercury internet, It is likely that your network already supports streaming in 4k. We suggest holding off on 8k features due to the limited content library. The general rule for HDR is the more HDR options the better.
- Refresh rate: If you are into gaming and are looking for a new smart TV for your home console, pay close attention to the refresh rate. 120 Hz is the typical standard when it comes to modern games.
- Platform stability: Smart platforms and app ecosystems like Samsung’s Tizen, LG’s webOS, Google TV, and Roku all have their pros and cons. Be on the lookout for platform stability and apps offered by each.
- Ethernet ports: Most smart TVs are cutting cables, but Ethernet ports are a huge help for connectivity, allowing for a direct connection to your modem. This helps for smoother streaming of those 4k and 8k shows you bought the TV for in the first place.
Top Smart TV Picks
Once you hit the stores, be on the lookout for these top smart TV picks:
Premium and Flagship Picks
- Samsung S95F / S90F OLED
- LG’s newer OLEDs or G5
Midrange and Value Picks
- TCL QM7 / QM6 series
- Hisense U7N / U6N series
Budget and Entry-Level Picks
- Roku Smart TVs, Insignia / budget LED TVs
- 50″–55″ 4K TVs that deliver acceptable performance
How Your Internet Plan Impacts Smart TV Performance
For 4K HDR streaming, we typically recommend 25 Mbps to 35 Mbps per stream. If you have multiple TVs streaming simultaneously, add those bandwidths together. For smooth high-bitrate 4K/Dolby Vision, more headroom is safer.
But even with a great TV, if you don’t prepare for the network bottlenecks, buffering is inevitable.
Tips To Optimize Home Wi-Fi and Reduce Interference
- Use wired Ethernet when possible for your TV
- Place the router or access point in a less obstructed, central location
- Use Wi-Fi 6/6E or new Wi-Fi 7 routers and devices to reduce congestion
- Limit bandwidth hogs during streaming
Why Mercury Fiber Matters
Our fiber speeds and low latency help you unlock every feature of your new TV, with no worry to any possible bottlenecks in your network. Whether you need help choosing the right gear or want a full-home connectivity plan, our team is here to guide you. We’re proud to service homes across Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio.
