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Top Recommended 3D TVs

Below are the best 3D TVs as recommended by our editors at CEAG. We have reviewed these 3D TVs picture quality, features offerings, and value to price comparison and come up with this list. This list does not take into account best sellers in the marketplace but instead our top reviewed models taking as many variable qualities into account as possible. We even consider how well the accompanying 3D glasses work and how much they cost or whether they come with the TV. This list changes frequently so check back regularly!

LG 55LW9800 3D TV     
55" 3D LED TV

This is a mammoth and slightly expensive entry from LG. Not only does it have 3D compatibility (passive 3D like all LG LED TVs) but it will have some of the best 2D to 3D conversion in the marketplace due to the special light distribution system enabled by the Nano Full HD screen panel. This helps with 3D presentation and picture quality overall by finely sourcing and identifying how much light goes to each part of the screen. Basically, that's why they call it Nano - it's fine tuned. The TV does not come cheap at around $3350. We have not had a chance to review the TV yet but are looking forward to that opportunity as we did see it at CES 2011. Other upgrades include a super thin .8" panel depth and a bezel frame that's barely noticeable.

Sony XBR55HX929 3D TV     
55" 3D LED TV

Falling right in the middle price-wise is the Sony XBR55HX929 3D TV at around $2899. It has that new X-Reality Pro video engine and is one of the only TVs on the market to offer full array local dimming. This is a feature we really like about this TV and will only help with the Opticontrast and other technologies for the active shutter 3D viewing. The two chip processing engine in this TV is very powerful and you will definitely be engrossed with 2D much less 3D images. Other characteristics are that this TV is great with incoming light with its super high tech louvered screen technologies that absorbs light but does not reflect it. Sony also lists a 960Hz equivalent manipulated refresh rate - one of the only manufacturers to list this specification. It will do the best job with fast motion 3D content among the LED TV rivals.

Panasonic TC-P50ST30 3D TV     
50" 3D Plasma TV

The TC-P50ST30 3D Plasma was one of our highest rated products of 2011 and will continue to be produced until April 2012 when its replacement will appear. IT has the top Infinity Black panel that the higher end Panasonic offerings display but with a more budget minded price. All you sacrifice is some cosmetic upgrades and nominal features until you get to the VT30 series.

We were pretty crazy about the picture on this TV after the colors were ramped up through the 10 point white balance settings controls. They are some of the best we've seen on any 3D image. Out of the box the picture can appear dim so be sure to go through our calibration settings. Colors and everything becomes vibrant and pops once going through what might be considered a hassle to some or time well spent to others depending on whether you are a tech geek like us, or just hate having to mess with settings. See the Full TC-P50ST30 Review and Video Review

Samsung UN55D7000 3D TV     
55" 3D LED TV

The top LED 3D offering is the UN55D7000. This is the second tier model Samsung LED that has extreme brightness from its powerful backlight. This somewhat washes out the color and can cause a little light bleed and screen uniformity issues but we found the problem repaired easily by turning down the backlight to a more normal level. It's nice to have the option of ramping it up in the event the TV is going in a bright, sunlit room. The only feature that this TV lacks that the D8000 top end unit has is a full web browser. And the aesthetic appearance is a little more subdued on the D7000. Now this TV is for sale for around $2000 which is quite a bargain.

Samsung UN55D8000 3D TV     
55" 3D LED TV

As discussed with the above D7000 we would be remiss to not also include the UN55D8000 which has the full web browser and QWERTY keyboard remote and stunningly .25 width screen. Both come with the futuristic quadrapod stand. The 55D8000 is priced slightly higher at $2599. It is also active shutter 3D like the D7000 and typically comes with two pairs of glasses.

Samsung PN51D8000 3D TV     
50" 3D Plasma TV

Another great Samsung entry that we thoroughly enjoyed reviewing, the PN51D8000 is the top end plasma from Samsung for 2011 and continues until March 2012. It has a distinctly darker picture than its LED competitors from the same manufacturer but the picture quality is Oh so cinema-like and was our highest rated picture quality TV for this year. It's 3D imagery is very nice, rich and with great depth. This TV is best viewed in a darker room environment due to its limited peak white range. We would normally not rate so highly a product with a lower contrast ration but this TV's HD and SD picture quality is just out of this world realistic. Artistic directors will be thankful for TVs like this that do not blow up their intended imagery. For 3D the PN51D8000 uses active shutter glasses and is Full HD 3D, sending 1080 lines of vertical resolution to each eye. Some televisions sacrifice some resolution to show 3D images and Full 3D HD provides the best 3D experience.

Panasonic TC-P60GT30 3D TV     
55" 3D Plasma TV

Another excellent 3DTV from Panasonic is the TC-P60GT30 which combines that great post calibration picture quality with some excellent depth in the 3D department. I have to say that if I had to watch this TV with the Standard picture setting out the box I would not do it. The colors and and picture are lifeless. Luckily, Panasonic has allowed our reviewers to get in there and toggle those settings to make this picture sing. The GT30 has the same Infinite Pro Black panel as the ST30 listed above but a more updated cosmetic package. 3D quality while wearing the active shutter 3D glasses is excellent. We did not see the crosstalk we've seen in the past nor were any of the image edges blurry. The TV will continue until Spring 2012. See the review and video review of the GT30

Toshiba 47TL515U 3D Passive Television     
47" 3D LED TV

If you want something a little smaller and less expensive than the others on this list but still with a full feature set the Toshiba 47TL515U might be your TV. It has Toshiba's 240Hz clear scan feature for fast moving images which we found to work very well. The 3D picture is passive 3D meaning you only receive 540 lines of resolution to each eye but in our review of this TV we would not have known it by the eye. The depth and color are both very good. We did notice a good deal of jerky judder at times and the sound quality from the built in speakers was not a positive. However for around $1000 this is a good value contender for this size TV. Do you really need active 3D for this size TV. Not really in our opinion. Active might add a touch more depth than the TL515 contains, but the picture on this TV is very satisfying.