As we sink into the sofa and pop the TV on, we're usually thinking about what to watch, rather than how much our viewing habits add to our energy bill. Opting for an energy efficient TV is a small change we can make to help reduce our electricity bills and lower our household's environmental impact, so it's worth doing your research and checking the specs before making the investment.
Luckily there are plenty of energy efficient TVs around so we've gathered a list of options to help you save energy, and money.
For more energy-saving home appliances, take a look at the best eco kettles and energy-efficient light bulbs.
How much electricity does watching TV use?
According to the Energy Saving Trust, consumer electronics in general - so that's our laptops and consoles, as well as our TVs - account for roughly 6% of our energy bills. To put that into perspective, that's less than fridges and freezers (13%), but more than lighting (5%) and cooking (4%).
When buying a TV, you can check the energy and annual power consumption for a more precise estimate. You'll see in our roundup, models vary massively. In our list, you'll find more advanced and large-screened models have an annual power consumption of around 120kWh, whereas some of the more affordable and less flashy buys come in much lower at around 60kWh.
How to choose an energy efficient TV
It can be a bit of a balancing act when choosing an energy efficient TV, as there are a number of factors to think about:
- Consider the new energy rating system. Since the energy rating labels changed in March 2021, electrical appliances now work with a more simplified A to G rating. So when looking for an energy efficient TV, you'll likely find those with a rating of E or F to be your best bet
- Price is of course a big factor when we're choosing a new TV, and there are energy efficient TVs for all budgets ranging from hundreds to thousands.
- Screen size impacts the energy efficiency of a TV as naturally the bigger the screen, the more energy your TV consumes, no matter the energy rating
- Look out for power saving modes and other power reduction features such as sleep timers which ensure you don't waste electricity
- As already mentioned above, check the average energy consumption. Dig into the specs when buying, and look out for a low kWh per 1000h
Best energy efficient TVs for 2024
Samsung Q60C 75" 4K Ultra HD QLED Smart TV
- Energy rating D
- Technology QLED
- Smart TV Yes
- Screen size 75 inch
- Resolution 4k
One of a handful of TVs currently on the market to achieve the D rating on the revised energy consumption chart, the Samsung Q6OC is a top of the line smart TV in more than just its green credentials.
The Q in QLED stands for 'quantum dot' technology which, according to Samsung, enables more than a billion distinct shades on the TV's 4k display, while the Dual LED automatically calibrates the screen's backlight to ensure perfect contrast without any pesky reflections. And when it comes to audio, the TV's Immersive Object Tracking Sound LITE technology adjusts the volume and direction of the audio output to match what's happening on screen - think fighter jets racing across the sky!
Oh, and did we mention it's enormous?
Bush 32 Inch Smart HD Ready TV
- Energy rating E
- Technology HD ready
- Smart TV Yes
- Screen size 32 inch
- Resolution 1080p
One of the more affordable energy efficient TVs in our list, this neat 32 inch Bush model has an abundance of five star ratings. It offers a low energy consumption of 36kWh per 1000h and an E energy rating.
As a smart TV you can binge series all evening long on your go-to apps. A great size for the end of the bed too if you're looking to create the ultimate lazy weekend setup.
TCL 65RP630K Roku TV 65" Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR LED TV
Buy from Currys (£379.00)
- Energy rating D
- Technology LED
- Smart TV Yes
- Screen size 65 inch
- Resolution 4k
The TCL 65RP630K Smart TV is a bit of a rare bird. At the time of writing, it was the only D energy-rated TV on the market for less than £1,000 - and in fact, significantly less than £1,000, currently available for £429.99.
For that very reasonable price, you get a 65in 4K Ultra HD display with Dolby Vision and Dolby Sound for a cinematic experience on your next household movie night. For streaming, the model comes with Roku TV to give you easy access to all your favourite apps in one place. Plus, you can pair the TV with your smart speaker for hands-free voice control, too!
Curry's customers have given it a 4.6/5 rating overall, and we can see why - the TCL 65RP630K is a super energy-efficient TV with a generously-sized screen and smart TV features, at a remarkably affordable price. What's not to love?
Sony XR77A80KU 77 inch 4K OLED TV
- Energy rating E
- Technology OLED
- Smart TV Yes
- Screen size 77 inch
- Resolution 4K
If you want to go for a large screen size, whilst still saving energy, this flashy Sony model ticks both boxes. Released in 2022, it offers the latest tech including an OLED screen and voice-command control. The screen also adjusts to the brightness and darkness of your surroundings - a useful energy-saving feature as the screen dims automatically, and the brighter your screen, the more energy your TV consumes. There's also a unique backlight control system which reduces power consumption.
The sleep timer lets you automatically switch the TV off after a certain time - ideal if you're prone to dozing in front of the telly.
Of course such contemporary and snazzy features come at a hefty price, so it's certainly an investment. And it's worth noting this TV has a power consumption rating of 121kWh per 1000h, which is a lot more than the smaller screened devices in our roundup. It does however have an E energy rating.
For more home appliances:
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Sharp LC-24DHF4011K 24 Inch TV
- Energy rating F
- Technology HD ready
- Smart TV No
- Screen size 24 inch
- Resolution 720p
Pop this compact Sharp energy efficient TV on your kitchen counter, and watch along as you're cooking dinner. If you're not fixated on creating the cinematic experience, this small 24 inch TV could do the job. A real space saver, too, if you're tight on room. With two HDMI ports, you can hook up to a number of additional devices.
This model has an energy rating of F, which is still considered energy efficient as TVs go.
We love the built-in DVD player. Dust off an old boxset for a rainy afternoon of nostalgia.
Toshiba WK3C63DB Smart TV
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- Energy rating F
- Technology LED
- Smart TV Yes
- Screen size 24 inch
- Resolution 720p
At under £200, and with lots of five star reviews to its name, this energy efficient TV has plenty of perks. As well as built-in Wi-Fi, you'll find useful parental lock and sleep timer functions. Make use of the voice control functions too for effortless watching.
This device has an F energy rating and an energy consumption of 32kWh per 1000h.
If you're willing to ditch the gigantic flat screen for a more eco-friendly pick, we reckon this budget-friendly Toshiba model is a solid choice. Or it would work well if you're looking for a smaller second TV, for a bedroom or kitchen perhaps.
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For more energy saving tips, find out how to reduce your energy consumption.
