Rollable Screens, Art Frames, and Easels: These TVs Think Outside the Box
Flat-panel displays have made it easier than ever to own a large TV without having it take up the entire room. Those of us who remember the gigantic tube TVs of yore are happy for this change. But some people want a TV design that’s even less invasive, and more decor friendly. A couple manufacturers have answered the call with creative designs that allow a big screen to reside in your room without looking like your life revolves around television. But be prepared to pay more than you would for a traditional-looking TV that offers similar (or better) performance.
Hide in plain sight
Samsung’s The Frame (pictured above) is an LCD TV designed to look like a piece of art. You can customize the color or wood type of the surrounding bezel to match your room’s style, and the TV sits perfectly flush against the wall, just as a piece of art would. It can display photos or art when you aren’t watching it, and Samsung has an online Art Store where you can order individual pieces or subscribe to packs. Motion and brightness sensors, along with Samsung’s interactive Ambient Mode+ screen saver, tailor the screen’s activity to suit the room. The design routes all of the power and inputs through a single tiny cable that’s easy to hide, making it look less like a TV and more like framed art.
In terms of picture quality, the Frame looks to be close to Samsung’s mid-tier Q70T QLED 4K TV, so it offers a good image, but it isn’t equal to the company’s best 4K and 8K sets, such as the models we recommend in our best LCD/LED TV guide. It also costs around 50% more for the added style and features, compared with a standard model with similar picture quality.
Make a statement
If you’d prefer a TV that’s designed to stand out rather than disappear into your room, Samsung also offers The Serif. With a unique look that hides all the cables and connectors in a white chassis, the Serif QLED 4K TV can sit on either a tabletop or a set of distinct legs that make it look much different than your standard flat-screen TV. It’s available in only 43- and 55-inch screen sizes, and it also uses Samsung’s Ambient Mode+ screen-saver technology. No one has done a serious review of the video quality of the Serif, though it looks to be similar to the Frame in both specs and price. The 55-inch model costs about $1,500, so you’re again paying a lot for the design.
Also in 2020, Samsung introduced The Sero, a 43-inch 4K TV that rotates from landscape to portrait mode. Designed to mirror your phone and the shape of videos from TikTok and other platforms, the $2,000 Sero otherwise looks to be equivalent to the Samsung Q60T, which costs about 75% less. The Sero has a distinct look, and a distinct feature that no one else is offering right now, but you’d have to really like watching portrait-mode content from your phone to justify the price.
The most unique TV design we’ve seen so far is the yet-to-be-released LG Signature RX 4K OLED TV, which has a screen that actually rolls up from within its cabinet. Since it’s an OLED TV (OLED is our favorite TV technology), the 65-inch Signature RX should offer superb image quality. And since the screen rolls away when not in use, you can put the cabinet almost anywhere in the room. Places where a TV would never work before, like at the end of a bed or in front of windows, can now work with the RX. But its picture quality won’t be any better than that of LG’s traditional (and far less expensive) OLED TVs, and it’s rumored to cost nearly $60,000 when it finally hits the market, so it’s not a serious option for most people.
For a sleeker-profile TV that delivers superb image quality, LG’s GX Series is designed to sit perfectly flush against the wall. Measuring around only 20 mm thick, this 4K TV ships with the built-in wall mount and doesn’t come with a stand. Most previous OLEDs had a thicker bottom and a slim top due to the electronics housed inside, but the GX Series spreads out the electronics so the panel is the same thickness all around, and the cables are routed inside the back panel to allow the TV to sit flush with a wall. However, you will pay a bit more to get this design compared with the stand-mounted CX Series, which delivers the same picture quality.
If you don’t need a rollable or flush-mounted TV but you want the quality of OLED, check out our guide to the best OLED TV.
As you can see, there are options for the TV shopper who’s willing to pay more to get an interesting or discreet design. For those of you who wish you could make your existing TV more discreet, a variety of motorized TV lifts and mounts are available that allow you to get creative, whether you want your TV to pop up from within a cabinet or drop down from the ceiling. You can see some examples here and here, or you can meet with a local custom AV installer to get some ideas. However, this route may cost more than the TV itself—but for the decor-conscious AV fan, it might be worth it.
Mentioned above
- TCL’s QM8 Series is a great LCD/LED TV that delivers terrific performance, a sturdy design, and excellent features for a reasonable price.The Best LCD/LED TV
- Samsung’s S90C Series delivers premium picture quality, high brightness, and desirable features at a more affordable price than many OLED competitors.The Best OLED TV
Further reading
All the TVs Wirecutter Recommends
by Wirecutter Staff
Looking for a new TV but unsure where to start? Whether you want to shop by size, price, or purpose, we have recommendations.
The Frame Is a Delightful TV That Transforms Into Artwork
by Lee Neikirk
Samsung’s The Frame TV can turn the dark, blank rectangle on your wall into a vibrant work of art.
The Best 40- to 49-Inch TVs
by Lee Neikirk
The LG C3 Series is the best choice if you want a TV in the 40- to 49-inch size range that still delivers high-end performance.
The Best TVs
by Lee Neikirk
We’ve spent hundreds of hours researching and testing TVs to find the best choices for any budget and room size. See all our top picks here.