You’re probably spending a lot more time watching entertainment and news programming and keeping up on social media from home than ever before. Is it time for you to level up your personal or home video viewing screens? Our ace correspondent (and mother of three young kids who are currently learning from home) Jillian Tangen has rounded up the best video screens on the market right now, both large and small: tablets, smart phones, VR sets, large-screen televisions and gaming consoles for an era of “Peak TV.” And for staying connected (and sane) while maintaining social distance.
Is it time to upgrade the video screens in your life?
Does all the social distancing have your kids feeling a little restless and you a little overwhelmed? After spending the past 9+ days mainly indoors together as a family, I must admit things are not quite as rosy and orderly as they were a little over a week ago.
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At first the five of us started off strong with a daily schedule and even a few household projects. In the mornings there was a little bit of academic work followed by some free play and art projects while my husband and I tried to squeeze in some work from home before ending the day with a spring cleaning project.
the best home and personal video screens, including large-screen televisions, right now.
This week, however, is a different story. Instead of free play and repainting our bedroom (yes, we really did that on day 1!), we are seeing a lot more screens around our house. Part of it is because we’ve now embarked on an online learning journey in place of our regular schooling. But part of it is also because, in all honesty, we need to occupy the kids a little bit more to get our own work done – not to mention that I am fresh out of craft ideas.
Normally our family limits screen time. We avoid it on weekdays unless it pertains to school work, and limit it to an hour a day on weekends. As you can probably tell, however, our tune has changed during this time of forced social distancing and at-home learning.
Yes, we are officially guilty of employing an Electronic Babysitter! Don’t judge.
Of course, it helps that right now, there’s even more great educational content than usual for kids to enjoy. Online, you’ll find an endless variety of live-streams with concerts, tours of museums, cooking classes, and more. The other video screens in our lives are bursting with content, too: smart phones, tablets, gaming consoles and television are all at the ready.
Or are they?
The best home and personal video screens, including large-screen televisions, right now.
After a few days of putting our personal and home video screens into overdrive, we noticed something: our family may be in need of a little screen upgrade.
You know how sometimes you look up and realize that your shoes are actually just too worn out to wear any longer? It’s kind of that feeling. If we’re going to be looking at video screens a lot more than usual for the next few weeks as a family, it might be time to level up.
The Best video screens right now: Tablets, Televisions, VR sets, Smart Phones and Gaming Consoles
If you find yourself in a similar situation, read on. We’ve rounded up some of the latest and best home and personal video screens, including gaming consoles, VR sets, smart phones, televisions, and tablets.
From the latest XBox to the best VR gear and newest smart phones, here are the best video screens to help you through the next few weeks at home.
1. gaming consoles
sony playstation 4 pro
When it comes to gaming consoles, nothing beats the Sony PlayStation 4 Pro ($340). It’s considered one of the best plug-and-play gaming platforms on the market, offering not just 4K and HDR10 compatibility but an expansive exclusive gaming library, as well.
microsoft xbox one x
Headlining the current generation of Microsoft’s Xbox gaming consoles is the Xbox One X ($400). Not only is it one of the best consoles for playing popular multi-platform games. It’s also a solid choice for anyone who wants to game or watch movies with the highest possible image quality thanks to 4k capabilities.
2. vr sets
oculus quest
Looking for an easy-to-assemble VR experience? Consider the Oculus Quest ($400). Totally wireless and requiring no external computer, you can pretty much have it up and running in two or three minutes.
htc vive
The HTC Vive Cosmos ($700) is a comprehensive and powerful PC-tethered virtual reality system that supports both motion controls and whole-room VR. While a little more complex a set up than the Oculus, it offers lenses at a higher resolution, as well as a wide breadth of games.
3. televisions
sony master series a9g 4k
Not only does the Sony Master Series A9G feature an impeccable 4K Ultra HD OLED screen; it’s also decked out with an innovative sound approach called Acoustic Surface. Acoustic Surface works by sending sound waves through the television’s display, which makes for a unique effect in which voices and sound effects better match their location on the screen (left, right or center).
The best home and personal video screens and large-screen televisions right now: Sony Master Series a9g 4k.
lg signature oled88Z9pua
LG’s $30,000 88-inch Signature OLED88Z9 TV is for well heeled early 8K adopters. And is truly an awesome sight to behold. If you get one, let us know and we’ll be over as soon as all this social distancing is over!
The best home and personal video screens and large-screen televisions right now: lg signature oled88Z9pua.
4. tablets
apple ipad
Apple’s iPad ($329) is still king when it comes to tablets. The company’s latest version features a larger 10.2‑inch Retina display and can support the full-size Smart Keyboard ($160) for those who prefer to use it as a computer substitute.
amazon fire hd 10
Amazon’s latest Fire Tablet ($150) features a fast-charging port that not even Apple’s iPad offers: USB-C. On top of that, it has a long-lasting battery life with a large 1920 x 1200-pixel screen that’s great for binge-watching.
5. smart phones
apple iphone 11
With an array of colorful finishes, a great camera and an extended battery life, the Apple iPhone 11 ($450) is a no-brainer option for a new phone.
samsung galaxy s20+
Though slightly smaller than it’s Ultra big brother, the Samsung Galaxy S20+ ($600) is easy to handle and yet manages to feature a large immersive screen for working and watching in the palm of your hand.
the best video screens right now
There you have it, the best personal and home video screens to help you and your kids through this unusual time. Here’s to hoping it passes quickly and safely. In the meantime, though, keep calm and stream on.
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Jillian Tangen is the Head of Research at Dandelion Chandelier and a former Senior Research Analyst at McKinsey & Co and Analyst at Shearman & Sterling. She is an avid fan of Nordic design, having owned an independent lifestyle store and sales agency focused on emerging Scandinavian design. Jillian lives in New York and is married with three young children. She loves cross-country skiing, the New York Rangers, reading, travel and discovering new brands.
Join our community
For access to insider ideas and information on the world of luxury, sign up for our Dandelion Chandelier newsletter. And see luxury in a new light.