Price Update - Consumer Reports Top Rated LCD HDTV

Most sets on our Consumer Reports Top Rated HDTV list dropped $100-$300 before Christmas and another $100 to $250 on Christmas day. Since then a few sets have dropped even further. Here is a price update for Mar 28, 2010:

Top Rated LCD HDTV

40 inch Sony KLV-40ZX1M $2480
40 inch Samsung UN40B6000 $1099 $100 price drop!
40 inch Samsung UN40B7000 $1266 $80 price drop!

42 inch Toshiba 42ZV650U $789 Best Buy!
42 inch LG 42LH40 $772 Best Buy!
42 inch LG 42LH50 $799 Best Buy!

46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR8 $1996 $100 price drop!
46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR9 $1547 $150 price drop!
46 inch Samsung UN46B6000 $1299 $300 price drop!
46 inch Samsung UN46B7000 $1699 $100 price drop!
46 inch Samsung UN46B8000 $1649 $250 price drop!
46 inch Toshiba 46XV645U $819 Best Buy! $100 price drop!
46 inch Toshiba 46SV670U $1182 $250 price drop!
46 inch Sony KDL-46V5100 $989 Best Buy!
46 inch Sony KDL-46Z5100 $1287 $200 price drop!

52 inch Toshiba 52XV645U $1234 Best Buy! $60 price drop!
52 inch Samsung LN52B750 $1612 $80 price drop!
52 inch Sony KDL-52XBR9 $1999

55 inch LG 55LH90 $1827 $950 price drop!
55 inchToshiba 55ZV650U $1299 Best Buy! $300 price drop!

Price Update - Consumer Reports Top Rated Plasma HDTV

Most sets on our Consumer Reports Top Rated HDTV list dropped $100-$300 before Christmas and another $100 to $250 on Christmas day. Since then a few sets have dropped even further. Here is a price update for Mar 28, 2010:

Top Rated Plasma HDTV

42 inch Panasonic TC-P42S1 $709 Best Buy!
42 inch Panasonic TC P42G15 $884

46 inch Panasonic TC-P46G10 $936 $100 price drop!
46 inch Panasonic TC P46G15 $1076 $100 price drop!

50 inch Panasonic TC-P50S1  $1029 $170 price drop!
50 inch Panasonic TC-P50G10 $1099 Best Buy!

54 inch Panasonic TC-P54S1 $1213 Best Buy! $200 price drop!
54 inch Panasonic TC-P54G10 $1599 Best Buy!

58 inch Samsung PN58B650 $1816 Best Buy! $150 price drop!
58 inch Samsung PN58B860 $2196 $200 price drop!

Price Update - Consumer Reports Top Rated Plasma HDTV

Most sets on our Consumer Reports Top Rated HDTV list dropped $100-$300 before Christmas and another $100 to $250 on Christmas day. Since then a few sets have dropped even further. Here is a price update for Feb 20, 2010:

Top Rated Plasma HDTV

42 inch Panasonic TC-P42S1 $709 Best Buy!
42 inch Panasonic TC P42G15 $884

46 inch Panasonic TC-P46G10 $1074 $100 price drop!
46 inch Panasonic TC P46G15 $1139

50 inch Panasonic TC-P50S1  $1179
50 inch Panasonic TC-P50G10 $1099 Best Buy!

54 inch Panasonic TC-P54S1 $1213 Best Buy! $200 price drop!
54 inch Panasonic TC-P54G10 $1599 Best Buy!

58 inch Samsung PN58B650 $1816 Best Buy! $150 price drop!
58 inch Samsung PN58B860 $2196 $200 price drop!

Price Update - Consumer Reports Top Rated LCD HDTV

Most sets on our Consumer Reports Top Rated HDTV list dropped $100-$300 before Christmas and another $100 to $250 on Christmas day. Since then a few sets have dropped even further. Here is a price update for Feb 20, 2010:

Top Rated LCD HDTV

40 inch Sony KLV-40ZX1M $2499
40 inch Samsung UN40B6000 $1199 $100 price drop!
40 inch Samsung UN40B7000 $1327 $80 price drop!

42 inch Toshiba 42ZV650U $789 Best Buy!
42 inch LG 42LH40 $811 Best Buy!
42 inch LG 42LH50 $829 Best Buy!

46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR8 $1996 $100 price drop!
46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR9 $1709
46 inch Samsung UN46B6000 $1299 $300 price drop!
46 inch Samsung UN46B7000 $1699 $100 price drop!
46 inch Samsung UN46B8000 $1699 $200 price drop!
46 inch Toshiba 46XV645U $848 Best Buy! $100 price drop!
46 inch Toshiba 46SV670U $1296$150 price drop!
46 inch Sony KDL-46V5100 $989 Best Buy!
46 inch Sony KDL-46Z5100 $1287 $200 price drop!

52 inch Toshiba 52XV645U $1234 Best Buy! $60 price drop!
52 inch Samsung LN52B750 $1612 $80 price drop!
52 inch Sony KDL-52XBR9 $1999

55 inch LG 55LH90 $1989 $800 price drop!
55 inchToshiba 55ZV650U $1387 Best Buy! $200 price drop!

After Christmas Sale - Consumer Reports Top Rated Plasma/LCD HDTV

Most sets on our Consumer Reports Top Rated HDTV list dropped $100-$300 on Sunday November 22, just in time for the biggest sale of the year, Black Friday week. Many dropped another $100 to $250 on Christmas day, just in time for the annual post-Christmas HDTV sale. Here is a price update for Dec 25, 2009:

Top Rated LCD HDTV

40 inch Sony KLV-40ZX1M $2499
40 inch Samsung UN40B6000 $1299 $100 price drop!
40 inch Samsung UN40B7000 $1399 $180 price drop!

42 inch Toshiba 42ZV650U $889 Best Buy!
42 inch LG 42LH40 $811 Best Buy!
42 inch LG 42LH50 $872 Best Buy!

46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR8 $1996 $100 price drop!
46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR9 $1788
46 inch Samsung UN46B6000 $1599 $150 price drop!
46 inch Samsung UN46B7000 $1799 $165 price drop!
46 inch Samsung UN46B8000 $1899 $250 price drop!
46 inch Toshiba 46XV645U $848 Best Buy! $100 price drop!
46 inch Toshiba 46SV670U $1468 $150 price drop!
46 inch Sony KDL-46V5100 $989 Best Buy!
46 inch Sony KDL-46Z5100 $1478

52 inch Toshiba 52XV645U $1299 Best Buy! $100 price drop!
52 inch Samsung LN52B750 $1699 $130 price drop!
52 inch Sony KDL-52XBR9 $1999

55 inch LG 55LH90 $2724
55 inchToshiba 55ZV650U $1587 Best Buy! $50 price drop!

Top Rated Plasma HDTV

42 inch Panasonic TC-P42S1 $760 Best Buy!
42 inch Panasonic TC P42G15 $884

46 inch Panasonic TC-P46G10 $1118
46 inch Panasonic TC P46G15 $1178

50 inch Panasonic TC-P50S1  $1179
50 inch Panasonic TC-P50G10 $1099 Best Buy!

54 inch Panasonic TC-P54S1 $1366 Best Buy!
54 inch Panasonic TC-P54G10 $1599 Best Buy!

58 inch Samsung PN58B650 $1849 Best Buy! $100 price drop!
58 inch Samsung PN58B860 $2379

After Christmas Sale - Consumer Reports Top Rated Plasma/LCD HDTV

Most sets on our Consumer Reports Top Rated HDTV list dropped $100-$300 on Sunday November 22, just in time for the biggest sale of the year, Black Friday week. Many dropped another $100 to $250 on Christmas day, just in time for the annual post-Christmas HDTV sale. Here is a price update for Dec 25, 2009:

Top Rated LCD HDTV

40 inch Sony KLV-40ZX1M $2499
40 inch Samsung UN40B6000 $1299 $100 price drop!
40 inch Samsung UN40B7000 $1399 $180 price drop!

42 inch Toshiba 42ZV650U $889 Best Buy!
42 inch LG 42LH40 $811 Best Buy!
42 inch LG 42LH50 $872 Best Buy!

46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR8 $1996 $100 price drop!
46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR9 $1788
46 inch Samsung UN46B6000 $1599 $150 price drop!
46 inch Samsung UN46B7000 $1799 $165 price drop!
46 inch Samsung UN46B8000 $1899 $250 price drop!
46 inch Toshiba 46XV645U $848 Best Buy! $100 price drop!
46 inch Toshiba 46SV670U $1468 $150 price drop!
46 inch Sony KDL-46V5100 $989 Best Buy!
46 inch Sony KDL-46Z5100 $1478

52 inch Toshiba 52XV645U $1299 Best Buy! $100 price drop!
52 inch Samsung LN52B750 $1699 $130 price drop!
52 inch Sony KDL-52XBR9 $1999

55 inch LG 55LH90 $2724
55 inchToshiba 55ZV650U $1587 Best Buy! $50 price drop!

Top Rated Plasma HDTV

42 inch Panasonic TC-P42S1 $760 Best Buy!
42 inch Panasonic TC P42G15 $884

46 inch Panasonic TC-P46G10 $1118
46 inch Panasonic TC P46G15 $1178

50 inch Panasonic TC-P50S1  $1179
50 inch Panasonic TC-P50G10 $1099 Best Buy!

54 inch Panasonic TC-P54S1 $1366 Best Buy!
54 inch Panasonic TC-P54G10 $1599 Best Buy!

58 inch Samsung PN58B650 $1849 Best Buy! $100 price drop!
58 inch Samsung PN58B860 $2379

Black Friday Sale - HDTV Blowout

Black Friday Deals at Amazon.com run all week. Check out Amazon's Black Friday page here.

In past holiday seasons we've noted that some of the lowest prices didn't last too long. Quantities were limited and those who snapped up deals early got the lowest prices. Inventories are much lower this year than last. Don't shop around too long. If you see the set you want at a good price grab it. Better to lock in a good price early rather than agonize over spending several hundred dollars more later as stocks dwindle and prices jump.

Top Rated LCD HDTV

40 inch Sony KLV-40ZX1M $2199

42 inch Toshiba 42ZV650U $889

46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR9 $1726
46 inch Samsung UN46B6000 $1569
46 inch Samsung UN46B8000 $1959
46 inch Toshiba 46XV645U $899 Best Buy!
46 inch Sony KDL-46V5100 $989 Best Buy!

52 inch Toshiba 52XV645U $1262 Best Buy!

Top Rated Plasma HDTV

42 inch Panasonic TC-P42S1 $747 Best Buy!

46 inch Panasonic TC-P46G10 $1023

50 inch Panasonic TC-P50S1 $979 Awesome Deal!
50 inch Panasonic TC-P50G10 $1044 Best Buy!

54 inch Panasonic TC-P54G10 $1619 Best Buy!

58 inch Samsung PN58B650 $1939 Best Buy!
58 inch Samsung PN58B860 $2379

Black Friday Sale - Consumer Reports Top Rated LCD, Plasma HDTV

Most sets on our Consumer Reports Top Rated HDTV list dropped $100-$300 on Sunday November 22, just in time for the biggest sale of the year, Black Friday week. If you see the set you want at an attractive price don't procrastinate. Stocks are likely limited and early shoppers usually get the best deals.  Many of the lowest prices will disappear as early as mid-day Black Friday. Here's the updated list:

Top Rated LCD HDTV

40 inch Sony KLV-40ZX1M $2499
40 inch Samsung UN40B6000 $1399
40 inch Samsung UN40B7000 $1579

42 inch Toshiba 42ZV650U $889 Best Buy!
42 inch LG 42LH40 $811 Best Buy!
42 inch LG 42LH50 $879 Best Buy!

46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR8 $2099
46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR9 $1788
46 inch Samsung UN46B6000 $1749
46 inch Samsung UN46B7000 $1864
46 inch Samsung UN46B8000 $2148
46 inch Toshiba 46XV645U $949 Best Buy!
46 inch Toshiba 46SV670U $1592
46 inch Sony KDL-46V5100 $989 Best Buy!
46 inch Sony KDL-46Z5100 $1478

52 inch Toshiba 52XV645U $1394 Best Buy!
52 inch Samsung LN52B750 $1829
52 inch Sony KDL-52XBR9 $1999

55 inch LG 55LH90 $2724
55 inchToshiba 55ZV650U $1631 Best Buy!

Top Rated Plasma HDTV

42 inch Panasonic TC-P42S1 $760 Best Buy!
42 inch Panasonic TC P42G15 $884

46 inch Panasonic TC-P46G10 $1138
46 inch Panasonic TC P46G15 $1178

50 inch Panasonic TC-P50S1  $1179
50 inch Panasonic TC-P50G10 $1099 Best Buy!

54 inch Panasonic TC-P54S1 $1366 Best Buy!
54 inch Panasonic TC-P54G10 $1599 Best Buy!

58 inch Samsung PN58B650 $1939 Best Buy!
58 inch Samsung PN58B860 $2379

Black Friday Sale - HDTVs Are Hot

Black Friday Deals at Amazon.com begin early this year. Check out Amazon's Black Friday page here.

In past holiday seasons we've noted that some of the lowest prices didn't last too long. Quantities were limited and those who snapped up deals early got the lowest prices. Don't shop around too long. If you see the set you want at a good price grab it. Better to lock in a good price early rather than agonize over spending several hundred dollars more later as stocks dwindle and prices jump.

No need to wait though. We find many great deals on some of our top rated sets (below):

Top Rated LCD HDTV

40 inch Sony KLV-40ZX1M $2199

42 inch Toshiba 42ZV650U $889

46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR9 $1726
46 inch Samsung UN46B6000 $1669
46 inch Samsung UN46B8000 $2148
46 inch Toshiba 46XV645U $949 Best Buy!
46 inch Sony KDL-46V5100 $989 Best Buy!

52 inch Toshiba 52XV645U $1262 Best Buy!

Top Rated Plasma HDTV

42 inch Panasonic TC-P42S1 $747 Best Buy!

46 inch Panasonic TC-P46G10 $1023

50 inch Panasonic TC-P50S1 $979 Awesome Deal!
50 inch Panasonic TC-P50G10 $1044 Best Buy!

54 inch Panasonic TC-P54G10 $1619 Best Buy!

58 inch Samsung PN58B650 $1939 Best Buy!
58 inch Samsung PN58B860 $2379

Consumer Reports Top Rated LCD, Plasma HDTV

Consumer Reports still has a preference for plasma, but LCD screens that incorporate LEDs and local dimming technology to produce deeper blacks and improved contrast ratios are climbing the ratings charts. However LEDs and local dimming have boosted the price of the top LCD sets, while new generation plasma prices are dropping.  In fact LCD prices have risen as much as 10% over the last 4 weeks. Plasma prices have remained stable.

Top Rated LCD HDTV

40 inch Sony KLV-40ZX1M $2499
40 inch Samsung UN40B6000 $1499
40 inch Samsung UN40B7000 $1679

42 inch Toshiba 42ZV650U $929
42 inch LG 42LH40 $811 Best Buy!
42 inch LG 42LH50 $879 Best Buy!

46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR8 $2099
46 inch Sony KDL-46XBR9 $1959
46 inch Samsung UN46B6000 $1849
46 inch Samsung UN46B7000 $2029
46 inch Samsung UN46B8000 $2299
46 inch Toshiba 46XV645U $999 Best Buy!
46 inch Toshiba 46SV670U $1661
46 inch Sony KDL-46V5100 $1039 Best Buy!
46 inch Sony KDL-46Z5100 $1689

52 inch Toshiba 52XV645U $1394 Best Buy!
52 inch Samsung LN52B750 $1889
52 inch Sony KDL-52XBR9 $2209

55 inch LG 55LH90 $2724
55 inchToshiba 55ZV650U $1631 Best Buy!

Top Rated Plasma HDTV

42 inch Panasonic TC-P42S1 $797 Best Buy!
42 inch Panasonic TC P42G15 $919

46 inch Panasonic TC-P46G10 $1138
46 inch Panasonic TC P46G15 $1178

50 inch Panasonic TC-P50S1  $1187
50 inch Panasonic TC-P50G10 $1276

54 inch Panasonic TC-P54S1 $1366 Best Buy!
54 inch Panasonic TC-P54G10 $1599 Best Buy!

58 inch Samsung PN58B650 $2139 Best Buy!
58 inch Samsung PN58B860 $2579