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What is a smart TV?

Anouk3 MAY 2026
A flat-screen TV displays a menu with apps and streaming options like Netflix and YouTube. Series like "Ice Road Truckers" are highlighted.

You probably don’t need us to introduce you to smartphones anymore, but are you also familiar with smart TVs? With a smart television like this, you can do much more than just watch TV, because you can connect the device to the internet. And that comes with quite a few benefits. On this page, we explain what a smart TV is and give you tips for choosing the best smart TV for your needs.

How does a smart TV work?

A living room features a large TV, a brown sofa, and brick walls. Windows provide natural light, and guitars stand near a cabinet.

As the name suggests, a smart TV is smarter than a standard television. That’s because you can connect a smart TV to the internet, giving you access to various apps, games and even websites. You can then view these directly on your TV screen. You can also only access streaming services such as Netflix, Spotify or Disney+ on a smart TV. To top it off, you can also connect other devices to your smart TV, such as your smartphone, computer or tablet. Of course, to enjoy a smart TV, you do need a good internet connection – wireless or via an Ethernet cable.

What are the benefits of a smart TV?

A hand holds a phone displaying a family photo; the same image is on a TV above a wooden cabinet, with a lamp nearby.

Of course, you can still watch TV on a smart TV (thankfully!), but you also get plenty of extra benefits. For example, your smart TV can play your favourite playlists on Spotify and gives you access to games and video streaming services such as YouTube, Disney+ and Netflix. The latter also offers a wide range of films and series in 4K, so you can enjoy the very best picture quality. What’s more, you can easily connect your smart TV to your smartphone or computer to stream media wirelessly to the TV screen. Finally, some smart TVs are so intelligent that they give you recommendations based on your viewing behaviour.

Which apps are available on smart TVs?

A living room features a Rakuten TV above a white media console. Plants flank the console, near a window showing a green lawn.

Most apps available for smart TVs focus – unsurprisingly – on films and series. These include apps from video streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies and YouTube. You can also install apps from TV channels, such as VTM GO and VRT MAX. Music lovers are catered for too, with apps such as Spotify and Deezer. In addition, smart TVs allow you to play games without needing a separate games console – although it’s best to connect a game controller for the best experience. Finally, you can also open social media apps directly on your smart TV.

How can you make a regular TV smart?

A black TV with a white streaming device plugged in. A light sofa is in the background.

There are a few simple ways to turn a regular TV into a smart TV. There are some handy devices you can connect to your television to instantly enjoy smart features. The best-known device is the Google Chromecast. This is an external media player that can stream music, films and apps from your smartphone, tablet or computer to your TV. All you need to do is plug the Chromecast into your TV’s HDMI port. Then install the Google Home app on your computer, smartphone or tablet, so that all your devices and the Chromecast are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. And just like that, you’ve got a smart TV!

View our Google Chromecasts

What should you look out for when choosing the best smart TV?

A brightly lit store displays screens. A blue clipboard sits on a white stand.

Not all smart TV apps are available on every device. So, if you want to be sure you can access a specific app, it’s best to check in advance whether your smart TV supports it. Some TV brands also have a wider gaming selection than others. When buying, you should also mainly look at the device’s general specifications, just as you would with a standard TV. For example, consider which TV size you prefer, as well as which picture quality, screen technology and refresh rate suit you best. Your budget also plays a major role in choosing a smart TV.

What size smart TV is right for you?

Three TVs of varying sizes stand on a light gray surface, displaying a landscape with pink mountains and a blue sky.

Are you looking for a small smart TV for your student room, a mid-sized model, or are you going all out with a lovely large screen to watch your favourite films, series and games on? From small 32-inch TVs to smart TVs up to 85 inches: you’ll find them all at MediaMarkt.

Top 10 best smart TVs

A living room features a TV with a hot air balloon image, a grey sofa, a dining table, and a kitchen counter.

Sometimes it’s also nice to have a ready-made overview of the best smart TVs right now, so you can choose more easily from the huge range on the market. We share our top 10 smart TVs and their key specifications.

View the top 10 best smart TVs

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