This Christmas season, treat yourself to the ultimate home theater experience. Whether it’s upgrading the old television with the latest 4K TV or replacing a worn-out sofa with a comfy new sectional, now’s the time to get the perfect gifts for the perfect home viewing experience. Here are the absolute must-haves for this holiday season.
4K TVs
If you or somebody you know is still holding out with a 720p TV, you don’t know what you’re missing. Have you even watched The Revenant on 4K yet? You should at least make do with an HD (1080p) TV such as this TCL 3 Series, a 32″ super affordable option.
However, even HD is already outdated. 4K TVs are reigning supreme with their bright, crisp, clear displays that offer better viewing distances. One popular option is the Sony 49″ X800H Series. LG has an even bigger 65″ monster with LED 4K display technology, Smart webOS software, and a 60Hz refresh rate that makes it perfect for gaming. If you are looking for something more affordable, the TCL 55″ 5 Series is still big enough to be impressive without drilling holes into your wallet. Similarly, one of the cheapest 4K TVs you can buy is this Westinghouse 43″ UHD TV that also comes with Roku streaming.
Before you pick up a TV, make sure that it is suitable for your needs. If you will be gaming, refresh rate and PC/console graphics compatibility is important. You also have to think about input/output mediums, operating systems, streaming services, viewing distance, and more.
Technology is evolving so fast that 8K TVs are already on the market. As such, make sure to pick up advanced TVs with technology such as QLED, OLED, and HDR to future proof your set for the next few years.
Home Theater Systems
If you get nothing else this holiday season, get a good sound system for your home theater. It helps to amplify the sound from your movies or games, and we all know that TV speakers just can’t compare to a multi-channel surround-sound system or even a humble soundbar.
While sound technology is supremely complicated, a good rule to go by is to always get the most reputable and high-end brand you can afford. A system like the Enclave Audio CineHome Pro uses WiSA wireless connectivity for its 5.1 channel surround sound system. This design makes set-up as easy as flicking a switch.
A good alternative is the Yamaha YHT-4950U home theater system with 5.1 channels and Bluetooth connectivity. It has the advantage of having its own receiver capable of 4K video transmission at 60fps, which makes for a seamless sound and video experience. It also features Yamaha’s proprietary room optimization technology for the best sound performance the design of your room notwithstanding.
If a fully-fledged home theater sound system is too much for you, a soundbar might just do the trick. Soundbars may not offer the same surround sound experience as bookshelf speakers, but one like the Polk Audio AM6214 gives you big sound for a lot less money. Samsung’s 3.1 Channel Soundbar has incredible sound fidelity for a bit more money, while the Vizio 2.1 Soundbar system is the most affordable deal.
Streaming Devices
If you’re still on a non-smart TV and are not ready to spend a few hundred to a few thousand swapping it out, a streaming device is the best way to go. They allow you to instantly convert your TV into a legitimate big screen with thousands of movies and series, so long as you have a subscription to one or more of the popular streaming services like Netflix and Hulu.
The king of streamers so far is the Roku Media Player. Even though it lacks HBO Max, it is the cheapest option that also offers 4K, HDR, AirPlay, and an amazing interface. Google’s Chromecast takes a close second and offers Google Voice search, Google Photos, and YouTube TV. Best of all, it has native support for Dolby Vision.
Of course, Apple fans have their own Apple TV 4K. While it’s the more expensive option, it does offer compatibility with all the major streaming services. Plus, it is Apple folks – you get Apple One and Siri with it as well. If this expensive set of deluxe features does nothing for you, then an Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote is a great alternative. Either way, you now get to watch Die Hard for the hundredth time this Christmas.
Living Room Seating
The third major component of a home theater experience is seating. And no, you don’t need raised galleries unless you plan to host hundreds of people. For the average family, plush sofa seating such as the Cordell Tufted is more than enough.
For more romantic moments, a loveseat like this Best Master Helix with faux leather upholstery will ensure a great theater experience with your partner. The Cordell Loveseat is even more comfortable with velvet upholstery and deep plush cushioning.
If you love to rock your movies and games solo, then a recliner is a must. Unless you pick up the classic La-Z-Boy recliner, alternatives such as this bonded leather recliner and rocker are a more affordable option. Leather does tend to get hot and sweaty, so a velvet-smooth microfiber recliner might be more suited to extended periods of movies and games.
This holiday season, you can also convert your home theater into a den where family and friends can come over for sessions of fun and games. With a sectional sofa, you can seat more people in comfort. This padded suede sectional with Ottomans is the ultimate sofa experience.
TV Entertainment Center
With your home theater set up, all you need to do now is organize all those electronics elegantly. A TV entertainment center brings a fresh ambiance to your home theater and supports your new bigger TV sets. A flat-top unit such as the Safavieh Rooney Entertainment Unit can comfortably carry a 50″ TV.
The Simple Living Piazza Entertainment Stand with metal construction has a more contemporary look and feel, and is much more affordable than most. If you opt for something far more rustic and designer-made, the Hunt Club Rustic Oak Wood 55″ Corner TV Stand looks like something straight out of the 1500s. The way it clashes with modern electronics is simply delightful.
Get the Ultimate Home Theater With FlexShopper
When you lease-to-own1 with Flexshopper, you can upgrade your home theater with affordable weekly payments, and after 12 months, your items are yours to keep! Who can ask for a better gift this holiday season? Contact us today!
