Do TVs Have Chromecast Built-in? (With recommendations)
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The Chromecast is Google’s way of reviving older generation televisions by turning them into smart devices. It is one of the few gadgets in the world that I admire and support wholeheartedly because I think it’s a simple device that revolutionized how we perceive digital media. The fact that it’s now built into televisions only proves Chromecast is one of the better inventions of the 21st century.
Yes, TVs have Chromecast built-in. Sony, Sharp, and Philips are the first in the race to offer built-in Chromecasts in their TVs. These new-gen devices do not require any add-ons and support Chromecast out of the box. Toshiba, Skyworth, and Visio are following suit as well as LG and Hisense.
I understand if you are having trouble choosing a Chromecast TV, especially since they launched in 2020, which is not that long ago. There are not a lot of options available as some of the top brands are nabbed off the shelf as soon as they are stocked. However, do not fret, as in this guide I will do a complete rundown of some of the best Chromecast TVs that are available in the market and help you decide which one is better for you.
So without further let’s begin!
Best Chromecast TVs available online
| Name | Sony A90J | Sony X95J | Sony A80J | Vizio P-Series | Hisense 43A6G |
| Price Range | Check the latest price on Amazon | Check the latest price on Amazon | Check the latest price on Amazon | Check the latest price on Amazon | Check the latest price on Amazon |
| Description | High-end, Large | High-end, Large | (Budget,Large) | (Budget,Large) | (Budget,Small) |
| Resolution | 4K UHD | 4K | 4K | 4K | 4K |
| Display Technology | OLED | Full-Array LED | OLED | LED | LED |
| Display Size | 83 inch | 85 inch | 65 inch | 75 inch | 43 inch |
| Chromecast built-in | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | 60 Hz |
| Year | 2021 | 2021 | 2021 | 2020 | 2020 |
Sony A90J 83 Inch: BRAVIA XR OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart
Key Features
- First and only OLED television with heatsink.
- Vivid pictures, best in the market, and great motion & upscaling processing.
- Transducers behind the screen for an immersive sound experience.
- Can become the center speaker of a home theater setup.
- Ultra-minimalist design.
The Sony A90J is the best high-end smart TV with Google built-in Chromecast in Sony’s 2021 premium lineup. Despite high brightness being such a nuisance for OLED TVs, the new aluminum heat sink allows the A90J to outperform any other television in the market that uses OLED technology.
The new heat dissipation layers let you enjoy prolonged viewing sessions without subjecting the pixels to permanent damage, especially in areas of static image content like logos or HUDs. The TV can reach around 790 nits on Cinema Mode and 915 nits Vivid Mode. The closest competitor is the LG G1 which max outs at 750 and 890 nits respectively.
My time spent with the built-in Chromecast feature was a delight. I got a glimpse of the new image processing AI while browsing through my photo collection on screen share. The pictures appeared marvelous on the A90J’s richly saturated screen that boasts the best baseline black levels I have seen so far.
Overall the Sony A90J is the best in the market, in terms of picture quality, video, and sound performance. It’s way ahead of the competition is a definite recommendation.
Pros
- Built-in Chromecast
- Exquisite design
- Immersive sound
- Superb display
Cons
- 120fps not supported
- No Dolby Vision game mode
- No VRR
Sony X95J 85 Inch TV: BRAVIA XR Full-Array LED 4K Ultra HD
Key Features:
- True life contrast
- Enhances viewing angles
- Ultra-realistic pictures, refined peak brightness, and true black
- Frameless designs
- Up to 120fps on games
- Supports Built-in Chromecast, Google Assistant, Alexa, Hey Google, and AirPlay
The Sony X95J is Sony’s newest flagship 4K LCD TV for 2021. Given its price range, the X95J competes against other OLED devices. However, do not make the mistake of choosing an entry-level OLED over an expensive LCD. This TV is nothing to scoff at since it comes with all of Sony’s latest signature toys as you will find out soon enough.
The Sony X85J is a step down from the company’s premium lineup of smart televisions, without sacrificing any of the goodies. It comes with the XR Contrast Booster alongside the XR 4K upscaling tech as well.
The TV also supports XR Motion Clarity, X-Wide Angle, and 3D Audio Upscaling Technology, and more. The reason I prefer the X95J over its predecessors is not only because of its Cognitive XR Processor.
The Acoustic Multi Audio feature is a must-have, especially if you are spending this much on a smart TV. The sound-positioning tweeters focus on high-frequency sounds exactly where the action is happening on screen. This makes watching movies on Chromecast a pure delight as I can never experience such audio coverage on my phone.
The uniform design of the X95J, along with its XR processor and HDMI 2.1 makes it ideal for this specific price range. It’s the premium package but a little bit cheaper compared to the best in the market.
Pros
- Supports Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision Dynamic HDR
- Netflix calibrated mode
- Simmer design
Cons
- X-Anti-Reflection is only available in the two larger models
- No VRR
- Bass is a bit weak but not too noticeable
Sony A80J 65 Inch TV: BRAVIA XR OLED 4K Ultra HD Smart
Key Features:
- Immersive audio quality
- Option to set up as a basic TV
- One of the best out-of-box performances without any additional tweaks
The proverb jack of all trades and master of none has never been any truer. The Sony A80J offers insane value for money, and though there are marginally better-performing alternatives on paper, the Sony A80 will always come out on top.
The jet black display has little to no bezels, which makes for a distraction-free viewing experience. However, where the A80J truly shines is upscaling. Sony’s upscaling is undoubtedly the best in the industry. It does a superb job of digitally correcting low-quality video feed from cables and satellites. So buying a TV that boosts the picture quality will definitely improve your overall viewing experience.
The peak brightness in SDR with the highest settings scored 478 units. However, in HDR the brightness scores shot up quite a bit to 730 nits, which is quite impressive. This means theA80J will not perform the best under direct sunlight or brightly lit rooms. The HDR mode packs a punch and will be a lot more pleasant to look at.
But numbers don’t always show the full picture, and in my experience, I discovered that the overall display of the Sony A80J is quite pleasing to look at, even if the numbers do not say it. A definite recommendation if you are looking for a mid-level OLED smart TV with Google Chromecast, excellent upscaling, and superb color reproduction.
Pros
- Almost infinite contrast ratio
- Instant response time
- Accurate viewing angles
Cons
- Doesn’t perform the best in sunny rooms
- Unable to hit the achieve the brightest angles in HDR
- VRR is not supported
VIZIO 75 Inch 4K Smart TV, P-Series Quantum UHD LED HDR
Key Features:
- Supports HDMI 2.1
- Comes with Dolby Vision support
- One of the best budget smart TVs out there
- Supports Chromecast built-in
As far as Smart TVs go, the VIZIO P-Series Quantum is neither too cheap nor costly. The TV has a great design and performs exceptionally well given its price range. Whatever it lacks can be chalked up to an acceptable trade-off since those are premium features found in only flagship devices.
The VIZIO P-Series Quantum comes with HDMI 2.1and 120Hz refresh rate out-of-the-box. However, that does not mean gaming on the VIZIO is a delight. Maxing out the backlight setting or increasing the brightness too much often results in washed-out colors.
This can be annoying while you are using Chromecast to see photos and videos, as the TV is often unable to represent the details in those images. However, the sharpness of the picture is truly amazing. Although it may appear a bit oversaturated, you can easily tweak the color setting to make it easier on the eyes.
However, if you are looking for a mid-range smart TV with Chromecast built-in, then the VIZIO I recommend the VIZIO P-Series Quantum.
Pros
- No blurring during action scenes
- Sharp and detailed picture with excellent contrast
- High brightness support
- Performs well in well light rooms or under direct sunlight
- Excellent HDR color gamut
Cons
- interface is not too intuitive
- Not a lot of sizes to choose from
- Poor viewing angles
- Vignetting aka dirty screen effect along with the corners and sides
Hisense 43A6G 43 Inch 4K Ultra HD
Key Features:
- IPS Panel
- Budget-friendly TV with Chromecast built-in
- 4K Support
Being an entry-level smart TV, I had few expectations Regarding the Hisense 43A6G. Given the price segment, the company had to cut corners, but overall, the Smart was quite good, especially if you are looking for an affordable TV that has Chromecast built-in.
Firstly, the set can be a bit wobbly and the lack of proper cable management grooves/tracks is annoying. The A6G does not handle HDR or motion content very well. Contrast is also unimpressive, as black shades are not properly represented and appear grayish.
The brightness is also quite low and you might have trouble seeing pictures if there are lights directly opposite to the TV. However, for a budget TV, it has excellent gradient handling with little to no banding. The input lag is also minimal at 9.8 ms which offers a very pleasant gaming experience.
Overall, for a budget TV, the Hisense offers quite the value for money. The best features are usually not expected at this price range, so technically you are not missing out or overpaying for the TV.
Pros
- Simple design and narrow frame
- Dolby Vision HDR
- Good upscaling
- IPS display offers decent viewing angles
Cons
- No local dimming
- 4K 120Hz is HDMI not supported
- Mediocre contrast
- Below average HDR peak brightness
Conclusion
Chromecast has been a sought-after feature since its launch. It is way more efficient and optimized than simple screen or Wi-Fi casting. Chromecast is faster, smoother, almost lag-free, and hopefully, this guide has helped you choose the perfect Smart TV for your home. Stay tuned for more helpful tips in the near future.
