Televisions, projectors and soundbars: a complete guide 2026

Televisores, projetores e soundbars: guia completo 2026

Complete Guide 2026: TVs, Projectors and Soundbars - how to choose the perfect system

More and more Portuguese people are transforming their living rooms into personal cinemas or gaming spaces. The good news is that in 2026 the options have never been more interesting: televisions are bigger, thinner and smarter, projectors have become portable and offer crystal-clear images, and soundbars offer immersive sound without the need for wires scattered around the house. This guide is designed for those looking to set up or upgrade their entertainment system.

Why is it worth investing now?

In recent years, there has been a technological leap in the world of home entertainment: CES 2026 showcased giant televisions, TVs with art modes that mimic a painting, and new MicroRGB screens with thousands of tiny RGB LEDs, such as Samsung's 130-inch television, which uses MicroRGB to create images with accurate colors and high brightness levels. There are also ultra-thin options, such as LG's Wallpaper TV , which is only 9 mm thick and has no visible cables (video signals are transmitted wirelessly). At the same time, alternatives like the Hisense X11L are emerging, which uses SQD Mini-LED technology to offer colors and brightness similar to an OLED but at a competitive price. .

Projectors have taken a similar leap: portable models have become brighter and easier to install. At CES 2026, the Samsung Freestyle+ doubled its brightness to 430 ISO lumens and now automatically compensates for uneven walls thanks to the Auto Wall Calibration function, making it ideal for taking to a friend's house or to the garden. Meanwhile, high-end ultra-short-throw cameras, such as the Hisense PX4-Pro , have increased brightness to 3,500 ANSI lumens and include a variable aperture lens that adjusts the image according to ambient light. .

Soundbars have also evolved: top-of-the-line models combine Dolby Atmos and DTS:X with multiple channels, integrated subwoofers, and orientation sensors. At CES 2026, the Samsung HW-QS90H stood out for its all-in-one design with 13 speakers, including four woofers and a Quad Bass system for powerful bass; a gyroscope adjusts the sound depending on whether it's mounted on a wall or placed on a piece of furniture. Furthermore, new solutions, such as LG's Dolby Atmos FlexConnect , allow you to connect wireless speakers anywhere in the room and calibrate everything with a touch. .

Trends that are here to stay

  • Larger and more immersive screens – televisions with 130 or 163 inches have become prominent, such as the giant 163-inch model displayed by Hisense at CES. .

  • Art in the living room – picture frame televisions, such as the Amazon Ember Artline Fire TV , are becoming increasingly popular; these models have customizable bezels and a matte finish to blend in with artwork. .

  • Integrated AI – TVs with smart assistants adjust sound and image in real time; Samsung has introduced an AI Sound Controller Pro that identifies vocals, sound effects, and music, adjusting volumes individually for better dialogue. Google TV has added Gemini AI , with natural voice search and automatically generated educational content. .

  • Portability and automatic calibration – compact projectors like the Freestyle+ configure themselves and allow for instant projections; automatic keystone and focus correction uses artificial intelligence algorithms. .

  • Flexible wireless sound – Dolby Atmos FlexConnect systems allow you to place speakers in any position and create up to 13.1.7 channels without an AV receiver. The LG H7 soundbar has 20 speakers (including four woofers and eight passive radiators) and works with any TV. .

How to choose a television in 2026

Before adding a TV to your cart, consider your needs and the space available. Here are the essential points:

1. Size and viewing distance

Choose a size that's right for your room. With ultra-thin bezels, even 65- or 75-inch TVs fit in small rooms. For a cinematic experience, consider models larger than 80 inches or even the giant MicroLED TVs. The rule of thumb is to multiply the screen diagonal by 1.5–2 for a comfortable viewing distance.

2. Panel technology

  • MicroRGB/Mini-LED : combines individual red, green, and blue LEDs to enhance brightness and color, as seen in Samsung's 130-inch model. .

  • OLED and QD-OLED : offer deep blacks and infinite contrast, ideal for movies.

  • Mini-LED : uses thousands of lighting zones to achieve high brightness levels without the cost of MicroLED.

  • 8K and 4K : 8K remains premium; for most users, 4K HDR is sufficient, but 8K guarantees a long future.

3. Smart features and AI

Check compatibility with platforms like Google TV, Tizen, or webOS. The new TVs include AI for processing sound and image: Samsung separates voice, effects, and music with AI Sound Controller Pro. Google TV allows for organic search and game summaries. .
Make sure it supports HDMI 2.1 , eARC , Wi-Fi 6/6E , and local streaming apps.

4. Design and integration

If you're looking for something discreet, TVs like the LG Wallpaper (only 9 mm thick) blend into the wall. If the goal is decoration, art- style models transform into real paintings. .

Tip : Explore our collection of televisions. Use filters by size, resolution, and brand to find the ideal model.

Projectors: portable vs. home theater

Projectors are versatile alternatives to large TVs. There are two main families:

Portable projectors

  • Ease of use : models like the Samsung Freestyle+ fit in a backpack and automatically adjust focus and keystone correction. .

  • Brightness and resolution : In the 2026 version, Freestyle+ doubled the brightness to 430 ISO lumens. Although they are suitable for dark rooms, they are not a replacement for movie projectors.

  • Connectivity : typically includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and can mirror your smartphone or integrate with the streaming ecosystem.

  • Outdoor use : ideal for projections in the garden or on vacation.

Short-throw projectors (UST) and home theater

  • Ultra Short Throw (UST) : Placed just a few centimeters from the wall, they project 100–150-inch screens; the Hisense PX4-Pro combines 3,500 ANSI lumens with a laser trichroma system that covers the entire BT.2020 color space. .

  • Long-throw projectors : such as the Hisense XR10 , which offers 6,000 ANSI lumens and 0.84–2.0× optical zoom for screens up to 300 inches. .

  • Intelligent calibration : systems like IRIS adjust the lens aperture according to ambient light. .

  • Professional or gaming use : models with 240 Hz refresh rates and low input lag are ideal for gaming. .

Tip : Check out our collection of projectors. for notebooks, UST and 4K models.

Soundbars: immersion without complication.

A quality soundbar radically transforms the movie and gaming experience. Instead of cluttering the room with speakers and cables, these systems offer 3D audio in a single device (or with additional wireless speakers). Here's what to consider:

1. Audio channels and format

  • Dolby Atmos and DTS:X : provide three-dimensional sound; most premium soundbars support both. The Samsung HW-QS90H has 7.1.2 channels and 13 speakers with four woofers and sensors that adjust performance according to the speaker's position. .

  • All-in-one vs. modular : some soundbars have a built-in subwoofer, while others allow you to add a subwoofer and wireless satellites later, like those from SVS. .

2. Connectivity and integration with TV

Look for soundbars with HDMI eARC to transmit uncompressed sound; Bluetooth and Wi-Fi allow you to play music from your mobile phone. Some models integrate with assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant) and multiroom systems.

3. FlexConnect Innovation

Dolby Atmos FlexConnect revolutionizes wireless systems: it allows you to spread M5 or M7 speakers around the room and, after a quick calibration, enjoy wireless Atmos audio. The LG H7 Soundbar is the first FlexConnect soundbar; it offers 20 speakers (four woofers, eight passive radiators, and three up-firing units) and works with any TV. You can add a W7 subwoofer and M5/M7 speakers to create a 13.1.7 channel system. .

4. Aesthetics and placement

Models like the Focal Mu-so Hekla show that a soundbar can be decorative and offer cinema-quality audio, with premium drivers and design. Others, like the Samsung Music Studio 7 , blend Hi-Fi speakers with artistic design to match the décor. .

Tip : Check out our collection of soundbars. and filter by Dolby Atmos, number of channels, and compatibility.

Final tips for a perfect home theater.

  1. Combine a TV/projector with a soundbar – a big screen needs sound to match.

  2. Plan the layout – measure the room and think about where you will place the television or projector, considering distances, electrical outlets, and lighting.

  3. Take advantage of artificial intelligence – AI-powered TVs automatically adjust picture and sound; projectors with auto-calibration save time.

  4. Opt for wireless connectivity – systems like FlexConnect and soundbars with integrated subwoofers reduce cabling and facilitate future expansions.

  5. Visit UmBox – in our online store you will find televisions, projectors and soundbars from the most recognized brands, with technical support in Portuguese and fast delivery.

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Ready to transform your living room into a real movie theater? Browse our collection of televisions. projectors and soundbars From UmBox. If you need help, contact our team for personalized advice — we'll be happy to assist.