My seven-year-old Samsung TV stopped working a week ago, but instead of getting it repaired, I decided it was time to get a new one.
I wanted to try out a non-Samsung TV this time, and after some initial thoughts, I narrowed it down to LG, Sony, and Vizio.
While I was aware of LG and Sony, Vizio was a brand I had yet to explore.
A casual Google search revealed that their TVs are highly-rated and pocket-friendly.
And according to Statista, Vizio had the third-largest Smart TV market share in the United States during 2019-2021, just behind Samsung and TCL.
Intrigued, I got down to some knee-deep research to gather more information about Vizio TVs and their manufacturers.
Vizio is an American company based in Irvine, California, but Vizio TVs are made by AmTran Technology in Taiwan and Foxconn in Mexico. Smaller Vizio TVs are made in China.
Vizio TV Manufacturers
There is a popular misconception that Sony owns and makes Vizio TVs, which is entirely baseless.
Vizio Inc. is a publicly-traded American company established by William Wang in 2002. It deals with the design and sale of TVs and soundbars.
However, while most TV manufacturers make their own TVs, Vizio outsources them.
The outsourcing process makes things more economical for Vizio, which means the company can have higher profit margins with a low selling price.
It also lets Vizio focus on research and development and bring the best software experience for you.
Vizio TVs are manufactured by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and original device manufacturers (ODMs) based in Taiwan and China.
AmTran Technology, Foxconn, BOE, Innolux, KIE, Tonly, TPV, and Zylux are the eight companies that manufacture Vizio TVs in their plants.
The first two companies, AmTran and Foxconn, produce more than 60 percent of all Vizio TVs.
Fun Fact: Foxconn also makes iPhones and PlayStation gaming consoles, among other products, in their manufacturing plants.
Where are Vizio TVs Manufactured?
Vizio TVs are mainly made in Asian manufacturing plants in China, Vietnam, Thailand, and Taiwan.
Some of these TVs are also made in the Foxconn plant in Mexico.
Vizio heavily relies on these manufacturers to make components for their high-quality TVs, including LCD and OLED panels, polarizers, circuit boards, chipsets, etc.
The components are sourced from eight different manufacturers and assembled mainly by AmTran and Foxconn in Taiwan and Mexico.
Why are Vizio TVs So Cheap?
TV manufacturers who make their own TVs have to spend on maintenance and running costs of the plant, making the end product costlier.
However, as stated earlier, Vizio outsources its TVs from other companies, thereby cutting costs.
These cost savings by Vizio are passed on to the end consumer, making the final product cheaper than the competition.
Also, compared to other expensive high-end TVs, your Vizio TV might lack a few features, making it cheaper.
Are Vizio TVs Any Good?
When purchasing a TV, we all want a high-quality product with good video and audio output and a long lifespan.
However, making a choice can be tricky as there are plenty of TV brands in the market, each with dozens of offerings, Vizio being one of them.
Vizio offers a wide selection of TVs at different price points, and these products are generally well-built.
Here are some benefits (or highlights) of getting a Vizio TV:
High Picture Quality
Picture quality plays a key role when watching your favorite movies and shows on TV, and Vizio TVs don’t disappoint.
These TVs offer excellent picture quality compared to other brands at similar price points, making them a great choice.
The color reproduction is great, and the screen shows you punchy colors and good blacks in a dark room.
The mid-range and high-end Vizio TV models offer great backlight dimming and contrast ratio making the picture output vivid and vibrant.
Low Input Lag
Vizio TVs have panels with a low input lag compared to other brands at similar price points.
A low input lag will boost your TV’s performance, and you can enjoy all the fast-paced action scenes without hiccups.
The low input lag is something to look out for, especially when you plan to use your TV with a gaming console to play your favorite games.
Competitive Pricing
Vizio TVs offer many features that all the expensive brands offer at a competitive and affordable price.
Depending on the features you want, a Vizio TV could be cheaper than the competitors by a few hundred dollars.
Satisfactory Customer Service
Customer service that you receive when you face problems with your TV is an important factor to consider when buying a new one.
Vizio offers great customer service and best-in-class warranty and repair services for their customers.
Do Vizio TVs Last Long?
One question that might bother you when buying a Vizio TV is the product’s longevity.
Based on the settings you chose and how often you use it, your Vizio TV can last for five to seven years on average.
Vizio’s warranty covers your TV for one year from the date of purchase for non-commercial use.
For commercial usage in shops and establishments, the Vizio warranty covers your TV for 90 days from the date of purchase.
Best Vizio TVs to Check Out
Vizio has a vast lineup of TVs in every price range, and they offer a ton of features giving their competition a hard time.
If you are considering buying a Vizio TV, the following models are worth a look:
Vizio OLED 4K HDR Smart TV
This Smart TV is the best high-end offering from Vizio that you should consider when buying a TV.
Being an OLED TV, this product has great color accuracy and produces deep blacks putting other TVs to shame.
The 55-inch model costs less than $1000 and has low response times and input lag making it a great choice.
The TV has a 4K 120 Hz panel that provides the best viewing experience.
Also, the high refresh panel coupled with an HDMI 2.1 port lets you take advantage of the new generation gaming consoles.
Vizio P-Series 4K HDR Smart TV
If you are looking for a LED backlight TV, this Smart TV is one of the best offerings from Vizio.
This product has a 4K 120 Hz LED-backlit panel with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision.
The panel has a local dimming feature, which helps it generate deep blacks and punchy colors at 1200 Nits of peak brightness.
This TV also supports HDMI 2.1 and has low input lag making it a good choice for gaming and watching fast-paced action content.
Vizio For Your Entertainment Needs
Vizio has established itself as a top-budget brand with a high market share in the United States during the last decade.
Its TVs closely compete with TCL in the price segment, and both brands have their own set of positives and negatives.
However, I highly recommend getting a Vizio TV if you want to buy a new TV with all the latest features without spending a fortune.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I register a Vizio TV purchase?
After buying a Vizio TV, you should register your product with the company to track your purchase and get the most out of your TV.
What should I do if my Vizio TV starts malfunctioning?
If your Vizio TV is not working properly, power cycle it by disconnecting it from the power source and connecting it back after a minute.
In case power cycling doesn’t work, factory reset the TV.
Are Vizio TVs better than Sony?
For the budget segment and in some mid-range cases, Vizio would be the better option as its TVs offer more features than Sony at the same price point.
However, Sony TVs are better recommendations on the higher end, thanks to their excellent video and sound processing features and better software.