When I bought my first smart TV, I was excited. Like, absurdly excited. The box said things like “Ultra HD,” “Smart Interface,” and “Voice Control,” and I convinced myself I was basically buying the future.
Cut to a few weeks later—I was using it for exactly what I used my old TV for: streaming a handful of apps, watching the same shows, and ignoring every other feature it promised.
Sound familiar?
It turns out, smart TVs can do a lot more than just serve up another rewatch of The Office. The problem isn’t the tech—it’s us. Most people don’t realize just how much their TV can do. And trust me, you might be missing some amazing features that could totally change your home entertainment game.
I’ll be honest—when I first saw “Voice Control” on the box, I pictured clunky voice commands and yelling “volume up” at my TV like a frustrated dad. But the reality? These voice assistants have come a long way.
If you’ve got a newer model from Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL, or Vizio, chances are your TV is compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or a built-in assistant (like LG’s ThinQ or Samsung’s Bixby). Set up properly, you can:
It may sound like a gimmick until you’re lying on the couch with popcorn in one hand and a remote that’s buried in the cushions. Voice control becomes your new best friend real fast.
Pro Tip: These assistants often need to be activated manually in settings and connected to your Google/Amazon account. It's worth the two minutes.
Most smart TVs now support wireless screen mirroring via Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, or Miracast, depending on the brand.
If you’re not using this feature, you're seriously missing out. I’ve mirrored everything from phone vacation photos to Zoom calls, YouTube playlists at parties, and even Google Docs for impromptu presentations.
What’s better? You don’t need to plug in your laptop or wrestle with HDMI cords anymore.
Here’s how I use it most:
Heads-up: You may need to enable mirroring in your TV’s settings (and it may be called something different depending on the brand).
Most newer TVs have a “Game Mode” setting that lowers latency (or input lag), making gameplay smoother. Even if you’re not a hardcore gamer, this setting has serious benefits.
I’ve found it super useful when:
And of course, if you have a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X? Game Mode is essential. It optimizes the display for high refresh rates and smooth motion, giving you an actual advantage in competitive games.
Just toggle it off when you’re done—Game Mode often disables some visual enhancements, so you don’t want it on for regular TV watching.
Smart TVs are increasingly becoming the hub for all your smart home devices. LG’s webOS and Samsung’s Tizen OS, for example, let you control lights, thermostats, cameras, and more—straight from your TV.
I first realized how convenient this was during winter. I’m mid-movie, it’s freezing outside, and my Nest thermostat was set to “eco.” Instead of grabbing my phone or getting up, I just opened the dashboard on my TV and cranked the heat. Lazy? Maybe. Effective? Definitely.
Other real uses:
Not every TV supports this out of the box—you may need to install an app or sync accounts—but it’s surprisingly handy once you’re set up.
Most people take their new TV out of the box, plug it in, and leave the settings on “Standard” or “Vivid.” And that’s fine… if you like over-sharpened, overly bright colors that don’t look anything like what the filmmaker intended.
Trust me, diving into the advanced picture settings can completely change your experience. Here’s what I do every time I get a new TV:
If you really want to dial it in, sites like RTINGS.com provide exact calibration settings for most major TV models. I’ve used those guides to get a true “home theater” feel on a mid-range TV.
Here’s one that’s too easy to forget: your TV’s firmware.
Just like your phone or laptop, your smart TV runs on software that needs updates. These updates improve performance, add features, patch security holes, and keep your streaming apps from crashing or misbehaving.
What’s more—some TVs let you install apps you’ve never even heard of through the manufacturer’s store or side-loading (if you’re tech-savvy). This includes everything from obscure sports channels to retro gaming emulators.
How I stay on top of it:
You know those times your TV is just sitting there, a giant black rectangle on your wall? Many smart TVs now include an ambient mode, turning your screen into a piece of art, a weather dashboard, or a family photo frame when idle.
I use Samsung’s Ambient Mode to show weather and news in the morning while I get ready. LG’s Gallery Mode cycles through scenic photography. Google TV can show my Google Photos albums. It’s subtle, functional, and makes your living space feel way more put-together.
Plus, if your TV’s wall-mounted in the living room, ambient features are a simple way to keep it from feeling like dead space when not in use.
This one’s for the multitaskers. Many smart TVs now let you use multi-view—watch two sources side by side, or keep one in a smaller frame while the main screen plays.
I’ve used it to:
It’s not something I use daily, but when I do need it? It feels like a total power move.
Look, if you’ve got kids in the house, chances are they’ve figured out the TV faster than you have. But that doesn’t mean you can’t stay a step ahead.
Today’s smart TVs offer detailed parental control options, from restricting access to apps (like YouTube or browsers) to blocking specific ratings or content categories. And it’s not just about “bad” content—it also helps manage screen time, purchases, and even app downloads.
Some platforms like Google TV and Roku let you create individual profiles for kids with custom settings. I’ve helped friends set these up so their kids can’t accidentally rent a $20 movie or dive into an R-rated trailer.
One overlooked feature: some smart TVs can cast from your phone or laptop even without Wi-Fi, using something called Wi-Fi Direct.
So let’s say your internet’s out, but you’ve got a downloaded movie or presentation on your phone—you can still beam it to the TV directly.
This has saved me more than once when traveling or dealing with flaky hotel Wi-Fi. Just turn on screen mirroring, connect the devices directly, and stream without burning data or relying on a router.
Circuit Breakers!
Time to hit you with six practical tips to simplify your tech habits even further:
- Turn off motion smoothing. Seriously—your movies will instantly look better.
- Preview app stores. Explore your TV’s app marketplace for niche gems you might’ve overlooked.
- Set up guest Wi-Fi access. So visitors can cast to your TV without full access to your network.
- Use Ambient Mode for morning routines. Display news, weather, or a motivational quote as your “wake-up wall.”
- Create separate user profiles. This keeps recommendations clean between you and your kids—or your roommate with questionable taste.
- Check firmware monthly. Set a calendar reminder. Updates fix bugs and unlock better performance quietly behind the scenes.
A smart TV isn’t just a better screen—it’s a small computer with more capability than most of us use. The good news is, once you unlock the features already sitting inside your TV, you’ll wonder how you ever settled for “just streaming Netflix.”
You don’t have to become a settings-menu guru overnight. Just explore one new feature at a time. Start with voice control. Or try mirroring your phone. Set up Ambient Mode. You’ll find your TV becoming less of a screen and more of a system—for entertainment, productivity, and even home management.
And if that’s not the smartest way to use your smart TV, I don’t know what is.
