How it works:
Plasma
Tons of little glass bubbles filled with gas-like material emit light to
create the picture.
LCD
The screen is filled with lots of pixels, and a light source behind them creates a clear, sharp picture.
Best for
Plasma
If you want a really big TV (more than 42 inches) and don’t want to take
out a second mortgage, plasma is a more reasonable option than LCD.
LCD
An LCD is your best bet if you’re looking for a TV between 23 and 40 inches. And, if your room gets lots of light, you’ll have less glare than on a plasma. Addicted to Wii? LCDs are also more video game-friendly.
Drawback
Plasma
Some plasmas suffer from burn-in (when an image that’s in the same place for too long lingers faintly on the screen).
Also, a plasma screen is heavier than an LCD of the same size, which could be a concern if you’re mounting it on a wall.
LCD
Plasmas have much better color contrasts than LCD screens, though LCDs are catching up in quality. If you’re shopping for a TV larger than 42 inches, LCDs can quickly become arm-and-a-leg expensive.
Our top picks
Plasma
Panasonic 42-inch TH-42PX75U, $1,600, Panasonic.com
The sharp picture and competitive price make this big screen a great buy.
LCD
Sony 32-inch KDL-32XBR4, $1,600, SonyStyle.com
Sony’s BRAVIA LCDs are always strong, and this 32-inch set is no exception.
-- Miles Stiverson
See More: Buying Electronics