Last year's top-rated home entertainment gear offers unbeatable value as new models arrive

With the advent of 2026 replacements, last year’s five-star home entertainment products are now more affordable and still highly capable, making them smart choices for budget-conscious shoppers seeking value.

A new generation of home entertainment and audio products has arrived, but that has made a number of last year’s five-star favourites look especially attractive to bargain hunters. What Hi-Fi? says several of its recommended products have now been overtaken by 2026 replacements, yet remain strong performers in their own right, particularly where discounts have started to bite.

The clearest example is TCL’s 2025 television line-up. The 65-inch C7K and Q6C were both singled out by What Hi-Fi? as standout budget sets, with the C7K earning an award and continuing to rank highly in the publication’s buying guide. The C7K is a 65-inch Mini LED model praised elsewhere for its bright, contrast-rich picture, bold Quantum Dot colour and solid gaming support, although reviewers have noted compromises in audio and connectivity. With TCL’s 2026 range now on sale, these older models are beginning to disappear in some sizes, which makes remaining stock more interesting for buyers seeking value rather than the very latest features.

JBL’s Xtreme 4 and Go 4 are in a similar position. Both have been superseded by newer models, but the older speakers remain widely available at sharply reduced prices. What Hi-Fi? points out that the Xtreme 4 has already fallen to around £179 in some sales, while the Go 4 can be found for roughly £27. Reviews from TechRadar and Tom’s Guide describe the Xtreme 4 as rugged, powerful and capable of very strong sound, though not cheap at launch, while the Go 4 is framed as a small, practical option for casual listening, with waterproofing and decent portability but limited bass and fewer features than some rivals. On that basis, both now look far better value than when they were first released.

Samsung’s HW-Q990F soundbar has also become markedly more tempting. What Hi-Fi? says it briefly dropped to £695 during Prime Day, a sizeable cut from its launch price, and notes that its successor, the HW-Q990H, is now the model to beat. The publication still regards the Q990F as a highly capable system, with crisp detail, strong dynamics and particularly impressive bass from its compact subwoofer. For buyers who do not need the last word in refinement, that price drop turns it into one of the more compelling premium soundbar deals available.

LG’s C5 OLED television remains one of the most practical buys in the current market. What Hi-Fi? argues that the imminent arrival of the C6 may make it worth waiting for some shoppers, but the C5 is already available at notably lower prices, with the 55-inch version hovering just below £1,000. That keeps it in striking distance of the OLED sweet spot for many households. Its appeal lies in a balanced picture, strong contrast and a wide feature set, particularly for gamers, which means it should still feel current for some time even as newer models begin to arrive.

Sony’s WF-1000XM5 earbuds and Marantz’s CD6007 player complete the list. The Sony earbuds, which earned awards in 2023, are no longer the freshest choice in the market, but What Hi-Fi? says they remain excellent all-rounders, combining strong timing, good musicality and a discreet, comfortable fit. They have already been seen as low as £160, while the newer WF-1000XM6 arrived at a slightly higher sale price during Prime Day. Marantz’s CD6007, meanwhile, has long been a reference point for affordable CD replay, but the newer CD 70 now sits above it in the range. Even so, the older model is around £150 cheaper and still offers the clear, disciplined sound that made it a repeated award winner.

For readers who want the best performance-per-pound rather than the newest badge, these are the sorts of products that deserve attention before stock thins out further. Black Friday could shift the balance again, with newer models likely to fall in price too, but for anyone buying now, last year’s five-star kit is starting to look like the smarter deal.