In the age of open floor plans and curated gallery walls, having a giant black screen mounted in your living room isn’t exactly the vibe. That’s where “art TVs” come in: televisions designed to blend in with your decor when not in use—and double as eye candy when they are. And right now, two names dominate the art TV conversation: the Samsung Frame TV and the newer Hisense Canvas TV.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably torn—both of these TVs are designed to disappear into your space when you’re not watching them, and on the surface, they seem pretty similar. But they’re not the same. After living with both, their differences are obvious enough that your answer will depend on what you value more: display tech, the streaming platform or the frame and art customizations.

So below, find my full unbiased review of both TVs to help you narrow things down. 

How I Tested the Samsung Frame vs the Hisense CanvasTV

The setup: My Hisense CanvasTV (55-inch) is mounted in the living room and my roommate’s Samsung Frame (43-inch) is in her bedroom. Over two weeks, I tested both TVs at the same times of day—sunny afternoons with brutal window glare and blackout-night viewings with the lights off. I kept each set on its native platform (Google TV on Hisense; Tizen/Smart Hub on Samsung), streamed the same apps, and tested Art Mode on both. I also paid attention to the small things: how quickly they wake, how each handles reflections, how the art looks in morning light and whether Dolby Vision triggers where it should.

The Hisense CanvasTV Turned My Apartment Into a Movie Theater *and* Art Gallery

The Final Verdict: Which one is Better?

Both TVs succeed at the same mission—turning a screen into art—but they serve different audiences.

If you care most about simplicity, the Hisense CanvasTV is the better (wallet-friendly) buy. Dolby Vision support makes HDR content look more nuanced, the Google TV platform is intuitive and app-first and the free art library means you won’t pay a dime to keep your walls lively. You’ll sacrifice some glare and customizations (only one frame style and four size options), but the all-in-one package gives you everything you need for less.

BUT, if you want your TV to feel like engineered decor, Samsung’s Frame is worth the premium. Its anti-glare coating is best-in-class, the anti-glare hardware delivers brighter, punchier video and the Art Store turns your living room into a curated gallery that updates with new works constantly. Add in the dozens of bezel options and flexible sizing (from 32 to 85 inches), and it’s the most versatile option for anyone who wants the illusion of art down to the last detail.

Bottom line: Hisense wins on value and simplicity; Samsung wins on customization and gallery-level art. Your choice depends on whether you want a solid TV that disappears—or a showpiece that evolves with new artists. 

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