Budget TVs have come a long way in recent years. While flagship models from top brands still push the envelope when it comes to picture quality, smart features, and stylish designs, the gap between high-end and entry-level TVs is narrower than ever. Thanks to trickle-down technology and cutthroat competition, it‘s possible to score an excellent TV loaded with features at a surprisingly affordable price.
Whether you‘re looking for a secondary set for the bedroom, a dorm room TV for a student, or simply want the most screen for your dollar, the current crop of value-oriented TVs is stronger than ever. Affordable brands like TCL, Hisense, and Vizio are turning out 4K smart TVs with impressive performance and features. You may have to make some tradeoffs compared to premium models, but the core viewing experience holds up surprisingly well.
To help you find the best budget TV for your needs and budget, we‘ve rounded up our top picks available now. Our selections are based on hands-on testing, in-depth research, and analysis of key specs and features. We‘ll explain the technologies that matter most, discuss what to look for when shopping, and help you decide which budget TV gives you the most bang for your buck.
The Best Affordable TV Brands
When it comes to budget TVs, a handful of brands stand out for delivering excellent value:
TCL – This Chinese brand has skyrocketed in popularity thanks to its affordable, feature-packed 4K Roku TVs. TCL offers models with quantum dot and mini-LED technology at midrange prices.
Hisense – Another Chinese brand making waves with its well-priced smart TVs featuring Android TV, Roku, or its own VIDAA operating system. Known for bright, colorful quantum dot models.
Vizio – This American brand is a perennial value favorite, delivering solid performance and an extensive smart TV platform. Local dimming and quantum dot options provide excellent image quality for the money.
Amazon Fire TV – Models like the affordable 4-Series and the higher-end Omni lineup make Amazon a contender in the budget TV space. Deep Alexa integration is a standout feature.
Insignia/Toshiba – These sister brands produce some of the cheapest smart TVs around, many with Amazon Fire TV built in. Picture quality isn‘t world-beating but fine for casual viewing.
The lowest-priced TVs from Element, Sceptre, onn., and the like can be tempting for those on tight budgets, but you‘ll usually face big tradeoffs in brightness, contrast, and HDR performance. Generally, it‘s worth stepping up to a Vizio, Hisense, or TCL for a much better experience that still fits a limited budget.
Key Budget TV Technologies
When comparing budget TVs, you‘ll encounter a bevy of acronyms and marketing terms. Let‘s break down the ones that matter most:
4K Resolution: Almost all budget TVs 43 inches and larger now feature 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels). This provides a sharper, more detailed picture than 1080p HD sets, especially at screen sizes 55 inches and up. Definitely worth having.
HDR (High Dynamic Range): Most budget sets support HDR10, while some add Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and/or HLG formats. HDR expands the range of colors and contrast a TV can display for a punchier, more vibrant image. However, many budget models lack the brightness and local dimming to show off HDR at its best.
LED/LCD vs QLED vs OLED: Standard LED/LCD TVs use an LED backlight shining through an LCD panel. QLED TVs add a layer of quantum dots for enhanced color and brightness. OLED uses self-emissive pixels for perfect black levels and infinite contrast. OLED is rare and expensive in the budget realm – you‘ll mainly stick to LED/LCD and in some cases QLED.
Local Dimming: Local dimming allows LEDs behind the screen to dim and brighten independently, improving contrast and black levels. The more dimmable zones the better, but most budget sets offer few or no dimming zones. It‘s not a must-have but a nice bonus.
Refresh Rate: A TV‘s refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), tells you how many times per second it refreshes the image. 60 Hz is standard, with some higher-end budget models offering 120 Hz. This can provide smoother motion for sports, action movies, and gaming. Budget shoppers shouldn‘t sweat refresh rate too much.
Smart TV Platform: Almost any budget TV you buy will come with built-in smart features and streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. Roku is a popular option for its simplicity, while Android TV, webOS, and Vizio‘s SmartCast provide flexibility. Go with the platform that feels easiest to you.
Our Budget TV Picks
Taking into account performance, features, and overall value, here are our current top selections for budget TVs:
1. TCL 4-Series Roku TV (2022)
For pure bang for the buck, the TCL 4-Series is hard to beat. This 4K TV delivers solid picture quality, good brightness and color, and Roku‘s user-friendly smart platform at an incredibly low price. The 43-inch model can often be found for under $250, with the 75-inch under $600. You won‘t get advanced features like Dolby Vision, local dimming or QLED color, but for casual viewing it‘s a fantastic deal.
2. Hisense U6H Series
The Hisense U6H packs an impressive collection of features for a midrange price. You get a quantum dot layer for vibrant color, full-array local dimming, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, and a 60 Hz panel. Gaming perks include Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and variable refresh rate (VRR). Android TV provides plenty of apps and Google Assistant voice control. Overall, this Hisense model is an excellent value.
3. TCL 5-Series QLED Roku TV
Stepping up to QLED technology at a still-reasonable price, the TCL 5-Series is a fantastic mix of image quality and features. Quantum dots produce a wider color gamut, while full-array local dimming maximizes contrast. The 5-Series checks all the major HDR boxes, has a 60 Hz refresh rate, and comes with Roku‘s excellent smart platform. It‘s a great middle ground between entry level and higher-end models.
4. Vizio M-Series Quantum
Vizio‘s M-Series Quantum lineup delivers an impressive 4K picture thanks to quantum dot color, up to 32 local dimming zones, 600 nits of peak brightness, and support for a wide range of HDR formats including Dolby Vision. Vizio‘s SmartCast platform has a good selection of apps, plus built-in Chromecast and AirPlay 2. HDMI 2.1 inputs are an unexpected bonus. Overall, you get very good performance for the price.
5. Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED
Amazon‘s first foray into higher-end TVs is a success. The Fire TV Omni QLED boasts quantum dots for enhanced color, local dimming, Dolby Vision IQ, and HDR10+ Adaptive. It‘s also packed with smart home features, like dedicated Alexa widgets, the ability to view security camera feeds on screen, and connectivity with Echo speakers for better sound. While not a budget model per se, it offers great features for the money.
6. Toshiba C350 Fire TV
For a basic smart TV at a rock-bottom price, the Toshiba C350 series gets the job done. You get 4K resolution, support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, and a respectable (if not mind-blowing) picture. The real draw is Amazon‘s Fire TV platform, which delivers an extensive selection of apps and Alexa voice control at a low cost of entry. The C350 is proof you really don‘t need to spend a fortune to bring streaming to any room.
What to Look for (and Expect) in a Budget TV
When shopping for a budget TV, it‘s important to align your expectations with how much you‘re willing to spend. A $300 50-inch set simply won‘t rival a $1000+ model for picture quality. With that said, by focusing on a few key specs and features, you can still get a pleasing viewing experience at a reasonable price. Here‘s what we suggest looking for:
4K Resolution – This has become table stakes for budget TVs 43 inches and larger. You‘ll appreciate the extra detail, even if the set lacks advanced color and contrast. 1080p is only acceptable on the smallest and cheapest models these days.
HDR Support – HDR compatibility is pretty much a given on any 4K TV, so make sure your budget set supports it. HDR10 is the most common format, but Dolby Vision is a nice bonus. Keep in mind budget models often lack the brightness and local dimming to really make HDR pop, but it‘s still worth having.
Brightness & Contrast – In general, budget TVs will be dimmer and have more washed-out black levels than pricier models. This is especially true for entry-level sets around $300 or less. Look for a model with decent peak brightness (400+ nits) and local dimming if you can swing it. Full-array dimming beats edge-lit designs.
Connectivity – Even affordable TVs now commonly offer 3 or 4 HDMI inputs, which should be plenty for connecting a cable box, game console, and streaming devices. If you plan to use the TV‘s built-in apps, make sure it has Wi-Fi (ideally 802.11ac) and Ethernet for the most reliable streaming.
Smart Features – Virtually any smart TV platform will offer major apps like Netflix and Prime Video. Go with the system that feels most intuitive to you, be it Roku, Google TV, webOS, or another. Voice control is handy if available but not essential. Don‘t buy a "dumb" TV without smart features – it‘s just not worth the hassle these days.
Gaming Features – If you‘re a serious gamer, a dedicated gaming monitor or higher-end TV with HDMI 2.1, 120 Hz, and VRR is still the way to go. But some budget models now offer gaming-friendly features like Auto Low Latency Mode and VRR. The TCL 5-Series and Hisense U6H are great affordable options for casual gamers.
