Buying the best budget television can be a smart financial decision. For one, affordable televisions don’t mean super cheap quality. Television technology has improved so much that manufacturers today can offer affordable yet good TVs (with few sacrifices) with the best viewing experiences. The best entry-level televisions from various brands today have surprisingly good picture quality comparable to the best expensive televisions.
Some affordable TVs today also now offer features that used to be exclusive to their expensive counterparts. The best TVs now have nifty functionalities and features, from low input lag, variable refresh rate VRR, peak brightness, and a full array of local dimming zones. Many smart TV platforms, especially affordable gaming TVs, even support Dolby Vision HDR.
But first, let’s talk about what you should look for in the best TVs to get the best bang for your buck. Knowing the features you need will help you find the best TVs.
Best Budget TVs
So then, what are the best budget TVs? Two names to look out for are Vizio OLED and TCL TVs, but you can also find great deals from Samsung, LG, and Sony. Look for the best TVs in your price range with good connectivity ports, smart features, the backlighting you want, and good sound quality. Also, look for the size that matches your needs and the space you have. We will look at a few features of affordable TVs with different screen sizes from different brands.
Television Features To Consider
Before you start loading up the first affordable TV you find at your favorite retailer, there are some things you need to know about the best TVs. First, you need to know how much you are willing to pay for the best TVs. Get that set in your mind before you start shopping. It makes it easier to prioritize some features over others rather than caving and spending too much on the best TVs. Next, determine what screen size you need. The best TVs for you are the ones that work perfectly for your space. Thus, you must measure the space where you intend to put your new TV. The best TVs aren’t good if you don’t have room for them.
Best Budget TVs
When looking for the best TVs, consider what’s important to you. Do you want vibrant colors and lots of contrast? Are you more interested in the sound of your TV? Will you be using your budget TV for gaming? Not all cheap TVs will be good for all activities. You’ll need to look at refresh rates and latency numbers for that. Also, smart capabilities may be important to you. If you have streaming services and want a TV that gives you easy access to your apps, a smart television could be the way to go.
Make a list of the features you want in the best TVs and put them in priority order. That way, you’ll already know which features are the most important. This will save you more money, and you won’t settle for an expensive TV with unnecessary features.
Best Types Of Budget TVs
It’s important to know the different types of TVs on a budget. Let’s touch on each of them so you’ll know the basics when you go shopping.
- OLED TV – This is short for organic light-emitting diode. It means the pixels emit their own light output. It also means that when they’re not emitting and go dark, you get beautiful blacks and no color bleed. This is best if you have a dark room. This is the best screen type on the market right now.
- LCD TVs – The best LCD TVs have been around for a bit. LCD stands for liquid crystal display. LCD can be a part of other kinds of screens like OLED panels because it refers to the grid of pixels that makes up a picture. The other types of TVs have different ways of backlighting those images. You can also use mini LED backlighting for LCD TVs,
- LED TVs– LEDs are used to provide the backlight for LCD TVs most of the time, but other emerging technologies are starting to show up in more and more TVs. LEDs are more energy efficient than what was used previously in LCD TVs. A mini-LED backlight can provide your model with the best look.
- Mini-LED TVs – This is also one of the best options. This takes everything you like about LED screen TVs and makes them even better. More LEDs are in the display so the vibrancy and contrast are much more advanced.
- QLED TVs – These TVs have a layer of quantum dots positioned behind the LCD layer. As light hits the quantum dots, which are nanoparticles, they emit more light to make your screen brighter. A QLED TV is another variation of LED and LCD panel technology.
Are Budget TVs Worth It?
The best TVs that fit your budget are worth it. They will take your viewing to a whole new level. And now that their prices aren’t so steep, they’re worth it for more people. You’ll be set for any next-gen great gaming features that come out. You’ll see more detail and color in your favorite shows and movies. And gamers can enjoy a much more immersive experience. We will say this. If you put a 4K television next to the same size 1080p and stand far away, you won’t see much difference. For most TVs, you must be close enough to see the difference that 4K models offer.
Best Budget Televisions
Samsung 43″ TU8000 Series
This Samsung TV is one of the best TVs on the market today. You can get this budget 4K television for under $400. You can enable all sorts of next-gen apps in this smart TV. The crystal display is one of the best, letting you see more colors with vibrant tones. The picture will be crisp and clear due to its ultra-HD model.
You’ll also notice that the screen goes nearly to the edge. The bezels are thin, giving you a more impressive picture quality and less TV frame. The television is also enabled for Alexa and Bixby. This TV is super lightweight, too. It’s less than 20 lbs., so it’s easy for one person to set up.
Pros:
- Super vibrant display
- Near edgeless screen
- Smart television
- Many connectivity ports
- Best value for your money
Cons:
- No anti-glare technology
- The remote isn’t the best
- Port placement makes it hard to reach them when the television is mounted
TCL 43″ Smart LED Television
At under $300 on Amazon, the TCL is one of the best budget televisions available. It has a High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology to give the picture that extra punch of color and clarity, local dimming for better contrast. This is a smart television, which means you can access your streaming apps and watch what you love.
You can customize your home screen to easily find your shows and movies. Aside from the standard dynamic range, this one is LED so it’s energy efficient and it has a resolution of 3840 x 2160. You’ll also have 3 HDMI 2.1 ports, Blu-Ray players, a USB port, and audio jacks. The television is lightweight and can easily be mounted.
Pros:
- Very inexpensive
- HDR allows you to see more detail
- Simple Home Screen that you personalize
- Plenty of connectivity options
- Best sound and picture
Cons:
- Basic with no frills
- The refresh rate is not the best for gaming
- Cord placement and ports are opposite of each other
LG Smart NanoCell Television
For starters, this 2021 TV has a quad-core processor 4K that gives you a lot of power and speed to do the things you want on your television, making it one of the better budget TVs in terms of performance. It’s an intelligent processor that can make alterations to give you a high-quality imaging and audio experience for what you’re watching or playing.
You can also enjoy better image quality with its built-in nanocell. You can also select the auto-low latency mode to enjoy less lag time. There are many connection ports in the back and a magic remote, allowing you to pull up what you want to watch super fast. The TV weighs less than 20 lbs. and is wall mount ready. This is one of the best TVs on a budget.
Pros:
- Quad-core processor makes your TV fast and good for many uses
- Can be used with Alexa or Google TV Assistant (Google TV Interface)
- Magic Remote can be used as a mouse for computers
- Best image and sound
- Reliable product
Cons:
- The black level shows some color bleed
- Pictures have lots of glare
- Cannot adjust the picture quality and sound
Toshiba 50″ Fire Television Edition
This is the largest TV on our list. The Toshiba is a 50-inch TV, yet still comes in under $500. This is the Fire edition so you can speak to Alexa through your remote to get to your favorites quickly and easily. It also has Amazon Prime access for your viewing experience. This Amazon Fire TV has a quad-core processor so everything happens fast and fluidly. Your WiFi connections should be stable with dual-band WiFi, and you’ll have 3 HDMI ports. Your TV will update itself automatically when new software is released.
Pros:
- Use your remote with Alexa voice control
- Smart technology for your home can be controlled through your main tv
- 8 million pixels gives a clear, crisp picture
- Easy setup so you can start using it right away
- Ultra-high definition and HDR enabled
- Has HDR10 Dolby Vision HDR support
Cons:
- Storage space isn’t the best
- Those not tech-savvy may need a little practice to operate
- The headphone jack disables the system sound if you plug something into it
Best Budget TVs: Conclusion And Final Thoughts
If you want to experience the pinnacle of entertainment, you should invest in the best TVs. You don’t have to break the bank to get a good quality 4K TV, there are plenty of budget-friendly options out there that can provide a top-notch viewing experience, be it on Amazon or your favorite local superstore.
Best Televisions: Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Best Budget TVs?
The best cheap 4K TV is the Samsung UE43TU7100. It has superb picture quality for its price.
What Are The Best 4K TVs On A Budget?
The best 4K TVs to buy are the ones that fit your budget and give you the most important features for the types of activities you’ll be using your TV for. Our best pick is the Samsung UE43TU7100.
Is A Cheap 4K Television Worth It?
Yes, it is. Many affordable options come with excellent features.
What Is The Best 4K Television Under $500?
The Toshiba 50LF621U21 50-inch Smart TV provides the best bang for your buck, considering its size. They have many features for watching movies and playing video games. It is one of the best models in its price range.
What TV Do Consumer Reports Recommend?
Consumer Reports picked the Sony XBR-65A9G 65-inch TV as the best budget 4K TV.
What Is The Most Reliable Television Brand?
There are multiple reliable TV brands, such as LG, Samsung, and Sony. The great thing about these brands is they have models across all price ranges, helping you get the best bang for your buck.
Is TCL Better Than Samsung?
TCL isn’t better than Samsung. Both brands have a good reputation, Samsung is known to make some excellent televisions. TCL is known for its budget-friendly models.
Is 4K Worth It In 2023?
Yes, 4K provides an excellent viewing experience regarding quality and video processing. Also, more and more manufacturers equip their 4K products with improved speakers for better overall performance.
What Is The Best Picture Quality Television?
If you want the best bang for your buck, the TCL 6-Series Roku TV platform is a good option with more than 100+ live TV channels. It is cheap but can deliver the viewing experience you want. If budget is not an issue, expect to pay around $1,000 or more for superb overall quality.
Is LG Better Than Samsung?
Which Type Of TV Is Most Durable?
Which Smart TVs Are Best?
What Is The Top Android Television On The Market?
Which Type Of Television Is Better, Smart Or Android?
What Is The Ideal Television Size?
Last Updated on May 12, 2023 by Jeanne Meets
DISCLAIMER (IMPORTANT): This information (including all text, images, audio, or other formats on FamilyHype.com) is not intended to be a substitute for informed professional advice, diagnosis, endorsement or treatment. You should not take any action or avoid taking action without consulting a qualified professional. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions about medical conditions. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here a FamilyHype.com.