The 6 Best Budget Televisions
This wiki has been updated 25 times since it was first published in February of 2017. High-definition home theater displays used to require a sizable investment. Nowadays, however, there are some outstanding television sets out there that don't require you to plop down a huge chunk of change, even for sizes up to about 50 inches. Not all budget TVs are created equal, of course, but we've put together some of the best options out there that won't empty out your life savings. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. TCL 5-Series
2. Hisense H8G
3. Samsung TU8000
Editor's Notes
January 13, 2021:
You'll have to make some minor sacrifices, but you can definitely get a very good TV without spending an arm and a leg. The TCL quantum-dot 5-Series is easily as good as anything else in the price range, and the Hisense H8G, which has local dimming and a wide color gamut. The LG UN7300 is the best low-budget choice for sports and common TV shows, the TCL 4-Series is about as cheap as a 4K TV gets, and the TCL S327 is a solid 32-inch choice for those who don't need an Ultra HD set.
September 12, 2019:
It turns out you don't have to drop thousands for a quality TV. In fact, you don't have to spend a ton to get something that can take advantage of the latest in 4K content. One of TCL's most popular lines isn't very expensive in its 43-inch version, and the two larger sizes are also respectably priced. For that matter, even Samsung and LG, two big-name manufacturers, make quality 4K TVs that don't cost a fortune. We'd also recommend checking out Sceptre, as while they're not particularly well-known in the electronics enthusiast community, they're fine televisions and are surprisingly affordable, especially if you're looking for something in the 50-inch range. Also check out Toshiba's UHD model, as although it's not their best TV, it's one of the only ones in this price range to support Dolby Vision, which is a markedly superior HDR format to traditional HDR10.
If you don't require Ultra HD resolutions, you'll have to spend even less. Again, Sceptre is a worthy brand, but we've also highlighted some from TCL and Vizio that are worth looking at. And if you're in the market for something you can use while you travel, the Jensen 12-volt is designed specifically for that purpose.
4. TCL 4-Series
5. TCL S327
6. LG UN7300
Building PCs, remodeling, and cooking since he was young, quasi-renowned trumpeter Christopher Thomas traveled the USA performing at and organizing shows from an early age. His work experiences led him to open a catering company, eventually becoming a sous chef in several fine LA restaurants. He enjoys all sorts of barely necessary gadgets, specialty computing, cutting-edge video games, and modern social policy. He has given talks on debunking pseudoscience, the Dunning-Kruger effect, culinary technique, and traveling. After two decades of product and market research, Chris has a keen sense of what people want to know and how to explain it clearly. He delights in parsing complex subjects for anyone who will listen -- because teaching is the best way to ensure that you understand things yourself.