The best gaming TVs and 4K smart TVs can set you back a good chunk of change. So, if you don’t need the latest and greatest technology, you might as well save some money and grab an affordable option instead. Our favorite TV that gets the job done on a budget is the Hisense 65" Class U6N Series ULED, thanks to its plethora of features and quality display. But whether you’re after a big screen, something that can keep up with PS5 and Xbox Series X, or even an OLED panel, we’ll help you stay on budget.
TL;DR – These are the Best Budget TVs
- Hisense 65" Class U6N Series ULED
- TCL 55" Q7 Q-Class QLED
- Hisense 65" Class U7N Series ULED
- TCL 55” QM7 QLED
- Hisense 50" U6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV
- Samsung 85” Crystal UHD DU8000
- LG 55" Class OLED B4 Series
The best budget TVs may force you to sacrifice a few high-end TV features be it a top-notch panel or the speediest performance. However, you can still enjoy high refresh rates in 4K, HDR, and smart technology at a surprisingly deep discount. So, to help in your search for a cheap TV, we’ve found seven excellent options. You might even score a great TV deal on one if you time it right.
1. Hisense 65" Class U6N Series ULED
Best Budget TV
Pros:
- Vibrant, accurate colors
- Solid contrast
Cons:
- Poor viewing angles
Want a TV that hits the sweet spot between performance and affordability? Look no further than the Hisense 65" Class U6N Series ULED. This TV takes advantage of mini LED and Quantum Dot technology for vivid details and a wide range of vibrant, accurate colors. The Full Array Local Dimming helps with contrast for surprisingly bright highlights and deep blacks, while support for HDR formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR 10+, boosts picture quality even further. An AI processor also does a decent job of upscaling lower-resolution content. Just prepare for the viewing angles to be a bit narrow.
That’s only the start of what’s on offer, as the Hisense U6N is full of extras, starting with smart TV functionality thanks to a Google TV operating system. It’s fairly simple to navigate, letting you access streaming services and smart assistants. Gaming isn’t forgotten either, so you’ll enjoy 4K/60Hz, VRR, ALLM, and a handy game bar. Unfortunately, you can’t hit 120Hz in 4K to take full advantage of the next-gen consoles – grab the U7N for that. Still, it’s a wildly capable TV considering the low price tag.
2. TCL 55" Q7 Q-Class QLED
Best Budget TV Under $500
Pros:
- Excellent picture in HDR and SDR mode
- High-end gaming features for a low price
Cons:
- Response time issues with VRR enabled when gaming
The TCL 55" Q7 Q-Class QLED is an absolute steal. Sure, it might be the 2023 model, but you'll be sold after seeing the stunning picture, gaming chops, and extra features for under $500. Its panel has over 200 local dimming zones that deliver solid contrast, brightness, and black uniformity. The colors look equally great thanks to Quantum Dot technology, and we’d be remiss not to mention the extra dose of realism brought when taking advantage of the display’s HDR support. Even in SDR, the picture is rich and detailed. But like many TVs in this price range, poor viewing angles plague it.
If you’re looking for a cheap option to hook up a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, the TCL Q7 keeps up with its 120Hz refresh rate in 4K from one of the four HDMI 2.1 ports. In fact, if you’ve got a top-notch gaming PC, you can push up to a 144Hz variable refresh rate for butter-smooth action. The low input lag makes for a responsive display, but the response times get a bit wonky with VRR enabled. Google TV software is also loaded in for all the smart TV functionality you’re after.
3. Hisense 65" Class U7N Series ULED
Best Budget Gaming TV
Pros:
- Loaded with gaming features
- Excellent contrast and color performance
Cons:
- Slight blooming around bright objects
The best budget gaming TV is the Hisense 65" Class U7N Series ULED, an updated model of the U7K, which we loved. Whether you’re after a 120Hz refresh rate in 4K for the next-gen consoles or want to take advantage of the 144Hz native refresh on your gaming PC, this TV is ready to deliver. Add in VRR, including FreeSync Premium Pro, to minimize screen tearing and ALLM to keep controller input lag at bay, and you’ve got one beast of display. Improvements to the game bar make it even simpler to see different in-game metrics and adjust settings. However, loading the TV with four HDMI 2.1 over two would’ve been nice.
Clearly, the Hisense U7N is equipped to take on the action in your games, and luckily, its picture quality is equally brilliant. Similar to the U6N that tops this list, this slightly upgraded model features a ULED panel with mini-LEDs and Quantum dot technology for impressive contrast and color performance. It gets widely bright hitting up 1,500 nits, while the local dimming zones keep the blacks deep and highlights popping for extra detail. Just be prepared for some blooming around brighter objects; a common occurrence in TVs at this price point.
4. TCL 55” QM7 QLED
Best Budget TV for Movies
Pros:
- Stunningly bright
- Great color performance
Cons:
- Viewing angles could be better
Take your movie nights to another level with the TCL 55” QM7 QLED. Every scene will look masterful thanks to its mini-LED panel featuring over 1,500 local dimming zones and an insane peak brightness of 2,400 nits. The TV's contrast keeps up with ones double its price for stunning highlights and deep blacks. Quantum Dot technology ensures colors are just as vibrant for content that truly shines. Support for Dolby Vision, HLG, and HDR10+ means you’ll enjoy even richer details, while the AiPQ Ultra processor uses machine-learning algorithms to enhance colors and clarity. If you want a truly cinematic experience, you can even grab this TV in 98 inches.
Similar to other TVs on this list, viewing angles can be an issue. But that flaw feels far smaller considering the gaming features like 4K @ 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM. Plus, the built-in Onkyo 2.1 speaker system and Dolby Atmos support make for an even more immersive viewing experience, though you can amp up the sound even further by connecting one of the best soundbars.
5. Hisense 50" U6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV
Best Budget TV for Streaming
Pros:
- Fire TV built-in
- Solid HDR support
Cons:
- Only 4K/60Hz refresh rate
Most TVs these days are rocking some sort of smart operating system to make streaming easier than ever, but many are flawed and lack the control a streaming device offers. However, the Hisense U6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV changes all that in the budget TV space. You get Fire TV built-in to load up all your favorite streaming apps once the TV connects to Wi-Fi, while an Alexa-enabled remote makes it even better. Not only can it power on the TV and adjust the volume with the sound of your voice, but it can also search and pull up your favorite show or movie. What’s more, Alexa doesn’t stop at streaming. It incorporates several skills and smart home capabilities into your display, including the ability to start something like a Zoom call or get access to live feeds from your connected security cameras elsewhere in the home.
The actual specs of the Hisense U6 Series QLED 4K Smart Fire TV aren’t half bad, either. With support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, you can enjoy an insanely realistic picture aided by its 600 nit peak brightness and a plethora of local dimming zones. For gaming, its HDMI 2.1 port offers a 60Hz variable refresh rate and ALLM, making it possible to enjoy some smooth gaming on the PS5 or Xbox X. Built-in Bluetooth also allows the TV to pair wirelessly with Bluetooth speakers or headphones, adding an additional audio boost to the content you choose to stream.
6. Samsung 85” Crystal UHD DU8000
Best Budget Big TV
Pros:
- Massive display for a low price
- Solid picture quality
Cons:
- Poor HDR performance
Grabbing a behemoth display doesn’t need to be exorbitantly expensive. Samsung offers the 85" Crystal UHD DU8000 for under $1,700. Given the “budget price” – a relative term – this TV isn’t the most feature-rich. But what really matters is picture quality, and it’s surprisingly good. The 4K LED display offers a crisp, clear image with decent color performance and commendable contrast, especially given there’s no full array local dimming. You get support for several HDR formats. However, given the display’s less-than-stellar brightness, its HDR performance isn’t the best.
Beyond the solid picture quality, you get Samsung’s Tizen OS, a solid smart TV platform for streaming your favorite content and accessing smart assistants. If you’re looking to game, the Samsung Crystal UHD DU8000 lacks HDMI 2.1 ports and VRR while the 60Hz refresh rate is nothing to write home about. Luckily, the response times and low input lag are nothing to scoff at. Its design is also sleek and slim, blending well in almost any space. So, even if this isn’t the most stunning TV out there, the sheer size will wow.
7. LG 55" Class OLED B4 Series
Best Budget OLED TV
Pros:
- Impressive contrast
- Top-tier gaming features
Cons:
- Pricier than other picks
Budget and OLED are two terms that don’t exactly go together, but if you’re looking for a more affordable, entry-level OLED panel versus QLED, we’ve got you covered. The LG B4 is one of the best OLED TV deals. Even with the lower cost, you’ll still enjoy wild contrast for inky blacks and bright highlights with virtually no blooming. The colors are equally brilliant and lifelike. It also takes on reflections like a champ, so you can feel free to use this TV in brighter spaces.
You came for the stunning picture, but you’ll stay for the wealth of features. To start the LG B4 OLED has an excellent AI processor for solid upscaling and better performance overall. If you’re after gaming chops, with four HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, 4K/120Hz, low input lag, and almost instantaneous response times, this TV doesn’t disappoint. Of course, LG’s smart TV software is also baked in, while the 20W 2.0 channel speakers deliver surprisingly impactful sound.
Budget TV FAQ
What is HDR?
HDR, or High Dynamic Range is essentially the range of dark and light parts of your display’s picture. With HDR enabled over SDR (standard dynamic range), there should be more brightness and better contrast for a richer, detailed image with boosted clarity. The industry standard for HDR technology is HDR10, with newer technologies like HDR10+ and Dolby Vision adding more crispness and realism to what’s on screen. Just be sure your content and gaming or streaming devices support HDR to make the most of this technology.
When is the best time to buy a TV for a discount?
Similar to most tech products, you’ll find the best time to buy a TV is around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Beyond those deals, the Super Bowl, long holiday weekends, and Amazon Prime Days are great times to score savings. You may also see older models of TVs discounted in springtime when many manufacturers release their new crop, meaning you can score a higher-end TV for a budget price.
Need help with your purchasing decision? Check out our TV buying guide for more info.
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
