It’s a great time to buy a budget TV. As TVs become brighter and better each year, and with economic conditions fluctuating, investing in an affordable display could be a smart move. However, don’t just grab the first model you see online — some aren’t worth the money.
After spending hundreds of hours testing dozens of screens, we’re sharing our top picks for the best cheap TVs. Whether you need a primary 4K HDR display for your TV room or an extra screen for the bedroom, this list offers excellent options. For more choices, explore our main Best TVs and Best Soundbars lists, and check our guide on How to Choose the Right TV for helpful advice.
This article has been updated in October 2025, including the Panasonic W70 and updates to pricing and details.
What Makes a “Cheap” TV?
We define a budget TV as one that offers solid performance and usability, generally costing around $500 or less. While increasing your budget can often lead to better performance, we aim for TVs at or below that price point. To achieve this, we sometimes suggest 55-inch models rather than the increasingly popular 65-inch size, as larger screens often reveal performance imperfections.
Good TVs with features like High Dynamic Range (HDR) and quantum dot colors typically come with 4K resolution. While smaller sizes might benefit from an HDTV, the TVs we recommend all offer 4K resolution. Whenever possible, we look for models with various size options to cater to different needs.
The Best Cheap TV: Vizio
The Vizio 4K TV (V4K55M-0801) stands out as the best overall value. It’s loaded with advanced features like Dolby Vision HDR and gaming chops such as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and low input lag. The picture is bright and punchy, Vizio’s smart interface is simple and easy to use, and it’s available in multiple sizes (43 to 86 inches). Because it’s a direct-lit screen without local dimming, it won’t match the performance of pricier models in the dark. However, the 55-inch model often costs under $300 on sale, making it the best deal available.
Specs:
- Display type: LED
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLG
- Connections/Gaming: HDMI 2.0 (x3), VRR, ALLM
- Smart: Vizio SmartCast
The Best Upgrade: TCL QM6K QLED
If you can stretch your budget, the TCL QM6K provides a significant upgrade in performance and features. Its mini-LED display excels in multiple areas, offering deep black levels, solid HDR brightness with minimal blooming, accurate colors, and a vibrant screen, even from off-angles. Key features include a 120-Hz native refresh rate, dual HDMI 2.1 inputs compatible with gaming features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and an intuitive Google TV interface. For around $650, the 55-inch model’s sale price makes it a fantastic option.
Specs:
- Display type: QLED/mini LED
- Refresh Rate: Native 120 Hz (up to 4K@144Hz)
- HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLG
- Connections/Gaming: HDMI 2.0 (x2), HDMI 2.1 (x2), VRR, ALLM
- Smart: Google TV
The Best Smart TV: Roku Plus Series QLED
Roku’s entry into the TV business has paid off, combining its brilliantly intuitive smart interface with impressive picture quality. The Plus Series Roku TV offers quantum dots for vibrant colors and full-array local dimming for rich black levels. It also includes a voice-search remote and support for Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. This older model is becoming harder to find, but remains an excellent value, especially on sale.
Specs:
- Display type: QLED
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR 10/10+, Hybrid Log-Gamma
- Connections/Gaming: HDMI 2.0 (x4), ALLM
- Smart: Roku OS
The Best Fire TV: Hisense U6QF QLED
The Hisense U6QF features mini-LED backlighting for excellent black levels and Hisense’s ULED technology for great colors. Often priced under $600, this 55-inch model competes with models costing twice as much. A 144-Hz refresh rate makes it ideal for gaming, and the built-in Fire TV interface simplifies streaming.
Specs:
- Display type: QLED/mini LED
- Refresh Rate: 120 Hz (Up to 144 Hz)
- HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLG
- Connections/Gaming: HDMI 2.1 (x2), 2.0 (x2), VRR, ALLM
- Smart: Fire TV
A Cheaper Google TV: TCL Q6
If you prefer Google TV but the QM6K is too expensive, the TCL Q6 is a viable alternative. It lacks local dimming and offers only a 60-Hz screen, but it provides a good mix of vibrant quantum dot colors, breezy streaming, and handy features, making it a solid, affordable option.
Specs:
- Display type: QLED
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10/10+, HLG
- Connections/Gaming: HDMI 2.0 (x3), VRR, ALLM
- Smart: Google TV
A Cheaper Fire TV: Panasonic W70
If you’re an Alexa fan or prefer the Prime TV app, the Panasonic W70 is the most affordable option. It’s not the most impressive TV specs-wise, with a 60-Hz refresh rate and no local dimming, but it offers decent color and brightness and remains surprisingly affordable. It also supports Airplay for easy casting from iPhones.
Specs:
- Display type: LED
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- HDR Support: HDR10/10+, HLG
- Connections/Gaming: HDMI 2.0 (x3), HDMI 2.1 (x1), VRR, ALLM
- Smart: Fire TV
Upcoming TVs We’ll Be Testing
We are continually testing new TVs to offer the best recommendations. The following TVs are in our testing queue and are good candidates for future inclusion:
- Roku Plus Series (2025): The original Plus Series impressed with its blend of solid black levels and vibrant quantum dot colors. This year’s model is expected to be even better with the addition of mini LED backlighting.
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