We all want a new smart TV but getting one is easier said than done, especially when you look at the price of a modern flagship OLED set. For those who don’t have thousands to spend we have the best budget TVs you can buy.
And that doesn’t mean you have to put up with something rubbish and unusable. On the contrary, you will likely be surprised by what you can get these days for less than £500/$500 which is the price limit we are aiming for here.
In this price range, a 4K Ultra HD resolution is common and even features like HDR and Dolby Atmos, too. You are probably looking at fairly basic LED LCD panels but QLED (quantum LED) isn’t out of the question for a more impressive picture.
They will all have Wi-Fi and operating system that allow you to stream content from many of the big name services such as Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and more.
Sacrifices will have to be accepted and these normally come in the form of things like black level, viewing angles and sound quality. Read our in-depth buying advice below the chart if you need more information on what to look for.
We have a chart of the best smart TVs if you do have a little more to spend. Find the best Samsung TV or LG TV or Sony TV for you in our buying guide. The budget TV market has never been so good so you’ll be sure to find a cheap set that’s right for you from the selection below, all tested by our experts.
Best Budget TVs 2024
1. Toshiba UF3D – Best Overall
Pros
- Irresistible price tag
- Content-rich Fire TV smart platform
- Freeview Play
- Dolby Vision
Cons
- Generic design
- A bit slow in use
If bang for your buck is what you’re after then the Toshiba UF3D is hard to beat with its eye-catching price, even if the design isn’t also eye-catching.
The UF3D comes with Fire TV and Freeview Play giving you plenty of options for entertainment and it does this via a reassuringly sharp image. Just don’t expect the most dynamic HDR performance or the deepest blacks but that’s fine at this price, it’s still a budget winner.
Read our full Toshiba UF3D review
2. TCL RC630K – Best Cheap QLED TV
Pros
- Bright, impressive 4K QLED display
- Smooth Roku software
- Excellent HDR support
- Fantastic value
Cons
- ITV and Channel 4 apps lack live TV
- No voice controls in the remote
TCL has once again provided us with another budget corker.
The RC630K offers much better specs than you’d reasonably expect at this price point, especially on sizes 50in and larger. The headline combination of a QLED screen and built-in Roku software make it a winner.
There’s also Freeview Play, no less than four HDMI ports and solid HDR support to boot. About the only thing missing, and understandably, is 120Hz for next-gen consoles.
Read our full TCL RC630K review
3. Sharp FN2 Series – Best Value Android TV
Pros
- Great value
- Android TV built-in
- Dolby Vision HDR
- Harman Kardon sound system
Cons
- Lackluster input lag
- Limited HDR brightness
- No 120Hz support
Those looking for an Android powered TV in large sizes without straying into costly sums of money should consider this model from Sharp.
Even the largest 65in panel size comes in at just over our typical budget price cap of £500 with smaller models incredibly affordable. Either way, it’s a plain yet stylish set.
It’s not a good choice for gaming but you get a lot for your money with a razor-sharp 4K image and a subjectively high average picture level. There’s plenty of streaming options and a cinematic experience with Dolby Vision despite a limited peak HDR brightness.
There’s also above average sound thanks to the Harman Kardon designed system with Dolby Atmos support.
Read our full Sharp FN2 Series review
4. Samsung The Frame (2023) – Best Lifestyle Design
Pros
- Customisable art frame bezel
- Bright QLED picture with matt finish
- Tizen smart platform
- Large range of sizes
Cons
- One Connect box won’t suit everyone
- No Dolby Vision
It might be very similar to last year’s model and, in fact, identical in various ways, but The Frame is once again a hugely desirable lifestyle TV from Samsung.
Of course, we are recommending the smallest model here to fit with the budget nature of this chart so you’ll be getting a 32in model with a Full HD resolution.
Even without 4K, it’s an excellent QLED TV and perfect for places like the kitchen or bedroom. The wall-mountable design is gorgeous with the interchangeable bezel, matt screen and Art Mode for when the TV isn’t in use.
There’s plenty of streaming options, two great remotes – one of which is solar powered – and the 2023 model improves on energy consumption keeping your bills down and being more environmentally friendly.
Just keep an eye out for deals on The Frame (2022) since it is so similar and you should be able to find it with tempting discounts.
Read our full Samsung The Frame (2023) review
Pros
- Good HDR picture quality
- Hands-free Alexa
- Fire TV interface
Cons
- Short warranty as standard
- Only one HDMI 2.1 port
- Only 60Hz panel
It’s better value in the US thanks to high UK pricing but the Fire TV Omni series is worth a look if you can afford it and 43in is a large enough panel size.
There are plenty of affordable QLED rivals from the likes of Hisense and TCL, but the cheaper models don’t have features such as ambient light sensors for HDR10+ Adaptive, and you normally don’t get the luxury of four HDMI inputs.
Only one of those ports is HDMI 2.1 but that’s something of a moot point since the Omni doesn’t offer a 120Hz for silky smooth next-gen gaming. Still, it offers up solid HDR picture quality which can’t be said of many budget sets.
Pros
- Fire TV interface with Alexa
- Four HDMI inputs
- AirPlay support
Cons
- Limited viewing angles
- Not very bright
- Short warranty
Where the Fire TV 4-Series won’t do well is in brightly lit rooms with its mediocre peak brightness and lack of ambient light sensor found on the Omni model.
7. Philips The One 2023 – Best 120Hz Budget TV
Pros
- Great picture quality
- Smart swivel stand
- Powerful speakers
- Ambilight
Cons
- Colours could be better
- Changing settings is cumbersome
Available at the upper-end of the price range for a cheap TV, if you’re ok with a 43in model, The One from Philips pretty much does what is says on the tin. That is, provide everything you need in one purchase without breaking the bank.
You get about the best quality picture you can expect without paying more money with a 4K Ultra HD resolution, IPS LED panel and even a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth gaming.
The design is much prettier than most budget TVs and the swivel stand could be a real boon to some users. Sound isn’t forgotten about either, as it normally is for cheap sets, with more power than previous generations.
Capping things off nicely is the Android TV OS, bringing you a range of streaming options and other useful features. And let’s not forget Philips’ ace up the sleeve, three-sided Ambilight LEDs on the back for an immersive viewing experience.
Read our full Philips The One 2023 (PUS8808/12) review
8. JVC Roku TV (CR330) – Super Budget Streamer
Pros
- Good price
- Roku TV OS built-in
- Good selection of ports
- Thin bezel
Cons
- Terrible sound
- Poor viewing angles
If you’re looking for just about the cheapest smart TV around then the JVC CR330 is one to consider.
It’s available at rock-bottom prices and has a sleeker design than you might expect for this kind of money as well as an above-average selection of ports including three HDMI ports with one supporting ARC (audio return channel). That may well be needed due to the poor built-in speakers.
Available in 40- and 43-inch sizes, the CR330 is suited to smaller spaces. The limited viewing angles mean it’s best placed somewhere like a bedroom where you’ll be looking at it directly.
If the downsides don’t matter too much for your requirements then the TV is excellent value and built-in Roku software provides endless streaming possibilities.
Read our full JVC Roku TV (CR330) review
9. Metz MRD6000 Roku TV – Best Value for Low Latency Gaming
Pros
- Roku smart TV platform & Freeview Play
- Detailed and colourful 4K picture
- Lightweight design with thin bezel
- Low latency for gaming
Cons
- Awful sound
- No Dolby Vision
- Limited brightness
- Poor viewing angles
The MRD6000 is another cheap telly to arrive on the market with Roku’s popular operating system and although UK buyers might not have heard of Metz before, the brand is a stalwart in Germany.
If you are looking for a cheap 4K smart TV to simply ‘plug and play’ (or setup and stream) then it does the job very well with Freeview Play combining with Roku for an all-round experience. Easy access to the likes of Netflix, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer is the name of the game here.
A TV like this is never going to win on build or specs but the set is lightweight and the picture quality is both detailed and colourful.
It does have HDR but limited brightness means you shouldn’t get too excited. The basic panel means you’ll want to be watching straight on and the terrible speakers mean a soundbar is pretty much a necessity unless you plan to put this in a kid’s room or kitchen where they may suffice.
There are better Roku-powered cheap TVs out there but the low latency does make this a particularly interesting choice for cheap 4K gaming – just not at 120Hz, of course.
Read our full Metz MRD6000 Roku TV review
10. Toshiba WK3C – Best for Small Sizes
Pros
- Very cheap
- Small sizes
- Freeview Play & apps
Cons
- Only 720p
- Poor sound
- Low brightness
It might be limited to 720p resolution, but the WK3D isn’t vying for a spot in the main living room.
Instead, this telly is a great option for those looking for a screen in the kitchen, bedroom or somewhere like a kid’s playroom – albeit without built-in Disney+ support for the little ones. It’s extremely affordable and comes in sizes as 24in.
Limited brightness means the inclusion of HDR is somewhat undermined but there’s a reasonable amount of streaming apps along with Freeview Play and the TV can even function as a Bluetooth speaker.
Read our full Toshiba WK3C review
How to choose a budget TV
As mentioned at the top, cheap TVs are better than ever but you will still be missing out on some features and quality compared to more expensive models. Even if the manufacturer or retailer can make it appear not to be the case.
4K and HDR
All the TVs tested here are 4K (aka Ultra HD or UHD) that’s four times the resolution of Full HD and if you’re looking at buying a TV with the latter then something has gone wrong.
Getting a cheap TV with this resolution is the norm but not all 4K TVs are created equal.
They tend to offer lower brightness and typically don’t have local dimming (this means the TV can dim small areas of the panel to make blacks darker). Or if they do, there are not as many zones as high-end models.
Lower brightness means HDR performance is limited as a good backlight is needed. Also, be careful about HDR standards as there a quite a few: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HGL are the most common.
HDMI
It’s easy to forget about boring ports when being dazzled by HDR standards, but it’s worth checking simple things like how many HDMI ports a TV has.
To cut costs, TV makers might only offer two or three – not ideal if you want to plug in lots of devices.
Also, be aware of HDMI versions as you might be limited to older ones, or typically, only one port is a more recent version.
OS and apps
Things are certainly a lot better than they used to be and all TVs here are ‘smart’ in one way or another.
In basic terms, they all have internet access via Wi-Fi and operating systems (OS) providing you with a user interface and apps to watch content like BBC iPlayer and Netflix.
While some might come with Android TV, others will have a custom OS. Make sure to read our full reviews to find out what they are like and if any major services are missing.
If it is basic, you can always plug in a streaming stick or box to improve things without spending much extra.
Author: Chris Martin, Managing Editor, Tech Advisor
Tech Advisor Managing Editor Chris got his break as a reporter at infamous site The Inquirer and has been with us for more than 12 years. With a BA degree in Music Technology, audio is his specialism, but over the years he has reviewed all kinds of gadgets, from smartwatches to mesh Wi-Fi to coffee machines.
Recent stories by Chris Martin:
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