Owning a feature-rich and visually captivating TV no longer requires a hefty purchase.
Advancements in manufacturing and competition among the leading brands mean there is a healthy market for budget TVs.
Premium OLEDs may be out of reach, but that doesnt mean you cant have premium image quality.
The Hisense UH6 ULED TV offers impressive picture quality and color reproduction that rivals premium TVs. With deep blacks, an excellent contrast ratio, and a sleek design, it provides a budget-friendly option for those seeking a captivating viewing experience.
These are some of the best affordable TVs under $500.
One of the best budget-friendly 4K TVs you could buy is the Hisense ULED UH6 TV.
It’s available in 50- and 58-inch varieties with a humble yet tasteful design.
It features an LED backlight system with local dimming and a quantum dot layer.
These features promote an image quality that youll be hard-pressed to find on a TV in this price range.
White levels are also first-rate, and the TVs excellent contrast ratio and local dimming produce deep blacks.
The ULED UH6 is particularly impressive in a dimmed environment.
Although it is a standout choice for picture quality, it does have some limitations.
Despite the low input lag of 11ms, its slow response time contributes to some motion blur.
This variation is the 40-inch display, which offers full HD.
There is also a 32-inch model with 720p and 1080p resolutions.
However, for overall value, you might find this 40-inch, 1080p model satisfactory.
Theres also no HDR support.
The TV features three HDMI ports, with one supporting ARC for a soundbar connection.
The S555 model of the TCL 5-Series comes in several sizes, from 50 to 75 inches.
This model is the 50-inch variant and is the only size that beats the $500 threshold.
However, its Roku TV operating system is a joy with its customizable layout and limited ads.
Dark scenes look fantastic, although some issues with blooming around bright objects may rear their heads.
Yet, its narrow viewing angle means those sitting off to the side may experience some washed-out colors.
Gamers seeking a budget TV suitable for their purposes will enjoy the 5-Series.
Big-Screen Bargain
The Toshiba C350 is a fantastic choice for those seeking a good-value large-screen TV.
Its affordable price and expansive display deliver a captivating viewing experience, showcasing vibrant colors and detailed images.
The LED display showcases crisp and well-detailed images with vibrant colors.
This pleasing exhibition is especially evident when watching 4K content.
However, it isnt perfect.
While voices are intelligible, low frequencies are lacking, as is clarity in the high frequencies.
Thankfully, one of the four HDMI ports supports ARC for connecting a soundbar.
The C350 offers the convenience of Amazons Fire OS.
Furthermore, setup is seamless, while menus and configs are easy to navigate.
The Samsung TU-7000 showcases an attractive, sleek design with thin bezels contributing to an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The sturdy feet provide stability, and the setup is easy.
The TU-7000 LED TV provides an excellent 4K resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate.
Contrast is particularly impressive, as are black levels, saturation, detail, and color accuracy.
However, the viewing angle is pretty narrow, and its HDR peak brightness may be a tad disappointing.
As far as audio goes, its pretty much what you might expect.
It has flat bass and voices that decrease in decipherability as the volume increases.
The Sony X80Ks LCD panel with LED backlighting delivers better picture quality than typical TVs in this price range.
This TV usually exceeds the $500 threshold.
However, it is often on sale, making it an excellent value.
Images are crisp and sharp, and color reproduction is pleasing.
Displays range from 43 to 75 inches and come with thin plastic bezels for a stylish look.
While the Direct LED backlighting lacks local dimming, the TV compensates with vibrant visuals.
Images have excellent detail and realism, while the IPS panel provides a generous viewing angle.
Its 60Hz refresh rate ensures seamless visuals for most content.
However, fast-paced action may appear blurry at times.
The refresh rate is not the only spec that may deter gamers.
Despite having an excellent input lag, response time is poor, and there is no VRR support.
The TV boasts a wide connectivity range, including HDMI.
However, 2.1 bandwidth is not supported.
Additionally, webOS 22 provides a wide range of apps and seamless voice control with Google Assistant and Alexa.
However, costs, size, and other constraints may prevent many from satisfying that urge.
TVs under $500 tend to have the same standard build quality.
Theyre usually sturdy with a minimalist design and the bonus of thin bezels.
However, you will unlikely find one with outstanding audio quality, so a soundbar is another likely purchase.
You may be looking for the cheapest, decent-quality TV you might find.
In that case, the TCL 40-Inch 3-Series S355 model offers exceptional value.
It provides acceptable image quality and an easy-to-use operating system, although its not the best choice for gaming.
If you seek a budget TV for video games, the TCL 5-Series S555 model is your best bet.
It has most of the features gamers need, including HDMI with 2.1 bandwidth.
