Affordable and high-quality TVs are now readily available unlike in the past where they were considered a luxury. You no longer have to struggle financially to acquire one. In 2023, there are numerous exceptional options that may not offer all the latest features but are satisfactory for most individuals. CNET’s compilation of top-rated TVs constitutes models with advanced QLED, mini-LED or OLED screen technology, which indisputably improve image quality, however these technologies equally elevate the price. Nonetheless, if you prefer a cheaper alternative without these bells and whistles, this list will come in handy.
Our objective is to locate affordable entry-level televisions that provide ample features. Although they may not excel in terms of brightness or image enhancements, that’s acceptable. Entry-level TVs are not excessively sophisticated, but they can deliver a decently clear and well-balanced picture at a more reasonable cost.
Actually, the majority of models within this range exhibit greater likeness than disparity. They all employ LCD panels with a native refresh rate of 60Hz, present 4K resolution, and provide HDR playback while incorporating built-in smart TV streaming. Distinctions in screen brightness, color quality, HDR format type, supplementary features (such as those geared towards gaming, among other things), and the effectiveness of the smart platform highlight specific models within the lineup.
In CNET’s TV lab, CNET editor David Katzmaier and I conducted a test on four 2022-model budget TVs simultaneously. Our primary focus was on 50-inch models due to their suitability to various spaces and considerably lower cost compared to larger-sized counterparts. Nonetheless, this series of TVs is available in different dimensions, ranging from 43 to 75 inches. The other dimensions of the same series usually have the same specifications, and we anticipate comparable picture quality across all dimensions.
David Katzmaier from CNET has named the Vizio V-Series as the best budget TV overall. The TV is available in sizes ranging from 43 to 75 inches with LED technology. It also features SmartCast and has a 4K resolution, with three HDMI ports.
In terms of image quality, the Vizio V-Series unquestionably proved to be the top performer. During our comparisons, the Vizio provided the most well-rounded and precise visuals, and it includes some valuable additional features like Dolby Vision support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth compatibility, and variable refresh rate, which could result in smoother gaming. However, the major drawback of the Vizio is its smart TV platform, Vizio SmartCast. It’s cluttered, sluggish, and loaded with advertisements for services like Tubi and Kidoodle TV.
In the end, the Vizio V-Series provides excellent picture quality and impressive additional features at an incredibly reasonable price, even with the extra expense of purchasing a new streaming device. This easily makes it the top choice among all entry-level TVs that I have tested.
Available sizes include 43-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch, 58-inch, 65-inch, 70-inch, and 75-inch. The stated price is for the 50-inch model.
The Vizio V-Series price alerts notify you of its availability at B&H Photo-Video for $465.
David Katzmaier named the TCL 4-Series Roku TV as the runner-up for the best budget TV. The TV is available in sizes ranging from 43 to 85 inches and features LED technology. It is a smart TV with Roku functionality and boasts a 4K resolution. Additionally, it has three HDMI ports.
During our test, the TCL 4-Series Roku TV exhibited a picture quality that was marginally inferior to that of the Vizio. Despite not being as intense and colorful as the Vizio, the TCL’s black levels and picture accuracy were still impressive. The variation between the two is so minor that it would be difficult to notice any significant difference without them being positioned side by side. The Vizio is superior in terms of Dolby Vision, Bluetooth connectivity, and AMD FreeSync with a variable refresh rate, all of which the 4-Series lacks. However, the TCL TV is equipped with the excellent Roku Smart TV system.
The TCL 4-Series presents an excellent choice for beginners and could serve as a smart TV solution for those who favor the Roku system. It comes in a range of sizes, such as 43-inch, 50-inch, 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch; the quoted price corresponds to the 50-inch variant.
$270 on Amazon, $330 on Walmart, and $270 at Best Buy.
David Katzmaier
Hisense A6H Google TV
The most stylish budget TV
Available in 55-, 65-, and 75-inch sizes
TV Technology: LED with local dimming
Smart TV: Yes, featuring Android TV
Resolution: 4K
HDMI Ports: 4
The Hisense A6H Google TV provides some top-tier components at an affordable price, much like the Vizio. It boasts excellent craftsmanship and includes Dolby Vision compatibility, as well as Bluetooth connectivity, and simulated surround sound through DTS Virtual:X technology. The Google TV interface comes pre-installed on the Hisense A6H, and while it remains our second preference after Roku, we did discover that it operated at a slower pace than Google TV on pricier televisions, such as the Sony X80K.
While the A6H’s image quality is not on par with TCL and Vizio, its design is noteworthy. The TV’s bezels are remarkably thin, and the display directly attaches to the back of the panel, resulting in round and metallic corners. This provides the TV with a high-end finish that is absent in other models within this price range.
$248 on Amazon$250 on Best Buy$250 on Target
David Katzmaier recommends the Amazon Fire TV 4-Series as the top pick for a budget-friendly TV with excellent brightness. Available in 43-, 50-, and 55-inch sizes, this LED TV features smart capabilities with Fire TV, 4K resolution, and four HDMI ports.
The Fire TV 4 Series is among the most fundamental televisions featured in this list. It is devoid of Dolby Vision and gaming benefits like AMD FreeSync, and it doesn’t possess the remarkable construction of the Hisense. Rather, the Fire TV presents a brighter display, a voice-activated remote controlled by Alexa, and the ability to access Amazon’s content.
Our entry-level models, including the Fire TV 4-Series, offer an exceptional gaming experience with the brightest screen and best picture. However, we found its smart TV system to be lacking compared to others we tested. Nevertheless, it may suit individuals who prefer Amazon’s ecosystem or have well-lit rooms.
Available sizes include 43-inch, 50-inch, and 55-inch models. The price listed is specific to the 50-inch version, which is available for purchase at $450 from Amazon. While it may not be exceptional, the picture quality of entry-level televisions is surprisingly good.
You might be surprised to know that the picture quality of the Vizio V-Series TV is superior, according to David Katzmaier. While entry-level TVs may not have mini-LEDs, local dimming zones, and other advanced technologies that enhance the picture quality, when tested in the lab, it was challenging to distinguish between SD and 4K as well as between SDR and HDR due to the similarities in the visual appearance of both kinds of content.
However, the V-Series stands out from the rest with its outstanding picture accuracy. The colors are more precise and the levels are darker, providing the V-Series with slightly more contrast than the other TVs listed. When watching The Crown on Netflix, for instance, the shadows in a poorly lit room appear more lifelike than on many of the other TVs. Furthermore, I was able to discern more details in the folds of a man’s suit, and the skin tones of the people on screen looked much more natural than those on the red-pushing TCL and blue-pushing Fire TV.
The opening credits in season 2 had deep and vibrant blacks on the TCL, and the man’s suit in episode 5 was highly detailed and visible. The skin tones of the queen and Philip had a slightly redder hue compared to the Vizio, particularly in the scene where the queen is delivering a speech wearing a red dress against a red background. This pink tint persisted even when I adjusted the TV for brighter settings, and I was unable to find a picture setting that matched the quality of the Calibrated mode on the Vizio.
The Vizio and TCL 4-Series have comparable visual appeal according to Sarah Lord’s review on CNET. The TCL offers various picture settings for advanced customization, though achieving optimal accuracy could be challenging. For example, I achieved good results in a dark room by using Dark HDR with the Dark brightness setting; however, the process was more difficult and time-consuming in brighter environments.
Compared to the other two, the Hisense performs poorly. The colors appear dull and less vibrant, and the blacks lack contrast and seem faded. In The Crown, the colors of the objects do not stand out, and the blacks have a grayish hue. It was also challenging to distinguish the details of a dark suit. The skin tones have a pallid, bluish tinge, and the TV has a blueish tint overall. Although filmmaker mode is usually the most precise, it fails to address these problems in bright or dark settings.
Adjusted for a dark room, the Fire TV 4-Series displayed weak contrast and deteriorated even more when brightness was increased for brighter environments. The opening credits of The Crown displayed grayish-blue tones in portions that should be completely black. Additionally, it was challenging to discern details in scenes with insufficient lighting, such as dark suits. The queen and Philip’s skin tones appeared slightly blue, likely due to the screen heavily favoring bluer hues.
Serviceable, but not particularly bright, entry-level televisions.
The Amazon Fire 4-Series had the most vivid display, according to David Katzmaier. Even though the Vizio’s Calibrated picture mode produced only 215 nits of brightness, which was one of the lowest measured levels, it still performed well in bright conditions. The Vizio was able to maintain accurate colors and decent black levels during light-filled viewing sessions, making it a suitable option for well-lit rooms. The real-world difference in brightness was hardly noticeable when watching TV shows, suggesting that the Vizio was bright enough.
The brightness of Roku’s screen appeared adequate both in a dimly-lit room and a well-lit one. Under the Dark HDR mode and Brighter setting, it maintained an average of 226 nits of brightness, which is not exceptionally bright. Similar to Vizio’s screen, it may not impress with its luminance, but it provides ample brightness for comfortable viewing in any lighting conditions.
The Hisense TV exhibited brightness levels that were middling in comparison to the other televisions featured in this list, registering at 247 nits whilst in HDR Theater mode. Nevertheless, the display was undoubtedly adequately luminous to facilitate a pleasurable viewing experience even under varied lighting conditions.
The Fire TV 4 Series proved to be the brightest among those I tested, registering an average of 312 nits in Movie mode. Interestingly, this numerical superiority was readily apparent in our side-by-side testing, as the TV appeared significantly brighter than all other models in the lineup.
The brightness levels in these TVs do not improve significantly in less accurate modes, and if you want much brighter images, you will have to spend more money. Among the 2022 TVs that we have evaluated, the 55-inch Samsung QN60B achieved a brightness of 514 nits in its most accurate mode, while the 65-inch Vizio MQX measured 742 nits (with Vizio claiming that the 50-inch model reaches 400).
Entry-level TVs are capable of playing video games.
Playing video games on entry-level TVs may be possible, but the game mode may not always provide an optimal visual experience. According to David Katzmaier, while gaming on the Vizio TV was satisfactory, the image quality during Call of Duty gameplay on the Xbox Series X was not as vibrant and appeared more washed-out compared to other TVs in game mode. The Vizio TV is unique in that it offers AMD FreeSync and a variable refresh rate among other entry-level TVs on this list. Though Katzmaier experienced no frame rate drops below 60 frames per second on the Vizio display during gameplay, the variable refresh rate capability was not observed and it may vary depending on your personal results.
Playing video games on the TCL 4-Series display reveals its exceptional brightness. Call of Duty gameplay appeared sharp and vibrant, albeit slightly skewed towards blue hues. Despite lacking specific gaming features, the 4-Series delivers a satisfactory gaming experience for most gamers.
Gaming on the Hisense TV did not provide an enjoyable experience for CoD players. The Gaming Mode lacked color accuracy resulting in landscapes appearing bluish-green and nighttime scenes lacking in contrast and detail. While casual gamers may not detect these differences, regular gamers may find the picture quality to be unsatisfactory.
During our side-by-side testing, we found that the Fire TV 4 Series’ brightness levels had a positive effect on our gaming experience, with Call of Duty appearing at its best on this platform. Game Mode enhanced the game’s visuals, making them more vibrant and appealing. Although landscapes still had a slight blue tint, I was able to discern even the slightest details of the dimly-lit streets as I chased after my opponents.
Some smart TV systems that come pre-installed in TVs are superior to others.
The Vizio’s Smart TV platform lacks excellence, according to David Katzmaier. However, as with other TVs, it’s simple to replace the platform by purchasing a separate streaming device. You can even opt to use the built-in system on your TV to save money, or get a great deal on discounted streamers during holiday sales, with the excellent Roku starting at just $40 and supporting 4K HDR.
I love using the Roku platform, and the Roku system on the TCL 4-Series performed remarkably well. The apps on the TCL TV load quickly, and with Roku, the layout is clean, uncomplicated, and user-friendly. It does not show any preferences or bias towards any particular streaming service, making it a reliable choice. Additionally, our tests revealed that it has the easiest interface and the most efficient search feature among all other platforms.
The TCL TV does not have on-remote voice control like other TVs, but you can use Roku’s excellent software with a phone app for iOS and Android to control your TV. This app has voice control and gives you access to Roku’s search features, which are among the best in the industry. For instance, when I spoke into my phone, Netflix launched immediately. Similarly, when I asked for The Case Against Adnan Syed, Roku quickly provided a list of all available places to watch it and their respective costs. Typing “football” into the app displays upcoming games, as well as sports movies available with a Disney Plus subscription. When I looked up the Steelers, Roku showed Pittsburgh Steelers games.
Each television is equipped with a user-friendly remote.
Sarah Lord
While it remains my preferred low-cost television, I find Vizio’s smart TV platform to be the least desirable. The screen is cluttered with various shows and movies, and there are numerous rows beneath the app section, such as “Live TV and On Demand,” “New on Hulu,” and “Collections.” Navigating through the platform is noticeably slow, and utilizing the voice search feature on the remote may prove to be quicker. For example, when I inquired about Netflix and The Case Against Adnan Syed, the results appeared promptly. Additionally, Vizio provided a nice touch by indicating the services that offered the show.
My search for football was unsuccessful as I didn’t have any luck and it returned no results. Even when I tried saying “Steelers” into the microphone, all I got was a movie about the world’s first gay rugby club. This was frustrating, especially since Vizio’s homepage had a prominent ad for a Steelers vs. Browns football game. It appears that Smart Cast needs to up its game and become more intelligent.
I prefer the Roku TV platform. However, the Hisense A6H features Google TV and the remote has Google Assistant integrated. Although initially encountering pairing difficulties, the remote eventually functioned properly after being manually paired with Bluetooth.
Although some individuals may prefer Google TV’s interface over Roku’s, I personally found it to be sluggish on the TV I tested. Furthermore, Google’s organization of content left much to be desired. For instance, a category titled “Love Dramas” appeared on the screen, but I couldn’t discern if Google was suggesting dramas about love or if it had mistakenly assumed that I enjoyed watching dramas. Upon inspection, the category included Baz Luhrmann’s iconic film Romeo + Juliet, although its poster incorrectly identified the movie as Romeo & Julia. Additionally, the movies The Florida Project and Sweeney Todd were included within the category, despite only vaguely relating to love and in a rather dark manner.
When I requested it, Google Assistant promptly directed me to Netflix and automatically launched HBO Max for The Case Against Adnan Syed. Inquiring about football led me to football-related YouTube videos and a handful of football movies, but no live games. Despite searching for the Steelers, I could not find any games.
Alexa integration with the Fire TV 4-Series proved to be seamless, according to David Katzmaier. When asked to open Netflix, it immediately appeared on the screen. Although there was a slight delay in processing the request for The Case Against Adnan Syed, the device eventually displayed options to watch it on HBO Max or purchase individual episodes from Amazon. Good news for sports fans as asking Alexa for football yielded a range of results, including live events for soccer and American football, as well as football-themed movies and TV shows.
The interface of Fire TV was congested with various content and advertisements, and the categories comprised “Movies and TV” and “Trending on Fire TV.” A significant number of these categories promote content that can only be accessed through Amazon Prime Video. I dislike the prominent display of ads on a platform, as seen here, and particularly dislike it when the TV turns into a colossal revolving billboard for content or advertisements while in screensaver mode.
What is the process for testing budget TVs at CNET?
CNET tests four similar budget TVs side by side in various lighting conditions and while playing different media, such as movies, TV shows and games. The TVs are compared using an AVPro Connect 8×8 4K HDR distribution matrix across a range of categories, including video processing, gaming, HDR, and brightness. While CNET’s standard suite measurements and Geek Box tests are not performed for this group of TVs, input lag for gaming and brightness in nits are measured using a Konica Minolta LS-100 luminance meter. In addition to these technical measurements, the evaluations also take into account factors such as design, features, smart TV performance, HDMI input, gaming compatibility and more.
Frequently Asked Questions about Entry-Level TVs
Are inexpensive TVs a good investment?
Most of the time, yes. Every individual has their own requirements, but budget-friendly TVs provide a satisfactory viewing experience for the majority of individuals. An entry-level TV may not offer the top-tier features or picture quality, but it does offer long-lasting decent picture quality.
Will the prices of televisions decrease?
Indeed, they will.
The purchasing cycle for televisions is cyclical. Every year, new television models are introduced in January and become available for purchase in the spring and early summer. Subsequently, they go on sale in the fall and continue to be discounted even more for Black Friday, reaching their lowest prices as manufacturers attempt to sell off inventory before the release of new models in January.
That being said, entry-level televisions are already fairly inexpensive, making the discounts on them significantly smaller than those of higher-end models.
Is it always true that smaller TVs are less expensive?
Not always, but generally speaking, smaller TVs from the same brand and series are typically less expensive than their larger counterparts.
The pricing of a TV is heavily influenced by its type. For instance, a budget brand may offer a larger TV with limited features at a lower price than a smaller high-end TV. This disparity in cost could be due to the different technologies used in the two TVs.
It is usually advisable to ascertain the desired TV size before setting a budget for its acquisition. This will enable you to assess all the available models within your price range and select the most suitable TV for your needs.
