Best TVs Under $500 in 2024

The world of television has never been more exciting and diverse, especially when it comes to finding high-quality TVs on a budget. For those looking to enhance their home entertainment without splurging, the challenge lies in finding a TV that balances cost with performance. From high-definition picture quality to smart features, the array of choices under $500 is surprisingly vast, offering something for everyone. This guide is dedicated to unveiling the best TVs that deliver on both quality and affordability, ensuring that excellent viewing experiences don’t have to drain one’s wallet.

How to Select a Top TV Under $500

When it comes to selecting a budget-friendly TV, there are several key factors to consider. These elements ensure that one’s choice not only fits within one’s budget but also meets one’s entertainment needs.

Display Technology

Display technology significantly affects both the viewing experience and the price. LED, OLED, and QLED displays each offer unique benefits, such as color accuracy and contrast levels, making it essential to understand the differences before making a choice.

Connectivity Options

In today’s connected world, a TV’s connectivity options are crucial. Ensuring the TV has ample HDMI and USB ports, along with Wi-Fi capabilities, can enhance its functionality, allowing for a more integrated entertainment system.

Energy Efficiency

Considering energy efficiency is not only good for the environment but also for the shopper’s wallet in the long run. Energy-efficient TVs consume less power, leading to reduced electricity bills, an important aspect for budget-conscious buyers.

Resolution

Although one should not expect so much from a budget TV, it pays to consider the resolution. While 1080p is still a reasonable choice for shoppers with extremely tight budgets, opting to get a 4K display translates to a richer picture quality for gaming and streaming movies. Fortunately, there are a couple of affordable 4K TVs on the market now.

Note: The home entertainment experience goes beyond just selecting a budget-friendly TV. It’s about creating an immersive gaming environment, which is why pairing the new TV with a retro gaming console is an amazing idea. So, sit back, and enjoy all of one’s favorite video games with a brand-new budget TV.

Game Rant’s Best TVs Under $500

The Vizio 55-inch V555-J01 UHD 4K TV stands as the best overall TV under $500, offering a splendid mix of features and affordability. Its robust 4K resolution, combined with a 60Hz refresh rate, delivers crisp and clear images that can transform any living room into a mini-cinema. The inclusion of the V-Gaming Engine and AMD FreeSync caters to the demands of gamers, ensuring smooth and immersive gameplay. Not just for gaming, this TV is a hub for smart home integration, compatible with Google Home, Alexa, and Apple Home.

However, potential buyers should note some considerations. While the picture quality is highly praised, there have been instances of sound quality issues reported, suggesting the need for an external sound system for the best audio experience. The basic nature of the remote control might also be a drawback for users looking for advanced control options. Despite these points, the Vizio 55-inch V555-J01 emerges as a top contender for those seeking a high-quality, budget-friendly TV that excels in both gaming and streaming.

The Toshiba 43-inch Class C350 Series LED 4K TV is a game-changer for entry-level televisions, offering an impressive array of features without a hefty price tag. It delivers stunning 4K resolution, bringing buyers’ favorite shows and movies to life with remarkable clarity and vibrant colors. The sleek design and slim bezels make it not just a TV, but a stylish addition to any room. The user-friendly interface and intuitive remote control enhance the overall experience, making it ideal for those new to the world of 4K TVs.

This TV indeed excels in visual performance, but users may find the sound quality lacking compared to premium models. Additionally, it might not offer the same number of smart features that comparable TVs do. However, these are minor trade-offs considering its exceptional value. The Toshiba 43C350 stands out as an accessible path to high-quality 4K entertainment, demonstrating that excellent viewing experiences can indeed come in affordable packages.

Looking for 4K excellence? Many users these days are looking for the high-definition quality that 4K delivers. So, the Amazon Fire TV 50″ 4-Series 4K TV is a great choice, offering a fusion of affordability and high-end features. It boasts a high-resolution display and HDR 10, ensuring that users get a vivid and immersive viewing experience.

Despite its many virtues, some users have noted shortcomings in terms of performance, speed, and sound quality. The 60 Hz refresh rate, while adequate for most content, might fall short for gaming enthusiasts seeking faster screen refresh capabilities. Nevertheless, its integration with Fire TV OS and bonus compatibility with Ring cameras, alongside its lightweight design, firmly establishes it as a top choice for those seeking a 4K TV under $500.

The Hisense 70-inch A6 UHD TV stands out as the best smart TV under $500, particularly for gamers. Its 4K resolution and 60Hz LED panel deliver stunning picture quality, while gaming-specific features like Game Mode Plus, VRR, and ALLM ensure low input lag and smooth gameplay, perfect for next-gen consoles. Features like this are rarely seen on a TV at this price point, making this a very exciting smart TV under $500.

While its impressive size, picture quality, and smart features are notable, some users might have some issues. Specifically, the TV’s 60Hz refresh rate might not fully satisfy enthusiasts of high-speed content. Nevertheless, its combination of gaming-optimized features, ease of setup, and user-friendly remote make it a top choice for gamers and movie buffs alike, reaffirming its position as the best smart TV in its price range.

The VIZIO 50-inch MQX Series is a gem in the mid-range TV market. Its QLED technology and Quantum Color offer a viewing experience that rivals more expensive models, bringing movies and games to life with stunning clarity and color. The 120Hz refresh rate and support for advanced HDR formats make it ideal for both cinema buffs and gamers seeking a high-quality screen without the steep price tag.

While it shines in many areas, some aspects like limited viewing angles and the need for occasional software updates are slightly detracting from the overall value of this TV. Nevertheless, the VIZIO MQX Series more than justifies its position as the best mid-range TV under $500. It delivers a premium viewing experience, offering vibrant, realistic colors and fast performance that customers highly appreciate, especially considering its affordability.

The VIZIO D-Series 32″ Smart TV, hailed as the best budget TV under $500, caters to both gamers and streamers looking for quality without breaking the bank. Its 1080p resolution and AMD FreeSync technology ensure a smooth and visually stunning gaming experience. The TV’s compact size and WatchFree service with over 260 channels make it a versatile addition to any home.

However, it’s not without its shortcomings. Customers have noted connectivity issues, particularly with built-in apps, and a dependence on a Wi-Fi connection. While the lack of HDR support may be a downside for some, the TV’s overall value, excellent picture quality, and sound make it a worthy contender in its price range. Its limitations are a reminder of the trade-offs in the budget category, but for its price, the VIZIO D-Series 32″ Smart TV remains a top recommendation for cost-effective home entertainment.

The 43-inch Sony X77L TV is an excellent budget-friendly TV that can be paired with the PS5. It ships with a nice 4K resolution that ensures that everything looks amazing on the screen. To guarantee life-like picture quality for content, the TV comes with the Sony X1 processor which optimizes images and upgrades non-4K content to a near-4K level.

Despite being a budget Sony TV, the X77L still gets the exclusive PS5 features that are a standard offering on recent Sony models, especially the more expensive ones. The Auto HDR Tone Mapping adjusts the TV’s HDR settings to make gameplay look more realistic with high-contrast scenes. Another PS5 feature, Auto Genre Picture Mode, switches from Game Mode to Standard Mode depending on whether the user is gaming or streaming. When in Game Mode, input lag is reduced to a minimum, ensuring that players can stay ahead of opponents. A major downside is that this TV is limited to 60Hz, but it’s still a reasonable choice for gaming on the PS5.

Curved displays are no longer restricted to gaming monitors as the 55-inch Samsung TU8300 will happily demonstrate. Gamers will particularly appreciate the TU8300’s curved screen as it offers a more immersive viewing experience and reduces eye strain. It also provides a wider field of vision which helps players to spot enemies coming from anywhere. While the TV ships with a 4K display, its Crystal processor can also enhance non-4K content with the superior picture quality and rich colors that 4K resolution is known for.

When one doesn’t feel like gaming, they can also transform the TV into a home office. The TU8300 allows users to cast their computer wirelessly on its screen, allowing them to remotely perform office tasks like viewing documents and working on said documents without leaving the house. It also supports multiple voice assistants, enabling users to add this TV to their growing smart home ecosystem. However, curved displays aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, so this is worth considering before settling for the TU8300.

FAQ

Q: Can you get a good quality TV under $500?

Definitely, today’s market offers several high-quality TVs under $500, featuring excellent resolution, smart functionalities, and reliable performance.

Q: What is the most important feature in a budget TV?

The most crucial feature in a budget TV is screen resolution, as it determines the clarity and detail of the image, affecting the overall viewing experience.

Q: Can I find smart TVs under $500?

Absolutely, there are numerous smart TVs available under $500, offering streaming services, internet connectivity, and voice control functionalities.