The best TVs under $500: small budget, big picture
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Believe it or not, you don’t need to take out an interest-packed loan to invest in a new TV for your living room. And no, that doesn’t mean you’ll be limiting yourself to a 24-inch model. There are numerous 4K TVs that cost less than $500 and are 50 inches or larger. This doesn’t reflect the vast majority of large-sized screens though, as the average price for a 55-inch 4K TV is probably closer to $800 these days.
Still, there are a handful of excellent TV sets that deliver top-shelf brightness, color, and motion performance for under $500. To that end, we’ve created this roundup to highlight all the best TVs under $500 (all of them 4K) you can run out and buy right now. Do make sure you confirm the model you’re interested in is actually in stock!
Hisense 55-inch U6N ULED
The best 4K TV for under $500
Pros
Vibrant and colorful picture
Solid response time for gaming
Google TV smart features
Built-in Alexa
Cons
Poor off-angle viewing
Only 60Hz refresh rate
Whenever we start talking about TVs with low prices, one brand that inevitably pops up is Hisense. Renowned for its budget-friendly ULED sets (the company’s take on QLED tech) that deliver impressive brightness levels for the price, the 55-inch U6N may not be the premium TV you’ve been looking for the living room; though it would probably be perfect for a bedroom, at-home gym, or recreational area.
Thanks to Hisense’s dedication to crystal-clear picture quality and powerful 4K upscaling, everything from movies and shows to video games and family photos is going to look good on the U6N screen. Do keep in mind that things start getting lousy for those not sitting centered with the TV. Considering we’re not working with any kind of advanced LED lighting, the U6N takes a dip in picture quality when viewed from the side.
For those of us who plan on connecting a game console, the U6N doesn’t include HDMI 2.1 tech, but the TV is very good at delivering sharp gameplay performance. You’ll be able to game at 4K/60Hz with VRR, or 1440p/120Hz with VRR disabled. As for web-connected features, you’ll be using the intuitive Google TV platform for all things Netflix and Hulu, as well as both Alexa and Google Assistant.
Hisense 55-inch U6N ULED
The best 4K TV for under $500
Roku 55-inch Class Plus Series QLED
Another killer QLED
Pros
High brightness
Brilliant color
Snappy operation
Impressive sound
Great remote
Cons
Poor off-angle performance
Contrast suffers in high-brightness scenes
Some motion blur
Anyone looking for eye-catching QLED brightness and color for under $500 will not be disapppointed with the Roku 55-inch Plus Series QLED. It rocks one of the best smart TV platforms you can find on a TV and it’s got incredible picture to boot.
While QLED displays are typically reserved for midtier and flagship TVs, we’re seeing more and more budget-friendly sets hit the market with these ultra-colorful screens -- and now Roku is joining the party! The Roku 55-inch Plus Series QLED is right at our price cap, and let’s just say that for the kind of brightness, color detail, and incredible HDR performance (HDR 10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG) you’ll get to experience, we wouldn’t bat an eye even if it cost $200 more.
That's not to mention you’ll be working with Roku’s amazing smart TV platform to gain access to your favorite movies and shows from services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. DT's TV reviewer Caleb Denison thinks that Roku's Plus TVs will stand up well to similarly priced LG and Samsung TVs, but its biggest competition will be against the likes of TCL and Hisense in this coveted price range.
There’s one thing to keep in mind, though: the Plus Series tops out at 60Hz. That won’t be a big deal for some, but gamers may want something a little on the faster side. Then again, we suppose the inclusion of Roku’s awesome Voice Remote Pro might sweeten the deal enough. Not only can you program the controller to store shortcuts for your favorite apps, but the lost remote finder is a godsend for the black hole that lives beneath the couch cushions.
Roku 55-inch Class Plus Series QLED
Another killer QLED
TCL 55-inch Q6 QLED
Killer QLED value
Pros
Stunning brightness and colors
AMD Freesync and VRR support
Supports all major HDR formats
Solid price
Cons
Only 60Hz refresh rate
If you're a movie fan or a next-gen gamer who wants to get the best PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S experience possible — and for a relatively good price — the TCL 55-inch Q6 QLED could be your pick.
Gamers, take note: There’s a 55-inch 4K QLED that costs less than $500 that prioritizes motion performance over anything else! The hero of the day is the TCL 55-inch Q6 QLED, and while the TV’s native refresh rate is only 60Hz, TCL made sure to include AMD Freesync and VRR that bump the frame rate up to 120Hz to help cut down on lag and frame drops. This 2023 TCL TV also puts out one heck of a picture. With its excellent brightness and vivid colors, you’ll feel like you’re watching a TV that costs way more than $500.
Is there a catch? Not really, although the Q6 only utilizes Direct LED lighting, compared to the more encompassing full-array backlighting on TCLs like the QM8. This missing feature translates to a little less pop in the brightness, color, and contrast departments, but it’s also why the Q6 is able to sell for less than $500. But don’t let a little less LED action deter you, because the Q6 still uses quantum dots to give some extra punch to its colors.
Oh, and while it also supports every major HDR format (Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG), it does not support Dolby Atmos sound, but instead supports DTS Virtual:X: Advanced, which has some pretty solid immersive 3D sound as well. The TCL Q6 is a Google TV-driven television with three HDMI inputs, including one eARC port for connecting to consoles, TVs, and more.
TCL 55-inch Q6 QLED
Killer QLED value
Samsung 65-inch DU7200 4K LED
Best 65-inch for less than $500
Pros
Bright picture
Solid 4K upscaling
Hard to beat this price for a Samsung TV
Cons
Only 60Hz refresh rate
Picture worsens when viewed from the side
Light bloom issues in darker scenes
Samsung is one of the biggest names in the TV business, but it’s also one of the more expensive names in town. That doesn’t apply to all models though, which leads us to this pick: the Samsung 55-inch DU7200. Is this a premium TV? Nope. How about a midrange set? Sorry, it’s not that either. The reason we decided to include this rather basic Samsung UHD set is because sometimes folks just want or need the basics, and nothing else.
In the case of the DU7200 Series, these entry-level specs include 4K resolution at up to 60Hz. You’ll also get to enjoy must-have picture features like HDR10+ support, Filmmaker Mode, and VRR support, on top of Samsung’s Motion Xcelerator tech, which helps to boost the refresh rate closer to 120Hz. Whether you plan on using it for movies or gaming, the DU7200 does a nice job at upscaling all sources, even though this model can’t touch the advanced upscaling of higher-priced sets.
You’ll also want to make sure you’re viewing the screen from as head-on of an angle as possible — as this is another set that struggles the further toward the sides of the TV you sit. So, at the end of the day, the Samsung 55-inch DU7200 may not be the best TV Samsung has ever made, but it’s a decent 4K LED that costs less than $500.
Samsung 65-inch DU7200 4K LED
Best 65-inch for less than $500
Amazon 55-inch Omni QLED
Amazon’s brightest TV
Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED Review
Pros
Excellent Fire TV experience
Great smart home hub
Adequate picture performance
Fun features
Cons
Lacks HDR punch
Price-to-picture performance ratio is off
A few years back, Amazon started making its own TVs, and let’s be honest: They weren’t exactly amazing. But the company’s main demographic isn’t flagship TV diehards — it’s budget-minded folks who want a solid TV for a friendly price. That being said, Amazon’s latest addition to its first-party lineup, the Fire TV Omni QLED, bridges the gap between sale-price and mid-range QLED sets.
For those unaware, the Omni QLED uses quantum dots to enhance the TV’s colors. When you add in ultra-bright backlighting, you get a brilliant blend of powerful brightness, rich color tones, and excellent contrast levels. Even though in our our review we thought the Omni QLED picture didn’t achieve the kind of brightness we're used to seeing from higher-end QLEDs, especially when it comes to HDR performance, for the price the Fire TV Omni QLED does just fine for most people. If you’re going to be doing a majority of your TV watching at night or in a basement TV room, for example (when window lighting isn’t as much of an issue), the Omni QLED is a good choice.
On the OS side of things, we do love the Fire TV UI, and controlling your smart home devices using hands-free Alexa (the voice assistant is built into the TV) is quite the thrill.
We’re also big fans of Amazon's Ambient Experience, which lets you display beautiful artwork on your TV screen, on top of notifications, sticky notes, news headlines, and more.
Amazon 55-inch Omni QLED
Amazon’s brightest TV
Frequently Asked Questions
Are TVs under $500 any good?
Yes, but stick to the brands that have a good track record for quality products. We're very confident that our picks above will satisfy your desire for a good TV.
What size TV can I afford for $500?
The answer to that depends on the brand, but you'll be looking at around 60 inches or less. As prices have increased, the screen sizes you can get for $500 have been getting smaller.
Can I buy a TV with HDR for less than $500?
Yes, though its HDR performance (often a function of peak brightness) may not be quite as striking as that of more expensive screens – so set your expectations accordingly.
Can I get an OLED TV for less than $500?
In short: No. OLED TVs are still very expensive to produce, and at the moment, one of the best prices you can nab an OLED set for is $750. This is for the 48-inch version of the LG B4 OLED, which may go back up in price without warning.
Are TVs under $500 good for gaming?
That's contingent on the television, but if you find something with minimal input lag and advanced game modes you should be impressed.
Can I use a TV for under $500 with a PC?
Yes, so long as your computer has an HDMI output. Adapters can be used for other output types but frequently do not pass along audio.
