Technology in this market can be confusing – there’s a lot more to TV specs than the resolution and screen size. What you will be getting here is a 4K (Ultra HD) resolution and likely HDR support in one form or another. There will inevitably be sacrifices to make but often only things tech-savvy users will notice. Read our in-depth buying advice below the chart if you need more information on what to look for. What you consider to be ‘cheap’ depends on various things, but we’re aiming for the best TVs under £500/$500 here – although we may include some that go slightly over that caps if they are particularly good and bear in mind that larger sizes cost more so it may only be smaller options that typically come in under the threshold. 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 2023
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.
Bright, impressive 4K QLED display Smooth Roku software Excellent HDR support Fantastic value
ITV and Channel 4 apps lack live TV No voice controls in the remote
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.
Unique art frame design Matt QLED screen Tizen smart platform Solar powered remote
No Dolby Vision support Large One Connect box
At that size and spec, it makes for a great set for the bedroom, kitchen or similar and the 2022 model has a fantastic new matt finish on the screen making it seem even less like a piece of technology than before. As usual it has a customisable bezel, Art Mode, Tizen smart platform and now comes with a solar powered remote control.
Low price Integrated Fire TV OS Freeview Play
Poor gaming performance No eARC support HDR lacks impact
Bright room performance Dolby Vision support Low input lag Alexa integration
Plastic build No Disney+ Off-axis performance dip
Much like the U29, it provides a way of getting a large size – up to 65in – without breaking the bank and does it with decent picture quality on the whole thanks to brightness, Dolby Vision HDR and low input lag for gamers. Upscaling to 4K is good too, and there’s a good range of streaming services and Alexa support to boot. Poor viewing angles and the lack of Disney+ could make you look elsewhere, though.
QLED panel Wide HDR support Android TV & Freeview Play
Sluggish interface Three HDMI ports
There are plenty of other good things going on, too, such as wide HDR support, the inclusion of Freeview Play and the excellent Android TV operating system. It’s pretty stylish to boot. The C715K isn’t flawless though and the price means something had to give. In this case, it’s namely being limited to three HDMI ports and sluggish performance when using the interface. There’s tough competition at this price point so rivals from the likes of Hisense and JVC can offer a more well-rounded experience.
Very cheap Small sizes Freeview Play & apps
Only 720p Poor sound Low brightness
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.
QLED panel Good HDR performance Unfussy interface
Average sound Limited streaming apps
Apart from simply getting a stylish set in large sizes for under £500, the U7Q has incredibly good HDR performance normally reserved for much higher-end TVs. Quantum Dot panel technology, Full Array Local Dimming, Ultra Smooth Motion and wide HDR standard support will leave you dazzled. There’s good gaming performance too, even if it doesn’t support 120fps for next-gen consoles. Sound quality is mediocre but that’s to be expected and the combination of Freeview Play and Vidaa U4 OS gives you plenty to watch.
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. Ideally, you want HDMI 2.0 for 4K at 60fps (frames per second). If you want full support for next-gen consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X for gaming at 4K at 120fps, you need HDMI 2.1 but that’s out of reach for budget TVs at the moment. Read more about console TV compatibility.
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. Tech Advisor’s Reviews Editor, Chris has been reviewing all kinds of tech for over 10 years and specialises in audio. He also covers a range of topics including home entertainment, phones, laptops, tablets and more.
