The 4 Best TVs Under $500 – Summer 2023: Reviews
- Table of Contents
- Intro
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Best TV
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Best 43-Inch
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Best 65-Inch
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Best 70-Inch
- Notable Mentions
- Recent Updates
- All Reviews
- Discussions
Updated Jun 21, 2023 at 09:16 am
By Pierre-Olivier Jourdenais
If you wanted to buy a decent LCD TV a few years ago, chances were that you couldn’t find any good models for under $500. Although the best models are still priced higher, you can find cheap models that will serve you well in this price category, depending on your use. Finding the best 4k TV under $500 depends on your usage and space limitations. Cheaper TVs tend to be smaller, so if you want a bigger TV in this price range, you’ll have to sacrifice a bit in performance.
We’ve bought and tested more than 390 TVs, and below are our recommendations for the best TVs you can buy for under $500. You may also want to check out our picks for the best budget TVs, the best 4k TVs under $1,000, or the best TVs under $300 if you want something cheaper. Brands are releasing their 2023 models, so vote on which ones you want us to buy and test. To learn more about the 2023 models, check out our 2023 TV lineup page.
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Best TV Under $500
TCL 55S555
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Mixed Usage
7.6
TV Shows
6.9
Sports
7.1
Video Games
8.1
HDR Movies
7.
8HDR Gaming
8.2
PC Monitor
8.1
Type
LED
Sub-Type
VA
Resolution
4k
See all our test results
The best TV under $500 we’ve tested is the TCL 55S555. It’s a great TV with a good selection of extra features, and it delivers surprisingly good picture quality for the price. This TV is a great choice for watching movies or shows at night in a dark room, thanks to its impressive contrast ratio. It’s one of the only TVs on the market at this price point to offer a full array local dimming feature to improve the appearance of dark scenes, and this helps it deliver a great overall HDR experience, as small bright highlights stand out.
It runs the Roku OS interface, which is simple but very easy to use, and has a great selection of streaming channels.
The TV has a great selection of gaming features, including low input lag, a fast response time, and variable refresh rate support to reduce tearing in games. The 55-inch model of the S555 is the best TV, but if you’re looking for the best 50-inch TV under $500, the TCL 50S555 is a great choice.See our review
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Best 43-Inch TV Under $500
Samsung UN43CU7000FXZA
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Mixed Usage
6.7
TV Shows
6.4
Sports
6.6
Video Games
7.2
HDR Movies
6.
6HDR Gaming
7.4
PC Monitor
7.2
Type
LED
Sub-Type
VA
Resolution
4k
See all our test results
Most TVs on this list aren’t available in smaller sizes, but if you’re looking for a small TV for a bedroom or office, the best 43-inch TV under $500 is the Samsung UN43CU7000FXZA. It’s especially good as a cheap gaming TV, as its response time is good, and it has superbly low input lag. It also runs the 2023 version of Samsung’s well-known Tizen OS, which is very easy to use. The TV delivers decent picture quality, with surprisingly good contrast and black uniformity, considering there’s no local dimming. Finally, it’s very well-priced.
However, if you’d rather have something with better image quality and don’t care about gaming performance, check out the Samsung CU8000.
It displays a wide color gamut in HDR, which is uncommon for TVs in this price range, but it’s not very bright in HDR, so highlights don’t stand out the way they should. The CU8000 also has very good upscaling and low-quality content smoothing, so it’s a great choice for DVD and streaming movie fans, especially as its slow response time results in very little stutter when watching movies. That said, as they’re nearly identical in quality but with different strengths and weaknesses, the cheaper CU7000 is our pick as it’s a better overall value.See our review
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Best 65-Inch TV Under $500
TCL 65S455
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Mixed Usage
7.6
Movies
8.
7TV Shows
6.9
Sports
6.7
Video Games
7.8
HDR Movies
7.7
HDR Gaming
7.9
PC Monitor
7.1
Type
LED
Sub-Type
VA
Resolution
4k
See all our test results
Although the TCL 5 Series/S555 2022 QLED is available in a 65-inch size, it costs more than $500. If you’re on a tight budget of under $500 and want a 65-inch TV, the best option is the TCL 65S455. As you go for larger sizes in this price range, you lose out on some features and performance, which is the case with this TV compared to the S555, but it’s still decent overall.
It runs the Roku TV interface, which is very easy to use and has a good selection of streaming apps.The TV has a high contrast ratio and remarkable black uniformity, great considering it doesn’t have a local dimming feature to improve the picture quality in dark scenes. It also doesn’t get bright enough to fight glare, so it’s best to use it in a dim or moderately-lit room, as its reflection handling is decent enough to handle a light or two.
See our review
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Best 70-Inch TV Under $500
Hisense 70A6H
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Mixed Usage
6.3
TV Shows
6.9
Sports
6.
9Video Games
6.2
HDR Movies
5.6
HDR Gaming
6.6
PC Monitor
7.4
Type
LED
Sub-Type
IPS
Resolution
4k
See all our test results
If you want the biggest TV possible on a tight budget and aren’t concerned about extra features, you can find the 70-inch Hisense A6H for under $500. It delivers worse picture quality overall compared to the smaller, higher-end models on this list, but the 70-inch model uses a VA panel and has much better contrast than the 65-inch model we bought and tested. It makes it a much better choice for use in a dark to moderately-lit room, as dark scenes look great, with deep, uniform blacks and no distracting blooming around bright areas of the scene.
The built-in Google TV platform is easy to use, with a nice, polished interface that makes it easy to find your favorite content. It has one of the widest selections of streaming apps available, so you can easily find your favorite streaming services. It doesn’t have much to offer gamers but has low input lag for a responsive gaming experience. Surprisingly, it even supports a variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing.
See our review
8
The TV has a great selection of gaming features, including low input lag, a fast response time, and variable refresh rate support to reduce tearing in games. The 55-inch model of the S555 is the best TV, but if you’re looking for the best 50-inch TV under $500, the TCL 50S555 is a great choice.
6
It displays a wide color gamut in HDR, which is uncommon for TVs in this price range, but it’s not very bright in HDR, so highlights don’t stand out the way they should. The CU8000 also has very good upscaling and low-quality content smoothing, so it’s a great choice for DVD and streaming movie fans, especially as its slow response time results in very little stutter when watching movies. That said, as they’re nearly identical in quality but with different strengths and weaknesses, the cheaper CU7000 is our pick as it’s a better overall value.
7
It runs the Roku TV interface, which is very easy to use and has a good selection of streaming apps.
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Notable Mentions
- Hisense U7H:
The Hisense U7H is a slightly better TV than the TCL 5 Series/S555 2022 QLED, especially in a dark room, as it has significantly less blooming around bright objects. It also gets significantly brighter in HDR, so bright highlights stand out better. It’s also a bit over $500, even for the 55-inch. If you can stretch your budget a bit, it’s worth getting it over the TCL.
See our review - Sony KD-43X80K:
The Sony KD-43X80K is a close runner-up for best 43-inch under $500. It’s a brighter and more accurate TV than the Samsung CU7000/CU7000D and Samsung CU8000, with a wider viewing angle. Unfortunately, it has an abysmal contrast ratio with no local dimming to help it, and it’s more expensive than both Samsung TVs.
See our review
It’s a brighter and more accurate TV than the Samsung CU7000/CU7000D and Samsung CU8000, with a wider viewing angle. Unfortunately, it has an abysmal contrast ratio with no local dimming to help it, and it’s more expensive than both Samsung TVs.Recent Updates
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Jun 21, 2023:
Moved the Sony KD-43X80K to the Notable Mentions and replaced our ‘Best 43-Inch TV Under $500’ with the Samsung UN43CU7000FXZA. Finally, added a mention of the Samsung CU8000 under the ‘Best 43-Inch TV Under $500’ category and refreshed the text for accuracy and consistency. -
Mar 27, 2023:
Verified our picks for accuracy and consistency and refreshed the text. Added the Hisense U7H as a Notable Mention. -
Jan 17, 2023:
Replaced most of our picks for models that are more widely available for around $500.
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Nov 11, 2022:
Restructured the article, adding the Hisense U7H as the ‘Best TV Under $500’. -
Sep 12, 2022:
Restructured article to reflect user needs; removed the Hisense U6G, Samsung AU8000, and the LG UP8000 because they aren’t the best TVs in this price range; separated the categories by size and added the TCL 5 Series/S546 2021 QLED, Hisense U6H, TCL 4 Series/S455 2022, and the Insignia F50 QLED; updated Notable Mentions based on changes.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best TVs for under $500 to buy for most people. We factor in the price (a cheaper TV wins over a pricier one if the difference isn’t worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no TVs that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our TV reviews, sorted by price from low to high. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no TV is perfect, most TVs are great enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.
5 Best Budget TVs Under $500 of 2023
Written by Michael Desjardin, John Higgins, and Ben Yoder
Updated February 9, 2023
Buying a budget television doesn’t mean you have to end up with a “cheap TV” that ends up being a clunker. These days, you can get a truly great TV for $500 or less.
The best budget TVs strike a balance between price, performance, and features. We test tons of TVs—from the most basic to the best TVs on the market—to make sure you’re getting a great value, no matter the price.
Based on our testing, the best TV under $500 is the TCL 5-Series S555
(available at Best Buy for $427.
99)
It offers solid out-of-the-box performance, comes with Roku, and is great for casual gaming. There are several other options on this list, however, so make a pick that works for you.
Credit:
Reviewed / John Higgins
The TCL 5-Series S555 is the ideal combination of performance and value.
Best Overall
TCL 5-Series S555
- Screen sizes under $500: 50”, 55”
- HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
- Smart platform: Roku
The TCL 5-Series S555 offers solid performance at a great value. This quantum dot TV builds on the successes of earlier 5-Series models, offering more vibrant colors, a brighter picture, and enough features to satisfy casual gamers.
Out of the box, the 5-Series has great color accuracy, especially with SDR content, and HDR performance is improved with the latest 5-Series. With 697 nits of peak brightness, it’s one of the brightest HDR TVs for the price, and images pop no matter the settings.
Plus, being a Roku TV, it features a terrific, easy-to-use smart platform built right in.
The 5-Series isn’t perfect, though. With a native refresh rate of 60Hz, you won’t be able to experience 4K/120Hz gaming, so serious gamers might want to consider another option. Also, because it has limited dimming zones, we experienced light bloom. And you’re out of luck if you’re not a fan of the Roku operating system, as there currently isn’t a Google TV version.
Despite its drawbacks, the 2022 TCL 5-Series is easily the best value for people looking for serious performance on a budget.
See our full TCL 5-Series S555 review.
Cons
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Some light bloom
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Roku or bust
Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
The Sony X80K is affordable and looks good, but it neglects gamers and film buffs.
Best Small Screen
Sony X80K
- Screen size under $500: 43”
- HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
- Smart platform: Google TV
The Sony X80K is a great pick for people looking for a smaller TV, especially those making the jump to a 4K TV.
This mid-range LED TV has an accurate out-of-the-box picture, with realistic-looking color due to Sony’s Triluminos Pro color enhancement technology. We were impressed by the X80K’s HDR performance—the HDR10 and Dolby Vision we watched looked good. With SDR content, it holds up well in daytime viewing, but the X80K struggles with dark-room viewing because of shallow black levels due to a lack of local dimming. We also experienced significant light bleed in the bottom corners.
The X80K comes with the Google TV smart platform, which has a heavy amount of sponsored content on the home screen, but it is a fast, flexible smart platform.
While this TV is a safe pick for most people, the X80K is not the best option for gamers with next-gen systems. It does have Auto Low Latency Mode, but its native refresh rate is 60Hz and none of its HDMI ports support for 4K gaming at 120Hz.
See our full Sony X80K review.
Pros
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Accurate out-of-the-box calibration
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Fast, flexible smart platform
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Easy-to-setup design
Credit:
Reviewed / Tim Renzi
The Hisense U7H is best gaming TV in its price bracket.
Best for Gaming
Hisense U7H
- Screen size under $500: 55”
- HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
- Smart platform: Google TV
People on a budget with next-gen gaming systems should take a hard look at the Hisense U7H. With a native 120Hz refresh rate and two HDMI ports that support 4K gaming at 120Hz, it’s the best gaming TV for its price.
But the U7H isn’t just for gamers. It’s one of the brightest TVs in this price range, with an average ANSI picture brightness of about 650 nits in SDR and HDR. The U7H performs well in both bright and dark rooms, and colors pop in HDR thanks to the U7H’s quantum dot-enhanced display. The U7H features the Google TV smart platform, which is easy to use, as it’s a successor to Android TV.
For all that we like about the U7H, it does have picture processing-related issues that might be a distraction for some people.
See our full Hisense U7H review.
Pros
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Excellent bright-room option
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Class-leading gaming features
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Fast, easy-to-use smart platform
Other TVs Under $500 We Tested
Hisense U6H
- Screen size under $500: 50”, 55”, 65”
- HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
- Smart platform: Google TV
The Hisense U6H offers a lot of bang for your buck, with great contrast that makes it a suitable pick for most rooms and rich, accurate color out of the box.
Thanks to its quantum-dot, full-array display, the U6H’s color production in HDR is phenomenal compared to its competition. It delivers a bright picture that holds up in most conditions. Plus, with Google TV software built in, the U6H meets the needs of everyday streaming.
The U6H offers a healthy set of gaming-friendly features, including VRR and four HDMI 2.1 ports. However, serious gamers should consider the U7H or a higher-end TV if they have the money to spend, as the U6H’s HDMI ports are limited to 4K gaming at 60Hz and AMD Freesync is only available on the 50-inch model.
Compared to other TVs we’ve tested, the U6H also has a problem handling fast-paced content, has significant light bloom when there are bright and dark picture elements, and it isn’t bright enough for impactful HDR. That said, the U6H is still a good option for most people in this price range.
See our full Hisense U6H review.
Pros
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Bright enough for most rooms
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Rich, accurate color
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Good smart platform and features
Cons
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Lackluster upscaling
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Susceptible to light bloom
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Troublesome motion handling
Amazon Fire TV 4-Series
- Screen sizes under $500: 43”, 50”, 55”
- HDR support: HDR10, HLG
- Smart platform: Fire TV OS
If you’re looking for an affordable, entry-level 4K TV with a bit of a twist, the 55-inch Amazon Fire TV 4-Series is an interesting candidate.
The Fire TV 4-Series makes Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa, the star of the show. By talking into the microphone-equipped, voice control remote, users can ask Alexa to find content, change the TV’s settings, or jump from one app to another. The 4-Series is also compatible with other Alexa devices, making it a good candidate for those focused on a streamlined, Alexa-powered smart home.
When it comes to picture quality and extra features, the Fire TV 4-Series is an entry-level experience through and through. The TV supports HDR, but viewers are unlikely to notice a difference in picture quality while HDR content is playing on account of the 4-Series’ lack of brightness. The 4-Series also struggles to maintain its picture quality when viewed from the side, which could hamper group viewings.
If you’re looking for a dependable, 4K upgrade at an affordable price, the Fire TV 4-Series is a decent, value-forward pick. The picture is mostly fine across all types of content, so long as you don’t expect a bright, dazzling experience.
Folks who already use Alexa on a daily basis will likely appreciate the 4-Series even more.
See our full Amazon Fire TV 4-Series review.
How We Test TVs Under $500
Credit:
Reviewed
Our lab is outfitted with much of the same equipment you would find at a factory that manufactures and calibrates televisions.
The Testers
Reviewed has been testing TVs for more than a decade. Michael Desjardin, our Home Theater expert, is a Senior Staff Writer who has been a member of the Reviewed tech team since 2014. A film enthusiast and TV expert, Michael takes picture quality seriously, but understands that not every TV is a good fit for everyone.
John Higgins, who is an Imaging Science Foundation Level III-certified calibrator, is Reviewed’s A/V and Electronics Senior Editor. Over his A/V career of more than two decades, he has written about TVs, speakers, headphones, AVRs, gaming, and all manner of technology.
Credit:
Reviewed / Chris Snow
We measure things like peak brightness, black level, hue, and so on.
The Tests
Our testing process has been honed over many years to gather data that is marginal enough to satisfy curious video engineers, but also relevant to the average person’s viewing experience. Outside of the technical tests, we also spend a lot of time watching and using each TV, getting a feel for the at-home experience.
What to Consider Before Buying A Budget TV
People on a budget should be able to find a quality TV without having to make too many sacrifices on performance, screen size, and features. For us, the sweet spot for budget TVs is about $500. Here are some things to consider when shopping for a TV at that price point.
Screen size
While you won’t find quality 83-inch TVs in this price range, you can still get excellent 50- and 55-inch screens. While some larger screens in the TV series we recommend price out of the $500 range, there are some 65-inch models that are available for about $500.
4K resolution
All of the televisions under $500 that we recommend are 4K TVs.
At this price range, people should not have to settle for 1080p or 720p resolution. The 3,840 x 2,160 pixels you get in a 4K TV is the current standard/mainstream resolution for most televisions.
HDR support
Almost every 4K TV will also feature HDR), or High Dynamic Range. This means the TV can show images that are brighter and more colorful than older model televisions that did not come equipped with this technology.
HDR TVs can be a bit more expensive, but all of the TVs in this guide feature HDR support. Current top HDR formats include HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision.
Related: HDR10 vs Dolby Vision
Smart TV platform
What sets a smart TV apart from regular televisions is its capability to connect to the internet. Most smart TVs also come equipped with built-in streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime.
Our favorite operating system is Roku for its simplicity, ease of use, and functionality. Other TVs under $500 that we recommend have Google TV or Fire TV as their operating systems.
For people who don’t want to rely on their TV for their streaming needs, there are lots of quality streaming devices on the market that will allow them to watch movies and shows on their favorite streaming apps.
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Meet the testers
Michael Desjardin
Senior Staff Writer
@Reviewed
Michael Desjardin graduated from Emerson College after having studied media production and screenwriting. He specializes in tech for Reviewed, but also loves film criticism, weird ambient music, cooking, and food in general.
See all of Michael Desjardin’s reviews
John Higgins
Managing Editor, Tech
@johntmhiggins
John is Reviewed’s Managing Editor of Tech.
He is an ISF Level III-certified calibrator with bylines at ProjectorCentral, Wirecutter, IGN, Home Theater Review, T3, Sound & Vision, and Home Theater Magazine. When away from the Reviewed office, he is a sound editor for film and musician, and loves to play games with his son.
See all of John Higgins’s reviews
Ben Yoder
SEO & Updates Editor
@Reviewed
A journalist for more than two decades, Ben Yoder uses his news, editing, and search experience to help consumers find the best products possible as an SEO & Updates Editor with Reviewed. Based in Iowa, his work has appeared in the Des Moines (Iowa) Register, HawkCentral, and Cyclone Insider, among other websites.
See all of Ben Yoder’s reviews
Checking our work.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you’re confident and satisfied.
Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we’ll compare notes.
Shoot us an email
Top 4: Best TVs under $500
The truth is that we all want a cheap TV. Who wouldn’t want a 90-inch high-definition screen with brighter-than-life colors for a ridiculous price? Unfortunately, the entertainment market is not played by our rules. And when you buy a cheap TV, you usually get even less than what you paid for. It’s hard enough to get a quality TV for less than $500, but it’s possible, and we’ll show you how.
Value for money is key if you want to cut your costs. You don’t need the biggest, brightest TV. But for just a few hundred dollars, you can get as close to perfect as possible and get a TV that perfectly suits your needs. We have studied an unimaginably huge number of models, breaking our eyes, looking at the lowest quality screens to select the best for you. Multimedia connoisseurs, smart TV aficionados, small screen connoisseurs will surely choose their favorite TV from our selection of four models under $500.
LG TV 42LF5600 42″ – swindle
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Price: $369
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Pros: very economical power consumption
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Cons: difficult to mount on the wall
Not everyone wants to see dozens of buttons and levers on their TV. For those who are looking for a quality picture and a basic, uncluttered interface, and don’t mind saving a little money, this simple model from LG is the perfect purchase. And even though the picture refresh rate is only 60Hz, you’ll get above-average sharp pictures even if you use this TV for video games.
Two HDMI ports make it easy to connect any device you need without overloading your TV with dozens of outputs for equipment you haven’t even heard of. It’s side-lit, not back-lit, which reduces color depth, but allows for a thinner and lighter case, while keeping the price low.
Samsung UN40J6200 40″ TV – a prime example
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Price: $448
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Pros: DTS Premium Sound 5.
1 -
Cons: weak smart TV options
1 The TV’s size is always impressive, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in clarity. Deep blacks and crisp, contrasting colors are very eye-catching and showcase the presence of Samsung’s range of models. The manufacturer also promises smart TV features, but we only find slow apps and average network connectivity.
Even without these options, however, this is a first-class model. The image will remain sharp and clear even for video games with a frame rate of 60 frames per second. The TV has a lot of great apps, and thanks to Anynet+ technology, you can control dozens of devices directly from your TV. We think this is a great model as the first TV to move into the bedroom once you can get something more advanced.
Sony KDL40W600B 40″ – extended package
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Price: $423
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Pros: powerful remote speakers
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Cons: “brick” power cord
This beautiful and inexpensive TV from Sony we could have bought a year ago, because now, apparently, the company’s goal was to produce only high-end TVs at inflated prices.
If you’re willing to overlook the fact that the KDL40W600B is a little outdated, you’ll get a great model with 4 HDMI outputs and 3 USB ports, allowing you to connect as many media devices as you like.
It is surprisingly attractive considering the side lighting, and can become a decoration of the interior even when switched off. With a refresh rate of 60 Hz, this TV doesn’t compete well, but video games and Stanley Cup Hockey League matches are crisp. If you just want to enjoy a movie, X-Reality PRO technology will ensure the purity and depth of color.
Sharp LC-48LE653U 48″ – best balance
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Price: $429
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Pros: deep black, even in a dark room
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Cons: does not show very well in brightly lit rooms
For unknown reasons, all budget TV manufacturers face the same problem. Either video broadcasting and smart TV applications are simply ridiculously limited, or the picture quality is just not good enough.
By choosing the LC-48LE653U, you get the best balance, shifted towards picture quality, complete with smart TV features.
Don’t get us wrong, both are top notch, but you can see why Sharp is one of the leaders when it comes to image clarity and skillful use of backlighting. This TV does not have the same vivid colors as other models, but shows deeper contrasting colors, which, however, can become washed out if the TV is exposed to direct sunlight.
Zharinova Ekaterina
70-inch Xiaomi Mi TV ES70 valued at $500
Xiaomi has launched the 70-inch Mi TV ES70 in China, which costs only $510! The novelty is characterized by a VA-panel with a resolution of UHD (3840:2160 pixels), a standard image refresh rate of 60 Hz, 94% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, a maximum brightness of 700 cd / m2, a static contrast ratio of 5000: 1, HDR support, a single-chip a system with four Arm Cortex-A55 cores, 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of flash memory, three HDMI 2.0 interfaces and two USB interfaces, support for wireless communication Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 5.