Hot take: Budget TVs are amazing now. That's even more true today than it was five months ago when I wrote the first version of this story, thanks to the arrival of our new winner: a mini-LED model priced at an impossible $278. Indeed, it required us to change more than a few of the "best" designations in this story.
In this story
It also further reinforces my belief that you don't need to bust open your bank account for an OLED or one of those new-fangled RGB TVs, especially if it means sacrificing size: Give me a 75-inch cheapie over a 55-inch fancy any day of the week. You get nearly all the same features and a perfectly splendid picture to boot.
More on that in the sections below — and in my colleague's excellent story on what to look for when buying a new TV . For now I'll grant that although you can see a difference if you put a budget TV beside an expensive one, take away the latter and you won't feel disappointed. Viewed in a vacuum, these ultra-affordable models deliver good color, crisp 4K resolution and a robust streaming experience.
For this story I tested 55-inch models from Amazon, Hisense, Roku, TCL and Vizio. If you want something larger in the same product lineup (where available), rest assured it'll be virtually identical in terms of features and image quality. As for price, I set the cap at $500, keeping in mind the frequent discounts that knock off $50, $100 or even more. At the time of this writing, for example, most of the TVs were on sale for $400 or less.
The best budget TV for 2026
Available sizes:43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85 | Screen technology:Mini-LED | Voice controls:Remote | Smart assistant:No | Refresh rate:60Hz | HDMI inputs:3
A newcomer to the roundup is the new champ of the roundup; it's priced like a budget TV but premium in nearly every other respect -- especially the important ones: picture quality and usability. Consequently, this is the TV we would recommend to most buyers.
Take note, however, that you'll have to get it from either Walmart or Sam's Club; the former now owns the Vizio brand. The prices are the same at both stores, but if you were looking for an excuse to grab a Sam's Club membership, this is it: Buy from there and you'll get a five-year warranty on the TV instead of just one year from Walmart.
I did a full review of the Vizio VQM55C-10 that breaks down all the pros and cons, so I won't repeat them here. Just know that when I put the TV right beside the TCL T7, it was night and day: Brightness, contrast and color were all vastly superior on the Vizio.
Well, sure, but it costs more, right? No, and that's what makes this so remarkable: With a regular selling price of just $278, this is not only the most affordable mini-LED TV currently available, it's cheaper than most of the other models in this group. Cheaper and better? How often does that happen?
Not often. The VQM55C-10 isn't perfect, but at the moment it's the best budget TV by a mile.
- Bargain price
- Exceptional color, contrast and brightness
- Fast, well-designed interface
- Compatible with Vizio QuickFit soundbars
- 5-year warranty if purchased from Sam's Club
- Glitchy voice controls
- 55-inch model lacks gaming mode
- Frustrating screensaver experience
Other budget TVs we recommend
Available sizes:55, 65, 75, 85 | Screen technology:QLED | Voice controls:Hands-free | Smart assistant:Google | Refresh rate:120Hz | HDMI inputs:4
If you're an Android phone user, it makes sense to choose a Google TV: You'll have an easier time with setup and greater familiarity with the interface. TCL's T7 series has some of the best specs in the group, making it a top pick for sports and gaming, plus a couple nice amenities to boot.
Setup
Kudos to TCL for providing a printed setup guide that's not only thorough, but also easy to read and downright fun in tone.
One curiosity, though: The T7 comes with the usual pair of screw-in feet, but the way they're molded doesn't seem to match up with the bottom of the TV; they don't "slot in" anywhere. Once I aligned and tightened the screws, they were fine, but honestly it felt like a manufacturing mistake.
Setting up the TV requires downloading and installing the Google Home app (and having a Google account, natch), then scanning an onscreen QR code and following the prompts. It's a lot of steps, and likely to take you 10-20 minutes overall, but there's nothing complicated.
Features
This is the only TV here with a native 120Hz refresh rate, which promises smoother action for fast-moving sports and games. Speaking of games, there's also a 240Hz variable refresh rate (VRR) that dynamically adjusts to the onscreen action, promising the best possible visual experience.
Other TVs in the group have voice controls, but the T7 is the only one that makes them hands-free: Just say "Hey Google," no remote required. That's not only more convenient, but preferable in a way: The remote has a pretty bad layout. (Why is the Mute button way up in a corner instead of near volume up/down?) On the plus side, it's backlit, automatically illuminating when you pick it up. And it has six app quick-launch buttons instead of the usual four.
Usability
Even though you have to live with a so-so remote to use it, the Google TV interface is pretty good overall. It's fast and responsive, with apps that load and start playing with minimal delay. As you'd expect, search works particularly well, allowing you to use just about any parameter (genre, cast, etc.) to locate content.
However, the Live TV page can get a little confusing, as it mixes channels from a variety of sources (some of which require apps to be installed) and exists separately from TCL's own selection, which resides on a different page.
And I discovered at least one bug: My Google library contains a smattering of movies and TV shows I've purchased over the years, but when I try to open the Library page on the TV, nothing happens. It simply will not load.
Image quality
Funny thing about TV testing: Results can vary depending on what you're watching. In a brightness/color test streamed on YouTube, the T7 was all but indistinguishable from the Hisense E6. But watching Netflix on both, the E6 showed greater color vibrancy. Was the T7 more "accurate"? That's hard to say, but my eye was drawn to the more vivid hues.
All told, however, the T7 supports my blanket statement that most budget TVs have achieved "really good" status. And it didn't exhibit any bloom or light bleed, which can be distracting. I think most viewers will be very pleased by the T7's image quality.
Audio quality
These are some of the loudest speakers I've encountered in a TV, which is good if you're putting it in a big room and need to crank the volume. However, the song remains the same: Audio gets harsh at higher volumes, and there's very little bass to speak of. In a small bedroom (which is where I did my tests) with volume in the 10-20 range, the speakers sounded OK. But as with all TVs, I highly recommend adding a soundbar .
Verdict
Based on the specs alone, this is the TV I'd choose if sports and/or games are a priority. There's also a slight usability edge here thanks to hands-free Google Assistant, and I'm a sucker for a backlit remote — poorly designed though it may be.
Assuming you can get this for under $400, which has been the sale price for the last couple months, you're definitely getting a budget TV bargain.
- High refresh rate better for sports and gaming
- Backlit remote
- Hands-free voice controls
- Supports kid profiles with parental controls
- Oddly designed feet
- Poor remote button layout
Available sizes:43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85 | Screen technology:QLED | Voice controls:Remote | Smart assistant:No | Refresh rate:60Hz | HDMI inputs:3
Note: I originally reviewed the LED version of the Select Series, which has been replaced by the new-for-2026 QLED version. Save for the screen upgrade, it's otherwise identical -- including the price. See below for comments regarding the move to QLED.
The Select Series is the no-frills budget member of Roku's house-brand TV lineup, which also includes the middle-child Plus Series and higher-end Pro Series . There's a lot of shared DNA between them, most notably the best remote of any TV and my favorite streaming interface.
Setup
Thanks to a plain-English quick-start guide and Roku's friendly, helpful interface, the Select Series is a snap to set up. I scanned an onscreen QR code with my phone, then used my existing Roku account to zip through the handful of startup steps. If you don't already have an account, it's still quick and easy to complete the process.
Features
Some of the Select's best features are seemingly minor ones, like the Backdrops screensaver that turns the TV into an art museum, the easy-access Bluetooth-headphone mode for private listening and the customizable shortcut button on the remote, which you can configure to launch an app, turn on closed-captions, set a sleep timer or the like. Just as useful: the remote-finder that's accessible via the Roku app or a button the TV; it makes your misplaced clicker beep.
Roku also incorporates a robust live-TV guide, which includes boatloads of free content from The Roku Channel, Pluto TV and other sources. It comes close to replicating the cable-TV viewing experience, though some content sends you to the Pluto app, which takes several seconds to load. But some shows are available for direct viewing from the guide.
Usability
Roku's interface is largely unrivaled when it comes to simplicity and accessibility. It's attractive and intuitive, with a well-designed remote adding to the operational ease. Compared to Fire TV and Google TV UIs, it's definitely the most novice-friendly.
Although there's no Alexa or Google voice assistant, the TV does respond to voice commands (by way of a button on the remote) — you can say things like "open Netflix" or "show me Tom Cruise movies." You can also use your voice to "type" into some onscreen keyboards, saying one letter at a time instead of navigating the actual keyboard with your remote. That's a nifty option not found elsewhere.
Image quality
At the risk of repeating myself, the Roku Select's 4K LED screen looks... perfectly good. I watched everything from NFL games to Futurama to Spider-Man: Homecoming ; no notes, as the kids say. Sharp images, nice colors, smooth motion, plenty bright — that's what we're after, right? ( Note: As mentioned above, Roku now supplies a QLED screen. Although I haven't had the chance to test it, there's every reason to believe it would deliver an even better picture. )
I definitely want to shout out Roku's Smart Picture mode (enabled by default), which lives up to its name by avoiding the dreaded soap-opera effect (see "How we tested," below) — the only TV except for the Vizio to do so right out of the box. Ironically, it's because the Select doesn't support Dolby Vision that this works so well; the latter can override Smart Picture and leave you with that awful effect.
Audio quality
Like the other budget TVs here, the Roku has a cabinet large enough for a couple decent speakers — and, yep, they're not bad. However, because they're down-facing, Dolby Atmos feels like a superfluous addition to the spec sheet; you're not really netting anything from it. Whether you're buying a cheap TV or a pricey one, I definitely recommend adding a soundbar.
Verdict
With a price tag that's usually below $300, the 55-inch Roku Select Series is a seriously impressive value. It's refreshingly easy to set up and use and an all-around solid performer. You can't go wrong putting this in your living room or any other room.
- Usually priced below $300
- Easy, intuitive user interface
- Well-designed remote that's easily found if lost
- Roku Smart Picture optimizes for content
- Nice art-mode screensaver
- Limited voice controls, no smart assistant
Available sizes:43, 50, 55 | Screen technology:LED | Voice controls:Remote | Smart assistant:Alexa | Refresh rate:60Hz | HDMI inputs:4
Although it occupies a somewhat odd spot between the ultra-budget 2-Series and QLED-equipped Omni Series, the Ember (formerly Fire TV) 4-Series might actually be in the sweet spot for families: It's affordably priced, loaded with gaming features and easy for parents to manage. I especially like the motion-sensing art screensaver, something not offered on any other TV in this group.
Setup
Amazon supplies a nicely illustrated, easy-to-follow print guide for installing the TV, learning the remote and performing the initial setup — which involves little more than scanning an onscreen QR code with your phone, signing into your Amazon account and completing a few easy steps. The actual user interface isn't great (see below), but at least setup is a breeze.
Features
The 4-Series is pretty basic when it comes to the screen itself — this is a straight-up LED TV, not even QLED — but makes up for that in other areas: Alexa-powered voice controls, a motion sensor that wakes the display when you enter the room, a really nifty art-mode screensaver and some unrivaled built-in gaming options (including Amazon Luna and Xbox Game Pass).
I think those entertainment options make the 4-Series a particularly good option for parents and grandparents. There's also the optional Kids+ subscription service ($6/month), which includes thousands of family-friendly movies, TV shows, games and e-books. And robust parental controls let you limit what kids can view and/or purchase.
Usability
I'm not a fan of Amazon's Fire TV interface, which is poorly organized and needlessly confusing in places. It's hard to tell at a glance what's available for streaming as part of your existing subscriptions and what requires an additional subscription. And the numerous "Sponsored" rows make the UI feel annoyingly ad-oriented (to say nothing of the actual ads that sometimes appear).
The remote is decent, though a couple buttons aren't obvious in their functions, and Alexa can help with some of the navigation challenges: You can quickly, say, open Netflix with a simple voice command. Thankfully, there's a major UI update due to roll out soon; from what I've seen, it improves the layout considerably.
Image quality
Although the 4-Series doesn't quite match the color vibrancy of the other TVs here — most likely due to its lack of quantum-dot technology (the "Q" in QLED) — in a vacuum it looks perfectly good: bright, sharp, balanced. I didn't notice any light bleed around the edges, blooming around white-on-black text or any other issues commonly associated with cheap TVs. (To be fair, this is a pricier model in the cheap-TV lineup.)
Audio quality
Because this isn't a razor thin TV, it allows space for a decent-size pair of down-facing speakers along the lower end. Thus, they can get reasonably loud — but above 50% they start to sound fairly harsh. If you're putting this in a small room, where you don't need to crank the volume, you might find the sound satisfactory. My advice: You'll always benefit from a soundbar , even an inexpensive one.
Verdict
Given that this an LED TV and not a QLED, it feels overpriced at $480. Yes, it's often discounted to $380, but you might want to consider the Ember Omni QLED Series instead. For about $100 more, you get not only QLED, but also Dolby Vision, full-array local dimming, hands-free Alexa and larger screen options (65- and 75-inch).
- Multiple gaming options, including Amazon Luna and Xbox Game Pass
- Robust parental controls
- Art-mode screensaver with motion sensor
- Frequently discounted
- Slightly muted colors compared to QLED TVs
- 55-inch is the largest available size
- On the pricier side given the specs
- Awkward, confusing interface (but an update is coming)
- Interface includes ads
Available sizes:43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85, 100 | Screen technology:QLED | Voice controls:Remote | Smart assistant:Alexa | Refresh rate:60Hz | HDMI inputs:3
While there's nothing especially "cinematic" about the Hisense E6 Cinema Series, it's another solid entry from one of the top budget-TV brands. And you can get it in just about any size, from 43 inches on up to a whopping 100.
Setup
The E6 comes with an admirably detailed setup guide, which I always appreciate. However, although it runs the same Fire TV software as the Amazon 4-Series, that part of the setup was slightly different — starting with the need to manually input the password for my home Wi-Fi network. I also got the sense that the TV was downloading and installing a number of updates in the background, which would account for its sluggish operation during my initial testing. (See below.)
Features
Hisense labels the E6 a "Hi-QLED" TV, but that's just marketing-speak for everyday Quantum Dot LED. Same goes for "Motion Rate 120," a software enhancement designed to compensate for the screen's 60Hz refresh rate. It does help fast-action games and sports look smoother; in lieu of a native 120Hz refresh rate, it's better than nothing. Also for gaming: a low-latency mode that automatically kicks in to reduce input lag.
The TV supports both HDR+ Adaptive and Dolby Vision, two technologies designed to optimize brightness, detail, color accuracy and the like. Just as welcome is a sensor that raises or lowers screen brightness depending on ambient lighting — though calling it an "AI sensor" feels especially superfluous.
Despite running Amazon's Fire TV software, the E6 lacks a few of the features rolled into Amazon-branded TVs — most notably Alexa+, Luna and Xbox Game Pass services and Amazon's Ambient Experience. Although you can choose from photos and AI art for your screensaver, you don't get the larger art library and motion-sensing display included with the 4-Series.
Usability
That Fire TV interface is definitely the weak link here: It shares the same usability issues (and annoying ads) as the 4-Series. During early testing, one of the featured items in the carousel — a live NBA game on Prime Video — wouldn't load because the Prime app required an update. It took several attempts for that update to install properly. Meanwhile, the Pluto app — when accessed via the Fire TV's integrated live-TV guide — sometimes crashed whenever there was a commercial break.
Meanwhile, the interface was often slow to respond, apps were slow to load and video sometimes stuttered for the first several seconds of playback. Thankfully, overall performance improved with time; I'm guessing it's because background software updates finished installing.
A forthcoming Fire TV update should help with speed and navigation, but it's not likely to fix app-specific issues. If you don't want to wait or think you'd prefer something else, you can always plug in a Roku Streaming Stick 4K (my top choice) or a similar streaming device .
Image quality
This is yet another budget TV I'd describe as "perfectly good." Watching 4K HDR test footage on YouTube, I found the images bright, colorful and deeply detailed. Same for movies and TV shows streamed on Netflix and Disney+. In fact, in comparing the E6 with the other QLED TVs in the group, I'd say it had the most vibrant color. By a small margin, yes, but it was definitely the color champ of those three. (The Vizio still wins overall, though.)
Unfortunately, there was also a bit of light-bleed along the edges during a brightness/color test, and although it's nothing I noticed while watching actual content, none of the other TVs here exhibited the same issue.
Audio quality
You're going to want a soundbar. Although the E6 sounds OK at lower volumes, audio turned harsh, shrill and generally unpleasant once I ventured past 30. This isn't uncommon in budget TVs, though others in this group fared better overall. (For the record, this isn't uncommon in pricier TVs, either. There's just not a lot of room in there for good speakers, and they're necessarily pointed down instead of forward — not ideal.)
Verdict
Hisense makes some great budget TVs, but this one is a bit harder to recommend. The color is great and the price is right, but I struggle with the crummy interface, laggy performance, poor speakers and light leaks around the edges. Extra hardware can solve for three of those problems, but of course that drives up the cost.
- Good overall image quality
- Usually priced below $300
- Supports Dolby Vision and HDR+ Adaptive
- Light sensor automatically adjusts brightness
- A bit of light bleed at the edges
- Poor speakers
- Laggy, cumbersome interface with ads peppered throughout
- Missing some Fire TV features
Rick Broida/Yahoo
If you've got some wall space to spare and don't mind sitting in a reasonably dark room, consider a projector instead of a TV. The Vankyo H500R can produce an image up to 150 inches, but costs less than $200. And it's powered by Roku: The interface and remote are effectively the same as you get from the Roku Select Series (above).
Yes, there are some definite limitations here, starting with resolution: This is a 1080p projector, not 4K. The larger you make the image, the more apparent that will become. It's not super bright, either, meaning you really do need the darkest possible viewing space.
Meanwhile, the onboard speakers can't get too loud without getting harsh, so you'd probably want to add a soundbar.
All that being said, this is an ultra-affordable, ultra-convenient way to splash a big picture on your wall. Worth noting: There's another model, the Aurzen D1R Cube , that appears to be identical — just with different branding and sold at Amazon instead of Walmart.
Read my complete Vankyo H500R projector review to learn more.
- Priced below $200
- Image quality good enough for casual viewing
- Auto-focus and auto-keystone work well
- Excellent onboard Roku software
- Great remote
- Supports AirPlay
- Not super bright; works best in a dark room
- Image can get blurry around the edges
- Remote isn't backlit
- Fan gets a little noisy
How we tested budget TVs
Working out of my home office (a small bedroom), I managed to squeeze in four TVs all at once and compare their pictures. (The Vizio came later.) I streamed the colorful, animated K-Pop: Demon Hunters on Netflix , the colorful, live-action Free Guy on Disney+ and lots of other content. The goal: Look for differences in brightness and color vibrancy.
This YouTube video helps you identify any glaring problems with your TV, everything from brightness to panel uniformity. (Rick Broida/Yahoo)
I also used a few YouTube videos (including this one and this one ) designed specifically for TV testing. The only change I made to each TV's default settings was to turn off motion-smoothing, also known as soap-opera mode, because it's the devil's handiwork and my eyes won't tolerate it.
On the audio front, I listened at volumes that were comfortable for my small space, but also cranked the speakers to see what would happen. Unfortunately, as expected, all the TVs performed poorly at higher volumes. I understand you're trying to stick to a budget, but please consider adding a soundbar to your setup. You won't regret it.
All the TVs come with pretty good printed quick-start guides, but I think Roku has the best remote. (Rick Broida/Yahoo)
Given the similarities in picture and sound quality, I also focused a lot on usability. Did the TV come with good setup instructions? Was the user interface easy to use and understand? Was it responsive? (A laggy interface can really drag down the viewing experience.)
FAQs
Are cheap TVs worth buying, or should I spend more?
They're absolutely worth buying, because even the "worst" cheap TV is still pretty darn good. It's easy to be dazzled by the hyper-colorful OLED and mini-LED screens on display at big-box stores, but you're not going to enjoy One Battle After Another any more (or less) based on its color saturation.
Yes, just as audiophiles insist on premium lossless sound for their music, some folks absolutely demand the most accurate colors, the inkiest blacks and so on. But I think a lot of those details vanish when you're watching a movie or TV show, which is why I'm largely satisfied with budget TVs.
What are the differences between LED, QLED, Mini-LED, OLED and all the other screen technologies?
How much time do you have? The simplest answer is that these are variations on the core technology that's been driving flat-screen TVs for years. Each one promises at least one of the major display advantages: better color, brightness, contrast, black levels and so on.
If you want a deep dive into the technical details, by all means ask your favorite AI or search engine. For purposes of this story, I have another hot take: If you're not a videophile, don't worry about it. As I said from the start, even budget TVs — those with "mere" LED or QLED — look great for most viewers these days, especially when the source material is at least 1080p HD, or (even better) 4K HDR.
That said, the arrival of the Vizio VQM55C-10 changed my opinion somewhat: It has a noticeably better picture overall, for a price that seems almost impossible. All else being equal, I'd choose mini-LED every time.
Can a cheap projector take the place of a cheap TV?
Maybe! See our review of the Vankyo H500R, above. It costs less than any of the TVs here and can project an image much larger than 55 inches. However, it's less bright and less sharp, and you're still going to want a soundbar. You'd have to spend considerably more to get a 4K-capable projector that's anywhere near as bright as one of the TVs here. But if you're watching in a reasonably dark room anyway, it might be worth considering.
How important is refresh rate on a budget TV?
The baseline refresh rate is 60Hz. If you're playing video games or watching fast-moving sports, you may find that the action looks a little blurred. A higher refresh rate (such as 120Hz) can help, and if it doesn't cost too much more, it's probably worth the upgrade. But if you don't care about that kind of content, 60Hz is absolutely fine.
How important is Dolby Atmos in a budget TV?
Not important at all, because for that audio technology to have any kind real impact on your listening experience, it needs large, reasonably powerful speakers — and needs them pointed forward, at your head, not down.
How important is Dolby Vision in a budget TV?
Dolby Vision is a variation of the High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology that's encoded into a lot modern streaming content . (Rival HDR formats include HDR 10, HDR 10+ and HLG.) Think of it as auto-pilot for video settings: When it's active — and Dolby Vision-encoded content is streaming — it effectively flips the TV's video settings into "expert" mode, delivering presets that mimic a more theatrical experience.
It's nice to have, but take note that those overrides may well obviate preferences and settings you've chosen — including motion smoothing. In other words, it may well crank down the brightness, and it might even bring back the soap-opera effect. Boo! Likewise, while it may improve contrast on dark or shadow-heavy video, you may not see a difference unless you're watching in a totally darkened room (more like a movie theater — get it?).
I played the Netflix animated movie K-Pop: Demon Hunters on the Roku Select Series and Hisense E6, the latter able to take advantage of Dolby Vision encoding. Viewed side by side, the E6 was the marginal winner: Slightly better color and contrast, brighter details, more visibility in darker scenes.
That's not to say the Roku looked bad, or that the more muted picture interfered with my enjoyment. As I keep saying, the baseline image quality for all these TVs is "really good." With Dolby Vision, it's just varying degrees of better, at least to my non-videophile eye.
Budget TV specs compared
| Size tested |
Screen technology |
Special features |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Ember 4-Series |
55-inch |
LED |
Streaming games, art-mode screensaver |
| Hisense E6 |
55-inch |
QLED |
Light sensor |
| Roku Select Series |
55-inch |
QLED |
Smart Picture |
| TCL T7 |
55-inch |
QLED |
Backlit remote, hands-free voice controls |
| Vizio VQM55C-10 |
55-inch |
Mini-LED |
5-year warranty (from Sam's Club) |
Update, May 29, 2026: We added the Vizio VQM55C-10 and named it our new top pick. We also changed the labels for a few other models in the group.
