Best TV under 500: Cheap Smart TV with Great Picture Quality
The TV industry has seen tremendous growth over the past decades. We have seen some of the most advanced screens from big giants such as Sony, Samsung, Hisense, etc. The modern TV screens come with advanced features that allow you to watch and record your favorite programs. Even you can connect your mobile with the tv to watch content from your mobile on the TV. Now with all the latest specs and features, it seems obvious that the price range will be high. However, you will be surprised to know that you are still able to buy the best TV under 500. It looks a bit unbelievable but it’s true. You will get a TV with good picture quality at this price.
it is worth mentioning that at this price you have to compromise on some specs and features though. You can’t expect a 75-inch, OLED, or QLED TV at this price. However, you will still be able to have the best screen at this price whether small or large. Now many TV manufacturers are now making 4K screens. If you are a game lover and want to buy a TV that supports 4K games on PS5 Xbox Series X, then the good news is that it is possible at this price range.
Another important point to keep in mind is that all Smart TVs with basic specs and features at this price are capable of upgrade. You can easily upgrade them with Amazon Fire TV and Roku Streaming devices. You can easily buy these devices at a very low and reasonable price.
Before buying a TV at this range, always keep in mind that you have to compromise on some specs and features. For example build quality, design, and audio quality, etc.
How to Choose the Best TV under 500:
As already stated, you can’t expect the best specs and features in a TV of this price range. However, still, you’ll get some excellent features at this low price range. Some of the features that you can get are:
4K Resolution:
4K resolution is much better than 720p or 1080p. Therefore, experts always recommend going for a 4K resolution. The majority of the screen under this price range come with 4K resolution which is not a bad option.
Screen Size:
Well, the size of the TV you are looking for totally depends upon the space that you have to place it. But you can still get a large screen at this price range with a size of 55-inches. Don’t expect a 65-inch TV though at this price but don’t go for less than 55-inch if you don’t have space issues.
HDR Support:
This is one of the most important and recommended elements of choosing the best tv at this price range. Picture quality is the deciding factor of comparison among TVs. Always choose a TV that supports a high dynamic range (HDR). TVs with even basic HDR give you the best results in terms of color and brightness. If it supports Dolby Vision then that is the even better option.
Connectivity:
TVs with more HDMI ports are always better.
Gaming:
People now give very important consideration to the gaming factor as well. People prefer TVs that support games. As a recommendation, always choose a TV that has a higher refresh rate of 60Hz. Some of the advanced and latest consoles such as Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 require higher refresh rates. Another important factor to look for is the lag time. Always choose a TV that has a lag time shorter than 20 milliseconds to get the best performance.
Best TV under 500:
Now we’ll look at the best TV under 500 that some of the big brands offer.
Samsung TU8000:
- 43-inch screen size TV
- 4K Resolution
- LED-LCD Panel Technology
- Tizen Smart TV
- The Dimensions are : 962.7 x 558.8 x 61mm
This Samsung TU8000 is the best 43-inch compact size TV screen under the 500 price range. It offers good performance with 4K resolution and also supports HDR10 + dynamic HDR. If you are a casual gamer, then this TV is best for you. If you are looking for an LCD set, then this is the best at this price.
Hisense R50B7120UK:
- 50-inch screen size
- 4K Resolution
- The Dimensions are: 1127x720x86mm
This was the first TV in the UK with Roku operating system platform. The Roku service offers every streaming service that you want with easy navigation and universal search options. It offers the best image quality with realistic color. It also supports HDR except for Dolby Vision HDR.
Panasonic TX-55HX580:
- 55-inch Screen Size
- Dimensions: 1243x719x82mm
- 4K Resolution
Although this is the first of its kind 4K Panasonic TV, it is still capable to support Dolby Vision HDR. However, keep in mind that you get limited HDR support in this set as compared to other higher-end Panasonic sets. Although with low brightness and basic image processing, it still offers a cinematic view, and therefore it is worth buying. However, it is recommended to add the streaming device to this basic Smart TV in order to enhance its capabilities. Another amazing feature is its connectivity option at this budget range. It offers more HDMI ports than other TVs.
Toshiba WK3C Alexa TV:
- 32-inch screen size
- HD Resolution
- Dimensions: 439x732x78mm
The one best feature that Toshiba WK3c offers is support for Alexa. It gives you the same function that you can expect from an Echo Speaker or from a Smart TV. The voice assistant feature of the TV runs smoothly without any trouble. It offers two screen sizes with 24-inch and 32-inch. Both with HD resolution.
Philips 50PUS7805/12 50:
- 50-inch screen size
- LED technology
- 4K Ultra HD Resolution
This is a beautifully designed Ambilight model from Philips. The LED lights around the edge of the screen emit light when you watch something on your TV. The sound is clear with the support of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
TCL 5-Series Roku TV (S535):
- Available in differenct screen sizes such as 50, 55, 65 & 75
- LCD screen type
- 4K Resolution
TCL 5 Series TV comes with the Roku TV platform. That means you can enjoy all streaming apps through this platform. It offers the best features and performance. With the best colors and brightness of QLED, this is the best TV at this price range. It also supports Dolby Vision HDR along with HDR10 and HLG formats. It also gives you the best gaming experience so if you love playing games then this is the best option for you.
Toshiba C350 Fire TV:
- It comes in 43, 50 and 55-inch screen sizes
- LCD screen type
This is the latest addition to the Amazon-powered Smart TVs by Toshiba. You find great performance and features at a very affordable price. It is one of the cheapest Smart TVs available in the market. Some of the amazing features that it offers are the 4K resolution, Fire TV template, Fire TV smart features, Amazon Prime Video, Built-in Alexa voice control, Color accuracy, well-built design, etc. It supports Dolby Vision and HDR 10 but it doesn’t support Dolby Atmos.
Vizio V-Series:
- This offers Tv screens in various sizes such as: 40, 43, 50, 55, 58, 65, 70, 75 inches
- LED Screen type
- 4K Resolution
This is the most affordable TV at this price range with 4K resolution and Smart TV features. If you are after a TV with the best gaming capabilities at a very low price, then for it. It is a gaming-friendly TV. However, also keep in mind that it is a TV with a 60Hz display. The only drawback that you can encounter is its brightness. In order to enhance the audio quality, you might need a soundbar as well.
Samsung The Frame:
- 32-inch screen size
- Full HD Resolution
- QLED Technology
- 724x419x25.4mm
This is the smallest 32-inch TV from Samsung with QLED technology. If you want to enhance the decor of your house, then use this TV. This TV displays classic artworks and an ambient mode for moody screen savers. Another great feature of the TV is its customizable bezels that help you control the appearance and color of your set. You can mount it on the wall and can also place it on the shelf.
Toshiba UL5A LED TV:
- The screen size is 55-inch
- 4K Resolution
- LED-LCD technology
Toshiba is popular in producing and developing affordable panels. This is one of those sets. It comes with Alexa support and a plug-in microphone that you can attach to your TV. The Alexa support isn’t the best performance-wise as compared to Amazon Echo. It supports HDR but doesn’t give you the best brightness.
Conclusion:
So the review of the best TV under 500 lists these TVs from different manufacturers that you can find in the market. As already stated, you may not get the highest level of specs and features from TV under this price range but still, the TVs mentioned will not disappoint you in terms of performance and picture quality. If you want more advanced features, you need to pay more. The above features are some of the recommendations that you must look for when buying a TV at this price.
