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Affordable 4K smart TVs that deliver impressive picture quality, smart features, and value without exceeding your $500 budget.
Tired of sky-high TV prices but craving a big-screen upgrade? In 2025, budget TVs have leveled up dramatically, offering 4K resolution, vibrant colors, and seamless streaming at prices under $500—perfect for apartments, bedrooms, or family rooms.
These TVs are the entertainment hubs of modern homes, streaming your favorite shows, movies, sports, and games with ease. With advancements in QLED, Mini-LED, and smart platforms like Google TV and Roku, you don't have to sacrifice quality for affordability. We tested dozens of models for picture accuracy, brightness, sound, gaming performance, and user-friendliness to curate this list.
Our selection criteria prioritize real-world performance: superior contrast and HDR support, responsive smart interfaces, low input lag for gamers, and overall value. We've covered a range of sizes (43-55 inches), brands (from TCL and Hisense to Samsung and Roku), and use cases—from everyday viewing to gaming and streaming—ensuring there's a perfect pick for every budget-conscious shopper.
The Hisense U6N excels with Mini-LED backlighting and Quantum Dot technology for exceptional brightness, contrast, and color accuracy in any lighting. Its Google TV platform offers effortless streaming, while 144Hz Game Mode Pro with VRR makes it versatile for casual gaming. At this price, it's unbeatable for immersive 4K viewing on a budget.
Perfect for tight budgets and small spaces, the TCL S5 delivers sharp 4K visuals and smooth Google TV integration at an unbeatable price. It supports Dolby Vision for enhanced HDR movies and includes a voice remote for easy control. Reliable performance makes it ideal as a secondary TV or first big-screen purchase.
We love the Q6 for its punchy QLED colors and Game Accelerator 120 tech, offering pro-level gaming features rarely seen under $500. Dolby Vision and DTS Virtual:X audio elevate movies and shows. This unique blend of premium picture quality and smart versatility earns it our Editor's Choice.
Vizio's V-Series shines for gamers with AMD FreeSync Premium, low 9ms input lag, and HDMI 2.1 support for smooth 4K@60Hz play. The SmartCast platform integrates effortlessly with AirPlay and Chromecast. Solid brightness and color make it great for consoles without breaking the bank.
Samsung's compact Crystal UHD model offers PurColor for vivid hues and Tizen OS for lightning-fast app navigation. Dynamic Crystal Color and Motion Xcelerator ensure blur-free action in small rooms. It's a premium-feeling pick for bedrooms or offices on a budget.
The Roku Select stands out with its intuitive Roku OS, featuring 450,000+ channels and voice search for ultimate streaming ease. HDR10+ and auto game mode deliver sharp 4K content. Premium audio tuning by Roku makes it a smart home essential without complexity.
Optimized for Prime Video and Alexa integration, this Fire TV 4-Series offers vibrant 4K with HDR10 and seamless hands-free voice control. Six-microphone array ensures clear commands from across the room. It's the go-to for Amazon ecosystem users seeking effortless binge-watching.
Compare key specs and features of all our recommendations side-by-side
| Product | Recommendation | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Hisense 55-inch U6 Series Mini-LED QLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (55U6N, 2025) Rank #1 | 🏆 Top Pick | N/A | Check price |
TCL 43-inch S5 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (43S551G, 2025) Rank #2 | 💰 Budget Pick | N/A | Check price |
TCL 55-inch Q6 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (55Q651G, 2025) Rank #3 | ⭐ Editor's Choice | N/A | Check price |
Vizio 50-inch V-Series 4K UHD Smart TV (V505M-J09, 2025) Rank #4 | — | N/A | Check price |
Samsung 43-inch Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV (UN43CU7000FXZA, 2025) Rank #5 | — | N/A | Check price |
Roku 55-inch Select Series 4K UHD Smart TV (55R6K5R, 2025) Rank #6 | — | N/A | Check price |
Amazon Fire TV 50-inch 4-Series 4K UHD Smart TV (2025) Rank #7 | — | N/A | Check price |
