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Affordable 4K smart TVs that punch above their price for streaming, gaming, and movies.
Tired of settling for mediocre picture quality just to stay under budget? In 2025, you don't have to compromise. With advancements in Mini-LED, QLED, and smart platforms, TVs under $500 now deliver vibrant 4K visuals, smooth gaming performance, and seamless streaming—perfect for budget-conscious families, gamers, and cord-cutters.
These picks matter because a great TV is the heart of your home entertainment setup. Whether you're binge-watching Netflix, gaming on PS5, or hosting movie nights, the right budget TV offers incredible bang for your buck without the premium price tag. Our selections are based on real-world testing, expert reviews from sites like RTINGS and CNET, user feedback, and key metrics like contrast, brightness, color accuracy, refresh rates, and smart features.
We've curated 7 standout models across sizes (43-65 inches), brands (TCL, Hisense, Samsung, and more), and use cases—from compact options to gaming beasts. All are currently available, priced under $500, and represent the best value in 2025, covering everyday use, sports, gaming, and beyond.
The Hisense U6N dominates as our top pick with Mini-LED backlighting for exceptional contrast and brightness up to 600 nits. It excels in dark rooms and HDR content, with Google TV for effortless streaming. Gamers love the 144Hz refresh rate and VRR support.
At under $450, it's unbeatable value for a feature-packed 55-inch screen.
For rock-bottom prices, the TCL S4 delivers solid 4K performance with Google TV's vast app library. It's bright enough for lit rooms and handles streaming flawlessly. Perfect entry-level smart TV without frills.
Our Editor's Choice for its intuitive Roku OS and sharp 4K upscaling on a budget. Enhanced Siri/Xbox integration and low input lag make it versatile. Backlit voice remote adds premium feel under $400.
QLED quantum dots deliver vivid colors, paired with 144Hz VRR and ALLM for console gaming. Google TV keeps setup simple. Ideal for PS5/Xbox at a steal.
Samsung's compact Crystal UHD shines with PurColor and Tizen's smooth interface. Great for bedrooms or kitchens with slim design and voice assistants. Punchy upscaling for non-4K content.
Active Full Array backlight provides deep blacks and high contrast for movies. WatchFree+ offers 300+ channels free. Solid all-around performer.
Massive 65-inch screen under $500 with decent brightness and Google Assistant. Great for big rooms on a budget. Smooth motion for sports.
Compare key specs and features of all our recommendations side-by-side
| Product | Recommendation | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Hisense 55-Inch Class U6 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Smart Google TV 55U6N Rank #1 | 🏆 Top Pick | N/A | Check price |
TCL 50-Inch Class S4 Series LED 4K UHD Smart TV with Google TV (50S450G) Rank #2 | 💰 Budget Pick | N/A | Check price |
Roku 55-Inch Select Series 4K Smart Roku TV (55R6G5) Rank #3 | ⭐ Editor's Choice | N/A | Check price |
TCL 55-Inch Class QM6K Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (55QM6K) Rank #4 | — | N/A | Check price |
Samsung 43-Inch Class CU8000 Crystal UHD 4K Smart Tizen TV (UN43CU8000) Rank #5 | — | N/A | Check price |
Vizio 50-Inch V-Series 4K UHD Smart TV (V505M-J04) Rank #6 | — | N/A | Check price |
Hisense 65-Inch Class A6 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (65A6N) Rank #7 | — | N/A | Check price |
