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Affordable big-screen TVs that punch above their price with stunning 4K picture quality and smart features.
Tired of sky-high TV prices but craving a big-screen upgrade? In 2025, you don't have to compromise on quality to stay under $500. Budget TVs have evolved dramatically, offering 4K resolution, smart platforms, and even advanced features like QLED and mini-LED in sizes up to 55 inches.
These picks matter because they deliver value-packed performance for everyday viewing, gaming, and streaming—perfect for apartments, bedrooms, or family rooms. Whether you're binge-watching Netflix or catching live sports, a great sub-$500 TV ensures vibrant colors, sharp details, and smooth motion without draining your wallet.
Our selection criteria? We prioritized real-world picture quality (brightness, contrast, color accuracy), smart features (Google TV, Roku, Fire TV), gaming perks (low input lag, VRR), and reliability from trusted brands. Tested for 2025 availability, we cover 43-55 inch sizes across price tiers, mixing heavy-hitters like Hisense and TCL with smart alternatives like Roku and Samsung.
From the all-around champ to gaming beasts and compact gems, there's a perfect fit for every budget shopper.
The Hisense U6N dominates as our top pick with mini-LED backlighting for exceptional contrast and brightness up to 600 nits, making it ideal for bright rooms. Google TV offers seamless streaming, and full-array local dimming delivers deep blacks. At under $500, it's unbeatable value for a 55-inch 4K powerhouse.
Perfect for tight budgets, this compact TCL punches way above its weight with solid 4K clarity and Google TV for easy app access. Low input lag makes it surprisingly good for casual gaming, and the sleek design fits small spaces effortlessly. You'll get big-TV features without the big price tag.
Our editor's favorite for its simplicity and performance, the Roku TV shines with an intuitive interface, sharp 4K HDR visuals, and automatic brightness adjustment. Enhanced viewing modes optimize content from any source, and the 55-inch size feels premium. It's the hassle-free choice for cord-cutters seeking endless free content.
Gamers rejoice: This QLED TCL offers 120Hz refresh rate, VRR, and ALLM for buttery-smooth play on PS5 or Xbox. Quantum dot colors pop vividly, and Google TV keeps your apps ready. Sub-$450 performance rivals pricier sets.
Ultimate bang-for-buck, Vizio's V-Series delivers solid 4K with Dolby Vision, smart casting to multiple devices, and low glare for versatile rooms. The 50-inch sweet spot balances size and affordability perfectly. Reliable for years of family movie nights.
Space-savers love this Samsung for its Crystal UHD processor delivering lifelike 4K upscaling on a 43-inch frame. Tizen OS is snappy with Samsung TV Plus free channels, and slim bezels maximize screen real estate. Ideal starter TV under $300.
Cinema lovers pick LG for its filmmaker mode, wide color gamut, and webOS magic remote for effortless navigation. Dynamic tone mapping enhances dark scenes, making it great for HDR content. Premium brand quality at budget pricing.
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 43-Inch Class S4 Series LED 4K UHD Smart TV with Google TV 43S450G Rank #2 | 💰 Budget Pick | N/A | Check price |
Roku 55-Inch Select Series 4K HDR Smart Roku TV (55R4A5R) Rank #3 | ⭐ Editor's Choice | N/A | Check price |
TCL 55-Inch Class S5 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (55S551G) Rank #4 | — | N/A | Check price |
Vizio 50-Inch V-Series 4K UHD SmartCast TV (V505M-K09) Rank #5 | — | N/A | Check price |
Samsung 43-Inch Class Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV (UN43DU7000) Rank #6 | — | N/A | Check price |
LG 55-Inch Class UR9000 Series LED 4K UHD Smart TV (55UR9000PUA) Rank #7 | — | N/A | Check price |
