Pinching pennies doesn’t have to mean sacrificing entertainment! The world of televisions offers a surprisingly robust selection for budget-conscious viewers seeking a quality screen without breaking the bank. But navigating this realm can feel like a labyrinth, filled with unfamiliar features and technical jargon. Fear not, intrepid adventurer! This guide equips you with the knowledge to slay confusion, conquer indecision, and ultimately claim victory over the perfect TV under $400.
We delve into the key factors that separate champions from contenders, exploring aspects like screen size, picture quality, smart TV features, and connectivity. From brand considerations to understanding essential terms like LED and refresh rate, this guide empowers you to make informed choices. Whether you’re a movie buff seeking a captivating viewing experience or a casual viewer looking for a reliable screen upgrade, this quest unveils the hidden gems in the sub-$400 TV territory.
So, grab your metaphorical magnifying glass (or perhaps your favorite streaming device remote!), and prepare to embark on a journey to discover the best TV under $400 that perfectly fits your entertainment needs and budget. Let’s conquer the cost barrier and unlock a world of visual enjoyment!
LG 55-Inch Class UR9000 Series Alexa Built-in 4K Smart TV
The LG 55-Inch Class UR9000 Series Alexa Built-in 4K Smart TV emerges as a compelling option for budget-conscious viewers seeking a large screen with some smart features. Let’s see if it hits all the right notes for your entertainment needs.
The main attraction is the 55-inch display, offering a significant upgrade from smaller screens for a more immersive viewing experience. While it utilizes LED technology, the UR9000 Series delivers decent picture quality with good color reproduction for casual viewing. Movies and shows appear enjoyable, and LG’s upscaling tech helps enhance details in older content.
Gamers, take note! The UR9000 Series boasts a low input lag, minimizing delay between your controller actions and what you see on screen. This is crucial for responsive gameplay. However, the standard 60Hz refresh rate might not be ideal for super competitive esports where every millisecond counts.
One of the UR9000 Series’ strong points is its integration with LG’s webOS smart TV platform. This user-friendly interface offers a good selection of apps, catering to popular streaming services and entertainment options. However, it might not be as extensive as some competitor platforms. The built-in Alexa voice control allows you to navigate content, launch shows or movies, and control smart home devices with ease.
There are a few limitations to consider. Blacks could be deeper for a more immersive movie experience, especially in dark scenes. Viewing angles aren’t as wide as some competitors, so picture quality might slightly decrease for viewers seated off-center. The sound quality leans towards average, and audiophiles might crave a soundbar for a more powerful soundscape to match the larger screen.
Overall, the LG 55-Inch Class UR9000 Series Alexa Built-in 4K Smart TV is a solid choice for casual viewers and gamers seeking a larger screen with good picture quality, a decent smart TV platform with Alexa voice control, and a budget-friendly price tag. The low input lag caters to responsive gameplay. However, if absolute deepest blacks, wider viewing angles, a powerful built-in sound system, or a higher refresh rate are your top priorities, you might want to explore higher-end options.
Hisense 58-Inch Class U6HF Series
The Hisense 58-Inch Class U6HF Series ULED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV emerges as a tempting choice for budget-minded viewers seeking a large screen with a built-in Fire TV platform. Let’s dive into its strengths and weaknesses to see if it conquers your living room entertainment needs.
The star of the show is the 58-inch display, perfect for creating a more immersive home theater experience at an attractive price point. Hisense’s ULED technology enhances colors and contrast compared to standard LED TVs, offering a vibrant picture for casual viewing. While not on par with higher-end displays, it delivers enjoyable visuals for everyday entertainment.
Gamers, this TV has you covered! The U6HF Series boasts a winning combination for responsive gameplay. The low input lag minimizes delay between your controller actions and what you see on screen, keeping you on top of fast-paced games. Additionally, the Motion Rate 240 technology helps reduce blur and ghosting in fast-paced games, ensuring smoother visuals.
The true champion of the U6HF Series is the built-in Fire TV platform. Renowned for its user-friendliness, this platform offers a vast library of apps, ensuring you have easy access to your favorite streaming services and entertainment options. Voice control with the Alexa remote allows for hands-free navigation and control of the TV, simplifying your viewing experience.
However, the U6HF Series does have some limitations. Blacks could be deeper for movie buffs seeking an ultra-immersive cinematic experience, especially in dark scenes. Viewing angles aren’t as wide as some competitors, so picture quality might slightly decrease for viewers seated off-center. The sound quality leans towards average, and audiophiles might crave a soundbar for a more powerful soundscape.
Overall, the Hisense 58-Inch Class U6HF Series ULED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV is a compelling choice for casual viewers, gamers, and budget-conscious users seeking a large screen with decent picture quality, good motion handling for gaming, and a user-friendly Fire TV platform with voice control. However, if absolute deepest blacks, wider viewing angles, a powerful built-in sound system, or the most cutting-edge display technology are your top priorities, you might want to explore higher-end options.
Amazon Fire TV 55″ 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV
The Amazon Fire TV 55″ 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV emerges as a budget-friendly champion for viewers seeking a large screen with a built-in Fire TV platform. Let’s explore its strengths and weaknesses to see if it claims victory in your living room entertainment battle.
The main attraction is the 55-inch display, a perfect size for creating a home theater experience on a budget. It utilizes LED technology, delivering decent picture quality with good color reproduction for casual viewing. Movies and shows appear enjoyable, and Amazon’s upscaling tech helps enhance details in older content.
Gamers, this TV has you covered! The 4-Series boasts a low input lag, minimizing the delay between your controller actions and what you see on screen. This keeps you responsive during fast-paced games. However, the standard 60Hz refresh rate might not be ideal for super competitive esports where every millisecond counts.
The true hero of the 4-Series is the built-in Fire TV platform. This user-friendly interface offers a vast library of apps, ensuring you have access to your favorite streaming services and entertainment options. Voice control with Alexa allows for hands-free navigation and control of the TV, simplifying your viewing experience.
There are a few limitations to consider. Blacks could be deeper for movie buffs seeking an ultra-immersive cinematic experience, especially in dark scenes. Viewing angles aren’t as wide as some competitors, so picture quality might slightly decrease for viewers seated off-center. The sound quality leans towards average, and audiophiles might crave a soundbar for a more powerful soundscape.
Overall, the Amazon Fire TV 55″ 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV is a solid choice for casual viewers and gamers seeking a large screen with good picture quality, a user-friendly Fire TV platform with voice control, and an attractive price tag. The low input lag caters to responsive gameplay. However, if absolute deepest blacks, wider viewing angles, a powerful built-in sound system, or a higher refresh rate are your top priorities, you might want to explore higher-end options.
SAMSUNG 43-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU8000 Series
The Samsung 43-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU8000 Series emerges as a versatile contender for viewers seeking a feature-rich 4K experience without breaking the bank. Let’s explore its strengths and weaknesses to see if it claims victory in your living room entertainment battle.
The centerpiece of the DU8000 Series is the 43-inch display, ideal for bedrooms, dens, or smaller living spaces. It utilizes Crystal UHD technology, enhancing colors and clarity compared to standard Full HD displays. While not as advanced as QLED or OLED panels, Crystal UHD delivers vibrant visuals for casual viewing and enjoyable movie nights.
Gamers, this TV won’t disappoint! The DU8000 boasts a winning combination of features for responsive gameplay. The low input lag minimizes delay between your controller actions and what you see on screen, keeping you in the thick of the action. Additionally, Motion Xcelerator technology helps reduce blur and ghosting in fast-paced games, ensuring smooth visuals.
Samsung’s smart TV platform, Tizen, offers a user-friendly experience with a vast library of apps, ensuring you have access to your favorite streaming services and entertainment options. Voice control with Bixby allows for hands-free navigation and control of the TV.
However, the DU8000 Series does have some limitations. Blacks could be deeper for movie buffs seeking an ultra-immersive cinematic experience, especially in dark scenes. Viewing angles aren’t as wide as some competitors, so picture quality might slightly decrease for viewers seated off-center. The sound quality leans towards average, and audiophiles might crave a soundbar for a more powerful soundscape.
Overall, the Samsung 43-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU8000 Series is a compelling choice for casual viewers, gamers, and budget-conscious users seeking a smaller screen with good picture quality, decent motion handling for gaming, and a user-friendly smart TV platform. However, if absolute deepest blacks, wider viewing angles, a powerful built-in sound system, or the most cutting-edge display technology are your top priorities, you might want to explore larger or higher-end options.
Sony 43 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X77L Series
The Sony 43 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X77L Series emerges as a budget-friendly champion for viewers seeking a quality 4K experience in a compact size. Let’s delve into its strengths and weaknesses to see if it conquers your entertainment needs.
The main attraction is the 43-inch display, ideal for bedrooms, dens, or smaller living spaces. This Sony TV utilizes LED technology with HDR (High Dynamic Range) capabilities. While deep blacks might not appease discerning cinephiles, HDR delivers improved contrast and a wider color range, translating to vibrant visuals for casual viewing and enjoyable movie nights.
Gamers, take note! The X77L Series boasts a low input lag, minimizing the delay between your controller actions and what you see on screen. This keeps you responsive during fast-paced gameplay. However, the standard 60Hz refresh rate might not be ideal for super competitive esports where every millisecond counts.
The X77L Series shines with its Google TV platform. Renowned for its user-friendliness, this platform offers a vast library of apps, ensuring easy access to your favorite streaming services and entertainment options. Voice control with the included remote allows for hands-free navigation and control of the TV, simplifying your viewing experience.
However, the X77L Series does have some limitations. Viewing angles aren’t as wide as some competitors, so picture quality might slightly decrease for viewers seated off-center. The sound quality leans towards average, and audiophiles might crave a soundbar for a more powerful soundscape to match the immersive visuals.
Overall, the Sony 43 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X77L Series is a compelling choice for casual viewers and gamers seeking a smaller screen with good picture quality, decent motion handling for gaming, and a user-friendly Google TV platform with voice control, all at an attractive price point. However, if absolute deepest blacks, wider viewing angles, a powerful built-in sound system, or a higher refresh rate are your top priorities, you might want to explore higher-end options.
TCL 55-Inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV
The TCL 55-Inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV emerges as a budget-friendly champion for viewers seeking a large screen with a built-in smart platform. Let’s see if it scores high notes for your entertainment needs.
The main attraction is the 55-inch display, perfect for creating a home theater experience on a budget. It utilizes LED technology, delivering decent picture quality with good color reproduction for casual viewing. Movies and shows appear enjoyable, and TCL’s upscaling tech helps enhance details in older content.
Gamers, this TV has you covered! The S4 Series boasts a low input lag, minimizing the delay between your controller actions and what you see on screen. This is crucial for responsive gameplay. However, the standard 60Hz refresh rate might not be ideal for super competitive esports where every millisecond counts.
The true hero of the S4 Series is the built-in Android TV platform. Renowned for its user-friendliness and customization options, Android TV offers a vast library of apps, ensuring you have access to your favorite streaming services and entertainment options. Voice control with the remote allows for hands-free navigation and control of the TV, simplifying your viewing experience.
There are a few limitations to consider. Blacks could be deeper for movie buffs seeking an ultra-immersive cinematic experience, especially in dark scenes. Viewing angles aren’t as wide as some competitors, so picture quality might slightly decrease for viewers seated off-center on such a large screen. The sound quality leans towards average, and audiophiles might crave a soundbar for a more powerful soundscape.
Overall, the TCL 55-Inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV is a compelling choice for casual viewers and gamers seeking a large screen with good picture quality, a user-friendly Android TV platform with voice control, and an attractive price tag. The low input lag caters to responsive gameplay. However, if absolute deepest blacks, wider viewing angles, a powerful built-in sound system, or a higher refresh rate are your top priorities, you might want to explore higher-end options.
VIZIO 50-Inch M-Series 4K QLED HDR Smart TV
The Vizio M-Series 50-Inch 4K QLED HDR Smart TV emerges as a tempting option for budget-conscious viewers seeking a feature-packed entertainment hub. Let’s explore its strengths and weaknesses to see if it claims victory in your living room.
The star of the show is the 50-inch display, a perfect size for creating a captivating home theater experience without breaking the bank. This Vizio TV boasts QLED technology, offering a step up from traditional LED displays with enhanced color vibrancy and brightness. While not as high-end as OLED, QLED delivers enjoyable visuals for casual viewing and immersive movie nights.
Gamers, this TV caters to your needs! The M-Series boasts a winning combination for responsive gameplay. The low input lag minimizes delay between your controller actions and what you see on screen, keeping you on top of fast-paced games. Additionally, Vizio’s Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology helps reduce stutter and tearing for smoother visuals during intense gaming sessions.
The M-Series shines with its SmartCast platform. Renowned for its user-friendliness, this platform offers a vast library of apps, ensuring you have access to your favorite streaming services and entertainment options. Voice control lets you navigate content, launch games or movies, and control smart home devices with ease (availability depends on specific model).
However, the M-Series does have some limitations. Blacks could be deeper for movie buffs seeking an ultra-immersive cinematic experience, especially in dark scenes. Viewing angles aren’t as wide as some competitors, so picture quality might slightly decrease for viewers seated off-center. The sound quality leans towards average, and audiophiles might crave a soundbar for a more powerful soundscape.
Overall, the Vizio M-Series 50-Inch 4K QLED HDR Smart TV is a compelling choice for casual viewers, gamers, and budget-conscious users seeking a large screen with good picture quality, decent motion handling for gaming, and a user-friendly SmartCast platform with potential voice control. However, if absolute deepest blacks, wider viewing angles, a powerful built-in sound system, or the most cutting-edge display technology are your top priorities, you might want to explore higher-end options.
Conclusion
Having navigated the labyrinth of TV reviews, you’ve emerged equipped to find the perfect colossal screen (or a more modest-sized hero) for your living room. This guide dissected the strengths and weaknesses of top contenders, empowering you to make an informed decision.
A Display for Every Dominion
Here’s a quick recap to help you claim victory:
-
Budget Champions: The TCL 55-Inch Class S4, Hisense 58-Inch Class U6HF Series, Amazon Fire TV 55″ 4-Series, and Sony 43 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X77L Series prioritize affordability while offering decent picture quality, user-friendly smart platforms (Android TV, Fire TV, or Google TV) with voice control, and low input lag for responsive gameplay.
-
Casual Viewers: The Samsung 43-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU8000 Series, Vizio M-Series 50-Inch 4K QLED HDR Smart TV, and the aforementioned budget-friendly options cater to casual viewers seeking good picture quality (especially Samsung with Crystal UHD and Vizio with QLED), decent motion handling (especially Samsung and Vizio), and user-friendly smart platforms (Tizen or SmartCast) with potential voice control (availability depends on specific model).
-
Gamers: While all the TVs boast low input lag, the TCL 55-Inch Class S4, Hisense 58-Inch Class U6HF Series, Amazon Fire TV 55″ 4-Series, Samsung 43-Inch Class 4K Crystal UHD DU8000 Series, and Vizio M-Series 50-Inch 4K QLED HDR Smart TV cater to gamers with responsive gameplay. However, for super competitive esports, a higher refresh rate TV might be ideal (not all the reviewed models have VRR).
Remember, the ideal TV depends on your viewing habits and budget. Consider factors like screen size, picture quality (including contrast and brightness), refresh rate for gamers, sound quality, and smart TV platform.
Armed with this knowledge, you’re now well-equipped to conquer the colossal world of budget-friendly TVs. Happy viewing!
FAQs
What size TV should I get?
This depends on your viewing distance and personal preference. Generally, a larger screen is ideal for larger rooms and further viewing distances. Here’s a rough guideline:
32-40 inches: Ideal for bedrooms, dens, or smaller living rooms.
43-50 inches: Good for medium-sized living rooms or closer viewing distances.
55-65 inches: A popular choice for larger living rooms, offering a more immersive experience.
What is refresh rate, and why does it matter for gamers?
Refresh rate refers to how many times per second the TV refreshes the image on the screen. A higher refresh rate (measured in Hz) ensures smoother visuals, especially important for fast-paced games. For casual viewing, a 60Hz refresh rate is sufficient, while gamers might prefer 120Hz or higher for ultra-smooth gameplay.
What are Smart TVs and Smart TV platforms?
Smart TVs come with built-in operating systems that allow you to access streaming services, apps, and the internet directly on the TV. Popular platforms include Android TV, Fire TV, Google TV, Tizen (Samsung), and LG webOS. Each platform offers a different app selection and user interface.
Do I need a soundbar with a budget TV?
Many budget TVs have average sound quality. If you prioritize a more immersive audio experience, especially for movies or music, a soundbar can significantly enhance the sound quality.
Is 4K resolution worth it over 1080p (Full HD)?
Upgrading to 4K offers a significant jump in resolution, meaning there are four times more pixels compared to 1080p. This translates to sharper and more detailed images, especially noticeable on larger screens and when viewing content filmed in 4K. However, the difference might be less apparent on smaller screens or if you primarily watch older content in 1080p.
