The best TVs under $500: small budget, big picture

If you’re of the mindset that you simply can’t score a solid TV for less than $1,000 these days, let alone $500, we’re here to play devil’s advocate. While the absolute best TVs of the year can cost thousands of dollars, there are still some fantastic budget-friendly sets to consider, and a handful of these TVs do cost less than half a grand. Mind you, we’re not talking about 85-inch OLED monoliths here, so pump the brakes. These are usually entry-level sets with a couple of midrange models to consider when there’s a sale or two around.

Maybe you’re looking for a less-than-perfect 55-inch LED you can put in the guest bedroom. Perhaps you want to surprise your kid with a TCL or Hisense TV this Christmas but can’t fathom dropping more than $250. There are TV models to consider at just about every price point, and today, we’re going to take a look at the best TVs under $500. 

Hisense U6N ULED

The best 4K TV for under $500

Whenever we start talking about TVs with low prices, one noteworthy brand that inevitably pops up is Hisense. Renowned for its budget-friendly ULED sets (the company’s take on QLED tech) that deliver impressive brightness levels for the price, the 55-inch U6N may not be the premium TV you’ve been looking for the living room; though it would probably be perfect for a bedroom, at-home gym, or recreational area.

Thanks to Hisense’s dedication to crystal-clear picture quality and powerful 4K upscaling, everything from movies and shows to video games and family photos is going to look good on the U6N screen. Do keep in mind that things start getting lousy for those not sitting centered with the TV. Considering we’re not working with any kind of advanced LED lighting, the U6N takes a dip in picture quality when viewed from the side.

For those of us who plan on connecting a game console, the U6N doesn’t include HDMI 2.1 tech, but the TV is very good at delivering sharp gameplay performance. You’ll be able to game at 4K/60Hz with VRR, or 1440p/120Hz with VRR disabled. As for web-connected features, you’ll be using the intuitive Google TV platform for all things Netflix and Hulu, as well as both Alexa and Google Assistant.

TCL Q6 Series (2024)

Best TCL for under $500

We really like what TCL’s TV division has been up to the last few years. Not only does the company deliver the kind of reasonable pricing most folks can wrap their purses around (especially if you want a 65-inch or larger), but TCL’s QLED lineup is quite the killer when it comes to picture quality. 

As for the Q6 Series, we’re sitting on the bottom rung of the ladder, but this doesn’t mean you should steer clear. In fact, if you’re a PlayStation 5 or PC gamer, this TV might be the hidden gem you’ve been looking for. Yes, the refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, but if you’re willing to sacrifice a little pixel power (dropping from 4K to 1440p quality), TCL’s Game Accelerator 120 kicks in, boosting motion handling to 120Hz with VRR. 

The TCL Q6 Series isn’t half bad for watching HDR and SDR movies and shows, either. Colors are bold and detailed, and the TV is able to decode Dolby Vision and a few other formats. As for smart TV features, smart home controls, and UI, the Q6 uses the Google TV OS, which looks and performs as well as ever. 

As for size options, the TCL Q6 Series can be purchased as small as 43 inches and as large as 98 inches (additional sizes include 50, 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches). It’s not a perfect TV by any means, but it’s definitely worth considering if you’re trying to keep costs low.

Roku Class Plus Series QLED

Another killer QLED

Anyone looking for eye-catching QLED brightness and color for under $500 will not be disapppointed with the Roku 55-inch Plus Series QLED. It rocks one of the best smart TV platforms you can find on a TV and it’s got incredible picture to boot.

While QLED displays are typically reserved for midtier and flagship TVs, we’re seeing more and more budget-friendly sets hit the market with these ultra-colorful screens — and now Roku is joining the party! The Roku 55-inch Plus Series QLED is right at our price cap, and let’s just say that for the kind of brightness, color detail, and incredible HDR performance (HDR 10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG) you’ll get to experience, we wouldn’t bat an eye even if it cost $200 more.

That’s not to mention you’ll be working with Roku’s amazing smart TV platform to gain access to your favorite movies and shows from services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. DT’s TV reviewer Caleb Denison thinks that Roku’s Plus TVs will stand up well to similarly priced LG and Samsung TVs, but its biggest competition will be against the likes of TCL and Hisense in this coveted price range.

There’s one thing to keep in mind, though: the Plus Series tops out at 60Hz. That won’t be a big deal for some, but gamers may want something a little on the faster side. Then again, we suppose the inclusion of Roku’s awesome Voice Remote Pro might sweeten the deal enough. Not only can you program the controller to store shortcuts for your favorite apps, but the lost remote finder is a godsend for the black hole that lives beneath the couch cushions.

Samsung DU7200 4K LED

Best Samsung for less than $500

Samsung is one of the biggest names in the TV business, but it’s also one of the more expensive names in town. That doesn’t apply to all models though, which leads us to this pick: the Samsung 55-inch DU7200. Is this a premium TV? Nope. How about a midrange set? Sorry, it’s not that either. The reason we decided to include this rather basic Samsung UHD set is because sometimes folks just want or need the basics, and nothing else.

In the case of the DU7200 Series, these entry-level specs include 4K resolution at up to 60Hz. You’ll also get to enjoy must-have picture features like HDR10+ support, Filmmaker Mode, and VRR support, on top of Samsung’s Motion Xcelerator tech, which helps to boost the refresh rate closer to 120Hz. Whether you plan on using it for movies or gaming, the DU7200 does a nice job at upscaling all sources, even though this model can’t touch the advanced upscaling of higher-priced sets.

You’ll also want to make sure you’re viewing the screen from as head-on of an angle as possible — as this is another set that struggles the further toward the sides of the TV you sit. So, at the end of the day, the Samsung 55-inch DU7200 may not be the best TV Samsung has ever made, but it’s a decent 4K LED that costs less than $500.

Toshiba Class C350 Series (2023)

An amazing deal on a 75-inch TV

Normally this stellar Toshiba 75-inch C350 Series (2023 model) wouldn’t be on this list because it’s usually priced above our $500 threshold, but for the time being it can be had for $480. Yes, that just barely qualifies this TV as worthy of going on our list, and we’ll also be sure to pull the entry once the sale disappears — but come on! It’s a Fire TV-powered 4K LED for less than $500.

We have other nice things to say about the latest C350 Series, too. Out of the box, the picture quality of this bad boy isn’t half bad. Actually, we’d say it’s better than the pre-calibration SDR delivery that some thousand-dollar-plus Hisense and TCL models greet you with. And because of its large LCD panel, the C350 Series holds up well when viewed from an angle. The Fire TV OS also runs fast and is packed with apps and features. 

So what’s not so good? For one, the C350 doesn’t get very bright, so HDR performance is pretty underwhelming (even though the TV supports Dolby Vision). There’s no local dimming system either, so the black levels and overall contrast of the C350 leave much to be desired. None of the HDMI ports are 2.1 certified either, so gamers may want to look elsewhere. 

Sometimes, though, it really is the size of the TV screen that matters most for folks. That’s why the Toshiba 75-inch C350 is on our list, and it will be whenever it’s on sale.

Amazon Omni QLED

Amazon’s brightest TV

A few years back, Amazon started making its own TVs, and let’s be honest: They weren’t exactly amazing. But the company’s main demographic isn’t flagship TV diehards — it’s budget-minded folks who want a solid TV for a friendly price. That being said, Amazon’s latest addition to its first-party lineup, the Fire TV Omni QLED, bridges the gap between sale-price and mid-range QLED sets.

For those unaware, the Omni QLED uses quantum dots to enhance the TV’s colors. When you add in ultra-bright backlighting, you get a brilliant blend of powerful brightness, rich color tones, and excellent contrast levels. Even though in our our review we thought the Omni QLED picture didn’t achieve the kind of brightness we’re used to seeing from higher-end QLEDs, especially when it comes to HDR performance, for the price the Fire TV Omni QLED does just fine for most people. If you’re going to be doing a majority of your TV watching at night or in a basement TV room, for example (when window lighting isn’t as much of an issue), the Omni QLED is a good choice.

On the OS side of things, we do love the Fire TV UI, and controlling your smart home devices using hands-free Alexa (the voice assistant is built into the TV) is quite the thrill.

We’re also big fans of Amazon’s Ambient Experience, which lets you display beautiful artwork on your TV screen, on top of notifications, sticky notes, news headlines, and more.

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