If you’ve built a smart home network around a particular virtual assistant, many new smart TVs have Alexa or Google Assistant built in, or are compatible with external smart speakers like the Google Nest Hub Max or Echo Show for hands-free controls even without a remote. With Bluetooth connectivity, you can set up wireless home audio equipment or share content from your smartphone or tablet for more ways to entertain family and friends. Console gamers can pick up an affordable TV that offers either variable refresh rate technology support for smoother video playback or an automatic game mode that lowers input response times for near-instant on-screen reactions. Take a look at our top picks below to see which is the perfect upgrade to your living room or home theater. The new Tizen operating system gives you preloaded apps like Disney+ and Netflix, as well as Samsung TV Plus which gives you access to dozens of live news, sports, and entertainment channels without a subscription. Bluetooth connectivity lets you wirelessly set up extra audio equipment for the ultimate home theater, and with AirPlay2 or Miracast, you can screen mirror your mobile devices for more ways to watch videos. The back of the TV has integrated cable management channels and clips to help keep cords from tangling and to help your media space look neat and organized. The integrated V-Chip lets you set up parental controls to keep little ones from watching inappropriate shows and movies. With Bixby and Alexa voice controls built in, you get hands-free commands right out of the box; it is also compatible with Google Assistant devices for expanded smart speaker controls. The multi-view feature allows you to watch shows and videos while simultaneously mirroring your phone or tablet screen. This is great for anyone who wants to check their fantasy football rankings while watching the big game or keep up to date with stock tickers while listening to the news. The TV features three HDMI inputs as well as a USB port, composite input, and RF connection so you can set up a custom home theater to entertain family and friends. The dual, 8 watt speakers use Dolby Digital Plus technology to create clean, room-filling audio without needing to set up extra sound equipment; which is great for living rooms and home theaters that are short on space but need immersive audio. The all-new Hi-View processor and AndroidTV operating system feature a dedicated gaming mode that automatically detects when you turn on your console to optimize refresh rates and lower input latency for virtually lag free gaming and silky smooth action. Dual band Wi-Fi gives you the internet speeds you need to take on ranked matches online. The voice-enabled remote has Google Assistant built in and works with Alexa for hands-free controls over your TV and game consoles. With Chromecast, you can screen mirror your Android devices to play mobile games on your TV or watch walkthrough videos when you’re stuck on a tricky puzzle or pesky boss fight. Our product tester was quick to note that this was easy to set-up and the quality is top-notch for the price point. The streamlined hub menu makes it easy to locate apps, game consoles, and even cable or satellite boxes without needing to navigate confusing menus or memorize input locations. The dual, 8 watt speakers support Dolby Digital Plus surround sound technology to give you room-filling audio for a more immersive experience. If floor and shelf space is scarce in your home, you can wall mount the TV with the VESA compatible bracket holes on the back of the TV. With three HDMI inputs, RF and composite inputs, and even a USB port, you have plenty of places to connect DVD players, flash drives for viewing pictures, and other playback devices to set up the ultimate home theater. Long Answer: Resolution is a term used to tell you how many pixels are in a television, computer monitor, or smartphone screen. The more pixels a screen has, the more detailing you can get. A TV with 4K resolution has twice the pixels of a 1080p HD TV, allowing for better picture quality. You can check out our articles explaining 4K and 1080p resolution to learn more. Yoona Wagener has been with Lifewire since April 2019. With a background in content and technical writing, she has written for BigTime Software and Idealist Careers. She also has experience in tech support and help documentation as well as website building.
What to Look For in a Cheap TV
Working with a limited budget when shopping for a new TV doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice cool features. A lot of lower-priced televisions still offer 4K resolution, voice controls, built-in streaming platforms, and even gaming modes. Some lower-priced televisions come packaged with voice-enabled remotes that work with Alexa or Google Assistant, or are able to connect to external smart speakers for expanded voice controls. Roku-based televisions use a dedicated app to turn your smartphone or tablet into a voice-enabled remote for easier browsing and searching. With 4K resolution becoming more and more mainstream, it’s easier to find an affordable model that offers great picture quality. Some lower-priced televisions also support HDR technology for superior detailing and contrast. If you’re worried about a cheaper TV’s quality, you don’t have to be. Brands like TCL, Samsung, Insignia, and LG have several models of budget-friendly televisions in their line-ups, so you can buy from trusted manufacturers rather than obscure companies that may or may not be worth the money. Affordable televisions also have a wide range of screen sizes from as small as 32-inches to as large as 65-inches available, so you can find the perfect TV for your living room, home theater, or dorm room. We’ll break down some of the most important factors to consider when shopping for an affordable TV to help you decide which is right for you.
Brands
Standing in front of a wall of televisions at a store like Walmart or Best Buy or Googling “cheap TV” can make it tempting to opt for an unknown brand simply because it fits your budget. However, you could run into problems with the TV model being discontinued and not supported by any warranties or customer service programs, or the brand may have a reputation for making sub-par products. It’s important to research every brand you come across while shopping for an affordable TV to avoid being taken in by attractive sale prices. Fortunately, major brands like LG, Samsung, and TCL have several models of TVs in their lineups that are meant for more budget-conscious shoppers. Of these brands, TCL is by far the most affordable option. Their TVs use the Roku streaming platform to give you access to thousands of apps, shows, and movies while maintaining low prices. TCL televisions keep their prices so low by giving you important smart features like streaming apps and voice controls while foregoing others like Bluetooth connectivity and screen mirroring. Samsung and LG models tend to be a little more expensive than their TCL counterparts, but they also offer more smart features and resolution technologies. Some offer Bluetooth connectivity, local dimming zones, and even Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound audio technology. If you have a little wiggle room in your budget, it’s worth springing for options from well-known brands to get the features you want and the customer support you need.
Screen Resolution
The screen resolution that is right for your home theater depends on how you get your entertainment. Do you still have a cable or satellite service? Or do you have an over-air broadcast antenna? Did you cut the cord and now exclusively stream your movies and shows? The best choice for those who still use cable, satellite, or over-air broadcast channels is 1080p full HD, while those who have cut the cord and exclusively stream their entertainment should opt for 4K. Televisions with native 4K resolution have become more and more popular as ultra high-definition content has become available for streaming and broadcast. These models also can upscale non-4K content for consistent picture quality; meaning your old DVDs or over-air shows will look just as great as Blu-Rays or UHD movies available for streaming. TVs that produce 4K resolution have four times the pixels of their 1080p HD predecessors, meaning that more detail can be packed on the screen. However, just because they’re becoming more and more popular doesn’t mean that 4K is the right choice for everyone. There are affordable TVs that still use full 1080p HD. They give you all the smart features you come to expect, but they are made for those who prefer cable, satellite, or over-air broadcast to streaming. You still get a great picture with 1080p HD, including wide color ranges and good contrast, but the detailing isn’t anywhere near as great as 4K.
Smart Features
When looking for an affordable, it’s important to remember that smart features go beyond simply streaming content. There are lower-priced available that support hands-free voice controls with either voice-enabled remotes or with a separate smart speaker. You can use Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, Cortana, and even proprietary programs like Samsung’s Bixby to control your TV. There are also several different operating systems and streaming platforms you can choose from when shopping for a television. Each platform and operating system offers something different. From a bevy of preloaded apps to screen mirroring, there’s something for everyone. Some TVs feature an AI-assisted processor that upscales non-4K content scene-by-scene with a noise reduction process for a consistent picture. Some televisions offer Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound for a more immersive listening experience. Others have dedicated video game modes that automatically change picture and audio settings for smoother motion and enhanced detailing as well as reducing input lag for near real-time reactions on screen to your button presses.
