The best 32-inch TVs of 2023

When looking for a truly great TV, simplicity is sometimes bliss - but can the best 32-inch TVs compete? After all, the latest and greatest TVs have 80-inch screens and offer monstrous resolutions, AI processing, and more speakers inside than your local hi-fi shop. But why do you actually need all of that for casual watching in smaller rooms? Spoiler: you don't.

The humble 32-inch television still has a place in bedrooms, kitchens and mancaves across the globe. They're often cheap, easily moved about the home, and have excellent picture quality despite their size. For many, there's no need to duplicate the full 60-inch TV experience on a small TV for casual use. We couldn't agree more.

The best 32-inch TVs at a glance:

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• Best overall 32-inch TV: Samsung QE32Q50AE 32-inch Full HD TV (2023) - View offer at Amazon
• Best budget 32-inch TV: TCL 32S5209K TV- 32-Inch TV Smart HD Television - View offer at Amazon
• Best Full-HD 32-inch smart TV: LG 32LM6300 Full-HD HDR Smart LED TV - View offer at Amazon
• Best 4K 32-inch TV: Samsung M8 32-inch 4K smart display - View offer at Amazon

We're all about keeping things simple regarding small televisions; more often than not, they just need to sit in a corner and work. That said, unless you're tempted by one of the best 50-inch TVs instead, there are still choices to make. We've compiled a guide and answered some of your questions to help you choose.

Perfect for a child's bedroom, caravan or spare room, many will combine great value, top-tier performance, and ease of use. So, whether that's breakfast news in the bedroom or a spot of sport in the kitchen, we have the best 32-inch TVs to suit you.

Best 32-inch TVs of 2023

Best 32-inch TVs of 2023: Buyer's guide

Looking at 32-inch screens, the ideal viewing distance is around 3-4 feet. Any closer than that, and you'll be straining to see the whole picture at once. If you have to sit more than 10-12 feet away, and you have the space, consider a 43-inch model.

Alternatively, if a 32-inch screen is a little too large for students, commuters, and everyone in between, we have some of the best 24-inch TVs to choose from.

Screen resolution

You're probably not going to come across many 32-inch TVs with resolutions at the higher end of the scale. This is partly because the production of small models has dropped in the wake of TVs 50 inches or larger.

HD/720p: 1280×720

Full HD/1080p: 1920×1080

Ultra HD/4K: 3840×2160

What size TV do I need?

This is always going to be a personal preference. If you're reading about 32-inch TVs, you'll probably have limited space. However, just because you can cram one of these into your caravan or spare bedroom doesn't mean it's going to be a comfortable fit.

Best 32-inch TVs of 2023: Frequently asked questions:

What is High Dynamic Range (HDR)?

High Dynamic Range refers to a television's ability to display a wider colour palette than regular TVs can. In short, whereas standard sets can display around 16 million colours, HDR can manage over a billion. That makes for extremely natural-looking pictures and colour accuracy. The base standard for this is HDR10, but that is closely superseded by HDR10+ and Dolby Vision - each a slight improvement on the other in terms of the widest colour range.

What is Freeview Play?

Freeview Play is a service that combines on-demand and catch-up television streaming into one place. This allows you to browse to see what programmes are coming up. You can watch live TV and also catch up on shows from the previous week.

If you really want to boost what's available to watch on your new TV, you may want to consider a VPN. For example, the best VPN for Netflix will grant you access to the catalogues of any country in the world, like the US, Japan or Australia. These countries have different shows, meaning greater variety of choices for you.

Do smart TVs need to be connected to the internet?

For applications such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Spotify, you'll need internet access to stream any content; but if you've got a TV that has a Freeview aerial or Freesat dish connected, you can watch broadcast content without an internet connection.

Is it worth buying a smart TV?

Smart TV functionality is built into most TVs these days, even some that double as PC monitors. So, even if you're used to watching live TV, having smart functions - such as apps for streaming your favourite dramas or movies - may well come in handy at some point.

What are the best apps for a smart TV?

For most people, Netflix and YouTube are the go-to apps when it comes to casual streaming. Often included by default on some of the best 32-inch TVs, these apps can deliver thousands of TV shows. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you'll probably have heard of Prime Video; this app is also usually available pre-installed on your TV or downloadable from your set's app store.

Alternatively, you've got Disney Plus, you'll get the latest and greatest Marvel shows on demand. There are thousands of Disney classics, which now include the Star Wars franchise.

The Spotify app will enable you to log into your account and stream all of your favourite playlists - perfect for that impromptu party in the kitchen.

Chris Duffill is a Tech Product Writer for What's The Best. He specialises in audiovisual, computing, and gadgets. He also writes for Yours.

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