Spend less, get more: The best budget TVs of 2024

Upgrade your home cinema or add a TV to that bedroom for less – without losing out on features.

The best budget TVs

by Ryan Houghton |
Updated on

The best Black Friday deals on budget TVs

We interrupt your scrolling to let you know that, while the Black Friday sales for 2024 are now officially over, there are still plenty of amazing last chance deals to be found. Many retailers are stocked with late Black Friday offers and last chance budget TV deals. So, there's still time to grab that top-tier tech while you can. We've rounded up the best offers below. Or, keep scrolling for our full buyer's guide

Shop Black Friday budget TV deals on: Very | John Lewis | Currys | Amazon

Looking for Samsung Black Friday deals? Here's our up-to-date guide to the best Samsung TV Black Friday deals.

🔥 £180 off our pick for best 43-inch: PHILIPS Ambilight PUS8108 43-inch, WAS £529, NOW £349

🔥 £110 off Samsung: Samsung DU7100, 43-inch 4K Smart TV, WAS £379, NOW £269

🔥 34% discount: Hisense 43 Inch 4K Smart TV 43E6NTUK, WAS £349, NOW £229

🔥 Save 31% on Amazon Fire: Amazon Fire TV 43-inch 2-Series HD smart TV, WAS £550, NOW £380

28% off: TCL 32S5400AFK 32-inch Television, WAS £180, NOW £129

Now back to our regularly scheduled content.

So get ready to choose from a range of top brands such as Samsung, LG, Philips, Hisense and more – the best budget TVs are on their way to give you immersive sound and vision at sensible prices

Best budget TVs of 2024 at a glance

Best budget TVs of 2024

Please note: All prices correct at time of writing. Prices, stock and deals subject to change without notice.

Best overall

Expert rating:
4.5

It's exceedingly rare to find a QLED television for less than £1,000, let alone a 65-inch QLED. So, the fact that the QE65Q60C is below £750 - it certainly earns a spot on our list. And you'll be getting one of the best-looking sets on the market in our opinion. Samsung certainly knows its stuff when it comes to build and design.

For colour, the QE65Q60C certainly doesn't lack boldness or vibrancy - QLED TVs are decisively our favourite TV technology in terms of sheer beauty, and this model is yet another example of why Quantum Dot technology is just so powerful. Perfectly built for wall mounting, with a truly flush back, or for simply positioning comfortably on a table - the QE65Q60C is both visually pleasing to watch and in its aesthetic beauty.

There's real value to be had with the QE65Q60C, it's ideal for those in search of a quality QLED TV but don't want to pay within the thousands.

Pros

  • Wonderful Samsung design and build quality
  • Gorgeous image quality thanks to the amazing 4K QLED panel
  • HDR10+ support for excellent depth

Cons

  • Screen sometimes truggles to perform for extreme dark scenes
  • Screen
    4.5
  • Audio
    4.4
  • Features
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
Screen size65-inch
Other sizes50, 55, 65, 75, 85 inches
Screen typeQLED
Refresh rate50Hz
HDMIHDMI 2.1 x 3
HDRYes, Quantum HDR
AudioAdaptive Sound and Object Tracking Sound, Q-symphony
Smart assistantAlexa
Dimensions‎ 2.5 x 145 x 83.1 cm (D x W x H)
Weight21kg

40% off

Best under £300

Expert rating:
4.0
Hisense
Price: £299 (WAS £499)

Hisense is consistently ruling the roost of the budget television market - with an enormous range of low-price, solid-quality televisions that are cheaper than the competition by hundreds of pounds, but out of Hisense's entire budget catalogue, none are quite as affordable as the 50A6KTUK.

Packed with AI picture optimisation, motion smoothing, HDR and even Game Mode support for some additional smoothness, the 50A6KTUK offers some genuinely impressive 4K visuals and exciting features to keep you on the edge of your seat, and at its price - you really can't knock the value. Perfect for wall mounting, the Hisense 50A6KTUK has practically non-existent bezels that melt away when you're absorbed in a series or amidst the chaos of your go-to FPS shooter, for its price, there are high-end TVs with thicker bezels and uglier designs.

Hisense's 50A6KTUK smart TV has a solid screen, impressive ultra-thin bezels and heaps of features that make it feel far more premium than its price tag. Other than a slightly slow operating system at times, if you need an affordable upgrade to your home cinema setup, you really cannot fault it.

Pros

  • Massively affordable for a 4K 50-inch TV
  • Solid picture for the price thanks to AI optimisations and HDR for over a billion colours
  • Neat looking thanks to thin bezels

Cons

  • Occasionally sluggish operating system at times
  • Screen
    4.5
  • Audio
    5.0
  • Features
    4.5
  • Value
    5.0
Screen size50-inch
Other sizes43, 55, 58, 65, 70, 75, 85 inches
Screen typeLED
Refresh rate60Hz
HDMIHDMI 2.0 x 3
HDRDolby Vision
AudioDTS Virtual X
Smart assistantAlexa
Dimensions702 x 1119 x 274 mm (H x W x D)
Weight10kg

34% off

Best 43-inch

Expert rating:
4.0
PHILIPS

Philips has consistently made some of the most astonishing budget televisions on the market in recent years, and the PUS8108 is perhaps one of their most excellent designs so far. Packed with colour, beautifully designed and engineered with Ambilight functionality, and at a great size - the Philips PUS8108 is one of the very best cheap TVs we've come across so far this year, and its brilliance is no mystery.

Along with HDR10+ (which is rare amongst budget televisions) and Dolby Vision, which isn't even in some high-end displays, Philips' PUS8108 truly looks the part at its price - movies and television shows appear exciting, full of life and detail, and when paired with Ambilight, it's truly difficult to look away.

Sound on the Philips PUS8108 is also a little lacking, despite having a plethora of sound-throwing programs and extras to boost its fairly small speakers - it's just not enough to bring that cinematic boom and rumble that the screen deserves. That said, the Philips PUS8108 is one of the best-looking smart TVs in its price range - in large part thanks to its non-existent side bezels that give the screen an ethereal, boundless look while absorbed into a film.

Pros

  • Gorgeous ultra-thin bezel design
  • Solid LED screen rich with detail
  • Ambilight is a unique and immersive feature

Cons

  • The sound is okay but best with a soundbar
  • Screen
    4.0
  • Audio
    4.0
  • Features
    5.0
  • Value
    5.0
Screen size43-inch
Other sizes50, 55, 65, 70 inches
Screen typeLED
Refresh rate60Hz
HDMIHDMI 2.1 x 3
HDRHDR10+
AudioDolby Atmos
Smart assistantAlexa, Google Assistant
Dimensions570 x 963 x 78 mm (H x W x D)
Weight8.5kg

Save 14%

Best 65-inch

Expert rating:
4.5

Bezels are the black lines of the frame of a screen, monitor, or TV, and this TCL 65V6BK manages to have very thin ones. That's a great feature, as the less noticeable they are, the easier it is to get immersed in what you're watching. Dolby Vision further serves that design feature, as the colours will really pop with vibrancy, Even better, this is a 4K resolution TV, so you'll be even more immersed without an annoyingly thick bezel to distract your eye.

Just be sure to consider where you're placing this TV. It's lightweight, making it a solid option for wall-mounting, but if it's on a TV unit or stand you might want to be careful not to accidentally knock it while you're cleaning and tidying. We particularly like the Android as the operating system, you're getting a firm favourite with for ease of use and a massive app range.

Unbelievably at this price, it even has HDR for in Dolby Vision and HDR10 varieties for over a billion colours and exceptional colour accuracy. Lastly, it's a 65-inch TV - that's right, you can settle in and watch sports, TV or movies on this and the scale and detail will blow you away. It's a steal.

Pros

  • Excellent Dolby Vision for enhanced colour and vibrancy
  • Great size for a 4K resolution model
  • Thin bezels are great for immersion

Cons

  • Lightweight and large, you could accidentally knock this over so be careful with placement
  • Screen
    5.0
  • Audio
    4.0
  • Features
    4.5
  • Value
    5.0
Screen size65-inch
Other sizes43, 50, 55, 58, 65, 75 inches
Screen typeLED
Refresh rate60hz
HDMIHDMI 2.1 X 3
HDRHDR10
AudioDolby Audio
Smart assistantGoogle Assistant, Alexa
Dimensions83.3 x 144.5 x 7.2cm (H x W x D)
Weight14.3kg

Best for voice control

Expert rating:
4.5
Panasonic

If you prioritise the sound of a TV more than the visuals, you might want to consider this model from Panasonic. It still sports a solid set of visual specs, but the sound is where the TX-55MX610B really shines. It has the always-brilliant Dolby Atmos, so the audio is rich and highly immersive; and Dolby Vision for enhanced colours thanks to HDR10.

We particularly love the inclusion of both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for voice control, making this TV one of the most usable here. There's a low-latency mode for gamers as well as a massive range of smart apps to keep you entertained all day long.

The size of this TV is likely to appeal as well. At 55 inches, it's neither too big nor too small; it's suitable for just about any room you could want to put it in. Factoring in the inclusion of Alexa for voice control and its sheer affordability, we think it's a great choice for those after a bedroom TV.

Pros

  • 55-inch is an ideal size for most rooms
  • Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision are great for immersion
  • Great selection of streaming apps

Cons

  • Sounds best with a soundbar
  • Screen
    4.0
  • Audio
    4.5
  • Features
    4.0
  • Value
    5.0
Screen size 43-inch
Other sizes 50, 55 inches
Screen typeLED-LCD
Refresh Rate50Hz / 60Hz
HDMIHDMI x 3
HDR HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision
Audio Dolby Atmos
Smart assistant Google Assistant, Alexa
Dimensions 561 x 965 x 266 mm (H x W x D, with stand)
Weight8 kg (with stand)

29% discount

Best for sound

Expert rating:
4.5
Sony
Price: £498 (WAS £699)

We mentioned a TV that favoured sound quality earlier, but for the best audio experience, you want a Sony BRAVIA TV. Dolby Atmos combines with a set of powerful X-balanced speakers to produce an experience that doesn't need a soundbar to impress. Bass-wise, it's one of the best out there. If you like to stick music on while you're working, now you can have your TV cover the room with all the sounds you want.

Gamers will love this for more reasons than sound too, as it comes with an auto low-latency mode and a dedicated gaming menu. Apps are well catered for as well, with all of the usual ones at hand for our on-demand and catchup content as well as streaming subscription services.

We're also impressed by the ports of this TV. It has a couple of USB connections, which is a nice luxury that not all budget TVs have, but it's the total of four HDMI ports that we really love. If you have multiple consoles or devices, this is a great hub for them. As an LED TV though, it won't have the sheer contrast and vibrancy of a QLED, but that's a minor niggle on a budget TV from a top brand like this.

Pros

  • Very bassy speakers thanks to Sony X-balanced speakers design
  • Great set of ports and connections
  • Sharp visuals and contrast for an LED TV thanks to Sony's expertise

Cons

  • As an LED model, better options exist for screen quality
  • Screen
    4.0
  • Audio
    5.0
  • Features
    4.0
  • Value
    4.5
Screen size43-inch
Other sizes50, 55, 65, 75 inches
Screen typeLED
Refresh rate60Hz
HDMIHDMI x 4
HDRYes
AudioDolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, DTS Digital Surround
Smart assistantGoogle Assistant
Dimensions632 x 972 x 266 mm (L x W x H)
Weight9.5kg

31% off

Best for Fire TV

Expert rating:
4.0
Amazon
Price: £380 (WAS £550)

Although the Fire TV operating system, is heavily Amazon-centric, it's not restricted to Amazon-made devices, with other brands having their own take on the Fire TV experience. But, for die-hard Amazon fans, this TV is hard to beat. Yes, as a Prime member, you'll have access to all of your subscription-based shows and movies, but everyone else will love it too – thanks to the wide range of content and apps available.
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This Amazon Fire TV 43-inch Omni QLED series TV packs a lot of features and a solid specification too. Apart from being a 4K resolution QLED screen, we also think this Fire TV is ideal for wall mounting. It's reasonably lightweight without being flimsy, and at 43 inches, it's pretty much the perfect size for any room.

You don't need to fret about struggling to see detail from further away either; it's a QLED screen, so the visible detail and vibrancy are excellent. As with many budget TVs, you may not find the operating system is as fast and responsive as high-end models, but that's a small price to pay for so much quality elsewhere. All in all, we think the Fire TV is an excellent all-rounder with a well-thought-out menu system, smart design and a set of connections that are well-placed and easy to reach.

Pros

  • Easy-to-navigate UI and excellent access to lots of streaming content
  • Lightweight for a QLED, ideal for wall mounting
  • Great connectivity options

Cons

  • Not always the quickest
  • Screen
    4.5
  • Audio
    4.0
  • Features
    5.0
  • Value
    4.5
Screen size43-inch
Other sizes50, 55, 65 inches
Screen typeQLED
Refresh rate60Hz
HDMIHDMI x 4
HDRDolby Vision IQ
AudioDolby Digital Plus
Smart assistantAlexa
Dimensions853 x 1451 x 87 mm (H x W x D) (without stand)
Weight21.2kg (without stand)

Save £37

Best for movies

Expert rating:
4.0
LG
Price: £347 (WAS £384)

www.currys.co.uk

If you primarily use your TV for watching movies or binge-watching shows on streaming services, you'll definitely appreciate the LG LED UR78. Its 55-inch panel has 4K upscaling, so you can enjoy superb resolution on content that wasn't originally made in 4K.

Alternatively, if you prefer to go the authentic route, Filmmaker mode automatically adjusts settings to match what the movie or show was originally meant to be viewed as, so you can see it in its ideal form. It's only one of a handful of features designed to boost performance with movies as well as TV shows. Alongside HDR for more colours, you get AI-driven sound for better performance with dialogue and more. There's even a Game Optimiser mode for superior motion and clarity.

Other than the slightly wide placement of the stand's feet, the UR78 is a fuss-free experience, and that's in part due to its webOS. Some budget TVs can feel clunky to navigate, but that's not the case here. Everything is simple to understand at a glance and things are exactly where they feel they should be, so no more getting lost in menus. Your movie nights will be getting quite the upgrade with this.

Pros

  • Great LG picture processing with 4K upscaling of lower-resolution content for a sharper picture
  • Handy Filmmaker and Game Optimiser modes
  • OS is easy to use

Cons

  • The stands need a fair bit of surface space
  • Screen
    5.0
  • Audio
    4.5
  • Features
    5.0
  • Value
    4.5
Screen size43-inch
Other sizes50, 55, 65, 75, 86 inches
Screen typeLED
Refresh rate60Hz
HDMIHDMI x 3
HDRHDR10
AudioAI Sound
Smart assistantVoice recognition
Dimensions621 x 967 x 200 mm (H x W x D)
Weight8.9kg

Best LED

Expert rating:
4.5

Samsung's UE50CU7020K makes the bill as one of the best budget LED UHD TVs on the market, and there's no mystery as to why. Clever mechanics like PurColour and 4K upscaling sharpen and enhance colours without the need for pricey QLED or OLED TV technology, the UE50CU7020K has a wonderful warmth and beauty that reaches far beyond its price point.

At 50 inches the UE50CU7020K is undoubtedly a fantastic 4K TV under £500 - and yet, as with competing brands - its value doesn't come at a significant cost of quality. From its solid Crystal UHD screen to the breathtaking build quality, which is rarely ever sub-par with Samsung, home cinema builders can expect nothing but quality from the UE50CU7020K, which isn't easy at its price.

Of course, there are some minor nitpicks we can spot from the get-go, isn't exactly optimal for gaming or other demanding content - though this isn't totally detrimental, yet at its size for its price - these criticisms are easily left on the wayside.

Pros

  • Excellent screen size
  • Solid Crystal UHD screen for budget
  • Gorgeous modern day LED display
  • Great build quality

Cons

  • Average refresh rate
  • Screen
    4.5
  • Audio
    4.5
  • Features
    4.5
  • Value
    4.5
Screen size50-inch
Others sizesNone of this model
Screen typeLED
Refresh rate50Hz
HDMIHDMI 2.0 x 3
HDRYes
AudioQ-Symphony, OTS Lite, Adaptive sound
Smart assistantAlexa, Google
Dimensions72.38, D25.17cm (H x W x D)
Weight10.4kg

Best 50-inch

Expert rating:
4.5

Toshiba, generally speaking, is known for their budget televisions - a lot of their televisions are typically high quality but still wholly affordable, that's what makes them some of our favourite TVs. The 50QV2363DB is yet another prime example of Toshiba's ability to deliver premium tech for a fraction of the price.

With HDR10 and some excellent sharpness - the 50QV2363DB offers what is a pretty fantastic user experience for the cost - colours and images are represented incredibly accurately, without being too exaggerated or underwhelming - it's a stunning balance that only serves to show the brilliance of modern 4K technology which is now so much more affordable than ever before.

From its easy-to-use user interface to its solid display – it's a great example of what an affordable television truly should be.

Pros

  • Solid colour and brightness thanks to TRU Resolution and TRU Micro Dimming
  • Incredible value 4K resolution, especially at this size
  • Solid Toshiba user interface

Cons

  • Pairs poorly with soundbars and other Bluetooth devices
  • Screen
    4.5
  • Audio
    4.5
  • Features
    4.0
  • Value
    5.0
Screen size50-inch
Other sizes43, 50, 55, 65 inches
Screen typeQLED
Refresh rate50Hz
HDMIHDMI 2.0 x 2
HDRHDR10
AudioDTS Sound System
Smart assistantAlexa, Google
Dimensions69.6 x 112 x 25.7cm (H x W x D)
Weight9.6kg

How to choose the best budget TV for you

There are really only a handful of things to consider before you buy. Here are the most common ones you'll need to look after to make the best choice.

Get the right size

For many people, space can be an issue – if that's you, you might be looking for a smaller set to fit into that nook or cranny, like a small bedroom or kitchen. And for those who want to go large, the same thing applies: Make sure it'll fit. Not just being able to place it where you want to, but also for comfortable viewing. Here’s a quick and easy guide to give you an idea of the minimum distance you should have from your TV when enjoying your favourite entertainment:

40 inches - 80 inches (6.7 feet)

50 inches - 100 inches (8.3 feet)

60 inches - 120 inches (10 feet)

75 inches - 150 inches (12.5 feet)

Choose the right features

If you're a gamer or a movie fan, you might want to consider a larger screen. And, if you can, go for a 4K QLED panel as the colours and contrast are much better suited to films, games and 4K TV content. Look out for smart TVs with apps for your favourite streaming subscription services, especially if you like to pay for the latest movies and TV.

But, if you're more into daily casual TV watching, an LED panel is fine, as are standard Full-HD resolutions. You might want to make sure your chosen set has Freeview or Freeview Play if your favourite content comes from broadcast channels like BBC and ITV. If you like catchup services for on-demand content, you'll need to look for a good range of smart apps, too.

LED vs QLED vs OLED – what's the difference?

LED, OLED and QLED tech are three types of panel technology with their own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to overall picture quality. LED and QLED are actually quite similar in how they work - they use a backlight to illuminate diodes, which make up individual pixels on the smart TV's screen, giving you an image. Quantum dot technology uses an additional layer of quantum dot diodes that creates a much wider range of colours. OLEDs are less likely to be found in a budget TV as they cost a lot to make, but they don't use backlighting as the pixels are self-illuminated. That allows them to have perfect black levels and also accurate and vivid colours.

QLED and 4K

Backlights on QLEDs are brighter than those in LEDs, and QLEDs are more colour-accurate, so the displays appear much more vivid. They really look their best on sets with a greater resolution than your standard Full HD (1080p). 4K is four times better than Full HD for more detail. With budget sets, you're more likely to find LED and less likely to see 4K and QLED, the latter having brighter pictures and more contrast than a normal LED. If you'd like to know more we have a guide on QLED and 4K

one of the best budget tvs
The best budget TVs still provide a great range of apps and functionality ©Chris Duffill/What's The Best

FAQs

Are budget TVs worth it?

Absolutely, yes. While high-end Neo-QLED TVs with 120Hz refresh rates certainly have sufficient appeal, a true budget television from the best TV brands can still be incredibly impressive and have a range of tech features you'd never expect at such affordable prices. Yes, you can spend more on any piece of technology, from the best PCs to TVs and more. But we think that anyone on a budget or even those who just don't need all of the high-end picture and sound wizardry can get an awful lot for much less money.

Why is Hisense so cheap?

Well, Hisense certainly isn't the only Chinese brand out there to offer great functionality and decent for a lot less than some other premium brands. But, while customer reviews are positive, there does come a point where spending more will get you a better picture and a faster operating system for those who want that. There are other brands, like TCL, who are also Chinese companies. Being based in China, the costs of production are lower and components, many of which are made in China to begin with, are also cheaper.

What's the best time of year to buy a budget TV?

Throughout the year, there are tonnes of sales events across retailers - from Spring Sales to Black Friday, so whenever you're shopping for a television, there's bound to be at least a handful of deals on a range of smart TVs.

Having said that, you'll find that there's a practically limitless amount of deals around Christmas time, with stocks fluctuating through that time massively, so you have to be quick.

How we chose these products

We selected the best budget TVs based on reliable and trusted brands, average user reviews, price, and suitability for each use case. We look carefully at the technical specifications of all products before we recommend them to ensure that they will meet buyers' needs without requiring modifications or costly additions to function as intended. With the best budget TVs, our main focus is on price balanced with display quality, resolution, sound, build quality and design, connectivity, and smart app availability. Our writers also choose products based on hands-on experience where we own or have reviewed them ourselves. Retailers are selected based on price, availability and reputation as reliable and trusted sellers.

Ryan Houghton is a Tech Writer and Reviewer for What's The Best, known best for his expertise in gaming, with a particular soft spot for PC gaming, audio tech, televisions and smartphones.

Diligently writing for What's The Best for almost two years, there are very few tech products Ryan hasn't had his hands on to review; televisions, headphones, folding phones and even LEGO, if it's nerdy, he'll be there.

His well-versed history as one of the resident techies at What's The Best has kept him keen to uncover the very best deals, savings and offers for those in need of a cracking deal to upgrade their setup.

In his downtime, Ryan most likely has his nose buried in a fantasy book, or his eyes glued to a screen whilst playing a tough-as-nails Soulslike or leisurely RPG, indulging in most forms of escapism where possible.

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