Best 4K TVs under $500 2022/08
The budget is tight, but you still want a new and good TV? That’s sometimes not so easy, since the selection in the range of less than 500 dollars quickly becomes very thin. Nevertheless, there are also suitable TVs in this range.
Of course, these TVs do not represent the crème de la crème and unfortunately do not have everything to offer that is reserved for the high-end models. Nevertheless, there are also TVs in the budget range that are suitable for both Home Cinema and gaming. Here you can find our selection of the best value-for-money TVs under 500 Dollar!
Nothing for you to find? In that case, why not use our TV buying guide or take a look at our tv toplist. There you will find a complete selection of our listed TVs and can set filters completely individually in order to find your perfect TV.
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The best TVs under 500 dollars in comparison
- 120Hz VA Panel
- Contrast Ratio 7900:1
- HDR-Performance
- Full Array Local Dimming
- HDMI 2.1 with VRR & ALLM
- No Bass
- Bad Highs and Lows
- Narrow Viewing Angle
- 120Hz VA Panel
- Contrast Ratio ~6300:1
- Peak Brightness ~950Nits
- Full Array Local Dimming
- HDMI 2.1
- Dolby Vision & HDR10+
- Limited viewing angle
- Contrast Ratio 4750:1
- Low response time (~4ms)
- Full Array Local Dimming
- Dolby Vision & HDR10+
- Dolby Atmos & DTS
- Android 10 smart OS
- 60Hz panel
- Narrow viewing angle
- No HDMI 2.1
- Contrast Ratio 4750:1
- Low response time (~4ms)
- Full Array Local Dimming
- Dolby Vision & HDR10+
- Dolby Atmos & DTS
- Android 10 smart OS
- 60Hz panel
- Narrow viewing angle
- No HDMI 2.1
- Contrast Ratio 4750:1
- Low response time (~4ms)
- Full Array Local Dimming
- Dolby Vision & HDR10+
- Dolby Atmos & DTS
- Android 10 smart OS
- 60Hz panel
- Narrow viewing angle
- No HDMI 2.1
- 60Hz VA Panel
- Contrast Ratio 4650:1
- Color range
- Input lag ~10ms
- Viewing angle
- No HDMI2.1
- No Dolby Vision
- Response Time 7ms
- Sound
- Contrast Ratio 3800:1
- Input Lag ~10ms
- HDR10+
- Decent performance in dark rooms
- Small Color Gamut
- No Variable Refresh Rate
- Viewing Angle
- No PVR & Timeshift
- Contrast Ratio 3800:1
- Input Lag ~10ms
- HDR10+
- Decent performance in dark rooms
- Small Color Gamut
- No Variable Refresh Rate
- Viewing Angle
- No PVR & Timeshift
Solid Smart TV: Samsung Q60A
The Samsung Q60A is our favorite when it comes to TVs under $500. It is especially convincing with its Smart TV features, which makes it perfect for the Smart Home. It offers a smoothly running Tizen 6.0 including voice assistant support and a very extensive app offering. You do not have to do without any streaming service here and can enjoy your favorite movies and series to the fullest thanks to the very good picture quality.
Good sound can be achieved especially by connecting a soundbar via an HDMI eARC port. Because as it is often the case with flat TVs, the available sound is not that convincing.
Even gaming has plenty of options, even if you are somewhat limited by a missing HDMI 2.1 port. Nevertheless, the TV is responsive, but you should be able to darken the room, since the TV cannot fight reflections in very bright rooms.
Alternative from Hisense: Hisense U8G
A very good alternative to the Samsung Q60A is the Hisense U8G, which is also based on QLED technology. This allows the TV to achieve a very good picture quality, which really shows off movies and series to their best advantage. Additionally, dynamic HDR formats like Dolby Vision or HDR10+ are used to optimize the picture even better. HDR content looks significantly better as a result.
For gamers, there is an HDMI 2.1 port that supplies consoles with all important functions. There is also an analog connection, which means that older consoles from the 90s can also be used without any problems.
Beyond that, the Hisense U8G offers great smart features and you hardly have to do without a function. The large streaming offer always provides new supplies in terms of movies and series, and you can also operate everything by voice thanks to the voice assistants. Only a twin tuner and the time shift functions are missing.
The picture frame among TVs: Samsung The Frame 2021
Those who attach great importance to a matching interior, in which a TV hangs rather inconspicuously on the wall, have been reaching for Samsung’s “The Frame” for years. The 2021 version still offers the glossy display, which is why the TV cannot handle reflections quite as well as its successor, but it still cuts a good figure on the wall in the form of a famous painting.
But it also cuts a good figure as a TV and can convince with a good picture quality and a wide color space. Even for gamers, the TV offers some plus points and among them is a full-fledged HDMI 2.1 port, via which the current consoles get all conceivable functions. Starting with the 55-inch variant, a responsive 120 HzHertz is the derived SI-unit of frequency with 1Hz=1/s – When talking about TVs this means how many different pictures a TV can display in one second. panel is even installed.
The sound of the picture frame TV can be improved significantly with the Q-Symphony and Object Tracking Sound functions as well as Dolby AtmosObject-based surround sound format with 3D-Sound from any direction support. You can really get a lot out of the sound via the existing HDMI eARC port.
However, there is nothing left to be desired in terms of smart features, and The Frame also offers Apple AirPlay 2 and an integrated Alexa voice control in addition to a large range of apps. Time Shift and a USB recording function are also available, and of course Art Mode, which can be used to display countless paintings on the TV.
- The best TVs under 500 dollars in comparison
- Solid Smart TVSamsung Q60A
- The picture frame among TVsSamsung The Frame 2021
- It doesn't always have to be high-end
- Frequently asked questions about cheap TVs When are TVs the cheapest?What is HDMI 2.1 and what does it do?What is the right size?Isn't there a cheap OLED TV?
It doesn't always have to be high-end
Cheap doesn’t necessarily have to be bad
A TV that covers all your movie, series, or gaming needs doesn’t necessarily have to cost a lot, because even for under $500 you can get some 4K-capable smart TVs that pack a punch.
For many, an inexpensive TV is enough and, as so often, it depends on the respective use. A good contrast is essential for a movie night, and a good brightness is important in front of a window. When it comes to gaming, it finally depends on which consoles you use. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X cannot be used to their full potential in most cases because they lack an HDMI 2.1 port, but older consoles can shine immensely here. As you can see, the type of use and the room in which the TV will be located are particularly important.
With a budget of around 500$, you unfortunately can’t expect the egg-laying willy-nilly, but there is usually an option that fits your situation perfectly. You also have to realize that you cannot expect a high-end device at such a price and have to do without many features.
Frequently asked questions about cheap TVs
When are TVs the cheapest?
Most manufacturers present their latest models at the beginning of the year at CES in Las Vegas before they are released in the first months of the year. Accordingly, prices are highest at the beginning of the year.
Therefore, the best prices can be achieved in the fall months through December, as not only is the Christmas season beckoning, but manufacturers are already preparing for the next cycle. It is also worth waiting for the period after Christmas, because then there are often also cheaper prices.
What is HDMI 2.1 and what does it do?
HDMI 2.1 is currently the fastest transmission standard for HDMI connections. Thus, for example, videos with 4K resolution and 120Hz can be transmitted.
The requirements for HDMI 2.1 include the following points:
- Data rate up to 48 GBit/s
- Support for 14 and 16 bit color depthThe color depth is measured in Bit. 8 Bit stands for 28 different values for each color channel, for TVs those are red, green and blue. By combining the 3 rgb channels 28*28*28=16.777.216 colors are possible. HDR10 or the dynamic HDR formats work with 10 or even 12 Bit.
- Variable refresh rateHertz is the derived SI-unit of frequency with 1Hz=1/s – When talking about TVs this means how many different pictures a TV can display in one second. (VRRVariable Refresh Rate – synchronizes the display’s refresh rate with the output refresh rate of the graphics card)
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- Quick Media Switching (QMS)
- Quick Frame Transport (QFT)
- Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLMAuto Low Latency Mode – Automatically detects connected consoles and keeps input lag as low as possible.)
- Display Stream Compression (DSC)
- Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC)
Roughly speaking, these specifications are only necessary for gaming with the latest consoles, Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X, as well as high-end graphics cards. Only when all points are fulfilled, it is a full-fledged HDMI 2.1 connection.
What is the right size?
The “perfect” size does not exist and it always depends on your preferences.
For a rough estimate, we recommend:
- 2m seat pitch = 50 inches
- 2m to 2.5m = 55 inches
- 2.5m to 3m = 65 inches
- from 3m = 75 inch and larger
If you need more help with your TV selection, feel free to check out tvfindr!
Isn't there a cheap OLED TV?
OLED technology is still much newer than LED/LCD technology, which is why it is also much more expensive. You can get TVs for less than 1000 Dollars, but it is still impossible to find a suitable offer below that. Therefore, you still have to dig deeper into your pocket for an OLED TV.
