Best 4K TVs under $500 2023/12
Want to get the most out of a tight budget? With so many TV sets available for less than 500 dollars, this can be a real challenge. In this selection of the best 4K TVs under 500 dollars, we have put together for you TVs that you should pay more attention to than others.
No suitable TV included for you? 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
Affordable QLED entry: Samsung Q60C
A decent and our first candidate is the Samsung Q60C. Here, the South Korean electronics manufacturer offers an entry-level TV based on quantum dots for everyday use. That means you can expect a typical average performance in terms of HDR output without any real upward spikes.
The quantum dots just mentioned are a welcome extra here. This allows the screen to achieve a greater color space coverage and thus display gradients more smoothly. There are also several other functionalities such as cloud gaming via a gaming hub, Apple AirPlay as an additional connectivity channel and various voice assistants.
This QLED TV is available from a size of 43 inches, allowing you a positioning where space is quite limited. You can achieve better sound quality by connecting a soundbar via an eARC port. However, flat screen televisions only offer a native quality for regular use.
Even if you don’t have full next-gen support due to the lack of an HDMI 2.1 connection, the TV is still quite responsive and also has the so-called Gaming Hub. This user interface gives you access to well-known cloud gaming services such as GeForce Now and Microsoft’s xCloud.
The latest Tizen operating system is, as usual, at your side as the control center here. The scope of delivery also includes Samsung’s rechargeable solar remote control with integrated voice control. You also have access to all reputable streaming services and a bunch of apps.
Another affordable quantum dot TV: LG QNED75
If you are more connected to LG from the start or appreciate the rather uncomplicated navigation on the webOS operating system using a Magic Remote, then your choice could go to the LG QNED75. Its Quantum Dot technology allows it to draw from a wider color space coverage and offers a fairly wide range of screen sizes at the same time.
Nearly all versions apart from the 50-inch display have an IPS-based screen. This type of panel is particularly advantageous when viewed from the side. Quality remains constant for much longer here. Positioning it in front of wide seating areas is therefore much less of a problem. A VA display is used in the remaining variant. The main advantage here is the higher contrast ratio with a higher black level.
Affordable design TV for your interior: Samsung The Frame
If your main focus is less on the specifications of a TV and you attach much more importance to a matching interior design, you should take a closer look at Samsung’s The Frame 2023. As the name suggests, this so-called picture frame TV was developed to operate as a kind of hybrid solution between a TV and a canvas.
Thanks to its rather subtle, slim design, you can not only mount this model flat on the wall, but also easily transform it into a wall painting. A suitable art mode is available for this, which you can use to select your favorite image. In order to achieve the right visual effect, the panel has a matt coating that effectively reduces distracting reflections.
Another special feature that only a few Samsung televisions have is the external connection interface called One Connect Box. This saves you having to run cables around the back of the housing and allows you direct, uncomplicated access to all of the device’s ports if needed.
Using a specially designed, separately available wall mount, you can also align the display vertically if required and conceal it even more effectively this way. Finally, The Frame also has interchangeable frame elements that allow further color customization. In terms of size, you can choose from a wide range that you rarely find with other televisions.
As a studied technology journalist Tobi likes to write regularly about the colorful world of TV sets & Co. Further interests: Music, cars, gaming, soccer
- The best TVs under 500 dollars in comparison
- Affordable QLED entrySamsung Q60C
- Affordable design TV for your interiorSamsung The Frame
- 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)
- 4K@120Hz and 8K@60Hz respectively
- 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.