Best 4K TVs under $500 2021/11
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!
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The best TVs under 500 dollars in comparison
| TV | Model year | Panel | Resolution | HDMI | HDR | Rating Total | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
43 Inch TVs under $500: | ||||||||
Recommended  | Samsung AU8000 43" | 2021 | VA | 4K/UHD | ARC eARC | HDR10 HLG HDR10+ |  Total | |
Alternative  | Alternative: Hisense A6G 43" | 2021 | ADS | 4K/UHD | ARC | HDR10 HLG Dolby Vision | Total | |
Alternative  | Alternative: LG UQ9000 43" | 2022 | IPS | 4K/UHD | ARC eARC | HDR10 HLG | Total | |
48-50 Inch TVs under $500: | ||||||||
Recommended  | Hisense U6G 50" | 2021 | VA | 4K/UHD | ARC | HDR10 HLG HDR10+ Dolby Vision | Total | |
Alternative | Alternative: Samsung AU8000 50" | 2021 | VA | 4K/UHD | ARC eARC | HDR10 HLG HDR10+ | Total | |
Alternative  | Alternative: LG UQ9000 50" | 2022 | VA | 4K/UHD | ARC eARC | HDR10 HLG | Total | |
55 Inch TVs under $500: | ||||||||
Recommended  | Hisense U6G 55" | 2021 | VA | 4K/UHD | ARC | HDR10 HLG HDR10+ Dolby Vision | Total | |
Alternative  | Alternative: Vizio M6 Series Quantum 2021 55" | 2021 | VA | 4K/UHD | ARC eARC | HDR10 HLG HDR10+ Dolby Vision | Total | |
Alternative | Alternative: Samsung AU8000 55" | 2021 | VA | 4K/UHD | ARC eARC | HDR10 HLG HDR10+ | Total | |
- The best TVs under 500 dollars in comparison
- 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?
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!
