When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
These days, even entry-level sets are well worth watching.
Heres what you should avoid and what youshould look for when shopping for a super-cheap TV.
That said, you dont have to settle for bottom-of-the-barrel.
Look for descriptions that mention terms like ‘full array LED,’ ‘backlighting’ or even ‘local dimming.’
The reason LED backlighting is preferable has to do with the distance between the LEDs and the display.
If a TV relies on edge-based LEDs, itll likely struggle with contrast, particularly during darker content.
The picture might take on a hazy, flat look, especially while watching with the lights off.
At super-affordable price points, these are valuable marketing terms that will likely be underscored by the brand itself.
If you dont see any indication that the TV is backlit, assume that its not.
But if youre shopping for your living room at 40 inches or above, resolution matters more.
This is because larger screens stand to benefit more from higher-resolution content.
Fortunately, even the cheapest options at these size points tend to sport a 4K resolution these days.
In addition to the term 4K, keep an eye out for UHD (or ultra-high definition).
Avoid TVs marked FHD, 1080p, or 720p.
For one thing, ultra-cheap TVs arent exactly known for their sound quality.
Now, you donthaveto use any of these features if you dont want to.
Recently, I reviewed theSamsung DU8000, a TV that has budget written all over it.
At the time of publishing, the 55-inch DU8000 costs about $499.
TheTCL QM7was never meant to compete with the likes of the DU8000.
Not only does it leverage full-array LED backlighting, it sports Mini-LEDs for added brightness and contrast control.
Its one of our favorite value TVs of the year.
At the time of publishing, the 55-inch QM7 also costs $499.
I get it: Times are tough.
