A few years ago in the past, if you wanted buy a decent LCD TV, the odds were that you wouldn’t be able to find any good models less than $500. You can still find high-quality models for less, but you will be able to utilize the best one based on the features you require. You can choose the smaller option if you do not mind sacrifices in quality, but you want the top TV with less than 500 dollars.
Best 4k TV Under $500: Hisense 55H8G
The most affordable 4k TV under $500 that we’ve tested is the Hisense 55H8G. The Hisense 55H8G is a fantastic 4k TV at a reasonable price. It also looks more expensive than it really is. It uses the Android TV smart interface, which gives you access to a very large selection of apps and allows for a ton of customization, but it may not be the easiest to use at times.
It boasts a high native contrast ratio that’s enhanced by its full-array local dimming function which is awe-inspiring to find within this range of prices. This makes it a great option for watching films in dark rooms as its peak brightness ensures that. You won’t experience too much glare, even when you’re watching the majority of your daytime television in bright rooms. Both casual and serious gamers should enjoy its quick response time which leads to. The least amount of motion blur as well as low input delay.
It’s not as great for viewing with large groups of people, especially when using VA panels. It’s also not as bright as other HDR models due to its wide color spectrum. HDR images don’t pop as much as they should. The TV is a great value for the money and we think it is one of our favorite TVs under $500.
Best TV Under $500 For Gaming: Vizio M55Q7-H1
If you’re a fan of gaming, the most suitable TV under $500 is the Vizio MGQ7-H1. It’s a good general-purpose TV from Vizio’s 2020 lineup and has a solid performance at a reasonable price. You can even enjoy advanced gaming options like variable refresh rate (VRR) as well as an Auto Low Latency Mod (ALLM). Vizio’s SmartCast interface can be slow and buggy, but it’s one of the few smart platforms that’s ad-free. Although we’ve test the 65 inch version and found it to be a bit slow, we’re expecting the 55 inch model to do the same.
Although it’s only a 60Hz refresh rate but it’s adequate for casual and console PC gamers. It’s got a great response time and minimal blurring of motion when you’re watching videos. That are fast-moving, and extremely low input delay. This makes it responsive to gaming. It also has a high contrast ratio that gives dark blacks. However, it only has adequate brightness, which means you might have issues with glare in very bright rooms, despite its good reflection control.
Although it’s advertised as having HDMI 2.1 ports however, they’re not equipped with the capacity to handle the bandwidth of HDMI 2.0. It’s not the ideal option for HDR gaming as its HDR brightness in Game Mode is sub-par, therefore highlights won’t appear like they ought to. It doesn’t come with full-array dimming in the local area. But, it does not perform well and in fact lowers the contrast ratio of the TV. This TV is still an affordable option for gaming, and should be considered a top option.
Best TV Under $500 With Wide Viewing Angles LG 55UP7000PUA
If you have a wide seating configuration, then the most suitable TV for less than $500 is the LG 55UP7000PUA. The basic model comes with an IPS-like screen that has wide viewing angles. The image is very precise regardless of the place it is being watched. We tested the model with a 65-inch size. However, we’re expecting the same results to apply to the 55-inch model.
It is able to easily make smaller resolution content. This is great for cable TV. You can also set it on your favourite news channel throughout the day without worrying about permanent burn-in. This TV is suitable for use indoors, thanks to its adequate high-end brightness and excellent reflection management. It should be avoided in rooms with high light sources. The LG webOS smart system is integrated into the television. It’s easy to use and comes with lots of applications. But, the remote does not come with a built-in microphone to allow voice control.
It’s a pity that it’s not the ideal choice for watching movies in SDR or HDR. Its panel has a low contrast ratio that makes blacks look gray as well as a lack of black uniformity. And it isn’t equipped with a local dimming feature to enhance it. But not compatible with HDR10 and doesn’t come. With an extensive color range and isn’t bright enough to make highlights pop. Besides these issues, it’s the best TV under $500 with wide viewing angles.
Notable Mentions
Hisense U6G: The Hisense U6G replaces the Hisense H8G and is more efficient overall, but it costs more than $500.
LG UP8000: Although the LG UP8000 performs better than the LG UP7000, it is more expensive and less reliable. It’s worth buying the UP7000.
Toshiba Fire TV 2020: While the Toshiba Fire TV 2020 4K TV is affordable, the TCL 5 series is more expensive and has a greater color spectrum.
Samsung TU7000: The Samsung TU7000 is a smaller version of the Samsung AU8000, but you can find the larger sizes under $500 for those who are searching for.
LG UN7000: You can locate a lower-cost version of the LG UP7000 at a lower price with comparable performance.
TCL 4 Series 2020: While the TCL 4 Series 2020 isn’t as feature-rich as the TCL 5 Series 2020, it’s still cheaper and has Roku.
Vizio V5 Series 2021: Vizio’s V5 Series 2021 is an okay TV available in a 43 inch size, similar to the Samsung AU8000, however its intelligent technology is less slick.
Hisense A6G – The A6G entry-level model comes with an IPS panel similar to the LG UP7000 but is not as bright as the UP7000 , and is lacking many features.