So, you want a new TV? We all do. With the rate that manufacturers update their smart technology and release new models, there’s never a bad time to upgrade. But that doesn’t mean it’s always a good time to splurge thousands of pounds.
If you’re in the market for a cheap TV, you might assume you’re going to miss out on smart features and picture/audio quality. But that’s actually not the case. You won’t get the absolute best of the best without fully emptying your wallet, but you can find plenty of bang for your buck if you really shop around.
The problem with rapidly evolving TV tech is that the jargon is sometimes impenetrable. What is HDR? What about VRR? And why do you need HDMI? These should inform your decision on buying a specific TV, but it’s important to know what they are first. Read on for a quick guide and a selection of the best TVs for under £500.
Can you get a good TV for under £500?
Absolutely. There are plenty of impressive TVs available for less than £500, with things like Ultra HD resolution and HDR. We don’t want you to set your expectations too high, because you’re not going to get a 75-inch QLED TV for this price. But you might be surprised by the budget-friendly options out there.
What is a smart TV?
All the TVs listed below are smart TVs. In fact, it’s harder to find a TV that isn’t smart these days. A smart TV is basically a TV that connects to the internet, with a platform that has streaming apps (Netflix, Disney, NOW, Prime, YouTube, and more) and other features, such as voice assistant and games.
What is the best smart platform?
It’s not about which is the best, but which one you find easiest to use. Some TV brands have their own smart platforms. LG uses WebOS and Samsung uses Tizen, for instance. Whereas other TVs use familiar platforms such as Android. You’ll find a selection of smart platforms in the list below.
How much does a 4K TV cost?
4K TVs (which typically have a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels) are now the standard for ultra HD home viewing. And while the sharpest display technology — such as OLED and Neo QLED — typically comes at a higher price, it’s possible (as you’ll see below) to a get a 4K TV for £500 or less. Generally, TVs in this price range use LED display technology, with other features to refine and bolster the visuals. However, you also find Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) and HD Ready (1280 x 720 pixels). 4K is named as such because it’s four times the resolution of Full HD.
What is HDR?
You’ll see these initials lots when shopping around for a new TV. It means High Dynamic Range, which gives you a wider gamut of colours and shades. That means deeper, more vibrant, more nuanced colours and details. The most popular HDR formats are Dolby Vision and HDR10. Not all TVs support all HDR formats (Samsung’s otherwise excellent TVs, for instance, don’t support Dolby Vision).
What are gaming mode features?
This is a feature you’ll commonly find on smart TVs. A games mode recognises when you’ve switched on your games console and optimises the TVs settings to maximise gameplay for a smooth, immersive experience. Gaming specific features to look out for include a high refresh rate, ALLM (auto low latency mode) and VRR (variable refresh rate). ALLM means low-lag and low-latency (processing data with minimal delay) — it instantly kicks in and gives you smooth, lag-free, unbroken gameplay. VRR helps your screen to adjust how often it refreshes the image to match the frame rate, which can vary moment-to-moment — all depending on how hard your console processor is working,
What is the best TV for under £500?
You can find great TVs from top brands like Samsung, Hisense, and Toshiba without breaking the bank. To help you find something that works for you, we have tracked down a selection of your best options for less than £500. We have checked out customer reviews, specifications, and features to put together this list of top TVs. What we’re saying is that we’ve done all of the hard work so you don’t have to.
These are the best TVs for under £500 in 2025.
