Do you dream of a big screen for movie night but cringe at the high price tags? It feels like getting a great Smart TV without spending a fortune is almost impossible these days. You scroll through endless websites, and every shiny new model seems to cost way more than you planned. Finding a TV that streams your favorite shows, looks good, and doesn’t empty your wallet can feel like a real treasure hunt!
The good news is that amazing technology is now within reach. We understand the struggle of balancing quality features with a tight budget. That’s why we dove deep into the market to find the absolute best Smart TVs available right now for under five hundred dollars. Keep reading to discover our top picks, learn what features actually matter in this price range, and find out how to avoid buying a dud.
Top Smart Tv Under 500 Dollars Recommendations
- With VIZIO Account, access VIZIO OS with apps built right in, manage your app subscriptions, watch free channels, and much more. A VIZIO Account is required for Smart TV functionality and product updates.
- Full HD delivers a step up in clarity from HD with richer contrast and true-to-life color achieved with Full Array LED Backlight and fine-tuned at a granular level with Active Pixel Tuning.
- See details your opponent won’t with HDR10 support on HDMI. Plus, when a console or PC is detected, FHD models automatically enable Auto Low Latency Mode.
- Built-in VIZIO OS lets you instantly access all your favorite apps and more. Enjoy hundreds of free channels and thousands of free On Demand titles with the built-in WatchFree+ app.
- The modern 3-sided VIZIO ThinFrame design fits beautifully in any room.
- 720p resolution - View your favorite movies, shows and games in high definition.
- Alexa voice control - The Alexa Voice Remote lets you easily control your entertainment, search across apps, switch inputs, and more using just your voice. Press and hold the voice button and ask Alexa to easily find, launch, and control content, and even switch to cable.
- Access thousands of shows with Fire TV - Watch over 1.5 million streaming movies and TV episodes with access to thousands of channels, apps and Alexa skills, including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, Disney+, ESPN+, Sling TV, Paramount+, and other services right from this TV.*
- DTS Virtual-X Sound - An immersive sound format creates a three-dimensional sound experience with your TV’s speakers.
- Supports HDMI ARC - Sends audio directly from the HDMI jack to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver, removing the need for an extra cable.
- A treat for the eyes: Sharp 4K brings out rich detail on our 50" flat screen TV, while colors pop off in lifelike clarity with HDR10. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
- Explore a world's worth of TV: Dive into all kinds of entertainment and easily find your favorites or soon-to-be favorites.
- A ton of entertainment at the best price—free: Your go-to streaming destination for free entertainment, Roku has 500+ TV channels, with live in-season shows, hit movies, weather, local news, and award-winning Roku Originals.
- Home sweet home screen: Move apps around and make the Roku experience your own with a home screen that easily gets you to what you want to watch fast.
- Just keeps getting better: Get the newest apps, features, and more with automatic software updates.
- 4k Ultra HD (2160p resolution): Enjoy breathtaking HDR10 4K movies and TV shows at 4 times the resolution of Full HD, and upscale your current content to Ultra HD-level picture quality.
- High Dynamic Range: Provides a wide range of color details and sharper contrast, from the brightest whites to the deepest blacks.
- All-in-one: Get right to your good stuff. With Fire TV, you can enjoy a world of entertainment from apps like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. Plus, stream for free with Fire TV Channels, Pluto TV, Tubi, and more. Access over 1.8 million movies and TV episodes. Subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.
- Smart Home: Your smart home hub. Pair Fire TV with compatible smart home devices to see live camera feeds, use AirPlay, control your lighting and thermostat, and more.
- Free Content: Stream for free. Access over 1 million free movies and TV episodes from popular ad-supported streaming apps like Fire TV Channels, Tubi, and Pluto TV. Subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.
- 720p resolution: View your favorite movies, shows and games in full high definition.
- Alexa voice control: The Alexa Voice Remote lets you easily control your entertainment, search across apps, switch inputs, and more using just your voice. Press and hold the voice button and ask Alexa to easily find, launch, and control content, and even switch to cable.
- Access thousands of shows with Fire TV: Watch over 1.5 million streaming movies and TV episodes with access to thousands of channels, apps and Alexa skills, including Prime Video, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, YouTube, Apple TV+, Disney+, ESPN+, Sling TV, Paramount+, and other services right from this TV.*
- DTS Virtual-X Sound: An immersive sound format creates a three-dimensional sound experience with your TV’s speakers.
- Supports HDMI ARC: Sends audio directly from the HDMI jack to a compatible soundbar or AV receiver, removing the need for an extra cable.
- 1080p resolution: View your favorite movies, shows and games in full high definition.
- Alexa voice control: The Alexa Voice Remote lets you easily control your entertainment, search across apps, switch inputs, and more using just your voice. Press and hold the voice button and ask Alexa to easily find, launch, and control content, and even switch to cable.
- All-in-one: Get right to your good stuff. With Fire TV, you can enjoy a world of entertainment from apps like Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. Plus, stream for free with Fire TV Channels, Pluto TV, Tubi, and more. Access over 1.8 million movies and TV episodes. Subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.
- Smart Home: Your smart home hub. Pair Fire TV with compatible smart home devices to see live camera feeds, use AirPlay, control your lighting and thermostat, and more.
- Free Content: Stream for free. Access over 1 million free movies and TV episodes from popular ad-supported streaming apps like Fire TV Channels, Tubi, and Pluto TV. Subscriptions may be required. Feature and content availability may vary.
- Seamless streaming: With fast Wi-Fi and apps that launch in a snap, Roku Select Series TVs get you to your entertainment quickly. Our intuitive interface makes exploring popular apps—plus free movies, shows, and live TV—as easy as it is fun.
- Explore a world's worth of TV: Dive into all kinds of entertainment and easily find your favorites or soon-to-be favorites.
- A ton of entertainment at the best price—free: Your go-to streaming destination for free entertainment, Roku has 500+ TV channels, with live in-season shows, hit movies, weather, local news, and award-winning Roku Originals.
- Home sweet home screen: Move apps around and make the Roku experience your own with a home screen that easily gets you to what you want to watch fast.
- Just keeps getting better: Get the newest apps, features, and more with automatic software updates.
- POWERS 3D COLOR MAPPING AND UPSCALING FOR A CLEAR PICTURE: Experience every shade of color as it was meant to be seen in dazzling 4K. Plus, make your movies, TV shows, games and sports look even better with powerful 4K upscaling.
- ELEGANT DESIGN THAT ENRICHES YOUR SPACE: Enhance your home décor with a TV crafted from a single metal sheet and featuring a slim bezel. Add a hint of sophistication with an aircraft-inspired design, and watch TV with minimal distractions.
- SECURES PERSONAL DATA* WITH TRIPLE-LAYER PROTECTION: Your TV experiences are secured. Samsung Knox Security defends against harmful apps and phishing sites while keeping sensitive data, such as PINs and passwords, secure. It also safeguards your IoT devices connected to your TV.
- A WORLD OF CONTENT AT YOUR FINGERTIPS. NO SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED: Watch 2,700+ free channels including 400+ Samsung TV Plus premium channels and on free streaming apps. Enjoy national and local news, sports, movies and more. Explore new content being added regularly.
- UPGRADES WHAT YOU WATCH TO CRISP 4K CLARITY: Get up to 4K resolution in all the content you love. Watch details come to life in every scene of shows or that classic film you love, even if the source quality is lower-resolution.
The Ultimate Buying Guide: Scoring a Smart TV Under $500
Finding a great smart TV without breaking the bank is totally possible! This guide helps you pick the best screen for your money when your budget is under $500. We focus on what really matters so you get a screen you will enjoy for years.
Key Features to Look For
Even cheap smart TVs offer cool features. Focus on these basics first:
- Screen Size: Under $500, you usually find great 43-inch to 55-inch models. Measure your space! A 50-inch TV looks huge in a small room.
- Resolution: Demand 4K Ultra HD (UHD). Most new budget TVs have this. It means the picture is super sharp. Avoid 1080p (Full HD) unless the TV is very small (under 40 inches).
- Smart Platform: This is how you watch Netflix or Disney+. Look for popular systems like Roku TV, Google TV, or Amazon Fire TV. They are easy to use.
- HDR Support: High Dynamic Range (HDR) makes colors pop and blacks look deeper. Check if it supports HDR10.
Important Materials and Build Quality
While you won’t get premium metal frames, the materials still matter for durability.
- Panel Type: Most budget TVs use LED-backlit LCD panels. This is standard. Look for “Direct-Lit” over “Edge-Lit” if possible, as it sometimes gives slightly better, more even brightness.
- Stand Design: Check the feet or stand. Make sure it is sturdy enough to hold the TV securely on your entertainment center.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
A low price often means cutting corners. Know where the quality might drop:
What Improves Quality (Look For These):
- Refresh Rate: A 60Hz refresh rate is standard and fine for movies. If you plan to play modern video games, look for 120Hz, though this is rare under $500.
- Connectivity: Ensure you get at least three HDMI ports. Check if at least one HDMI port supports the latest standard (HDMI 2.0 or higher) for 4K streaming.
What Reduces Quality (Be Careful Of These):
- Viewing Angles: Cheaper panels often look washed out if you sit too far to the side. If your living room is very wide, this matters.
- Sound Quality: Almost all budget TVs have weak speakers. Plan to buy a cheap soundbar later if great audio is important to you.
- Motion Handling: Fast action scenes might look blurry on very basic processors.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you will use the TV most often. This helps you decide where to spend your limited budget.
For Casual Viewing and Streaming
If you mainly watch news, sitcoms, and stream shows occasionally, the basic 4K resolution and a simple smart platform (like Roku) are perfect. Picture quality is good enough for most living rooms.
For Gaming (Light to Medium)
If you connect a PlayStation or Xbox, you need low input lag. Input lag is the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen. Search online reviews specifically for “input lag” on the model you like. Aim for anything under 30ms.
For Bright Rooms
If your TV sits across from a big window, brightness matters. Budget TVs struggle against direct sunlight. Look for reviews that specifically mention high peak brightness.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for Smart TVs Under $500
Q: Can I really get a 55-inch 4K TV for under $500?
A: Yes! Many brands offer 50-inch or 55-inch 4K TVs right around the $400 to $500 mark, especially during sales events.
Q: What is the biggest trade-off when buying a cheap smart TV?
A: The trade-off is usually sound quality and advanced picture features like local dimming. The picture will be good, but the sound will likely be mediocre.
Q: Are the built-in smart systems slow?
A: Some older or lesser-known smart platforms can feel sluggish. Roku and Google TV tend to run smoother even on budget hardware.
Q: Do these TVs support modern streaming apps like Hulu and Netflix?
A: Absolutely. Any TV running a major platform (Roku, Fire TV, Google TV) supports all major streaming services.
Q: What does “HDR support” actually do for me?
A: HDR makes bright parts of the screen brighter and dark parts darker. This gives the picture more depth and realism compared to standard TV.
Q: Is it better to buy a smaller, better-known brand TV or a larger, unknown brand TV?
A: Usually, it is safer to buy a slightly smaller TV from a reputable brand (like TCL or Hisense) because they often use better quality internal parts.
Q: How many HDMI ports should I expect?
A: Three HDMI ports is the most common number you will find in this price range.
Q: Will a budget TV work well for connecting my new gaming console?
A: It will work fine for casual gaming. For serious, competitive gamers, you might need to save up more for a TV with a dedicated 120Hz mode.
Q: Should I worry about the screen material?
A: Not much. They all use plastic casings. Focus more on the panel technology (LED) and the resolution (4K).
Q: When is the best time to buy a smart TV under $500?
A: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and major holiday sales (like Memorial Day) often drop quality models well below the $500 mark.