Although most manufacturers and buyers focus on larger TVs, there is still considerable interest in smaller models for those seeking the best 40-inch smart TV. There are fewer options in this size range than there used to be, but some premium models and budget-friendly TVs are still available. However, 40-inch models are nearly non-existent, so you won't find the best 40-inch TV in this article, and you're best off looking at 42-inch and 43-inch models. Even then, there's not much to choose from at the moment, and we're hoping to test more TVs in this size range soon. Regardless of a TV's size, you'll still want one that can combat glare in a well-lit room, offers nice and vibrant colors, and features modern gaming capabilities if you're looking for a TV to pair with your console or PC. Our meticulous testing process helps us figure out which TVs fit these criteria.
Below are our recommendations for the best 42-inch and the best 43-inch TVs. For a wider selection of options, check out the best 48-50 inch TVs. You can also check out our picks for the best 32-inch TVs if you need something smaller, and the best PC monitor TVs. If you'd like us to review a certain TV, you can vote on which models you want us to buy and test. To learn more about this year's TV landscape, check out our 2026 TV lineup page.
We buy and test dozens of TVs yearly, taking an objective, data-driven approach to deliver results you can trust. Our testing process is complex, with hundreds of individual tests that take over a week to complete. Most of our tests use specially designed test patterns that mimic real content, but we also use the same sources you have at home to ensure our results match the real-world experience. We use two main tools for our testing: a Colorimetry Research CR-100 colorimeter and a CR-250 spectroradiometer.
-
Best 42-Inch TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:165HzScreen Finish:GlossyPanel Type:OLEDSub-Type:WOLEDDolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:42" 48" 55" 65"The best 42-inch TV overall that you can buy is the LG OLED42C6PUA. It delivers amazing image quality, with inky blacks and vibrant colors. Although this smaller size isn't as bright as the larger models, it's still good enough to make bright areas stand out in HDR movies, shows, and games. However, it's a bit too dim to handle glare in a well-lit room, so it's best suited to dark or moderately lit rooms if you don't want to see reflections on the screen. Its built-in webOS interface has a massive selection of streaming apps, making it a great choice for a dorm or other small space. It's great for movie fans, as it features Dolby Vision and excellent image processing that helps improve the image when you're watching lower-quality content.
It has four HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing for up to 4k @ 165Hz gaming. It also supports all types of VRR, so you get a nearly tear-free gaming experience regardless of the console or PC you play on. Motion is also crystal-clear, so you don't have to deal with distracting motion blur in fast-paced games. Its wide viewing angle means you can watch the TV from an angle, and image quality remains consistent, which is great if you have friends over.
-
Best Mid-Range 43-Inch TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:120HzScreen Finish:MattePanel Type:LCDSub-Type:IPSDolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:43" 50" 55" 65" 75" 85" 100"If you like the feature set of the LG OLED42C6PUA, but want something cheaper, check out the Sony K-43XR30M2 instead. This mid-range model goes light on picture quality features, with no local dimming and lower peak brightness, but it comes packed with smart features. It has low contrast, so it looks far worse than the LG in a dark room, but its anti-reflective coating makes it a fantastic choice for daytime viewing.
It's a surprisingly well-equipped gaming TV, with four HDMI 2.1 bandwidth ports that allow you to take full advantage of the latest gaming consoles. It also supports VRR to reduce screen tearing, and it has a high 120Hz refresh rate. It runs the very popular Google TV smart interface, which is easy to use and has a huge selection of streaming apps.
-
Best Cheap 43-Inch TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:60HzScreen Finish:GlossyPanel Type:LCDSub-Type:IPSDolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:43" 50" 55" 65" 75" 85"If you're just looking for something cheap that gets the job done, go with the Walmart-exclusive Vizio VQM43C, which is the best 43-inch smart TV for those with a strict budget. It's a bit of an odd TV overall, as it actually delivers better picture quality than the Sony K-43XR30M2 in some ways. It's a bit brighter in most scenes, and it has a local dimming feature that helps it deliver deeper blacks in dark scenes.
It runs Vizio OS, which doesn't have a large selection of apps, but you won't have any trouble finding popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu. It has a wide viewing angle, especially for an LED model, so its image quality holds up when you're watching TV from an angle. It's a bit light on gaming features, but it does support 4k @ 60Hz and 1080p @ 120Hz. Unfortunately, its image processing isn't very good, so it doesn't do much to enhance lower-quality streams, but it does have good compatibility since it supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision.
Notable Mentions
-
Samsung QN42S90HAEXZA:
The Samsung QN42S90HAEXZA is a great TV overall, and it's a good alternative to the LG OLED42C6PUA if you're in a bright room. The LG is the better choice overall for most people, as it gets brighter and displays a more vibrant image in most scenes.
See our review -
Hisense 43QD6QF:
The 43-inch Hisense 43QD6QF competes with the Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4K. The Hisense has a few small advantages, such as better accuracy, clearer motion when gaming, and better processing. However, the Vizio displays deeper blacks, is noticeably brighter, has better colors, and offers a wider viewing angle. This makes it the better TV overall.
See our review
Recent Updates
Sep 15, 2026:
We restructured the article, adding the Sony K-43XR30M2 as the mid-range pick and moving the Samsung QN42S90HAEXZA to a Notable Mention.
Jun 15, 2026:
We replaced the LG C5 OLED with the LG C6 OLED as our top pick and the Hisense QD6QF with the Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4K in the 'Best Cheap 43-Inch TV' category. We made these changes because the newer models are better options. We also removed the Samsung QN90F from the article since it's no longer available, and added a new 'Best Bright Room 42-Inch TV' category with the Samsung S90H OLED. Finally, we updated the Notable Mentions section to better reflect the current market.
Mar 06, 2026:
We updated text throughout the article for clarity, and confirmed that our picks are still accurate.
Nov 14, 2025:
We replaced the TCL Q651G with the Hisense QD6QF, and renamed that category 'Best Cheap 43-Inch TV.' We also dropped the Roku Select Series from the article, since it's no longer available.
Aug 20, 2025:
We replaced the LG C4 OLED with the LG C5 OLED, the Samsung QN90D with the Samsung QN90F, and the Samsung Q60D with the TCL Q651G. We also updated the Notable Mentions section and refreshed some text throughout the article for clarity.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think is currently the best 40-inch TV, the best 42-inch TV, and the best 43-inch TV to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (a cheaper TV wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no TVs that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is the list of all our 40- to 43-inch TV reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no TV is perfect, most TVs are great enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.