If you wanted to buy a decent TV a few years ago, chances were that you couldn't find any good models for under $500. Although the best models are still priced higher, you can find cheap models that will serve you well in this price category, depending on your usage and space limitations. Whether a TV is high-end or more affordable, we perform over 350 tests on each TV we review. Despite being cheaper, you still want a TV that gets bright enough to combat glare, displays a wide range of colors, and provides deep enough blacks so that you aren't looking at a very washed-out image in a dark room. Through our rigorous testing procedures, we can discover what models fit these criteria, which helps us determine what TVs under $500 are worth buying.
Below are our recommendations for the best TVs you can buy for under $500. Right now is one of the best times to buy a model from last year because they're on sale, so you can stretch your dollar further and get a better TV than if you were specifically looking at 2026 models. You may also want to check out our picks for the best budget TVs, the best 4k TVs under $1,000, or the best TVs under $300 if you want something cheaper, or you can vote on which ones you want us to buy and test. To learn more about the newest models on the market, 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.
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Best 55-Inch TV Under $500
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:144HzScreen Finish:GlossyPanel Type:LCDSub-Type:VADolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:55" 65" 75" 85" 98"The best TV under $500 we've tested is the TCL 55QM6K. It's slightly above $500 at full price, but is usually sold for under that price when it's on sale. What separates this TV from similarly priced models from other brands is its local dimming feature, which makes blacks deep and bold, adds depth to the image, and prevents it from looking flat and dull. The TV displays a wide range of colors, so the image looks vibrant too. The TV's brightness is pretty good, so bright areas stand out decently in HDR content, and it effectively reduces glare in a room with some overhead lights on. However, it's best to avoid placing any light sources directly opposite the screen, as reflections from those are very visible. It runs the popular Google TV OS, so finding apps and content to watch is simple.
What's most impressive about this affordable model is its wide array of modern features. It has two HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4k @ 144Hz, 1080p @ 288Hz, and VRR to reduce screen tearing, making it a great option for both console and PC gamers on a budget. On top of that, there's not a ton of motion blur in fast-paced games, which is a huge bonus for a TV this affordable. If you're looking for a budget-friendly 55-inch TV that punches well above its weight class, the TCL QM6K is the best 55-inch TV under $500.
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Best 65-Inch TV Under $500
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:60HzScreen Finish:GlossyPanel Type:LCDSub-Type:VADolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:50" 55" 65" 75" 85"The Best Buy-exclusive TCL 65QM5K offers the best image quality out of any other 65-inch model and is frequently sold for under $500. Like the TCL QM6K, the TV features local dimming, which helps deepen blacks, resulting in an image with good depth. However, there's more noticeable glowing around bright lights and subtitles than there is on the QM6K. The TV has good enough brightness to handle some glare from indirect lighting in a well-lit room. However, just like the QM6K, it's best to avoid placing the TV screen directly in front of a lamp or other light source. Fortunately, colors are nearly as vibrant as they are on the QM6K, and bright areas stand out just as well in HDR movies and shows.
Unfortunately, it loses a lot of brightness in its HDR gaming mode, which is a bit disappointing since that mode offers the best performance for gamers. It doesn't have the same set of gaming features as the QM6K, but it does support 1080p and 1440p @ 144Hz with VRR, so you can still game in higher frame rates with minimal screen tearing if you're willing to sacrifice some resolution. It runs the same version of the Google TV OS as the more expensive TCL model, so you have access to a huge selection of apps. This TV offers a lot for a relatively low price, so it's easily the best 65-inch TV under $500 when it's on sale.
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Best 75-Inch TV Under $500
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"The Walmart-exclusive Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4k is the best cheap smart TV we've tested, and you can get any size up to the 75-inch for well under $500. Like the TCL QM5K, it has local dimming to help deepen blacks, but it doesn't work as well as it does on that TV. You still get blacks that avoid looking gray, but they aren't as deep, and there's a more noticeable glow around bright lights and subtitles. Fortunately, colors are pretty vibrant for a cheaper TV, so the image looks colorful enough to avoid looking dull. Furthermore, bright areas stand out pretty well in HDR movies, shows, and games, so the TV provides decent image quality in all types of content. It's even bright enough to handle some glare from overhead lights. However, any lights directly facing the screen cause mirror-like reflections that are distracting.
It's a bit light on gaming features, but it does support 4k @ 60Hz and 1080p @ 120Hz, and it has VRR to help reduce screen tearing. It runs Vizio OS, which doesn't have a large selection of apps, but you still have access to popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. You have a ton of size options to choose from, and it's also one of the only models on the market available in the rare 50-inch size, making it one of the best 50-inch TVs under $500.
Notable Mentions
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Hisense 55U65QF:
The Hisense U65QF is similar to the TCL QM6K, but it has higher peak brightness. However, the TCL offers a more comprehensive package with superior contrast and enhanced gaming performance, making it the better option for most people.
See our review -
Hisense 75QD6QF:
The Hisense QD6QF competes with the Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4K. The Hisense has a couple of small advantages, such as better accuracy and clearer motion when gaming. However, the Vizio displays deeper blacks, is noticeably brighter, has better colors, and offers a wider viewing angle, making it the better TV overall.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jun 16, 2026:
We replaced the Hisense QD6QF with the TCL Mini LED Quantum 4k and renamed that section from 'Best Cheap TV Under $500' to 'Best 75-Inch TV Under $500' for better consistency in the article. We also replaced the TCL S551G with the Hisense QD6QF in the Notable Mentions section.
Mar 09, 2026:
We confirmed that our picks are still accurate and available to purchase.
Nov 17, 2025:
Replaced the TCL Q651G with the TCL QM5K in the 'Best 65-Inch TV Under $500' category, and replaced the Hisense A7N with the Hisense QD6QF in the 'Best Cheap TV Under $500' category. We also refreshed the Notable Mentions.
Aug 19, 2025:
We replaced the Hisense U6N with the TCL QM6K in the 'Best 55-Inch TV Under $500' category. We also updated the Notable Mentions and updated some text throughout the article for clarity.
Jan 20, 2025:
Replaced the Roku Select Series with the Hisense A7N in the 'Best Cheap TV Under $500' category. We also added the TCL S5/S551G to the Notable Mentions and updated some text throughout the article for accuracy.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best TVs under $500 for most people. 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 TV reviews, sorted by price from low to high. 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.