Although the market is flooded with TV models, most manufacturers focus more on budget to high-end options, so finding a decent, cheap model can be challenging. There are still a few okay TVs available for under $300, but there are a few compromises by going with a cheaper model. You won't be able to find any ultra-large TVs at this price point; most TVs at this price point are 55-inch or smaller. You also won't find the latest and greatest gaming features, so while most of these are fine for casual gaming, competitive online gamers should look elsewhere.
Below are our picks for the best TVs under $300 that are available for purchase. If your budget is more flexible, see our recommendations for the best smart TVs, the best budget TVs, and the best TVs under $500, or vote on which ones you want us to buy and test. To learn about the new models that will be available soon, 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 TV Under $300
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 50-inch Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4K is the best TV under $300, and you can usually find the 55-inch for under $300 when it's in stock. The 50-inch model stands out as it uses a VA panel instead of the IPS panel found on most of the other sizes. This is important as VA panels typically offer much deeper blacks than IPS panels. It makes it a surprisingly versatile TV for the price, as it's also a great choice for a bright room thanks to its high peak brightness.
It even has a great range of extra features that aren't usually found on TVs this cheap. While it doesn't have HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, it still supports a 120Hz refresh rate, but at a lower 1080p resolution. This is still great for recent gaming consoles, as most games target either a high resolution or a high refresh rate, not both. It also supports VRR to help reduce screen tearing. As for smart features, it runs Vizio's proprietary VIZIO OS, which isn't great. Most of the common streaming platforms are there, but there's no app store, and the interface is a bit buggy at times. Thankfully, you can always add an external streaming device if you want something better.
-
Best Value TV For Under $300
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:43" 50" 55" 65" 75" 85" 100"The 55-inch Hisense QD6QF is a decent choice for those on a very tight budget, as it's the best-value TV under $300. Unlike the Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4K, it doesn't have local dimming to deepen blacks, so dark scenes are washed out and look gray. The TV is significantly dimmer as well, so it's not as suitable for use in a bright room, as it can't really overcome glare from lights or windows facing it.
It runs Amazon's Fire TV OS, which has a wider selection of streaming apps and a more polished interface. It's not as feature-rich for gaming, though, with a limited 60Hz refresh rate, even at a lower resolution. It still supports VRR, though, which helps reduce screen tearing in some games.
Notable Mentions
-
TCL 50QM5K:
The 50-inch TCL QM5K is an alternative to the Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4K for those who can stretch their budget a bit above $300. The TCL is brighter, has better image processing, displays smoother motion, and supports up to 1440p @ 120Hz with VRR and low input lag. If you can spend a bit more to get the TCL, you end up with a noticeably better TV.
See our review -
TCL 55S551G:
The 55-inch TCL S5/S551G is an alternative to the Hisense QD6QF if you care most about gaming performance. The Hisense has noticeably better image quality, but the TCL supports 1080p and 1440p @ 120Hz with VRR and low input lag, making it the better option for those who want to play competitive titles in 120 fps.
See our review
Recent Updates
Sep 16, 2026:
We replaced the Hisense QD7QF with the Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4K, as the Hisense is very hard to find now in the smaller sizes that are under $300.
Jun 16, 2026:
We verified that we're still recommending the best TVs under $300, but made no changes to our picks. We refreshed the text throughout the article and added the Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4K as a Notable Mention.
Mar 19, 2026:
We confirmed the accuracy and availability of our current picks.
Nov 18, 2025:
Replaced the TCL Q651G with the Hisense QD7QF in the 'Best TV Under $300' category, and replaced the Roku Select Series with the Hisense QD6QF in the 'Best Value TV For Under $300' category. We also updated the Notable Mentions.
Sep 04, 2025:
Replaced the Hisense A7N with the TCL Q651G as our top pick. We also updated the Notable Mentions section and refreshed other text throughout the article for clarity.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best televisions under $300 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 a list of all our recent reviews of TVs available under $300. 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.