The 5 Best TVs Under $300 - Summer 2019
Reviews

TVs under $300 cover a wide range of needs. From basic 720p and 1080p TVs to more advanced 4k TVs, there is something for almost any use. TVs in this price range are getting better and better each year. While you won't get the brightest TVs with perfect picture quality, budget TVs are an affordable solution for a secondary viewing location, or if you have limited space and budget.

We've reviewed 235 TVs and below you'll find our picks for the best TVs under $300 that are available for purchase in 2019. If your budget is a bit more flexible, see our recommendations for the best cheap TVs and the best TVs under $500.

1. Best TV Under $300: TCL 43S517

   

   TCL 43S517

   SEE PRICE

   B&H
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.3

   7.5

   Mixed Usage

   7.1

   Movies

   7.5

   TV Shows

   7.1

   Sports

   8.1

   Video Games

   7.1

   HDR Movies

   7.8

   HDR Gaming

   7.9

   PC Monitor
   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   : VA

   Resolution : 4k

   The best TV under $300 that we've tested so far is the TCL 43S517. It has a decent picture quality and delivers deep blacks in a dark room due to the high native contrast ratio, but the lack of local dimming doesn't help improve the dark room performance any further. This TV has a wide color gamut and supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision. In HDR, although the image is vivid with rich colors, the TV can't get very bright and fails to deliver as its creator intended. The input lag is very low, which is great for gamers or for use as a PC monitor.

   The TV runs the same Roku TV smart platform found on the more expensive TCL 6 Series R617. It's very intuitive and has an abundance of streaming channels and apps. Unfortunately, this TV has poor viewing angles and the image loses accuracy when viewed from the side.

   Overall, this is a good TV that will serve you well in rooms without too much space.

   See our review

2. Best Value TV For Size Under $300: TCL 50S425

   

   TCL 50S425

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.3

   7.3

   Mixed Usage

   6.4

   Movies

   7.0

   TV Shows

   7.1

   Sports

   8.4

   Video Games

   6.6

   HDR Movies

   7.9

   HDR Gaming

   8.1

   PC Monitor
   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   : VA

   Resolution : 4k

   The TCL 50S425 offers the best value for size under $300. This is a decent 50 inch 4k TV with decent picture quality that is just below $300. It has a high native contrast ratio that delivers deep blacks; this makes it great for a dark room. It can't get very bright and doesn't have a wide color gamut to deliver a good HDR performance. It has a fast response time that makes motion look crisp, and it's a great TV for gaming or for use as a PC monitor. This is mainly thanks to the very low input lag that allows it to react very quickly to your actions. Just like the TCL S517, this TV runs the Roku Smart TV interface that is easy to use and has a large number of apps you can choose from.

   Unfortunately, it's not a good choice for a room with side seating arrangements as the image deteriorates when viewed from the side. It's more suitable for a dim room due to the poor brightness levels.

   Overall, this is a great choice if you're looking for a 50 inch TV in this price range.

   See our review

3. Larger Alternative: Insignia NS-55DF710NA19

   

   Insignia NS-55DF710NA19

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com

   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   : VA

   Resolution : 4k

   If you want an even larger TV than the TCL S425 and still want to stay under the $300 mark, then check out the Insignia  Fire TV Edition 4k. You won't get the very low input lag found on the TCL, and the Insignia can't display judder-free movies. In a bright room, reflections can be more distracting than on the TCL. On the upside, the Insignia is a large TV with decent performance in any usage. The overall picture quality is okay and the TV can get brighter than the TCL, which makes it more suitable for a slightly brighter room. Motion handling is mediocre with a not too fast response time. Overall, however, it's a very good value for the size.

   See our review

4. Best Budget TV Under $300: TCL 32S325

   

   TCL 32S325

   SEE PRICE

   Amazon.com
   Usage Ratings - Version 1.3

   6.4

   Mixed Usage

   5.6

   Movies

   6.9

   TV Shows

   7.2

   Sports

   7.6

   Video Games

   4.5

   HDR Movies

   4.3

   HDR Gaming

   7.3

   PC Monitor
   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   : VA

   Resolution : 1080p (except 32")

   The TCL 3 Series 32S325 is the best budget TV under $300 that we've tested so far. It's a passable entry-level TV with a great contrast ratio, decent response time, and excellent low input lag, all of which make it great for gaming. The 32" model is limited to a 720p resolution (except for the 32S327 variant), but the larger models have a 1080p native resolution.

   This TV has a good selection of inputs, with 3 HDMI ports and a dedicated composite input (with the use of the included adapter), and it has great smart features with hundreds of available streaming channels. This makes it an excellent choice for a secondary viewing location, as you don't have to worry about having a separate streaming box.

   Unfortunately, this TV can't get very bright, and the image degrades when viewed at an angle, which limits its versatility a bit. Overall, though, it's a great budget TV.

   See our review

5. Better Sports Alternative: Samsung UN32N5300

   

   Samsung UN32N5300

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   Amazon.com

   Type : LED

   Sub-Type

   : IPS

   Resolution : 1080p

   If you want something better for watching sports, check out the Samsung UN32N5300. This is a 32" 1080p IPS TV, with wider viewing angles than the TCL S325 and a much brighter display. Unlike the TCL, this TV also supports HDR, although it can't get bright enough to take full advantage of HDR content and it lacks a wide color gamut. The wide viewing angles make it a better choice for sharing the game with a small group of friends, or if you have a lot of side seating. Unfortunately, those wide viewing angles come at a cost; this TV doesn't perform as well with dark scenes, as blacks tend to appear gray.

   See our review