When it comes to home cinema technology, there’s no doubt about it: We’re living in the future. Nowadays, you can find absolutely enormous 8K TVs with incredible sound systems, stylish designs, and more smart features than you can handle. Not everyone needs that level of tech though, and most people can’t afford to drop thousands of pounds on a super hi-spec television set.
There’s nothing wrong with a more basic TV — something with decent picture quality, crisp sound, and some useful smart functions. There are plenty of TVs that tick all of these boxes, and most are available at low prices.
The trouble with finding cheap TVs is that there is so much on offer, making it difficult to pick a favourite. We know the struggle, so we’ve tried to help you out. Here’s some useful information to get you started.
What is a smart TV?
It’s rare to find a TV these days that doesn’t boast some kind of smart features. In the simplest terms, it’s a TV that connects to the internet and supports a variety of entertainment apps. That means you’ll be able to watch streaming platforms such as Netflix or YouTube as well as regular digital channels.
Some smart TVs support other features, such as voice assistant — look out for TVs with Alexa or Hey Google, which eliminates the need for a remote control — or connectivity to other devices and smart home systems.
What is 4K?
4K is shorthand for ultra-high definition (UHD) resolution. At 3840 x 2160 pixels (sometimes just labelled as 2160p), it has around four times the pixels of regular high definition, which is 1080p. It’s named 4K because the pixels width is almost 4,000.
Can you find cheap 4K TVs?
Many televisions these days have 4K. It’s very nearly the standard above a certain price point. However, not all the TVs in this roundup have 4K resolution, because we’re talking real budget options for the most part. You can get cheap 4K TVs but may need to spend £100 or more for the pleasure.
What is HDR?
This is a term you’ll see a lot when shopping for TVs. It means High Dynamic Range. It essentially refers to the contrast levels between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks. The better the dynamic range, the more lifelike and vivid the colours will be. There are here various types of HDR, including HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision.
What TV features are the most important for gamers?
Look out for TVs that have specific gaming modes, which usually have a low input lag (reducing the time between you press a button on the controller and the action paying out on the screen) or TVs with a HDMI 2.1 port. This is the fastest type of HDMI connection and is used to connect next-gen gaming consoles.
What is the best cheap TV?
We have lined up a selection of the best cheap TVs from top brands like Toshiba, Philips, and Hisense. These models are not going to top the charts when it comes to specifications or features, but they might surprise you with what they can do.
We’ve found cheap TVs for movie marathons, gaming sessions, streaming, and just about everything else. There is something for everyone and every situation on this list, whether you’re looking for a TV for university or the spare room in your house. We’ve got you covered.
These are the best cheap TVs in 2022.