Modern TVs are packed full of incredible features, including voice assistants to make selecting a channel or app easier, OLED screens, and lighting technology that provides better viewing angles and amazing levels of contrast.

But, sometimes you don't need the latest features. In which case, why should you pay for them? You can still get some solid choices with smart TVs, without the need to splash out on all the bells and whistles that come with some top-end flagship TVs out there.

Here are the best budget-friendly smart TVs available today.

Our Recommendations for the Best Smart TVs for Under $500

Amazon Fire TV 55
Amazon Fire TV 55-inch
Best Overall

Stunning QLED display at a reasonable price

$480 $600 Save $120

While the Amazon Fire TV 55-inch might be an affordable smart TV, it comes with an impressive 4K QLED display, HDR10+, and Alexa built-in.

Pros
  • 4K QLED display
  • Adaptive brightness
  • Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
  • Alexa built-in
Cons
  • Poor upscaling

It's not often you get to see a stunning 4K smart TV with HDR and outstanding picture quality at such a low price, but the 55-inch Amazon Fire TV offers just that and much more. This powerful smart TV boasts Dolby Vision IQ support along with local dimming functionality, and it even comes with Alexa built-in.

With Amazon's Fire TV Ambient Experience, you can turn your TV into a piece of smart art. The Amazon Fire TV senses when it's no longer in use, then automatically switches to the Ambient Experience mode, displaying photos, widgets, and other useful, eye-catching info or media. Choose from over a thousand different pieces of free artwork, or simply display your own art or family photos.

The Amazon Fire TV also comes with a built-in light sensor for adaptive brightness. It automatically detects the light in your room and adjusts the brightness of the screen to ensure you always have the optimal settings.

LG NanoCell 75 Series 50-inch
LG NanoCell 75 Series 50-inch
Best for Gaming

Perfect for gamers on a tight budget

$400 $570 Save $170

The LG NanoCell 75 Series 50-inch offers crisp 4K viewing, with an impressive game mode, designed to make your gaming more immersive than ever.

Pros
  • Great upscaling
  • Google Assistant and Alexa built-in
  • Game and filmmaker modes
Cons
  • Unimpressive peak brightness

The LG NanoCell 75 Series 50-inch smart TV offers 4K resolution, a 60Hz refresh rate, and HDR10. While it doesn't offer the best refresh rate for gamers, this TV is an affordable way into LG's TV market with plenty of features to enjoy.

Game Optimizer mode allows you to put the LG NanoCell 75 Series 50-inch into Low Latency mode, as well as HGiG, which is HDR for gaming. Despite the lower refresh rate, playing console games on this smart TV offers an immersive experience.

In addition to gaming, the LG NanoCell 75 Series 50-inch is great for streaming your favorite programs and watching films thanks to its rich color and enhanced contrast. Plus, there's Google Assistant and Alexa built-in for convenience.

Insignia 24-inch Class F20
Insignia 24-inch Class F20
Best Value

Perfect for spare rooms, kitchens, or anywhere with less room

If you're looking for a smaller TV for a spare bedroom, caravan, or even if you have a smaller living room, then the Insignia 24-inch Class F20 is the ideal cheap smart TV for you.

Pros
  • Ideal for small spaces
  • Alexa voice control
  • Fire TV built-in
Cons
  • Only 720p

Great for smaller rooms, kitchens, and snugs, the Insignia 24-inch Class F20 is a budget-friendly smart TV with 720p resolution. And, if you want to boost the sound on this TV, you'll be pleased to hear it supports HDMI ARC, sending audio from HDMI to any compatible soundbar or AV receiver.

With Alexa voice control, you can watch what you want and search a range of apps using your voice. You'll also have access to millions of movies and TV shows thanks to Fire TV's built-in experience.

Hisense A6 Series 65A6H
Hisense A6 Series 65A6H
Best 65-Inch

Whopping 65-inch screen at a surprisingly low price

$360 $450 Save $90

The Hisense A6 Series 65A6H might be a huge 65-inch smart TV, but it costs much less than you would expect, especially considering it comes with Dolby Vision, DTS Virtual X, and much more.

Pros
  • Great upscaling
  • Dolby Vision support
  • DTS Virtual X
Cons
  • Average contrast

If you're after a huge smart TV but don't want to spend too much money, the Hisense A6 Series 65A6H is a perfect choice. It boasts 4K resolution and is built upon the Google TV platform.

There's HDR10, Dolby Vision, a 60Hz refresh rate, and Google Assistant built-in. This makes it easy to browse and enjoy your favorite shows and movies in Ultra High-definition, perfect for movie nights with the family.

Investing in a larger TV offers a much more immersive experience—a solid investment for movie buffs and gamers who really value the details in TVs like the Hisense A6 Series 65A6H.

Sony KD43X80K
Sony KD43X80K
Best for Dolby Vision

Rich vibrant display with Dolby Vision technology

The Sony KD43X80K is a bright, colorful smart TV that comes in a range of sizes from 43 inches all the way to an impressive 85-inch display.

Pros
  • 4K HDR
  • Compatible with Google Assistant
  • PS5 Exclusive features
  • Motionflow XR technology
Cons
  • Suffers from screen glare

Slightly more expensive than other options, the Sony KD43X80K is a high-quality 43-inch smart TV with Google TV. But, if you prefer to invest in a larger display, there are options that go up to 85 inches.

Powered by a 4K HDR X1 processor, the Sony KD43X80K delivers exceptional picture quality with rich colors and detailed contrast. For gamers and home cinema fans, this smart TV offers an immersive cinematic experience thanks to Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.

Plus, there's an exclusive PS5 feature set and the option to invest in the BRAVIA CAM so you can enjoy video chats with friends and family.

LG 80 Series 50-inch 50UP8000
LG 80 Series 50-inch 50UP8000
Best for Movies

Watch movies how the director intended with filmmaker mode

If you're looking for a large 50-inch TV with great features for your favorite shows and movies, the LG 80 Series 50-inch 50UP8000 is a large, feature-rich option with a stunning 4K display.

Pros
  • Easy-to-use UI
  • Great viewing angles
  • Filmmaker mode
Cons
  • Can suffer from intense glare near windows

LG make some incredible TVs, especially if you enjoy gaming or watching movies. The LG 80 Series 50-inch 50UP8000 is a large smart TV with 4K UHD, a 60Hz refresh rate, Game Optimizer mode, and Filmmaker Mode.

Thanks to LG's Quad Core processor 4K, you'll be able to enjoy a seamless viewing experience with enhanced contrast and vivid colors. And, with TruMotion 120, this technology reduces blur to offer sharper details which is important while gaming.

The LG 80 Series 50-inch 50UP8000 works with Google Assistant and Alexa and comes with LG's Magic Remote. With simple navigation and intuitive commands, it's easy to browse a range of entertainment choices from the comfort of your couch.

Samsung Q60C 32-Inch
Samsung Q60C 32-Inch
Best Mid-Size

The perfect size for most households

$448 $498 Save $50

The Samsung Q60C 32-Inch is a mid-size, mid-range smart TV with a stunning 4K picture, HDR, and impressive upscaling. The Q60C's Quantum Dot technology combined with Samsung's Quantum Processor makes for the perfect blend of power and clarity at an affordable price point.

Pros
  • Bright and colorful
  • Low input lag
  • Impressive black uniformity
  • Motion Xcelerator
Cons
  • Poor viewing angles

Great for most homes, the Samsung Q60C 32-Inch smart TV is part of Samsung's Q60C Series, offering Quantum HDR, object tracking, Alexa built-in, and more. Powered by Quantum Dot technology, every shade and brightness level on the TV is incredibly vivid, providing a more immersive experience.

If you're a fan of sports or fast-paced action movies, the Samsung Q60C 32-Inch's Motion Xcelerator ensures details remain clear and crisp, even when the action heats up.

Don't want to invest in external speakers? The Samsung Q60C 32-Inch boasts object tracking 3D surround sound that follows the movement on the screen. You'll feel fully immersed without spending extra on a sound system.

How to Choose the Right Smart TV for You

Choosing a new smart TV on a budget can be difficult, but just because you're on a budget doesn't mean you have to miss out on incredible features to improve your viewing experience. There are tons of great budget smart TVs out there, many of which come with features such as HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and other great features to offer an immersive viewing experience.

If you are looking for a budget TV for a spare bedroom, your kitchen, or anywhere with less space, you might want to consider a smaller smart TV. The Insignia 24-inch Class F20 smart TV is a slight, budget-friendly 24-inch TV with Fire TV built-in. It offers impressive features coupled with outstanding value.

Dolby Vision is a premium feature that you mostly see in more expensive TVs. It offers impressive contrasts, greater depth, and vivid colors, really bringing your favorite shows and games to life. The Sony KD43X80K is a 43-inch smart TV that supports Dolby Vision while still offering incredible value for money, costing just shy of $500.

But if you're looking for a good-sized smart TV, packed with impressive features and stunning display technology, the Amazon Fire TV 55-inch ticks all the right boxes, earning a spot as our best overall smart TV for under $500.

Amazon Fire TV 55
Amazon Fire TV 55-inch
Best Overall

Stunning QLED display at a reasonable price

$480 $600 Save $120

While the Amazon Fire TV 55-inch might be an affordable smart TV, it comes with an impressive 4K QLED display, HDR10+, and Alexa built-in.

Pros
  • 4K QLED display
  • Adaptive brightness
  • Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
  • Alexa built-in
Cons
  • Poor upscaling