I’ve decided I want to get a budget 4K TV, but I don’t know which one is the best. So, I did some research, and here’s what I found.
So, what are the top 5 best budget 4K TV’s?
You may be wondering specifically how I chose these as the top 5, as well as, more information about the price range and trends for 4K TVs. So, read on to discover the answers to these questions and more.
How I Picked The Top 5 Best Budget 4K TVs
I ranked the top 5 best budget 4K TVs based on a score that I gave them in the following categories.
I chose the top 5 best budget 4k TVs based on:
- Customer reviews
- Baseline features plus additional features
- Price
And then used the total score in each category to rank them from 1 to 5
| 1. Customer Reviews |
| The first thing I looked at was the number of customer reviews and the review rating on Amazon. The higher the number of reviews, and the higher the average rating, meant a higher score in this category. |
| 2. Baseline features plus additional features |
| I wanted to ensure that each TV has some baseline features. For example, it had to have at least 3 HDMI ports. I also gave bonus points to TVs that had HDMI 2.1, because it has a higher refresh rate, and can send more data. Both of which means an overall boost in viewing quality. I also looked at the screen technology. LED, QLED, or OLED – short answer OLED or QLED win There has also been some debate over QLED or OLED, and Digitaltrends has said that QLED is superior. But, other sources say OLED is better. In my opinion, this shouldn’t be a deciding factor in choosing a budget 4K TV. But OLED or QLED is far superior to LED, according to Gadgets 360. So, I gave extra points to 4K TVS that had OLED or QLED. Also, high dynamic range imaging (HDR) has recently surpassed the viewing quality of 4K Ultra high definition (UHD), according to Lifewire.com. Both are exceptional, but if I had a choice I would choose a 4K TV that has HDR rather than UHD. Which gave the TVs that had that a higher rating in this category. |
| 3. Price |
| A 4K TV can range in price anywhere from around $500 to $10,000. Regardless of how big the screen is. Most 4K TVs come in 55 inches, 65 inches, 75 inches. But, some can go all the way up to 100 to 120 inches. Each jump up in size will increase the price of a 4K TV from about $100 to $1000. One of the main concerns about buying technology is that it changes so rapidly. And something that was expensive only a few years ago, is now very affordable. So, it was important that the 4K TV was not only a solid pick but that it had the baseline features that are expected for a 4K TV in this price range. That way you’re not just getting a cheap 4K TV because it’s missing some key features that I discussed in the additional features section. |
Should You Wait For 8k TV?
PCMag says that the adoption of 4K TV technology has occurred about the same as when HDTVs – 720p and 1080p – first hit the market. But, since about 2016 it was seen that 4K TVs are here to stay.
This means that it’s a great time to buy a 4K TV. Technophile’s – people who can’t get enough of the latest technology are encouraged to buy an 8K TV.
But, according to Cnet.com, you should wait to purchase an 8K TV, as it will still be some time before the prices for 8K TVs drop to a price most people would want to pay.
With all that said, here’s the rundown for each of the top 5 best budget 4K TVs you can buy now.
1. Hisense Class H8 Quantum Series Android 4K ULED Smart TV
Hisense Class H8 Baseline features plus additional features.
It has 4 HDMI ports, which is one more than the LG, and TCL and meets my basic requirements that a budget 4K TV needs to have. If your household has a lot of consoles and uses additional Blu-ray players, then the additional HDMI port might be a deciding factor. So, that you can keep all your devices plugged in.
The screen uses ULED technology which is in the same class as OLED or QLED. It also comes with HDR, which is better than UHD. This bumped it up a few spots.
Additional features
It runs on the Android operating system (OS), so you can also download streaming apps like Netflix, and Hulu, using the Google Play store. The remote is voice-enabled so you can make voice commands using Google Assistant. And the OS also integrates with Alexa, if you use Alexa devices.
Price
50 inch – $523.99
55 inch – $459.99
65 inch – $1090.00
75 inch – $1299.99
This is priced at about mid-range for a budget 4K TV, and interestingly the 55 inch is cheaper than the 50 inches. If you’re a big fan of Android then this TV is definitely for you. But, it’s also a very solid budget of 4K TV.
If you like what this TV has to offer then click here Hisense Class H8 to buy it on Amazon.
2. LG 50UN7300PUF Alexa Built-In 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV
LG 50UN7300PUF Baseline features plus additional features
It has 3 HDMI ports, which is enough so that you don’t need to be pulling out the cables every time to switch devices.
The unique feature of this budget 4K TV is that it has HDR. Which is a much better display than UHD. This gives it some serious bonus points.
Additional features
It comes with LG’s patented webOS. Like an Amazon Fire TV stick and the Roku Express allows you to download load apps such as Netflix, and Spotify.
It also comes with a magic remote, which allows you to control the screen with voice commands, but also you can scroll and click with it. Which is really cool. An Amazon Fire TV stick remote works in a similar way. But, doesn’t have the click and scroll features.
You can also seamlessly stream your Apple devices to it, and customize and control features of your smart home because it comes with Apple Airplay 2, and Apple Homekit built-in.
Price
43 inch – $326.92
50 inch – $429.99
55 inch – currently unavailable
65 inch – currently unavailable
This is priced at about mid-range for a budget 4K TV. The built-in features make this TV an incredible buy. And I have no hesitations in recommending it.
If you like what this TV has to offer then click here: LG 50UN7300PUF to buy it on Amazon.
3. TCL Class 5-Series 4K UHD Dolby Vision HDR Roku Smart TV
Although some budget TVs can be even cheaper than this one, they don’t have nearly the review count – often only having around 50 – and the review rating isn’t as high. This was a key reason why this budget TV is ranked in the top 5.
TLC Class 5 Baseline features plus additional features
It has 3 HDMI ports that are 2.0, which is acceptable. Typically you need one HDMI port for watching TV shows and movies. And the additional ports you can have dedicated to a console such as a Nintendo Wii, or Xbox. And then the other port can be used for a laptop computer to mirror your screen to the TV.
It is ultra high definition (UHD) which is excellent, it’s viewing experience could only be beaten by an HDR screen. So, it’s isn’t the absolute best in terms of features. But, at this price point, it’s a solid 4K TV and you won’t really notice a difference between this model and an HDR version unless you place them side by side.
TCL uses completely different technology to OLED and QLED and is comparable. Based on my research an OLED or QLED TV would have a superior display, but not by much. However, does add a few minus points to this 4K TV
Additional features
It comes built-in with Roku TV. Which is a competitor for the popular Amazon Fire Stick. Roku is a US-based company and they also have an equivalent stick. The Fire TV stick and the Roku Express – a device that works the same as an Amazon Fire TV stick – allows you to access popular streaming services like Netflix, Apple TV, and Spotify.
The advantage of this TV is that this functionality is built-in, so you don’t need to buy an additional Roku Express or Fire TV Stick. And you have less moving parts, which makes your TV simpler and less cluttered.
Price
The price of the TCL Class 5 Series is:
43 inch – $350
50 inch – Unavailable
55 inch – $600
65 inch – Unavailable
This is smack bang in the middle of the range for a budget 4K TV, and equivalent models with the additional features are in the $1000 range. In my opinion, it’s a solid pick up. If you like what this budget 4K TV has to offer click here: TCL 43 Class 5 to buy it on Amazon.
4. TCL 49S517 49-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV (2018 Model)
TCL 49S517 Baseline features plus additional features
It has 3 HDMI ports, which meets my baseline standards for a budget 4K TV. The screen is an LED screen which isn’t as good as a QLED, or OLED screen. So, I deducted some points based on that. However, the screen does use HDR technology. This means it’s superior to UHD and gave it some additional points which secured its place in the top 5.
Additional features
It has Roku built-in which allows you to download popular streaming apps such as Netflix, and Apple TV. It also includes a voice-enabled remote, that works with Alexa, and Google Assistant, which is very cool.
Price
43 inch – $576.87
49 inch – $449.90
55 inch – $650.89
It’s slightly more expensive than the other TVs on this list, which moved it down a few places. A 55 inch is typically around the $550 range, whereas this one is $650. However, it’s still a very solid price. The other drawback of this model is that it doesn’t have much larger sizes such as 65 inches and 75 inches.
If you like what this TV has to offer then click here: TCL 49S517 49-Inchto buy it on Amazon.
5. VIZIO M-Series Quantum 4K HDR Smart TV
VIZIO M-Series Baseline features plus additional features
It has 4 HDMI ports, which is good, and 1 more than I would be happy with within a 4K HD TV. It also had HDR which is better than UHD, which was a significant plus for this TV. And helped it get into the top 5 best budget 4K TVs.
Additional features
It has Youtube and Youtube TV built-in which is a bonus. It is also a ‘smart tv’ which allows you to download apps onto it such as Netflix. You can’t use your voice so it isn’t compatible with Google Assistant or Alexa. Which did drop it down a few spots.
Price
50 inch – $484.90
55 inch – is made but is difficult to source – only used option available
The price for the Vizio M-Series Quantum is middle of the range and slightly cheaper than some of the other models in the top 5. Also, you can’t buy it in a bigger one because It’s also only made in 50 inches and 55 inches.
I would only buy this TV if none of the other TVs on this list were available. To do that click here: VIZIO M-Series Quantum 50 to buy it on Amazon.
In Conclusion
Overall here’s a summary table of the score I gave each of the top 5 best budget 4K TV’s in order for the respective categories:
| Model | Customer Reviews | Additional Features | Price | Total |
| Hisense Class H8 | 4.9/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 14.9/5 |
| LG 50UN7300PUF | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.8/5 | 14.3/15 |
| TCL Class 5 Series | 5/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 14/15 |
| TCL 49S517 | 4.9/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.5/5 | 13.9/15 |
| Vizio M-Series | 4.5/5 | 4/5 | 4.5/5 | 13/15 |