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With continuously evolving TV technology, TVs with a medium to entry-level enjoy steadily improved picture quality, along with a growing list of advanced features, including 4K resolution and HDR. During this change, we’ve made a list of the best gaming TVs under $500 to squeeze your last dime out of your budget so you can pay for the crucial things in life – like inducing soundbar, for example. The latest choices in our list are more significant, brighter, and better than ever. All our selections offer 4K UHD resolution.
List of the best gaming TVs under $500
TCL 5-Series Roku TV
The TCL 5-Series Roku TV does what TCL does best: combine great features and performance with an undeniably excellent price. The 55-inch model costs around $500. You get the industry-leading color and brightness of QLED and Roku’s easy-to-use Smart TV interface, which puts thousands of apps at your fingertips.
In addition to the QLED display’s excellent color accuracy and full color gamut, it also offers top-notch HDR support, with Dolby Vision alongside the basic HDR10 and HLG formats. With an input lag of 13.1 milliseconds, it’s also one of the best gaming TVs you can buy for under $500. If you want the best cheap TV, this is it. Overall, this is one of the best gaming TVs under $500.
TCL 50-inch 5-Series 4K UHD Dolby Vision HDR QLED Roku Smart TV - 50S535, 2021 Model
Features
- Superior 4K Ultra HD: Picture clarity combined with the contrast, color, and detail of Dolby Vision HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the most lifelike picture
- QLED: Quantum dot technology delivers better brightness and wider color volume, Panel Resolution :3840 x 2160, Viewable Display Size: 49.5 inch
- Product Size (WxHxD) with Stand: 43.9 x 11.6" x 27.5"; Product Size (WxHxD) without stand: 43.9" x 3.0" x 25.2"; Product Weight without stand: 26.0 pounds; Product Weight with stand: 26.7 pounds
- Roku Smart TV Platform: Roku Smart TV platform provides access to thousands of streaming channels
- Auto Game Mode for an optimized fast-response gaming experience
Hisense H8G Quantum Series
The Hisense H8G Quantum series (50H8G) offers great value for money for a 50-inch TV. From the Android TV smartness to the QLED screen and local dimming for great HDR support, the H8G is one of the best TVs you can find for under $500. The quantum-dot screen improves color performance and local dimming provides great contrast, but there are still some compromises made in the name of affordability.
The 60Hz screen and mediocre motion handling aren’t what you’d see on a more premium TV, and color reproduction isn’t perfect, but it’s still one of the best 50-inch 4K smart TVs you’ll find in this price range. Android TV offers a great smart TV experience, with built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant providing plenty of flexibility to keep up with Google’s vast library of apps. With lag times under 14 milliseconds, the Hisense H8G is one of the best gaming TVs under $500.
Hisense 50H8G 50-inch H8G Quantum Series 4K ULED Android Smart TV (2020) Bundle with Premiere Movies Streaming 2020 + 30-70 Inch TV Wall Mount + 2X HDMI Cable + 6-Outlet Surge Adapter
Features
- Hisense USA AUTHORIZED - Includes Full Hisense USA WARRANTY
- Hisense 50" H8G Quantam Series 4K ULED Android Smart TV (2020)
- Amazing 4K Ultra HD Resolution | Ultra Smooth Motion 120 / 60Hz Panel | 4 HDMI, 3 USB | Smart TV with Wifi built in | 4 Year Hisense Limited Warranty
- INCLUDED IN THE BOX: H8G Quantam Series 4K ULED Android Smart TV (2020) | Remote | Power Cord | Quick Start Guide | Limited Warranty
- BUNDLE INCLUDES: Premiere Movies Streaming 2020 Digital Download Card for PC | Deco Mount 37"-100" TV Wall Mount Bracket Bundle w/ 2 HDMI Cables, Spray Bottle and Wipe | SurgePro 6 NT 750 Joule 6-Outlet Surge Adapter with Night Light
Konka U5 Android TV
The brand name may not be familiar, but if you want one of the best gaming TVs under $500, the Konka U5 Android TV is the one to choose. With great smart capabilities thanks to Android TV – complete with integrated Chromecast and Google Assistant capabilities – the Konka offers great color and clarity and a fully featured smart experience at a budget-friendly price.
For a TV sold at such low prices, the Konka delivers unexpectedly good performance, with rich colors and good brightness compared to other TVs in its price range. The contrast could have been better and the sound quality will certainly benefit from adding a soundbar, but it is more than usable for watching TV and movies, and short lag times make for a decent gaming experience.
Konka 65-Inch Class U5 Series 4K Ultra HD Smart TV with Android TV and Voice Remote (65U55A, 2020 Model)
Features
- 4K Ultra HD Resolution with the Konka XC3 Quad Core+ Ultra HD Engine for Xtreme Clarity, Contrast and Color. CrystalView combines Intelligent UHD Upscaling, Motion-Estimated Digital Noise Reduction, Multi-Band Sharpness Enhancer, and Detail Enhancer, for crystal clear images. DeepBlack creates darker blacks for deeper images, while maintaining grayscale image detail. PurePalette utilizes a wider color palette and multi-adaptive algorithms to create images that are rich and colorful.
- Android TV includes the Google Play Store for simple access to over 500,000 Movies and TV Shows. Built-in Google Assistant allows you to search for your desired video content, ask questions to get useful information, play your favorite music, or even control your applicable Smart Home devices, all with just your voice. Plus, Konka includes the Voice Control Remote to make this possible right out of the box.
- Konka ZeroBezel Design is a stunning frameless cosmetic design concept for virtually edge-to-edge screen. This new minimalist design blends easily into any home decor.
- HiBright Pro LED Backlighting creates brighter, more dynamic images that better maintain their picture quality in rooms with brighter ambient lighting, or sunlight from uncovered windows. HiBright Pro is noticeably brighter, providing 25%+ more brightness than a standard display, because brighter is better.
- ColorWave Wide Color Gamut panel technology provides over one billion colors for higher color purity, producing incredibly brilliant images with deeper and more accurate colors.
Insignia 4K Ultra HD Fire TV Edition
Amazon’s Fire TV Edition TVs are often the first to go on sale when Amazon has a discount event, making them some of the most affordable and popular TVs on the market. But if you want the best Amazon Fire TV, it has to be the Insignia 4K Ultra HD Fire TV Edition (2020 model). With the 55-inch model selling for $429 at regular price, it is one of the most affordable 4K sets out there.
The Insignia also outshines other ultra-budget TVs (including the 2020 Toshiba 4K Fire TV Edition) with decent port selection and decent performance, which is more than we can say for many of the other competing low-cost TVs. While it’s true that you get what you pay for – performance isn’t top-of-the-line, gaming support is mediocre, and the Fire TV platform is a bit too Amazon-centric for our tastes – it’s still a great option for casual viewers, and it’s priced to sell. Overall, this is one of the best gaming TVs under $500.
INSIGNIA NS-50DF710NA21 50-inch Smart 4K UHD - Fire TV, Released 2020
Features
- Voice remote with Alexa: Use your voice to watch live TV, launch apps, search for titles, play music, switch inputs, control smart home devices, and more.
- Endless Entertainment: Watch over 500,000 streaming movies and TV episodes with access to tens of thousands of channels, apps, and Alexa skills.
- Access your favorite content: Fire TV seamlessly integrates live over-the-air TV and streaming channels on a unified home screen.
- Watch high dynamic range (HDR) content on your TV: With an HDR-compatible 4K TV, you can enjoy HDR movies and TV shows, in addition to all your current content.
- Item arrives in packaging that reveals what’s inside and can’t be hidden.
Vizio V-Series
If you’re looking for low prices, the Vizio V Series (model 2020) may be just the budget-friendly 4K smart TV you’re looking for. With exceptional affordability, Vizio’s intelligent SmartCast software, and great gaming capabilities, this is a fantastic bargain even when it’s not on sale – and it often is, as there are hefty discounts throughout the year. A trio of HDMI 2.1 ports offer gaming-friendly features, such as an auto low latency mode and impressively short lag times of just 13.1 milliseconds.
If you want great gaming performance for less, this is definitely the budget gaming TV to buy. Just keep in mind that this is a 60Hz display, so variable refresh rates and high refresh rates are off the table. And the overall performance is decent enough, but the brightness isn’t great and the audio would benefit from adding a soundbar. Overall, this is one of the best gaming TVs under $500.
VIZIO 50 Inch 4K Smart TV, V-Series UHD LED HDR Television with Apple AirPlay and Chromecast Built-in
1 used from $399.99
Features
- VIZIO IQ Active 4K HDR Processor: Inside, the lightning-fast IQ Active processor delivers superior picture processing, and more intelligent 4K upscaling engine displaying your favorite HD entertainment in spectacular 4K quality.
- Active Pixel Tuning: Intelligent pixel-level brightness adjustments for increased picture accuracy and contrast
- V-Gaming Engine: Automatically makes the latest Xbox One and PlayStation gameplay more responsive with Auto Game Mode and the V-Series lowest input lag.
- VIZIO SmartCast: With lightning fast navigation, enjoy instant access to the best selection of apps from top-tier streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, YouTube, Prime Video, and many more right on the TV using the all-new smart remote or SmartCast Mobile app.
- Free Streaming Channels: A cord-cutter’s dream, serving up unlimited free viewing from specially curated channels – movies, TV shows, news and more. No fees, logins or subscription.
LG 55UN7000PUB
The LG 55UN7000PUB is the best TV under $500 with wide viewing angles we tested. The 55-inch model we tested has an IPS panel, so the picture remains accurate when viewed from the side. You can also get the 50 and 60 inch models for under $500, but those have different panel types, so we don’t know how they perform. This is an entry-level TV that is pretty basic and performs best for watching TV shows or sports.
While it’s not bright enough to combat glare, it handles reflections well, so it still performs well in a room with a few lights. It has no problems upscaling lower resolution content, but it can’t display a perfect 4k image because of its RGBW subpixel structure. This means it’s better suited to cable TV or DVDs than the latest 4k movies, but that’s somewhat to be expected for a cheap TV. The built-in webOS is easy to use and there are quite a few apps available for download. Overall, this is one of the best gaming TVs under $500.
LG 55UN7000PUB "Works with" Alexa UHD 70 Series 50" 4K Smart TV (2020)
Features
- REAL 4K IPS DISPLAY: Whatever you're watching, nearly every angle looks great. Our Real 4K IPS Display widens your viewing angle without losing color and detail. It's clarity in every moment, with pristine color, light and detail.
- QUAD CORE PROCESSOR 4K: Instant and intelligent. Our Quad Core Processor paints images, action, and color in the best possible light from source to screen.
- webOS: Entertainment access made easy. LG's fan-favorite webOS platform delivers streaming simplicity. Featuring the latest streaming apps like Disney Plus and the Apple TV app, and popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, Sling, Prime Video and more. A huge library of content and streaming services are all there at your fingertips.
- ACTIVE HDR: Automatically elevate the beauty of your favorite scenes. Active HDR supports a wide range of formats for scene-by-scene picture adjustment, including HDR10 and HLG.
- APPLE AIRPLAY 2 AND APPLE HOMEKIT: Apple Airplay 2 and Apple HomeKit are built in. Cast entertainment from Apple devices to your TV using Airplay 2, including Apple's vast library of content. Also use your Apple devices to configure, customize, and control your smart home usingHomeKit.
Samsung UN43TU8000FXZA
If you need a smaller gaming TV for your space, check out the Samsung UN43TU8000FXZA. It lacks VRR support and doesn’t have as fast a response time as the Quantum 2020 of the Vizio M7 series, but unlike the Vizio, it’s available in a 43-inch size, and has a higher contrast ratio. Although it has no local dimming feature, it still produces inky black colors that look great in the dark.
The monitor also has a remarkably low input delay, which makes gaming feel responsive. Despite handling reflections well, it doesn’t get very bright, so it may have problems with glare in bright rooms. Viewing angles are narrow, so the image looks washed out from the side. Keep in mind that we tested the 55-inch model, but we expect the 43-inch to perform similarly. Overall, this is one of the best gaming TVs under $500.
SAMSUNG 43-inch Class Crystal UHD TU-8000 Series - 4K UHD HDR Smart TV with Alexa Built-in (UN43TU8000FXZA, 2020 Model)
$397.95 in stock
1 used from $367.75
Features
- Crystal processor 4K: This ultra-fast processor transforms everything you watch into stunning 4K.
- Multi voice: Smart TV with Alexa and Bixby. Mini Wall Mount Compatible and Vesa Wall Mount Compatible
- Smart TV powered by Tizen: Go beyond smart TV with next-gen apps, super easy control, and a host of enhancements that elevate the TV watching experience.
- HDR: Unveils shades of color you can't find on HDTV. Sound Output (RMS)-20W
- Crystal display: Experience crystal clear colors that are fine-tuned to deliver a naturally crisp and vivid picture.
Conclusion
With the release of Sony’s PS5 and the Xbox One X, it is finally safe to say that 4K gaming has arrived. But all of that high-resolution goodness is wasted on the wrong TV, so we tested and reviewed dozens of 4K sets to reach these top choices. Our list of the best gaming TVs under $500 offers you the best gaming TVs that you can buy right now under 500 USD.