The best budget TVs in 2025
Overview
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Table of Contents
When it comes to home cinema and TV technology, the future is now. We're blessed with 8K TVs that have incredible sound systems, stylish designs, and more smart features than you can shake a voice assistant at. But not everyone needs — or can afford — that level of tech.
There’s nothing wrong with a TV that deals with the basics — a decent picture quality, crisp sound, and some useful smart functions. There are plenty of TVs that tick all of these boxes, and many are available at surprisingly 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 and a selection of reliable models.
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 Google Assistant, which eliminate 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 TVs 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 a few hundred 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.
These are the best cheap TVs in 2025.
Hisense E6NT
Best For 4K
The Good & The Bad
- Excellent value for money
- Voice remote included
- Suite of gaming features
- AI enabled sports mode
- Voice assistant integration
- Sound bar needed
- Not full array backlit
Why We Like It
As the Hisense E6NT proves, it's entirely possible to get a big 4K TV at a budget price point. Sure, it's not going to compete with a mega expensive OLED, but but offers everything you'd expect from an oversize UHD TV: 4K upscaling, Dolby Vision HDR, colour-sharpening tech, and AI-enhanced visuals.
It throws in a few extras, such as an adaptive light sensor, which adjusts the brightness depending on the ambient light, plus a voice-activated remote control and support for next gen gaming consoles thanks to HDMI 2.1, variable refresh are (VRR), auto low latency mode (ALLM), and a game mode.
If you're more of a sports fan, it also boasts a sports mode that uses AI to optimise the picture and sound, putting you right there amongst the excitement of the crowd. Channels and apps are all accessed through Freely, which isn't our favourite platform but has no bearing on the actual content.
Details
LG LM630B
Best For Smaller Rooms
The Good & The Bad
- Virtual Surround Plus sound
- Active HDR technology
- Good quality software
- Sophisticated design
- Rock bottom RRP for LG
- Only HD resolution
Why We Like It
The LG M630B comes from one of the very best manufacturers of high quality TVs. Indeed, LG's OLED screens are superb. But the manufacturer can deliver at the budget end of the spectrum too. Indeed, this TV is packed with visual tech: Active HDR technology, Dynamic Colour Enhancer, and advanced picture processing. It sounds pretty decent too thanks to Virtual Surround Plus.
LG’s webOS Smart platform can be used to stream your favourite shows on sites like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+. It's also compatible with LG's Magic Remote, but this is sold separately.
The sturdy two-pole stand and minimal bezel frame also enhance the viewing experience, and complete a contemporary look that would suit just about any space, though at 32 inches this TV is readymade or smaller rooms. Sure, it's not the latest model, but the price point ensures that it's still a popular choice.
Details
Toshiba UV2F53DB
Best For Voice Control
The Good & The Bad
- 4K resolution and upscaling
- Voice assistant options
- TRU technology
- Channels and apps via Freely
- Good HDMI spec
- A bit bulky at the back
Why We Like It
The Toshiba UV2F53DB isn’t the cheapest TV on this list but it’s not far off. The impressive part is that it delivers a 4K resolution for under £220 and it even upscales non-4K content and visuals to the best possible quality.
Running on VIDAA — a staple operating system for budget TVs — this Toshiba is also fully smart, which means voice assistant integration for changing channel, searching for content, or even controlling your smart home (it works with Alexa, Google Assistant, or VIDAA Voice) plus access to all the top streaming and catch-up apps through the Freely platform.
It has a decent range of spec too, with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos and TRU technology for a smooth, crisp picture. Overall, a very attractive bundle.
Details
TCL SF540K
Best For Fire TV
The Good & The Bad
- Fire TV app selection
- Smart voice control
- Mira Cast and Airplay 2
- Too Androidy for some users
Why We Like It
The TCL 32S5209K is cheap, but it has a nice selection of features that make it exceptional value for money. Part of the appeal is that it runs on Amazon’s Fire TV platform, which has emerged as a very good OS indeed.
Amazon’s acclaimed Omni TVs are a touch too pricey for this particular round-up, but this TCL TV gives you all the basic benefits of Fire TV, which means your favourite streaming and catch-up apps, along with Alexa voice control. Bear in mind that at this price Alexa is limited to TV control — don’t expect her to switch your lights on and off via this budget model.
The picture doesn’t quite reach 4K levels but it still looks good, with HDR10 support, while its Dolby-enhanced audio is respectable. And, as another little bonus, you can play media from other devices by using AirPlay 2 or Miracast.
Details
RCA D24F1D
Best For Tight Budgets
The Good & The Bad
- Built-in DVD player
- Cost efficient
- Old school features
- No smart features
- Very small screen
Why We Like It
The RCA D24F1D is far from the flashiest TV around, but it's a practical option for a very small price — a basic set that's both affordable and unobtrusive.
It only has one HDMI port — so don't expect this to keep pace with your PS5 but it has a selection of other ports that will work with older devices. It even has a scart socket. There's no need to connect a DVD player though as this TV has one already built in. Think of it as an old school streaming platform.
It’s not the most impressive list of features — you’ll want to look elsewhere (and spend more) for smart TV functions — but at this price, you can't expect too much. While its 24 inch screen may be too small for some viewers, it's obviously made for smaller rooms. It would certainly suit a kids' bedroom, for instance, if the kids like to spend hours watching your old Disney DVDs.
Details
Joseph Green is the Global Shopping Editor for Mashable. He covers VPNs, headphones, fitness gear, dating sites, streaming, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day.
Joseph is also Executive Editor of Mashable's sister site, AskMen.
Matt Ford is a freelance contributor to Mashable.
