The best TVs for under £500 in 2025
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So, you want a new TV? We all do. With the rate that manufacturers update their smart technology and release new models, there's never a bad time to upgrade. But that doesn't mean it's always a good time to splurge thousands of pounds.
If you’re in the market for a cheap TV, you might assume you’re going to miss out on smart features and picture/audio quality. But that’s actually not the case. You won't get the absolute best of the best without fully emptying your wallet, but you can find plenty of bang for your buck if you really shop around.
The problem with rapidly evolving TV tech is that the jargon is sometimes impenetrable. What is HDR? What about VRR? And why do you need HDMI? These should inform your decision on buying a specific TV, but it’s important to know what they are first. Read on for a quick guide and a selection of the best TVs for under £500.
Can you get a good TV for under £500?
Absolutely. There are plenty of impressive TVs available for less than £500, with things like Ultra HD resolution and HDR. We don't want you to set your expectations too high, because you're not going to get a 75-inch QLED TV for this price. But you might be surprised by the budget-friendly options out there.
What is a smart TV?
All the TVs listed below are smart TVs. In fact, it’s harder to find a TV that isn’t smart these days. A smart TV is basically a TV that connects to the internet, with a platform that has streaming apps (Netflix, Disney, NOW, Prime, YouTube, and more) and other features, such as voice assistant and games.
What is the best smart platform?
It’s not about which is the best, but which one you find easiest to use. Some TV brands have their own smart platforms. LG uses WebOS and Samsung uses Tizen, for instance. Whereas other TVs use familiar platforms such as Android. You’ll find a selection of smart platforms in the list below.
How much does a 4K TV cost?
4K TVs (which typically have a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels) are now the standard for ultra HD home viewing. And while the sharpest display technology — such as OLED and Neo QLED — typically comes at a higher price, it’s possible (as you’ll see below) to a get a 4K TV for £500 or less. Generally, TVs in this price range use LED display technology, with other features to refine and bolster the visuals. However, you also find Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels) and HD Ready (1280 x 720 pixels). 4K is named as such because it’s four times the resolution of Full HD.
What is HDR?
You’ll see these initials lots when shopping around for a new TV. It means High Dynamic Range, which gives you a wider gamut of colours and shades. That means deeper, more vibrant, more nuanced colours and details. The most popular HDR formats are Dolby Vision and HDR10. Not all TVs support all HDR formats (Samsung’s otherwise excellent TVs, for instance, don’t support Dolby Vision).
What are gaming mode features?
This is a feature you’ll commonly find on smart TVs. A games mode recognises when you’ve switched on your games console and optimises the TVs settings to maximise gameplay for a smooth, immersive experience. Gaming specific features to look out for include a high refresh rate, ALLM (auto low latency mode) and VRR (variable refresh rate). ALLM means low-lag and low-latency (processing data with minimal delay) — it instantly kicks in and gives you smooth, lag-free, unbroken gameplay. VRR helps your screen to adjust how often it refreshes the image to match the frame rate, which can vary moment-to-moment — all depending on how hard your console processor is working,
What is the best TV for under £500?
You can find great TVs from top brands like Samsung, Hisense, and Toshiba without breaking the bank. To help you find something that works for you, we have tracked down a selection of your best options for less than £500. We have checked out customer reviews, specifications, and features to put together this list of top TVs. What we’re saying is that we’ve done all of the hard work so you don't have to.
These are the best TVs for under £500 in 2025.
Samsung DU8000
Best For Picture
The Good & The Bad
- Big, eye-popping TV for the price
- Excellent brand quality
- Gaming hub included
- Nice AirSlim profile
- Needs soundbar for best audio
- Not the brightest
- No local dimming tech
Why We Like It
If you want big value, the Samsung DU8000 is worth a look — a massive 55-inch 4K smart TV from arguably the best manufacturer in the electronics game.
Released as part of Samsung’s 2024 range, it’s an entry level model, which effectively means you won’t get the super visual performance of top end models, and it’s missing some of the more advanced features, but if you’re not super picky about spec, there’s plenty to enjoy.
It has an LED display — as opposed to Samsung’s preferred QLED — and delivers its visuals via a Crystal 4K processor. It can even upscale lower res images to 4K (or thereabouts). Samsung's Tizen software is easy to navigate, and might convince you to fork out for a more expensive model from the brand's range next time around.
If you’re a gamer, it has a dedicated Gaming Hub and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which means the TV kicks into Game Mode as soon as you fire up your console. It doesn’t have spec such as Variable Refresh Rate, however. Overall, it’s a reliable-but-stripped back smart TV.
Details
Toshiba QF5D53DB
Best For Alexa
The Good & The Bad
- Great Fire TV app selection
- Built-in subwoofer for bass
- Alexa and smart home control
- Dolby Vision support
- Upscaling TRU technology
- Not much at this price
Why We Like It
The Toshiba QF5D53DB is a great looking 4K TV that gives you HDR support, a nice bassy audio, and smooth visuals refined by TRU technology.
The TV runs on Amazon’s Fire TV OS, which is making a strong case for one of the best operating systems and features all the streaming apps you could possible want. It will cost you a bit extra to get one of Amazon’s own Omni TVs (though they’re still excellent value and popular with reviewers), but this has Amazon’s Alexa built in and does everything you need from Alexa.
You can search for content and control the TV via voice commands (just tell Alexa to put on your favourite show or adjust the volume). It also syncs with compatible smart devices, allowing you to control them through Alexa and sync with Alexa speakers to boost the sound.
Details
Hisense E6NT
Best For Gaming
The Good & The Bad
- Strong gaming spec
- Great value overall
- AI-assisted sports mode
- Freely platform for apps
- Voice remote & Alexa
Why We Like It
Hisense excels at budget and mid-level TVs, so it’s no surprise to find the Hisense E6NT. It does the basics very well — if you can call a 4K bolstered by Dolby Vision and Precision Colour technology basic, that is.
But the real reason to grab this TV is its selection of gaming features, which are usually reserved for higher priced TVs. It’s not the only TV on this list with three HDMI 2.1 ports, but it has other spec such as VRR and ALLM, which launches the TV into Game Mode whenever you turn on your PS5 or Xbox. A refresh rate of 60Hz at 4K isn’t the best on the market, but you expect some sacrifices when shopping under £500.
You also get access to live channels and all your favourite streaming and catch-up apps via the Freely platform, plus Alexa built-in for voice control — not to mention a voice remote.
Details
Sony Bravia KD-32W800
Best For Smaller Rooms
The Good & The Bad
- Google smart features
- Enhances colours in real time
- USB and HDD recording
- Not Full HD
- May struggle in large rooms
- Older model
Why We Like It
While the trend is towards massive TVs that just about poke your eye out with 4K imagery, not everyone has the space — or indeed the budget — for such monsters. Sometimes you just need a modestly sized TV for a modestly sized room. In other words, meet the Sony Bravia KD-32W800.
This TV runs via Android — if you’re already an Android user you’ll be right at home navigating the streaming apps (via Freeview Play) and Google features, such as Google Assistant, Chromecast, and Google Play. You also get a voice remote, which allows you to navigate the Android OS hands-free. Plus, there's another nice feature that you won’t find on other TVs — the ability to record programmes on a USB stick or external hard drive.
If there’s a drawback, it’s that this TV is only HD Ready — not quite Full HD and certainly not 4K quality. However, at this size you wouldn’t necessarily get the full benefit of super-sharp visuals. But the Bravia Processor does boast HDR and colour-enhancing tech.
Details
LG NANO82
Best For Movies
The Good & The Bad
- Filmmaker Mode for movies
- Punchy colours and clarity
- Cloud gaming access
- Games Dashboard and ALLM
- OS is a bit laggy
Why We Like It
The LG NANO82 is from LG’s most recent selection of NanoCell TVs. While NanoCell technology isn’t as widely talked about as QLED or OLED, they’re worth a look. Quite literally, in fact. Essentially a premium LED, the tech is designed to create rich, vibrant colours and sharper clarity.
It has some very nice features considering the price point. These include AI-assisted audio tuning, which analyses the acoustics of the room and adjusts the sound accordingly, plus LG’s patented Filmmaker Mode, which optimises your movie to look as the director intended it.
It also has spec for gamers, including ALLM and a Game Dashboard for customising your in-game settings. You don’t even need a console to play — this TV gives you access to cloud gaming platforms, including Boosteroid and GeForce Now. If you like the sound of this TV but want something either smaller or bigger, the good news is that this TV is available for under £500 in both 43 and 55 inches.
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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.
