I make a living testing TVs — these are the 5 TVs under $1,000 I'd buy right now
As a bargain-hunter myself, I get it — I cut coupons, shop sales and dig for deals on a regular basis. And, having been immersed in the TV industry for nearly a third of my life, I'm particularly well equipped to help folks find budget-friendly TVs.
These are my five favorite TVs under $1,000 right now. They're sets that not only keep costs down, but are good enough to feel like a proper case of treating oneself.
My name is Michael, and if you'll let me toot my own horn for a second, I must admit: I'm pretty good at separating good TV deals from not-so-good TV deals. This is because I spend all year testing, reviewing and watching everything from dirt-cheap 32-inch TVs to top-shelf flagship models. I mean, don't get me wrong: I have hobbies and stuff. But TVs have been my professional bread and butter for over a decade now.
Once upon a time, we published a glowing Panasonic W95A review, noting the TV's exceptional Mini-LED performance and robust set of features. Next thing we knew, the $1,299, 55-inch model had tumbled in price all the way down to $479.
I don't need to explain to you why that's a terrific discount, but I can explain why this is a great TV. Its HDR highlight brightness is well over 1,000 nits, and on the whole, the W95A is bright enough for pretty much every environment.
It also comes with a thorough array of features for gaming, Alexa integration with Amazon Fire TV and Dolby Vision support.
Panasonic's fantastic Mini-LED TV has never been more affordable, so it's worth pouncing on this deal before it disappears. You're not just getting a great sale price with the W95A, you're also getting a superb, 55-inch Mini-LED TV loaded with extra features. We dug this TV when it was over a thousand bucks, and we really dig it now that it's below $500.
This is my current favorite deals on a medium-sized OLED TV, and as of now, it's the only OLED TV on this list.
The B4 is LG's entry-level OLED TV from 2024, and the 48-inch version is a Best Buy-exclusive model. Why do I love this TV so much? Well, it boasts all of the benefits of OLED (like perfect black levels and sumptuous-looking color) for a price most of us can afford.
The B4 comes with a ton of upside for the price: It supports Dolby Vision, features an elegant design, and offers a full slate of four HDMI 2.1 ports that all support 4K gaming at 120Hz. In our LG B4 OLED review, we called the Editor's Choice TV for the value OLED TV of the year.
Looking for an incredible OLED picture without the high price? Look no further. The LG B4 isn't as bright as higher-end OLED TVs, but you're still getting perfect black levels, ultra-wide viewing angles and a ton of features you'd find on higher-end LG OLEDs.
TCL's entry-level Mini-LED TV is right in the "Goldilocks Zone" between value and performance. At around $650 for a 65-inch model, it's a perfect fit for people who want a big-sized TV with a decent set of features at a reasonable price.
You can peruse our TCL QM6K review for a full report, but here's what I love about this TV in a nutshell: It's just bright enough for the average living room; arrives with terrific out-of-the-box accuracy (if you're into that sort of thing), and most importantly, it comes with Google TV baked right in.
For most people shopping in this price range, Google TV is a great software suite to have in one's back pocket. It's easy to use and offers top-tier app support.
Looking for something a little more impressive? Check out the next pick.
The QM6K represents one of the most affordable ways to land a Mini-LED TV at the 65-inch size point. Google TV is available right out of the box, and the TV's relatively modest Mini-LED backlight keeps scenes visually appealing.
The QM7K is a step up from the QM6K in nearly every way. Its performance, especially in HDR, is much more impressive. It's just a brighter, more colorful presentation that's more likely to wow viewers.
The TCL QM7K is also packed with features, particularly gaming-related features. It's got a pair of HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs and supports 4K gaming up to 144Hz.
You'll spend a couple hundred bucks more on the QM7K than you will the QM6K, but the added cost is up there on the screen and under the hood.
TCL's mid-range Mini-LED TV is one of the best values of the year for folks looking for a powerful gaming TV at a relatively low price point. It's not quite as bright, colorful and packed with features as a higher-end Mini-LED TV, but it's much more versatile than an entry-level LED TV.
You can read all about it in our Hisense U8QG review, but the first thing you ought to know about this Mini-LED marvel is that it's one of the brightest TVs we've tested all year.
The 55-inch U8QG is just a hair under $1,000 right now, and if you've been looking for a 55-inch set that will dazzle an audience both day and night, this TV is just the ticket.
The U8QG isn't just bright, it's also brilliantly colorful, making HDR content pop in a way it might not on lower-end Mini-LED TVs.
It's also got plenty of extra features for gaming and beyond, including three HDMI 2.1 inputs, Google TV and Dolby Vision support. It's ready to support 4K gaming at 120Hz and all the way up to 165Hz, too.
The newest entry in Hisense's popular U8 Series isn't quite as affordable as it was during Prime Day, but it's still seeing a steep discount right now. This is one of the most value-forward Mini-LED TVs of the year, as well as one of the brightest. The U8QG also comes with plenty of gaming-friendly features and Google TV built right in.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Digital Trends
16 hours ago
- Digital Trends
You Asked: 42-inch OLED TV vs monitor? Can any LED match OLED's viewing angle?
On today's episode of You Asked: Can any LED TVs match the viewing angle of an OLED? Should you go with a 75-inch LED TV or a 65-inch OLED? And… the return of my favorite username with a pretty interesting question around OLED monitors. TCL QM7 (2024) vs TCL QM6K (2025) @A_Malo asks: TCL QM7 from 2024 or TCL QM6K from 2025? Good question—and one I'm sure a lot of people ask themselves when it comes to going with a current-year or previous-year model. Still, to me, the QM7 is the clear winner for the reasons you might expect. The most important is that it's brighter and has better black levels, so the HDR performance is going to be better. Image processing is also a bit better on the QM7. Now, the QM6K—in our review—did stand out because of how accurate the colors were out of the box, but the QM7 is still going to be the better buy, especially if they're around the same price right now. In fact, I think it's been pretty slept on. I remember we were quite disappointed by the 2023 model, the Q7, but when I saw the QM7 in person at CES 2024, I was pretty impressed by the improvements they made. Especially if it's a good deal, I'd go for it. Samsung 75-inch QN80F vs 65-inch OLED @aydncan5788 asks: Should I consider a 75-inch QN80F model or a 65-inch OLED TV with the same budget? What do you think? I think it depends a little bit on the OLED, but even a budget OLED like LG's B4 or B5 is going to be a considerably better performer than the QN80F. That Mini LED TV from Samsung isn't as bright as some of their models higher up the line, like the QN90F. Typically, brightness might be one of the only advantages an LED TV has over an OLED—but that's not likely the case with the QN80F. Again, not sure of the OLED, but if we compare it to an LG B-Series OLED, for example, it doesn't come with any huge advantages other than size in your scenario. Both have four HDMI 2.1 ports. LG supports Dolby Vision, while Samsung does not. Game mode responsiveness and input lag is pretty similar by the numbers, though the QN80F does have a faster max refresh rate at 144Hz compared to 120Hz on the B4. Still, I wouldn't say that's enough for me to give the nod to the QN80F. And as for size, a difference of 10 inches isn't enough to turn the tide either. Maybe if you were talking about an 85-inch versus a 65-inch, just based on getting a more immersive experience with a large screen. But the image quality of the OLED is too good to pass up in this scenario. OLED monitor + Apple TV vs 42-inch OLED TV @_Jiggle asks: I was thinking of getting an LG C4 42-inch OLED TV to use as a monitor. I'd be watching Netflix and whatnot, but it's quite expensive. So… I thought of getting an OLED monitor and pairing it with an Apple TV. Is this a good solution, and does it hinder certain things? I think there are a few things to consider here, but let's start with your main hang-up—the price. I'm seeing the 42-inch LG C4 at $900. I don't know what OLED monitor you're looking at, but in my search, I found that most OLED monitors costing less than $900 also came in much smaller sizes, like 32 inches—or even down to 27 inches. And if you had your eye on a 42-inch TV, that's a big compromise to make. Anything around 42 inches actually costs more than the C4. So unless I'm missing something, that's kind of a wrap on that. It feels like a choice between a 27-inch monitor to save money or just going with the LG C4. But there are some other things to keep in mind as your search continues. The first is the operating system. You mention potentially pairing it with an Apple TV. Some monitors do come with a built-in OS, like LG's webOS or Samsung's Tizen, but they may be above that $900 budget. And in general, TVs have better picture processing that's designed for viewing content like movies and shows. I believe they have superior upscaling abilities as well. It sounds like you're more interested in that than gaming, so if I were you, I'd just keep saving or waiting for a better sale and getting the C4 when you're ready—rather than chase something that ultimately may not fit your needs. Hope that helps. TVs with the best built-in sound @edwinsallan asks: What TV brand or model has the best sound from built-in speakers, where you won't need to buy a soundbar? Thanks for the question, Edwin. Just going off TVs I've seen that have stood out to me, I'm going to go with the Panasonic Z95A, and you can literally see why it has such great sound. There's an integrated soundbar strip along the bottom of the TV—typically where you'd place a soundbar connected via HDMI—and it does a great job elevating the Z95A's audio performance. Where it stood out in our review was dialogue clarity. I think it has a lot to do with speaker placement in addition to size. Most TV speakers are along the back or sides of the TV, which is an immediate disadvantage when it comes to sending clear dialogue toward the viewer. With the Z95A, that clarity is literally front and center. Unless you want additional components, like a subwoofer and surround speakers, you don't really need them to get a high-quality audio experience—in addition to outstanding OLED picture quality. Do any LED TVs match OLED viewing angles? @mike_98058 asks: Can any LED TVs match the viewing angle of OLED? I'm gonna do my best with this one, Mike, but I think physics are going to be the main factor keeping LED TVs—even some of the best Mini-LED TVs on the market—from matching OLED viewing angles. Because the pixels in OLED TVs light up individually, they create a more evenly distributed brightness and color source that can be seen more easily from multiple angles. LED TVs have come a long way, but a lot depends on the panel type as well. I notice it all the time when viewing my QN90C at home compared to some of the other brands we get into the studio. The QN90C uses an IPS panel, known for better viewing at wide angles with a tradeoff in contrast. VA panels are the opposite—with higher contrast and more narrow viewing angles. However, some of the big brands, like Sony and Samsung, are always working on improving VA panels to maintain great contrast—arguably the most important factor for creating a great viewing experience—while also improving viewing angles. And certainly, a lot of their more recent high-end 4K Mini LED TVs have reflected those improvements. But… it just doesn't quite match OLED.
WIRED
19 hours ago
- WIRED
This Brand-New TCL QLED Has the World's Slimmest Bezels
The main way to tell how old a TV is? Look at the bezels. Until about 10 years ago, they were thick picture frames, but they've slowly gotten smaller and smaller as the models turned over. With its new QM8K QLED, TCL has removed them entirely. Innovations in panel design mean that this blindingly bright screen looks like it's floating in space on its pedestal mount. It's a classy party trick that makes it easy to hide on the wall with images or artwork on it, and it improves the viewing angle to boot. This flagship model costs a pretty penny more than TCL's other value-first options, but that's for good reason: It competes directly with more expensive mini LED models from Samsung and Sony, and the great viewing angle and brightness even give high-end OLED models a run for their money. If you want a good picture and great apps for less, you can get it with a more affordable Hisense or TCL model, but if you want a great picture, this is the most affordable way to get it this year. Out of the Box Photograph: Parker Hall The experience of setting up the QM8K is basically the same as with any other TV. The QM8K comes in a large cardboard box surrounded by foam, and you'll want two people to pull it out, put it on a soft surface like a bed or table with a blanket, and install the included pedestal mount. It comes with a power cable and backlit (!) remote, but you'll need to supply your own HDMI cables if you want to connect anything to any of its four ports (two HDMI 2.1, two HDMI 2.0). I always love a TV with a pedestal mount, and this mount is sturdy and easy to attach. It also allows you to tilt the TV. Likewise, the included Google TV interface is extremely easy to use, with QR-based logins for essentially every modern streaming app, and speedy swaps between apps (something I had an issue with on last year's TCL models). The TV supports Chromecast and Airplay 2, which makes casting music and YouTube clips super easy for folks who are visiting and on your Wi-Fi. The TV has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 support, and it was more than capable of keeping up with 4K streaming on my mesh network at home. It has Ethernet as well, should you want to hard-wire in for the fastest speeds. No Bezels Photograph: Parker Hall The lack of bezels isn't immediately noticeable if you're not looking for it, but once you see that the brushed gunmetal frame of the TV now immediately transitions to screen after just 3.2 millimeters—rather than having a 10 mm-ish black rim—every comparable model seems old and tired. The gorgeous crystal WHVA panel is capable of up to 3,040 local dimming zones (depending on the size of TV you buy), which makes for a stunning image, and the lack of frame makes it look like the picture is hovering in space.
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
I make a living testing TVs — these are the 5 TVs under $1,000 I'd buy right now
I've been testing and reviewing TVs for over ten years, and while plenty of people periodically pick my brain about the best TVs money can buy, I field far more questions about affordable TVs. As a bargain-hunter myself, I get it — I cut coupons, shop sales and dig for deals on a regular basis. And, having been immersed in the TV industry for nearly a third of my life, I'm particularly well equipped to help folks find budget-friendly TVs. These are my five favorite TVs under $1,000 right now. They're sets that not only keep costs down, but are good enough to feel like a proper case of treating oneself. My name is Michael, and if you'll let me toot my own horn for a second, I must admit: I'm pretty good at separating good TV deals from not-so-good TV deals. This is because I spend all year testing, reviewing and watching everything from dirt-cheap 32-inch TVs to top-shelf flagship models. I mean, don't get me wrong: I have hobbies and stuff. But TVs have been my professional bread and butter for over a decade now. Once upon a time, we published a glowing Panasonic W95A review, noting the TV's exceptional Mini-LED performance and robust set of features. Next thing we knew, the $1,299, 55-inch model had tumbled in price all the way down to $479. I don't need to explain to you why that's a terrific discount, but I can explain why this is a great TV. Its HDR highlight brightness is well over 1,000 nits, and on the whole, the W95A is bright enough for pretty much every environment. It also comes with a thorough array of features for gaming, Alexa integration with Amazon Fire TV and Dolby Vision support. Panasonic's fantastic Mini-LED TV has never been more affordable, so it's worth pouncing on this deal before it disappears. You're not just getting a great sale price with the W95A, you're also getting a superb, 55-inch Mini-LED TV loaded with extra features. We dug this TV when it was over a thousand bucks, and we really dig it now that it's below $500. This is my current favorite deals on a medium-sized OLED TV, and as of now, it's the only OLED TV on this list. The B4 is LG's entry-level OLED TV from 2024, and the 48-inch version is a Best Buy-exclusive model. Why do I love this TV so much? Well, it boasts all of the benefits of OLED (like perfect black levels and sumptuous-looking color) for a price most of us can afford. The B4 comes with a ton of upside for the price: It supports Dolby Vision, features an elegant design, and offers a full slate of four HDMI 2.1 ports that all support 4K gaming at 120Hz. In our LG B4 OLED review, we called the Editor's Choice TV for the value OLED TV of the year. Looking for an incredible OLED picture without the high price? Look no further. The LG B4 isn't as bright as higher-end OLED TVs, but you're still getting perfect black levels, ultra-wide viewing angles and a ton of features you'd find on higher-end LG OLEDs. TCL's entry-level Mini-LED TV is right in the "Goldilocks Zone" between value and performance. At around $650 for a 65-inch model, it's a perfect fit for people who want a big-sized TV with a decent set of features at a reasonable price. You can peruse our TCL QM6K review for a full report, but here's what I love about this TV in a nutshell: It's just bright enough for the average living room; arrives with terrific out-of-the-box accuracy (if you're into that sort of thing), and most importantly, it comes with Google TV baked right in. For most people shopping in this price range, Google TV is a great software suite to have in one's back pocket. It's easy to use and offers top-tier app support. Looking for something a little more impressive? Check out the next pick. The QM6K represents one of the most affordable ways to land a Mini-LED TV at the 65-inch size point. Google TV is available right out of the box, and the TV's relatively modest Mini-LED backlight keeps scenes visually appealing. The QM7K is a step up from the QM6K in nearly every way. Its performance, especially in HDR, is much more impressive. It's just a brighter, more colorful presentation that's more likely to wow viewers. The TCL QM7K is also packed with features, particularly gaming-related features. It's got a pair of HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs and supports 4K gaming up to 144Hz. You'll spend a couple hundred bucks more on the QM7K than you will the QM6K, but the added cost is up there on the screen and under the hood. TCL's mid-range Mini-LED TV is one of the best values of the year for folks looking for a powerful gaming TV at a relatively low price point. It's not quite as bright, colorful and packed with features as a higher-end Mini-LED TV, but it's much more versatile than an entry-level LED TV. You can read all about it in our Hisense U8QG review, but the first thing you ought to know about this Mini-LED marvel is that it's one of the brightest TVs we've tested all year. The 55-inch U8QG is just a hair under $1,000 right now, and if you've been looking for a 55-inch set that will dazzle an audience both day and night, this TV is just the ticket. The U8QG isn't just bright, it's also brilliantly colorful, making HDR content pop in a way it might not on lower-end Mini-LED TVs. It's also got plenty of extra features for gaming and beyond, including three HDMI 2.1 inputs, Google TV and Dolby Vision support. It's ready to support 4K gaming at 120Hz and all the way up to 165Hz, too. The newest entry in Hisense's popular U8 Series isn't quite as affordable as it was during Prime Day, but it's still seeing a steep discount right now. This is one of the most value-forward Mini-LED TVs of the year, as well as one of the brightest. The U8QG also comes with plenty of gaming-friendly features and Google TV built right in.
