05-08-2025
Walmart's selling a $329 50-inch smart TV for $178, and fans say it's 'stunning'
When I was in college, I wrote my papers on a clunky desktop PC that took floppy discs, and the TV in my room had rabbit-ear antennas. Trust me, there was nothing on my back-to-school shopping list that I'd wish to own today. But the current batch of college kids? They're a different story. Modern-day students are heading to campus with some pretty sweet tech, and I don't just mean laptops. Take this 50-inch LED Roku TV by Onn, for example. It's one of Walmart's best back-to-college deals — and that's saying a lot, because they're all incredible. The smart TV, which more than 32,000 shoppers are raving about, is almost 50% off right now, reduced to just $178 (from $239). Dorm room who? I'm snagging this set for my home!
Why is it a good deal? 💰
A 50-inch smart TV for under $200? Yep, it's real, and it's spectacular. It's rare to find a smart TV of this size for this low of a price (you're saving more than $150). This size flat-screen is the sweet spot for the average living room — big enough to feel cinematic, but small enough not to overwhelm the space — so it's in high demand. This Onn model also comes equipped with built-in Roku, giving you access to all the most popular streaming platforms, like Netflix, Hulu, Max and Apple+. It also integrates seamlessly into your smart home setup. Quite a score, I must say.
Why do I need this? 🤔
Not familiar with the manufacturer Onn? It's Walmart's in-house electronics brand, based in South Carolina. So if it's important for you to keep your dollars local, this TV is a great option. True to Walmart form, the company specializes in premium-quality tech at low prices.
Whether you're looking to replace your current TV or you want an additional one, this TV is a great investment. If you use Amazon Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home, you'll love that this smart TV is compatible with all three. If you refuse to pay for cable and like to pick your streaming platforms, this set is perfect. And if you're always misplacing the remote, you're in luck: All you have to do is grab your smartphone and use the Roku mobile app to scroll through channels. You can use voice controls, too!
As for the picture and sound quality, Onn is on top of it. This tech gadget displays images in lifelike 4K resolution, so you can see every blade of glass, every micro expression, and all the vivid colors and little details that grace the 50-inch screen. And the refresh rate is impressive, so sports and action movie fans can get their adrenaline rushes, uninterrupted
What the reviewers say 💬
Fans of the Onn Roku TV are not shy. Thousands of them gave this TV five stars — a perfect rating! — praising its features, raving about its clarity and even reporting that the setup is super simple.
Pros 👍
Easy, easy, easy — that's what a lot of reviewers love. "I was able to open, set up and begin watching it within 30-45 minutes," one person wrote. "It came equipped with Roku, so there was no downloading, uploading or waiting period, and it shows with a clear picture, sharp colors and clear sound. Very pleased with this purchase."
Another customer said, "I like for things to work right out of the box with no fuss or drama. This TV fired right up! The apps connected through my phone. Streaming went right to my Roku account. Movies came right up. The sound is fine. You can cast to it from a phone or tablet."
Some shoppers in the comments are Onn brand loyalists, like this candid reviewer: "I've used many 'budget' smart TV brands, but Onn has hit the mark each time for quality, durability and longevity. Most of these cheaper smart televisions you see on the market slow down to a near-unusable speed after only months of ownership, but with Onn, I have yet to experience this issue after years of use and multiple TVs that I own in various sizes."
And then there's the picture itself, which shoppers say is stunning. "The color is vivid and sharp," one person wrote. "The sound quality is amazing. I have several Onn products, including over-the-ear headphones, and I will continue to buy Onn products because they are quality and affordable."
This pleased purchaser summed it up best: "Picture is amazing, it has all the features that I need/want and it's half the price of its competitors."
Cons 👎
It seems that for some customers, the built-in speakers aren't up to snuff, and a few decided to add a sound bar. One reviewer wrote, "You have to turn it up to almost 40 to hear it normally," while another chimed in, "I love this TV, bu have to turn it way up to hear it, and it disturbs the whole house. If the sound were better, it would get five stars."
A few other shoppers weren't too pleased with the remote, with one complaining that you have to point precisely at the TV's sensor, and another stating that the "volume and mute buttons are located on the side of the controller — exactly where your hands hold the unit."
Want to save even more? Make sure you're signed up for Walmart+. It's easy to sign up for your free 30-day trial here. You'll get free shipping and grocery delivery, savings on gas and prescriptions, exclusive access to major deals, and more. (And by the way, those without Walmart+ still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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