5 Best TVs Under $300 [2021 Version Update]
Last Updated: 4/13/2021
Want to watch your favorite movies in better graphic quality than your current TV allows?
Most modern TVs have almost mastered the art of high-def
But you would have to spend a considerable amount of money to buy an OLED or a 4K Ultra HD TV (or even 8K UHD TVs, which are quite expensive).
However, with so many far less costly options offering considerable features being available for the budget conscious, you can up the ante!
For example, Sony Smart TV (our #1 pick) still outperforms some of the latest releases in the market.
Please note: Directly below are the Best TVs Under $300. Then, directly beneath this Top-5 list is the expanded review on why we picked each specific TV to be ranked accordingly on our list.
| # | Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Sony 32-inch 720p Smart LED TV (KDL32W600D, 2016 Model) | 1,868 Reviews | CHECK PRICE |
| 2 |
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VIZIO D32-D1 D-Series 32" Class Full Array LED Smart TV (Black) | 665 Reviews | CHECK PRICE |
| 3 |
|
SAMSUNG 32-inch Class LED Smart FHD TV 1080P (UN32N5300AFXZA, 2018 Model), Black | 12,308 Reviews | CHECK PRICE |
| 4 |
|
TCL 50-inch Class 4-Series 4K UHD Smart Roku LED TV - 50S435, 2021 Model | 23,731 Reviews | CHECK PRICE |
| 5 |
|
Toshiba 43LF421U21 43-inch Smart HD 1080p TV - Fire TV, Released 2020 | 28,501 Reviews | CHECK PRICE |
5 Best TVs Under $300 – 2024
It has really superb picture quality and can effortlessly play 1080p Full HD videos.
It has an impressive motion rate with 60Hz refresh rate and Motionflow XR 240, so there will never be any lag or distortions.
It has Smart TV functions with excellent picture quality that is even better than Roku. The LED screen is backlit and it has 2 HDMI and 2 USB inputs.
The package came with a remote control, power cords and adapter, a mini video adapter plug, and batteries.
Picture-wise, it’s hard to beat this considering the price.
As for the downside, the sound was disappointing. But that can be fixed with a pair of good external speakers.
The TV has built-in Wi-Fi capability to instantly connect to internet apps to stream videos. It has two HDMI ports as well.
The LED light on the screen is backlit, meaning image light is more uniformly distributed. You can view a sharp picture without shadows thanks to this tech.
Image-wise, this is truly an HDTV and is worth every penny.
This is further amplified by a Motion Rate 60 that allows the images to flow easily, ensuring that every action sequence is instantaneous and flawless.
In addition to the great viewing options, this is also a Smart TV. This makes it a breeze to access all of your apps, streaming platforms, and more on your TV, with a single remote. More reason why this product is in our best TVs under $300 segment - and rightfully so.
To make this possible, this model is equipped with a quad-core processor. Your browsing experience will be faster and more fluid than before. What’s more, you will be able to flip through apps faster too.
Quick Editor's note: as of 1/8/2021 it appears this TV fluctuates in price on, say, Amazon and can sometimes be priced just slightly above $300, so apologies in advance. More often than not it's just under $300.
What’s more, the high dynamic range (HDR) allows for greater contrast so that every detail on your screen can be showcased clearly and beautifully.
With plenty of inputs (Inputs are: 3 HDMI 2. 0 with HDCP 2. 2 (one with HDMI ARC), 1 USB (media player), RF, Composite, Headphone Jack, Optical Audio Out, Ethernet), this TV is also highly compatible. It can be connected to a wide variety of devices so that you can organize a home theater setup for yourself.
Thanks to the Smart TV features on this machine, you can compile all of your favorite streaming platforms and apps in the same place.
Since this TV is also equipped with the Roku TV, you get to enjoy endless entertainment, at every hour of the day.
With 4K Ultra HD picture quality, you can be certain that you will be treated to an incredible visual experience each time that you turn on your TV.
From deep contrast to exquisite clarity, you will be able to clearly see every detail of every scene. This is further improved by the vivid colors brought to life.
Another impressive feature with this TV is the connectivity, with numerous HDMI ports and input/output options.
What’s more, your Smart TV can become even smarter since it can be synced up with Alexa and perform even more functions for you.
The quad core CPU and multi-core GPU further improves the smart features, allowing you to move from one app to another with no downtime lag at all.
Tips for Buying a High-Quality TV with a $300 Budget
Here are several tips for choosing a great TV under $300:
Mind the size if you are buying online. Make sure the size fits the room and the table the TV will be placed on.
If you don’t check out the measurements, you could end up with a TV that is either too big or too small.
Adjust your expectations when buying a TV with less than 1080p resolution. The 720p TVs can be less costly, but you will have to pay a bit more for truly HD visuals.
Most budget TVs have terrible in-built speakers. So, don’t expect to rely on them. Use a pair of speakers lying around in the house or buy new one online.
Remember, the more HDMI ports the TV has, the more valuable it is.
Avoid curved TVs. Curved screens are simply a style choice. They don’t actually add anything new to image quality, so I have listed none above.
Buy your TV with a warrant. However, don’t pay a lot for extended warranties that span up to 10 years as these will be rather useless.