This week we're following the theme a bit and discussing some of the most recommended affordable TVs. These questions came from viewers of our previous best video about TVsso think of it as a sequel.
In this video, we looked at our picks at three different price points. As many have noted, there may be holes here, so I recommend looking at those as well to get the full picture.
This probably won't be the last time we return to this topic. Shopping season is upon us, and once the 2026 TVs are announced and available, even more discounts will be available on the best TVs of 2024 and 2025.
Should the Sony Bravia 7 be considered mid-range?
@bpowick asks: Should the Sony Bravia 7 be included in the mid-range list? I'm always confused about this TV. Many reviewers say it's very close in many ways to the Bravia 9, which many say is the best mini LED TV you can buy, but very few reviewers recommend it.
Most reviews and comparisons tend to be controversial, and many points are subjective. Having watched a lot of the best TVs since 2023, I think there's only been one that made me feel “meh” and even that TV could have delivered a high-quality picture if the content was good. It simply had trouble scaling compared to its competitors. That TV was the Vizio Quantum Pro.
In an ideal viewing scenario, where you can control the lighting in the room, all of these TVs look great. They are great performers.
Sony Bravia 7 great TV. I'd venture to say it's better than what most people have at home. It looks great and has all the features you'd expect from a premium mini LED TV. If this was the only option available there would be no complaints.
But subjectivity and comparisons matter. The Bravia 7 isn't the only mini-LED TV on the market, and it wasn't competitively priced when it launched in 2024. The 2025 models are now available, and there are better alternatives.
Hisens U8N (2024) and U8QG (2025) are brighter and handle reflections better. QM8 from TCL models offer similar benefits. They don't match the Sony's HDR accuracy or image processing, but they're typically hundreds of dollars cheaper.
Samsung's best Mini LED options offer four HDMI 2.1 ports instead of Sony's two and have higher refresh rates. The Bravia 7 also has a narrower viewing angle.
The Bravia 7 currently retails for $1,200, which changes the conversation. But when the price ranged from $1,700 to $1,900, competitors offered a better price.
It's the same in the world of cameras. The Sony A7 V is phenomenal, but some criticize it because it's not for everyone or because competitors offer a better price. Bravia 7 occupies the same place. There's nothing wrong with this, and it's certainly not the worst, but other options provide more value or cost less, making this a tougher recommendation.
Are there better TVs that support Roku?
@aslan-og asks: are there better TVs that support Roku? I know this is generally a cheaper option, but I like the interface.
I like it too. For years I used an LG TV with a Roku streaming device for everything.
The Roku Pro series TV is a solid option that fits well into the list of best TVs. It deserves its own category as “best TV running the Roku operating system.”
This is a mini TV with 4K LED, Dolby Vision and HDR 10 Plus, a rare combination these days. It has two HDMI 2.1 ports, a 120Hz refresh rate, and VRR support. It's a good-looking TV that retails for $1,200 in 65 inches but often sells for less.
If you want a brighter TV with better features and processing, you can always pair your Roku Ultra streaming box with a different brand of TV. You'll get the same support for formats including Dolby Vision, HDR 10 Plus, Dolby Atmos and DTS Digital Surround.
For flexibility with gaming consoles and external audio, consider the Samsung or LG or Hisense U75QG models, each with four HDMI 2.1 ports. Hisense U8QG has three of them.
What about smaller, truly budget TVs?
@larryhoffman7471 asks: You haven't mentioned truly budget TVs like the QM6K or others in that price range or even a little cheaper. There are a lot of people who want a new TV and $1000 is too much and they want a 65 inch TV. And the budget for devices like the QM7K is too much. I know the top end is a lot bigger, but a 65-inch TV for $1,000 isn't exactly budget-friendly. There are many much cheaper. Mentioning a couple of those that aren't a waste of money would be helpful to a lot of people. People buy so many cheap Samsung, Hisense, TCL, etc. They could use a manual too.
@borbetomagus asks: What if someone can't afford the “budget” options you mentioned or wants a more affordable option for their kids' room? Plenty of very affordable lower-end TVs from Hisense, LG, Samsung, TCL (and other brands) that aren't MiniLED or OLED (which many stores want to sell out for Black Friday/Cyber ​​Monday), but these “naked” TVs are rarely ever considered. What are the best lower-end TV options with optimal screen size, picture quality, TV OS, processing power, limited advertising, and durability, but priced between $200 and $500? Maybe the best budget gaming option or the best budget viewing option? What about the best 50-inch and smaller TV options for small spaces?
This is a fair criticism. The list may have been too short and did not cover enough situations. I'm often afraid of making the list too long, but in this case it should have included more options. Choosing the best TV is about much more than just choosing the 65-inch model that will suit most people.
We can start solving this problem now.
TVs 50 inches and smaller.
Premium selection in these sizes is limited, with many brands reserving the best models at 55 inches and larger.
OLED:
The Samsung S90F and LG C5 remain excellent models. They offer excellent performance, ample brightness, and good overall quality. The LG B5 is also great if you want to save even more money. It's not as bright, but in a controlled environment it's a great premium option, often at a very competitive price.
Mini LED:
The Samsung QN90F is one of the few premium mini-LEDs in this size. Hisense, LG and Sony do not release their best Mini LED models in sizes smaller than 55 inches.
TCL offers the QM5K, a Best Buy exclusive model that has a few compromises over KM6K achieve an even lower price. This seems like a good option for a cheaper model that still retains key features, although I haven't seen it in person.
Really budget models
When it comes to very affordable TVs like Samsung's Crystal UHD line, I simply haven't spent enough time with them to confidently recommend specific parts. I prefer to recommend TVs that I know well enough to support.
I can tell you that I recently stayed in an Airbnb with a Samsung CU7000 and had no problem watching the Cowboys-Lions game on Prime. Brightness was good and in SDR mode it performed well when watching sports. This is useful data, but I still wouldn't generalize it to all scenarios.
