Looking to upgrade your entertainment experience without breaking the bank? Believe it or not, you can score a fantastic TV for under $200! These budget-friendly options are perfect for smaller spaces, secondary rooms, or even dorm rooms. But with so many choices out there, finding the right TV can feel like a confusing side quest.
Fear not, value seekers! This guide will be your ultimate treasure map, revealing the top TVs you can find for under $200. We’ll break down the key features to consider, from screen size and resolution that fit your needs to smart TV functionality for easy streaming access. Whether you’re a casual viewer catching up on shows or a gamer seeking a reliable secondary display, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to find the perfect TV that maximizes your entertainment value without maxing out your wallet.
So, grab your remote, settle in, and get ready to discover the best TV under $200 to transform your viewing experience!
Amazon Fire TV 32″ 2-Series HD smart TV
The Amazon Fire TV 32-inch 2-Series HD smart TV is a budget-friendly option for viewers seeking a no-frills smart TV experience. With a 720p resolution, it’s ideal for smaller spaces like bedrooms, kitchens, or dorm rooms. While the picture quality won’t rival higher-resolution TVs, it delivers clear and vibrant images. It even supports HDR10 and HLG HDR formats, offering improved contrast and color on compatible content.
The real star of the show is the built-in Fire TV platform. Fire TV is known for its user-friendly interface and massive selection of streaming apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, and many lesser-known options. Plus, the included Alexa Voice Remote lets you control the TV and even your smart home devices with your voice for a hands-free experience.
An added perk? This Amazon TV comes with a standard 1-year warranty and a 30-day return window for peace of mind.
Overall, the Amazon Fire TV 32″ 2-Series HD smart TV is a solid choice for casual viewers who prioritize affordability and a user-friendly smart TV experience. If you’re a movie buff or gamer who craves the absolute best picture quality, you might want to consider a higher resolution TV.
VIZIO 40-inch D-Series Full HD 1080p Smart TV
Vizio’s 40-inch D-Series Full HD 1080p Smart TV is a budget-friendly option for viewers seeking a step up in picture quality and smart features without breaking the bank. The 1080p resolution offers sharper details compared to 720p options, making it a great choice for watching movies, TV shows, or even casual gaming.
While it won’t match high-end TVs in terms of picture quality, the Vizio D-Series delivers a clear and vibrant display. Vizio’s IQ picture processor helps with optimizing picture quality for an improved viewing experience. Plus, it supports HDR10 for enhanced contrast and colors on compatible content, bringing out more details in highlights and shadows.
This Vizio TV comes equipped with Vizio’s SmartCast platform. SmartCast offers a user-friendly interface with a good selection of streaming apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and YouTube. Plus, it includes Chromecast functionality, allowing you to cast content from your phone or tablet directly to the TV for easy access to even more entertainment options.
For added convenience, the Vizio D-Series comes with a standard 1-year warranty and a 30-day return window for peace of mind.
Overall, the Vizio 40-inch D-Series Full HD 1080p Smart TV is a compelling choice for casual viewers who prioritize affordability, a step up in picture quality from budget options, and the convenience of a user-friendly smart TV platform with built-in Chromecast. If you’re a movie buff or gamer who demands the absolute best picture quality or a wider range of apps, you might want to consider a higher-end TV.
INSIGNIA 42-inch Class F20 Series Smart Full HD
The Insignia 42-inch Class F20 Series Smart Full HD 1080p Fire TV is a budget-friendly option for viewers seeking a balance between affordability, screen size, and smart features. The 1080p Full HD resolution offers a step up in detail compared to 720p options, making it a great choice for watching movies, TV shows, or even casual gaming on a larger screen.
While picture quality won’t rival high-end TVs, the Insignia F20 Series delivers clear and vibrant visuals. It features a standard LED display, and to enhance your viewing experience, it supports HDR10 for improved contrast and color range on compatible content.
The true star of this Insignia TV is the built-in Fire TV platform. Fire TV is known for its user-friendly interface and massive selection of streaming apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, and many lesser-known channels. Plus, the included Alexa Voice Remote lets you control the TV and even your smart home devices with your voice for a hands-free experience.
With a standard 1-year warranty and 30-day return window, you can buy with confidence.
Overall, the Insignia 42-inch Class F20 Series Smart Full HD 1080p Fire TV is a solid choice for casual viewers who prioritize affordability, a larger screen size for a more immersive viewing experience, and the convenience of a user-friendly Fire TV platform with voice control. If you’re a movie buff or gamer who demands the absolute best picture quality or a wider variety of apps, you might want to consider a higher-end TV.
Hisense 43-Inch Class A4 Series FHD 1080p
The Hisense 43-Inch Class A4 Series FHD 1080p Google Smart TV is a budget-minded option for viewers seeking a larger screen size and access to the Google TV platform. The 1080p Full HD resolution offers a step up in detail compared to 720p options, making it a great choice for watching movies, TV shows, or even casual gaming on a bigger screen.
While it won’t match high-end TVs in picture quality, the Hisense A4 Series delivers clear and vibrant visuals. It features a standard LED display with a full array backlight for improved brightness uniformity. Plus, it supports HDR10 for enhanced contrast and colors on compatible content, bringing out more details in highlights and shadows.
This Hisense TV comes equipped with Google TV, a user-friendly platform that integrates seamlessly with Google Assistant. Google TV offers a vast library of streaming apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, and many more. The included voice remote with Google Assistant lets you control the TV with your voice, search for content, and even control other compatible smart home devices.
An added perk? This Hisense TV comes with a standard 1-year warranty and a 30-day return window for peace of mind.
Overall, the Hisense 43-Inch Class A4 Series FHD 1080p Google Smart TV is a compelling choice for casual viewers who prioritize affordability, a larger screen size for a more immersive viewing experience, and the convenience of Google TV with voice control. However, if you’re a movie buff or gamer who demands the absolute best picture quality or a wider variety of apps, you might want to consider a higher-end TV.
TCL 40-Inch Class S3 1080p LED Smart TV with Roku TV
The TCL 40-Inch Class S3 1080p LED Smart TV with Roku TV is a budget-friendly option for viewers seeking a balance between affordability, screen size, and smart features. The 1080p Full HD resolution offers sharper details compared to 720p options, making it a great choice for watching movies, TV shows, or even casual gaming on a larger screen.
While it won’t compete with high-end TVs in picture quality, the TCL S3 delivers clear and vibrant visuals. It features direct LED backlighting for improved brightness uniformity and contrast. Plus, HDR compatibility enhances colors for a more immersive viewing experience on compatible content.
The real star of this TCL TV is the Roku TV platform. Roku is known for its user-friendly interface and vast selection of streaming apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, and many more. The included remote control lets you navigate the menus and even control other compatible smart home devices with your voice thanks to voice assistant compatibility.
TCL offers a standard 1-year warranty and a 30-day return window for peace of mind.
Overall, the TCL 40-Inch Class S3 1080p LED Smart TV with Roku TV is a great choice for casual viewers who prioritize affordability, a larger screen size for a more immersive viewing experience, and the convenience of the user-friendly Roku TV platform with voice control. If you’re a movie buff or gamer craving the absolute best picture quality, a higher-end TV might be a better fit.
SAMSUNG Electronics UN32M4500A 32-Inch
The Samsung UN32M4500A is a budget-friendly option for viewers seeking a basic smart TV experience in a compact size. The 720p resolution makes it ideal for smaller spaces like bedrooms, kitchens, or dorm rooms. While the picture quality won’t match higher-end TVs, it delivers clear and vibrant images for casual viewing of cable TV, news, or less detail-oriented content.
This Samsung smart TV utilizes a user-friendly interface that allows you to access popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and YouTube. The included remote control lets you navigate the menus and control the TV’s functions.
An added bonus? Samsung backs this TV with a standard 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
Overall, the Samsung UN32M4500A is a solid choice for casual viewers who prioritize affordability, a compact size, and basic smart TV features. However, if you’re a movie buff or gamer who demands the best picture quality or a wider variety of apps, you might want to consider a higher-resolution smart TV.
LG 32-Inch Class HD 720p Smart LED TV
The LG 32-Inch Class HD 720p Smart LED TV (32LM577BZUA) is a budget-friendly option for viewers seeking a smart TV experience in a compact size. The 720p resolution is ideal for bedrooms, kitchens, or dorm rooms. While picture quality won’t rival higher-resolution TVs, it delivers clear and vibrant images. Plus, it supports HDR10 and HLG HDR formats, which can offer improved contrast and color on compatible content.
A major perk of this LG TV is the built-in webOS platform. webOS is known for its user-friendly interface and good selection of streaming apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and YouTube. The included remote lets you control the TV and even connect with Alexa for voice control, allowing for hands-free navigation and control over compatible smart home devices.
With a standard 1-year warranty and 30-day return window, you can buy with confidence.
Overall, the LG 32-Inch Class HD 720p Smart LED TV is a solid choice for casual viewers who prioritize affordability, a compact size, and the convenience of a user-friendly smart TV platform with some voice control capabilities. However, if you’re a movie buff or gamer who demands the absolute best picture quality or a wider variety of apps, you might want to consider a higher-resolution TV.
How to Choose the Best TVs Under 200
While high-end TVs boast stunning picture quality and cutting-edge features, a fantastic TV experience can be achieved on a budget. Here’s a guide to help you find the best TV under $200 for your needs:
Key Considerations:
- Screen Size: Smaller screen sizes (around 32-inches) are more common at this price range. Consider the viewing distance – ideally, you want to sit 3-5 feet away from a 32-inch TV for a comfortable experience.
- Resolution: While some older models might offer only 720p resolution, look for TVs with at least 1080p (Full HD) resolution for sharper visuals, especially if you plan on watching streaming services or Blu-rays.
- Smart Features (Optional): Not all TVs under $200 have built-in smart features. If you want to access streaming services directly on the TV, consider models with Roku, Fire TV, or basic smart platforms.
Popular Options for Budget-Conscious Viewers:
- Toshiba Fire TV Series: These offer decent picture quality, a user-friendly Fire TV interface for accessing streaming services, and a remote control with voice search capabilities – all at a competitive price point under $200 (depending on screen size).
- Vizio Smart TVs: Some Vizio models fall within this budget range and offer basic smart features with a user-friendly interface, making it easy to access your favorite streaming apps. Picture quality can vary depending on the specific model.
- TCL S2 Series Roku TVs: TCL offers a budget-friendly option with Roku TV integration, known for its simple and user-friendly interface. This allows you to stream a variety of channels and apps without needing an additional streaming device.
Additional Tips:
- Read Reviews: User reviews can offer valuable insights on real-world experiences with budget TVs. Look for reviews mentioning picture quality, sound quality, and functionality, especially if you plan on using the TV for gaming or connecting external devices.
- Consider Ports: Ensure the TV has enough HDMI ports to connect your cable box, streaming device, or gaming console.
- Brand Reputation: While lesser-known brands might offer lower prices, established brands like those mentioned above often have better quality control and customer support.
Remember: The best TV under $200 depends on your priorities. If you mainly use it for watching basic cable TV or occasional movie nights, a basic model with decent picture quality might suffice. If you want smart features for easy access to streaming services, look for models with built-in platforms like Roku or Fire TV.
By considering these factors and doing your research, you can find the perfect TV under $200 to fit your needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I get a good TV for under $200?
Absolutely! While high-end TVs boast top-notch features, a fantastic TV experience can be achieved on a budget. Focus on what matters most to you for basic viewing needs.
What screen size should I get for under $200?
Smaller screen sizes (around 32-inches) are most common at this price point. Consider how far you’ll be sitting from the TV. The ideal viewing distance for a 32-inch TV is typically 3-5 feet.
Is resolution important on a budget TV?
Yes, resolution affects picture quality. While some older models might have only 720p, prioritize a TV with at least 1080p (Full HD) resolution for sharper visuals, especially if you plan on watching streaming services or Blu-rays.
Do I need a smart TV under $200?
Not necessarily. Smart TVs offer built-in access to streaming services. If you already have a streaming device (like a Roku or Fire Stick) or cable box, a non-smart TV can still be a great option.
What else should I consider when buying a budget TV?
Read Reviews: User reviews offer valuable insights on real-world experiences, mentioning picture quality, sound, and functionality. Look for reviews specific to your usage (gaming, connecting devices).
Consider Ports: Ensure enough HDMI ports for your cable box, streaming device, or gaming console.
Brand Reputation: While lesser-known brands might be cheaper, established brands like those mentioned have better quality control and customer support.
Remember:
The best TV under $200 depends on your priorities (basic viewing, streaming needs).
Consider factors like screen size, resolution, smart features, and brand reputation.
Read reviews to understand real-world user experiences.
By prioritizing your needs and following these tips, you can find the perfect budget TV that fits your wallet and viewing enjoyment!
