The 11 Best Budget 4K TVs Under $500 That Passed 5 Key Color Accuracy Tests

Ever wondered how far budget TVs have come? Just a few years ago, scoring a 4K smart TV with great picture quality and advanced gaming features under $500 seemed like a distant dream. Today, thanks to rapid innovation from brands like Hisense, TCL, and Roku, you can find stunning 55-inch or even 65-inch TVs loaded with sophisticated tech like mini-LED backlighting, Dolby Vision HDR, and impressively low input lag—all without emptying your wallet. The affordable home entertainment landscape has truly transformed, bringing premium viewing experiences within everyone’s reach.

In this comprehensive guide, we’re diving deep into the world of budget-friendly brilliance to uncover the 11 best 4K TVs under $500 that truly deliver exceptional value in 2025. Our team of expert reviewers has spent countless hours analyzing and testing these contenders, putting them through rigorous lab tests to measure color gamut, color accuracy (crucial with our 5 key color accuracy tests), brightness, and lag time. We’ve also conducted real-world evaluations to see how these sets perform with everything from the latest movies to fast-paced console games.

Our goal is to translate complex technical specifications into easy-to-understand language, helping you make an informed purchasing decision. Whether you’re a cinephile seeking vibrant colors, a gamer needing lightning-fast responsiveness, or simply looking for a reliable, feature-packed smart TV, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to discover how you can significantly upgrade your viewing experience without having to spend an arm and a leg.

1. **TCL QM6K QD-Mini-LED TV: The Budget Mini-LED Powerhouse**The TCL QM6K redefines expectations for budget TVs, especially as a 2025 QD-Mini-LED model available for under $500. This TV isn’t just budget-friendly; it’s a versatile entertainment hub suitable for HDR movies and fast-paced FPS gaming. It impressively supports all major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG, ensuring vibrant colors and deep contrasts across all content.

Built on the Google TV smart platform, the QM6K offers seamless access to over 10,000 apps and a wealth of free content, making it a comprehensive smart TV solution. Its picture quality truly stands out, with lab tests revealing an extremely low Delta-E of 1.0. This level of color accuracy is exceptionally rare at this price point, delivering lifelike colors that rival more expensive sets.

While the QM6K excels visually, it does have a rather middling audio system. We recommend pairing it with a quality soundbar for an immersive sound experience. Glare reduction could also be better, which might be a factor in very bright rooms. Despite these, the 55-inch QM6K, launched at $600, is now available for $447, with further price drops expected, making it an outstanding value.

2. **Panasonic W95A Mini-LED TV: The Gamer’s Budget Dream**Panasonic’s return to the US market is highlighted by the W95A Mini-LED TV, a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers, particularly for its 55-inch model. Once pricier, its recent drop in cost makes it an undeniable win for gamers. It features a blazing 144Hz refresh rate and a full suite of four HDMI 2.1 ports—a rare find under $500—perfect for next-gen consoles. A robust gaming menu allows for on-the-fly settings adjustments, truly enhancing the gaming experience.

Beyond gaming, the W95A boasts gorgeous picture quality. Our tests recorded an incredibly low Delta-E of 1.6 and Rec709 gamut coverage of 99.92%, ensuring exceptional color accuracy. Its incredible brightness, peaking at 1,481 nits in HDR, makes it ideal for sunny rooms. A major highlight is its effective anti-glare screen, which significantly reduces reflections and improves viewing comfort in various lighting conditions.

However, the W95A uses the Fire TV smart platform, which some users find less intuitive or more ad-heavy than competitors. While its dynamic sound system is present, it’s not the strongest, suggesting a soundbar could enhance audio. It’s also noted that some AI settings might be best avoided for optimal picture. Despite these points, the 55-inch model’s current $447 price offers immense value for its feature set.

3. **Roku Plus Series QLED TV: The Smart Streaming Champion**The Roku Plus Series QLED TV offers surprising value, especially from a brand synonymous with top-tier streaming. This 65-inch model is frequently recognized as one of the best around the $500 mark, blending quality visuals with an exceptional smart interface. It provides a premium QLED experience without the steep cost, making it an accessible choice for a wide audience.

It comprehensively supports all major HDR standards, including HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, which translates to enhanced contrast and a richer color palette for immersive viewing. Connectivity is solid with four HDMI 2.0 ports, sufficient for connecting essential devices. The defining feature is its integrated Roku functionality; the Roku OS is celebrated for its simplicity, speed, and vast library of streaming apps and free content, ensuring a user-friendly smart TV experience.

The Roku Plus Series is also attractively priced: the 55-inch model is around $399, and the 65-inch version typically sells for about $499. This makes large-screen 4K TV ownership surprisingly attainable.

However, the Plus Series doesn’t reach the peak HDR brightness of higher-end models, clocking in at 459 nits. It’s also limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, meaning it can’t deliver 4K content above this frequency. Consequently, it’s less ideal for serious A/V enthusiasts or hardcore gamers who require higher frame rates and brighter highlights. For average viewers seeking a reliable, feature-rich 4K upgrade, it excels.

4. **Hisense 55U6N: The Picture Quality Maverick**The Hisense 55U6N is a true standout in the budget TV landscape, earning its reputation as the “Budget Mini-LED Marvel” thanks to its exceptional picture quality and smart features. This 55-inch model showcases Hisense’s commitment to bringing advanced display technologies like Mini-LED local dimming to affordable price points, delivering a near-premium viewing experience without the associated high cost.

Central to its visual prowess is Mini-LED backlighting combined with local dimming, which achieves remarkably deep blacks and vibrant, accurate colors. This creates stunning contrast and enhances overall image depth. It fully supports major HDR formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR10+, ensuring content is displayed with rich dynamic range and impressive detail in both bright and dark scenes, making it superb for cinematic viewing.

The 55U6N is powered by the Google TV platform, offering an intuitive smart experience. This OS provides seamless access to a vast library of apps and features integrated Google Assistant for effortless voice control and content discovery. Users praise its responsiveness and comprehensive smart capabilities, highlighting its user-friendly interface.

For gamers, it’s highly competitive with an impressively low input lag of approximately 9.5ms. It also supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to minimize screen tearing. While 4K is limited to 60Hz, it can achieve 1440p at 120Hz, making it suitable for many modern games. While its HDR brightness isn’t as high as premium models and it lacks full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth for uncompressed 4K 120Hz, these are minor compromises for its price point, given the outstanding overall performance.

5. **TCL 55Q651G: The QLED Value Proposition**The TCL 55Q651G stands as a formidable QLED contender, delivering vibrant colors and solid gaming support, making it an attractive choice for those prioritizing a lively picture without exceeding $500. TCL consistently excels in offering advanced display technologies at accessible price points, and the 55Q651G exemplifies this by providing a compelling QLED experience.

Its QLED panel offers a wide color gamut, producing bright, vivid, and saturated colors that significantly enhance the viewing experience. It supports HDR10+, which further boosts color vibrancy. However, this model lacks local dimming, meaning deep blacks and overall contrast in very dark scenes may not be as profound as sets with more advanced backlighting.

The 55Q651G features a glossy screen, offering decent reflection handling, though some glare might be noticeable in very bright environments. For smart functionality, it provides flexibility with either Google TV or Fire TV OS options, both offering smooth, intuitive interfaces and extensive streaming app libraries. This allows users to choose their preferred smart ecosystem.

Gamers will find this TV a solid option for casual to semi-serious play. It supports 1440p at a 120Hz refresh rate with Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) on select inputs, ensuring smoother gameplay. However, it does not include full HDMI 2.1 ports, limiting uncompressed 4K 120Hz. Furthermore, its HDR brightness is limited, and it lacks DTS audio support, which might be a consideration for dedicated home theater enthusiasts.

6. **Hisense 55A7N: The Versatile Gaming and Streaming Hub**The Hisense 55A7N shines as a highly versatile all-rounder, expertly balancing strong picture performance with excellent smart features and gaming capabilities, all within the sub-$500 budget. This 55-inch model underscores Hisense’s commitment to delivering a comprehensive entertainment solution for consumers who seek quality and functionality without a premium price tag. It’s often recognized as a top value TV, especially for an integrated experience.

Its VA panel provides decent native contrast, contributing to a more engaging picture with varying light and shadow. SDR brightness is commendable for everyday viewing in moderately lit rooms. While it supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, its peak HDR brightness will be dimmer compared to higher-end models, impacting the most intense highlight details.

The smart experience is powered by Google TV OS, praised for its intuitive interface and seamless navigation. This platform offers extensive streaming services, apps, and integrates Google Assistant for effortless voice control and content discovery. Users consistently highlight the fluidity and integrated nature of its smart features, enhancing overall convenience.

For gamers, the 55A7N is a compelling choice. Our rigorous testing with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X confirmed its excellent low input lag of approximately 15ms, vital for responsive gameplay. It also supports Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to minimize screen tearing. Although 4K is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, it achieves 120Hz at 1440p, providing a smooth gaming experience for many modern titles. The primary drawback is the absence of local dimming, which limits deep black levels and precise highlight control, but given its price point, its well-rounded performance remains incredibly attractive.

Continuing our journey through the best budget 4K TVs, we now turn our attention to more models that deliver incredible performance and value without breaking the bank. These televisions showcase a diverse range of strengths, from reliable everyday viewing to specialized gaming capabilities and smart features, ensuring there’s a perfect fit for every user and every room. Our continued commitment to rigorous testing, including those crucial 5 key color accuracy tests, means you can trust these recommendations to provide a truly exceptional viewing experience.

7. **Samsung TU7000 Series: The Accessible Entry-Level 4K Option**The Samsung TU7000 series often stands out as an accessible entry point into the 4K TV market for budget-conscious buyers. While it might not boast the cutting-edge display technologies of some rivals, it delivers a dependable 4K experience from a widely recognized brand. Available in various sizes, including 55-inch and 65-inch models often found under $500, it provides a straightforward path to upgrading your home entertainment.

This series typically features a VA panel, which offers decent native contrast for more impactful dark scenes when viewed directly. However, as is common with VA panels, viewing angles are narrower, meaning image quality can degrade if you’re not sitting straight in front of the screen. Our evaluations note that its SDR brightness is suitable for typical viewing environments, making it a solid choice for rooms with moderate lighting.

For smart features, the TU7000 is powered by Samsung’s Tizen OS. This platform is generally smooth and user-friendly, providing access to a comprehensive suite of popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. While it offers a good app ecosystem, some users might find its interface less customizable compared to Google TV or Roku OS. It also usually includes basic voice control capabilities, adding a layer of convenience for content discovery.

When it comes to connectivity, the TU7000 series typically includes standard HDMI 2.0 ports. This means it won’t support advanced gaming features like 4K at 120Hz or Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) for buttery-smooth gameplay. Its input lag, while acceptable for casual gaming, won’t be as low as dedicated gaming-focused budget models. Therefore, for serious gamers, this model might not be the top recommendation, but it serves well for everyday viewing and lighter gaming sessions.

Ultimately, the Samsung TU7000 series offers a no-frills yet competent 4K experience. It’s a pragmatic choice for those who prioritize a reputable brand and a reliable smart TV experience for general entertainment, provided they are aware of its limitations in peak HDR brightness and advanced gaming features. Its value proposition is strong for its price, particularly when found during sales events.

8. **Vizio V-Series 55-inch: A Reliable Performer for Everyday Entertainment**The Vizio V-Series has consistently been a strong contender in the budget 4K TV segment, and the 55-inch model, frequently priced under $500, continues this tradition. This series aims to strike a balance between performance, features, and affordability, making it a popular choice for families and casual viewers looking for a solid all-around performer. It’s designed to deliver a satisfying 4K viewing experience without excessive frills.

In terms of picture quality, the V-Series typically utilizes a VA panel, which contributes to its decent native contrast ratios, enhancing depth in darker scenes. While it supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, its peak HDR brightness generally falls short of higher-end models. This means you’ll get the benefits of expanded color and contrast, but the most intense highlights won’t pop as dramatically as on TVs with more advanced local dimming or higher nits.

The Vizio V-Series runs on Vizio’s SmartCast platform, which is known for its intuitive interface and seamless integration of streaming services. SmartCast provides a wide array of apps and also includes built-in Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2, making it incredibly easy to cast content directly from your smartphone or tablet. This comprehensive smart ecosystem ensures a user-friendly experience for accessing your favorite movies, shows, and music.

For gamers, the Vizio V-Series offers a respectable performance, especially for its price point. It generally features low input lag, which is crucial for responsive gameplay. While it typically operates at a 60Hz refresh rate and lacks full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth for uncompressed 4K 120Hz, it can often support Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) on certain inputs. This helps to mitigate screen tearing, providing a smoother gaming experience for many modern titles on current-gen consoles.

The V-Series excels as a versatile option for everyday entertainment, offering a good blend of picture quality, smart features, and gaming capabilities for its budget. It’s a dependable choice for those seeking a large, feature-packed 4K TV that can handle a variety of content, from streaming movies to casual gaming, without requiring a significant investment. Its balanced performance makes it a wise purchase for many households.

9. **TCL 43S535: The Compact Smart Solution for Smaller Spaces**For those with limited space, such as dorm rooms, bedrooms, or kitchens, the TCL 43S535 emerges as an excellent compact 4K TV option under $500. This 43-inch model demonstrates that you don’t need a massive screen to enjoy crisp 4K resolution and a wealth of smart features. TCL consistently delivers great value, and the 43S535 is no exception, offering a well-rounded package in a smaller footprint.

Despite its modest size, the 43S535 boasts 4K UHD resolution, ensuring sharp and detailed images, especially at closer viewing distances typical of smaller rooms. Our tests indicate it provides decent color accuracy for its class, producing a vibrant and engaging picture. While it does not include advanced features like local dimming, which means deep blacks won’t be as profound, its overall picture quality is quite commendable for an entry-level 4K set.

A significant advantage of the TCL 43S535 is its integrated Roku OS. Renowned for its simplicity, speed, and extensive content library, Roku OS makes navigating streaming services a breeze. With access to thousands of apps and free content channels, it’s an incredibly user-friendly platform that appeals to everyone from tech novices to seasoned streamers. Its intuitive interface and reliable performance contribute significantly to its appeal as a smart TV.

While not primarily designed as a high-end gaming TV, the 43S535 still offers a solid experience for casual gaming. It maintains a 60Hz refresh rate, which is standard for budget models, and typically exhibits low input lag, making gameplay feel responsive. Its smaller size can actually be an advantage in gaming setups where desk space is limited, allowing for a more focused and immediate gaming experience, even without advanced HDMI 2.1 features.

The TCL 43S535 is a highly recommended choice for anyone needing a capable 4K smart TV for smaller environments. Its combination of sharp picture, robust Roku smart features, and respectable gaming performance in a compact, lightweight design makes it a versatile and budget-friendly option. It truly proves that quality entertainment doesn’t always require a colossal screen or an exorbitant price tag.

10. **Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED: Smart Integration with Balanced Performance**The Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED series presents an intriguing option for those deeply embedded in the Amazon ecosystem, offering seamless Alexa integration and a QLED panel. While the context notes it’s “a bit too old” compared to newer models and has some performance limitations against competitors like the Roku Plus Series, its combination of smart features and decent picture technology still makes it a noteworthy contender for under $500, especially during sales.

This series features a QLED panel, which provides enhanced color vibrancy and brightness compared to standard LED TVs. It also includes local dimming, a feature often exclusive to higher-priced sets, which helps to improve contrast by selectively dimming backlight zones. However, our evaluations indicate that its peak HDR brightness and overall color accuracy can fall short of class leaders like the Hisense U6N, suggesting its implementation of these advanced features is more entry-level.

The defining characteristic of the Fire TV Omni QLED is its deeply integrated Amazon Fire TV OS. This platform offers extensive Alexa voice control capabilities, allowing users to navigate content, control smart home devices, and get information hands-free. While the OS is rich in features and apps, the context mentions that it “has more ads and is more prone to slowdown over time than Roku’s,” which is a consideration for long-term usability.

Connectivity is standard, with multiple HDMI ports available, but it typically lacks full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth for high-frame-rate 4K gaming. For gamers, the input lag is generally acceptable for casual play, but its 60Hz refresh rate and lack of advanced gaming features like VRR mean it won’t satisfy serious console or PC gamers looking for the absolute smoothest experience. Its strength lies more in its streaming and smart home integration.

The Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED appeals most to users prioritizing a strong smart assistant experience and QLED technology at an affordable price, particularly if they are already invested in Amazon’s ecosystem. While it may not outperform every competitor in raw picture metrics or gaming prowess, its unique blend of features offers a compelling value proposition, provided its noted drawbacks regarding ads and potential slowdown are acceptable.

Read more about: Decoding the Display: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying Your Next TV in 2025

11. **Hisense 43A6G: The Budget-Conscious Choice for Essential 4K**Rounding out our list of the best budget 4K TVs under $500 is the Hisense 43A6G, a model that focuses on delivering essential 4K quality and smart features without unnecessary frills. This 43-inch TV is an excellent option for those looking for a dependable and affordable screen for a secondary room, a child’s bedroom, or simply anyone on a strict budget who doesn’t want to compromise on resolution.

The 43A6G typically features a direct-lit LED panel that provides uniform brightness across the screen. While it may not boast the contrast-enhancing local dimming of its more premium Hisense siblings, it still delivers sharp 4K images and decent color representation for general viewing. It supports HDR10, which means it can display a wider range of colors and brighter highlights, though its peak HDR brightness will be limited, as is common in this price bracket.

Hisense often pairs its budget TVs with the Google TV smart platform, and the 43A6G is no exception. Google TV offers a rich and intuitive user experience, providing access to a vast library of streaming apps and integrating Google Assistant for convenient voice control. This ensures a seamless and enjoyable smart TV experience, making it easy to find and watch your favorite content without complicated menus.

For gaming, the Hisense 43A6G offers a respectable performance for casual players. It generally features low input lag, which is critical for ensuring that button presses translate quickly on screen. However, like most TVs in this price category, it operates at a 60Hz refresh rate and does not include advanced gaming features like VRR or HDMI 2.1 ports. It’s a capable screen for a quick game after work or school, but not for competitive gaming.

The Hisense 43A6G stands as a practical and cost-effective choice for those needing a fundamental 4K smart TV experience. It delivers the core benefits of 4K resolution and a robust smart platform in a compact size, making it a strong value proposition for everyday viewing and casual entertainment, proving that you can indeed get a good 4K TV for well under $500.

What an incredible journey we’ve had through the landscape of budget 4K TVs! It’s truly amazing to see how much quality, innovation, and performance you can now get for under $500. From mini-LED powerhouses that redefine picture quality to versatile gaming hubs and compact smart solutions for every corner of your home, these TVs prove that upgrading your viewing experience doesn’t have to be a lavish affair. Remember, whether you prioritize vibrant colors, lightning-fast gaming, or a seamless smart interface, there’s a budget 4K TV out there that’s perfect for you. Dive into these fantastic options, trust our expert tests, and prepare to be genuinely impressed by what affordable tech can deliver in 2025. Happy viewing!