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Best 50 Inch TV Under $500 of 2023

Tom Power
  Sep 21, 2023 6:19 PM

Many years ago, if you wanted to buy a decent TV, you wouldn't be able to find any good models under 500 dollars. While the best models still cost more, you can find cheap models that can serve you well in this price range, depending on your needs. Most models come in many sizes, so if you want the best TV under $500 but aren't willing to compromise on quality, you can always buy a small-sized set. 

Below is our recommendation of the Best 50 Inch TV Under $500 of 2023.


Top Picks

  1. Hisense 50U6G

Hisense 50U6G is the Best TV under $500. It's absolutely amazing with performance that matches the more expensive options, and it delivers excellent picture quality in both dark and bright rooms. It comes with an Android TV built-in, there are a lot of apps available through the Google Play Store.

  1. TCL 50S535

If you like Roku TV as your smart OS, check out the TCL 50S535. It's not as bright as the Hisense U6G, but the Roku interface is easier to use than Android and offers smoother menu navigation. The picture quality is good and should please most people. It works best in dark or dimly lit rooms as it has a superior contrast ratio and proper local dimming that makes blacks look deep and colorful. 

However, this is not the best option for well-lit rooms because it is not too bright and the reflection handling is only decent. It also displays a very wide color gamut for HDR content but may not be bright enough to bring out highlights.

  1. Samsung UN50AU8000FXZA

The best TV under $500 in a small size is the Samsung UN50AU8000FXZA. Overall, this 50-inch entry-level TV is pretty decent and complete enough for most people.  If you need something bigger, there's also a 55-inch model that you can get for just over $500.

  1. TCL 4-Series Roku TV

The TCL 4 Series Roku TV, is one of the best TV values you'll find at any size. It supports HDR10 and has good color accuracy (but not Dolby Vision) for improved contrast. The Roku's system software offers the best experience and this TV has a wide range of apps to choose from. With a low latency of 14 milliseconds, this set will also handle fast-paced games well.

  1. Toshiba C350 Fire TV (2021 model)

The Toshiba C350 Fire TV is a 2021 addition to Amazon's line of retail smart TVs, offering good features and good performance at an extremely affordable price point. It's a prime example of a Fire TV model, which combines good enough 4K picture quality, impressively short latency, and great Amazon Fire TV smart features, like built-in Alexa voice control, a sizable app store, and (of course) interface that puts Amazon's Prime Video service front and center. 


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Last update on 2023-09-21 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API


Buying Guide

4K resolution: 4K resolution is affordable and much better quality than 1080p or 720p, so we always recommend 4K. 

Screen size: You cannot always get a high-end 65-inch TV for under 500 dollars, but you can still get a decent 50-inch TV model, so don't settle for a dull 43-inch set unless it's the right size for your space.

HDR support: We recommend a high dynamic range (HDR) that provides richer highlights, better colors, and shadows, giving you a better picture in every respect. If you can find a set with Dolby Vision, that's even better, but you might pay more for that feature.


Final Thoughts

You may not be getting the latest technology when looking for the best 50-inch TVs under $500, but you can still find some great 4K smart TVs while shopping on a budget. You might think that a cheap TV means a big sacrifice in quality, disappointing features, and lousy sound but it does not.

We've provided a list of budget TVs that give you basic better features and above-average performance to help you get the best 50-inch TV under 500.


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