TOP 12 best budget TVs with good quality

Updated: 12/27/2020 Every person periodically needs to purchase a new TV. Because Since this market segment has been developing very rapidly lately, new functions are being added, the appearance and possibilities of a new acquisition are changing, it is quite difficult for an unprepared buyer to understand and weigh all the pros and cons of each model.

Our rating will help you choose from a huge number of offers exactly the model that will meet your requirements.

What you need to pay attention to when choosing a TV:

• Diagonal size.
  It is necessary to initially decide where and how the TV will be located. Perhaps it will be a kitchen, living room, bedroom or children's room, the device will stand on a leg or be attached to the wall. From the expected distance at which the image will be viewed, you must select the desired diagonal.
• Type of screen and backlight.
  There are kinescope, liquid crystal (LCD), LED screens, plasma panels, laser and projection screens. The first ones are already quite outdated and have a bad effect on vision; laser ones are a fairly new development and have a fairly high cost. Projection screens limit the viewing angle and are susceptible to screen burnout over time, so the most popular and in demand today are liquid crystal and LED screens.
• Sound.
  The sound power of a TV in this category usually ranges from 10 W to 20 W; in total, two built-in speakers provide this sound. It is necessary to pay attention to the presence of signal processing to create stereo sound and surround sound.
• Additional features.
  Availability of Smart TV function. This is a set of applications built into the software shell of the TV itself; this function makes it possible to broadcast various content from the Internet. The presence of the necessary connectors for connecting additional equipment, equipped with a digital tuner, additional options, such as Time Shift, child protection or sleep timer.

We present the rating of TVs up to 15,000 rubles. The best 11 models that were selected by our experts based on user reviews and ratings.

Xiaomi Mi TV 4A 32 T2 Global 31.5″

Price : from 14,700 rubles.

pros:

• High quality build
• Good color rendering
• Deep sound with plenty of volume
• Wide viewing angle

Minuses:

• Takes a long time to turn on

The top of the line for 2021 is an LCD TV with 720p HD resolution and high-quality LED backlighting. In addition to the main functionality, the model is equipped with a good Smart TV for its segment on the Android operating system. A viewing angle of 178° allows you to comfortably view programs from anywhere in the room. At the same time, a special coating on the screen counteracts glare even when exposed to direct sunlight.

How to choose the right budget TV

We're going to focus on the cheapest and most affordable options, these tend to be the best sellers. When purchasing, you must take into account the characteristics described below; however, inexpensive devices may not have them; it is important to focus on the functions you need:

1. Sufficient dimensions and screen resolution are the selection criteria that users take into account first. Let's figure out whether this parameter is as important as it seems at first glance. In most cases, the consumer is influenced by old ideas, when devices had a cathode tube, and in order to calculate the appropriate diagonal size it was necessary to take into account the distance to the screen. Many people still refuse to buy a product with a large screen, fearing that it is too big.

The most common size nowadays is 50 inches and above. Thus, competition in this range is the toughest, and manufacturers' offers are aggressive. If you are going to watch TV from a distance of about 2 meters, you need to install a 55-inch model. This will be an ideal option that reveals all the capabilities of the equipment.

It should be noted that as the viewing distance decreases, the resolution must be increased. Products of yesteryear (before the invention of LCD monitors) had 575 lines, if the viewer was very close, he could distinguish individual pixels on a large format TV.

On higher definition devices, the pixels have been significantly reduced so that they can be seen at close range in very high quality. This brings us to the second feature that should be taken into account when choosing models of different diagonals - resolution.

The increase in image quality to 4K is gradually displacing Full HD (HD READY) devices from use. However, if you find a good deal on "Full HD" products, it will still be a suitable format for most applications.

To begin with, if you are going to use the product only to watch DTT channels (a signal transmitted using radio waves), “Full HD” is more than enough, since these broadcasts are usually carried out no higher than HD 720p.

On the other hand, in some cases, a sharper image is not always synonymous with perfection. It is preferable to choose a high-quality “Full HD” model than a poor TV with 4K resolution. After all, the enjoyable experience of watching cool "Full HD" comes at the cost of sacrificing some clarity if the price is right.

2. Today, “HDR” is one of the features that users demand from new products, for this reason, popular brands have begun to include the “HDR” label in the list of characteristics of their devices. HDR expands the color space, saturating the screen with more shades between the darkest and lightest scenes.

To achieve this effect, two interrelated factors are necessary. On the one hand, there must be a color depth that allows you to decorate the screen, on the other hand, it is necessary to have a sufficient degree of brightness that can convey all shades.

When we talk about a cheap product, it is assumed that the characteristics of its components are not the most powerful on the market, so most likely the monitor will not be an example of quality. This means that instead of the recommended standard of 10-bit color depth, the screen will have 8-bit or some kind of interpolation system ("FRC" or Frame Rate Control) that it attempts to emulate by translating 8 bits into 10.

How necessary is it for a TV panel to have high-quality “HDR”? Judge for yourself, an 8-bit device can display 16.7 million colors, and a 10-bit device increases this number to 1 billion. This parameter is important when displaying smooth progressive color gradients.

Let's add a few words about brightness. The shades a panel displays are achieved by adjusting the amount of light sent to each pixel, so the higher the brightness, the more color tones it can produce. One of the most commonly used units of light measurement is the "nit". The higher this number, the higher the brightness the screen can display.

Mid-range devices have from 500 to 700 Nt, while the best devices can easily reach 1000 Nt or more. The main problem with entry-level TV panels is that they are 8-bit and offer light output levels that barely reach 400 Nt.

So before you blindly trust the "HDR" logo printed on the box, make sure the panel offers adequate color depth and brightness. If the model offered does not meet these minimum requirements, "HDR" is not a feature to consider when choosing a product, as you are unlikely to notice the difference during viewing.

3. Smart TV support is your device’s gateway to the Internet, a connection hub that will determine your online user experience. The content of music, videos, online games, multimedia applications, and smooth navigation between sections of the TV menu depend on the Smart TV platform or, in other words, on the operating system of the device.

Having a suitable Smart TV is one of the features that cannot be missed when choosing a TV panel. Not all versions of operating systems (Android TV, Tizen, webOS, My Home Screen) or hardware are compatible with the apps you might want to use, such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or HBO. Therefore, before choosing an inexpensive device, make sure that the Smart TV platform you are purchasing will play this content, and it is available in the relevant application stores.

4. When choosing, it is important to consider the number of connectors and wireless connection technology; these features cannot be missed if you are thinking about buying an inexpensive TV. It's not enough to have a couple of HDMI or USB ports; these may not be enough if you connect a games console, digital tuner, TV set-top box (required for Internet TV services) and a sound system. Before choosing, consider what devices you plan to connect.

In addition, you need to take into account the type of connector, since HDMI 1.4 is not the same as 2.0 with eARC (allows you to transmit the original audio signal in full through the HDMI cable and reproduce the best quality sound without loss) or HDMI 2.1. This is especially important when it comes to receiving 4K content or Dolby or DTS digital audio. USB 2.0 ports that work with an external drive are different from USB 3.0. The difference is very noticeable when playing “heavy” video information in “Blu-Ray” quality.

There should be no shortage of wireless connectivity, the device needs to support dual-band connectivity of the built-in Wi-Fi, which in turn implicitly includes other technologies. Some of them are "Miracast" or "Chromecast", they are built into the product's chip, allowing you to share video or audio directly from your smartphone, tablet or laptop with the click of a button.

It's also important to have built-in Bluetooth as this will allow you to connect a keyboard, game controller, or wireless headset to the TV, making it more convenient to use.

5. Sound is one of the weak points for all TVs in general and budget TVs in particular. This is due to the limited space inside the case that manufacturers leave for speakers. Today, ultra-thin models are in demand, so placing powerful sound is problematic.

Companies are trying a thousand and one methods to solve this problem. However, since you are purchasing a budget option, it is more than likely that it does not come with the latest technology. Therefore, it is important to consider connecting the panel or external speakers to reproduce the sound with the best quality.

Popular brands are trying to implement different proposals for modeling surround acoustics. Choose devices that support the largest number of Dolby and DTS digital audio formats. The most common are “Dolby Digital Plus”, “DTS HD”, depending on the brand of equipment, “Dolby Atmos” and “DTS X” may be found, providing more immersive sound.

Obviously, price is important when buying an inexpensive TV panel option, but focusing only on it will lead to bad consequences. Sometimes it may make more sense to pay a few thousand more and buy a model that truly suits your needs and offers the best value for money.

By following these instructions, you'll know how to spot good deals on a cheap TV and when its low price is worth it.

LG 32LJ510U 32″

Price : from 13,200 rubles.

pros:

• Lightweight body
• Great picture
• Convenient control panel
• Reliability

Minuses:

• Confusing settings menu

A medium-sized budget TV with high-quality Direct LED backlighting. To connect external signal sources there are AV, component, HDMI x2, USB interfaces. The model weighs about 5 kg together with the stand. If necessary, the standard table stand can be replaced with a 200x200 mm wall bracket. The manufacturer provides a 1-year warranty on the devices.

The best inexpensive TVs 22-28 inches (up to 15,000 rubles)

There is not always a need to buy a luxury TV with a diagonal of one and a half meters. After all, in order to get maximum pleasure from watching it, you need a room of appropriate size. Therefore, relatively small, not very expensive models up to 15,000 rubles are also quite popular. It is important here that the price-quality ratio of the TV is extremely favorable. Let's consider several successful options that can please even the most picky buyer.

SUPRA STV-LC24LT0070W

The most budget-friendly TV available in a simple cardboard box indicating the main characteristics. Inside, in addition to the device itself, there is a pair of legs, screws for fixing them, documentation, a sticker with the energy consumption class (35 kWh/year), as well as a remote control with separately packaged batteries.

The signal reception sensor on the budget SUPRA TV model is located at the lower left corner. On the same side are all the ports available here: coaxial output, HDMI, a single USB port, AV and component input, CI slot and headphone jack. There are no controls on the case, and everything will have to be configured from the remote control.

Advantages:

• unusually good sound for its price;
• availability of all necessary interfaces;
• the ability to activate parental controls;
• TimeShift function (“pause” live broadcast);
• low power consumption class A.

Flaws:

• There are no controls on the body.

Hyundai H-LED28ET3001

A compact, inexpensive Hyundai TV is an excellent choice for hotels and studio apartments. The device received a high-quality LCD panel with a diagonal of 71 cm and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The matrix here is VA, which ensures a high contrast of 3000:1. The brightness of the screen is typical for the price segment occupied - 200 cd/m2. Alas, under the sun's rays this reserve is not enough, so it is better not to place a cheap TV in front of a window.

The pair of speakers installed in the H-LED28ET3001 have a power of 5 W each. This is plenty for small spaces. However, with low frequencies in this model, things are not the best. There are two HDMI connectors available on a good cheap Hyundai TV, so you can connect, for example, several game consoles. CI+ support and the ability to connect storage devices are also provided.

Advantages:

• attractive design;
• reasoned price;
• high-quality sound;
• satellite TV reception;
• not a bad image.

Flaws:

• Brightness may not be enough.

LG 24LJ480U

Another popular model for which you won’t have to overpay when purchasing. The display diagonal is 60 centimeters or 23.6 inches with a resolution of 1366x768 pixels. This may not be the largest figure, but for such a small screen it is quite enough. In addition, this is fully compensated by a powerful 10-watt speaker system. Many users will like that the model has a Wi-Fi module - you can watch videos directly from the Internet. Two USB and HDMI connectors, as well as one Ethernet further increase functionality. It is impossible not to note the good build quality of the TV - LG rarely has problems with this.

Advantages:

• large viewing angle;
• high-quality picture;
• Wi-Fi module;
• stable operation of webOS;
• good viewing angles;
• two independent TV tuners
• powerful, clear sound.

Flaws:

• not a very fast browser.

Samsung UE22H5600

Of course, this model is one of the best inexpensive TVs in the ranking. With a diagonal of 22 inches, the screen resolution is 1920x1080 pixels, which provides simply excellent image quality. The viewing angle is 178 degrees, so you can watch it from different ends of the room, which is especially important for the kitchen, where you have to constantly move. Two speakers of 3 watts each provide good sound - for a small room this is more than enough. It’s nice that the TV plays many different file formats: photos, video, audio. There is even Wi-Fi support, thanks to which most users leave only positive reviews.

Advantages:

• high-quality image;
• original design;
• Smart TV;
• support for Dolby Digital technology provides excellent surround sound;
• good speed;
• good functionality;
• easy setup.

Flaws:

• the picture quality at a vertical viewing angle is poor;
• not very powerful speakers.

Thomson T32RTL5130 32″

Price : from 12,500 rubles.

pros:

• Good picture
• Optimal volume reserve
• Nice design
• Clear instructions

Minuses:

• Takes a long time to respond to commands

Quite a good TV for its price. Offers users a fully functional Smart TV with the ability to install any applications of interest. But you should prepare for the fact that the system will not respond to commands instantly, since the hardware installed inside is far from premium. There are two 5W speakers with automatic volume leveling.

Philips 24PHS4304 24″

Price : from 12,900 rubles.

pros:

• Clear and bright picture
• Control doesn't freeze
• Wide viewing angles
• Color rendition

Minuses:

• Limited number of supported video codecs

The ideal kitchen TV is compact in size with two small 3 W speakers. Displays images in 720p HD resolution and boasts a good amount of brightness. There are VGA, HDMI and USB inputs for connecting external equipment. It comes with a stand and can also be mounted on a wall using a VESA 75x75 mm bracket. Considering the weight of 3.1 kg, you can even place the device alone.

Samsung UE24N4500AU 24″

Price : from 12,500 rubles.

pros:

• Smart TV functionality
• Good sound from built-in speakers
• Intuitive menu
• Stable connection to wireless networks

Minuses:

• Low volume reserve
• Image distortion at angles

Model with a diagonal of 24 inches. Ideal for placement in the kitchen or small room. It operates at a frequency of 50 Hz, which is quite enough for most programs and films. Even dynamic scenes are viewed without any gaps. The sound is provided by two built-in speakers with a power of 5 W, the volume of which may not be enough for a large room, in which case the situation will be corrected by purchasing a soundbar.

Where is the best place to buy?

Many experienced shoppers already know what they are looking for before going to the store. Most of them purchase a TV in trusted places, i.e. in large electronics stores. And they are partly right, since they do not use delivery of goods, where a device with a large diagonal can be easily damaged and there is a guarantee of up to several years. However, there is another category of people who can purchase the same model much cheaper. Which is what we advise you to do! If you like any model from this rating of the best TVs from well-known manufacturers under 15,000 rubles for 2021, use the Yandex Market service. There you will find many other electronic stores where the price for such a product is much more pleasant and also has a guarantee. All you need to do is enter your city correctly and go to the “Prices” tab on the selected model.

• Leader of the LG 32LK540B list in the Yandex Market service!

Among the representatives of our entire TOP there are no models with any “sophisticated” functions, for example, like a curved screen, 4k and the like. But according to numerous forum users, it’s easy to do without them. I would like to emphasize that this list is updated as often as possible, but the dollar exchange rate does not stand still. If there are slight discrepancies in price, the administration of this site apologizes!