I’ve been testing and reviewing TVs for over ten years, and while plenty of people periodically pick my brain about the best TVs money can buy, I field far more questions about affordable TVs.
As a bargain-hunter myself, I get it — I cut coupons, shop sales and dig for deals on a regular basis. And, having been immersed in the TV industry for nearly a third of my life, I’m particularly well equipped to help folks find budget-friendly TVs.
These are my five favorite TVs under $1,000 right now. They’re sets that not only keep costs down, but are good enough to feel like a proper case of treating oneself.
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About the author
Michael Desjardin
My name is Michael, and if you’ll let me toot my own horn for a second, I must admit: I’m pretty good at separating good TV deals from not-so-good TV deals. This is because I spend all year testing, reviewing and watching everything from dirt-cheap 32-inch TVs to top-shelf flagship models. I mean, don’t get me wrong: I have hobbies and stuff. But TVs have been my professional bread and butter for over a decade now.
Best TVs under $1,000
Panasonic W95A Mini-LED TV
Once upon a time, we published a glowing Panasonic W95A review, noting the TV’s exceptional Mini-LED performance and robust set of features. Next thing we knew, the $1,299, 55-inch model had tumbled in price all the way down to $479.
I don’t need to explain to you why that’s a terrific discount, but I can explain why this is a great TV. Its HDR highlight brightness is well over 1,000 nits, and on the whole, the W95A is bright enough for pretty much every environment.
It also comes with a thorough array of features for gaming, Alexa integration with Amazon Fire TV and Dolby Vision support.
Did I mention it’s only $479 right now?
LG B4 OLED TV
This is my current favorite deals on a medium-sized OLED TV, and as of now, it’s the only OLED TV on this list.
The B4 is LG’s entry-level OLED TV from 2024, and the 48-inch version is a Best Buy-exclusive model. Why do I love this TV so much? Well, it boasts all of the benefits of OLED (like perfect black levels and sumptuous-looking color) for a price most of us can afford.
The B4 comes with a ton of upside for the price: It supports Dolby Vision, features an elegant design, and offers a full slate of four HDMI 2.1 ports that all support 4K gaming at 120Hz. In our LG B4 OLED review, we called the Editor’s Choice TV for the value OLED TV of the year.
TCL QM6K Mini-LED TV
TCL’s entry-level Mini-LED TV is right in the “Goldilocks Zone” between value and performance. At around $650 for a 65-inch model, it’s a perfect fit for people who want a big-sized TV with a decent set of features at a reasonable price.
You can peruse our TCL QM6K review for a full report, but here’s what I love about this TV in a nutshell: It’s just bright enough for the average living room; arrives with terrific out-of-the-box accuracy (if you’re into that sort of thing), and most importantly, it comes with Google TV baked right in.
For most people shopping in this price range, Google TV is a great software suite to have in one’s back pocket. It’s easy to use and offers top-tier app support.
Looking for something a little more impressive? Check out the next pick.
TCL QM7K Mini-LED TV
The QM7K is a step up from the QM6K in nearly every way. Its performance, especially in HDR, is much more impressive. It’s just a brighter, more colorful presentation that’s more likely to wow viewers.
The TCL QM7K is also packed with features, particularly gaming-related features. It’s got a pair of HDMI 2.1-compatible inputs and supports 4K gaming up to 144Hz.
You’ll spend a couple hundred bucks more on the QM7K than you will the QM6K, but the added cost is up there on the screen and under the hood.
Hisense U8QG Mini-LED TV
You can read all about it in our Hisense U8QG review, but the first thing you ought to know about this Mini-LED marvel is that it’s one of the brightest TVs we’ve tested all year.
The 55-inch U8QG is just a hair under $1,000 right now, and if you’ve been looking for a 55-inch set that will dazzle an audience both day and night, this TV is just the ticket.
The U8QG isn’t just bright, it’s also brilliantly colorful, making HDR content pop in a way it might not on lower-end Mini-LED TVs.
It’s also got plenty of extra features for gaming and beyond, including three HDMI 2.1 inputs, Google TV and Dolby Vision support. It’s ready to support 4K gaming at 120Hz and all the way up to 165Hz, too.