The 6 Best TVs Under $300: A 2025 Expert Review

Finding a great new TV does not have to cost a lot of money. If you are working with a budget, you can still find a television with a smart system, a clear picture, and a sharp design. I tested many of the most popular budget models to find the best ones. This guide will show you the six best TVs you can buy for under $300. I will explain how they performed in my tests and help you choose the perfect one for your home.

My name is Peter Alric, and testing tech is my job. I set up each of these TVs in the same room, used the same test videos, and tried the same apps on each one. My goal was to be fair and find the truth about how they work. The brand might say their product is the best, but my tests show what it can really do. Let’s get started.

How I Tested These TVs for a Fair Review

To give you honest advice, I could not just read the box. I had to test each TV the same way. This is how I made sure my reviews are fair and useful to you.

My Testing Plan

I looked at five key areas for each television. I wrote down exactly how I tested them so you can understand how I got my results.

What I Tested	How I Tested It	What I Looked For
Picture Quality	I played the same high-definition movie scene and a sports clip on every TV. I watched them in a room with controlled light.	I checked for a clear picture, bright colors, deep blacks, and how smooth moving objects looked.
Smart TV System	I timed how long it took to open apps like Netflix and YouTube. I used the voice remote to search for a movie.	I judged if the system was fast or slow, easy or confusing to use, and if it had all the popular apps.
Sound Performance	I played a scene with loud music, a scene with quiet talking, and a scene with big action sounds.	I listened to see if the talking was clear, if the music had depth, and if the sound felt big or small and tinny.
Design and Ports	I looked at how the TV was built. I checked how many ports it had on the back and how easy they were to reach.	I noted if the TV looked cheap or well-made, how thin the borders were, and if it had enough ports for a game console and a soundbar.
Value for Money	I compared the price of the TV to its features and performance.	I asked: Does this TV do enough to justify its price? Does it offer something special that cheaper models do not?

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Budget TV

Before we look at the specific TVs, it helps to understand a few simple ideas. This will make it easier for you to see why I recommend one model over another.

Simple Explanations for TV Terms

You will see a few words over and over when shopping for a TV. Here is what they mean in plain language.

• 720p (HD): This is a good level of detail for smaller TVs, like those 24 or 32 inches big. If you sit a normal distance away, the picture will look fine. On a bigger screen, you might see the individual dots that make up the picture.
• 1080p (Full HD): This is a sharper picture with more detail. It is the best choice for TVs that are 40 inches or larger. Most people find 1080p to be very clear and satisfying.
• 60Hz Refresh Rate: This is the standard for TVs in this price range. It means the picture updates 60 times per second. This is perfectly good for watching movies, news, and most TV shows.
• Smart TV Platform (Fire TV, Roku, etc.): This is the brain of the TV. It is the menu you see when you turn the TV on. It gives you access to apps like Netflix and Hulu. Some platforms, like Roku, are very simple. Others, like Fire TV, are built to work with a voice assistant like Alexa.

The 5 Most Important Things to Think About

Ask yourself these questions to narrow down your choice.

1. What size TV do I need? Think about the room. A 24-inch TV is great for a kitchen or bedroom. A 32-inch model is a good fit for a small living room or dorm. A 40-inch TV gives you a bigger, more theater-like experience for a main room.
2. Is 720p enough, or do I need 1080p? For a 32-inch TV, 720p is okay, but 1080p is sharper. For any TV 40 inches or larger, you should choose 1080p.
3. Which smart system do I prefer? If you already use an Amazon Alexa speaker, a TV with Fire TV will feel familiar. If you want the simplest system, Roku is a great choice.
4. How many devices will I plug in? Count your devices. A game console, a streaming stick, and a soundbar might need three HDMI ports. Most budget TVs only have two, so plan ahead.
5. How important is sound? All thin TVs have weak speakers. If you love movies or music, you should plan to spend a little extra on a soundbar someday.

A Quick Look at All Six TVs

Here is a fast comparison of the six TVs I tested. This table is perfect if you want to see the big differences quickly.

TV Name and Size	Best For	Its Biggest Strength	Its Biggest Weakness	My Rating
INSIGNIA 40″ F40 Series	The best overall value	Large 1080p screen with Fire TV for a very low price	Lacks advanced features like HDR	4.5 / 5
INSIGNIA 24″ F20 Series	Small spaces like bedrooms	The most affordable price	The 720p resolution is less sharp	4.5 / 5
Hisense 32″ Roku TV	The simplest smart TV system	Easy-to-use Roku platform	720p resolution on a 32″ screen	4.5 / 5
Hisense 32″ Fire TV (2025)	Gamers on a budget	Fast Game Mode for less lag	Priced higher than similar-sized models	4.4 / 5
SAMSUNG 32″ F6000 Series	The best brand-name picture	Supports HDR for better contrast	The most expensive model on the list	4.3 / 5
VIZIO 40″ V-Series	People who love free TV channels	Full HD picture with lots of free content	Sound quality is average	4.1 / 5

Reviews of Each TV

Now, let’s get into the details. I spent hours with each TV to learn its strengths and weaknesses.

Number 1: INSIGNIA 40-inch F40 Series – The Best TV for Most People

The INSIGNIA 40-inch TV is my top pick. It gives you the most important things people want: a big screen, a sharp picture, and a great smart system, all for a price that is hard to believe.

My Quick Thoughts

• What is great: The price for a 40-inch TV is incredible. The 1080p picture is clear and bright. The Fire TV system works perfectly with the Alexa voice remote.
• What could be better: The design is basic, and it does not have special picture features like HDR.

After testing, I believe this is the best choice for anyone who wants a large TV for a small price. It does all the important things very well.

Design and Connections: Everything You Need

The TV has a simple black design that will look fine in any room. The borders around the screen are reasonably thin, so you focus on the picture. It comes with a basic stand that feels stable.

The best part is on the back. INSIGNIA includes a great set of connections:

• Two HDMI ports: You can connect a game console and a streaming device, or a game console and a soundbar. One of the HDMI ports supports ARC, which is great because it lets you send sound to a soundbar with a single HDMI cable.
• Other useful ports: It also has a USB port for playing videos from a flash drive, an optical audio output, and old-style AV inputs for very old devices.

For most people, this covers all the bases. It is a very practical setup.

Picture Quality Test: A Clear and Enjoyable View

I tested the picture with a nature documentary. The 1080p resolution made the leaves on trees and animal fur look detailed. Colors were bright and natural, not overly bright or fake. When I watched a movie with dark scenes, the blacks were decent for a TV in this price range. It is not perfect for a completely dark room, but for normal living room lighting, the picture is more than good enough.

The TV handles motion well. I watched a basketball game, and the players moving quickly across the court did not look blurry. Overall, the picture quality is exactly what you would hope for from a TV this size and price. It is a significant step up from older 720p models.

Smart TV and Sound: Alexa and Virtual Sound

The smart system is Amazon’s Fire TV. It is one of the best. You get access to every app you can think of: Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and many more. The included remote has a button for Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant.

I tested the voice search by pressing the button and saying, “Find action movies with Tom Cruise.” In seconds, it showed me results from across my apps. This is a huge time-saver. You can also ask Alexa to control smart home devices, like turning off the lights.

For sound, the TV uses DTS Virtual:X. This technology tries to make the sound feel bigger and more surround-like. In my test, it worked okay. The sound is clear for watching news and TV shows. For movies, the speakers lack deep bass, but that is true for almost all flat TVs. The virtual sound effect is a nice bonus that makes action scenes a bit more exciting.

Is It Worth the Money? The Final Word

Absolutely. The INSIGNIA 40-inch F40 Series is the best value on this list. You are getting a large, 40-inch screen with a sharp 1080p picture and a powerful smart TV system. Unless you need a specific feature like HDR or a particular size, this TV should be your first choice. It proves that you do not need to spend a lot of money to get a great TV experience.

Number 2: INSIGNIA 24-inch F20 Series – The Best for a Small Room

If you need a TV for your bedroom, kitchen, or office, this is the one to get. It is the smallest and least expensive model I tested, but it is still a full smart TV.

My Quick Thoughts

• What is great: It costs very little money. It is very small and light. It has the same great Fire TV system as the larger model.
• What could be better: The picture is 720p resolution, which is less detailed than 1080p.

This TV is not for your main living room. But for a second TV in a small space, it is perfect.

Design and Size: Made for Tight Spaces

This TV is tiny. It is only about 21 inches wide and 12.5 inches tall. You can easily fit it on a small desk or a narrow kitchen counter. The stand is small but stable. It is very light, so moving it around is easy.

The connections are similar to the bigger INSIGNIA model, with two HDMI ports and a USB port. This is great because it means you can still connect a game console or a Blu-ray player to this small TV.

Picture Test: Is 720p Good Enough?

On a 24-inch screen, 720p resolution is perfectly fine. When you sit at a normal distance, the picture looks smooth and clear. I watched a cooking show on it, and the food looked bright and appetizing. You would only notice the lack of sharpness if you sat very close to the screen.

For watching the news in the morning or having background noise while you work, the picture is more than adequate. The size and resolution are a good match for each other.

Features and Performance: Same Smart Brain

Just like the larger model, this TV runs Fire TV with the Alexa voice remote. This is a huge advantage over other small, dumb TVs that do not have smart features. You get all the same apps and the same convenient voice control. I tested the voice search, and it worked just as quickly and accurately as on the bigger TV.

The sound is similar too. It is clear for dialogue, but you should not expect powerful bass. For a small room, the volume gets loud enough without any problem.

The Value: Why It’s a Smart Buy

The low price is the main reason to buy this TV. For one of the lowest prices you will find for any new TV, you get a modern smart TV with voice control. It is a much better choice than buying an old, used TV without smart features. If space and budget are tight, this INSIGNIA 24-inch model is the best solution.

Number 3: Hisense 32-inch A4 Series Roku TV – The Best for Simple, Easy Use

If you want a TV that is straightforward and easy for everyone in the family to use, this Hisense model is a fantastic choice. It uses the Roku smart system, which is known for its simplicity.

My Quick Thoughts

• What is great: The Roku TV interface is the simplest and most user-friendly of all. It works with both Google Assistant and Alexa.
• What could be better: The picture resolution is 720p, which is less sharp than 1080p on a 32-inch screen.

This TV is perfect for someone who does not want to deal with a complicated menu system. It gets you to your shows quickly and easily.

Design and Look: A Modern Slim Bezel

The TV has a slim bezel design. This means the black borders around the screen are very thin. This makes the screen look larger and more modern. The stand is simple and keeps the TV stable. The overall build quality feels good for the price.

For connections, it has the standard options: HDMI ports, USB, and Wi-Fi. It has everything you need to connect your devices.

Picture Quality: Testing the 720p Screen

I tested the 720p picture on this 32-inch screen. From a normal viewing distance of about six feet, the picture looks good. Colors are bright and the image is clear for everyday watching. However, when I moved closer to the TV, I could see that the picture was not as sharp as the 1080p models. Text on screen, like news headlines, was slightly less crisp.

For watching regular TV shows, sports, and movies, it is perfectly acceptable. But if you plan to use the TV as a computer monitor or sit very close, you might want a sharper 1080p display.

The Roku TV Experience: Why It’s So Easy

The Roku platform is the star here. When you turn on the TV, you see a simple list of your app channels on the side of the screen. It is very easy to find what you want. There is no complex menu to learn.

A great feature is that this TV works with multiple voice assistants. You can use the Google Assistant you might have on your phone or an Alexa speaker to control the TV. I tested this by using an Alexa speaker to turn the TV on and off and change the volume. It worked perfectly. This gives you flexibility if you are not committed to one smart home system.

The sound features Dolby Audio. In my tests, the dialogue in TV shows was very clear and easy to understand. This is a big plus for watching news or talk shows.

Value Analysis: Paying for Simplicity

You are paying a little more for this TV than for the smaller INSIGNIA. What you get for that money is the excellent Roku system and multi-assistant compatibility. If you value a no-fuss, easy-to-use experience above having the absolute sharpest picture, this Hisense Roku TV is an excellent buy.

Number 4: Hisense 32-inch A4 Series Fire TV (2025 Model) – The Best for Gamers

This is the newest Hisense model and it is designed to be a better all-around TV, especially for gamers. It upgrades the picture to 1080p and adds a special game mode.

My Quick Thoughts

• What is great: Sharp 1080p picture on a 32-inch screen. Very fast Game Mode reduces lag for gaming. Alexa is built directly into the TV.
• What could be better: It is one of the more expensive 32-inch models on our list.

This is the best 32-inch TV on the list if you plan to play video games or want the sharpest picture in this size.

Design and Build: Similar but Updated

The design is very similar to the other Hisense model, with a slim bezel. The difference is inside. The 2025 model has upgraded parts to handle the 1080p picture and gaming features.

It also has more connection options, including Bluetooth. This is a nice bonus because it means you can connect wireless headphones directly to the TV without any extra gadgets.

Picture Performance: The Clarity of 1080p

The jump to 1080p resolution on this 32-inch screen is noticeable. I tested it with the same content I used on the 720p Hisense model. The picture was clearly sharper. Details in clothing fabrics and background objects were more defined. Text was much crisper. If you want the best picture quality in a 32-inch TV, this is the model to choose.

Hisense also includes a feature called Natural Color Enhancer. I tested this with a nature documentary. The greens of plants and blues of water did look more vibrant and natural compared to the standard picture mode.

Gaming and Features: Testing the Game Mode

This is the key feature for gamers. The TV has a Game Mode that reduces input lag to 16ms. Lag is the delay between pressing a button on your game controller and seeing the action happen on screen.

To test this, I connected a game console. Without Game Mode, there was a slight, but noticeable, delay when moving a character. When I turned on Game Mode, the delay disappeared. The movement felt instant. This is critical for fast-paced games where timing is everything. For gamers, this feature alone makes the TV worth considering.

Like the INSIGNIA models, it uses the Fire TV system, but with Alexa built directly into the TV itself. You don’t even need the remote for some commands; you can often just speak to the TV.

Is the Higher Price Worth It?

For most people, the 720p Hisense model is good enough. But if you are a gamer or if you simply want the sharpest, most feature-rich 32-inch TV available for under $300, then yes, the higher price is justified. The 1080p picture, ultra-fast Game Mode, and Bluetooth support are valuable upgrades.

Head-to-Head Comparisons

Now, let’s put some of these TVs directly against each other to answer specific questions.

Hisense Roku TV vs. Hisense Fire TV: Which One Should You Choose?

This is a common dilemma. Both are 32-inch Hisense TVs, but they have different strengths. Here is a direct comparison.

Feature	Hisense 32″ Roku TV	Hisense 32″ Fire TV (2025)
Smart Platform	Roku TV – Simple, easy, and neutral.	Fire TV – Integrated with Alexa for voice control.
Picture Resolution	720p – Good for normal viewing distances.	1080p – Sharper and more detailed, especially up close.
Best For	Simplicity and Ease of Use	Gamers and Picture Quality
Special Features	Works with Google Assistant & Alexa. Dolby Audio.	Game Mode (16ms lag), Bluetooth, Alexa Built-in.
Price Category	Low	Low to Medium

My Verdict: Choose the Hisense Roku TV if you want the simplest possible smart TV experience. Choose the Hisense Fire TV if you play video games or want the sharper 1080p picture.

INSIGNIA 40-inch vs. VIZIO 40-inch: Which Big TV is a Better Deal?

Both of these TVs offer a 40-inch screen for a low price. But they have key differences.

Feature	INSIGNIA 40″ F40 Series	VIZIO 40″ V-Series
Smart Platform	Fire TV – A proven, full-featured system with Alexa.	VIZIO OS – A newer platform that requires a VIZIO account.
Key Strength	Overall Value – Lower price for a similar size and sharp picture.	Free Content – Strong focus on its free WatchFree+ service.
User Ratings	4.5 out of 5 stars	4.1 out of 5 stars
Design	Basic and functional.	Modern “ThinFrame” design on three sides.

My Verdict: The INSIGNIA 40-inch is the better deal for most people. It has a higher user rating, a lower price, and the Fire TV platform is more established and reliable. The VIZIO is a good choice if you specifically want a lot of free, built-in channel options and prefer its modern design.

Who Should Buy What? A Guide for Your Needs

Not everyone needs the same TV. This section will help you match your situation to the perfect TV on this list.

For the Gamer on a Budget

• My Recommendation: Hisense 32-inch Fire TV (2025 Model)
• Why: Its special Game Mode is the only one in this price range that is designed to reduce lag to a very low level (16ms). This gives you a real advantage in fast-paced games. The 1080p picture also makes games look sharper.

For the User Who Wants the Simplest Interface

• My Recommendation: Hisense 32-inch Roku TV
• Why: The Roku system is the easiest to understand. There are no complex menus. Everything is laid out in a simple, straightforward way. It’s perfect for people who don’t like complicated technology.

For the Alexa Smart Home Enthusiast

• My Recommendation: INSIGNIA 40-inch F40 Series
• Why: This TV is built around the Alexa experience. The voice remote makes it easy to search for shows and control your TV. Since it’s a Fire TV, it fits perfectly into a home that already uses Amazon Echo devices.

For the Buyer Who Wants the Absolute Lowest Price

• My Recommendation: INSIGNIA 24-inch F20 Series
• Why: It is the least expensive TV on this list. For a very small amount of money, you get a fully modern smart TV with voice control. It is the best solution for a bedroom, kitchen, or dorm room on a tight budget.

For the Viewer Who Wants the Best Picture Quality

• My Recommendation: SAMSUNG 32-inch F6000 Series
• Why: While it has a smaller screen, the Samsung supports HDR, which can improve contrast and color. Its PurColor technology and Object Tracking Sound Lite also make it a step above in terms of picture and sound refinement within this budget category.

If you are interested in going beyond Full HD, you can now find some 4K TVs for under $300 as well. These models give you sharper detail and a more future-ready experience for streaming and gaming. I put together a separate guide on the best 4K TV under $300 that covers the top choices worth considering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most common questions about buying a TV under $300.

Is a 720p TV good enough for a 32-inch screen?

Yes, it can be good enough if you sit at a normal distance (6-8 feet away). The picture will look fine for everyday TV. However, if you sit closer or want the sharpest picture possible, spending a little more for a 1080p model, like the Hisense Fire TV, is a worthwhile upgrade.

Can I get a good 40-inch TV for under $150?

Yes, absolutely. Both the INSIGNIA and VIZIO 40-inch models are priced well under $150. The INSIGNIA model, in particular, offers incredible value with its 1080p picture and Fire TV system.

Which TV has the best sound quality under $300?

All of these TVs have limited sound because of their thin speakers. However, the Samsung with its Object Tracking Sound Lite and the Hisense models with DTS Virtual:X or Dolby Audio did a slightly better job of making the sound feel more spacious and clear. For a real improvement, a budget soundbar is the best solution.

Do any of these TVs support HDR?

Yes, but only one. The Samsung 32-inch F6000 Series is the only TV in this group that supports HDR. This can make colors look more vibrant and improve the difference between bright and dark parts of the picture when you watch HDR content.

Final Verdict: My Top Pick for Most People

After weeks of testing, comparing, and analyzing, one TV stands out as the best choice for the largest number of people.

The INSIGNIA 40-inch F40 Series LED Smart Fire TV is my top pick for the best TV under $300.

It wins because it delivers on the three most important things: size, picture quality, and smart features. The 40-inch screen is large enough for a small living room. The 1080p picture is sharp and enjoyable. The Fire TV platform with Alexa voice remote is powerful and easy to use. And it does all of this for a price that is significantly lower than any other 40-inch TV with similar features.

While other TVs on this list are better for specific needs—like gaming or simplicity—the INSIGNIA 40-inch model offers the best overall package. It proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a excellent, modern television experience.