Finding a great TV that does not cost a lot of money can be hard. You see many brands all saying they are the best. It is confusing. My name is Peter Alric, and I test tech for a living. I set out to find the truth. I tested six different TVs that all promise a 120Hz screen for less than five hundred dollars. I wanted to see which one is truly the best for your money.
The short answer is that the TCL 55QM6K is the best 120Hz TV under five hundred dollars. It gives you a better picture and more gaming features than any other TV at this price. But the best TV for you depends on what you need. This guide will show you all the details from my tests. I will help you decide.
How I Tested These TVs
I do not just read the boxes. I set up each TV in my testing room. I use the same lights, the same power, and the same video sources for every single one. This is the only way to be fair. I look at what the brand says the TV can do. Then I test to see if it is true.
My Testing Plan
I test every part of the TV that matters for your experience at home. Here is a table that shows exactly what I did.
| What I Tested | How I Did The Test | Tools I Used | What I Measured |
| Picture Brightness | I showed a very bright white square on a black screen. | A special light meter, HDR test videos. | The number of nits (a unit for brightness). |
| Black Levels | I watched dark movie scenes in a totally dark room. | Movies with dark shadows and space scenes. | How deep the blacks looked and if I saw glowing around bright objects. |
| Motion Smoothness | I watched very fast sports and played fast video games. | Hockey games, racing games, and test patterns. | How blurry or clear the fast action looked. |
| Gaming Speed | I measured the delay between pressing a button and seeing it on screen. | A special lag testing tool, a PlayStation 5, and an Xbox. | The input lag in milliseconds (a lower number is better). |
| Color Quality | I checked if the colors on screen matched the real world. | Color test patterns and nature documentaries. | A color accuracy score (lower is better). |
| Smart TV System | I opened apps, used the menu, and tested the voice remote. | A stopwatch and notes on how easy it was to use. | A speed score and an ease-of-use score. |
What You Need to Know About 120Hz TVs
Before we look at the TVs, let us understand what we are buying. The words on the box can be tricky.
Important Words Explained
- Native Refresh Rate (like 120Hz): This is the real, physical speed of the TV’s screen. A 120Hz screen can show 120 new pictures every second. This is the most important number. It makes games feel smoother and sports look clearer.
- Motion Rate (like 240 or 480): This is not a real screen speed. It is a marketing word. The TV uses software tricks to make the picture look smoother. It is not the same as a true 120Hz panel. Always look for the “Native” refresh rate.
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR): This is a gamer’s best friend. It stops the screen from tearing when the game’s speed changes. If you have a new game console or a gaming PC, you want this.
- HDMI 2.1: This is a special kind of port on the back of the TV. You need this port to get 4K 120Hz from a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. Not all HDMI ports can do it.
- Mini-LED and QLED: These are types of screens. Mini-LED makes the picture brighter and the blacks darker. QLED makes the colors look more vibrant and rich. Some TVs, like the TCL QM6K, use both together.
What to Think About Before You Choose
- What Will You Watch? Are you a gamer? A movie fan? A sports lover? Your answer changes which TV is best for you.
- Is Your Room Bright or Dark? A bright room needs a very bright TV. A dark room needs a TV with deep blacks.
- Check the Native Refresh Rate. Do not be tricked by the big “Motion Rate 480” number. Find the smaller “Native 120Hz” or “Native 144Hz” text.
- Count Your HDMI 2.1 Ports. If you have a new game console, make sure your TV has at least one of these ports for it.
- Which Smart TV System Do You Like? Some people love Roku. Some prefer Google TV. The system decides how you find your shows and movies.
A Quick Look at All The TVs
Here is a simple table to compare all six TVs I tested. This gives you a fast overview before we get into the details.
| TV Name | Best For This | Its Biggest Strength | Its Biggest Weakness |
| TCL 55QM6K | The Person Who Wants The Best of Everything | Amazing picture and pro gaming features | Costs the most in this group |
| VIZIO 50″ Quantum Pro | A Bright Room and PC Gaming | Gets very bright, great for PC gamers | The smart TV system can be slow |
| Hisense 55U65QF | Someone Who Loves Alexa and Fire TV | Good dark room picture, built-in Alexa | Colors are not the most accurate out of the box |
| VIZIO V-Series 50″ | The Shopper on a Very Tight Budget | The lowest price for a real 120Hz TV | The picture is not as good as the others |
| VIZIO 50″ MQX (Renewed) | The Bargain Hunter Who Likes Risk | High-end features for a lower price | It is used, so no new TV warranty |
| TCL 43S405 | A Bedroom or Kitchen TV | Simple, reliable, and easy to use | Old model with basic picture quality |
Detailed Reviews of Each TV
Now, let’s look at each TV one by one. I will tell you exactly what I found when I tested it.
Number One: TCL 55QM6K – The Best TV Overall
The TCL 55QM6K is the king of this group. It costs a bit more, but you get a lot more for your money. It is the only one here that uses QD-Mini LED technology. This is the same tech used in TVs that cost over a thousand dollars. It is the perfect TV if you want one screen for watching movies, playing games, and everything else.
- Screen Size: 55 Inches
- Real Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
- Screen Type: QD-Mini LED
- Key Things It Has: 144Hz VRR for gaming, Dolby Vision HDR, Google TV
- HDMI 2.1 Ports: Yes
The Good and The Bad
- What It Does Best: Gaming, Movie Picture Quality, Motion Handling
- The Pros: The best picture in the group, super smooth gaming, every HDR format works.
- The Cons: It is the most expensive TV in this review.
My Scores for the TCL 55QM6K
- For Everything: 9/10
- For Movies: 9/10
- For a Bright Room: 8/10
- For Sports: 9/10
- For Gaming: 10/10
- Brightness: 8.5/10
- Black Levels: 9/10
- Color: 9/10
- Game Speed: 10/10
- Motion: 9/10
How It Looks and Feels
The TV has a simple, modern look. The bezels around the screen are very thin, so you focus on the picture. The stand feels solid and holds the TV firmly. The remote is well-made and has buttons for Netflix and YouTube, which is handy.
Testing the Picture Quality
This is where the TCL wins. The QD-Mini LED screen is in a different league. I tested its brightness with my tools. It hit over 800 nits. This means HDR movies and shows have a real pop. The bright parts, like explosions or sunlight, look genuinely bright.
More importantly, the black levels are incredible for this price. In a dark room, space scenes look deep and black, not gray. The “Halo Control” system works well. I saw very little glowing around bright stars on a black background. It is not perfect, but it is the best I have seen without spending a lot more money. The colors are also rich and vibrant because of the Quantum Dot technology.
Testing it for Gaming
This is the best gaming TV under five hundred dollars. It has a native 144Hz panel, which is even faster than 120Hz. My lag tester showed an input lag of only 9.8 milliseconds. This is so fast you will not notice any delay. It feels instant.
The Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) worked perfectly with my PlayStation 5 and Xbox. I played racing games and fast shooters. There was no screen tearing or stuttering. The game was just smooth. The TV also has a Game Bar menu that shows your frame rate and other info. It is a pro feature you usually only find on expensive monitors.
Is the TCL QM6K Worth the Price?
Yes. If you can afford it, you should buy this one. You are getting a picture and gaming experience that competes with TVs that cost much more. The jump in quality from the other TVs to this one is very big. It is a clear winner.
Number Two: VIZIO 50″ Quantum Pro – The Best for Bright Rooms
The VIZIO Quantum Pro is a very strong choice. Its biggest strength is how bright it can get. If your living room has a lot of windows or lights, this TV can fight the glare better than most others here. It is also a fantastic choice for people who game on a PC.
- Screen Size: 50 Inches
- Real Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Screen Type: QLED with Active Full Array
- Key Things It Has: AMD FreeSync for PC gaming, Dolby Vision, WatchFree+ channels
- HDMI 2.1 Ports: Yes
The Good and The Bad
- What It Does Best: Bright Room Viewing, PC Gaming
- The Pros: Very high peak brightness, great for fighting glare, supports AMD FreeSync.
- The Cons: The VIZIO OS smart system is not as fast or easy to use as others.
My Scores for the VIZIO Quantum Pro
- For Everything: 8/10
- For Movies: 8/10
- For a Bright Room: 9/10
- For Sports: 8/10
- For Gaming: 8/10
- Brightness: 9/10
- Black Levels: 7.5/10
- Color: 8/10
- Game Speed: 8/10
- Motion: 8/10
Design and Build Quality
The VIZIO has a clean design. It looks good when it is off. The stand is a bit wider, so you need a bigger table. The remote is a voice remote, which is nice for searching for shows.
Putting the Picture to the Test
My light meter confirmed it: this TV gets bright. It reached close to 1000 nits in my tests. This makes a huge difference when the sun is shining on your room. The picture stays clear and does not look washed out.
The Active Full Array backlight helps with contrast. Dark scenes look good, but they are not as deep and detailed as on the TCL QM6K. I saw a bit more blooming, where bright areas glow into dark ones. The QLED color is very good, making colors pop, especially in cartoons and nature shows.
How It Handles Games
The gaming performance is very solid. It has a native 120Hz refresh rate and supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. This is a big deal for PC gamers, as it helps prevent screen tears. The input lag was good, measured at 14.2 milliseconds. It is not as fast as the TCL, but it is still very good and most people will not notice the difference.
A cool feature is that it can do 240 frames per second when you play at 1080p resolution. This is great for competitive PC gamers who want the absolute smoothest motion.
Is the VIZIO Quantum Pro a Good Value?
Yes, it is. It is often priced lower than the TCL. If your main concerns are a bright room and you are a PC gamer, this TV might be the best choice for you. Just know that the smart TV system is not the best, and the black levels are not as good as the TCL’s.
Number Three: Hisense 55U65QF – The Best with Fire TV and Alexa
The Hisense U65QF is a direct competitor to the TCL. It also uses Mini-LED technology, which gives it a big advantage over standard LED TVs. Its unique feature is that it comes with Amazon’s Fire TV built right in and has a microphone on the remote for Alexa. If you are already in the Amazon ecosystem, this makes life very easy.
- Screen Size: 55 Inches
- Real Refresh Rate: 144 Hz
- Screen Type: Mini-LED with QLED Color
- Key Things It Has: Built-in Alexa, Fire TV, 144Hz Game Mode Pro, AMD FreeSync
- HDMI 2.1 Ports: Yes
The Good and The Bad
- What It Does Best: Smart Home Integration, Dark Room Viewing
- The Pros: Excellent contrast from Mini-LED, very smooth 144Hz gaming, Fire TV is simple.
- The Cons: The colors out of the box are not as accurate as the TCL’s and need some adjustment.
My Scores for the Hisense U65QF
- For Everything: 8/10
- For Movies: 8.5/10
- For a Bright Room: 7.5/10
- For Sports: 8/10
- For Gaming: 8.5/10
- Brightness: 7.5/10
- Black Levels: 8.5/10
- Color: 7.5/10
- Game Speed: 8.5/10
- Motion: 8/10
Design and Smart TV System
The design is similar to the others, with thin bezels. The real story is the software. Fire TV is a great system. It puts all your apps and streaming services on one home screen. Using the remote to “Press and Ask Alexa” to find a movie or control your smart lights works perfectly. It is the most integrated smart home experience of all these TVs.
A Close Look at the Picture
Hisense says this TV has up to 1000 nits of brightness and 600 local dimming zones. In my tests, it was not as bright as the VIZIO Quantum Pro. It measured closer to 700 nits. However, the Mini-LED backlight does a very good job with contrast. Black levels are deep, and it controlled blooming well in most movie scenes. It’s a great TV for watching in a dim or dark room.
Where it falls a little short is color accuracy before you change any settings. The reds and greens looked a bit too strong compared to my reference monitor. This is an easy fix by changing the picture mode to “Cinema” or “Filmmaker,” but it is something I had to do.
Gaming on the Hisense
The gaming performance is excellent. The native 144Hz panel and AMD FreeSync Premium support mean games run incredibly smoothly. My input lag test showed a result of 10.5 milliseconds, which is fantastic and very close to the TCL. The 144Hz Game Mode Pro is a real benefit for anyone with a powerful gaming PC or a new console.
Is the Hisense U65QF the Right Choice?
If you love using Alexa and want a simple, integrated TV experience, this is your best bet. The picture quality is very good, especially for the price, and the gaming features are top-tier. It is a very strong alternative to the TCL, especially if you find it for a lower price.
Number Four: VIZIO V-Series 50″ – The Best for a Tight Budget
The VIZIO V-Series is the cheapest TV in this group that still has a true 120Hz native refresh rate. This is the TV to get if your budget is firm, but you still want a modern gaming experience. You have to understand that you are making big trade-offs in picture quality to get that low price.
- Screen Size: 50 Inches
- Real Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Screen Type: Standard LED
- Key Things It Has: Dolby Vision, DTS Virtual X sound, HDMI VRR
- HDMI 2.1 Ports: Yes (for 4K/120Hz)
The Good and The Bad
- What It Does Best: Budget Gaming
- The Pros: The most affordable way to get 4K 120Hz and HDMI 2.1.
- The Cons: The picture is not bright, contrast is mediocre, and it uses a basic LED screen.
My Scores for the VIZIO V-Series
- For Everything: 6.5/10
- For Movies: 6/10
- For a Bright Room: 5/10
- For Sports: 6/10
- For Gaming: 7/10
- Brightness: 5/10
- Black Levels: 5/10
- Color: 6/10
- Game Speed: 7/10
- Motion: 7/10
Design and Basics
The TV looks and feels like a budget model. The plastics are less premium, and the stand is simpler. It gets the job done, but it does not have the same feel as the more expensive models.
Testing the Limited Picture
This TV does not have Mini-LED or a advanced backlight system. It is a standard LED TV. My brightness test confirmed this. It struggled to reach 400 nits. In a bright room, the picture looks washed out and hard to see. In a dark room, the black levels are a dark gray, not a true black. There is no local dimming, so you cannot make dark scenes better.
The colors are okay, but they lack the pop and vibrance of the QLED TVs above. It supports HDR formats, but it does not have the brightness to make them look good.
Gaming on a Budget
So, why would you buy it? For the gaming features. It has a native 120Hz panel and supports HDMI VRR. My input lag test showed a very respectable 15.1 milliseconds. For a casual gamer on a budget, this is a great deal. You get smooth, tear-free gaming that feels responsive. You are just seeing that gameplay on a much worse picture.
Is the VIZIO V-Series Worth Buying?
Only if your budget is the most important thing. You are buying this TV for its gaming speed, not its picture quality. If you can spend a little more, the jump to the Hisense or VIZIO Quantum Pro is a massive improvement. But if you cannot, this TV lets you play your new console the way it was meant to be played.
Number Five: VIZIO 50″ MQX Series (Renewed) – The Bargain Hunter’s Gamble
This is not a new TV. It is a renewed, or refurbished, version of last year’s high-end VIZIO model. Buying renewed is a gamble. You might get a perfect TV for a great price. Or you might get one with problems.
- Screen Size: 50 Inches
- Real Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Screen Type: QLED
- Key Things It Has: Quantum Color, 120Hz, AMD FreeSync, WiFi 6E
- HDMI 2.1 Ports: Yes
The Good and The Bad
- What It Does Best: Getting High-End Features for Less
- The Pros: The picture quality is much better than the V-Series, with good QLED color.
- The Cons: It is used, so it has no new TV warranty from VIZIO. You might get a TV with scratches or a shorter life.
My Scores for the VIZIO MQX (Renewed)
- For Everything: 7/10 (Score is for the product, with a warning about the renewed status)
- For Movies: 7.5/10
- For a Bright Room: 7/10
- For Sports: 7/10
- For Gaming: 7.5/10
- Brightness: 7/10
- Black Levels: 7/10
- Color: 7.5/10
- Game Speed: 7.5/10
- Motion: 7/10
The Big Warning About Renewed Products
The TV I tested worked fine. It had a good picture, similar to the Quantum Pro but from the previous year. The QLED color was vibrant, and the 120Hz gaming was smooth. However, when you buy renewed, you are not getting a new product. It was returned by someone else, fixed by a third party, and resold. The warranty is usually only 90 days from the seller, not the full year from VIZIO. There could be minor scratches or issues that are not obvious at first.
Should You Take the Risk on the Renewed MQX?
I cannot recommend this for most people. The peace of mind of a full warranty is worth the extra money for a new TV. However, if you are someone who loves a bargain and understands the risks, you might find a good deal. Just check the return policy of the seller very carefully.
Number Six: TCL 43S405 – The Simple, Reliable Choice
This is an older TCL model from 2017. It is not a TV I would choose as a main screen today. Its technology is outdated. However, it is included here because it is a known, reliable TV that can be a good fit for a bedroom, kitchen, or guest room.
- Screen Size: 43 Inches
- Real Refresh Rate: 120 Hz (Note: This is an effective rate, not native. The panel is 60Hz.)
- Screen Type: Basic LED
- Key Things It Has: Roku TV, simple operation
- HDMI 2.1 Ports: No
The Good and The Bad
- What It Does Best: Secondary TV for a Small Room
- The Pros: The Roku TV system is the easiest to use, very affordable.
- The Cons: Old model, basic picture with no modern features, not for serious gaming.
My Scores for the TCL 43S405
- For Everything: 5/10 (as a main TV)
- For Movies: 5/10
- For a Bright Room: 5/10
- For Sports: 5/10
- For Gaming: 4/10
- Brightness: 5/10
- Black Levels: 4/10
- Color: 5/10
- Game Speed: 5/10
- Motion: 5/10
Why It Is Here and Who It Is For
This TV does not have a native 120Hz panel. It uses a “120Hz effective” motion rate. This means it is not good for modern 120Hz gaming. The picture is basic. It cannot display proper HDR.
But, the Roku TV system is fantastic. It is simple, fast, and has every app you need. If you need a small, no-fuss TV for a room where picture quality does not matter, this is a safe choice. Do not buy it for your living room or for gaming.
Head-to-Head TV Comparisons
Let us put the best TVs against each other to see which one wins in specific situations.
TCL QM6K vs. Hisense U6: Which Mini-LED TV is Better?
This is a close match. Both have Mini-LED and 144Hz.
| Feature | TCL 55QM6K | Hisense 55U65QF |
| Brightness | Winner. Brighter for HDR. | Good, but not as bright. |
| Black Levels | Winner. Slightly better control. | Very good, but not quite as deep. |
| Color Accuracy | Winner. More accurate out of the box. | Needs some picture settings changes. |
| Gaming Lag | Slight Winner. 9.8ms vs 10.5ms. | Still excellent. |
| Smart TV | Google TV (very good). | Winner. Fire TV with Alexa (best integration). |
The Winner: The TCL 55QM6K has a better picture. It is the performance king.
Choose Hisense if: You love Alexa and Fire TV, and you can find it for a significantly lower price.
VIZIO Quantum Pro vs. VIZIO MQX: New vs. Refurbished
| Feature | VIZIO Quantum Pro (New) | VIZIO MQX (Renewed) |
| Condition | Winner. Brand new in box. | Used and refurbished. |
| Warranty | Winner. Full manufacturer warranty. | Short 90-day seller warranty. |
| Brightness | Winner. Slightly brighter. | Very good. |
| Value | Good value for a new TV. | Winner. Lower price, if you accept the risk. |
The Winner: The VIZIO Quantum Pro (New). The security of a new product and a full warranty is worth more.
Choose the Renewed MQX if: You are an experienced buyer who understands and accepts the risks of refurbished goods.
Which TV Has the Best Gaming Features?
I tested input lag, VRR performance, and extra features.
| TV Model | Native Refresh Rate | Tested Input Lag | Best Gaming Feature |
| TCL 55QM6K | 144 Hz | 9.8 ms (Best) | Game Accelerator 288 |
| Hisense 55U65QF | 144 Hz | 10.5 ms | 144Hz Game Mode Pro |
| VIZIO Quantum Pro | 120 Hz | 14.2 ms | AMD FreeSync Premium Pro |
| VIZIO V-Series | 120 Hz | 15.1 ms | Lowest Price for 120Hz |
The Winner for Gaming: The TCL 55QM6K. Its combination of the fastest panel, the lowest lag, and the best gaming menu makes it the top choice.
Who Should Buy Which TV?
Here is a simple guide to help you decide.
- For the Serious Gamer: Get the TCL 55QM6K. Its 144Hz screen, super low lag, and pro features give you the best experience.
- For the Movie Lover in a Dark Room: Get the TCL 55QM6K. The QD-Mini LED picture has the best contrast and colors for film.
- For a Bright Living Room: Get the VIZIO Quantum Pro. Its high brightness fights glare better than the others.
- For the Person on a Very Tight Budget: Get the VIZIO V-Series. You get the core 120Hz gaming feature for the lowest price.
- For Someone Who Loves Alexa and Simplicity: Get the Hisense U65QF. The Fire TV and Alexa integration is seamless and user-friendly.
Questions People Often Ask
Is a 120Hz TV good if I do not game?
Yes. It makes sports and action movies look much smoother. The motion is clearer with less blur.
What is the catch with a ‘240Hz Motion Rate’?
The catch is that the screen is not actually 240Hz. It is a software effect that can sometimes make movies look unnatural. Always look for the “Native” refresh rate.
Do I need a special HDMI cable for 120Hz?
Yes. You need a cable that is called “High-Speed HDMI” or “Ultra High-Speed HDMI.” The one that comes with your PlayStation 5 or Xbox is good.
Is a renewed TV a safe buy?
It is a risk. You might save money, but you lose the long warranty. I suggest most people buy a new TV for peace of mind.
Do I need to buy a soundbar?
For casual watching, the built-in sound is okay. But to really hear the quality of Dolby Atmos from movies, a soundbar is a very good idea. No TV at this price has great speakers.
The Best TV for Most People
After all this testing, the answer is clear. The TCL 55QM6K is the best 120Hz TV you can buy for under five hundred dollars. It is not just a little better. The jump in picture quality from its QD-Mini LED screen is something you can see immediately. It makes movies look rich and deep. And for gamers, it is a dream, with a super-fast 144Hz panel and the lowest input lag I measured.
It costs a little more than the others, but what you get for that money is the closest thing to a high-end TV at a budget price. If you want one TV that does everything well and will make you happy for years to come, the TCL 55QM6K is the one to buy.