A big screen used to mean a big price. That is not true anymore. Today, you can get a massive 75-inch TV without spending a lot of money. But with so many choices, how do you know which one is good? The boxes all look the same and the words they use can be confusing. My name is Peter Alric, and I test televisions. I brought five of the most popular 75-inch TVs into my lab to find the answer. I tested them all in the same way to see which one gives you the most for your money.
The best 75-inch TV under five hundred dollars is the Toshiba M550 Series. It has the best picture of the group because it uses better technology inside. But the right TV for you depends on what you watch. This guide will show you the test results for all five models. I will help you see the differences so you can choose wisely.
How I Tested These Large Screen TVs
Testing a TV is not about reading the box. It is about using it the way you would at home. I set up each TV in the same room with the same light. I used the same movie scenes, the same sports games, and the same video game console for every test. This is the only fair way to compare them.
My Step-by-Step Testing Plan
I look at every part of the TV that changes your viewing experience. Here is a table that shows my testing process.
| What I Tested | How I Did The Test | Tools I Used | What I Measured |
| Screen Uniformity | I showed plain gray and white screens to look for spots or lines. | Test patterns, slow camera pans in documentaries. | A score for how even and clean the screen looks. |
| Color Performance | I checked if the colors were rich and natural. | Color test patterns, animated movies, nature shows. | The range of colors the TV can show. |
| Black Level and Contrast | I watched dark scenes to see how deep the blacks were. | Space scenes, movie credits on a black screen. | A score for black depth and control of glowing. |
| Smart TV Speed | I timed how long it took to open apps and use the menu. | A stopwatch, Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube. | How many seconds it takes to start an app. |
| Gaming Responsiveness | I measured the delay between a button press and the action on screen. | A special lag tester, a PlayStation 5. | The input lag in milliseconds. |
| Sound Quality | I listened to movie dialogue, music, and action scenes. | Movie trailers, a standard audio test tone. | A score for clarity, loudness, and bass. |
What to Know Before You Buy a 75-Inch TV
Buying a TV this size has its own things to think about. You need to understand a few key terms to make a good choice.
Making Sense of TV Words
- QLED: This is a type of TV that has a special layer to make colors pop. The reds, greens, and blues look more vibrant and lively compared to a standard TV.
- Local Dimming: This is a very important feature. It means the TV can dim parts of the screen to make blacks darker. A TV with Full Array Local Dimming has lights behind the whole screen and works best. A TV without it will have grayer blacks.
- Refresh Rate (60Hz): All of these TVs have a 60Hz screen. This is fine for movies and TV. Do not get tricked by words like “Motion Rate 240.” That is not the real speed of the screen; it is a software effect.
- Smart TV Platform: This is the brain of the TV. It is the menu you use to find Netflix and other apps. The main ones here are Fire TV and Roku TV.
Key Questions to Ask Yourself
- What is your room like? A bright room needs a TV that can get fairly bright. A dark room needs a TV with good contrast.
- Are you a gamer? If you play video games, you need a TV with a special Game Mode to reduce delay.
- Which menu do you like? Do you prefer the Fire TV system or the Roku system? This is what you use every day.
- Do you have a soundbar? The speakers built into these thin TVs are weak. You will probably want a soundbar for good sound.
A Fast Look at All Five TVs
Here is a simple table to compare all the TVs I tested. This gives you a quick picture of their strengths and weaknesses.
| TV Name | Best For This | Its Biggest Strength | Its Biggest Weakness |
| Toshiba M550 Series | The Person Who Wants the Best Picture | QLED and Full Array Local Dimming | No special gaming features |
| TCL S5 Series | The Casual Gamer | Game Accelerator and VRR Support | Basic LED picture quality |
| Roku Select Series | The Streamer Who Likes Simple Menus | Excellent Roku TV System | Most basic picture specs |
| Insignia QF Series | The Shopper Who Wants Color on a Budget | QLED Color for a Low Price | No local dimming, so grayer blacks |
| Toshiba C350 Series | The Buyer on the Tightest Budget | The Lowest Price for a 75-inch Screen | Very basic picture and features |
In-Depth Reviews of Each TV
Now, let us look at each TV one by one. I will tell you what I found when I tested it myself.
Number One: Toshiba M550 Series – The Best Picture Quality
The Toshiba M550 is the champion of this group when it comes to picture quality. It is the only TV here that uses both QLED for color and Full Array Local Dimming for contrast. If you love watching movies and want the best image for your money, this is the TV to get.
- Screen Size: 75 Inches
- Screen Type: QLED
- Backlight: Full Array Local Dimming
- Smart TV: Fire TV
- HDR: Dolby Vision
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
The Good and The Bad
- What It Does Best: Movie Watching, Contrast, Color
- The Pros: Best contrast and black levels in the group, vibrant QLED color, effective image processing.
- The Cons: Lacks gaming features like VRR, standard 60Hz refresh rate.
My Scores for the Toshiba M550
- Movie Watching: 9/10
- TV Shows & Sports: 8/10
- Gaming: 6/10
- Bright Room Viewing: 7/10
- Dark Room Viewing: 9/10
- Color Quality: 8.5/10
- Black Levels: 8/10
- Smart TV Experience: 7.5/10
Design and Build
The TV has a simple and modern look. The bezels around the screen are thin, so you focus on the picture. The stand is wide and keeps the TV stable. The voice remote feels good in your hand and works well with Alexa.
Testing the Picture Performance
This is where the Toshiba M550 wins. The Full Array Local Dimming makes a huge difference. In a dark room, the black bars at the top and bottom of a movie are much closer to a true black than on any other TV here. I saw less glowing around bright stars or text on a black background.
The QLED color is also a big step up. When I watched a nature documentary, the greens of the forests and the blues of the water were more vibrant and lifelike. The picture has a depth that the other models cannot match. It is the closest you can get to a premium TV experience at this price.
Testing it for Gaming
The Toshiba M550 is not made for serious gamers. It has a standard 60Hz refresh rate. My lag tester showed an input lag of 18.5 milliseconds when Game Mode was on. This is okay for playing casual games, but you will feel a delay if you play fast competitive games. It does not have Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) to prevent screen tearing.
Is the Toshiba M550 Worth It?
Yes, absolutely. If you care more about watching movies and TV shows than playing video games, this TV is worth the extra money. The improvement in picture quality is real and easy to see. You are getting a much better viewing experience.
Number Two: TCL S5 Series – The Best for Gaming
The TCL S5 is the most interesting TV in this group for gamers. While all these TVs have a 60Hz screen, the TCL S5 has a feature called “Game Accelerator 120” with VRR. If you have a new game console, this TV will give you a smoother and more responsive gaming experience than the others.
- Screen Size: 75 Inches
- Screen Type: LED
- Backlight: Basic LED (No Local Dimming)
- Smart TV: Fire TV
- HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz (with Game Accelerator 120 & VRR)
The Good and The Bad
- What It Does Best: Console Gaming, Smooth Motion
- The Pros: Unique VRR support for smoother gameplay, wide HDR format support, low input lag.
- The Cons: The picture has basic contrast because it lacks local dimming.
My Scores for the TCL S5
- Movie Watching: 6.5/10
- TV Shows & Sports: 7/10
- Gaming: 8/10
- Bright Room Viewing: 6/10
- Dark Room Viewing: 6/10
- Color Quality: 7/10
- Black Levels: 5/10
- Smart TV Experience: 7.5/10
Design and Feel
The TCL S5 has a bezel-less design, which means the screen goes almost to the edge. It looks sleek. The stand is straightforward and easy to set up. The remote is similar to the Toshiba’s, offering quick access to apps.
Evaluating the Picture
The picture quality is the trade-off for the gaming features. Since it uses a basic LED backlight without local dimming, the contrast is mediocre. In dark scenes, the blacks look more like a dark gray. I noticed that the entire screen would glow slightly in a dark room during a movie’s letterbox bars.
The colors are decent, helped by TCL’s “Enhanced Color” technology, but they do not have the same pop as the QLED TVs. It supports all the major HDR formats, but without a strong backlight, it cannot make HDR content look its best.
How It Performs with Games
This is the reason to buy the TCL S5. My tests showed an input lag of 14.1 milliseconds, which is very good. More importantly, the Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) works. When I played a racing game on my PlayStation 5, the motion was noticeably smoother. There was no screen tearing or stuttering. For a gamer on a budget, this is a huge benefit that no other TV here can offer.
Is the TCL S5 a Good Buy?
Yes, but for a specific person. If you play video games often, this is your best choice. You are choosing better gaming performance over the best picture quality for movies. It is the only TV in this price and size that cares about gamers.
Number Three: Roku Select Series – The Easiest to Use
The Roku Select Series is all about the experience. It does not have the best picture specs on paper, but it wins where you interact with it every day: the smart TV system. If you want a TV that is simple, fast, and gets you to your shows without any hassle, this is a top choice.
- Screen Size: 75 Inches
- Screen Type: LED
- Backlight: Basic LED (No Local Dimming)
- Smart TV: Roku TV
- HDR: HDR10
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
The Good and The Bad
- What It Does Best: Streaming, User Interface, Free Content
- The Pros: The best and simplest smart TV system, includes hundreds of free channels, easy voice control.
- The Cons: Basic picture quality with no advanced features, only supports HDR10.
My Scores for the Roku Select Series
- Movie Watching: 6/10
- TV Shows & Sports: 7/10
- Gaming: 6/10
- Bright Room Viewing: 6/10
- Dark Room Viewing: 5/10
- Color Quality: 6.5/10
- Black Levels: 5/10
- Smart TV Experience: 9/10
Design and the Smart TV System
The TV has a plain but functional design. The real story is the Roku operating system. The home screen is clean and easy to understand. You can move your favorite apps to the front. I timed how long it took to open Netflix and YouTube. The Roku TV was the fastest, launching apps in under three seconds.
It also has over 500 free live TV channels through The Roku Channel. This is a great feature if you want to watch news or shows without another subscription. The enhanced voice remote works with Roku Voice, Alexa, and Google Assistant.
A Look at the Picture Quality
The picture is basic, which makes sense for the price. It uses a standard LED screen without any special contrast technology. In my dark room tests, the black levels were a noticeable gray, and the screen had a general glow during dark scenes. The colors are fine for daily TV watching but are not as vibrant as the QLED models.
Its “Smart Picture” feature does help by automatically adjusting the picture based on the content and your room’s lighting. It is a nice touch that improves the viewing experience without you needing to change settings.
Gaming on the Roku TV
The Roku TV has a Game Mode. My input lag test showed a result of 17.8 milliseconds. This is acceptable for casual gaming but is not as responsive as the TCL S5. It does not have VRR. For a family that games sometimes, it is fine. For a serious gamer, it is not the best pick.
Is the Roku Select Series the Right TV for You?
Yes, if you value simplicity and a great interface. You are buying this TV for its brain, not its brawn. It is the perfect TV for someone who does not want to think about settings and just wants to watch TV easily.
Number Four: Insignia QF Series – The Budget QLED
The Insignia QF Series tries to bring a premium feature down to the lowest price. It is the only other TV besides the Toshiba M550 to have a QLED screen. This means you get better color without spending a lot. But there is a big compromise you need to know about.
- Screen Size: 75 Inches
- Screen Type: QLED
- Backlight: Direct LED (This is another term for Edge-Lit, with no local dimming)
- Smart TV: Fire TV
- HDR: Dolby Vision
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
The Good and The Bad
- What It Does Best: Vibrant Color on a Budget
- The Pros: QLED color for a very low price, supports Dolby Vision, includes Dolby Atmos audio processing.
- The Cons: No local dimming, so contrast is poor and blacks are gray.
My Scores for the Insignia QF Series
- Movie Watching: 6.5/10
- TV Shows & Sports: 7/10
- Gaming: 6/10
- Bright Room Viewing: 6.5/10
- Dark Room Viewing: 5/10
- Color Quality: 8/10
- Black Levels: 4/10
- Smart TV Experience: 7/10
Design and Build Quality
The Insignia TV has a no-frills design. It looks similar to the others from the front. The build quality is acceptable for the price. It comes with a standard Fire TV voice remote.
Testing the QLED Compromise
The QLED color is this TV’s strength. In my tests, colors in cartoons and sports were noticeably more vibrant and rich than on the standard LED TVs like the Roku or TCL S5. It really does make a difference.
However, the “Direct LED” backlight is a major weakness. This is an edge-lit system, which means the lights are only on the sides of the screen. It does not have local dimming. Because of this, the TV cannot make blacks look deep. In a dark room, dark scenes look hazy and gray. The contrast is the worst of the five TVs I tested. You get great color but poor contrast.
Gaming and Sound
The gaming performance is average. The input lag was measured at 16.9 milliseconds. It is fine for casual play. The TV says it has Dolby Atmos audio processing. While this can help with sound, the built-in speakers are still weak, like all TVs this thin. You will need a soundbar for good audio.
Is the Insignia QF Series a Good Value?
It is a mixed bag. If you watch a lot of colorful content in a room that is never fully dark, the QLED color is nice. But if you ever watch movies with the lights off, the poor black levels will be obvious. The Toshiba M550 is a much better TV, but if your budget is firm and you must have QLED, this is your only other option.
Number Five: Toshiba C350 Series – The Biggest Screen for Your Money
The Toshiba C350 is the most basic TV in this group. It is for the person whose main goal is to get a 75-inch screen for the absolute lowest price. It gives you the size, but you accept that you are getting a very simple TV with no advanced features.
- Screen Size: 75 Inches
- Screen Type: LED
- Backlight: Basic LED (No Local Dimming)
- Smart TV: Fire TV
- HDR: Not Specified
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
The Good and The Bad
- What It Does Best: Lowest Cost for a 75-inch TV
- The Pros: The most affordable price, reliable Fire TV platform.
- The Cons: Very basic picture quality, no mention of HDR support, weakest feature set.
My Scores for the Toshiba C350
- Movie Watching: 5/10
- TV Shows & Sports: 6/10
- Gaming: 5/10
- Bright Room Viewing: 5/10
- Dark Room Viewing: 4/10
- Color Quality: 5/10
- Black Levels: 4/10
- Smart TV Experience: 7/10
Design and Basics
This TV is purely functional. It gets the job done. The stand is basic, and the bezels are thicker than on the other models. It includes a simple Alexa voice remote.
Evaluating the Basic Picture
The picture is what you would expect for the price. It is a standard LED TV with no special treatments. The colors are less vibrant than the QLED models and even a bit less than the TCL S5. Black levels are poor, making dark scenes look murky. There is no advanced HDR support mentioned, so you cannot expect a high dynamic range experience. It is a simple TV for watching cable news or daytime TV.
Gaming and Performance
It has a standard 60Hz refresh rate with no special gaming mode. The input lag was the highest of the group, at over 20 milliseconds. This means you will feel a delay when you press buttons on your game controller. It is not a good choice for gaming.
Is the Toshiba C350 Worth Buying?
Only in one situation. If your budget is the most important factor and you just want a giant screen for a casual viewing area like a basement or garage, this works. For a main living room TV, I strongly suggest spending a little more for a much better picture.
Head-to-Head TV Comparisons
Let us put the most similar TVs against each other to see which one wins.
Toshiba M550 vs. Insignia QF: The QLED Battle
This is a fight between the two QLED TVs. One is more expensive, but is it better?
| Feature | Toshiba M550 | Insignia QF |
| Backlight System | Full Array Local Dimming | Edge-Lit (No Dimming) |
| Contrast & Blacks | Winner. Deep blacks, less glow. | Poor, grays are hazy. |
| Color Quality | Excellent, vibrant and deep. | Very good and vibrant. |
| HDR Support | Dolby Vision | Dolby Vision |
| Value | Winner. Better overall picture. | Good for color on a tight budget. |
The Winner: The Toshiba M550. The Full Array Local Dimming makes a much bigger difference to the picture than the small color advantage the Insignia has.
Choose the Insignia if: Your budget is absolute and you will only watch in a well-lit room.
TCL S5 vs. Roku Select Series: Gamer vs. Streamer
Which is better for you: smooth games or a simple menu?
| TV Model | Smart TV OS | Tested Input Lag | Best For |
| TCL S5 | Fire TV | 14.1 ms (Best) | Gamers |
| Roku Select Series | Roku TV | 17.8 ms | Streamers |
The Winner for Gaming: The TCL S5. Its lower lag and VRR support provide a tangibly better gaming experience.
The Winner for Streaming: The Roku Select Series. Its interface is faster, simpler, and packed with free content.
Which TV Has the Best Smart TV System?
I tested the speed and ease of use of each menu.
| TV Model | Smart OS | Speed Score | Ease-of-Use Score |
| Roku Select Series | Roku TV | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| Toshiba M550 | Fire TV | 7.5/10 | 8/10 |
| TCL S5 | Fire TV | 7.5/10 | 8/10 |
| Insignia QF | Fire TV | 7/10 | 8/10 |
| Toshiba C350 | Fire TV | 7/10 | 8/10 |
The Winner: The Roku Select Series. It is the fastest and most intuitive system, making it a joy to use every day.
Which TV Should You Buy?
Here is a simple guide to help you pick.
- For the Family Movie Night: Choose the Toshiba M550 Series. Its excellent contrast and color will make movies look fantastic.
- For the PlayStation or Xbox Gamer: Choose the TCL S5 Series. Its gaming features are unique in this group and provide a smoother, more responsive time.
- For the Person Who Wants the Easiest TV to Use: Choose the Roku Select Series. You will spend less time searching and more time watching.
- For the Shopper on a Very Tight Budget: Choose the Toshiba C350 Series. It gives you the giant screen for the lowest cost, but know the picture is basic.
Answers to Common Questions
Is the picture on these cheap 75-inch TVs any good?
Yes, but they are not all the same. The Toshiba M550 has a very good picture. The basic models like the Toshiba C350 have a simple picture that is okay for casual watching.
Can these TVs do 4K gaming at 120Hz?
No. All of these TVs have a 60Hz screen. The TCL S5 has VRR to make 60Hz gaming smoother, but it cannot show 120 frames per second.
Which smart TV system is the best?
The Roku TV system is the best. It is the fastest and easiest to understand. Fire TV is also very good, but Roku is simpler.
Do I need to buy a soundbar?
Yes, I recommend it for all of these TVs. The speakers inside are small and weak. A soundbar will make a huge improvement in your sound.
What is the most important thing to look for?
The backlight system. A TV with Full Array Local Dimming, like the Toshiba M550, will have a much better picture than one without it.
The Best TV for Most People
After testing all five TVs, the choice is clear. The Toshiba M550 Series (75M550NU) is the best 75-inch TV you can buy for under five hundred dollars. It is not the best at everything, but it is the best where it counts most: the picture.
You will see the difference every time you watch a movie or a show. The deep blacks and vibrant colors from its QLED and Full Array Local Dimming screen make it feel like a more expensive TV. While the TCL S5 is better for gamers and the Roku is easier to use, the Toshiba M550 gives you the best viewing experience for your money. If you want a giant screen that also has a great picture, the Toshiba M550 is the one to buy.