The Best TV Under $250: My Hands-On Test of 4 Popular Models

I test a lot of televisions. My job is to find out what really works and what does not. When people ask me for a good TV that does not cost a lot of money, I have to be honest. The market is full of choices, and it is easy to get confused.

So, I bought four of the most popular TVs that you can get for under two hundred and fifty dollars. I set them up in the same room. I used the same power source, the same video clips, and the same sound tests. My goal was simple: to find the truth about their picture quality, their sound, and their smart features. I wanted to see which Tv gives you the most for your money.

After 25+ hours of testing, I can give you a clear answer. The best TV overall in this group is the Samsung 32-Inch F6000. It has the best picture and the most polished feel. But the best value, meaning the most TV for the lowest price, is the INSIGNIA 40-inch F40 Series. It gives you a very large screen for a surprisingly low cost.

This guide will walk you through every detail of my tests. I will show you what each TV does well and where it falls short. This is not based on what the brands claim. It is based on what I saw and measured with my own eyes and ears.

How I Tested These TVs for a Fair Review

I believe that a review is only as good as its testing method. If I do not tell you how I tested, you have no reason to trust my results. For these budget TVs, I focused on the things that matter most when you are not spending a lot of money. I ignored fancy features that do not work well at this price. Instead, I looked at the basics that you will use every day.

My Testing Protocol

I created a set of tests that are fair and easy to understand. Here is a table that breaks down exactly what I tested and how I did it.

What I Tested	How I Tested It	What I Was Looking For
Picture Clarity	I played the same high-definition nature documentary on all four TVs at the same time. I sat about six feet away, which is a normal viewing distance.	I looked for sharpness. Could I see the fine details in animal fur or leaves? I also checked for any fuzziness or pixelation, especially on the TVs with 720p resolution.
Smart TV Speed	I used a stopwatch to time how long it took each TV to go from being turned off to showing its main home screen. I also timed how long it took to open Netflix and start a show.	I measured the speed in seconds. More importantly, I noted if the menus felt slow or laggy when I pressed buttons on the remote. A slow smart TV can be very frustrating.
Sound Quality	I played a clip from an action movie with loud music, quiet dialogue, and big explosion sounds. I set the volume to a comfortable level for watching TV at night.	I listened for how clear the voices were. I checked if the music sounded tinny or if the explosions caused the speakers to crackle. I also tested the special sound modes like DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Audio.
Ease of Use	I set up each TV from the box as a new user would. I connected them to Wi-Fi and logged into streaming apps.	I judged how easy the on-screen instructions were. I evaluated the remote control. Were the buttons logical? Was it comfortable to hold?

This method allowed me to compare each TV directly on the same tasks. Now, let’s get into what you need to know before you start shopping.

What to Know Before Buying a TV on a Budget

Buying a TV in this price range means you will have to make some choices. You cannot have everything. Understanding a few key ideas will help you decide which trade-offs are right for you.

The Most Important Choice: Screen Size vs. Picture Sharpness

This is the biggest decision you will make. In simple terms, the picture on a TV is made of tiny dots called pixels. More pixels mean a sharper picture.

• 720p (HD): This is a good, basic high-definition picture. It looks perfectly fine on smaller screens, like those 32 inches and under. If you sit far enough away, you will not notice the individual pixels.
• 1080p (Full HD): This has more pixels than 720p, so the picture is sharper and shows more detail. This is especially important on larger screens, like 40 inches and above. If you get a big screen with only 720p, the picture can look soft or fuzzy.

In my tests, this was very clear. The 40-inch INSIGNIA TV has a 1080p screen, which is why it looks good even though it is so big. The 32-inch Hisense TV has a 720p screen. When I sat close to it, I could see that the picture was not as sharp as the 32-inch Samsung, which has a 1080p screen.

Understanding the Smart TV Platforms

The “smart” part of the TV is the brain that lets you stream Netflix, YouTube, and other apps. The three platforms in these TVs are all good, but they feel different.

• Fire TV (on INSIGNIA): This is made by Amazon. It works very well with Alexa. If you have an Amazon Echo or like using Alexa, this will feel familiar. The menu puts Amazon’s own content, like Prime Video, front and center.
• Roku TV (on Hisense): Many people say Roku is the simplest and easiest to use. The menu is straightforward and does not favor one streaming service over another. It is a great “no fuss” option.
• Tizen (on Samsung): This is Samsung’s own platform. It looks very modern and smooth. It also has a huge library of free channels called Samsung TV Plus.

There is no “best” platform for everyone. It is about which one you will find easiest. I will tell you how each one performed in my speed tests later.

A Quick Look at All Four TVs

Before we dive into the deep reviews, here is a simple table to give you an overview. This is for if you are in a hurry and just want the main points.

TV Name	Best For	Biggest Strength	Biggest Weakness	My Rating
Samsung 32″ F6000	The overall best picture quality	Excellent color and clarity	The screen is smaller than some others	4.5 / 5
INSIGNIA 40″ F40	Getting the largest screen for your money	Huge 40-inch 1080p screen for a very low price	The sound quality is weak	4.3 / 5
Hisense 32″ A4	The simplest, easiest smart TV system	Very user-friendly Roku platform	720p resolution is not very sharp for a 32″ screen	4.2 / 5
INSIGNIA 24″ F20	Small spaces like a kitchen or workshop	Very small size and extremely low price	The screen is too small for a main room	4.0 / 5

Now, let’s get into the detailed reviews, starting with my top pick.

#1: The Samsung 32-Inch F6000 Smart TV

My Final Verdict: The Samsung F6000 is the best TV in this group if your main priority is picture quality. It feels more expensive than it is. It is perfect for a bedroom, a small apartment, or as a second TV for someone who cares about a good image. If you just want the biggest screen possible for the lowest price, you should look at the next review.

Pros:

• Best color and picture sharpness
• Sleek, modern design with very thin borders
• The smart interface is fast and easy to use
• Includes useful features like HDR

Cons:

• It is the most expensive TV in this review
• The 32-inch screen size may be too small for some living rooms

Design and Build Quality: A Premium Feel

Right out of the box, the Samsung TV looks different from the others. The borders around the screen are very thin on three sides. This makes the screen itself feel larger and more focused. The back of the TV is made of a nicer, sturdier plastic. It does not feel cheap or hollow.

The stand is simple and keeps the TV stable. It comes with a standard Samsung remote control. The buttons are laid out logically, and it feels comfortable to hold. The setup was very easy. I had it plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi in just a few minutes.

Picture Performance: Why This TV Wins

This is where the Samsung TV truly stands out. The main reason is its 1080p resolution combined with a technology called HDR, which stands for High Dynamic Range.

My Test Scenario: I played a video of a coral reef. The Samsung TV was the only one that could show the deep, vibrant blues of the water and the bright, varied colors of the fish without making them look unnatural. The details were crisp. On the other TVs, the same scene looked good, but a little flatter and less lively.

The Samsung also has a feature called PurColor. This means it can display a wider range of colors. In my side-by-side test, the difference was clear. Greens looked more like real grass, and reds were richer. The other TVs’ colors looked a little washed out in comparison.

Another feature I tested was Object Tracking Sound Lite. This is a fancy way of saying the TV tries to make the sound follow the action on the screen. When a car moved from the left side of the screen to the right, I could hear the sound move with it. This was a subtle effect, but it made the viewing experience a little more engaging. None of the other TVs in this group had this feature.

Smart TV Experience: Testing the Tizen System

The smart TV system on the Samsung is called Tizen. It was the fastest of the four TVs in my speed test. It took only about 15 seconds to start up from being completely off. Moving through the menus felt smooth. There was no waiting for icons to load when I scrolled.

I especially liked the free Samsung TV Plus service. It gives you over 2700 live channels for free. You can watch news, sports, and movies without even opening an app. It is a great way to just turn on the TV and watch something without having to decide what to stream.

Sound Quality: Good for a TV Speaker

Like all thin TVs, the speakers are not powerful. However, the sound was clear and voices were easy to understand. When I turned up the volume for a movie, it handled the sound better than the INSIGNIA TVs. It did not distort or sound tinny at higher volumes. The Object Tracking Sound Lite feature did make the sound feel a bit bigger than the actual speakers.

The Value Question: Is the Samsung Worth the Price?

This is the key question. The Samsung TV costs more than the INSIGNIA or Hisense models. Is it worth the extra money?

My answer is yes, if you care about picture quality. You are paying for a noticeably sharper, more colorful, and more enjoyable picture. The TV also feels better built. If you are going to watch this TV every day, that investment is worth it. However, if you are putting a TV in a guest room or a garage where you will not watch it often, the extra cost might not be necessary.

#2: The INSIGNIA 40-inch F40 Series Smart TV

My Final Verdict: The INSIGNIA 40-inch TV is the champion of value. It gives you a massive 40-inch screen with a sharp 1080p picture for a price that is hard to believe. It is the best choice for a living room or family room where you want a big screen but have a tight budget. Just be prepared to possibly buy a cheap soundbar to go with it.

Pros:

• Extremely large 40-inch screen for the money
• 1080p resolution keeps the picture clear on the big screen
• Full Fire TV experience with Alexa voice remote
• Very low price

Cons:

• Sound quality is poor; dialogue can be hard to hear
• The design is basic and plasticky

The Big Screen Appeal: Size vs. Price

The most important thing about this TV is its size. A 40-inch screen is significantly larger than a 32-inch screen. When I placed it next to the Samsung, the difference was huge. For watching movies or sports with a few people, the larger screen is a major advantage.

Because it has a 1080p resolution, the picture remains sharp even on the big screen. This is crucial. A 40-inch screen with only 720p resolution would look blurry. INSIGNIA made the right choice here. During my nature documentary test, the picture was clear and detailed. It was not as vibrant as the Samsung’s, but it was very good for the price.

Smart TV Analysis: Fire TV and Alexa Voice Control

This TV runs on Amazon’s Fire TV platform. It comes with an Alexa voice remote. This means you can press a button on the remote and say, “Open Netflix,” or “Search for action movies.” The voice control worked well and felt like a premium feature.

The Fire TV interface is full-featured. You have access to every streaming app you can think of: Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more. In my speed test, it was a little slower to start up than the Samsung, but once it was running, navigating the menus was fine. There was a very slight delay sometimes when pressing buttons, but it was not a major problem.

Sound Test: The Biggest Weakness

This is where the INSIGNIA TV has a serious limitation. The speakers are not good. When I played my movie test clip, the dialogue sounded muffled. I had to turn up the volume higher than usual to understand what the characters were saying. When the action music and explosions started, the speakers sounded thin and distorted. The DTS Virtual:X technology tries to create a bigger sound, but it cannot overcome the poor quality of the physical speakers.

My Recommendation: If you buy this TV, you should plan to spend a little extra on a basic soundbar. It will make a world of difference. The good news is that this TV has a special port called HDMI ARC, which makes connecting a soundbar very easy.

The Value Proposition: Incredible for the Price

Even if you factor in the cost of a budget soundbar, the total price of the INSIGNIA 40-inch TV plus soundbar can still be very reasonable. You are getting a large, modern smart TV that does almost everything a more expensive model can do. The picture quality is good enough for most people. If you want the biggest screen you can get for your money, this is the TV to choose.

#3: The Hisense 32-Inch A4 Series Smart Roku TV

My Final Verdict: The Hisense A4 is the friendliest TV in this group. Its greatest strength is the Roku smart TV system, which is incredibly simple to use. It is a great choice for someone who wants a no-fuss experience, especially if they are not very tech-savvy. However, its 720p resolution on a 32-inch screen is a drawback, making the picture less sharp than the Samsung.

Pros:

• The Roku TV platform is the easiest to use
• Works with both Google Assistant and Alexa
• Dolby Audio provides decent sound quality
• Simple, no-nonsense remote control

Cons:

• 720p resolution is not very sharp for a 32-inch screen
• The design is basic

The Roku TV Advantage: Testing for Simplicity

The main reason to buy this TV is for the Roku system. In my tests, it lived up to its reputation for being simple. The home screen is just a grid of big, easy-to-see app icons. There are no complicated menus or confusing sections.

I timed how long it took to go from a cold start to the home screen. It was a bit slower than the Samsung but felt responsive once it was running. Where Roku really shines is in search. If you search for a movie, Roku will show you all the apps where you can watch it, including free ones. It does not push you toward one service over another. This is very helpful.

Another great feature is that the TV works with voice assistants you might already own. So if you have a Google Nest speaker or an Amazon Echo, you can use your voice to turn the TV on or change the channel without needing the remote that comes with the TV.

Picture Clarity: The 720p Limitation

This is the trade-off for the easy-to-use system. The Hisense TV has a 720p resolution, while the same-sized Samsung has a 1080p resolution.

My Test Scenario: I displayed a webpage with small text on both the Hisense and the Samsung. On the Samsung, the text was crisp and easy to read. On the Hisense, the text was noticeably fuzzier. The edges of the letters were not sharp. When I watched my nature documentary, the fine details in the animals’ fur were lost on the Hisense. The picture was still watchable, but side-by-side, it was clearly not as detailed.

For casual viewing from across a room, this might not be a major problem. But if you sit closer or if you value a sharp picture, this is a big limitation.

Sound Analysis: How Good is Dolby Audio?

Hisense uses Dolby Audio for its sound enhancement. I found that this worked better than the DTS Virtual:X on the INSIGNIA TVs. The sound felt a bit fuller and dialogue was clearer. It still cannot compete with a real soundbar, but it was less likely to distort at higher volumes. For everyday TV watching, the sound on the Hisense is acceptable, which is more than I can say for the large INSIGNIA model.

Value Analysis: A Fair Price for a Simple Experience

The Hisense is priced in the middle of the group. You are paying for the convenience of the Roku system. If you value an easy, stress-free smart TV experience above having the absolute sharpest picture, then the Hisense is a good choice. But if picture quality is your main concern, the Samsung is a much better option for not much more money.

#4: The INSIGNIA 24-inch F20 Series Smart TV

My Final Verdict: The 24-inch INSIGNIA TV has a very specific job. It is not for your living room. It is perfect for a kitchen, a workshop, a dorm room, or a guest bedroom. Its tiny size and extremely low price make it a useful tool for these small spaces, but its small 720p screen and basic features make it unsuitable as a main TV.

Pros:

• Extremely low price
• Very small and compact size
• Same good Fire TV system as the larger INSIGNIA

Cons:

• The screen is too small for primary viewing
• 720p resolution, but less noticeable on this small screen

Analyzing the Small Screen: Where It Makes Sense

This TV is so small it feels like a monitor. I set it up on a kitchen counter to test it. In that setting, it was perfect. You can watch the news while making coffee or follow a recipe on YouTube. The small size is actually an advantage here because it does not take up much space.

Because the screen is only 24 inches, the 720p resolution is much less of a problem. When you are standing a few feet away in a kitchen, the picture looks fine. You would not notice the lack of sharpness. The Fire TV platform works just as well as it does on the bigger model, giving you access to all your apps.

The Limitations of a Budget Small TV

The speakers on this TV are very small and not powerful. In a noisy kitchen, you might struggle to hear it. The build quality is purely functional; it is a lightweight plastic box. But for its intended purpose, these are acceptable trade-offs. You are not buying this TV for a premium experience. You are buying it for convenience in a small space.

Value Proposition: Unbeatable for a Secondary TV

For the price, it is hard to complain about this TV. If you need a small screen for a specific room, it does the job well. It is a much better option than trying to use a tablet or a laptop because the screen is larger and you do not have to worry about battery life. It is a single-purpose tool, and it serves that purpose effectively.

Head-to-Head Comparisons

Now that you have seen the individual reviews, let us put these TVs side-by-side to answer specific questions.

Samsung vs. INSIGNIA 40-inch: Is a Better Picture Worth a Smaller Screen?

This is the most common dilemma. Do you get the superior Samsung or the giant INSIGNIA? Here is a direct comparison.

Feature	Samsung 32″ F6000	INSIGNIA 40″ F40
Screen Size	32 Inches	40 Inches
Resolution	1080p (Full HD)	1080p (Full HD)
Picture Quality	Excellent. Better colors, HDR support.	Good. Perfectly fine for most content.
Smart Platform	Tizen (Fast, polished)	Fire TV (Alexa integration)
Sound Quality	Acceptable for built-in speakers	Poor, needs a soundbar
Best For	The viewer who wants the best picture quality.	The viewer who wants the largest screen for the lowest price.

My Conclusion: Choose the Samsung if you watch TV alone or with one other person in a bedroom or small living room and you care about image quality. Choose the INSIGNIA 40-inch if you want a big screen for a family movie night in a larger room and are on a very tight budget.

Hisense vs. INSIGNIA 24-inch: Which Smaller TV is Better?

This comparison is about two different use cases.

• The Hisense 32-inch is still a main TV, just a smaller one. It is for a bedroom or small apartment where it might be your only TV. Its Roku system is a major benefit.
• The INSIGNIA 24-inch is strictly a secondary TV. It is not meant to be your primary source of entertainment.

The choice is simple: if this will be your main TV, the Hisense is better because of its size and smarter platform. If you need a TV for a kitchen or workshop, the tiny INSIGNIA is the better (and cheaper) tool for that job.

Who Should Buy What? A Guide Based on Your Needs

Let me make this even simpler. Tell me what you are like, and I will tell you which TV to buy.

For the Movie Lover Who Wants the Best Picture

You notice when colors look dull. You want your movies to look as good as possible. You should buy the Samsung 32-inch F6000. Its superior picture quality is made for you.

For the Family on a Tight Budget

You need a big screen for the living room so everyone can see, but you cannot spend a lot of money. You should buy the INSIGNIA 40-inch F40 Series. Plan to spend a little extra on a budget soundbar to fix the sound issue.

For Someone Who Wants the Easiest TV to Use

You do not like complicated technology. You just want to turn on the TV and watch your shows without any hassle. You should buy the Hisense 32-inch A4 Series. The Roku system is the most straightforward.

For a Kitchen, Dorm, or Workshop

You need a small, cheap screen for a specific room where a big TV would not fit. You should buy the INSIGNIA 24-inch F20 Series. It is the perfect tool for this job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the most common questions based on my tests.

What is the biggest TV you can get under $250?

Based on my research, the largest TV you can reliably find below $250 is the INSIGNIA 40-inch Class F40 Series. It offers a 40-inch screen, which is significantly larger than the other options in this price range.

Is 720p resolution good enough for a new TV?

It depends on the size of the screen and how far you sit. For screens 32 inches and smaller, viewed from a normal distance (6-8 feet), 720p can be acceptable for casual watching. However, on a 32-inch screen, 1080p looks noticeably sharper. For any screen larger than 32 inches, I strongly recommend 1080p.

Which smart TV platform is the easiest to use?

In my opinion, the Roku platform on the Hisense TV is the simplest and most intuitive. It has a straightforward menu that is easy for anyone to understand. Fire TV is great if you use Alexa, and Samsung’s Tizen is very smooth, but Roku is the king of simplicity.

Can I get good sound from a TV under $250?

The built-in speakers on all TVs in this price range are weak. The Hisense with Dolby Audio had the best sound of the group, but it was still just okay. For good sound, you should plan to use a soundbar. Look for a TV with an HDMI ARC port, like the INSIGNIA 40-inch or the Samsung, to make connecting a soundbar easy.

Final Verdict: My Top Pick for Most People

After all the tests and comparisons, my final recommendation is clear.

If you want the best overall television experience for under $250, you should buy the Samsung 32-Inch Class F6000 Smart TV. Its picture quality is in a different league than the others. The colors are more vibrant, the sharpness is better, and the smart TV system is fast and modern. It feels like a more expensive TV. For a bedroom, a small apartment, or for anyone who cares about how their content looks, this is the one to get.

However, if your budget is absolute and your main goal is to get the largest possible screen for your living room, the INSIGNIA 40-inch F40 Series is an incredible value. Just be aware that you will probably want to add a cheap soundbar to make the sound quality acceptable.

No matter which TV you choose from this list, you can be confident that you are getting a solid, modern smart TV that will serve you well without costing a fortune.