If you are interested in buying a decent smart TV but don’t want to break the bank, this article will help you find the best cheap smart TV options. Read on to find out what factors to look into before buying, and then we give you an outline of the cheap smart TV’s that we would recommend.
Check out our top 3 below or keep reading for the full guide…
Table of Contents
What to Consider when Buying a Cheap Smart TV
Size
First of all, remember that televisions are measured diagonally. This means that a 32-inch TV measures 32 inches from one corner to the opposite corner. To determine the ideal size, it’s important to first consider the room size and TV position. Do you have the flexibility to move the furniture around? Do you intend to set up the TV using the included stand, or use a wall-mount to hang it? These factors affect the distance from the set to the viewer, which will ultimately help you decide what size gives you optimal viewing comfort.
Screen Resolution
Resolution is basically defined as the number of pixels that compose the picture, the higher, the better. A pixel is a tiny dot on the screen. Newer TV’s these days boast of 8K resolution, but if you’re on a budget, you may skip it for now, as there is hardly any content that’s produced in this resolution anyway. The gold standard today is 4K, otherwise known as Ultra HD. Streaming services like Netflix and Youtube have content that’s now available in this resolution. 1080p and 720p are decent resolutions too, especially if you opt for smaller screens.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate of a TV refers to the number of times the picture is “refreshed” per second. More simply put, how many images your TV can display every second. The more frequently the picture is refreshed, the smoother the motion appears to the viewer’s eyes. The acceptable Refresh rates today are 60 Hz vs 120 Hz TVs.
Ports and Connections
As far as TV ports go, more doesn’t always mean better. It’s all about which ports you need. Before deciding what TV to buy, first, decide what devices you want to connect to it. An HDMI port connects game consoles, media players, DVRs, sound systems, computers, and streaming devices and is probably the most helpful, especially because it serves carries both video and audio. Other common video ports include component and S-video for video, coaxial, and VGA.
Best Cheap Smart TV Reviews
Toshiba 24-Inch HD Ready Smart TV
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Considering this TV’s relatively low price, you will find its wide range of features pretty impressive. While the model may be small at 24 inches, it still provides excellent picture quality on a LED display. If placed in a smaller room and positioned properly, the viewing experience will be that of quality and efficiency.
The integration of essential apps gives variety to your viewing experience. The model comes with Netflix and Youtube, which are both easily accessible with just one press straight from the remote control.
The interface is pretty easy too. There is not much clutter on the screen, making navigation simple and straightforward.
You can also display your phone on this. This will come in handy when you want to share videos and photos on your phone with the rest of the family. It is also great when there’s a particular movie or content saved locally on your phone that you want to view on a bigger screen.
Not all smart TV’s these days have voice control. But this model, although relatively inexpensive, comes with built-in Alexa, allowing you to control your TV, change channels, adjust the settings, and do tons of other functions with nothing but your voice.
Pros
- Built-in essential apps like Netflix, Youtube
- Social media apps are also pre-installed
- Excellent voice control functionality with Alexa
- Toshiba Smart interface is simple, straightforward, and clutter-free
Cons
- 24 inches might be a little too small to some people
- Turns on every once in a while for automatic updates unless updates are turned off
- Occasional dropping Wi-Fi connection
LG 24-inch Smart HD Ready Widescreen LED TV
![LG 24MT48DF-PZ 24-inch Smart HD Ready Widescreen 1366x768 LED TV [Energy Class A]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51o1EPfSX1L.jpg)
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The first noticeable thing about the LG 24-inch HD Ready Smart TV is its physical design which is meant to be visually appealing but also a really efficient. It comes with a detachable base which you can keep if you place it on a TV rack. But alternatively, you may also detach it so you can save space by mounting the unit right on the wall.
Most Smart TVs within this price range would only include the basic apps, but this model, on top of Netflix and Youtube, also has NowTV, Hulu, and Amazon Prime pre-installed. Pressing the menu button on the remote control brings up these options without exiting from whatever content or page you’re on, making the transition pretty seamless.
Other notable features include the dedicated cinema and gaming modes, which are meant to optimise the viewing experience. Also, the USB AutoRun functionality provides for an effortless media viewing. As soon as a USB stick is plugged in, the content is played right away without the need to scan through the files.
Pros
- A wide arrange of apps are pre-installed such as Netflix, Youtube, NowTV, Hulu, and Amazon Prime
- The base is detachable giving you the option to mount it if preferred
- Richer colours, deeper blacks, and great depth of image provided with the model’s high dynamic contrast ratio
Cons
- The TV may be small for some at 24 inches
- Sometimes, it may take some time for the TV guide to load up
Digihome 32-inch HD TV
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What’s great about this model is that it’s large enough for its price range. Measuring 32 inches with very minimal bezel, you will enjoy quality picture on a large screen. This LED TV is HD ready too, giving you sharp images and excellent picture quality.
Like all smart TV’s, it has the standard apps including Netflix and Youtube, but it also has BBC iPlayer, Flickr, BBC News, and Sports, as well as social media apps Facebook and Twitter. Popular weather service AccuWeather is also integrated into the system, such that you may simply press a button on the remote control and the weather overview for the day will show up over the content you’re presently viewing.
Quite importantly, too, Freeview is pre-installed in the system and prominently shows at the top of the menu list. A radio app called TuneIn Radio is also pre-installed.
Pros
- Great selection of pre-installed apps for content and social media
- Good size at 32 inches for the price range
Cons
- May be challenging to detach the base if the wall mount is preferred
- There were some reports that it takes time to boot up
Cello 24-Inch Android 7.0 Smart HD Ready LED TV
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The Cello 24-inch Android TV has all the great things a smart TV has to offer but sold at an incredibly low price.
Basic smart TV apps like Netflix and Youtube are pre-installed, as one would expect, but since the smart platform or operating system it runs is Android, you get access to all the Android apps available. You may download additional apps like Now TV, Amazon Prime, Spotify, and many more.
A very impressive quality about this TV as well as its very fast response time. It takes less than 10 seconds for you to move from offline to online viewing, that is, from terrestrial to smart TV viewing.
Another noteworthy feature which is a fan favourite is the Cello Play, which lets you scroll backward through the electronic program guide (EPG) for up to 7 days and choose a programme for catch-up. Conversely, this app also lets you move forwards and select programmes to record for when they come one.
The size of this model also gives you the mobility that you might be after. It is so light it can be packed and taken with you when you go camping or for outdoor party set-up.
Pros
- It’s an Android TV which gives you access to so many Android apps and software updates
- Cello Play gives you the catch-up capability for up to 7 days backward
- Size gives mobility, the model can be set up outdoors.
Cons
- Audio quality is not great, but external speakers may be used for enhanced listening
- The power cable that it comes with is a little too short; an extension may be needed
Blaupunkt 32-Inch HD Ready Smart LED TV with Freeview HD
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You get so much value for the price that this Blaupunkt 32-inch Smart TV is typically offered at. There’s a range of apps that are readily installed on the unit, including a browser which is so easy to use and navigate.
Another selling point of this TV is a feature called Miracast, which lets you stream media content from other compatible devices such as laptops and smartphones on the TV screen.
Another thing that should be mentioned is the built-in Freeview HD. Just plug in your digital aerial and get started in seconds. You will have access to numerous channels without having to pay anything extra.
Despite the size being considerably wide at 32 inches, this TV is ultra weight, only weighing less than 1 kilogram. This is ideal if you want to have a TV that you can easily move around the house without having to do so much adjustment in your furnishings.
Pros
- Excellent video quality as the TV is HD Ready
- Miracast lets you stream media content from another device directly on your TV screen
- Built-in Freeview HD is available
Cons
- Limited apps available for download besides the pre-installed ones
- Does not come with wall bracket, should be ordered separately