Electronics

The Best Budget 4K TV (That Actually Looks Great)

A few years ago, buying a budget TV meant accepting washed-out colors and weak contrast. That era is over. Thanks to aggressive competition between brands like Hisense and TCL, budget TVs now offer features previously reserved for flagship models.

In This Guide

The Quick Verdict

The Hisense U6K is the best value in televisions today. Its Mini-LED panel crushes competitors when it comes to contrast and black levels. If you prefer a slightly brighter, punchier image for sports, the TCL 5-Series is a solid alternative.

8.5/10
Check Availability →
Model Rating & Award Key Specs Best For Price
Hisense U6K
Hisense U6K Best Value
★★★★☆ 8.5
 Mini-LED Google TV

Movie lovers on a budget

 Check Price ›
TCL 5-Series
TCL 5-Series Runner Up
★★★★☆ 8.1
 QLED Dolby Vision

Bright living rooms and sports

 Check Price ›
1

Hisense U6K

Best Value ★★★★☆ (8.5/10)
Hisense U6K Check Price on Best Buy

The Verdict: The Hisense U6K is, simply put, an anomaly. It includes Mini-LED backlighting (a feature usually found in much more expensive TVs) which allows for significantly better brightness and contrast control.

The local dimming zones create surprisingly deep blacks, making this a great choice for dark room viewing. The Google TV interface is also snappy and easy to use.

What We Love
  • Deep blacks thanks to Mini-LED
  • Supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+
  • Excellent gaming features (VRR)
The Downsides
  • Viewing angles are limited
  • Sound quality is average (get a soundbar)
Backlight Mini-LED ULED
HDR Support Dolby Vision, HDR10+
Smart Platform Google TV
2

TCL 5-Series

Runner Up ★★★★☆ (8.1/10)
TCL 5-Series Check Price on Best Buy

The Verdict: If you prefer the Roku interface or just want a solid, reliable performer, the TCL 5-Series remains a strong contender. The QLED panel delivers punchy, vivid colors that look great in bright rooms.

The color volume on the TCL is impressive for the price, making cartoons and sports pop off the screen. It lacks the deep contrast of the Hisense, but makes up for it with vibrancy.

What We Love
  • Punchy QLED colors
  • User-friendly interface
  • Bright enough for day viewing
The Downsides
  • Blacks can look gray in dark rooms
  • More plastic-heavy build
Backlight QLED
HDR Support Dolby Vision, HDR10+
Smart Platform Roku / Google TV

Frequently Asked Questions

Do these TVs support 120Hz gaming?
Mostly no. At this price point, you are typically limited to 60Hz panels, though the Hisense U6K does have some gaming accelerators for smoother 60Hz play.
Can I use a voice assistant?
Yes, both TVs support Google Assistant and Alexa.

You Might Also Like

Electronics

Apple Watch Series 9 vs. Ultra 2: Do You Really Need the 'Pro' Model?

Kitchen

Wüsthof Crafter Review: A Knife for Life

Electronics

iPhone 16 Pro Max: 5 Reasons to Upgrade (and 3 Reasons to Wait)