Best TVs Under $500 in 2026: Surprisingly Good at This Price
The best TVs under $500 in 2026. 4K QLED and OLED options that perform far beyond what $500 used to buy — tested for picture quality, gaming features, and smart OS.
Budget TV quality has transformed in the last three years. Under $500 in 2026, you can get a 55" 4K TV with QLED panel, HDR support, and a competent smart OS. The gap between budget and premium TVs is still real, but the floor has risen dramatically.
What you still can't get under $500: OLED panels (deep black levels), full-array local dimming at a premium level, strong HDR performance in bright rooms, or the cinematic quality required for a dedicated home theater.
Top Picks Under $500
Best Overall: TCL S5 Pro 55" ($349-399)
TCL's S5 Pro is the most well-rounded TV under $500. The QLED panel produces good brightness (600 nits peak) for a room with some ambient light. Full-array local dimming (32 zones) handles bright/dark contrast better than edge-lit alternatives. Google TV smart OS is fast, has all streaming apps, and Google Assistant integration is useful.
At 55" for $349 during typical sales events, the value is extraordinary. 4K upscaling is competent for cable/streaming content below 4K.
Best for Gaming Under $500: Samsung Crystal UHD 55" ($449)
Samsung's Crystal UHD series with the 55" model adds Game Mode (input lag under 10ms), VRR support (Variable Refresh Rate for PS5 and Xbox), and HDMI 2.1 on one port. For gaming in a bedroom or living room with a current-gen console, these features matter more than an extra step up in panel quality.