As the price of everything seems to be going up these days, you have to look for savings wherever possible. We'd all like to drop cash on one of the best TVs, but what if your budget doesn't allow for something like the LG C5 OLED? Fortunately, there are plenty of inexpensive displays that offer excellent performance, and there are even some options that are perfect for smaller spaces.
TV size is an important factor. Despite their growing popularity, big-screen TVs aren't for everybody, especially if you live in a small apartment and have limited space. And with optimal viewing distances in mind, it also doesn't make practical sense to have a massive screen if you're watching TV in a tighter environmen.
There are several TV and audio upgrades built to be great compromises for smaller living spaces. I've included all of my favorite TV and audio picks below to meet those tighter apartments and living quarters, all while saving some extra cash where it matters most.
Finding the right TV for your small space
It's not always easy to find the TV that suits your living space and budget. If you're concerned about how a TV might look in your living room, consult our guide on what size TV should you buy for a broader perspective on distances and screen size to deliver the best viewing experience.
Using this knowledge, consider models that meet your size and price range. Most TVs under 40 inches are hard to recommend, as they typically have poor picture quality, whereas TVs over 43 inches usually have the best performance for the price.
For instance, the 43-inch Vizio V-Series TV is a solid start. It's one of our best Vizio TVs and offers an incredible value for just $220. It won't net you OLED levels of picture quality as it is just an LED TV, but it's not a bad option if you're working with a smaller space and a limited budget.
If you're willing to spend a little more, you can get the 50-inch Vizio Quantum Pro. This TV offers a slight edge over the V-Series thanks to its QLED panel, and it's just under $500. However, if you can spare a bit more space for a 55-inch TV, I recommend the Panasonic W95A Mini-LED TV.
Despite being a year old, Panasonic's budget Mini-LED TV is probably the best value in the budget TV realm. It was one of my favorite TVs last year and offers a slew of excellent features. The W95A has dropped in price since launch, making it an utter steal across the entire range.
Another great pick in the sub-$500 range is the 55-inch TCL QM6K Mini-LED TV. It's available for just $497 right now, making it one of our best budget TVs. That's not even mentioning its slew of awesome gaming features that will amplify your entertainment setup for current releases, like Silent Hill f, Ghost of Yotei, and Pokémon Legends Z-A.
If you're budget isn't too limited but you don't have a ton of space for a 50- or 55-inch TV, you could even get a 48-inch LG B5 OLED. It's available for $699 on Best Buy right now, which is a remarkable price for an OLED screen. In fact, at the price, it's even cheaper than last year's model.
These are just a few options to consider in the small TV category. Price is a major consideration, but you'll also want to get a TV that fits your home environment. If it's too small for your space, it might not look great, depending on how close you're sitting to the screen.
The small room audio upgrade
Audio can often be the most expensive upgrade to a home entertainment setup. From the best soundbars to AV receiver systems, you can go all-out in building the most bombastic speaker arrangement for your living room.
But with limited space for that floor-shaking experience you might want, you'll have to make a few compromises. You also don't need the most sophisticated audio system in a tighter space, which makes something like an AV receiver system overkill.
Fortunately, there are several budget soundbars and speaker systems to consider if your TV audio isn't cutting it. Roku is home to many well-rounded audio systems that are particularly well-priced. The Roku Streambar SE doubles as a soundbar and streaming device, making it a perfect pairing for the Panasonic W95A if you're not too keen on using Fire TV.
It's also an excellent stand-in if you don't have the funds or space for a new TV yet. It's available for just $79, allowing you to upgrade your current TV with smart functionality built on the Roku ecosystem and great sound for the price. You can even add the Roku wireless speakers for an additional $149 for all-around sound coverage.
Vizio also offers many budget soundbars with excellent audio performance. You won't get Bose or Sonos-level quality from these speakers, but they will add that extra kick to your home entertainment setup without the hefty premium. A strong option I recommend is the Vizio 5.1 Soundbar SE, which is just under $200 and comes with a subwoofer and two rear speakers. You can also save $50 and get the Vizio 2.1 soundbar if you're looking to save even more money.
The small apartment entertainment setup
You don't need one of the best OLED TVs to give your small apartment a major performance upgrade. Roku, Hisense, Panasonic, and TCL offer excellent TVs in smaller sizes that are totally worth the price.
If it were up to me, I'd go with the TCL QM6K for this kind of setup. It's one of the newest TVs I recommended, which should ensure you get the longest use from it and the best picture performance. It's also well-equipped to meet the demands of most modern games at just under $500, and that's hard to beat.
Pair the QM6K with a Vizio soundbar, such as the 2.1 model bundled with a subwoofer, and your home setup is geared for incredible picture performance on a wider soundstage to meet everything from "Oppenheimer" to "Barbie."
It's a surefire win, turning your small space into an IMAX theater for well under $1,000.
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