As a TV expert and someone who sees almost every new TV that hits shelves, I field a ton of questions about which TVs to shop at any given time. But as much as I love to talk about the best TVs money can buy, my friends, family members and acquaintances mostly ask about affordable sets — specifically, TVs under $1,000.
Every time I find myself in this conversation, I always say the same thing: There’s never been a better time to buy a TV under a thousand bucks, because affordable TVs have never been better than they are right now. With that in mind, here’s a quick rundown of my favorite TVs of the year that all clock in below $1,000. I’ve made sure to include multiple sizes, all the way up to 75 inches.
Quick List
- TCL 55" QM7K 4K Mini-LED TV: was $899 now $697 @ Amazon
- LG 48" B5 4K OLED TV: was $1,299 now $699 @ Best Buy
- TCL 75" QM6K 4K Mini-LED TV: was $1,299 now $849 @ Best Buy
- Hisense 65" U8QG 4K Mini-LED TV: was $1,139 now $877 @ Amazon
- LG 48" C5 4K OLED TV: was $1,599 now $969 @ Best Buy
TCL QM7K
The QM7K gets much, much brighter than entry-level sets (including the next TV on this list). It's a great choice for folks who want better performance and more features than what they'll find on garden-variety, entry-level TVs.
I keep recommending the 55-inch version of this TV in particular due to its relatively low price for a mid-range model. Casual and dedicated gamers should also that the QM7K offers more gaming features than most of those entry-level models, too. If you want to learn more, head over to our TCL QM7K review.
LG B5
If you're in the market for a 42- to 50-inch TV that looks fantastic, the heavily discounted B5 is a great place to start. As LG's most recent entry-level OLED, the B5 isn't as bright or as colorful as higher-end OLED TVs, but it still comes with all of the advantages of OLED technology, like perfect black levels, super-wide viewing angles and pixel-level contrast control.
If you're planning on doing some gaming on your next TV, the B5 has you covered, too, as it offers a full slate of four HDMI 2.1 ports that all support 4K gaming at 120Hz. If you need something bigger than 48 inches and you don't mind cresting above the $1,000 mark, the 55-inch LG B5 is just $1,099 at Best Buy right now.
TCL QM6K
If you're looking for a sensibly priced, 75-inch Mini-LED TV, this entry-level set from TCL might be the best option. The QM6K gets much brighter than entry-level sets limited by standard-sized LEDs, and its backlight control is much better than cheaper TVs, as well.
Excellent contrast for the price is just one upside, though. The QM6K also comes with a decent spread of gaming features compared to most entry-level sets.
Right now, the 75-inch version of the QM6K is just $849 at Best Buy, which is a full $450 off its usual asking price. If you want to learn more about it, head over to our TCL QM6K review.
Hisense U8QG
Looking for something big, bright and loaded with features? The 85-inch Hisense U8QG Mini-LED TV is all of those things, and still cheaper than many 85-inch TVs, too.
You can read all about it in our Hisense U8QG review, but the first thing you ought to know about this set is that it's one of the brightest TVs we've tested all year. That fact alone will make it a reliable option for people with brighter-than-average living spaces.
But my favorite aspect of this TV is its relatively low price compared to other 85-inch models. This pre-Prime Day deal brings the price down even further.
LG C5
If you're on the hunt for a 48- to 50-inch OLED TV and the LG B5's performance profile was a bit underwhelming, consider the 48-inch LG C5 OLED. Right now, it's about $270 more than the 48-inch B5, but that extra cash nets you a much better picture.
The C5 is a Jack of all trades.. Everything from games to HDR Blu-rays look phenomenal on this TV, and it's stuffed with just as many features as you'll find on much pricier, flagship models. It's also almost twice as bright as the B5, which helps the picture pop during daytime viewing.
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