Key Points
- Our #1 Overall TV Under $1,300 choice is the LG A2 Series 65-Inch Class OLED Smart TV OLED65A2PUA.
- TVs under $1,300 offer great features and performance, making them an affordable way to experience home theater without breaking the bank.
- These TVs deliver stunning visuals, smart features, and versatile capabilities to enhance movie nights and gaming sessions, making them essential components of any entertainment setup.
- When selecting the ideal TV for under $1,300, keep the following factors in mind: display type, size, and resolution as well as smart features, gaming capabilities, and performance in different room sizes.
Searching for an ideal TV can be daunting. When searching within this price range, focus on factors like display technology and smart functionality, as well as features tailored specifically for gaming or large rooms. When making your selection, keep these considerations in mind when searching for your ideal television set. The top TVs under $1,300 provide impressive performance, stunning visuals, and top smart features without breaking the bank.
Let’s explore the absolute best TVs under $1,300!
- Best Overall: LG A2 Series 65-inch Class OLED Smart TV OLED65A2PUA
- Best Display: Sony 42-inch 4K Ultra HD TV A90K Series
- Best Smart Features: LG 65QNED90UPA QNED Mini LED 90 Series 65″ 4K Smart TV
- Best for Gaming: TCL 65″ Class 6-Series 4K Mini-LED
- Best for Big Rooms: Hisense 65-inch U8H QLED Series Quantum 4K ULED Google Smart TV
Buy Now on Amazon- AI-powered 4K OLED
- 65-inch display
- 60Hz refresh rate
- Dolby Vision IQ
- Dolby Atmos
- WiSA Ready
- Cloud Gaming
- Alexa built-in
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Buy Now- Dolby Vision HDR
- 42-inch display
- Ultra HD OLED
- Exclusive features for PlayStation 5
- Black
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Buy Now- a7 Gen4 AI Processor 4K
- Ultra HD display combines NanoCell and miniLED technology for vibrant colors and high contrast
- Supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
- 120Hz refresh rate
- DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Atmos
- HGIG, ALLM, VRR for gaming
- Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant
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Buy Now- 144Hz VRR
- AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
- Smart Roku TV
- Black
- 2.1 Channel Dol
- Bluetooth
- 240W
- Wireless subwoofer
- Dolby Digital
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$1,099.99Buy Now on Amazon- Exclusive ULED technologies
- Quantum dot wide color gamut
- Up to 1500 nits peak brightness
- Dolby Vision HDR picture and Dolby Atmos sound
- Native 120Hz refresh rate
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11/27/2023 08:54 pm GMT
Best Overall: LG A2 Series 65-inch Class OLED Smart TV OLED65A2PUA
- AI-powered 4K OLED
- 65-inch display
- 60Hz refresh rate
- Dolby Vision IQ
- Dolby Atmos
- WiSA Ready
- Cloud Gaming
- Alexa built-in
The LG A2 Series 65-Inch Class OLED Smart TV OLED65A2PUA stands out as the top overall pick among televisions under $1,300.
Boasting a sleek design with advanced technology for an exceptional viewing experience plus 65 inches and a 4K resolution screen size, this TV is ideal for binge-watching favorite shows or enjoying cinematic films.
The LG A2 Series OLED65A2PUA boasts many special features, such as pixel-level dimming, over a billion rich colors, Cinema HDR with NVIDIA GeForce NOW compatibility, wide viewing angle support, and Dynamic Tone Mapping to deliver an engaging viewing experience. All these components work together seamlessly for an unforgettable viewing experience.
With access to popular streaming services and LG Channels preloaded onto this TV, there’s always something entertaining for you and your family to watch. Furthermore, the LG Magic Remote’s capabilities make searching content simple — simply point, click, scroll, or use voice command.
With separate accounts for everyone in the family and personalized recommendations available, this TV caters to everyone within its ecosystem, providing an excellent value at under $1,300.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Incredible picture quality thanks to 8 million OLED self-lit pixels, infinite contrast, and over one billion rich colors | The TV stand is sold separately, increasing the overall cost |
| An extensive range of internet services is supported, such as Netflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV | A 60Hz refresh rate may not be ideal for fast-paced content like sports, action movies, and gaming |
| Advanced a7 Gen5 AI Processor 4K delivers outstanding picture and sound quality for an authentic viewing experience |
Best Display: Sony 42-inch 4K Ultra HD TV A90K Series
- Dolby Vision HDR
- 42-inch display
- Ultra HD OLED
- Exclusive features for PlayStation 5
- Black
The Sony 42-inch 4K Ultra HD TV A90K Series has top-of-the-line display technology and features, including OLED Contrast Pro, which provides deep blacks with lifelike brightness, and Triluminos Pro for accurate picture quality by producing billions of colors.
One of the major draws of this TV is its compatibility with the PlayStation 5, offering exclusive features like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Genre Picture Switch at a low input lag of 8.5ms. HDMI 2.1 support also provides high-performance gaming through 4K/120 VRR ALLM features while its built-in Google Assistant organizes content efficiently as it supports various streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, and more.
However, its 42-inch screen may not be super practical for large rooms and its multi-position stand may need extra room to operate properly. Still, the Sony A90K Series remains an outstanding value under $1,300 with high-quality displays for top viewing pleasure.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| XR OLED Contrast Pro technology offers remarkable contrast and realism for OLED television displays | Multiple-position stands may require extra room to properly set up |
| HDMI 2.1 compatibility for high-performance gaming and Google TV’s integration of Google Assistant allow for seamless content organization | 42″ screen may not fit nicely in large rooms |
| XR Triluminos Pro significantly elevates picture quality by offering billions of accurate colors for an amazingly realistic experience |
Best Smart Features: LG 65QNED90UPA 65-inch QNED Mini LED 90 Series
- a7 Gen4 AI Processor 4K
- Ultra HD display combines NanoCell and miniLED technology for vibrant colors and high contrast
- Supports HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG
- 120Hz refresh rate
- DTS Digital Surround, Dolby Atmos
- HGIG, ALLM, VRR for gaming
- Built-in Alexa and Google Assistant
The LG 65QNED90UPA QNED Mini LED 90 Series 65-inch 4K Smart TV offers the best features among TVs under $1,300.
It has a Quantum Dot NanoCell Color Technology, which ensures smooth, fast actions at a 120Hz refresh rate, along with its A7 GEN 4 AI Processor that further enriched overall viewing pleasure.
Gamers will love how the Game Optimizer feature gives an authentic and immersive gaming experience on any TV screen, further increasing realism with every game played. And with an exclusive Magic Remote at hand, navigation and accessing TV services has never been faster or simpler!
This LG TV also supports Bluetooth connectivity, enabling users to pair up to two Bluetooth speakers for an enhanced audio experience. As with any product, however, there may be drawbacks; users might take some time adjusting to using Magic Remote and external speakers are recommended to get maximum audio experience from this LG TV.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Quantum Dot NanoCell Color Technology delivers stunning visuals | External speakers needed for an optimal audio experience |
| Game Optimizer enhances the gaming experience | Magic Remote may take some time to get used to |
| Has fast movement with a 120Hz refresh rate |
Best for Gaming: TCL 65″ Class 6-Series 4K Mini-LED UHD QLED Dol
- 144Hz VRR
- AMD FreeSync Premium Pro
- Smart Roku TV
- Black
- 2.1 Channel Dol
- Bluetooth
- 240W
- Wireless subwoofer
- Dolby Digital
The TCL 65″ Class 6-Series 4K Mini-LED UHD QLED Dol offers the best of the best for gamers of all kinds.
Its superior 4K Ultra HD resolution powered by Dolby Vision HDR creates lifelike pictures with exceptional clarity, contrast, and detail. The Mini LED technology ensures unparalleled contrast, brightness, and uniformity for an engaging viewing experience.
QLED Wide Color delivers over one billion vibrant colors with unparalleled accuracy, brightness, and volume for an unrivaled picture experience. Furthermore, contrast control zones (with up to 360 local dimming zones) provide striking distinctions between bright and dim areas to ensure maximum detail, depth, and dimension, although some users might find Roku OS restrictive regarding customization options.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent 4K Ultra HD resolution combined with Dolby Vision HDR to produce lifelike picture quality | Roku OS may restrict customization options |
| QLED Wide Color technology delivers over one billion colors with greater accuracy, brightness, and volume of colors | Extra ads displayed on the screen |
| Mini LED technology that ensures uncompromised contrast, brightness, and uniformity |
Best for Big Rooms: Hisense 65-inch U8H QLED Series Quantum 4K ULED Google Smart TV
- Exclusive ULED technologies
- Quantum dot wide color gamut
- Up to 1500 nits peak brightness
- Dolby Vision HDR picture and Dolby Atmos sound
- Native 120Hz refresh rate
The Hisense 65-inch U8H QLED Series Quantum 4K ULED Google Smart TV is our top pick for big room televisions under $1,300.
This television is sure to impress with its exceptional picture quality, brightness, and color accuracy, making it perfect for large rooms. One unique feature is the Mini LED backlighting technology which provides more contrast control and brighter images than traditional LED televisions.
The 4K ULED technology enhances color, contrast, and brightness. Quantum Dot Wide Color Gamut’s production of over one billion color combinations brings images to life like non-QLED TVs can’t.
Some speakers could improve, meaning you may require an external sound system for an optimal cinematic experience.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 4K ULED technology is featured for enhanced color and contrast and Quantum Dot Wide Color Gamut with one billion possible combinations | Subpar in-built speakers may require an external sound system for optimal results |
| Mini-LED backlighting technology for superior contrast and brightness | Do not come with a TV stand |
| Peak brightness up to 1,500 nits and up to 528 local dimming zones provide exceptional HDR performance |
©Vasyl Shulga/Shutterstock.com
How to Pick the Best TV Under $1,300: Step-by-Step
Finding a TV under $1,300 may seem daunting considering there are so many options. By paying attention to key features, however, you can make an informed decision and select one that fits your needs.
Here are the primary considerations when purchasing a TV under $1,300.
- Screen size
- Resolution
- Refresh rate
- Smart features
- High Dynamic Range (HDR)
Let’s explain each of these factors in detail to help you make the right choice.
Screen Size
Finding the appropriate screen size is vital when purchasing a television set.
Start by measuring the distance from your seating area to where you plan to place it and multiply that by 0.84 for an estimate of its ideal screen size in inches. For instance, if your seating area is 10 feet away (120 inches), 100-inch screens would likely work (120 x 0.84 = 100.8), but remember to factor in both room layout and personal preferences when making this decision.
Be mindful of bezel size when shopping for a TV. Slim bezels could allow for a larger screen in less space. When searching the market, you will discover several screen sizes from 32 inches up to larger 65-inch models to meet various room sizes and budget requirements.
Resolution
Resolution refers to the number of pixels that make up an image on a television screen, with higher resolutions offering sharper and more detailed pictures. For under $1,300, you will usually find Full HD (1080p) and 4K Ultra HD (2160p) models. Though Full HD provides superior picture quality, 4K Ultra HD models are becoming increasingly popular due to their greater clarity and vivid hues.
Consider your viewing habits and content availability before selecting a TV for under $1,300. For instance, if you primarily watch 1080p content and have limited internet connectivity, Full HD might work just fine. But if streaming 4K media or using gaming consoles that support 4K are priorities for you, choose 4K Ultra HD instead.
Refresh Rate
A TV’s refresh rate measures the frequency its image refreshes every second. A higher refresh rate helps reduce motion blur, making fast-paced scenes seem smoother. Refresh rates are typically measured in hertz (Hz), with most TVs under $1,300 offering either 60Hz or 120Hz refresh rates.
Though 60Hz refresh rate televisions should meet most viewers’ needs, sports enthusiasts and gamers may benefit more from 120Hz or higher TVs. Remember that some manufacturers use terms such as “effective refresh rate” or “motion rate,” which don’t always accurately represent the true refresh rate, so always verify what it actually means before making a purchase decision.
Smart Features
TVs under $1,300 are increasingly offering smart features for easy access to popular streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. These features reduce the need for external devices and simplify finding and enjoying content.
Consider smart features when looking at TVs. Pay special attention to its operating system, app selection, and user interface. Roku TV, Android TV, and Samsung’s Tizen are among the more popular ones. This ensures it supports your desired streaming services while providing regular software updates for a smooth experience.
High Dynamic Range (HDR)
High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology delivers improved contrast, brighter highlights, and vibrant colors, significantly improving the viewing experience. HDR10 is widely supported and recommended as it offers greater compatibility across models and manufacturers.
There are different HDR formats such as HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG — so, when purchasing an HDR-compatible television for under $1,300, look for models supporting HDR10. HDR can be particularly advantageous when watching HDR-supported content such as movies and TV shows on streaming services.
What to Know Before Buying a TV Under $1,300
When shopping for TVs under $1,300, keep these key aspects in mind. First is screen size, which typically ranges between 55 to 75 inches in this price category. Second is resolution, with most offering 4K Ultra HD quality. And, lastly, connectivity options like HDMI/USB ports as well as Wi-Fi compatibility must also be evaluated.
Keep in mind smart features like built-in streaming apps and voice control when shopping for TVs under $1,300 as well as refresh rates, with 60Hz or 120Hz being typical for such a price point. It is also essential to research brands and read user reviews to ensure you purchase a reliable, high-quality product.
Using TV Under $1,300: What It’s Like
TVs under $1,300 provide excellent performance at an accessible price, enabling you to experience top-tier entertainment without breaking the bank. Packed with features for optimal viewing pleasure, these TVs make movie nights and sporting events even more pleasurable.
These TVs often boast impressive screen resolutions such as 4K UHD for crisp, detailed images. Their color accuracy and contrast ratios provide exceptional visuals to ensure you don’t miss a single detail. Many also come equipped with smart features, allowing easy access to popular streaming services and apps.
TVs under $1,300 are good when it comes to sound quality. Many models feature built-in speakers that deliver clear and immersive audio. Plus, connecting external sound systems or soundbars ensures even better audio performance.
User-friendly interfaces and intuitive remote controls make TVs under $1,300 easier than ever to navigate. This gives you swift access to all your favorite content without spending hours searching for it. That way, you’ll spend more time actually enjoying TV than searching for what to watch next!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock.com.
