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If you can remember the TV that your family owned a decade ago and compare it to the TVs available today, you’ll notice two crucial differences. First, TVs in the past were heavy electronic devices. Secondly, old TVs used to cost an arm and a leg. And while the prices of most consumer goods have kept rising, what might surprise you is that the prices of TVs have consistently been falling. Most modern TVs are sleekly designed, slimmer, and packed to the brim with smart features.
While you’d expect the technological improvements to make TVs pricier, the surprisingly good news is that today, you don’t have to dent your wallet to own a great TV. Why, you might wonder, have TVs gotten cheaper and cheaper?
There are many reasons for the increased affordability of TVs. First, there are more TV manufacturing companies today than there were a few decades ago, and the fierce competition among the main players has driven the prices down. Secondly, with the widespread global use of the internet, TVs have had to compete with other gadgets. Today, you don’t have to own a TV to watch your favorite programs. You can access almost anything you need from your laptop, iPad, or cell phone. But this does not mean that you don’t maybe want a TV in your living room or other entertainment spots in your home.
If you’re searching for a mid-budget TV, you have countless options today. So, when you wish to spend less than $1,250 for your next TV, what options do you have? To help you get a quality TV, read on to find out the 6 best TVs under $1,250 you can buy today.
- Best Overall: Samsung S95B OLED
- Best for Gaming: LG OLED C2
- Best for Picture Quality: Sony Bravia XR-65X90K
- Best Looking: Hisense U8H
- Best QLED: Samsung QN90B QLED
- Best Budget Option: TCL 6-Series Roku TV
- SAMSUNG S95B 55 inch 4K Quantum HDR OLED Smart TV (2022)
- 55-inch 4K Quantum HDR OLED
- Product Dimensions: 11.3"D x 48.2"W x 30.2"H
- Supports YouTube and streaming services
- LG C2 Series 55-Inch Class OLED evo Gallery Edition Smart TV OLED55C2PUA (2022) (Renewed)
- 55-inch
- AI-powered 4K
- Alexa built-in
- Renewed
- OLED evo Gallery Edition
- Sony 65 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X90K Series
- Enhanced by XR Contrast Booster 10
- Cognitive Processor XR understands how humans see
- Exclusive features for the PlayStation 5
- High-performance gaming with HDMI 2.1 features
- Hisense U8H QLED Series Quantum 4K ULED Mini-LED 55-Inch Class Google Smart TV (2022)
- Quantum 4K ULED Mini LED 55-inch screen
- Alexa compatibility
- 1,500 nit HDR10+
- Dolby Vision
- Black
- SAMSUNG 55″ Class Neo QLED 4K QN90B Series Mini LED Smart TV
- Powered by a huge grid of Samsung’s ultra precise Quantum Mini LEDs
- With Quantum HDR 32X and its wide range of vivid shades of color, you’ll discover all the nuances in the latest movies and shows made for High Dynamic Range
- The Neo Quantum Processor 4K uses AI based deep learning to analyze your content and optimize it to full 4K
- You’ve got the best view from every seat. Designed to reduce glare and deliver brilliant color across your screen, Ultra Viewing Angle makes sure you’ve got amazing picture quality, from virtually anywhere in the room
- TCL 55-inch 6-Series 4K UHD QLED Roku Smart TV 2021
- Picture clarity combined with the contrast, color, and detail of Dolby Vision HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the most lifelike picture
- Panel Resolution 3840 x 2160p
- VESA Hole Pattern 300mm x 300mm
- Mini-LED Technology: Uncompromised contrast, brightness, and uniformity for incredible viewing in any environment
- Product Size (WxHxD) with Stand: 48.3" x 31.1" x 13.7"; Product Size (WxHxD) without stand: 48.3" x 28.1" x 2.8"
- QLED: Quantum dot technology delivers better brightness and wider color volume
- Contrast is individually optimized across up to 240 localized zones for striking contrast between bright and dark areas of the image
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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Best Overall: Samsung S95B OLED
- 55-inch 4K Quantum HDR OLED
- Product Dimensions: 11.3"D x 48.2"W x 30.2"H
- Supports YouTube and streaming services
For picture quality, the Samsung S95B OLED is way ahead of the competition.
This TV has an extra layer of brilliance enriched with a billion shades of color and boosted OLED screen brightness, powered by Quantum Dots. The TV has a 4K resolution and uses OLED technology, which produces deep blacks and rich, vibrant colors. It also has a high refresh rate of 120Hz, which makes fast-moving images look smoother and clearer. In addition, the TV supports multiple HDR formats, including HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, which provide a wider color gamut and greater contrast.
Another feature of the Samsung S95b OLED is its built-in voice assistant. The TV comes with Samsung’s Bixby assistant, which allows you to control the TV with your voice. You can use voice commands to change the channel, adjust the volume, and even search for content. The TV also has built-in Wi-Fi, which allows you to connect to the internet and access streaming services like Netflix.
Other winning features of this TV include its multiple HDMI and USB ports, support for Bluetooth audio, and a variety of picture and sound modes. The TV also has a sleek design with a thin bezel and a sturdy stand that can swivel, making it easy to adjust the viewing angle.
Best for Gaming: LG OLED C2
- 55-inch
- AI-powered 4K
- Alexa built-in
- Renewed
- OLED evo Gallery Edition
The LG OLED C2 supports HDMI 2.1, which means that it can display 4K content at 120Hz, making it ideal for gaming.
The TV also supports NVIDIA G-SYNC and AMD FreeSync, which reduces screen tearing and stuttering for a smoother gaming experience. In addition, the TV has a low input lag of around 13ms, which makes it highly responsive for gaming. Some other features include its Alpha 9 Gen 4 processor, which uses deep learning algorithms to enhance picture quality and reduce noise. This results in more accurate color reproduction and better contrast, making the viewing experience more immersive.
The LG OLED C2 comes with built-in Google Assistant and Alexa, making it easy to control with voice commands. It has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate through menus and settings. The TV also supports Apple AirPlay2 and HomeKit, which makes it easy to stream content from your Apple devices.
The LG OLED C2 is a premium television that comes with some of the best features and specs available in the market today. Its stunning picture quality, advanced processor, gaming features, and voice control make it an excellent choice for those who crave the ideal viewing experience.
Best for Picture Quality: Sony Bravia XR-65X90K
- Enhanced by XR Contrast Booster 10
- Cognitive Processor XR understands how humans see
- Exclusive features for the PlayStation 5
- High-performance gaming with HDMI 2.1 features
The Sony Bravia XR-65X90K features an Acoustic Multi-Audio system that uses four front-facing speakers and two sound positioning tweeters to provide immersive sound that tracks the action on the screen.
This technology makes it feel like the sound is coming directly from the on-screen action resulting in a more immersive viewing experience. Another impressive feature of the Sony Bravia XR-65X90K is its integrated Google TV. This allows you to easily access your favorite streaming services, including Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video without the need for an additional device. The TV also has a built-in Chromecast and Apple AirPlay2, making it easy to watch content from your phone, tablet, or laptop to your TV.
For connectivity, the Sony Bravia XR-65X90K offers a range of options. It has four HDMI inputs, three USB ports, and an Ethernet port, making it easy to connect all your favorite devices, including gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and soundbars. With its advanced cognitive processor XR technology, Full Array LED backlighting, and Triluminos Pro color display, this TV is designed to offer an immersive sound and viewing experience.
Best Looking: Hisense U8H
- Quantum 4K ULED Mini LED 55-inch screen
- Alexa compatibility
- 1,500 nit HDR10+
- Dolby Vision
- Black
The Hisense U8H has a sleek and modern look, with a nearly bezel-free look that maximizes the screen-to-body ratio.
The TV also comes with a One Connect Box that houses all the ports, which means you can keep all your cables hidden from view. Among the TV’s stand-out features are its Quantum Dot technology, which provides a wider color gamut and improved brightness compared to traditional LED TVs. This technology enhances the viewing experience, making colors more vibrant and vivid, and ensuring that even the smallest details are visible.
Additionally, the TV features HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision HDR technology, allowing for an even wider range of color and contrast. Another feature that sets the Hisense U8H apart from other televisions is its smooth motion technology, which ensures that fast-moving images are displayed smoothly and without blur. This feature is especially useful when watching sports or action movies.
For connectivity, the Hisense U8H has multiple HDMI and USB ports, allowing for easy connection to gaming consoles, streaming devices, and other peripherals. The TV also comes with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, making it easy to connect to the internet and other devices wirelessly.
Best QLED: Samsung QN90B QLED
- Powered by a huge grid of Samsung’s ultra precise Quantum Mini LEDs
- With Quantum HDR 32X and its wide range of vivid shades of color, you’ll discover all the nuances in the latest movies and shows made for High Dynamic Range
- The Neo Quantum Processor 4K uses AI based deep learning to analyze your content and optimize it to full 4K
- You’ve got the best view from every seat. Designed to reduce glare and deliver brilliant color across your screen, Ultra Viewing Angle makes sure you’ve got amazing picture quality, from virtually anywhere in the room
When you’re searching for a TV that’s AI-powered, the Samsung QN90B QLED is the ideal choice.
This TV has an advanced AI-powered up-scaling engine that improves the quality of lower-resolution content to near 4K quality. This feature is particularly useful for streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, which often offer lower-resolution content.
Another key feature of the QN90B is its HDR capability, which allows it to display a wider range of brightness levels and contrast ratios. This feature is especially useful for watching movies and TV shows with dark and bright scenes, as it can produce more detail in both areas without losing the quality of the image.
The TV’s Quantum Dot technology uses a layer of tiny nanocrystals to produce more accurate and vibrant colors. With this technology, the TV can display up to 100% of the color volume, which means it can show more shades and hues than traditional LED TVs. This TV delivers on all fronts, from picture quality and design to features.
Best Budget-Friendly Option: TCL 6-Series Roku TV
- Picture clarity combined with the contrast, color, and detail of Dolby Vision HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the most lifelike picture
- Panel Resolution 3840 x 2160p
- VESA Hole Pattern 300mm x 300mm
- Mini-LED Technology: Uncompromised contrast, brightness, and uniformity for incredible viewing in any environment
- Product Size (WxHxD) with Stand: 48.3" x 31.1" x 13.7"; Product Size (WxHxD) without stand: 48.3" x 28.1" x 2.8"
- QLED: Quantum dot technology delivers better brightness and wider color volume
- Contrast is individually optimized across up to 240 localized zones for striking contrast between bright and dark areas of the image
The TCL 6-Series Roku TV is a popular choice among consumers looking for a high-quality television with advanced features.
It offers stunning picture quality, a sleek design, and intuitive smart TV capabilities in a consumer-friendly way. The price of the TCL 6-Series Roku TV varies depending on the screen size.
Another advantage of the TCL 6-Series Roku TV is its smart TV capabilities. It comes with Roku TV, one of the most popular smart TV platforms on the market, which offers access to thousands of streaming channels and apps. The TV also features voice control, which allows users to search for content, control playback, and more using simple voice commands.
The design of the TCL 6-Series Roku TV is also noteworthy. It features a slim bezel and a sleek, modern design that looks great in any living room. The TV also comes with a stand that is adjustable, so users can position it to suit their viewing preferences. The TCL 6-Series Roku TV is powered by a quad-core processor and features built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity. It also has three HDMI ports, one USB port, and a headphone jack, which allows users to connect external devices and accessories.
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How to Pick the Best TVs Under $1,250: Step-by-Step
Even after you’ve decided that you won’t spend more than $1,250 for your TV, there are still several critical considerations to take into account to make sure that you don’t buy a gadget that will disappoint. Here are the most important ones.
TV Size
The TV size you choose should be dictated by the room you wish to install it. If, for instance, you’re buying a TV for a large living room, you might consider buying large screens in 55-inch to 75-inch sizes.
Since you want your TV to give a completely immersive experience, you will not enjoy viewing it if you have to constantly squint your eyes. On the other hand, if you’re purchasing a TV for a small bedroom, the big-screen TV might dominate too much and actually look out of place, so you might consider buying a 32-inch TV.
An important factor to take into account when choosing a TV size is the viewing distance. TV manufacturers give recommended viewing distances and, Samsung, for example, recommends that the TV screen should occupy 40 degrees of your field of view. Additionally, you need to consider the distance from which you’ll be watching the TV. If you opt to buy a 55-inch screen, the ideal viewing distance is 7.7 feet. For a 32-inch screen, the ideal viewing distance is 4.5 feet.
Picture Quality
The quality of the picture you see on your TV is determined by its resolution, which refers to the number of pixels on the screen. Today, you’ll find high definition (HD), 4K, and 8K resolutions.
When a screen has a higher resolution, the quality of the pictures is better. If, for instance, you opted for Full HD resolution, you should be aware that a 4K resolution screen has double the number of pixels that the Full HD screen has. The number of pixels for the 8K screen is also double the number of pixels in the 4K screen. For the best picture quality, choose the screen with the highest resolution.
TV Design
Most old TVs were designed using the cathode ray tube (CRT) design, but they have been phased out and replaced by LED and LCD TVs. An LED (light-emitting diode) is a semiconductor that emits light. On the other hand, an LCD (liquid crystal display) blocks, rather than emits, light.
When you look at the current market, you’ll notice that TVs are getting thinner, thanks to the use of the LED design. LCD-designed TVs are much bulkier than the former. A TV’s design will also influence picture quality and energy efficiency.
LED TVs are more energy-efficient and LCDs and are usually pricier. Gone are the days of the curved screen and almost all modern LCD TVs are flat-screened.
TV Sound and Accessories
TVs are getting thinner and their screens bigger. While you might get the highest quality picture on your huge flat screen, you might be disappointed by the sound. Because of their thin size, the speakers housed in modern TVs are rather tiny, and should you desire the real cinematic experience, you might not get the kind of sound quality you crave from your TV. If you want more bass, for instance, you might be required to invest in a soundbar.
TV Connectivity
How connectable is your TV? Ideally, you should buy a TV that has several HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.1 ports to enable you to connect it to other gadgets. What you’ll find is that highly connectable TVs also come with higher resolutions and better refresh rates.
Do You Need a Smart TV?
The smart TV is the gold standard and is a great addition to a smart home. With your smart TV, you have a direct connection to the internet and access to countless movies and thousands of streaming services. Like the other gadgets in a smart home, you can control the smart TV from any location, thereby making it more manageable. While they are pricier than other TVs, smart TVs are worth the additional expense.
What to Know Before Buying the Best TVs Under $1,250
While you might wish to spend as little as possible on your new TV, you should be aware that pricier gadgets could last much longer and therefore save you money in the long run as you might not need to replace them too soon. While a TV’s longevity is an important consideration, you must also know that most modern TVs are not made to last for too long. Your beloved LED TV is bound to break down at some point, especially if you don’t conduct regular maintenance. The TV’s lifespan will be determined by the number of hours you watch, and a TV that’s on for more than eight hours a day might not last longer than six years.
Even when you give your TV the most TLC, you must remember that changes in technology might make your TV obsolete in a few years. If you bought a smart TV, for example, you might find that its operating system requires regular updates. Should the manufacturer cease to support an operating system in the future, and this is a real possibility because the TV manufacturer might decide to offer support to newer models, you might have to replace your gadget sooner than you expected.
Finally, TV brands are not equal. Before making a purchase, it’s important to review several brands and you can’t go wrong if you purchase from the market-leading brands.
Using TVs Under $1,250: What It’s Like
From our review above, you can see that it’s possible to get a quality TV for less than $1,250. If you have carefully considered the screen size (bearing in mind the number of people you intend to watch the TV with), your budget TV should give you a very satisfactory experience.
While there are many things to consider, a TV’s refresh rate should be particularly important. Since you crave smooth motions on the screen, you should look for a TV with a 120Hz refresh rate. While a 60Hz refresh rate is adequate for most people, 120Hz should be your target, especially if you intend to use your TV for gaming or watching sports.
