With the current TV market awash with products that are so different in specs, the single most important question you might need to answer when shopping is — what do I want from my TV? Are you, for example, an avid gamer who must have a top-of-the-range TV? Or could you be a person that only needs a TV to watch the evening news and an occasional weekend movie? If you’re in the latter category, you need not break the bank by getting some of the pricey gadgets available today.
While some of the best TVs cost thousands of dollars, there are also plenty of really good TVs that cost just a couple of hundred dollars. And when you need to spend $340 or less, the good news is that you have many good products to choose from. Before we review some of the best TVs you can get for less than $340, it’s important to emphasize that some of the products in this price range have awesome features and will meet the expectations of most consumers.
While you can’t expect budget TVs to have the high resolutions and refresh rates associated with high-end TVs, it does not always mean that you must necessarily invest in an expensive gadget. The fact is that you can get plenty of good TVs for under $340, all from top manufacturers like Samsung, LG, and Vizio.
To help you find the best budget-friendly TV, we’ve put together a list of the best TVs under $340 you can buy today. Let’s get into it!
- Best Overall: Samsung UN325300AFXZA
- Best Entry-Level: CT-3270 HDTV by Continu.us
- Best for Gaming: Hisense A6H
- Best for Streaming: TCL 43S435 4K UHD
- Best Picture Quality: VIZIO D40f-JO9
- Best Budget-Friendly Option: LG24LM520S-WU
Best Overall: Samsung UN325300AFXZA
- Samsung Smart TV with Full HD 1080p
- PurColor, Micro Dimming Pro
- Mini Wall Mount / Vesa Wall Mount Compatible
- SmartThings App support
At 40 inches, the Samsung UN325300AFXZA is the ideal TV, offering a large enough screen size without taking up too much space in smaller rooms.
If you’re thinking of upgrading from a standard HD TV on a budget, this TV is worth considering as it has 1080p resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. What this means is that you can enjoy double the resolution of HD TVs. Compared to other Full HD TVs under $340, this TV has more dimming features that allow for better contrast and quality images.
The smart features of the Samsung UN325300AFXZA are comparable to pricier TVs as it comes with a remote control that enables you to access internet services such as Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and more, from one place. The Samsung UN325300AFXZA also has substantial connectivity, offering two HDMI ports, one USB port plus additional video, terrestrial cable, satellite, and Ethernet ports.
While the Samsung UN325300AFXZA suffers from the audio limitations that afflict most slim TVs, it still produces quality sound thanks to its Dolby Digital audio. Despite its advanced features, the Samsung UN325300AFXZA is priced at $229.99, which is a steal for this great TV.
Check out the Samsung UN325300AFXZA on Amazon today.
Best Entry-Level: CT-3270 HDTV by Continu.us
- HD non-smart TV
- 720p
- 60HZ
- Lightweight and slim
- VGA/HDMI/USB inputs
- VESA wall mount compatible
Compared to the big brand names, Continu.us is a relatively new entrant in the consumer electronics market, yet the company has managed to market some great entry-level TVs like the CT-3270 HDTV.
While the CT-3270 HDTV is a 32-inch non-smart TV, it has a host of features that would make it ideal for a person on a budget. Apart from its relatively small screen size, the TV is lightweight and slim, measuring 1 x 32 x 20 inches, making it a good addition to a small room. With a 720p resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate, the TV has what the average consumer would need for basic TV viewing.
Despite its limited resolution, the CT-3270 HDTV can connect to various devices as it has 3 HDMI ports, a USB port, a VGA port, and an RF jack input. The TV also comes with a remote control for easy access from across the room. Its in-built speakers deliver reasonable audio for a TV in this price range. This is a TV that is easy to set up and use. As it is an Energy Star Certified product, the use of the CT-3270 HDTV is good both for your wallet and the environment.
Check out the CT-3270 HDTV by Continu.us on Amazon.
Best for Gaming: Hisense A6H
- 43-inch screen
- 4K UHD
- With voice remote
- Dolby Vision HDR
- DTS Virtual X
- Sports & Game Modes
- Chromecast built-in
- Black
Few TVs in the under $340 price range can be used for gaming, and this is what makes the Hisense A6H a great choice for gamers on a budget.
The screen is 43 inches, which is quite big compared to competing TVs. Plus, the TV features a wide viewing angle and you can even use it as a monitor for your PC.
What makes the Hisense A6H good for gaming is its 60Hz panel and its variable refresh rate. The TV’s Sports and Game Modes setting enables smooth operations when you’re watching sports or gaming. With this TV, you also have access to a wide range of streaming services including Netflix, Google Play Music, HBO Max, and more.
While this is a 4K TV, it comes equipped with Hisense’s UHD Upscaler which works to upscale non-4K content to almost 4K quality. The Hisense A6H has 2 USB 2 ports, one HDMI port, and an earphone jack, making it reasonably connectable. For under $340, you have the choice of either a 43-inch or a 50-inch TV.
Check out the Hisense A6H on Amazon.
Best for Streaming: TCL 43S435 4K UHD TV
- 4K UHD LED Smart TV
- Netflix, Skype, Hulu, Youtube, Spotify, and Amazon Instant Video supported
- Inputs: 3 HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 (one with HDMI ARC), 1 USB (media player), RF, Composite, Headphone Jack, Optical Audio Out
- Product Dimensions: 3"D x 38.2"W x 22.4"H
The TCL 43S435 4K UHD is a top-notch budget-friendly television that offers a good combination of features and performance.
Measuring 38.2 x 22.4 x 3.0 inches and weighing just over 14 pounds, the TV is easy to move around or mount. Its sleek modern look makes it a great addition to any room.
The TCL comes with some of the best features for a TV of its size. Its 4K UHD resolution delivers sharp detailed picture quality and it also supports HDR content, which further enhances the contrast and color range of the images. The TV has an in-built Roku smart TV platform, which provides easy access to a wide range of streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more.
The TV’s 60Hz refresh rate will ensure that all the content you’re watching is nice and stable. For connectivity, this TV stands heads and shoulders above the competition. It has three HDMI ports (where most TVs in this range only have one), one USB port, and an Ethernet port for wired internet connectivity. Its Wi-Fi capabilities will guarantee that you’ll have continuous content streaming at all times. The TCL is a solid choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly television with good streaming capabilities.
Check out the TCL 43S435 4K UHD TV on Amazon today.
Best Picture Quality: VIZIO D40f-JO9
- 1080p high definition
- Full Array LED backlight
- IQ Picture Processor
- V-Gaming Engine
- SmartCast (intuitive navigation)
When you desire to save money while also getting a high-quality TV, the VIZIO D40f-JO9 would be a great choice.
When you buy this TV, you don’t just get a beautiful product but also one with impressive features. With a 1080p Full HD display (1920 x 1080p resolution), the VIZIO D40f-JO9 delivers crisp and clear visuals. The Full-Array LED backlighting enhances the picture quality further, which provides even and uniform lighting across the entire screen. But the VIZIO doesn’t stop there — its stand-out feature is its smart TV capabilities. It has built-in Wi-Fi and access to popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, making it easy to watch your favorite content without the need for any additional devices.
The VIZIO D40f-JO9 has a variety of ports for connecting other devices such as gaming consoles or Blu-ray players. The sound quality is impressive for a TV of its size with a DTS Studio Sound and dual 8W speakers that deliver clear and immersive audio. The TV also has a number of audio settings that allow you to customize the sound to your liking.
Check out the VIZIO D40f-JO9 on Amazon.
Best Budget-Friendly Option: LG24LM520S-WU
- 24-inch screen
- HD smart TV
- Product Dimensions: 5.9"D x 22.2"W x 14.4"H
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Built-in dual 5-Watt speakers
- Wide viewing angle
The LG24LM520S-WU is a compact and affordable option for those who want to enjoy high-quality streaming content in a small space.
Despite its minimalist design and small size, this TV does not compromise on features. Its thin bezels give it a clean and uncluttered look and its stand enables you to mount it in any area.
The LG24LM520S-WU has a 720p resolution, which may not be as high as other TVs, but it’s high for a TV of this size. Plus, it offers a very decent picture quality with a 60Hz refresh rate which is the highest for a TV of 24 inches.
It also offers streaming services, and with its Wi-Fi and Ethernet ports, you can enjoy all the streaming platforms with ease courtesy of LG’s webOS. The TV has two HDMI ports and a USB port is also included. Overall, the LG 24-inch is an excellent choice for those who want a high-quality TV in a small space. With its HD resolution, smart capabilities, and slim design, this TV is a great value for its price.
Check out the LG24LM520S-WU TV on Amazon. (Please Note: As of July 15, 2023, the LG24LM520S-WU TV is currently unavailable on Amazon. If you cannot find the product elsewhere, please check back later.)
©Motortion Films/Shutterstock.com
How to Pick the Best TVs Under $340: Step-by-Step Guide
Given that TVs under $340 can vary greatly in specs, you need to consider the following factors to make a worthwhile purchase:
- Budget
- Screen size
- Picture quality
- Audio quality
- Connections
- Brand name
Let’s examine these factors closely.
Budget
For people shopping for TVs under $340, budget is a critical consideration as they might not be in a position to spend much more. Fortunately, as our review above has shown, there are plenty of quality TVs that you can get for this price or less. The lower priced products might have what might seem like near-identical features as the more pricey gadgets but, in most cases, you should expect costlier products to perform better than cheaper ones.
Screen Size
The size of your screen should be determined by the size of the room where you’ll install it, the average number of people you plan to watch with, and the distance required between the viewers and the TV.
What this ultimately means is that a big screen could be ideal for a large living room but feel out of place in a smaller one. Should you be buying your budget TV for a small area, there might not be much logic in opting for the costly big-screen TVs, and a 24-inch TV might be more appropriate.
To ensure that the people watching the TV are doing so comfortably, you should endeavor to comply with the recommended viewing distances. For a 40-inch TV, for example, the ideal viewing distance is 3-3.5 feet away. The distance increases with the increase in screen size, but it’s important to emphasize that the ideal distance will also be influenced by the condition of the viewer’s eyes and the TV’s resolution.
Picture Quality
A TV’s picture quality is determined by its resolution –- the higher the resolution, the higher the quality, and vice versa. While you can expect a resolution of 8K for high-end TVs, the maximum you can expect for TVs under $340 is 4K. In fact, most of the budget TVs have 1080p resolution which is actually good enough if you’re watching TV on a very small screen. Should you choose a screen larger than 40 inches, go with a TV that has a 4K resolution.
Audio Quality
Except for a select few OLED TVs, few modern TVs have the sound quality to match their great picture quality. The TVs that provide decent audio quality usually have built-in soundbars, and this is something you’re unlikely to find in TVs under $340.
Owing to their thin construction, most of the TVs in this category have tiny speakers and their sound quality might not meet your expectations. Should audio quality be the only downside you see in a cheap TV, you can always raise it to your required standard by investing in an appropriate soundbar.
Connections
Modern TVs are not just used for watching news and movies. On the contrary, you could use your TV for accessing the internet, gaming, and watching movies or sports. When buying your TV, you need a gadget that you can connect to a host of other devices in your home. Ultimately, you need a TV that has a host of HDMI, VGA, and USB ports.
Brand Name
While there has been a proliferation of TV manufacturers in recent years, some brand names have stood the test of time. When you see some of the biggest brand names marketing budget TVs, one thing you can be sure of is that those budget products are not poorly made as they have benefitted from the research that these companies conduct. Should you find the price of a product from a big brand name too high when compared to the price of a near-identical product from a small company, you might consider opting for the pocket-friendly product.
What to Know Before Buying the Best TVs Under $340
If your biggest motivation for purchasing a TV under $340 is to save money, you should be aware that TVs in this price range might not last as long as the pricier gadgets. Should your budget TV be brand new and you take good care of it, you can expect it to last for about five to ten years. Brand-new TVs in this category could last even longer if they’re not subjected to heavy usage.
Should you, however, opt for a refurbished TV under $340, the life expectancy might be curtailed substantially. With a refurbished product, you have little or no gadget history, and in any case, the TV could have some hidden defects.
While budget TVs might not last as long as the more expensive models, you’ll not have lost much as a buyer. When you take note of the ever-changing technological world, whether you buy a pricey or budget TV, there is a very high chance that your current TV will become technologically obsolete in less than seven years.
Using a TV Under $340: What It’s Like
Many of the TVs under $340 lack the powerful features of high-end TVs but all of them come equipped with all the features you need for basic use. However, some of the TVs in this price range come loaded with features similar to those in the priciest categories.
While budget TVs could have similar features to high-end TVs, the performance of the former is limited. Owing to their low refresh rates (usually 60Hz compared to 120Hz for premium gadgets), TVs under $340 will not operate smoothly when you’re gaming. Additionally, TVs in this price range have fewer connectivity options than their pricier counterparts and this might be an issue if you have many gadgets to connect.
If you don’t demand too much from your TV, there are many great TVs under $340 that will meet your basic viewing needs.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Robert Daly.
