Remember when the idea of a good, big-screen TV for just $400 seemed crazy? Thanks to advancements like 4K resolution, high dynamic range (HDR), smart platforms and more – it’s now reality.
You can get an immersive 50-inch or 55-inch 4K smart TV with awesome picture quality for an impressively affordable price these days. It brings the theater viewing experience right to your living room!
In this guide, we make finding your perfect budget big-screen TV easy. Let’s explore what to prioritize when buying, then dive into the top-rated models that belong on your shopping consider list:
Key Features to Look For in 2023 TVs Under $400
Screen Size – Consider your room size & furniture layout to find your ideal screen fit. Measure viewing distance too, as bigger screen sizes work best 8-10 feet away. A 50-55 inch screen is a versatile home theater centerpiece.
4K vs 720p/1080p – 4K Ultra HD quadruples the resolution of older HD TVs for enhanced sharpness and clarity. This matters more on larger screen sizes. Under $400 focuses on 50-inch+ 4K smart TVs.
HDR Support – High Dynamic Range allows expanded color and contrast. It makes images pop with vivid colors & deeper blacks – closer to viewing real life! Worth having for HDR-enabled streaming & gaming.
Refresh Rate – Higher numbers (60Hz, 120Hz) reduce motion blur for fast action scenes. Aim for at least 60Hz.
Smart TV Platform – Built-in Wi-Fi and smart platforms give access to streaming apps like Netflix/Disney+ without extra devices. Voice assistants (Alexa etc) add hands-free controls!
Now let’s highlight this year’s 5 top-rated TVs under $400 to upgrade your home entertainment!
Best Overall: Samsung 43-Inch Crystal 4K Smart TV
Vibrant Ultra HD 4K clarity meets intelligent smart TV capabilities
4K Ultra HD Picture – Samsung’s acclaimed Crystal processor delivers photorealistic detail and sharpness from the center to the edges. Scenes pop with texture and depth uncommon at this price point thanks to the dual LED backlight design.
Dynamic HDR Color – High Dynamic Range support unlocks an expanded range of rich colors and increased contrast. Explosive movie effects dazzle, while nature documentaries feel wonderfully lifelike and vibrant.
Smart Assistant Built-In – Effortlessly launch apps, search shows, control devices around your home and more with intuitive voice commands using Bixby, Alexa or Google Assistant.
Perfect for: Movie lovers, streamers, gamers – anyone wanting beautiful 4K clarity with smart controls. Also great for brightly lit rooms thanks to high peak brightness.
Key Specs:
Screen Size: 43 inches
Resolution: 4K Ultra HD
HDR: Yes
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Smart Features: Bixby, Alexa, Google Assistant
Check Price on Amazon
Best Budget Runner-Up: Amazon Fire TV 50" Smart TV
Huge 4K entertainment under $350 – the streaming dream
Big 4K Picture Quality – Complete with 4K Ultra HD resolution (over 8 million pixels!), this 2022 model Fire TV displays your shows, movies and games with impressive clarity. Vivid colors and nice contrast add to the visual appeal.
Smooth Streaming Experience – Thanks to the intuitive Fire TV interface, you can instantly browse and access over 1 million streaming movies and TV episodes from all the top services. It’s fast and frustration-free!
Hands-Free Alexa Controls – With built-in Alexa, navigating shows plus controlling smart home devices is as easy as using your voice. Just ask Alexa to launch apps, play music, hear the news and more.
Perfect for: Cord-cutter households who primarily stream shows. Alexa integration makes the big screen experience that much better.
Key Specs:
Screen Size: 50 inches
Resolution: 4K Ultra HD
HDR: No
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Smart Features: Fire TV platform, Alexa
Check Price on Amazon
Best HDR TV: Hisense U6H 55-Inch Quantum 4K Fire TV
Cinematic contrast & over a billion colors wow for the price
Quantum Dot Display – Hi-res quantum dots produce over a billion accurate color shades. Combined with full array local dimming (132 zones!), this 4K TV serves up PC-monitor-beating contrast for deep cinematic blacks.
Dazzling HDR Performance – Support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG means all your HDR-enabled Netflix, Prime and Blu-ray movies showcase eye-popping nuanced colors, highlights and shadows.
Alexa Voice Controls – As a Fire TV Edition, Alexa handles voice commands for playing content, smart home controls, weather updates, sports scores and more.
Perfect for: Home theater buffs wanting a truly cinematic visual experience with impressive tech under $400. The big HDR-ready screen pulls you right into films!
Key Specs:
Screen Size: 55 inches
Resolution: 4K Ultra HD
HDR: Yes (Dolby Vision)
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Smart Features: Fire TV, Alexa
Check Price on Amazon
Best Gaming: TCL 43S455 43-Inch 4K Roku Smart TV
Buttery smooth 120Hz gaming with ultra low lag
VRR Gaming Features – 4K resolution combines with Variable Refresh Rate Technology (VRR) that syncs the screen’s refresh rate with the console’s graphics card for tear-free smoothness.
Auto Low Latency Mode – Auto Game Mode greatly minimizes input lag for fast response when gaming. Combined with 120Hz VRR, gameplay feels snappy and reactive with no delay between your controller and on-screen action!
Roku Smart Platform – Enjoy 5,000+ streaming channels via the acclaimed Roku TV platform. Plus, sync your smartphone or tablet to the TV screen for easy private listening via the free Roku mobile app.
Perfect for: Console or PC gamers wanting big screen thrills. The fast gaming features provide immersive, lag-free fun that looks fantastic in 4K!
Key Specs:
Screen Size: 43 inches
Resolution: 4K Ultra HD
HDR: No
Refresh Rate: 120Hz VRR
Smart Features: Roku TV platform
Check Price on Amazon
Best All-Around: Samsung 43-Inch The Frame QLED 4K Smart TV
Artistic design that doubles as wall decor when not streaming movies & shows
QLED Quantum Dot Display – Samsung’s 2022 edition Frame TV utilizes precision quantum dots for over a billion accurate colors. Combined with heightened brightness (great for daytime viewing) and anti-glare matte panel, everything you watch or play captivates.
Beautiful Bezel Design – When wall-mounted and not streaming shows, the Frame TV displays your choice of artwork, albums, personal photos. Looks like chic decor! Activation sensor shows vivid QLED picture when you‘re viewing, then returns to art mode.
Smooth Streaming & Gaming – The 4K quantum processor 4K provides premium upscaling from HD to 4K resolution for clarity & detail. Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ (120Hz) enhances fast gaming & sports.
Perfect for: Households wanting a stylish, customizable TV solution for both entertainment and decorative purposes. Position it anywhere thanks to slim depth!
Key Specs:
Screen Size: 43 inches
Resolution: 4K Ultra HD
HDR: Yes (Quantum HDR)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Smart Features: Bixby, Alexa, Google Assistant
Check Price on Amazon
Ready for Your Next TV Binge Session?
We hope this buying guide helps simplify your search for an affordable yet awesome smart TV. With leading display brands like Samsung, Hisense and TCL now offering such feature-packed 4K home entertainment for under $400 – it‘s an exciting time to upgrade!
Just remember to measure your intended viewing environment, then utilize the detailed TV recommendations above to select the right screen size, smart platform and bonus capabilities tailored to your needs.
Here‘s to cozying up on the couch and firing up your shiny new big-screen TV. Happy streaming!
