5 factors to consider when choosing a cheap smart TV for your family

Not every smart TV is suitable for the home, many products cut corners on display quality, sound, or operating system to keep the price low.

Finding a TV model that is affordable but still meets the family's entertainment needs requires the buyer to have knowledge and know how to identify a "really good price" product.

1. Smart TV Operating System: The Key Factor That Is Often Overlooked

The operating system (OS) plays a central role in the Smart TV experience, from the user interface, responsiveness, to the available app store. However, many buyers are often attracted by the resolution or screen size, ignoring this important factor.

Each operating system offers a different experience: Android TV stands out for its rich app store and high customization; LG's webOS is highly appreciated for its intuitive interface; and Tizen on Samsung TVs scores points for speed and stability. Before buying, you should consider which operating system suits your needs and whether it is supported by regular updates.

2. Connection ports: Small details, big impact on experience

When choosing to buy a smart TV, many people easily get caught up in factors such as price, resolution or smart features, forgetting an equally important component: the connection port system.

Though little noticed, the number and type of ports on a TV directly affect the expandability, flexibility, and future-proofing of the device.

If you plan to connect devices like a soundbar, game console, Blu-ray player, or external hard drive, having the right ports on your TV is crucial.

Basically, a TV should have at least 3 HDMI ports, of which at least 1 port supports ARC or eARC to ensure high-quality audio transmission to the sound system.

Additionally, a USB port or two would be useful for viewing content from external storage devices or powering accessories. An Ethernet port is also a plus if you want a stable internet connection instead of Wi-Fi.

Additionally, optical audio ports or 3.5mm headphone jacks are still essential for older audio systems.

3. Wide Dynamic Range Support: A visual element that cannot be overlooked, even in the low-cost segment

In the modern world of Smart TVs, High Dynamic Range (HDR) is no longer a “luxury” feature found only on high-end models. Even if you are looking to buy a smart TV in the affordable price range, HDR support is still a factor worth considering, as it directly affects the image quality and overall visual experience.

HDR improves the contrast between light and dark areas, enhances detail in dark or super-bright scenes, and delivers more vibrant, realistic colors. This makes images appear more vivid and closer to how the human eye actually perceives them.

Currently, there are many different HDR formats such as HDR10, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG. Of which: HDR10 is the popular format and is often present on most TVs, even cheap ones.

Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are more advanced formats that use dynamic metadata to optimize each frame, and are typically only found on mid-range to high-end TVs.

Meanwhile, HLG is mainly used for live TV with HDR support.

So if you’re shopping for a budget TV, look for a model that at least supports HDR10. If your budget allows, investing in a model with Dolby Vision or HDR10+ will provide a superior viewing experience, especially when watching blockbuster movies on platforms like Netflix or Disney+.

4. Brand: A sign of quality and long-term reliability

When choosing to buy a smart TV, the brand is not just the name printed on the case, it also reflects product quality, durability, after-sales support and long-term user experience.

Big brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony have built up a reputation over the years for good quality control, stable software, and clear update cycles, even on budget TVs.

On the contrary, emerging or lesser-known brands often offer attractive prices to compete, but that can come with trade-offs like lower-quality display panels, less-optimized software, fewer updates, or limited after-sales service.

This is not to say that all small brands are bad, some of the newer ones are doing very well, but you need to do some research before deciding.

Look for brands with a track record of reliability, clear warranties, and regular software updates. Sometimes, spending a little extra to get a TV from a reputable brand can save you a lot of trouble, from inconsistent performance to the device quickly becoming obsolete after just a few years of use.

5. Display quality: Number one priority when choosing a smart TV, even in the low-cost segment

Whether you’re shopping for a high-end TV or a budget model, display quality is paramount. No smart feature, no matter how fancy, can make up for a blurry, lackluster, or washed-out screen. A TV is, after all, a display device, and a great picture is at the heart of the entertainment experience.

1. Resolution: The foundation of sharp images

At the moment, the minimum resolution you should accept is Full HD (1080p). Anything lower than that, such as HD (720p), should be off the table, no matter how cheap.

Surprisingly, there are still many HD TV models sold on e-commerce platforms and receiving hundreds of reviews, but their actual display quality is often very limited, especially with today's content that is optimized for high-resolution screens.

If you're aiming for 50 inches or larger, consider 4K (Ultra HD). Not only does it offer superior detail, 4K is increasingly popular and is appearing on more affordable TVs.

Additionally, many content platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+ support 4K content streaming, allowing you to take full advantage of your TV's display capabilities.

2. Panel technology: Not all TVs are created equal

The panel determines how the image is displayed on the screen, the 3 main technologies include:

LED:The most popular choice in the popular segment. Ensures good brightness, saves power, but contrast and color are only average.

QLED:Uses quantum dot technology to improve brightness and color. This is a big upgrade over LED and is commonly found in models from TCL, Samsung or Hisense.

OLED:Delivers top-notch picture quality with absolute blacks and outstanding contrast, but rarely comes at a low price.

In the low-end price segment, LED should be the minimum standard. Avoid TVs that use basic LCD panels without LED backlights, as they often have poor picture quality, narrow viewing angles, and low brightness.

If your budget allows, prioritize low-cost QLED lines like the TCL Q65 or Hisense U6N, which offer outstanding picture performance for the price.

In short, choosing a cheap but quality smart TV means not chasing after attractive marketing tricks, but focusing on core elements such as resolution, display technology and the ability to upgrade the actual viewing experience.

With a little research, you can get a TV that has a great picture, is reliable, and is suitable for your daily entertainment needs without breaking the bank.