A TV is one of the most important bits of technology you’ll buy for your home — not only a source of constant entertainment, but likely the thing that all your furniture is pointed towards — so it's vital that you get it right. You could spend literally hours trawling through online reviews and poring over technical jargon. Or you could let us do all that for you.
It’s harder than ever to know your stuff with the advent of smart technology, voice assistants, Bluetooth, and next-gen gaming. Modern viewers need a TV that does much more than just tune into a couple of channels. Even when you’re spending on a budget.
We’ve tried to cover all bases when it comes to finding you the perfect TV. You can also find information on the best 4K TVs, TVs for gaming, and TVs for under £500. That's all well and good, but if your budget is really tight, we wouldn't want you to feel left out. First up, here’s a quick guide to buying a cheap TV.
How much do budget TVs cost?
As you can see, we’ve kept it to £300 or below. Indeed, there’s lots of talk about huge, mega-resolution smart TVs — eye-popping 4K sets and eye-watering prices — but it’s perfectly possible to get a good television set for a few hundred pounds. In some cases around the £150 mark. It’s worth remembering that if you’re not fussy about having the very latest model, you’ll find that more expensive models from the last few years are now marked down to a more agreeable price.
Do budget TVs offer smart features?
Cheap doesn’t necessarily mean lacking in quality. Because some of these models even offer impressive features like Ultra HD image resolution and HDR support. Enormous QLED TVs are obviously not going to make this list but you can still find real quality, if you know where to look. All the TVs featured in this roundup have smart platforms that offer a selection of streaming apps as well access to free-to-view channels. You’ll also find features such as Alexa compatibility, gaming modes, and audio technology.
What is HDR?
This is a common selling point in modern TVs, so it’s worth knowing about — especially if you’re particular about having the best quality image. HDR stands for High Dynamic Range. This essentially means a wider gamut of colours and shades of light and dark. It produces more vivid, nuanced colours — deeper, richer, and more detailed. There are different HDR formats — notably Dolby Vision and HDR10 — and you’ll find that certain TVs support certain formats (or both).
Can you get 4K for under £300?
Most of the TVs at this price range are either HD Ready (720p) or Full HD (1080 p), which is generally the picture quality you’ll find at this price. It is, however, possible to find 4K in the budget price range if you shop around — especially if you plump for a previous year’s model.
What is Freeview Play?
You’ll see this name when shopping for smart TVs. Freeview Play is a connected platform that brings together over 100 free digital channels (including HD channels) plus streaming apps such as Netflix, Disney, and iPlayer. Though you’ll have to pay for the subscription-based apps if you want to use them, the platform itself is free. It's essentially an alternative to the likes of Sky or Virgin. This is different to the basic Freeview, which only has the channels. Most of the TVs featured here include Freeview Play. Accessing the apps will of course require an internet connection.
What is the best TV for under £300?
We have painstakingly checked out everything on offer at this price range to bring you a selection of your best options. Whether you want something for your spare room, university halls, or home office, there will be something for you in this list. We’ve done the hard work so you can focus on the more important details, like where the TV is going to live in your room and what you're going to sit on. You know, all the fun stuff.
These are the best TVs for under £300 in 2023.
