netflix spotifu itv apps on smart tv
netflix spotifu itv apps on smart tv

Best TVs Under £500 In 2022: Big Brand Discounts

If you’re on a budget and looking at TVs under £500, you’re in luck as there are plenty of big brand TVs with great features that won’t break the bank.

In 2022, pretty much every TV will be a smart TV, meaning you can easily access and download apps to enjoy on-demand content and streaming films and TV shows, instead of just enjoying things live like you traditionally would. You might think that you’ll need to spend a fortune to be able to enjoy a smart TV with a 4K display, but actually, there are plenty of TVs under £500 with smart features, excellent display and resolution and are from well-known brands such as Samsung, LG or Toshiba.

Another common assumption about TVs under £500 is that they’ll all be small, to make up for the lower cost. This isn’t true at all, and there are plenty of big-screen TVs under £500 between 43″ and 55″ that can take centre-stage in your front room.

Best of all, even if you are paying below £500 for a TV you’ll still be able to benefit from the same advantages and benefits of more expensive TVs, so you can enjoy a high-quality cinematic experience in your home without having to pay thousands of pounds.

If you’re looking for a new TV but you’re on a budget, check out our top TVs under £500 for 2022 and where you can buy them.

What’s the best TV under £500?

1. HISENSE 55A7GQTUK QLED- Amazon, £449

TVs under £500

The HISENSE 55A7GQTUK has amazing reviews on Amazon, and it’s easy to see why. The 55″ 2021 model is just £449 and comes with a whole range of premium features for the lower price tag.

You’ll be able to enjoy all of your favourite movies and TV shows in 4K UHD, which is 4x higher resolution than regular FHD TVs, plus the QLED display has over a billion true-to-life colours giving you a vivid and realistic watching or gaming experience. This Hisense TV also benefits from Dolby Vision HDR technology, inspired by cinema technology, making contrast depth 40 times brighter and black colours 10 times darker than in standard pictures.

This Hinsense TV has built in apps including, Netflix, Disney+ and YouTube making it easy to enjoy all of your favourite tv shows and films, and Amazon Alexa can help you to find things faster without having to type it out. You’ll also be able to use Alexa to quickly find out the weather or news, as well as playing your favourite shows quicker.

Specifications:
  • Screen size: 55″
  • Other sizes available: 43, 50, 65, 75 inches
  • Resolution: 4K
  • Panel technology: LED
  • Smart TV: VIDAA U5.0
  • Dimensions: 1227 x 714 x 78 mm

Pros

  • 4K UHD
  • Great for gaming
  • 55″ inches and under £500

Cons

  • Reviews suggest it can be tricky work out how to adjust the settings

Get a student discount at Amazon Prime

43-inch TVs under £500

2.  43” AU7100 UHD 4K HDR Smart TV- Samsung, £349

Samsung TV

If you’re looking for a 43″ TV and you’re on a budget, look no further than the Samsung AU7100 UHD 4K HDR Smart TV which will set you back just £349 and is available on finance too, if you’d like to spread the payment.

The 4K UHD resolution gives you 4x the resolution of a standard FHD TV, and Samsung HDR TV technology uncovers all of the finest details. Benefiting from the Crystal Processor 4K, not only will the display be stunning but the audio will also automatically adjust to suit what you’re listening to. This Samsung model also has Samsung PurColour, which improves the colour of any image and flawlessly uncovers hidden details.

Another advantage is the bezel-less design, giving you more screen and less border and if you want to use your TV for gaming, the clear motion rate algorithms predict and automatically compensate frames so your picture will adapt as fast as your game.

All of your favourite apps such as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and BT Sport are built-in and having a Samsung TV gives you automatic free access to Samsung TV Plus allowing you to watch free live and on demand content without any subscription needed.

Specifications:
  • Screen size: 43″
  • Other sizes available: 50, 55, 58, 65, 70, 75, 85 inches
  • Resolution: 4K
  • Panel technology: LED
  • Smart TV: Tizen
  • Dimensions: 963.9 x 558.9 x 59.6 mm

Pros

  • Access to Samsung TV Plus
  • Latest 2021 edition for an affordable price

Cons

  • The smallest TV in the range, you can purchase a bigger size for a more expensive price

Get a student discount at Samsung

3. Toshiba 43UK3163DB TV- Amazon, £379

TVs under £500

One of the most popular 43″ TVs under £500 on Amazon is the Toshiba 43UK3163DB, which has lots of built in features to make watching TV easy and even more enjoyable than ever.

You’ll benefit from TRU Picture Engine, Toshiba’s TRU picture technology that provides smooth and detailed viewing with improved contrast even on non 4K content. However, this is a 4K TV with Dolby Vision for a vivid picture and dynamic viewing. Dolby Atmos also helps you to feel fully emersed in whatever you’re watching or playing, from a sports match to one of your favourite games- you’ll be able to hear it clearly.

Being a smart TV, you’ll benefit from Amazon Alexa which is built-in meaning you won’t have to find the remote to search for your favourite movies or adjust the volume and apps including Netflix, YouTube and Prime Video are automatically downloaded and ready to use.

Specifications:
  • Screen size: 43″
  • Other sizes available: 55, 58, 65 inches
  • Resolution: 4K
  • Panel technology: LED
  • Smart TV: Toshiba TRU Entertainment
  • Dimensions: 567 x 973 x 81 mm

Pros

  • 4K TV
  • Amazon Alexa built-in
  • Great for gaming

Cons

  • Disney+ is not built-in and cannot be downloaded from the app store
  • No Bluetooth

Get a student discount at Amazon Prime

4. 43″ AU9070 Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV- Samsung, £369

TVs under £500

This 43″ Samsung AU9070 TV has Crystal UHD and 4K and is a great affordable option for your front room. The Dynamic Crystal Colour allows you to watch everything in clear and lifelike colour with over one billion shades, which is 64x more than conventional UHD TVs. In terms of audio, you’ll get virtual cinematic 3D audio, making you feel like you’re enjoying your fave movies straight from the cinema.

If you want to use your TV specifically for gaming, Motion Xcelerator Turbo Samsung’s unique dynamic refresh technology will allow you to play effortlessly thanks to the speedy refresh speed and 120Hz gaming-monitor performance, keeping up with your quick reflexes while you’re in-game. Super Ultrawide GameView will maximise your gaming experience as you can easily change the screen ratio, while the Game Bar lets you easily monitor an adjust critical aspects of your gameplay.

Other benefits include multi-view which allows you to split the TV screen and watch what’s on your TV and smartphone without having to look away, effortless casting, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built-in as well as Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Samsung TV Plus.

Specifications:
  • Screen size: 43″
  • Other sizes available: 50 or 65 inches
  • Resolution: 4K
  • Panel technology: LED
  • Smart TV: Tizen
  • Dimensions: 966.3 x 560.2 x 25.7mm

Pros

  • Great for gaming
  • Samsung TV Plus built-in
  • All major apps built-in
  • Crystal UHD 4K

Cons

  • Smallest model in the range

Get a student discount at Samsung

55-inch TVs under £500

5. 55″ TU8300 Curved Crystal UHD 4K HDR Smart TV- Samsung, £399

Samsung under £500

If you want a 55″ inch TV as the main TV in your house, the Samsung Curved Crystal TU8300 is a nice option that will really add something to your front room. This is a UHD 4K TV, offering 4x better resolution than standard FHD TVs and Samsung HDR10+ uncovers all of the finest details.

Arguably, one of the best features of this Samsung TV is the fact that it’s curved, giving you a deeper, wider and larger perceived picture from all angles, which will massively improve your viewing experience. Other benefits include Tizen Smart TV, giving you easy access to Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Apple TV and more and multiple voice assistants to choose from, including Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Sharing your screen is also super easy as all you have to do is tap your phone onto your TV screen and you’ll be casting instantly, and Ambient Mode turns your TV into a decorative feature when it’s on standby, displaying your own photos or colourful images that blend into your surroundings.

Best of all, you’ll get smart and tailored recommendations based on your watching habits appearing on your home screen making it super easy to enjoy and get access to all your favourite TV shows and movies.

Specifications:
  • Screen size: 55″
  • Other sizes available: 65 inches
  • Resolution: 4K
  • Panel technology: LED
  • Smart TV: Tizen
  • Dimensions: 1236.0 x 174.2 x 104.0 mm

Pros

  • UHD 4K
  • All major apps and voice assistants auto installed
  • Easy to cast and share screen

Cons

  • Not everyone enjoys a curved screen TV

Get a student discount at Samsung

6. LG 55UP75006LF 55 inch 4K UHD HDR Smart LED TV- Amazon, £349

LG under £500 TV

The LG 55UP75006L5 is a 55″ TV that will cost you just £349 and has great reviews on Amazon. You’ll be able to enjoy 4K UHD with lifelike colour and pixel accuracy and Active HDR means you can enjoy all of your favourite films in the same quality, despite the original format.

Accessing Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, YouTube and Apple TV is easy straight from the home page and Bluetooth Surround Sound will allow you to experience sports matches like you’re right in the stadium. Sports Alert will also notify you before, during and after games so you’ll never miss one.

If you want to use your TV for gaming, this LG model’s ALLM and eARC meet the latest HDMI specifications and Low Input Lag gives you complete control of your games without a delay.

Specifications:
  • Screen size: 55″
  • Other sizes available: 43, 50, 65, 75 inches
  • Resolution: 4K
  • Panel technology: LED
  • Smart TV: unknown
  • Dimensions: 489.8 x 92.5 x 308.3 mm

Pros

  • Good for gaming
  • Good for sports with notification reminders
  • All major apps built-in

Cons

  • Reviews criticise the basic interface design and layout

Get a student discount at Amazon Prime

7. JVC Fire TV 55” Smart 4K Ultra HD HDR LED TV- Amazon, £339

JVC TV

The JVC Fire TV is a 55″ smart TV with an affordable price tag if you’re on a budget. You’ll get 4K UHD for a clear and vivid display to relax and enjoy your favourite films and TV shows. Being a Fire TV, you’ll get the experience and benefits of having an Amazon Firestick, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy and download thousands of apps, including Netflix, YouTube, Channel 4, Disney+, ITV Hub, Now TV and BBC iPlayer as long as you’re connected to wifi.

The JVC Fire TV remote control allows you to easily access Alexa, so you can search for apps, TV Shows, music or ask simple questions just by using your voice. Plus you can watch both live broadcast TV and streaming channels on one integrated home screen.

If you were thinking of buying a Firestick to upgrade your TV, this TV means you won’t need to purchase a Firestick as it has all the features and benefits automatically built-in.

Specifications:
  • Screen size: 55″
  • Other sizes available: 43, 50, 65 inches
  • Resolution: 4K
  • Panel technology: LED
  • Smart TV: Amazon Fire TV
  • Dimensions: 1243 x 227 x 762 mm

Pros

  • Fire TV, so has all the features and benefits of an Amazon Firestick
  • 4K UHD

Cons

  • Not the best for gaming

Get a student discount at Amazon Prime

How to clean TV screen

The best way to clean your TV screen to keep it free from smudges, fingerprints or dirt is to use a soft dry microfibre cloth and circle in smooth motions. You can clean the base and stand of the TV the same way, but you can use a cleaning spray on your TV stand to help keep it free of bacteria without any damage.

How to cancel a TV licence

In the UK, it’s the law that every household needs to have a TV licence to watch live TV, including via apps such as ITV Hub and for all live and non-live content on BBC iPlayer. However, if you find that you only stream from apps such as Netflix and Amazon Prime or watch things on catchup the next day, you don’t need a TV licence. You can cancel your TV licence by applying online on the TV licensing website and a refund will be issued if your application to cancel is accepted.

How to log out of Netflix on TV

If you want to log out of your Netflix account on your TV, all you have to do is log out while you’re using Netflix. Without doing this, your account will be automatically remembered every time you open the Netflix app, although you’ll have to select what profile you want to use.