Best cheap gaming TV in 2024 – our top budget picks

We’ve searched high and low to find the best cheap gaming TV so you can get high performance for a lower price.

It’s no secret that a gaming TV can be expensive. Getting your hands on the best TV for PS5 or the best TV for Xbox Series X can rack up costs as you look for the highest refresh rates and brightest panels. However, this doesn’t have to be the case. The TVs on this list will be able to get you gaming to a high level, without breaking the bank.

To make things as simple as possible, we’ve got a detailed breakdown of each TV so you can know where its strengths lie. Let’s get into it.

Best cheap gaming TV

1. Hisense 75-Inch Class U6HF Smart TV

The Hisense U6HF represents two of our favourite things: great TVs and affordability. Coming in hot with 4K60, the TV supports both the needs of gamers and those who appreciate cinematic quality. Alongside the resolution, the TV is jam packed with brilliant color quality. With the combination of Quantum Dot Wide Color Gamut and 600 nits peak brightness, the Hisense U6HF provides a dazzling display that will be compatible in bright rooms.

For the film lovers and the series bingers, the TV is equipped with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HDR10 Plus. With technology used by cinemas, the Hisense U6HF Smart TV will transform any home cinema. Which is great when you remember the built-in Fire TV, where you can enjoy Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and more.

Bluetooth connectivity in the Hisense U6HF means you can connect any wireless soundbars, headphones, or stereo components, to the TV. Make sure you’ve got one of the best soundbars for TV to pair with the Hisense U6HF.

2. INSIGNIA 50-inch Class F30 Series LED 4K

The INSIGNIA F30 Series 4K TV is a brilliant choice if you’re after an affordable option. Filled to the brim with high quality features, you can experience a premium TV without breaking the bank. Often when a TV is under the $500 mark, there is at least one feature that explains the low price mark. However, with the INSIGNIA F30 TV, it is an all-round win.

The INSIGNIA F30 supports 4K resolution at 60Hz, so if you’re after a TV that can handle your favourite AAA titles, you’re in luck. Additionally, with the built-in Fire TV, steaming films and series will be that extra bit more enjoyable with the crisp picture quality.

For the sound lovers, the INSIGNIA F30 is equipped with DTS Studio Sound, which gifts you that premium audio enhancement. Not only does it create a realistic audio experience but it also contributes to an immersive experience with two-speaker playback.

3. VIZIO 55″ Class V-Series 4K LED HDR Smart TV

VIZIO – 55″ Class V-Series 4K LED HDR Smart TV

Size

55in

Resolution

3840x2160p

Refresh Rate

60Hz

Panel type

LED

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Pros

• Good brightness levels
• High contrast

Cons

• Viewing angle could be higher

Next up is this superb TV from Vizio, a brand known for providing exceptionally good picture quality for reasonable prices. With tri-band WiFi 6E built in, this 4K TV is a great way to access some next-gen features on a budget. Luckily for us, 4K budget resolutions are becoming more common, meaning there’s also a selection of the best budget 4K monitors to check out.

Speaking of the brand’s reputation for great picture quality, the 55” Class V-Series comes with HDR Bright Mode and HDR10+. Together, they’ll amplify every last detail you’re seeing, providing unbelievably lifelike clarity, thanks to incredible new standards in contrast and brightness.

Gamers have also got a good offering here, thanks to the fact that Vizio included AMD’s FreeSync technology. With ultra-low input lag, you’ll be able to enjoy super-fast gameplay that’s quick, responsive, and provides the edge you need to defeat your opponents!

However, picture quality isn’t all this TV has to brag about; it also arrives equipped with WatchFree+, meaning that you can enjoy more than 250 free channels at no extra cost, so long as you’ve already got a high-speed internet connection at home. That something that makes this TV also a serious contender for the best TV for sports.

Speaking of your internet connection, you’ll be able to get the most out of it here, thanks to the fact that WiFi 6E is built in. This exciting new standard provides double the bandwidth of 5G, which allows faster data transfer, meaning you can avoid lag or buffering while enjoying the highest-quality 4K programming.

Vizio has absolutely knocked it out of the park with this TV, providing an incredible product for both gaming and TV enthusiasts at a very fair asking price. At under $400, we’re not sure you’ll easily find a better set of features in a new model. 

4. TCL Class 4-Series 55S455

TCL Class 4-Series 55S455

Size

55-inch

Resolution

4K UHD

Refresh Rate

60Hz

Panel Type

LED

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Pros

• Deep blacks
• Easy set-up

Cons

• Brightness could be higher

Last, but certainly not least, we’ve got a great offering from TCL. In case you’ve not heard of them, TCL has, like Vizio, developed a reputation for putting together really great televisions at lower price tags. The Class 4-Series is no different, providing a fantastic option for gamers needing a new TV on a tight budget.

Again, like the Vizio model above, you’ve got 4K picture quality. This model also includes 4K upscaling, which will allow you to enhance the clarity of your favourite shows and sporting events, especially if they’re currently in 1080p. It won’t compete with native 4K resolution, but it does provide a definite step up in quality. If you’re really into your sports, and have a more flexible budget, we recommend our selection of the best TV for watching sports that prioritise high refresh rates and color gamut.

There’s also High Dynamic Range technology here, meaning that you’ll be able to enjoy a much broader spectrum of colours, as well as enhanced brightness and contrast, allowing you to view your favourite programs and games in stunning detail.

There’s also a surprising amount of freebies included here; over 250 free live TV channels (including Roku Originals, popular movies, kids shows, and more), as well as compatibility with the Roku Mobile app. Enjoy the benefits of private listening, as well as using your phone as a quick and handy remote, for maximum convenience.

For a TV with such a reasonable asking price, we were surprised to see that it came with a very nice finish, combining ultra-slim bezels with an angled metal design. The end result is a beautiful piece of technology which can blend into any living room or man cave, without being overbearing in its appearance.

Although it might lack the bells and whistles of its more-expensive counterparts, this is a tremendous offering from an exciting new TV manufacturer, and it’s probably the best gaming TV you can find for under $300 and measures up well against our slightly less budget options we found checking out the best gaming TV. So, if you’re strapped for cash but need a decent model with a great viewing panel, we can’t recommend this one highly enough!

How to choose the best cheap gaming TV

Choosing the right budget gaming TV can be a tricky business. You’re juggling refresh rates, size and response times all while trying to get the best bang for your buck. Of course, there’s no such thing as a free lunch, so the screens here have had to make some compromises to keep costs low. For example, they tend to either prioritise resolution or refresh rate. If you want the best TV for Hogwarts Legacy or other engaging open-world games, getting a 4K screen should be a priority. If you’re looking for the best TV for Modern Warfare 2 or another competitive online shooter which rewards fast reactions, having a high refresh rate is key.To help you out, we’ll give you a little insight into what features you ought to be looking out for when researching your TV.

Screen size

Screen size is the physical size of the light-emitting portion of the display. If your potential TV has bezels, it means that these aren’t factored into the screen size. Modern TVs come in almost every shape and size, with the latest panels ranging up to a whopping 85 inches.

Screen size refers to the physical size of the light-emitting portion of the display – not inclusive of the bezel. Modern TVs come in all shapes and sizes, with the latest panels ranging from 42-inches right up to over 85-inches. If you’re curious about how big you can go, our TV expert Charlie Noon over at WePC can give you some insight into how big a Samsung 85-inch TV really is.

It’s important to pay attention to screen size as it will be influenced by the size of your room.

Refresh rate and VRR

Refresh rate and VRR refers to the TV’s ability in handling fast moving images and gaming content. It’s important to pay attention to if you’re playing fast paced games. As a general rule, the higher the refresh rate, measured in Hz, the better a TV is at handling fast-moving images and perceived blur. The best refresh rate TV on our list is the Hisense H9 Quantum Series 65”, with 120Hz.

VRR meanwhile allows your TV to synchronize its refresh rate to the output of your PS5, Xbox, or PC. If you’ve ever experienced screen tears, it might be because your TV doesn’t have VRR. Unfortunately, this is more of a premium feature, and you can still have a good, smooth gaming experience without it.

Response time

Response time refers to how fast your display can change the colour of a pixel. A lower response time is best to minimise things like ghosting and blurring. These don’t necessarily affect your gaming performance, though can affect the overall look and feel of a game.

Frequently asked questions

There are a few questions that come up time and time again in relation to the best cheap gaming TVs. We’ve tried to answer a few of them here.

What TV brand is best for cheap TVs?

When it comes to finding the cheapest TVs that still maintain high quality features, Hisense and TCL are great brands to look at. However, there are many brilliant cheap TVs that aren’t by these brands, such as the INSIGNIA F30 Series TV which is less than $300.

Is 60Hz good for gaming?

60Hz is a fast enough refresh rate for many games and still makes for a smooth gaming experience. That said, in competitive shooters or other games that reward twitch reactions, a faster refresh rate is noticeably better.