• Tech
  • Gadgets

These Are the Best TVs You Can Buy For Under $500

6 minute read

Those in the market for a new television should remember that nothing reveals the dazzling clarity, color and definition of a truly high-quality TV more dramatically than sports programming.

Quality, however, can be expensive.

At SpecOut, we compiled a list of the best TVs priced under $500. To do this, we looked at TVs released in 2014, 2015 or 2016. Each entry has at least one expert review, and we made sure to include different series to avoid listing TVs models that are identical with the exception of screen size. All, of course, are priced under $500. We’ve sorted the list from lowest to highest rated.

20. LG 32LB5800

Smart Rating: 88
Price: $499
Screen Size: 32 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080i
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 3

This 32-inch TV is more expensive than the average smart TV in its size range. It features 1080i vertical resolution, LED-LCD screen technology and a 16:09 aspect ratio.

19. TCL 40FS3800

Smart Rating: 89
Price: $299.99
Screen Size: 40 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 3

Energy-Star certified, this 40-inch smart TV’s price tag is low for its size. It comes with the industry-standard single USB port and three HDMI ports. It weighs 15.6 pounds, which is significantly less than the average in its size class.

Because this is a Roku smart TV, it does not require another device to take advantage of streaming services.

SpecOut.com: The 19 Best Windows 10 Laptops

18. Vizio M422i-B1

Smart Rating: 91
Price: $439.99
Screen Size: 42 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 4

This 42-inch 1080p, LED-LCD smart TV has a Smart Rating of 91, built-in Wi-Fi, a V-chip for parental control and four HDMI ports. Backlighting includes LED full array and local dimming.

17. TCL 40FS4610R

Smart Rating: 92
Price: $389.99
Screen Size: 40 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 3

This 40-inch smart TV is Energy-Star qualified, and features optional Wi-Fi with Dongle. Its energy cost is a mere $8.54 to run for an entire year. This TV is backed by a 12-month warranty.

As a Roku smart TV, there’s no need for a separate device to enjoy your streaming services.

16. RCA LRK40G45RQD

Smart Rating: 93
Price: $394.99
Screen Size: 40 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 2

Not only did this 40-inch LED-LCD smart TV earn a Smart Rating of 92, but it features a TV-DVD combo. It comes with a sleep timer and is VESA compliant.

15. Vizio D43-C1

Smart Rating: 93
Price: $337.99
Screen Size: 43 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: No
HDMI Ports: 2

Costing under half the $17.20 per inch for TVs its size, this 1080p LED full array is a bargain. It has just two HDMI ports, but it earned a Smart Rating of 93.

SpecOut.com: Buy This, Not That: Alternatives for 15 Trendy Products

14. Vizio E40-C2

Smart Rating: 94
Price: $328
Screen Size: 40 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 2

This 40-inch smart TV is significantly less expensive than the average in its size class. It comes with built-in Wi-Fi and is compatible with YouTube, iHeartRadio, Hulu and more.

13. Vizio E320fi-B2

Smart Rating: 94
Price: $300
Screen Size: 32 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 2

Cheaper than the average for its class, this 32-inch LED-LCD TV is Energy-Star qualified and weighs in at just 10.6 pounds. Featuring 1080p resolution, this TV earned a Smart Rating of 94.

12. LG 42LF5600

Smart Rating: 94
Price: $379
Screen Size: 42 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: No
HDMI Ports: 2

Inexpensive for its size, this 42-inch LED-LCD TV scored a Smart Rating of 95 and is Energy-Star certified. It comes with a volume leveler and a 60Hz refresh rate.

11. Vizio E390i-B1E

Smart Rating: 95
Price: $350
Screen Size: 39 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 3

The price tag on this 39-inch smart TV is about average for its size. It features LED backlighting in the form of full array and local dimming.

10. Vizio E420i-B0

Smart Rating: 95
Price: $399
Screen Size: 42 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 3

This smart TV is inexpensive for its 42-inch size. It features a refresh rate — a critical consideration for action programs like sports — of 120Hz, which is average for its class. It features built-in Wi-Fi, multiple languages and a 12-month warranty.

9. LG 39LB5600

Smart Rating: 95
Price: $400
Screen Size: 39 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: No
HDMI Ports: 2

A bit pricey for its class, this 39-inch standard TV earned a Smart Rating of 95 and is Energy-Star certified. It features a vertical resolution of 1080p and CCFL LCD backlighting.

8. Samsung UN40H5203

Smart Rating: 95
Price: $409.99
Screen Size: 40 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 2

This 40-inch smart HDTV has a Smart Rating of 95. It features edge-lit LED backlighting and, although it only has two HDMI ports, it also features two USB ports — one more than the industry standard.

SpecOut.com: Laptop or Tablet? 5 Questions to Ask

7. Samsung UN32J5205AFXZA

Smart Rating: 95
Price: $247.99
Screen Size: 32 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 2

Samsung’s 32-inch smart TV uses LED-LCD screen technology. It features built-in Wi-Fi, a volume leveler and is DLNA-compatible. It earned a Smart Rating of 95.

6. Samsung UN32J5003AFXZA

Smart Rating: 95
Price: $217.99
Screen Size: 32 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: No
HDMI Ports: 2

This 32-inch LED-LCD is pricey for its size, but lighter than the average TV in its class. It comes with just two HDMI ports, and a stand is included, as is a parental control with V-chip.

5. LG 50LF6000

Smart Rating: 95
Price: $499
Screen Size: 50 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: No
HDMI Ports: 2

Significantly cheaper than the average in its class, this 50-inch is not a smart TV, but it features a 120Hz refresh rate. Classified as full HD, it has a vertical resolution of 1080p.

4. Samsung UN40J5500AF

Smart Rating: 95
Price: $447.99
Screen Size: 40 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 3

Inexpensive for its size, this 40-inch LED-LCD smart TV is Energy-Star qualified and DLNA compatible. It also syncs with Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video on Demand and more.

3. Samsung UN32H5500AFXZA

Smart Rating: 95
Price: $397.99
Screen Size: 32 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 3

More expensive than similar smart TVs in its size range, this 32-inch, 1080p LED-LCD is Energy-Star qualified and VESA compliant. It has built-in Wi-Fi and is compatible with YouTube, Netflix and Hulu.

2. Samsung UN50J6200AFXZA

Smart Rating: 96
Price: $497.99
Screen Size: 50 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 2

With a Smart Rating of 96, this big 50-inch is less expensive than the average in its size class. It features a 120Hz refresh rate and built-in Wi-Fi. Internet compatibility includes Web browsing, Hulu, Netflix, YouTube and Amazon Video on Demand.

1. Vizio E50-C1

Smart Rating: 96
Price: $498
Screen Size: 50 inches
Screen Resolution: 1080p
Smart TV: Yes
HDMI Ports: 3

Dramatically less expensive than similar-sized TVs, this 50-inch LED-LCD is Energy-Star certified and comes with built-in Wi-Fi. It’s compatible with a wide range of Internet services, including YouTube, Vudu, Pandora and Vizio Internet apps.

This article originally appeared on SpecOut.com

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com