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Good news! You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars these days to get a great television. Many top brands offer impressive models under $1000, and you won’t have to skimp on picture quality, smart features, or a sleek design. Whether you’re looking for a 4K display, vibrant color accuracy, or easy connectivity, many options deliver a premium viewing experience for a budget-friendly price. Which TVs fit the bill? We’ve done the research, so you don’t have to! Below, find the four best TVs you can buy for under $1000, most often recommended by experts across seven websites. Did we miss one you love that costs less than a grand? Comment below.
StudyFinds is a research-driven platform that analyzes and synthesizes expert recommendations from trusted sources. Rather than writing reviews ourselves, we meticulously compile consensus findings from leading industry experts and established publications to save consumers valuable research time. Each article represents hours of analysis across multiple authoritative sources to identify the most consistently recommended choices.
Best TVs Under 1K, Ranked by Experts
1. Hisense U8N
The Hisense U8N will make your friends think you spent a fortune – when you didn’t. Tom’s Guide loves the TV’s vibrant colors, incredible contrast, and peak brightness of over 2,000 nits, all thanks to its Mini-LED backlight that minimizes light bleed. While it only offers two HDMI 2.1 ports, it remains a top choice for those seeking premium performance under $1,000.
RTINGS agrees the television offers great contrast, deep blacks, and excellent local dimming, making it ideal for bright rooms. With support for HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and up to 4K @ 144Hz gaming, this TV delivers impressive performance at a fraction of the price.
If you want to go big without breaking the bank, What Hi-Fi recommends Hisense 65U8K. With its Mini LED backlight and Quantum Dot technology, it delivers stunning picture quality, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. It also offers next-gen gaming specs, including 4K/120Hz and VRR, making it a great choice for gamers, and its impressive audio quality—rich, controlled, and clear—adds to the overall experience, though a soundbar is still recommended for optimal sound.
2. Samsung Q80
Samsung Q80 TVs are one of the best QLED TVs you can find for under 1K, according to Tom’s Guide. It uses Quantum Dot technology to enhance brightness, color, and contrast, delivering vibrant, high-quality visuals. More mid-range than high-end, the Q80C still showcases why Samsung leads the Quantum Dot TV market.
Gamers will fall in love with the Samsung Q80C, with its low 9.7ms input lag, 4K 120Hz, and VRR support, including FreeSync Premium. TechRadar praises its sharpness, bold colors, and excellent contrast, with deep blacks even in bright scenes. For the price, the Q80C delivers superb picture quality and gaming features.
ZDNet recommends another version of this TV from the same line: the 50” Q80D. Its immersive Dolby Atmos virtual surround sound and object-tracking sound technology are perfect for streaming movies, music, and shows. With Alexa built-in, you’ll enjoy hands-free voice control, and for Google Assistant fans, it seamlessly connects to your Google account.
3. Roku Plus Series 4K QLED
This Roku TV is a hit. According to Tom’s Guide, the Plus Series delivers vibrant colors and solid brightness thanks to Quantum Dot LED technology, all housed in a sleek, metal bezel that doesn’t feel cheap. While its 60Hz refresh rate limits fast-action viewing, it’s perfect for everything else, making it an excellent budget-friendly option.
The Roku Plus Series features AirPlay support and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant. While its 60Hz refresh rate isn’t ideal for gaming, the TV excels in streaming, offering access to The Roku Channel, a huge selection of free live TV, and nearly every major streaming service. For those who love content, TechRadar says it’s a top choice for effortless viewing.
ZDNet believes the Roku Select Series offers great value for under $500, with a 65-inch model boasting 4K resolution. Perfect for cord-cutters, it provides instant access to top streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ right out of the box.
4. LG C3 OLED
The LG C3 offers impressive OLED quality for under $1000, but you’ll have to settle for a smaller screen. It’s only available in 42- and 48-inch sizes at that price. The TV has a dynamic picture, punchy HDR performance, and excellent contrast, especially for gaming with VRR, 4K 120Hz, and low input lag. While it lacks the brightness of premium OLEDs, Tech Radar believes its value and performance for the price are hard to beat.
According to PerfectRec, this TV offers strong gaming performance with low input lag and supports Dolby Atmos for an immersive sound experience. It also has great picture quality, particularly in dark rooms, with superb contrast and minimal reflection.
When it comes to picture quality, RTINGS says this TV has exceptional picture quality, outperforming others in its price range with inky blacks and a near-infinite contrast ratio. It handles reflections well and provides good brightness, even in rooms with light glare. With a wide viewing angle, it ensures great viewing from any spot in the room.
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
