Best TV under $1000 in 2024 (4K, 55 inch, OLED)
Enjoy spectacular visual performance without breaking the bank.
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Nowadays, you don’t have to pay a fortune for a great TV, but what’s the best TV under $1000? The display market is constantly evolving and expanding, meaning high-end TVs are now available for well under $1000. Better yet, you no longer have to compromise on size or display technology, with numerous 65+ inch TVs falling under the $1000 mark.
Additionally, with the arrival of QD-OLED technology – and a new wave of high-performance OLED screens – OLED TVs are now well within reach of the $1000 price point. As you’d expect, this also means LED TVs are a safe bet for budget-restricted individuals, with a ton of choices from a variety of manufacturers available. Right now, our top picks include the 55″ Samsung Q80C and 42″ LG C3 OLED.
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Best TV under $1000
We’ve searched far and wide across the web to find only the best TVs for under $1000. Whether you’re looking for a gaming TV, a larger 4K TV, or an OLED TV for under $1000, this guide will recommend something that suits your needs.
So, if you’re looking for a great TV under $1000, look no further, we have all the most up-to-date options.
Best 55″ TV under $1000: Samsung Q80C
Samsung 55-Inch Class QLED 4K Q80C
Screen technology
QLED
Resolution
4K
Refresh rate
120Hz
HDMI standard
HDMI 2.1 (x4)
- Fantastic HDR performance
- Exceptional upscaling
- Impressive sound
- Feature-packed interface
- Great for gamers
- Not as responsive as OLED
- Larger models will cost over $1000
Our best TV under $1000 goes to the hugely impressive Samsung Q80C- a superb all-round 55″ TV that offers up incredible value for money. At the time of writing this, the Q80B (predecessor to the Q80C) 65″ is indeed floating around that $1000 level – so keep that in mind if you are considering this stunning TV.
Price aside, the Q80C delivers incredible image quality thanks to a plethora of high-performance features and specifications – most of which are available thanks to the Neural Quantum Processor that sits at the heart of this TV. This display delivers excellent upscaling and contrast control, with an array of additional features that help with image handling and blur.
The Samsung Q80C is also futureproofed thanks to its HDMI 2.1 support which allows it to fully support next-gen consoles such as the Xbox Series X and PS5. It also offers 120hz refresh rate, 4K screen resolution, and VRR support for both FreeSync and G-Sync systems. The IPS panel at its heart offers a high peak luminance, accuracy colors, and a wide viewing angle.
Best OLED TV under $1000: LG C3 OLED
LG C3 Series 42-inch Class OLED
Screen technology
OLED
Resolution
3840 x 2160 (4K)
Refresh rate
120Hz
Panel type
WOLED
HDMI standard
HDMI 2.1
- Stunning OLED visuals
- Highly responsive
- 120Hz @ 4K for gaming
- Improved processor & brightness over LG C2
- Will cost more than $1000 at full price
- Limited to 42″ at this price range
The LG C3 OLED TV is often the number one pick in many of our TV guides, especially for gaming. However, when limiting yourself to $1000, then you’re largely restricted to the smallest 42″ model. The good news is that this C-series model has been out for a while now, so you commonly get to see the price discounted to make it affordable for anyone with this kind of budget. The 42-inch model in particular is actually popular for gaming PCs too as it can be desktop-friendly given the right amount of space. With 4K visuals and a 120Hz refresh rate via HDMI 2.1 (with full 48Gbps bandwidth), there’s good reason why this is a top pick for gaming.
OLED TVs have the benefit of infinite contrast ratios due to the per-pixel lighting. This means an individual pixel can turn off completely, giving you perfect blacks and excellent color accuracy across the entire panel. Another benefit of OLED is responsiveness and the LG C3 doesn’t disappoint here. Paired with low input lag, the 0.1ms response time makes motion silky smooth and blurriness not a problem at all. If you’ve been irritated by motion blur in the past, then the LG C3 is a top pick for you. And while it doesn’t have the same level of brightness as the premium G3, the OLED evo panel fitted into the LG C3 makes it work well in a solid range of environments regardless.
Last-gen pick under $1000: LG C2 OLED
LG C2 42-inch OLED
Size
42″
Screen Technology
OLED
Resolution
4K Ultra HD 3840 x 2160p
Refresh rate
120 Hz
Panel type
WOLED
HDMI standard
HDMI 2.1
- 4K@120Hz support for next-gen consoles
- OLED image quality
- HDMI 2.1 support
- Great value for money
- Peak luminance lower than C3
While the LG C2 is now superseded by the even more impressive LG C3 OLED, it still offers impressive performance at the ‘under $1000’ price spectrum. Better still, with a tonne of gaming-tailored features, including HDMI 2.1 support, VRR, ALLM, and an entire dedicated Game Mode, the LG C2 works well as a gaming monitor in this price range.
Aesthetically, the LG C2 (that we reviewed) is almost identical to previous (and newer) version of the C-series lineup. It’s characterized by a thin, stylish design that is certainly on the premium side. The stand protrudes slightly, but nothing to be overly concerned with – especially when you consider the stability it adds to the panel.
Looks aside, while this TV is most certainly geared towards gaming, it still delivers an excellent visual experience to everyday users. Movies, TV shows, and everyday TV all look absolutely stunning on this TV, mainly thanks to the OLED technology found at the heart of its design. Users can expect an infinite contrast ratio, perfect blacks, and stunning viewing angles from this TV, not to mention an easy-to-use interface that houses a tonne of apps.
Gamers will be incredibly happy with the LG C2 thanks to HDMI 2.1 support for next-gen 4K@120Hz console gaming. The C” also features VRR for both FreeSync and G-Sync systems, an incredibly low input lag, and near-instantaneous pixel response time – offering up very limited perceived blur and smearing. Better still, if blur is an issue in certain titles, the LG C2 features a backlight strobing feature that will see to that relatively quickly. LG also fitted this with an OLED evo panel, so it reaches decent peak brightness compared to the older LG C1.
Best 75-inch TV under $1000: Samsung CU8000
Samsung 75-Inch Class Crystal UHD 4K CU8000 Series
Screen technology
LED
Resolution
4K
Refresh rate
60Hz
HDMI standard
HDMI 2.0b
- Crisp 4K detail
- Decent colors and wide contrast ratio
- Smart TV platform
- Large 75-inch screen size
- Average 60Hz refresh rate
- No Dolby Atmos or Dolby Vision
The Samsung CU8000 is by far one of the cheapest in this guide, however, it still delivers on all fronts when it comes to general entertainment and content consumption. And you get a massive 75-inch screen for less than $1000, so it is excellent value for money on account of price per-inch.
At its heart lies a very efficient VA panel that offers up deep inky blacks and a wide contrast ratio – two traits associated with VA panel technology. It also supports a rich color gamut and solid HDR performance thanks to its high peak brightness and HDR 10+ support. Like all TVs in this guide, the CU8000 also features crisp image quality (thanks to its 4K UHD screen resolution) and solid upscaling capabilities.
Sadly, the CU8000 does lack top-tier specs when it comes to gaming – especially if you were to compare this panel against some of the more premium options in this price spectrum. Furthermore, with this being a budget-tailored panel, you won’t get the same perfect blacks as you’ll find in OLED alternatives – with dark scenes featuring a slight greyish tint.
Like most modern TVs, the CU8000 also features a whole plethora of apps thanks to its Tizen smart TV platform.
Best mini-LED TV under $1000: Hisense 55U7K
Hisense U7K Mini-LED
Sizes
55″, 65″, 75″, 85″
Screen technology
Mini LED
Resolution
3840 x 2160 (4K)
Refresh rate
144hz
Panel type
VA
HDMI standard
HDMI 2.1
- Great contrast
- Decent black uniformity
- Excellent peak luminance
- Solid HDR performance
- Some issues with its Game Mode
- Limited viewing angles
Lastly, we have the popular Hisense 55U7K (the 55-inch model for the U7K) – an impressive mini-LED TV that offers up excellent value for money. In fact, you can even get the 75″ model for under $1000 when on sale. This display features fantastic contrast ratio and decent black uniformity thanks to the VA panel that sits at its heart, complimented by mini-LED backlighting. Pair these features with the high peak brightness of this TV for a fantastic HDR experience. The high peak brightness also means daytime viewing isn’t affected by glare either.
This is also an Android TV that utilizes the smart platform built-in, allowing users to download any number of apps with ease. The entire user interface is incredibly easy-to-use, no matter how new to display tech you are. More impressive, however, is the TV’s HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support, only strengthening the HDR experience of this panel.
The 55U7K also offers great reflection handling and high SDR peak luminance, so it’s a great pick for daylight viewing. This TV also features excellent performance for gamers – one of the best cheap HDMI 2.1 TVs. Users will be able to utilize the full 4K@120Hz performance of next-gen consoles on this TV, with VRR built in. The 55U7K also features low input lag, FreeSync/G-Sync support, and a comprehensive Game Mode too.
What to look for in a budget TV?
If you’re new to display technology, you might be asking yourself, what specifications are most important in a TV under $1000. It seems like manufacturers try to make the buying process as difficult as possible these days, with a variety of terms used that can really confuse things if you aren’t up to scratch on the latest display technology.
For that reason, we’ll be looking at some of the main factors that could not only affect your purchasing decision, but could also dictate; performance, longevity, and price.
HDMI 2.1
HDMI 2.1 is the latest standard of the HDMI interface, allowing TVs to take full advantage of devices that offer 4K screen resolution and 120Hz refresh rates – primarily next-gen consoles (PS5 & Xbox Series X).
While HDMI 2.1 used to be associated with high-end TVs, a drop in market price for high refresh rate TVs has opened the floodgates for a sea of HDMI 2.1 TVs priced under $1000. Brands such as LG, Samsung, Sony, Hisense, and TCL all offer HDMI 2.1 TVs that aren’t nearly as expensive as you might expect – providing a wide variety of affordable panels in today’s market.
Of course, the lower you fall down the theoretical price ladder the less likely you are to find HDMI 2.1 support. Older generation TVs that reside in this part of the price spectrum will likely feature older HDMI standards. While this isn’t an issue for most everyday users, gamers will want to prioritize this specification as it allows them to get the most out of their consoles.
Below is a breakdown of both DisplayPort and HDMI versions over the years to give you an idea of what they can and can’t support.
Resolution
Your screen resolution, or maximum resolution, is the number of pixels your TV physically uses to display images. The higher the resolution, the more pixels your TV has – translating into better picture quality and sharpness.
Unlike gaming monitors where resolution varies wildly, the main screen resolutions in modern TVs are 4K (UHD) and 1080p (FHD). Having said that, the majority of modern TVs actually feature 4K screen resolutions, with only aging panels (or smaller variants) offering 1080p.
At this price point, you can pretty much guarantee the TV you choose will have a 4K UHD screen resolution. You can find 8K TVs and monitors in today’s market, however, they are incredibly expensive and do not feature at this price point.
Panel/ display technology
When it comes to picture quality and color accuracy, a TV’s panel type and display technology couldn’t be more important. They work together to create the images you see on screen, each providing unique features and benefits that define a display’s image quality.
The main panel types used in modern LED displays are VA (vertical alignment) and IPS (in-plane switching). They both offer their own unique set of pros and cons, with IPS leaning more towards color accuracy and viewing angles – whereas VA delivers inky blacks and excellent contrast ratio.
OLED TVs, on the other hand, use a WOLED panel type – which again, offers up a unique set of pros and cons. The main benefit of a WOLED panel is its ability to deliver perfect blacks an and infinite contrast ratio – both of which are highly advantageous when it comes to HDR performance.
Backlight technology is slightly different to panel type – referring to the TV’s main light source. The two main types of backlight technology today are LED and OLED. While OLED TVs offer up superior contrast and blacks, LED panels are still king when it comes to peak luminance and HDR performance. They also provide richer, more accurate colors too.
These fundamental backlight technology differences are the main reason why Samsung has created the QD-OLED technology – merging the best features of both QD (Quantum Dot) and OLED( Organic light-emitting diode). There are only a few QD-OLED displays available right now, with Samsung seemingly only manufacturing 55″ and 65″ variations. That said, recent leaks suggest that Samsung will start mass production of 49″ and 77″ QD-OLED variants.
How we choose the best TVs under $1000
Choosing the best TVs under $1000 can often be a tricky task, especially when you consider just how many great TVs reside in today’s market. Luckily, our veteran team of display enthusiasts has a tonne of experience when it comes to gaming TVs and monitors, allowing us to handpick the best options out there.
Like every component we recommend, every budget-tailored TV we have the pleasure of testing also goes through a strict testing process that allows us to determine which is the best when it comes to console gaming and general content consumption. We run numerous tests using purpose-built equipment, enabling us to confidently recommend the best TVs across the web.
TVs under $1000 FAQs
What is the best TV under $1000?
The Sony Q80C is the best TV for under $1000 right now, delivering excellent picture quality thanks to an array of high-end specifications.
The model in question is the 55-inch Q80C, equipped with FALD, 4K screen resolution, and a speedy 120Hz refresh rate.
If you’re looking for a great all-round TV for under $1000, this could be exactly what you’re looking for.
Are TVs under $1000 good for gaming?
With the arrival of new display technology arriving, older generation TV prices start to fall. This is great news for console gamers as many of last generation’s TVs are excellent choices for gaming – equipped with fast 120Hz refresh rates, HDMI 2.1 support, and 4K screen resolutions.
Better yet, if you opt for a smaller variation (42-55″), you might even be able to snag yourself a new model with the latest display technology.
Related TV pages
- TV vs monitor
- Best OLED TV
- Best QD-OLED TV
- Best mini LED TV
- Best 4K TV for gaming
- Best TV for gaming
- Best TV for Xbox Series X
- Best TV for PS5
- Best 42-43 inch TV
Final word
So, there you have it, our comprehensive guide to the best TVs for under $1000. We’ve listed some of the market’s leading options to save you the hassle of browsing numerous retailers yourself. We’ve also given you all the necessary tools needed to go out there and choose the best TVs under $1000 for your specific needs.
For us, the Samsung Q80C is the best of the bunch here as an all-rounder, featuring all the perks of a great gaming and content consumption TV. Despite its high price tag, it still falls shy of the $1000 price mark, offering up excellent image quality and value, respectively. However, we’d definitely recommend going for OLED if you don’t mind dropping down a screen size or two.
