Best TVs under $500

Can you get a good TV for less than $500? Judging from the sets on this list, which range from 32 to 51 inches and from $250 to $500, our answer is an enthusiastic "yes."

The Samsung PN51E450 is a 51-inch TV with picture quality that outdoes anything else on this list. In other words, it's the best TV you can buy for less than $500. The 43-inch version is also a steal at about $430.

Around $300 and a decent picture? Bigger is always better for TVs, and the extra screen you get from the TCL L40FHDP60 compared with similarly priced 32-inch sets makes all the difference.

Although not the greatest choice from a picture quality perspective, this 42-inch Vizio earns a place on this list by including Smart TV.

You could buy two of this relatively no-nonsense Toshiba TV for $500. The best part? Its picture quality is better than any other 32-inch set we've tested.

With a price tag around $300, this Smart Vizio out-features any TV at its price.

Why would you buy this Samsung over the other 32-inchers on the list? Style and polish.

Toshiba has released some excellent budget TVs this year and the 40L5200U is no exception.

The Toshiba 40E220U LCD offers up good image quality for very little money.

The Samsung E550 is a decent television for the money.