Best TVs under $500
TVs are more affordable than ever. Here are some of our favorite models available for $500 or less.
David Katzmaier
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TVs seem to get less and less expensive every year, and 2014 is no exception. You can get a great TV for less than half a grand. All of the following TVs aren't huge -- screen size is less than 50 inches -- but all of them got good reviews.
Editors' Note, October 31, 2014:This gallery has been completely updated with all-new selections since it was originally published in 2013.
Vizio E480i-B2
At 48 inches, the Vizio E Series is one of the largest TVs on this list. It's also the model we praised as delivering "unbeatable picture for the money."
TCL Roku TV
The 48-inch Roku TV offers the best Smart TV suite available and one of the biggest screens under $500 that makes this list. And it's so simple to use, we especially recommend it for folks who don't consider themselves tech-savvy but want access to the latest and greatest streaming video has to offer.
Vizio M422i-B1
Smaller than the first two, this Vizio still delivers the best picture on this list. And 42 inches for this price isn't too shabby.
Panasonic TC-39AS530U
Sadly, Panasonic's legendary plasma TVs have gone the way of the dodo. But at $500 for the 39-inch size, the 530U offers you very good LCD picture quality and style for the money.
Samsung UN32H6350
You'll pay a premium for a Samsung TV, and the H6350 Smart TV series is no different. But even though it's more than $500, we're including it here because of a weird quirk: the 40-inch version is actually selling for about $50 less than the 32-incher right now.
Have a higher budget? Check out our list of the best TVs at all screen sizes and price ranges, like the current picture-quality champ, the $3,500 LG 55EC9300 55-inch OLED TV, pictured here.