Our constantly updated list of all the best 32-inch TVs in the world
The 32-inch LCD TV is one of the most popular consumer electronics products in the UK.
It's the most popular TV size by far, mainly because many British living rooms can't physically take a TV much bigger than 32-inches in size.
And what's more, with HD sources now widespread, 32 inches makes the perfect second-TV size for a bedroom or study.
Within the 32-inch division there's plenty of choice, too. A basic HD-ready set like the Toshiba 32HL833B below can be found for less than £300 if you search hard, though it's just as easy to spend over £2k.
But there is one certainty at this size - your new TV will be an LCD TV. If you're lucky it could have LED backlighting, but it won't be a plasma; LG used to make plasmas at this size, but there's not one on sale any more.
A typical £500 purchase will sport a Full HD screen, have at least three HDMI inputs, and some kind of 100Hz scanning, though the latter feature varies so much in effectiveness that you've simply got to see it in action in the shop before you shell out any extra cash. Full HD, media streaming and even built-in Freesat HD or Freeview HD - it's all possible on these small TVs.
So what's the best 32-inch LCD TV for you? Read on to find out...
Toshiba 32HL833B - £280
This back-to-basics edge LED-backlit model redefines the budget LCD TV
Edge LED backlighting and full HD resolutions were considered high-end features only a couple of years ago, so to see them on this sub-£300 screen is quite something. Toshiba's entry level 32-incher may lack the latest web, 3D and Freeview HD goodies, but this slim HL Series set has more than enough technology for many.
The lowlights are just two HDMIs, poor audio and the lack of Freeview HD, though great colour saturations, decent sharpness and contrast do enough to deliver a sense of cinema that belie its price. DivX playback is handy and the detail in Blu-ray is superb, while DVD and Freeview are watchable on this good value, efficient TV that delivers the basics well.
Read: Toshiba 32HL833B review
LG 32LV550T - £388
Impressive mid-range TV with bags of features and enjoyably cinematic 2D performance
The 32LV550T is a well-made TV with tons of features that sells for an exceptionally aggressive price. It's better looking than most 32-inch sets and its connections wouldn't look out of place on a flagship TV – so don't be fooled by the lack of 3D.
Edge LED lighting is unusual at this price and also includes full HD resolution, 100Hz, TruMotion processing and endorsement by the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF). No wonder, since with judicious calibration the 32LV550T is an engaging and natural picture performer.
Add LG's Smart TV system, extensive DLNA PC network compatibility (including the fabulous Plex interface that makes home networking a lot easier), USB multimedia playback and optional Wi-Fi, and the smallest member of the LV550T range makes a big splash.
Read: LG 32LV550T review
Toshiba 32UL863B - £400
A 32-inch TV with Smart features and solid pictures
Toshiba's UL series should go down well with Christmas shoppers because it packs in plenty of worthwhile features but doesn't bother with any of that silly 3D TV nonsense. The smart portal isn't as advanced as some of the competition (Samsung and Sony, with their two different approaches, are definitely the market leaders here), but it is neat and responsive - it'll be interesting to see how the Japanese brand develops it further.
Picture quality is commendable, and helped by an unobtrusive edge-LED system and plenty of adjustments. Blu-rays come across as rich, sharp and detailed, and standard-definition TV from the built-in tuner doesn't fare too badly either.
Read: Toshiba 32UL863B review
Toshiba 32DB833 - £423
A 32-inch all-in-one TV with built-in Blu-ray player
If you're in the market for a second-room TV that combines a degree of multimedia support (via USB and recordable discs), TV and Blu-ray in one attractive-looking and impressively affordable package, Toshiba's 32DB833 is well specified for the job and better than you'd expect for the money.
Its shortcomings in the contrast and sound departments make it potentially more problematic as a main living room TV, but it could still be considered if money's tight and you fancy 'going fully HD' in one fell swoop.
Read: Toshiba 32BD833 review
Panasonic TX-L32E30B - £423
Sophisticated and often excellent mid-range 32-incher with Viera Connect, but no 3D
If Panasonic's TX-L32DT30B is a bit rich for you, how about this near-identical Edge LED TV? 3D goodies are stripped away, but DLNA capabilities, USB recording/playback, and the refreshed Viera Connect online service remain.
Black levels aren't reference-level, but this set is far easier on the eye than most previous Panasonic mid-range sets, and is better built than similarly specified models from other brands.
Pictures are naturally coloured and sharp, multimedia options are extensive and the viewing angle is wider than most on this two dimensional darling.
Read: Panasonic TX-L32E30B review
Samsung UE32D5000 - £440
An LED TV that delivers superb pictures at an affordable price
The UE32D5000's status as a showpiece living-room TV is undermined by the lack of features, such as 3D, Smart Hub, Wi-Fi and Freeview HD, but if you want to bring full HD into the kitchen or bedroom – where HD pictures and fancy functions might not be as essential – then the UE32D5000 is a terrific choice, particularly at such a knock-down price.
Throw dashing looks, DLNA, a top-notch operating system, and excellent picture quality into the mix and life looks even rosier for this cracking 32-inch set.
Read: Samsung UE32D5000 review
Sony KDL-32EX524 - £449
With clever features and decent pictures, we're left wondering if the price tag is a misprint
Part of Sony's EX Series, this all-rounder is stuffed full of features, but stays at a reasonably wallet-friendly price.
Able to deliver hi-def pictures and play content from a variety of sources – including USB devices, networked computers, Blu-ray players and from Sony's magnificent Bravia Internet Video portal – the below-par build quality is the only reason we could find for its low price.
The smartphone app control is a nice extra, and though we spotted some motion blur, judder and average contrast, the KDL-32EX524 punches above its price tag with a generous array of features and decent all-round picture performance.
Read: Sony KDL-32EX524 review
Sony KDL-32EX723 - £479
Neat tricks from this mid-range smart TV, but 3D is a letdown
Internet, 3D and full HD-ready, this mid-ranger from Sony comes packed with tech including Motionflow XR 200 motion processing and the new X-Reality picture processing engine.
Both contribute to SD and HD pictures that look sharp and detailed, the former ridding images of blur while retaining a natural look. Black levels are spot on, though there is one snag – 3D images are dominated by excessive crosstalk – so, sadly, we wouldn't recommend this set if you're into 3D.
Still, superb 2D and the excellent Bravia Internet video platform make this a great, if slightly overpriced, all-round Edge LED set.
Read: Sony KDL-32EX723 review
Panasonic TX-L32DT30B - £749
Impressive multimedia options, but is 32-inches too small for a 3DTV?
"3D is all about immersion", they say, "the bigger the better". So why do we love this, one of the smallest active 3D TVs we've tested so far?
Panasonic's first-ever non-plasma 3DTV, this Active 3D LCD TV is built around the brand's latest IPS Alpha panel technology. Multimedia tools number DLNA support, file playback from USB drives, recording of Freeview HD to powered USB HDDs or thumb drives, and Panasonic's new BBC iPlayer-endowed Viera Connect online portal. That's some combo.
Best of all, the set's 3D performance is superb; the LCD panel used is so quick that 3D looks clean and free of crosstalk. Sharp and colourful images are joined by that rarest thing on skinny flatscreen TVs – decent sound quality. Pricey, but worth it, is our conclusion.
Read: Panasonic TX-L32DT30B review
Philips 32PFL9705 - £1,150
Direct LED and peerless picture quality make this one of the finest 32-inch sets ever made
Philips likes to push boundaries with its flagship 9000 Series TVs and it's done this again in grandstanding style with the 32PFL9705. What's more, it's done it on two fronts.
In feature terms, its expanded its multimedia support with the unique MediaConnect system, offering a really great way of getting your TV and PC to work together for people not comfortable with the usual more inscrutable TV file streaming approaches.
The other area where the 32PFL9705 breaks new ground is with its picture quality. The use of direct LED lighting with local dimming really does make the set the best 32-inch LCD TV the world has ever produced. And you can't ask for much more than that.
Read: Philips 32PFL9705 review
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Your comments (7) Click to add a new comment
ericwyman
December 18th 2011
7. Really great round up! I love my Panasonic TV featured here, I honestly couldn't live without it. But if like me you were a bit shocked with the price here's a tip on how to get this item for basically a £5 and a little bit of work!
All you need to do is go to www.kudoshdtv.co.uk and sign up for the gala bingo or any offer you like.
Its all been proven by BBC Newsnight, CNN and Channel 5's Gadget Show. This is how I got mine
I hope this helps someone!
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adamdavid
July 21st 2011
6. The mini review on the LG is wrong as it does have a Freeview HD tuner. I know, because I have one and I'm very happy with it.
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stevenslatten11
July 21st 2011
5. Led Tv have the great picture clarity and can be found in many varity at.
http://www.samsung.com/in/consumer/tv-audio-video/television/led-tv/index.idx?pagetype=subtype_p2
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keildun
January 7th 2011
4. We have been looking for a bedroom TV (had to be LCD and 1080P) for the past couple months. This was almost a no brainer, especially with the discounts we received from the store from which we purchased. It was even cheaper than Amazon pricing which is a shocker. This was our first LG purchase. We have typically been Samsung (love the 58" plasma) and Sharp (have a 32" 720P for the boys gaming), but the LG seems to be the most user friendly. I love the quick guide option off the remote which takes you quickly to areas of interest in setting up sound, video, etc...
Set-up was simple and the screen looks awesome. There are no Internet access points, but as this is just a TV for the bedroom we were not pressed on that front. I would recommend this TV for sure as a new model along with the most needed bells and whistles to make a typical buyer happy. Enjoy!
P.S. For more info watch this video http://reviews2011.co.cc/32+INCH+TV.html
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lliberano
December 8th 2010
3. Dear Sirs,
Your reports in 32 inch TV´s is fantastic.
Do you have any opinion abour the Sony KDL 32 EX 710 ?
Thank you.
Regards,
H.Bouwknecht
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bunjiweb
December 4th 2009
2. The Pioneer set was a massive let down, Having compared it in store to equivalent efforts from Panasonic or Samsung, the Pioneer LCD was NOT a success because of the dark, soft picture quality.
This post was titled the "Top 10" best 32-inch TVs, I would argue that half of these TVs are in fact mid range!
- Why have you specified the Sharp600 series when the 700 series with 100hz is available.
- Why on earth have you not included the Samsung 6000/7000 LED LCDs? They are still LCD sets after all and are both better than alot of the sets on test here.
- And how about the Panasonic G10? One of the best 32" sets available and you fail to include it?
Massively disappointed with this article! TechRadar, yet another let down, Why don't you get someone with some experience to write these kinda articles?
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agentcool
December 4th 2009
1. I've been looking at, analysing and demoing LCDs for years but I think the best 32" LCD TV yet released is the Pioneer 32V. Unfortunately it is no longer widely available as Pioneer have pulled out of the TV market but here is a TV - though certainly not flawless - that really does justice to whatever you throw at it. The colour response is stunning, the blacks very deep and the video processing is light-years ahead of the competition. It's only real flaw is that common LCD failing of motion blur.
If you can get your hands on one, it's hard to recommend anything else.
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