Our guide to the best TVs under $1,000 includes a good mix of QLED, mini-LED, and even OLED models. That’s because cutting-edge TV technology is starting to trickle down to more affordable and entry-level sets, as evidenced by the 65-inch Hisense U8H QLED, TCL 6-Series QLED, and 55-inch LG A2 OLED TVs featured in our list. With sales on 2022 sets happening in advance of new 2023 models coming out, now is the perfect time to find a great deal on an under-$1,000 TV.
Al Griffin, Senior Editor – Home Entertainment
Many of the best TVs under $1,000 are a great option for the majority of people because they bring you the best of both worlds. You get an affordable price that won’t break the bank, especially in comparison to the most expensive TVs around today, and they bring you a solid performance. Sure you won’t get all the bells and whistles of premium displays, and may need to compromise when it comes to scoring a model with the latest tech features, but what’s currently available for less than $1,000 should satisfy the needs of all but the most serious gamers and movie lovers.
With your budget set at $1,000 and under, you might be able to get yourself a number of new TVs with QLED panel tech, though you may find most, but not all, OLED models to be out of this price range. Instead, QLED sets are able to display pictures with a wider color range than what you’ll find on a more standard LCD screen, and they can also offer improved picture brightness as well.
If you’re in the market for a good TV and don’t have a strict budget in mind, then you can get specific with size instead and check out our 55-inch 4K TVs guide, or the best mid-spec 65-inch TVs that are absolutely worth your consideration. Read on for the best TVs under $1,000 for 2023 below, and also check out our guide to finding the best cheap 4K TV deal.
The best TVs under $1,000 for 2023
TCL’s 6-Series TVs are known for their combination of impressive picture quality and high value, and the latest version of the company’s flagship not just continues that tradition, but improves upon it. The new 6-Series arrived in late 2022, and it offers both movie fans and gamers on a budget a great big-screen option.
In the 6-Series, mini-LED tech enables high brightness, while a quantum dot layer enhances color reproduction and full array local dimming processing creates deep and detailed shadows. The set features Dolby Vision IQ to make high dynamic range images look good in both dim and well-lit environments, and HDR support extends to HDR10+ and HLG.
Gaming features on 6-Series TV are enabled via a pair of HDMI 2.1 inputs, with onboard support for 120Hz, Variable Refresh Rate (up to 144Hz), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). FreeSync Premium Pro is also supported, making TCL’s flagship an obvious choice for gaming.
A new design with a sturdy center stand (55-, 65-, and 75-inch models only) improves the look of TCL’s 6-Series, and a vanishingly thin bezel creates an “all-picture” effect. Sound quality is a bit disappointing: dialogue is clear, but there’s very little bass, and a resulting thin overall audio balance. The TV’s Roku smart TV interface (a version with Google TV is also available), meanwhile, is one of the less cluttered and easy to navigate options on the market.
Overall, the TCL latest 6-Series is a high-value TV lineup with a surprisingly high level of refinement.
Read the full TCL 6-Series Roku TV (2022) review
The U8H series’ chief claim to fame is its mini-LED backlight, a feature first implemented in LCD TVs by rival TCL that was quickly adopted by Samsung, LG, and Sony in their own sets. A major benefit to mini-LED is high brightness – something the U8H series readily delivers.
But high brightness isn’t the only thing about the U8H that impresses. It uses a Quantum Dot filter for enhanced color, and the 504 local dimming zones on the 65-inch model deliver deep and detailed blacks. Some backlight blooming – a typical artifact with LED-backlit TVs that feature local dimming – can be seen with challenging material, but that’s the exception rather than the norm.
With support for Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG, the U8H series is ready for any HDR format you stream or feed to it, and it also has a Filmmaker mode that provides mostly accurate out-of-box color. Another impressive aspect of the U8H is its extensive support for next-gen gaming consoles: along with 120 Hz display, it offers Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and FreeSync Premium Pro.
There’s a lot to say about U8H series, but the key takeaway is that Hisense provides great value here.
Read more: Hisense 65U8H review
Vizio’s M-Series QX TVs are the most advanced sets the company has released so far in 2022. A clear focus for this series is gaming performance, with features like 4K/120Hz support, variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low latency mode (ALLM), and Freesync Premium Pro all onboard.
Beyond gaming, M-Series QX TVs feature an LCD panel with a Quantum Dot layer for enhanced color and a full-array LED backlight with local dimming. And while they’re not the brightest TVs in Vizio’s lineup – you’ll need to step up to its pricier P-Series models for that, brightness, contrast, and color performance are all impressive for a budget TV.
Overall, the M-Series QX strikes a nice balance between performance and price. If you’re looking for an affordable set that’s nearly the complete package, this M-Series QX model will not disappoint.
Read more: Vizio M-Series QX review
LG’s A2 series may be one of the company’s entry level OLED sets, but that doesn’t mean you're missing out on much. The A2’s overall picture quality is excellent, and will give OLED enthusiasts exactly what they want.
Gamer-friendly features like a 120 Hz display aren’t present at this price and picture brightness is lacking compared with LG’s step-up OLEDs. But if you’re looking for a good, affordable set for movies and other entertainment, the A2 is a very solid option.
At the time of writing, the 55-inch version of the A2 has dipped below $1,000, making it an excellent deal and one that we'd strongly recommend snapping up.
Read more: LG A2 OLED review
For folks looking for a sub-$1,000 TV, the Sony X90J is one of the best options out there. Inventory may be getting thin, but there are still 55-inch X90J sets to be found on clearance if you move fast.
It has excellent image quality, thanks in part to a new Cognitive XR processor rolled out to Sony's top sets from 2021, making for excellent upscaling and contrast control. The X90J also sports the new Google TV smart platform, for easy setup and broad app support as well as the perks of Google Cast from Android devices. There's Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos audio packed in too.
When it comes to gaming, the X90J has a 120Hz panel with 4K resolution and two full-spec HDMI 2.1 ports for your Xbox Series X and PS5, with VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (auto low latency mode, for sub-10ms lag) to really up your gaming experience. Just be sure to head into the picture settings and switch on 'Enhanced format' for your selected HDMI port, otherwise you won't get the benefit of its 2.1 specification.
There are still a few lingering issues, including middling off-axis viewing and struggles with direct daylight – and the X90J will no doubt be beaten by the capabilities of its step-up X95J model for a small uptick in cost. Still, the Sony X90J succeeds in delivering stellar performance for a reasonable price.
Read more: Sony X90J 4K TV review
Best TVs Under $1,000 FAQ
What should you look for in a sub-$1,000 TV?
4K resolution is a certainty in that price range but you should also look out for dynamic HDR formats like Dolby Vision and HDR10+. You can count on getting Direct Full Array backlights rather than the cheaper edge lighting found on value screens – on the whole – as well as smart TV platforms that won't make you want to throw your remote at the screen in frustration.
