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The 6 best TVs for $500 or less: Budget-friendly options for binge watchers
Samsung
If you’re on a budget and don’t need a TV that’s larger than 65 inches, there are plenty of compelling smart TVs available for $500 or less. Any of these TVs can provide fantastic sound and picture for your favorite shows, sports games, blockbuster movies or games.
Pro Tip: While you won’t get the latest TV tech in a TV priced $500 or lower, you should still pay attention to its size, display type, resolution, refresh rate, operating system, and the selection of features each offers which choosing a model that’s best for you.
The best 4K smart TVs priced $500 or lower
Our in-house team of tech experts has curated this roundup of 4K-resolution smart TVs that you can purchase right now for $500 or less. These include TVs from brands like Samsung, Roku, Hisense and TCL. And since for the average size room, a 65-inch TV is more than adequate, we found plenty of options.
Best TV for $500 or less: Samsung 55″ Crystal 4K DU8000 series smart TV
Samsung
Display size: 55 inches | Display type: LED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Operating system: Tizen | Overall dimensions: 48.5 x 27.9 x 1 inches (without stand)
Here’s a 55-inch TV from Samsung that offers all of the core functionality you’d expect from a 4K resolution smart TV, including AI upscaling for lower-resolution content and a Motion Xcelerator feature that kicks in for action-oriented programming.
This TV also gives you access to free, on-demand programming from Samsung TV Plus, as well as an integrated gaming hub that (with a subscription) gives you access to hundreds of popular online games that don’t require a gaming console to play.
The DU8000 offers a slim design that looks great on a wall. The display showcases more than 1 billion colors and offers HDR support, so you’ll see plenty of detail, contrast and color accuracy, regardless of what you’re watching. It runs using Samsung’s own Tizen OS operating system, so you get easy access to all of the popular streaming services you subscribe to.
Best 43″ TV under $500: Roku 43″ Select Series 4K HDR smart TV
Roku
Display size: 43 inches | Display type: LED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Operating system: RokuTV OS | Overall dimensions: 37.9 x 22.4 x 3.4 inches (without stand)
Roku has three TV product lines — Select, Plus and Pro — with the Select series providing entry-level, 4K resolution smart TVs at very affordable prices.
This TV is available in a 43-inch ($218), 50-inch ($280), 55-inch ($300), 65-inch ($400) and 75-inch $578) size. And as you can see, most sizes are priced well below $500.
The 43-inch version of this Roku TV is ideal for smaller bedrooms, a home office or a kitchen. For enhanced picture quality and color accuracy, it supports HDR10+ and HLG. Among the port options, built into the TV are four HDMI inputs. You also get support for Siri, AirPlay 2, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
This is a budget-friendly, no-frills TV that offers a standard LED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. It comes with a voice remote control. Also built into the TV are a pair of stereo speakers that support Dolby Audio.
Best 55″ TV under $500: Insignia 55″ Class F30 LED 4K smart TV
Amazon
Display size: 55 inches | Display type: LED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Operating system: Amazon FireTV OS | Overall dimensions: 48.9 x 28.6 x 3.3 inches (without stand)
Here’s another affordably priced, 55-inch, 4K resolution LED smart TV. This one runs using the popular Amazon FireTV OS, so it works seamlessly with Amazon Prime Video and all of the other video streaming services you subscribe to. Also integrated into the TV is the Amazon Alexa digital assistant.
This too is a no-frills, entry-level smart TV that comes with a voice remote. It uses a standard LED display with a 60Hz refresh rate that supports HDR10.
On the back of the TV are three HDMI ports, ethernet, composite video and a USB Type-A port. Within the TV are a pair of downward-firing stereo speakers that generate up to 10 watts of audio power.
Best 65″ TV under $500: TCL 65″ Q65 QLED 4K smart TV
Amazon
Display size: 65 inches | Display type: QLED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Operating system: GoogleTV OS | Overall dimensions: 56.9 x 32.7 x 2.7 inches (without stand)
Like all of the lower-priced 4K smart TVs featured in this roundup, this one offers a 60Hz refresh rate. It does, however, provide Dolby Vision, HDR Pro+ and Dolby Atmos support. Plus, it comes with an integrated game accelerator mode for gaming.
For an average size room — whether its a living room, guest room or bed room — we recommend a 65-inch television. We like this model because of its bezel-free design, so it looks great handing on a wall. With the help of Quantum Dot technology, the TV is able to display rich, vibrant and accurate colors that cover nearly the entire DCI-P3 color gamut.
Thanks to the TV’s AI-driven processor, as you’re watching any type of programming, the TV automatically adjusts the contract, color and clarity to provide a detailed picture that supports HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG. When you’re watching a high-action movie or sports, the TV’s Motion Rate 240 feature kicks in to provide a smooth and fluid picture. Based on the technology and features offered, this TCL smart TV offers a really good value for its sub-$500 price.
Best TV under $500 for gaming: Hisense 58″ Class U6HF 4K smart TV
Amazon
Display size: 58 inches | Display type: ULED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Operating system: Amazon FireTV OS | Overall dimensions: 50.8 x 29.6 x 3.1 inches (without stand)
Falling between a 55-inch and 60-inch smart TV comes this 58-inch model from Hisense. It relies on a ULED display with a 60Hz refresh rate and a maximum brightness of 600 nits. The TV comes with a voice remote and runs using the Amazon FireTV OS. This operating system works seamlessly with Amazon Prime Video and all of your favorite video streaming services. Plus, it has Amazon Alexa as its built in digital assistant.
Like so many of Hisense’s smart TVs, this one uses Quantum Dot technology to produce a pure, riche and brilliant picture, with more than one billion accurate colors. The TV also offers up to 32 local dimming zones. Its above average peak brightness and local dimming are critical to correctly reproducing HDR content.
The TV supports Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10, and HDR10+. One of the best aspects of the U6HF is its bezel-less design. This provides the television with a sleek aesthetic that won’t overpower a room with an unnecessarily large frame.
Best TV under $500 for movies and sports: Roku 55″ Plus Series QLED 4K smart TV
Best Buy
Display size: 55 inches | Display type: QLED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Operating system: RokuTV OS | Overall dimensions: 48.4 x 28.3 x 4 inches (without stand)
Falling into the mid-range of Roku’s TV offerings is this 55-inch Plus Series QLED smart TV. It’s a step up from the Roku Select series, but not as advanced as the higher-end Roku Pro smart TVs we recently reviewed.
This TV is available in a 55-inch ($500), 65-inch ($650) and 75-inch ($900) screen size, although only the 55-inch version falls in this roundup’s $500 target price. Many people love the RokuTV operating system because it’s very intuitive to use. It provides easy access to all of your favorite streaming services, as well as the Roku Channel that offers an assortment of free on-demand and live programming.
You can expect eye-popping detail with spectacular color, contrast and brightness, thanks in part to its Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support. You also get sharp contrast with local dimming for vivid highlights and deep darks. A voice remote is included, but you can also control the TV using the Roku smartphone app. If all you have to spend is $500 on a new TV, this one has a lot to offer.
If you’re shopping for any type of TV, we recommend checking out our coverage of the best TVs for 2024, the best 55-inch TVs of 2024, the best 65-inch TVs of 2024, the best 75-inch (and larger) TVs of 2024, the best TVs for video gamers and the best TVs for watching sports. We’ve also compiled a curated collection of the best home projectors for 2024 and the best TV soundbars for 2024. All of our latest tech coverage, which is continuously updated, is here to help you.
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Whether you’re barreling down a mountainside or taking a leisurely ride along your local trail, a great mountain bike is key. But what exactly does a great mountain bike look like, in terms of features? It depends on the kind of terrain and riding style you do.
The best mountain bike for long, cross-country rides will have very different specs than a downhill bike. Some offer full suspension for a smooth ride on bumpy trails. Some have wider tires that are better at gripping wet or sandy terrain. Some are designed for maximum pedaling efficiency and serious stopping power so you can climb steep mountainsides without wearing yourself out. No matter where you and your new bike are headed this fall, we’ve rounded up the best mountain bikes for every rider and every terrain in 2024. Don’t forget to strap on your bike helmet.
Best mountain bike for beginners: Giant Talon 29 1
Mike’s Bikes
The Giant Talon 29 1 is a solid entry-level mountain bike at a reasonable price point. With its balanced frame geometry and high-traction tires, it’s great for a comfortable, stable ride on most trails. While that means it’s not specialized for uphill climbs or cross-country speed, the balanced design is great for beginners or casual riders who aren’t planning to tackle those more challenging technical trails just yet.
With 80mm to 100mm of suspension travel, this hardtail mountain bike strikes that perfect balance of pedaling efficiency and shock absorption.
Riders can also adjust the suspension within that range by adjusting the air spring and the rebound damping. That gives you improved steering precision and a better ride feel since you can tailor it to your needs. If you’re a beginner, it may take some trial and error to fine-tune those settings, but playing around with them is a great way to learn how suspension impacts your ride.
Get this reliable entry-level mountain bike at Mike’s Bikes for $950.
Top features of the Giant Talon 29 1:
- Grippy tires offer great traction in any trail conditions.
- The balanced frame geometry makes this a comfortable bike for most riders.
- The adjustable suspension fork allows you to fine-tune this mountain bike for your needs.
Best trail bike: Santa Cruz Tallboy C R
Backcountry
A full-suspension mountain bike with 120mm and 130mm suspension travel on the rear and front, respectively, it doesn’t get cushier than the Santa Cruz Tallboy C R (at least, not at this price point). Built for cross-country or trail riding, this bike’s design allows you to glide through rocky terrain almost as if you were just cruising on a paved road. That suspension also helps cushion the impact on pops and short drops so you can build up speed while navigating the trail with confidence.
With that said, it can be a little sluggish on uphill climbs. But if you typically stick to more straightforward trails, you won’t have to deal with that issue. For those just-for-fun weekend trail rides, this is the mountain bike you want.
Get this comfortable, agile trail bike at Backcountry while it’s on sale for $3,849 (reduced from $4,799).
Top features of the Santa Cruz Tallboy C R:
- Boasting full suspension, this mountain bike is a comfy ride no matter how bumpy the terrain.
- The carbon C frame is both lightweight and stiff for better control and improved agility.
- The four-piston brakes offer excellent stopping power.
Best fat tire mountain bike: State 6061 Trail+
State Bicycle Co.
For wet or sandy trails, traction is everything, which means you need a fat tire bike like the State 6061 Trail+. With 4.5-inch wide tires that can handle running even at low PSI, this mountain bike can grip the trail no matter how loose or slippery.
Whether you want to cruise along sandy beaches or power through snowy mountain trails, the stability of this fat tire bike is the key to doing so safely and confidently. You won’t be building up much speed, but you’ll have a lot of fun plowing through trails that a standard trail bike couldn’t even touch.
Get this fat tire bike directly from State Bicycle Co. for $1,000.
Top features of the State 6061 Trail+:
- Thick 4.5-inch tires provide extra grip for wet or loose terrain like snow, sand and mud.
- With low PSI capabilities, you can lower the tire pressure to widen the surface area even further to maximize your grip on soft, slippery trails.
- The alloy frame is stiff and strong without adding any more bulk than necessary.
Best mountain bike under $500: Huffy Stone Mountain
Amazon
The Huffy Stone Mountain is a hardtail mountain bike that is lightweight and offers good traction for navigating trails. The budget-friendly bike is missing a lot of the features you’ll find on the more advanced mountain bikes listed above. However, if you’re just starting out and just want to get out on a trail to see if you like mountain biking, this is a good bike to start with.
While you can’t take it on any serious trails, it’s got the basics you need for easy local bike trails. Use it to get a feel for the sport and then upgrade to a mountain bike better suited to the kind of trails you want to tackle. Then, pass this Huffy Stone Mountain on to a friend or teen who’s curious about mountain biking.
A bestseller on Amazon, this budget mountain bike is available for as low as $200.
Top features of the Huffy Stone Mountain:
- This budget entry-level bike is great for casual rides on easy bike trails.
- A wide variety of frame and wheel sizes allows you to get the right fit for your height.
- The lightweight, high-traction design is just enough to let you get a feel for mountain biking before committing to a higher-priced mountain bike with more advanced features and customizability.
Shop more top-rated mountain bikes:
What type of mountain bike should a beginner get?
The best mountain bike for a beginner is a balanced, versatile one. Since you’re probably not tackling steep inclines and declines yet, opt for a trail bike that offers great traction, strong brakes and easy maneuverability along bumpy, muddy trails. That means grippy tires and responsive steering so you can confidently control your bike over tree roots, up hills and on descents.
If the trails you’re eager to go on are largely uphill, look for a bike that’s lightweight with a firmer pedaling platform. Those two features will improve climb efficiency so you’re not wearing yourself out on those uphill stretches.
Do I need a full-suspension mountain bike?
You don’t need a full-suspension mountain bike, but they are nice to have. Unlike hardtail mountain bikes, which only have suspension in the front, full-suspension mountain bikes have suspension in both the front and rear. That extra suspension helps absorb shock, cushioning the impact as you hop over bumps or navigate downhill jumps and drops.
That cushier feel can be nice even on milder trail rides, but they tend to be significantly more expensive and require more maintenance than a hardtail mountain bike. So it might not be worth the extra expense and care if you don’t usually do technical trails or downhill riding.
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