Best TVs under £500: 43 to 55-inch picks from Hisense, TCL, Samsung and LG
£500 buys a lot more TV than it used to: a 55-inch 4K set with HDR, a full smart platform and, if you choose carefully, Dolby Vision or a 144Hz gaming panel. Here are seven worth buying from Hisense, TCL, Samsung and LG, and what to look for at this price.
Quick picks
- Best overall under £500Hisense 55E7STUK 55-inch Hi-QLED 4K smart TV (2026)Check price
- Best Fire TVTCL 55T6C-UK 55-inch QLED 4K Fire TVCheck price
- Best budget 55-inchHisense 55E6QTUK 55-inch 4K UHD smart TVCheck price
- Best Samsung under £500Samsung U7020H 55-inch Crystal UHD 4K smart TV (UE55U7020HKXXU, 2026)Check price
- Best for webOSLG NU80 55-inch Nano UHD 4K smart TV (55NU800B6LA, 2026)Check price
- Best Mini LED under £500TCL 50Q6C-UK 50-inch QD-Mini LED 4K Google TVCheck price
- Best small TV for gamingHisense 43E78QTUK PRO 43-inch QLED 144Hz 4K smart TVCheck price
How we chose: I shortlisted 4K TVs from the main UK brands that were listed on Amazon.co.uk for under £500 when I checked on 24 October 2026, then checked each manufacturer's UK product or specification page for the panel type, refresh rate, HDR formats, HDMI ports and smart platform. I reopened every listing with a UK delivery postcode to check it was the same model, in stock, with an add-to-basket button. Prices change daily and some of these TVs can rise above £500, so check today's price. I haven't tested these TVs myself. These products have not been tested hands-on; this is a research-based roundup. How the research works.
Under £500, the big differences between TVs aren't really sharpness, as they're all 4K. They're HDR support (Dolby Vision and HDR10+ make streamed films and series look better), the smart platform you'll use every day, sound, and whether the panel suits gaming. Most TVs at this price have a 60Hz panel, which is fine for TV and films; a few, like the Hisense 43E78QTUK PRO and TCL 50Q6C, have 144Hz panels for smoother console and PC gaming.
Every TV here supports the main UK catch-up and streaming apps. The Hisense and TCL Fire TV models also support Freely, the free service that streams live UK channels over broadband, so you can watch live TV without an aerial (you still need a TV licence).
Who this guide is for: Anyone buying a living room, bedroom or first-home TV who wants a good 4K picture without paying for premium OLED or Mini LED. If you can stretch further, our Black Friday TV deals page covers 55-inch OLED and Mini LED TVs worth watching in the sales.
Black Friday tip: TVs at this price are discounted often, so check the price history before you buy and match the exact model code: brands sell near-identical sets with different codes for different years and retailers. Our Black Friday TV deals page explains how to spot a genuine TV deal.
Comparison table
| Pick | Screen | Panel | Refresh rate | HDR formats | Smart platform | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hisense 55E7STUKBest overall under £500 | 55in | Hi-QLED (quantum dot), direct LED | 60Hz | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG | VIDAA, Freely, AirPlay 2 | Check price |
| TCL 55T6CBest Fire TV | 55in | QLED, HVA | 60Hz (120Hz at Full HD for gaming) | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Fire TV, Alexa, Freely | Check price |
| Hisense 55E6QTUKBest budget 55-inch | 55in | LED, direct lit | 60Hz | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG | VIDAA, Freely | Check price |
| Samsung UE55U7020HBest Samsung under £500 | 55in | Crystal UHD LED | 60Hz | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG (no Dolby Vision) | Tizen, Samsung TV Plus, Gaming Hub | Check price |
| LG 55NU800B6LABest for webOS | 55in | Nano UHD LED | 60Hz | HDR10, HLG | webOS 26, AirPlay 2, Google Cast | Check price |
| TCL 50Q6CBest Mini LED under £500 | 50in | QD-Mini LED, HVA | 144Hz | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HLG | Google TV, AirPlay 2 | Check price |
| Hisense 43E78QTUK PROBest small TV for gaming | 43in | QLED, direct lit | 144Hz | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG | VIDAA, Freely | Check price |
Specs are from manufacturer listings as of 24 October 2026; claimed figures (running costs, runtimes) are the maker’s, not ours. Check the Amazon page for the current price and exact variant before you buy.
The picks in detail
Hisense 55E7STUK 55-inch Hi-QLED 4K smart TV (2026)
Best for: Most people who want the best picture for the money
- Screen
- 55in
- Panel
- Hi-QLED (quantum dot), direct LED
- Refresh rate
- 60Hz
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG
- Smart platform
- VIDAA, Freely, AirPlay 2
Hisense's 2026 E7S adds quantum dot colour (Hisense calls it Hi-QLED and says it's Pantone Validated) to a 55-inch 4K panel, with the full set of HDR formats including Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive. Hisense UK's spec sheet lists three HDMI 2.1 ports with ALLM and 60Hz VRR, under 10ms input lag in game mode, 2 × 10W Dolby Atmos speakers, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Apple AirPlay 2. It's sold by Amazon.
It runs Hisense's VIDAA platform, which is quick and simple but has fewer extra apps than Google TV or Fire TV. If gaming matters more, Hisense also sells a 144Hz E7S PRO, which costs more.
What owners and reviewers like
- Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+
- Quantum dot colour
- Freely built in
Watch-outs
- 60Hz panel
- VIDAA has a smaller app store
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TCL 55T6C-UK 55-inch QLED 4K Fire TV
Best for: Alexa homes and anyone who likes Fire TV
- Screen
- 55in
- Panel
- QLED, HVA
- Refresh rate
- 60Hz (120Hz at Full HD for gaming)
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
- Smart platform
- Fire TV, Alexa, Freely
TCL's T6C pairs a quantum dot (QLED) panel with Amazon's Fire TV platform and an Alexa voice remote. TCL UK lists HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos sound, three HDMI ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 200 × 200 VESA mount, and quotes 120Hz for gaming at Full HD. The HVA panel is designed for higher contrast than a standard VA panel. It's sold by Amazon.
Fire TV puts Prime Video front and centre, which suits Prime members. If you'd rather not use an Amazon account on your TV, the Hisense or LG picks are better fits.
What owners and reviewers like
- Dolby Vision and HDR10+
- Fire TV with Alexa remote
- QLED colour
Watch-outs
- Fire TV home screen promotes Amazon content
- Only three HDMI ports
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Hisense 55E6QTUK 55-inch 4K UHD smart TV
Best for: A big screen for the least money
- Screen
- 55in
- Panel
- LED, direct lit
- Refresh rate
- 60Hz
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG
- Smart platform
- VIDAA, Freely
One of the most popular budget TVs on Amazon.co.uk, with thousands of ratings. Hisense UK lists a 55-inch 4K direct-lit panel with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG, 2 × 10W speakers with DTS Virtual:X, three HDMI 2.1 ports, two USB ports, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, running VIDAA with Freely built in. It's sold by Amazon.
It doesn't have quantum dot colour, so colours aren't as rich as the E7S above, but it's often the cheapest way to get Dolby Vision on a 55-inch screen. A 43-inch 43E6QTUK is also sold if your room is smaller.
What owners and reviewers like
- Very low price for 55in
- Dolby Vision and HDR10+
- Freely built in
Watch-outs
- No quantum dot colour
- Basic speakers
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Samsung U7020H 55-inch Crystal UHD 4K smart TV (UE55U7020HKXXU, 2026)
Best for: Samsung phone and SmartThings users
- Screen
- 55in
- Panel
- Crystal UHD LED
- Refresh rate
- 60Hz
- HDR formats
- HDR10+, HDR10, HLG (no Dolby Vision)
- Smart platform
- Tizen, Samsung TV Plus, Gaming Hub
Samsung's 2026 entry 4K TV. Samsung UK lists the Crystal Processor 4K, HDR10+, Motion Xcelerator, 20W sound with Object Tracking Sound Lite, three HDMI ports, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3 and the Tizen smart platform with Gaming Hub and the Vision AI Companion. Samsung describes its MetalStream design as a metal body. It's sold by Amazon.
Like all Samsung TVs it doesn't support Dolby Vision. Samsung also sells the similar U8000H in the same sizes, so compare the two spec sheets and prices before you choose.
What owners and reviewers like
- Polished Tizen smart platform
- HDR10+
- Football Mode for live sport
Watch-outs
- No Dolby Vision
- Basic HDR brightness
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
LG NU80 55-inch Nano UHD 4K smart TV (55NU800B6LA, 2026)
Best for: LG fans and anyone who likes webOS
- Screen
- 55in
- Panel
- Nano UHD LED
- Refresh rate
- 60Hz
- HDR formats
- HDR10, HLG
- Smart platform
- webOS 26, AirPlay 2, Google Cast
LG's 2026 NU80 uses the α7 AI Processor 4K Gen9 and LG's webOS 26 platform, which many people find the easiest TV menus to use. LG UK lists a 60Hz panel, HDR10 and HLG, Filmmaker Mode, VRR up to 60Hz and ALLM for consoles, 20W 2.0-channel sound, three HDMI 2.0 inputs, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3, Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast. It's sold by Amazon.
It doesn't list Dolby Vision or HDR10+, so streamed HDR won't look as good as on the Hisense or TCL picks. Choose it if you prefer webOS, or if you want AirPlay and Google Cast on the same TV.
What owners and reviewers like
- Easy webOS menus
- AirPlay 2 and Google Cast
- LG brand support
Watch-outs
- No Dolby Vision or HDR10+
- HDMI 2.0, not 2.1
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
TCL 50Q6C-UK 50-inch QD-Mini LED 4K Google TV
Best for: Bright rooms, sport and gaming on a 50-inch screen
- Screen
- 50in
- Panel
- QD-Mini LED, HVA
- Refresh rate
- 144Hz
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HLG
- Smart platform
- Google TV, AirPlay 2
A Mini LED TV under £500 is unusual. TCL UK lists the Q6C with a QD-Mini LED backlight with local dimming on an HVA panel, a native 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+, Dolby Atmos with ONKYO 2.1-channel sound, four HDMI 2.1 ports, Google TV and Apple AirPlay 2. Mini LED gets brighter than a standard LED TV and controls light more precisely. It's sold by Amazon.
The catch is size: this is the 50-inch model. The 55-inch Q6C costs more, so check today's price if you want the bigger screen.
What owners and reviewers like
- Mini LED brightness
- 144Hz with four HDMI 2.1 ports
- Google TV
Watch-outs
- 50in, not 55in, at this price
- Google TV needs a Google account for full features
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
Hisense 43E78QTUK PRO 43-inch QLED 144Hz 4K smart TV
Best for: Bedrooms, gaming set-ups and smaller rooms
- Screen
- 43in
- Panel
- QLED, direct lit
- Refresh rate
- 144Hz
- HDR formats
- Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG
- Smart platform
- VIDAA, Freely
Most 43-inch TVs are basic 60Hz sets. Hisense UK lists the 43E78QTUK PRO with a native 144Hz quantum dot panel, 144Hz VRR on two of its three HDMI 2.1 ports, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, under 7ms input lag at 4K 120Hz, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ Adaptive, and 2 × 10W Dolby Atmos speakers. That makes it a good small screen for a PS5, Xbox Series X or gaming PC. It's sold by Amazon.
Make sure you're buying the PRO: the standard 43E78QTUK has a different spec and isn't 144Hz.
What owners and reviewers like
- 144Hz with FreeSync Premium Pro
- Dolby Vision and HDR10+
- Low input lag
Watch-outs
- 43in only at this price
- Non-PRO version is easy to confuse
Check current price on Amazon Affiliate link · opens Amazon.co.uk
- HDR formats: look for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ if you stream a lot. Hisense and TCL support both at this price; Samsung supports HDR10+ only; LG's NU80 supports neither.
- Quantum dot (QLED): gives richer colours than a standard LED panel. The Hisense E7S, TCL T6C and Hisense 43E78QTUK PRO have it.
- Refresh rate: 60Hz is fine for TV and films. For a PS5, Xbox Series X or gaming PC, a 120Hz or 144Hz panel makes fast games look smoother.
- Smart platform: try to choose one you already know. Fire TV suits Alexa homes, Google TV suits Android phones and Chromecast users, Tizen suits Samsung phones, and webOS and VIDAA are simple and quick.
- Sound: slim TVs have small speakers. If dialogue matters, budget for a soundbar later.
For a 4K TV, a common rule of thumb is a viewing distance of about 1 to 1.5 times the screen's diagonal. That puts a 55-inch TV (140cm) at roughly 1.4 to 2.1 metres from the sofa, a 50-inch at 1.3 to 1.9 metres and a 43-inch at 1.1 to 1.6 metres. Check the width of your TV unit too, because some budget TVs have feet near the edges.
Not necessarily. Hisense and TCL Fire TV models here support Freely, which streams live BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 channels over broadband. UK TVs also normally have a Freeview tuner if you do have an aerial. Whichever way you watch, you need a TV licence to watch or record live TV on any channel, or to use BBC iPlayer.
If you watch a lot of films in a dark room, an OLED makes the biggest difference, but 55-inch OLEDs cost well over £500. Sony's entry 4K LED TV, the Bravia 2 II, was listed above £500 on Amazon.co.uk even at 50 inches when I checked. For premium TVs worth watching in the sales, see our Black Friday TV deals page.
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FAQs
What's the best TV under £500 in the UK?
For most people, the Hisense 55E7STUK: a 55-inch quantum dot TV with Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ and Freely. The TCL 55T6C is the best choice if you prefer Fire TV and Alexa.
Can you get a 55-inch TV for under £500?
Yes. Five of the seven TVs here are 55-inch, from Hisense, TCL, Samsung and LG. Prices change daily, so check today's price.
What's the best TV under £500 for gaming?
The Hisense 43E78QTUK PRO and TCL 50Q6C both have 144Hz panels with VRR for consoles and PCs. Most 55-inch TVs at this price are 60Hz.
Do Samsung TVs support Dolby Vision?
No. Samsung TVs use HDR10+ instead. If Dolby Vision matters to you, choose Hisense, TCL, Sony or an LG OLED.
Should I buy a TV on Black Friday?
It can be a good time, but check the price history first. Which? has found that most Black Friday prices can be matched or beaten at other times of the year.
Have you tested these TVs?
No. This guide is based on manufacturers' UK specifications, retailer listings and independent advice. I don't own or test the products. See how we research.
Do you get commission?
Yes. If you buy through our links, Amazon may pay us a small commission at no extra cost to you. It doesn't affect which TVs we include. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Prices change constantly, so we don’t list them here. Always check the current price, seller and delivery details on Amazon before buying. If anything on this page looks wrong or out of date, let me know.
