Just because you’re on a budget doesn't mean you can’t get a great new television. If you know where to look, you can find the best cheap TVs under $100 or less with many of the same features as more pricey brands, like 1080p high-resolution picture quality and streaming abilities to fully enjoy all of your favorite shows and movies.
TVs are available in a variety of sizes and styles. So, when you’re shopping for the best cheap televisions to match both your budget and space, be sure to consider where you’ll be using it. The needs of a small dorm and a large living room are different. Remember that although the picture quality is essential in a TV set, having features like 4K HD is nice but not necessary for most people to have a great viewing experience — 720p to 1080p HD resolution will provide you with plenty of sharpness and clarity.
However, you’ll want to check for compatibility to ensure your new TV has all the inputs you need to connect your speakers, sound bar, gaming systems, or any other devices. And if you like to stream directly from Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hulu, look for a smart device or one with HDMI compatibility to use with Chromecast, Roku, Apple TV, or an Amazon Fire Stick.
To help narrow your search down, here’s my list of the best cheap TVs under $100. These top-rated television sets all have good picture quality, ample inputs, and enough features to let you enjoy TV for less.
01The Best Cheap Smart TV Under $100
For a quality picture, smart capabilities, and a great price, consider the Insignia Smart LED TV. There are three HDMI ports including one with ARC, as well as one USB and ethernet, too. Best of all, Fire TV is designed with Amazon's Alexa built in so you can easily watch Netflix, YouTube, Prime, and more. It includes an Alexa voice remote, too.
What fans say: “Picture is crystal clear, and the sound is not home theater in quality, but still sounds pretty good. [...] If you're on a tight budget, this is a great TV for a great price!"
02The Best 32-Inch TV For Under $100
For a larger screen, this 32-inch HD television from Spectre is a great deal. With two HDMI ports, you can easily hook it up to stream Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and the like as well as Xbox and other gaming consoles. However, it doesn't have the built-in smart capabilities like the first pick. With a 4.1-star rating overall and a 4.3 for picture quality, customers thought this did the job, especially for the price. However, a few reviewers noted that the built-in speakers could be better.
What fans say: "It may not be a name brand, but this tv has worked just fine. People have complained about the tunnel like sound- however, if you go into advanced sound settings, you can change it to sound normal. I found out how to do that on YouTube and now it sounds great."
03A 24-Inch LED TV With Great Picture Quality
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly TV with solid picture quality, this LG Electronics LED television is one to consider. At 24 inches, this is ideal for a bedroom, kitchen, or anywhere you're looking for a smaller screen. The 720p resolution TV features sharp pictures with great color contrast. It comes with one HDMI port and while some reviewers have noted that the sound quality is not the greatest for a larger room, plenty of shoppers are happy with this name-brand unit, giving it a 4.2-star overall rating.
What fans say: "The picture is excellent, and the sound is fine for a small (10x12') room. We have a larger LG screen in the living room, and I like the LG user interface they share. (Note: the small TV is not a "smart" Internet-enabled TV; it just uses the cable input.)"
04The Best Cheap TV And Monitor In One
If you’re looking for a smaller screen that can double as a monitor with high-quality picture, the Tyler 13.3-Inch Digital LED HDTV is perfect. This small, lightweight 13.3-inch TV is great for kitchen countertops, dorms, and offices. The image quality is quite nice, offering 1080p resolution. It also has a built-in V-chip to provide additional parental control settings, making it ideal for placing in a child’s bedroom, too.
What fans say: “It wasn't easy to find a good, small TV for my kitchen counter, but this one fills the requirements. It fits under my cabinets but is large enough to have a decent sized screen. I've had it for just over a month, so too early to weigh in on durability.”
05Also Great: A 32-Inch Smart TV For A Little More Than $100
For those willing to spend a little more for a smart TV with a bigger screen, the TCL 32-Inch 720p Roku Smart LED TV is a great option. This smart LED television has a larger 32-inch display with a 720p resolution for a crisp and clear picture. It has built-in Roku so you can stream Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and more without having to buy and install an additional unit. You have the option to use the included Roku remote or use your smartphone or tablet as a remote with voice control via an app. With 3 HDMI ports, it's a versatile choice that has earned a 4.3 rating.
What fans say: “I was looking for something nice for my room that was reasonably priced. I'm so happy I found this tv. The smart portion is very easy to use and the setup took about 20 min fairly quick. I use Netflix, YouTube and I have my direct TV on here also. The picture is very clear and I got a little soundbar to go with it. Nice bang for my buck."
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