By Robin Owens 15 days ago, TVs
If you are on the search for the TV under 200 bucks, you probably want to balance quality and decent price. Whether you need one more TV for your bedroom, a low-priced option for gaming, or simply are not ready to pay a sky-high price for just a TV, finding the right options can be a real brain teaser.
With so many models offering excellent features at a low price, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. After trying out different devices, I defined several options with excellent performance, sharp pictures, and smart features – and all these at an affordable price.
IMAGE | NAME | FEATURES | |
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TCL 32S325
Our Choice
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Westinghouse Roku TV
Smart TV
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INSIGNIA F20 Series
Large
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Screen size: 32 inches | Resolution: 720p | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Display: LED | Connectivity tech: Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI
Connecting TCL Roku TV 32S325 to Wi-Fi to stream my favorite shows on Netflix and HBO was a quick and worry-free task. The Roku UI is intuitive, and prompt and eliminates the need to flip through inputs constantly. Even at 720p resolution, the image quality was on top – definitely not what you do not expect.
Its compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant was a pleasant bonus for me. The device responded well to any voice command, which is very convenient. Fitted with three HDMI ports, a USB input, and a headphone jack for connecting my Blu-ray player, streaming stick, and wireless headphones with ease.
Thanks to built-in dual-band Wi-Fi, the streaming is almost always smooth and lag-free. However, I experienced occasional delays when loading heavier apps. Although the remote cannot control other devices, it is simple and functional. But considering its affordability, this model is a great secondary screen for smaller spaces.
Screen size: 32 inches | Resolution: 720p | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Display: LED | Connectivity tech: wireless, HDMI
Westinghouse Roku TV is a great 720p-display model that stands out among smart TVs under 200 dollars with excellent color vibrancy and sharp details to ensure an immersive viewing experience in smaller spaces. There are three HDMI ports, which I used to connect my game console and Blu-ray player. With virtually no input lag, everything ran smoothly.
The interface of Roku TV is not complicated and provides access to hundreds of applications like Disney+ and Prime Video in an instant. However, while the built-in speakers deliver decent sound, it would be nice to boost it a bit, so pairing it with a soundbar will provide you with more qualitative sound.
Despite this, the Westinghouse Roku TV is an affordable and user-friendly model, which would be a great addition to any setup. Whether you need a TV for streaming, gaming, watching live shows, or user it a TV for PC monitor, this option is really great.
Screen size: 42 inches | Resolution: 1080p | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Display: LED | Connectivity tech: Wi-Fi, HDMI ARC
INSIGNIA F20 Series is an amazing 42-inch monitor with 1080p resolution that provides excellent picture clarity. With this TV, my viewing experience was truly immersive. Its built-in Fire TV interface makes streaming effortless and I didn’t need any extra devices to enjoy apps like Netflix and Disney+.
Thanks to integration with Alexa, this TV for streaming offers intuitive navigation through voice commands, which eliminates the need for switching inputs by fumbling with buttons. HDMI ARC support is another advantage of this model, as I had no trouble connecting my soundbar for a greater viewing experience.
Although there were some lags when navigating between apps, the overall performance was on top, so I could turn a blind eye to this minor inconvenience. For such an affordable price, the F20 Series is practical and comes with premium features typically offered by higher-end models.
Screen size: 32 inches | Resolution: 720p | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Display: LED | Connectivity tech: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
As I like jumping between streaming services like Netflix and Disney+, I was pleasantly surprised that Amazon Fire TV offers quick access and seamless integration across apps. This model has 720p resolution, which is not superior but delivers sharp and vibrant pictures for casual viewing.
Using Alexa voice assistant was a seamless task – I didn’t need to play around with buttons to watch a movie, check the weather, dim my smart lights, etc. Besides, I didn’t expect that a TV under $200 could support HDR 10. I even decided to try out the gaming performance of HDR TV with Amazon Luna, and I must say that it easily copes with light games.
The only drawback I noticed was that the remote lags sometimes when switching apps. However, this issue is easy to fix by restarting the TV. Overall, this model is versatile and functional, making it an ideal option for a bedroom or secondary TV.
Screen size: 24 inches | Resolution: 720p | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Display: LCD | Connectivity tech: HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi
I’ve been using the LG 24LM530S-PU for several weeks now and it’s been a great addition to my workspace. I mounted the TV on the wall with ease, while the picture remained crisp and clear under different viewing angles, which is a huge plus.
This model uses webOS 3.5 interface, which is fast and intuitive. With it, I could switch between streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube seamlessly. The TV is quite versatile, as I also used it as a monitor for my laptop via HDMI. Built-in Wi-Fi and screen mirroring were helpful when I needed to make presentations or stream right from my phone.
Although the audio is quite decent considering the TV size, pairing it with external speakers ensures a more immersive movie-watching and gaming experience. The only downside was insufficient brightness when installed in well-illuminated spaces. But if you are going to use it as a secondary monitor, it is an excellent deal.
Screen size: 32 inches | Resolution: 1080p | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Display: FHD | Connectivity tech: HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Offering full HD resolution, TCL 32S350G delivers sharp and vibrant pictures that genuinely feel equal to 4K monitors, especially considering its low price, which does not exceed $200. As this model supports HDR10 and HLG, the colors are vibrant and the contrast is vivid no matter whether I’m browsing through my streaming apps or watching TV.
I had no trouble setting up this Google TV, thanks to its modern and responsive UI, which is modern, responsive, and more prompter than other low-priced models I’ve tried. Another pleasant bonus was its seamless integration with my existing Google Assistant, which allowed me to manage the TV hand-free and effortlessly.
The Bluetooth personal audio option was another feature that attracted my attention. It provided me with extreme convenience when I needed to connect the headphones for late-night viewing. Its sleek FullView bezel-less design complemented well my small workspace. Although the sound quality is ok, it becomes much better when paired with a soundbar.
Screen size: 32 inches | Resolution: 1080p | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Display: LED | Connectivity tech: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, HDMI
The ability to adjust the backlight and fine-tune the lighting to my liking was a game-changer when I was looking for the best TVs under 200 bucks. Thanks to a rich app catalog and WatchFree+, I enjoyed seamless streaming. I could access over 250 free channels without purchasing any extra subscription.
My gaming experience with this TV was pleasant. This is particularly because of the Game Mode and AMD FreeSync that minimized input lag, making everything smoother than I expected.
The only minus for me was the absence of an Ethernet port, but the Wi-Fi connection was steady and reliable. Generally, the TVs from the D-series stand out among the competitive models with their versatility and intuitive operation, making them a decent option for casual viewing and light gaming.
While TVs under $200 might lack some sophisticated options of top-level models, it is still essential to consider different aspects to make sure you are getting the greatest device for its price.
Resolution. HD resolution should be your priority, of course. 1080p is much clearer than 720p, and the difference between them becomes especially vivid when streaming HD content or gaming. Pay attention to such models as the TCL 32S350G which boasts great sharpness for an excellent viewing experience.
Smart features. Many affordable options are now equipped with built-in smart platforms, but their quality is not always on top. Make sure that the selected model is compatible with popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube, and has an intuitive interface.
Connectivity options. Select a TV that offers many HDMI ports, USB, and Bluetooth. For example, the Amazon Fire TV allows you to connect Bluetooth headphones or speakers, so you can improve your sound setup without hassle. The more connectivity options the TV has, the more opportunities you’ll have to use it with other devices.
Audio performance. Built-in speakers in cheap TVs often produce mediocre sound, so the ability to tweak sound leveling or equalizer settings is precious. In addition, a good TV should support external audio solutions. In combination with an affordable soundbar, the quality of the delivered sound can be improved significantly.
Durability. It is common for manufacturers to use cheap materials to produce budget TVs, so check the reviews to find durable and reliable models. In addition, prefer TVs with the best possible lower power consumption to cut costs in the long run, especially for extended use.