TVs are still relevant in the twenty-first century, and they are rapidly advancing with the virtue of technology. This accelerated advancement has filled the market with a wide array of products and has equally made it difficult for the users to decide from them. Therefore, we came up with the buying guide of the best 32 Inch tv in a price range of 100 dollars up to $400.
Each year, tens of millions of TV are sold in the US alone and despite the advent of other consumer electronics like smartphones and laptops, the TV purchase is not coming to a halt. Thanks to the successive advancements in television technology and media service providers like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon that TVs have not become a thing of the past.
To be honest, 32 inch TV under 100 dollars says a lot about the products you are interested in, and I could just start listing them one by one in the following lines. You need a more personal, inexpensive and modern TV, and we would soon be discussing the best options available
What follows next is a user guide to buy a TV, and I specifically intend it to be not only limited to buying low-priced TVs.
Things One Must Consider Before Buying A TV
Before we delve deep into the parameters to buy a TV, it must be noted that there is no best TV out there and it all depends on the requirements and budget.
You are a unique individual, in unique circumstances and have a unique objective to achieve. The manufacturing companies may narrow down a few parameters to capture a large market comprising you, or maybe not, but they would certainly not design a product exclusively for you.
So better familiarize yourself with the following parameters to know your choices beforehand.
1. Screen Size
TV screen size is inextricably linked with a lot of other factors which include: screen resolution, space available, and the number of maximum people watching it at a time.
The higher the size the more resolution it must have to not compromise picture quality. The higher size simply makes pixel to appear larger, and with fewer pixels on the screen, the picture quality becomes highly marred. So a 60 inch HD TV has a quite lackluster performance than the 4k or ultra-HD TV of the same size.
As a rule of thumb, you must have enough space to seat approximately double the diagonal length of your TV—given it has an LED display and HD resolution. For higher resolutions and better screen panel technology, you can decrease the distance to half.
2. Resolution
Resolution is the number of pixels that could be contained in a screen. HD display can fit up to 1280 x 720 pixels on your screen and is generally considered the benchmark for TV screens.
The more the pixel, the better the display. Better resolution will help you get a sharper image, and also the image will be more detailed and richer in content.
Some new TV models are touting HDR technology, and rightly so, as an added advantage to their TV resolution. High Dynamic Range enhances the picture detail by enriching both dark and bright colors.
Also, the colors will be more vibrant and varied as HDR covers Wide Color Gamut. People with a tight budget should be cautious against falling in love with HDR, as it is going to take a lot of money from their pockets.
3. Refresh rate and Response time
Refresh rate refers to the frequency on which an image update on TV screens, while response time is the measure of the time taken by a pixel to change shades.
Refresh rate is measured in Hertz. A high refresh rate with low response time is an added advantage for console gamers and sports lovers out there. 70-hertz refresh rate is the baseline for gaming, while it is not always the best for watching TV shows and movies.
Many of the latest movies are filmed at a low refresh rate to give the audience a mesmerizing experience. So, a high refresh rate will absolutely ruin the effort and purpose of filming them.
4. Panel type
The scope of this article doesn’t allow us to dig deeper into the engineering details of panels, but I will try to describe every available option in a way that you get all the necessary details prior to buying a TV.
There are generally two-panel types in the market right now: LED (a variant of the LCD display) and OLED. LED is further divided into TN, IPS and VA panels. You don’t need to know what they stand for, and how they work. But, not knowing their advantages and shortcoming would be a mistake.
TN panel allows a high refresh rate and low response time. Both indicators make TV highly compatible with console gaming and high-speed sports. However, there is a catch. The viewing angles of TN panels would be highly compromised, and it also suffers from poor color and contrast.
TN panels would definitely be a wrong pick if you have a large family and you only want your TV to give you impressive experience watching movies and TV series.
IPS panels are the exact opposite of TN ones. They have great viewing angles and color quality. VA display is essentially a compromise between the two.
OLED Panel is a far superior, but expensive technology than the aforementioned options. They have a wide color array, rich in color depth and usually comes with HDR technology.
5. Ports
The number of ports comes in very handy when you want to use your TV sets for versatile functions. The inbuilt input/output ports can really limit or expand the productivity of a TV and save you the trouble of buying separate converters.
The benchmark for audio/video ports nowadays is the HDMI, and they also come in various versions. If you can have the fastest HDMI ports in your TV set, and that too in a number greater than two, you will remain more than happy for the rest of your days.
The composite audio/video ports are a thing of the past, and you will never need them unless you are still in love with your old and outmoded devices.
The USB Ports are a necessity, and one would not mind an Ethernet (LAN) port despite having built-in WIFI technology that is common in modern TVs.
6. Other Accessories
Companies nowadays prefer thin screens, and therefore a lot of their models suffer from poor sound quality. So, one should be prepared for buying a separate set of speakers or soundbars while looking for sleek designs.
A great majority of televisions are coming with smart technology. It means they can be connected to the internet directly, or via WIFI, and can download applications of their choices.
The streaming media providers like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu can be directly accessed through your Smart TV. But, what if your TV is not smart? This isn’t an issue as there are a lot of inexpensive converters out there, so you don’t get devoid of the streaming media just for not having a Smart TV.
Mount is the most neglected, but it is one of the most important features attached to a TV. Nearly all televisions are mounted on a wall, and what could be better than a VESA mount for this purpose.
**Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Top 10: 32 Inch Tv
Best 32″ TV Under $100, $200, $300 & $400 Reviews
1. Toshiba 32LF221U19 (Editor’s Choice – Top Selling 32-inch Smart HDTV)
With over six thousand positive buyer reviews on Amazon, Toshiba has been the most successful budget TV in the market so far. Although the price is more than 100 bucks but the numbers of reviews and ratings speak for itself. Toshiba 32LF221U19 currently tops the table comprising the best LED and LCD TVs, and rank at number three among Fire TVs.
Although the budget does not allow for the best resolution, the 32-in screen size veils the 720p display, which otherwise would have given a very unanimated display. The size is not ideal for a very large family, but it will do fine job for a small family or a solo watcher. It also has a great contrast ratio, deep blacks and rich colors.
With the built-in Fire TV, Toshiba has brought to its users an unrelenting torrent of media streaming. Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO and more, you name it.
This tv is powered by a quad-core CPU/Multi-core GPU, which makes it a mini-computer. It can effectively search content online and is very responsive in doing so.
The user loves minimalist TV remotes, and Toshiba has surely taken into consideration this particular aspect while designing this model. There are buttons to directly access streaming channels, and also the remote is equipped with “Alexa” to directly execute your commands via voice.
The model has 3 HDMI ports, and also has an in-built Ethernet port and WIFI. However, the ports in some cases become malfunctions after a period.
The sound quality is not really a strength of this TV, and one has no reason to expect so in this low budget. Overall, this TV has a great value for the given amount of money.
If you don’t have any personal grudge against Toshiba for any of the bad experience with them, go ahead, and buy this one. You will never regret buying this Toshiba 32LF221U19 tv.
- Fire TV
- Minimalist Remote design
- Alexa Enabled Remote Control
- Smart TV
- 720p display
- Poor sound quality
2. TCL 32S305 (Best Selling Ultra Slim 32 Inch Smart Tv Under $200)
If you have a thing for ultra-thin TVs, this TCL model will surely meet your expectations. TCL has put special care to make this series modern and sleek, and one could not resist admiring it for that.
Inbuilt Roku means that you will not have to buy an extra cable for streaming. You will get access to more than four thousand channels, and it means you get to enjoy a ton of entertainment.
TCL 32S305 tv has a user-friendly interface, and it is quite easy to setup. It is smart, so you can search the internet to find your favorite content online.
Although it can be both controlled by a smartphone app and a remote, the former option works great. The remote has a minimalist design, but it is often annoying for many old-school users to navigate through it.
It is compatible with both Alexa and Google’s assistant, so one can control it via voice.
Multiple HDMI ports allow its users to enjoy multiple connected devices at the same time. A couple of other ports including USB, composite, cable antenna and an audio jack make truly great connectivity.
The built-in WIFI is very strong, but it is missing the alternative Ethernet port which could become a cause of trouble in case of any malfunction of WIFI. The sound quality is mediocre and does not warrant a huge accolade.
The 720p is a downside, and its 60 Hz refresh rate is unsuitable for competitive console gaming.
For a bedroom or an apartment, this TCL model is ideal. It is lightweight, so can easily be set up; is smart, so it increases productivity; and finally, highly inexpensive, so it will save money for users with a tight budget.
- Sleek design
- Roku enabled
- Compatible with Alexa and Google assistant
- Smart TV
- 720p display
- No Ethernet port
- Poor sound quality
3. SANSUI Widescreen LED Smart Tv Under $200
This TV has come straight from SANSUI—a Japanese company, best known for its sophisticated electronic devices.
One particular feature that one cannot resist noticing is its gigantic color gamut which covers 16.7 million colors. The color accuracy is up to par, and it doesn’t disappoint in image quality. The 720p is not the best available resolutions, but it is appropriate for the minimal price spent.
TV screen is very light-weighted and is elegantly designed. Special care has been put to not ruin the sound quality in pursuit of sleek design. However, there is an annoying feature: the power off mode gives LED light that irate many users.
The HDMI ports have become a standard with all the modern TVs, but their number plays the actual role. The two inbuilt HDMI ports are just enough; however, three would have been very convenient for its users.
There are USB and coaxial ports, but the WIFI and Ethernet are missing.
There is no inbuilt fire stick, so one would have to pay extra to not devoid oneself of their favorites streaming shows.
A sturdy stand comes with the TV, but one really has to go through a lot of trouble to mount it on the wall.
It is a decent TV for a small-sized family. It can be an ideal pick for your apartment or hostel. The inexpensive budget is the most lucrative factor here to buy this TV.
- Huge color gamut
- Light weight
- Sturdy stand
- 720p display
- No inbuilt fire stick
- No Ethernet port and WiFi connectivity
4. Samsung UN32J4001 32-Inch 720p LED Tv (Budget-Friendly)
A quality brand matters, more than you think it does. Samsung Electronics is not just another rising LED TV making company, it is the pioneer in it.
Being a giant in the Television industry, Samsung doesn’t usually offer budget TVs, but with this model it does. A budget around hundred bucks is not very expensive for a top-notch 32 inch TV.
The LED backlighting is a great improvement in the ordinary LED display, and it really compensates for the 720p display. The colors are vibrant and do not disappoint in terms of accuracy.
This TV isn’t smart, and it is one of its major downsides. However, Firestick can really solve the problem for you, if you are in love with streaming providers like Netflix and Hulu.
If you are a console gamer, the refresh rate would be an important thing with you. The decent 60 Hz refresh rate this model offers is just on the baseline; but then, no other competitor is offering a greater refresh rate at this price.
There are two HDMI ports, which should have been three to have better connectivity. USB port is there, and so do other standard ports like composite and audio. The sound quality is not disappointing for a small room.
This Samsung model is just another budget-friendly TV out there, but with a taintless company name on its backing.
- Huge color gamut
- Light weight
- Sturdy stand
- 720p display
- No inbuilt fire stick
- No Ethernet port and WiFi connectivity
5. VIZIO D32x-D1 D-Series 32″ (Best Full Array LED Smart TV For The Money)
Vizio made a popular name for itself in manufacturing consumer electronics, and this 32-inch LED TV contributed to the business and popularity of Vizio.
Vizio is offering 1080p resolution at a price where many others could only afford to offer 720p. The high relative resolution is obviously its most coveted advantage. Superior number of pixels ensures a sharp and detailed image, which takes the user experience to a whole next level.
Full array LED backlighting, as the name suggests, allows a uniform distribution of light across the display, and thus significantly improves the image quality.
The Tv design is not sleek, but it is also not fugly. It comes with a stand, which has a very bad reputation.
The worst of all is the poor sound quality, which despite being its unappealing bulky design has not been improved. Another downside is its weight which is not uncommon in TVs in this budget.
This is a smart TV and supports a number of essential streaming apps. So you will not be missing on your favorite TV series on Netflix, Roku, and Amazon, etc.
The TV has a couple of extra HDMI ports than other TVs, exactly 5, but only one of them offers a 60Hz refresh rate. The other slow refresh rate, 30 Hz, ports may prove to be an advantage if you have an interest in movies with slow framerate.
To cut a long story short, resolution and picture quality are the two most noteworthy advantages with this TV. Every other feature is of just the same run of the mill quality.
- Full HD resolution (1080p)
- Array LED backlighting.
- Cost-effective
- Poor stand
- Subpar sound quality
6. Sceptre 32″ (Best Lightweight MHL Tv Under 150)
Sceptre is basically a new name in the LED industry, and it is trying hard to earn a place for itself. A great majority of Scepter TVs are designed as budget-friendly, and this model is no different than them.
It weighs less than 9 pounds which indicates how lightweight and sleek its design is. MEMC 120 (Motion Estimation and Motion Compensation) technology is used in this LED TV which has a remarkable effect on its picture quality.
Mobile High-Definition Link (MHL) is another noteworthy technology used in this LED which allows the user to stream any sort of media from their mobile devices or tablets right on the TV.
Many customers complained about the defect of sound on this TV. It is, therefore, a must need to buy a soundbar system to have a remarkable sound experience, otherwise, we cannot enjoy our favorite shows.
There is no WiFi connection available on this TV, so we cannot enjoy online streaming media like Netflix & Hulu.
In the end, if you are going to buy a decent-sized TV with above-average graphics, and that too at an economical price, this is the right TV for you.
There are definitely some minor shortcomings, but given the tight budget, it would not be a bad choice.
- Light Weight.
- MEMC 120 (Motion Estimation and Motion Compensation)
- Sleek design.
- No Wifi connection
- Subpar sound quality
7. Element ELEFW328R (Cheapest 32″ Tv Under 100)
On a budget? Yes, you definitely are, otherwise, you wouldn’t have been reading this. Do you want a TV that is large enough for your family? Honestly, who doesn’t?
And most probably, your demands would not end just here. You would also love your TV to have great graphics and audio quality. The more features it has, the better.
If you fit in the above criterion, Element TV will be a great surprise for you as it’s cheap but encompasses all the necessary features which you can expect in a television worth less than $100.
It comes in a quite classic enlarged design, which is supported by a sturdy oval stand.
This Element model has the best contrast ratio and color scheme for the money offered. Its 1366 x 768 pixels resolution provides flawless picture quality. Its display has a stunning clarity with vivid colors, sharper images, and incredible details.
The refresh rate of 60hz is on the baseline and will trouble a lot in competitive console gaming. The image lag leads to “ghosting”, which is a major inconvenience for gamers.
It features three HDMI ports, and all of them are fast versions. It is often observed that users like to watch their personal media content, like videos of marriage ceremony or any other social event. Element has addressed this by adding a USB port in this model.
Other standard ports like composite and ATSC/NTSC RF Inputs are also there to not disappoint users. Its VESA mount compatibility would make it a lot easier to mount it on your wall.
Overall, this Element TV would be a great value-added to your life.
- 1366 x 768 pixels resolution
- Vesa mount compatibility
- Good sound quality
- Economical
- Classic enlarged design.
- Need extra space than normal TVs
8. TCL 32S325 32 Inch 720p Roku Smart LED TV (2019)
TCL has, so far, never disappointed its users, and here they created another innovative and cost-effective device for its users.
This TCL TV made its name for its lightweight and sleek design. Also, it is second to none when it comes to screen resolution. This 1080p TV has outstripped many of its low-resolution competitors which could not afford it in the same price range.
The good sound quality is a feature many have to compromise on while buying a slim TV. But, you will not share the same disappointment with this one. The inbuilt speakers have great sound quality and are simply awesome.
This TV also has HDMI and USB ports which further increase its value.
One of the major drawbacks is the poor customer support of TCL as a lot of users have issues with this particular department over effective communication and cooperation.
One more annoying downside is that the remote control must be pointed at the sensor every time to turn on the TV. Also, TV sharpness cannot be easily adjusted which irritates a lot of users.
It has no LAN connection and is strictly wireless which means we must have a good Wi-Fi connection to access the internet on TV.
This TV has a lot of impressive features that cannot be ignored, despite its lacking in many important functions.
For console gaming fans, it is an ideal choice. It has a fantastic screen resolution for the amount spent and gives its users the luxury to enjoy the seamless streaming experience of NETFLIX and the like ones.
- Light weight and sleek
- Vesa mount compatibility
- Good sound quality
- Economical
- Wireless
- Poor customer support service of TCL
9. Sceptre 32″ Model X328BV-FSR (Best 1080p tv Under $400)
Sceptre made its name in the market for its state-of-the-art Electronic devices. This 32-inch LED TV is the flagship model for the users who have a very tight-budget at their disposal.
This SCEPTRE TV is popular for its decent design and stupendously low weight. Its image quality is not only impressive but also crisp and clear. The 1080p resolution is its competitive edge, as it remarkably enhances user experience.
The sound quality is not comparable to that of the image, and therefore one would have to install separate soundbars to enhance the sound.
If you support environment protection, the Energy star qualification of this product would be another reason to buy this product. Scepter followed strict energy efficiency guidelines for this product to capture support for environment lovers.
The availability of USB port is not a specialty at all, but fast HDMI ports are surely one. The 120 Hz refresh rate is certainly great news for gamers. At this rate, most of the fast games would run in a seamless flow giving a competitive advantage to the users.
As discussed earlier, sound quality is not a strength of this TV model, and neither does its remote control. Users are usually lost in the setting menu, and often get annoyed by its lackluster interface.
This may sound a very trivial drawback, but the TV LED power light is a major source of inconvenience for many users who are not used to sleeping with light interference.
In a nutshell, this TV is great for console gamers, and also for the users who want to contribute in environmental protection by buying energy efficient products.
- Elegant design
- 120 Hz refresh rate
- Energy star Verified
- Economical
- Lackluster User interface.
- Annoying Power Led light
10. Insignia NS-32DF310NA19 (Top Selling 32″ Fire TV Edition Under 200)
Our last pick of the list for the most affordable 32 inch TVs is a lot similar to the Toshiba Fire Edition which we discussed earlier. The differences are so subtle that we could take Insignia mistakenly for the Toshiba and vice versa.
Instead of repeating the same features and their importance, I would just enlist them one by one.
The TV resolution is 720p which is not so impressive. Display is of standard quality, and it has pretty decent sound effects.
This smart TV is equipped with 1 GB DDR4 RAM with a 1.5 GHz quad-core CPU. Being a mini-computer, it does excellent surfing on the internet and allows smooth streaming on several apps.
Ethernet connection and WIFI technology are like the cherry on top. The 3 HDMI, Composite AV, Coaxial and USB ports don’t allow it to lag behind in terms of connectivity.
Alexa integrated remote control allows users to control the TV via voice, and the inbuilt fire Tv saves the cost of buying extra fire stick to do the job.
Frankly speaking, this TV may not be the right fit for a large family room, but do an excellent job as a separate TV for multiple purposes.
It can sit in your apartment, kids room, guest room, or even in the kitchen due to its small size. As far as the performance and features are concerned, more than two thousand users have confirmed their satisfaction on Amazon.
- Fire edition
- Smart Tv
- Alexa enabled remote
- Economical
- Poor Sound quality
- 720p resolution
Final Verdict
I have discussed with you ten most affordable and best budget 32″ television so far, but no one has won my heart as the Toshiba’s Fire TV Edition LED does. This TV is the top-rated TV for a reason, and it has everything to do with the Toshiba-Amazon collaboration.
All the aforementioned TV’s may have many properties far superior to this Toshiba’s model, but when it comes to a golden mean of all valuable features, it is second to none.
The design is modern, the picture quality is efficient, the sound is above average, and there is no need for a separate fire stick.
Alexa is there to instantly act on your commands, and a fast GPU processor will never allow it to suck at surfing the internet.
What do you need more?
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What good is the fire edition?
The inbuilt fire edition will save you the extra money to buy a fire stick to stream your favorite TV shows on Netflix, Roku, and Amazon.
2. What is the ideal resolution for TVs?
TV resolution is highly contingent on the price users are going to pay. There are as high as the 8k resolution TVs in the market, but that certainly is out of the league of regular users. Although 4K resolution is becoming the new standard, there is still a huge demand for SHD (720p) and FHD (1080p) resolutions TVs in the market. The latter two are popular for cost-effectiveness and must be bought unhesitatingly if you are on a budget.
3. What important accessories a budget TV must have?
Apart from a sturdy stand and Vesa mount compatibility, it must have a user-friendly remote. The number of HDMI ports must be greater than two to connect multiple devices at a time. All the standard Ports—composite, enhanced audio and Ethernet ports—should be there to ensure better connectivity.
4. What features console gamers must be looking at TVs?
Gamers must be wary of refresh rate while buying a TV. A 60Hz TV is a baseline, and the most responsive refresh rate is 120 Hz for competitive gaming. Also, the version of HDMI ports should be checked for speed. The higher the version, the greater is the synchronization with the consoles.
5. What factors ensure an impressive TV display?
The number of pixels, or simply the resolution, comes first while deciding the image quality of a TV. Technologies like LED back lightening and quantum dot also enhance the display. High contrast ratio, large color gamut, and great viewing angles are all essential aspects of an impressive TV display.
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Last update on 2023-03-21 at 13:03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API