Last updated: 19 Feb 2026 · 4 products rated
You can get a proper 4K TV for under a grand now, and honestly? They're not terrible. I know everyone bangs on about spending big, but if you're after something that just works without breaking the bank, the budget market's actually pretty solid in 2026.
Here's what you need to know: budget TVs are fine for regular telly watching, sports, and general stuff. Where they fall short is contrast and colour depth compared to mid-range gear. The backlighting's usually rubbish, so dark scenes look average, and you won't get the brightness of premium models. But for the price, you're not getting ripped off.
Hisense is the budget king these days - their A6N gives you decent value without weird quirks. TCL's S5400A is solid if you mainly watch streaming and don't care about performance in dark rooms. Samsung's CU8000 splits the difference, offering better colour than the others but still keeping the price reasonable. And look, Kogan's own brand is cheap for a reason, but it's not garbage - it's just basic. If you're furnishing a spare room or your first place, budget TVs make sense. But if you can stretch to the QLED category? You really should.
The Hisense A6N is a genuinely cheap 4K TV for $899. It's basic, but it delivers 4K content without backlight zones or fancy processing.
The TCL S5400A is absurdly cheap at $599 for a 55-inch 4K smart TV. It's basic, but it gets the job done for casual viewing.
Samsung's cheapest 55-inch 4K TV at $749. Solid build and a familiar badge, but a slow processor and tinny speakers. Buy it for streaming, add a soundbar, skip it if you game.
The Kogan 55" is the cheapest 4K TV you'll find at $449. It's basic and you get what you pay for, but it works.
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