Top 5 50 Inch TVs Under 500: Budget Picks Guide

Imagine sinking into your couch, ready for movie night, only to realize your current TV just isn’t cutting it. You dream of a big, beautiful 50-inch screen, but your wallet whispers a different story. Finding a TV that offers a fantastic viewing experience without breaking the bank feels like searching for a needle in a haystack, right? It’s tough to sort through all the technical jargon and endless brand names when your budget is firmly set under $500.

This is where we step in to save your sanity and your savings! We know you want great picture quality, smart features, and that perfect 50-inch size, all while sticking to a strict budget. Navigating the confusing world of sales and specifications can be frustrating, leading to buyer’s remorse.

By the end of this post, you will have a clear, easy-to-understand list of the absolute best 50-inch TVs you can snag for under five hundred dollars today. We have done the hard work, comparing features, reviews, and prices so you don’t have to. Get ready to upgrade your living room without emptying your bank account. Let’s dive into the top contenders that deliver maximum bang for your buck!

Top 50 Inch Tv Under 500 Recommendations

SaleBestseller No. 1

Roku Smart TV 2025 – 50-Inch Select Series, 4K HDR TV – RokuTV with Enhanced Voice Remote – Flat Screen LED Television with Wi-Fi for Streaming Live Local News, Sports, Family Entertainment

A treat for the eyes: Sharp 4K brings out rich detail on our 50" flat screen TV, while colors pop off in lifelike clarity with HDR10. Roku Smart Picture cleans up incoming TV signals, optimizes them, and chooses the right picture mode.
Explore a world's worth of TV: Dive into all kinds of entertainment and easily find your favorites or soon-to-be favorites.
A ton of entertainment at the best price—free: Your go-to streaming destination for free entertainment, Roku has 500+ TV channels, with live in-season shows, hit movies, weather, local news, and award-winning Roku Originals.
Home sweet home screen: Move apps around and make the Roku experience your own with a home screen that easily gets you to what you want to watch fast.
Just keeps getting better: Get the newest apps, features, and more with automatic software updates.

Bestseller No. 2

Amazon Fire TV 50" 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV, stream live TV without cable, 2024 release

The popular Amazon Fire TV 4-Series — now even better: An ultra-slim bezel puts your entertainment front and center, while support for vivid 4K Ultra HD, HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus bring scenes to life.
Built by Amazon, the Fire TV 4-Series brings crisp picture quality, superior streaming, and the magic of Alexa to everyday entertainment.
4K Ultra HD, HDR10, and HLG deliver a clearer and more vibrant picture with brighter colors compared to 1080p Full HD.
Use the Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced to easily find, launch, and control your content. You can even check the weather, sports scores, and more.
Stream over 1.8 million movies and TV episodes. Watch favorites with subscriptions to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and more. Subscription fees may apply.

SaleBestseller No. 3

Amazon Fire TV 50" Omni QLED Series 4K UHD smart TV, Dolby Vision IQ, Fire TV Ambient Experience, local dimming, hands-free with Alexa

Stunning 4K Quantum Dot Display (QLED) - Makes movies, shows, and live sports pop in brighter, richer, and more lifelike colors.
Advanced HDR - Scenes leap off the screen in deep, realistic color with Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive. HDR10 and HLG are also supported.
Adaptive Brightness - Fire TV automatically optimizes the brightness of movies and shows through a built-in sensor that detects the lighting in your room.
Bolder contrast - Experience deeper darks and brighter whites with full array local dimming in 48 individual zones enhancing contrast.
Fire TV Ambient Experience - Turns your TV screen into a canvas for displaying over a thousand pieces of free artwork, personal photos, and more.

SaleBestseller No. 4

RCA 50-Inch UHD Smart Google TV, Frameless LED Display with HDR10, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Google Assistant Built-in, Compatible with Alexa

Stunning 4K Ultra HD Resolution: Witness every detail with an impressive 3840 x 2160 resolution, offering four times the detail of Full HD. Experience vibrant colors, sharper contrasts, and lifelike clarity, whether you're watching a blockbuster or streaming your favorite shows. With HDR10 support, the RCA 50" 4K Smart TV enhances contrast and color accuracy, delivering visuals that truly pop.
Smart Entertainment with Google TV: Simplify your entertainment with Google TV, a smart interface that brings all your favorite content together. Organize your apps, shows, and movies in one place, while Google TV's personalized recommendations introduce you to new favorites. From Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video to thousands of apps in the Google Play Store, this TV puts a world of entertainment at your fingertips.
Built-In Google Assistant: Control your TV and connected smart devices with your voice. Whether you're searching for a specific movie, adjusting the volume, or turning off the lights, Google Assistant makes it effortless. Simply say "Hey Google" and let the TV handle the rest.
Wide Viewing Angle for Group Watching: Enjoy consistent, high-quality visuals from virtually any seat in the room. With a 178° viewing angle, the RCA 50" ensures that everyone gets a clear, vibrant view, making it perfect for family gatherings or hosting friends.
Enhanced Picture and Sound Quality: Designed to deliver a superior viewing experience, this TV features 3D Noise Reduction for clear images, a dynamic contrast ratio of 5000:1 for deeper blacks and brighter whites, and HDR compatibility for a cinematic look. Coupled with advanced sound features, every moment feels more immersive, bringing your content to life.

SaleBestseller No. 5

Amazon Fire TV 50" 4-Series (newest model), 4K Ultra HD smart TV with Alexa Remote, HDR10+, fast processor, Dolby Audio, Ambient Experience, free and live TV

Get more from your TV – With 4K Ultra HD, enhanced brightness, and clear audio, the Fire TV 4-Series upgrades your entertainment.
Vivid views – 4K Ultra HD and HDR10+ deliver bright, crisp visuals with improved contrast, so details look beautiful even in dark scenes.
Speed, redefined – Jump right into what you love with Wi-Fi 6 support and a new quad-core processor. Apps open and load fast and the picture stays smooth.
The new Alexa on Fire TV – Getting to what you love has never been easier. Talk naturally to find what to watch fast, manage your smart home, or dive into virtually any topic.
Instantly On - Introducing our custom Omnisense technology. Built-in sensors wake the display when you enter to show your favorite artwork or let you start watching in a snap.

SaleBestseller No. 6

Panasonic TV-50W70BP W70 Series 50 inch LED 4K Ultra HD Smart Fire TV Bundle with 2X 6FT Universal 4K HDMI Cable, Theater Essentials and CPS Exclusive 26 Month Protection Pack (BEACH-CPS-26M500ATV)

All-in-One Entertainment with Fire TV Built-in: Watch live TV, use voice controls to easily find your favorites, and even get personalized recommendations.
Press and Ask | Alexa: Use Alexa on the Voice Remote to find your favorite shows and movies in a snap—no endless scrolling needed. Launch apps, change channels, control your smart home, and more.
Brilliant TV Experience: Fire TV is your smart home hub. Pair with compatible smart home devices to see live camera feeds, use Airplay, control your lighting and thermostat and more—all on your TV.
HDR Bright Panel Powered by 4K Studio Color Engine: Enjoy stunning 4K UHD resolution with advanced HDR support, including HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. The powerful processor ensures smooth motion with MEMC technology.
HDMI and Bluetooth Connectivity: Four HDMI ports, including an HDMI 2.1 port, provide hassle-free connections. Bluetooth support allows pairing with wireless speakers for enhanced audio and Bluetooth headphones for private listening.

Bestseller No. 7

FPD 50 Inch Smart TV, 4K LED Google TV with Google Play Built-in Google Cast, HDR 10, MEMC, Voice Remote, Dolby Audio, UHD Stream Live Television (CG50-C3,2024)

【4K UHD with HDR10 & Dolby Audio】This 50-inch smart display delivers 3840 × 2160 UHD resolution with a 60Hz refresh rate for sharp, smooth visuals. HDR10 enhances contrast and color accuracy, while Dolby Audio provides clear, immersive sound for movies, shows, and everyday entertainment.
【Built-in Google TV OS】The built-in Google TV platform puts your favorite streaming apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Prime Video all in one place. With Google Cast built-in, easily cast content from your phone, tablet, or laptop to the big screen.
【Voice Control with Google Assistant】Control your TV with simple voice commands to open apps, adjust volume, or search for content. Just press the Google Assistant button on the remote for quick, hands-free control and a more convenient viewing experience.
【Smooth Visual Effects】HDMI ports with eARC support make it easy to connect gaming consoles. MEMC technology reduces motion blur for sports and fast-action scenes, while ALLM mode delivers smooth, responsive gameplay for immersive gaming sessions.
【Flexible Connectivity for All Your Devices】Includes 3 × HDMI 2.1 ports (with 1 eARC), 2 × USB inputs, and multiple audio/video connections. Easily connect game consoles, Blu-ray players, sound systems, set-top boxes, AV receivers, and more to create a fully customized home entertainment setup.

Bestseller No. 8

Westinghouse 50-inch Smart TV, 4K UHD Xumo TV w/ HDR10, Voice Remote, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, Edgeless, Flat Screen LED Television w/Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, Wi-Fi & Mobile Connectivity

Experience Every Detail in Stunning 4K – Enjoy a cinematic viewing experience with 4x the resolution of traditional HD TVs. The 50-inch 4K UHD display delivers crystal-clear visuals and razor-sharp detail, perfect for movies, sports, and gaming. With Dolby Vision and HDR+ technologies, you get enhanced contrast, brilliant brightness, and deeper color accuracy—bringing every scene to life with vibrant, lifelike clarity.
Endless entertainment - Stream easy with instant access to top apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, Hulu, HBO MAX, ESPN+, YouTube TV, and more — all in one place. The Xumo Play app features 350+ free live channels and 70,000+ on-demand movies and shows across sports, news, entertainment, and more. No subscriptions or downloads required — just launch and start streaming.
Universal search and voice search - Instantly discover what to watch across all your favorite streaming apps with powerful universal search. Say goodbye to app-hopping — use the included voice remote to search by title, genre, actor, or keyword. Just speak into the remote and find your next watch faster without typing or navigating through multiple menus.
More ways to play and connect - Stream or mirror content directly from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac with Apple AirPlay. Enjoy music, view photos, or surf the web on the big screen with ease. Built-in WiFi allows you to connect to the internet wirelessly — no need for a hardwired connection or external service box. Plus, built-in Bluetooth lets you wirelessly pair soundbars, headphones, or speakers for immersive, high-quality audio—no messy cables or setup required.
Connectivity is King – Packed with 3 x HDMI, 1 x USB input, 1 x Composite Video, 1 x Optical Digital Audio inputs for maximum flexibility. A full array of inputs to connect your cable box, game console, streaming stick, sound bar, DVD/Blu-ray player or a digital antenna for local channels.

The Smart Shopper’s Guide: Snagging a 50-Inch TV Under $500

Finding a great 50-inch TV without breaking the bank is totally possible! This guide helps you choose the best one in the sub-$500 range. You need a good screen for movies, games, and shows. Let’s look at what matters most.

Key Features to Look For

When you shop for a budget 50-inch TV, these features make a big difference in how you watch.

Resolution Matters Most

4K UHD (Ultra High Definition): Always look for 4K. It means the picture is super sharp and clear. Most good 50-inch TVs under $500 offer this now.
HDR (High Dynamic Range): This feature makes colors brighter and blacks deeper. It makes the picture look more real. Look for support for HDR10.

Smart TV Capabilities

A smart TV connects to the internet. This lets you watch Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube easily.

Operating System: Check which system it uses (like Roku TV, Google TV, or Fire TV). Some are faster and easier to use than others. Roku is often very simple for everyone.
Voice Control: Having a remote that listens to your voice saves time. You just speak what you want to watch.

Connectivity and Speed

You need enough plugs for all your stuff, like game consoles or soundbars.

HDMI Ports: Aim for at least three HDMI ports.
Refresh Rate: For smooth action, especially when gaming or watching sports, look for a 60Hz native refresh rate. Faster is better, but 60Hz is standard in this price range.

Important Materials and Build Quality

While you won’t find premium metal frames here, the screen panel is the most important part.

Panel Type: Most budget TVs use LED-backlit LCD panels. This keeps costs down.
Durability: Treat the TV carefully when setting it up. Plastic casings are normal at this price point. They are light, which helps with mounting.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

What makes one cheap TV better than another? It often comes down to the internal technology.

Quality Boosters:

Local Dimming: This feature turns off small sections of the backlight when the screen shows black. This makes the black areas look darker and improves contrast.
Good Processing Chip: A better internal chip helps clean up blurry images and makes the smart features run without freezing.

Quality Reducers:

Viewing Angles: Cheaper panels sometimes look washed out if you sit too far to the side. If you have a wide living room, check reviews for this issue.
Sound Quality: Built-in speakers are usually weak. Plan to buy a cheap soundbar later for much better sound.

User Experience and Use Cases

Think about where you will put the TV and who will use it most.

Living Room Viewing: If the room is very bright, look for a TV with good peak brightness to fight screen glare.
Bedroom/Secondary Room: If you just watch news or casual shows, almost any 4K TV under $500 will work great.
Casual Gaming: If you play games, ensure the TV has a “Game Mode.” This feature lowers input lag, making your controller actions happen instantly on screen.

10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About 50-Inch TVs Under $500

Q: Can I really get a good 4K TV for under $500?

A: Yes, absolutely! Many reliable brands offer excellent 50-inch 4K models right around the $350 to $499 mark, especially during sales.

Q: Is 60Hz enough for watching movies?

A: Yes, 60Hz is standard and looks great for almost all movies and standard TV shows. It provides smooth motion for general viewing.

Q: Do I need a special internet connection for a Smart TV?

A: You need a stable Wi-Fi connection or an Ethernet cable plugged into the TV to use the smart features like streaming apps.

Q: What is “Input Lag” and why does it matter?

A: Input lag is the delay between you pressing a button on your remote or controller and seeing the action on the screen. Lower lag means better gaming.

Q: Are these TVs heavy?

A: No, most 50-inch TVs use lightweight plastic frames. They are easy to lift and mount on the wall yourself.

Q: What is the difference between Roku TV and Google TV?

A: They are different menus for smart features. Roku is known for being very simple and fast. Google TV offers more integration with Android apps and better search features.

Q: Will this TV work with my older DVD player?

A: Yes, if your DVD player has an HDMI cable, it will connect easily. If it uses the old red, white, and yellow cables, you might need an adapter.

Q: What warranty should I expect?

A: Most budget brands offer a standard one-year limited warranty covering defects in parts and workmanship.

Q: Is the picture quality much worse than a $700 TV?

A: You will notice differences in extreme brightness and deep black levels, but for everyday viewing in a normal room, the picture quality in the sub-$500 range is surprisingly good.

Q: Should I buy a name brand or a lesser-known brand?

A: Look at customer reviews for the specific model. Sometimes, a lesser-known brand offers better features for the price, but established names often have better customer support.