Roll out the red carpet and pop the popcorn! Welcome to our exclusive feature: The Top TVs under £200. Have you ever glanced at your wallet, then at your old, creaky TV and wondered, “Can I really afford a quality replacement without breaking the bank?” Well, allow us to turn that frown upside down.
As they say in the classic cinema, “Not all that glitters is gold”, and when it comes to TVs, not all that dazzles costs a small fortune. Sure, manufacturers are now exploring the mesmerising depths of 8K and beyond, but let’s not forget the unsung heroes that provided us with high-quality entertainment when 1080p was the talk of the town.
As the TV tech world races ahead, yesterday’s models – still dashing as ever – have been lovingly placed on the more affordable shelf. And guess what? Some of these smart, savvy and seriously stylish TVs are priced under £200!
Presenting to you our three top performers, each a testament to the fact that you don’t need to splurge to surf the channels in style. So sit back, relax, and let us guide you through the best budget-friendly small screens that aced our no-holds-barred tests.
Let’s take a closer look …
Amazon Fire TV 32″ 2-Series
£239.99 in stock
Features
- High definition TV: bring films and TV series to life in HD 720p resolution, with support for HDR 10, HLG and Dolby Digital Audio.
- All your entertainment in one place: Fire TV gives you quick access to live TV, video games and music. You can stream over a hundred thousand films and TV programmes with subscriptions to Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and more.
- Stream for free: watch free films and TV episodes with apps, such as YouTube, Freevee, Pluto TV and more.
- Watch from room to room: All of your films and series from Fire TV devices will stay in sync, for a seamless viewing experience from one room to the next.
- Smart and always getting smarter: Fire TV adds new Alexa skills, features, smart home capabilities and voice functionality all the time.
1. Why this TV makes our Top 3 list?
Top-tier entertainment in a compact package — that’s the essence of the Amazon Fire TV 32-inch 2-Series. Not only does it offer superior 720p HD clarity with HDR 10, HLG and Dolby Digital Audio support, but its in-built Fire TV functionality ensures all your favourite streaming services are just a click away. Built-in Alexa support makes voice control a breeze, while the 1-year limited warranty provides peace of mind. This smart TV is a real win for both seasoned tech enthusiasts and the less tech-savvy among us, and that’s why it effortlessly glides into our top 3!
2. Is there anything to improve?
Nobody’s perfect and even the Fire TV 32-inch 2-Series has room for improvement. Firstly, we’d like to see a more inclusive selection of apps, to ensure a seamless viewing experience for all users. Additionally, an added headphone socket could vastly improve the device’s convenience and ease of use. But, let’s not forget, this TV is fantastic value for money, and these minor shortcomings certainly don’t detract from its overall performance.
3. What’s our final score?
Weighing its top-notch features against minor improvements, we’re pleased to give the Amazon Fire TV 32-inch 2-Series a remarkable 9.1 out of 10. This TV offers superb quality and an array of smart features, all neatly packed into a budget-friendly device that won’t break the bank. The Amazon Fire TV 32-inch 2-Series is an absolute bang for your buck. Get it today and bring a world of entertainment straight to your living room!
Hisense 40A4BGTUK 40″ HD Smart TV
Features
- FHD: With 2 times clarity of HD TV, Hisense FHD TV presents sharp images with well-defined details. By analyzing the content coming in, the TV reduces the noises and minimizes image distortion. It offers a high-quality viewing experience with sharpness and clarity.
- Natural Color Enhancer: Natural Color Enhancer optimizes color reproduction, which can distinguish between the smallest differences in the input signal, and compensate to produce a final result that is uniform and realistic. Whether it's soaps, docs or movies, you'll enjoy colors the way they were meant to be seen.
- DTS Virtual X: Enjoy an immersive audio without the need for height speakers, the bass perception engages you into the center of a performance.
- VIDAA U5: An easy, smart and intuitive OS, simply access to rich contents and global applications (Disney+, YouTube, Netflix and Freeview Play etc.), making your TV more interesting
- Sports Mode: When a sports signal is detected, it switches to Sports Mode for an immersive live stadium experience, from picture to sound
1. Why this TV makes our Top 3 list?
The Hisense 40A4BGTUK hits the sweet spot for smart TVs. Offering a 40-inch, FHD screen with 2x clarity over standard HD, it dishes up visually sumptuous content with razor-sharp detail and depth. The Natural Color Enhancer technology brings all visuals to life with realistic, vibrant hues, ensuring you’re not just watching your favourite shows but experiencing them. Couple that with the integrated DTS Virtual X for an immersive audio experience and the cutting-edge VIDAA U5 OS providing streamlined access to popular apps like Disney+, Netflix, and Youtube – you have a recipe for an unforgettable viewing experience. Its Sports Mode and Game Mode are the icing on the cake, tailoring the TV’s performance for a truly immersive engagement whether you’re watching a nail-biting match or playing an adrenaline-pumping game. No wonder this TV has stolen a spot in our top 3!
2. Is there anything to improve?
Despite its impressive attributes, the Hisense 40A4BGTUK is not entirely without flaws. The lack of some popular apps and only two HDMI ports can limit its versatility somewhat. A larger number of HDMI inputs would enable more seamless integration with multiple devices. Plus, giving users access to a broader range of applications, including the Google Play Store, would undoubtedly elevate the user experience. Also, while its lightweight design is appreciated, a more robust and flexible stand would certainly improve its stability.
3. What’s our final score?
After careful consideration, we grant the Hisense 40A4BGTUK a 9 out of 10. It’s a modern, sleek smart TV that offers impressive visuals, sound, and smart capabilities, all at a very competitive price. While there’s always room for improvement, this TV undoubtedly provides excellent value for money and makes a fantastic addition to any home. Remember folks, it’s not just a TV, it’s the Hisense experience!
RCA Roku TV 40” FHD Smart TV
1 used from £207.96
Features
- RCA 40" Smart TV: Your RCA 40" FHD LED TV has a slim and lightweight design that saves you space and is perfect for your living room, home, meeting room.
- Roku Smart TV: Your RCA TV is equipped with Roku operating system, which provides rich content. With built-in apps like BBC, Netflix, Freeview Play, Disney+, you can explore your favorite shows and movies.
- HDR Technology: HDR technology enables an ultra-wide color space to display images with a high dynamic range, allowing you to enjoy more picture detail.
- High Quality Sound System: Dolby Audio and DTS Studio Sound on your RCA TV simulates surround sound without additional loudspeakers, allowing you to enjoy rich stereo sound and immersive virtual surround sound.
- Various Extension Interfaces: This compact and portable RCA TV has 2 x HDMI port, 2 x USB port, 1 x RF Input, 1 x RJ45, 1 x Optical. Various interfaces allow you to expand more devices on this TV.
Why this TV makes our Top 3 list?
There are countless reasons why the RCA Roku TV 40” FHD Smart TV shines in our top 3 list. For starters, its slim and lightweight design makes it a space-saving marvel. Furthermore, its integration with the Roku operating system opens a world of entertainment with a plethora of apps like BBC, Netflix, Freeview Play, and Disney+. Its HDR technology ensures a high dynamic range and ultra-wide color space for a vibrant and detailed viewing experience. Coupled with Dolby Audio and DTS Studio Sound feature, it brings an immersive virtual surround sound experience right into your living room. Lastly, the abundance of extension interfaces offers incredible connectivity, which adds versatility to this compact yet mighty TV.
Is there anything to improve?
No product is without room for improvement. For the RCA Roku TV, we believe there are a couple of areas that could be tweaked. While the inclusion of numerous ports is commendable, their placement can sometimes be inconvenient, especially when you’re trying to connect multiple devices. Also, the TV does not support 4K resolution which might be a deal-breaker for some consumers. The addition of a voice control feature would significantly improve user interaction and make the experience even more enjoyable.
What’s our final score?
Considering the factors above, we give the RCA Roku TV a bolded and underlined score of 8.5 out of 10. This TV encapsulates a world of entertainment in a sleek, compact package with its incredible variety of apps and sound and visual enhancements. However, there are areas for improvement such as the port placement, lack of 4K resolution, and absence of voice control that prevent it from scoring a perfect 10. Nonetheless, it’s a reliable and high-performing TV that promises to bring the cinema experience right into your home.