TCL Best 50 to 55-Inch Smart TVs Under $300: Affordable Options for Stunning Viewing

Looking for the best 50 to 55-inch smart TVs under $300? It’s possible to upgrade your home entertainment without breaking the bank. Whether you're streaming the latest shows, enjoying crisp sports games, or immersing yourself in blockbuster movies, a good-sized smart TV can elevate your experience. But how do you choose the perfect one without overspending? With countless options available, you'll want to find the right balance of picture quality, smart features, and affordability. From user-friendly interfaces to voice control capabilities, there are budget-friendly options that don’t sacrifice performance. Are you ready to transform your living room into a home theater experience? Let’s dive into the best choices that deliver stunning visuals and smart features – all under $300! What’s the most important feature you’re looking for in a new TV: size, resolution, or smart functionality?

TCL 55-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV with Fire TV (55S551F, 2024 Model)​

TCL55-InchClassS5UHD4KLEDSmartTVwithFireTV(55S551F,2024Model).jpg

ParameterValue
Content Sharing DirectionMobile to TV
Connector TypeHDMI, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi
Audio InputHDMI
Motion Enhancement TechnologyMEMC Frame Insertion
Display Backlight TechnologyLED
Has Color ScreenYes
Display Backlight ConfigurationDirect-Lit
Screen FinishFlat
Aspect Ratio16:9
Tuner TypeATSC
Video EncodingHEVC
Integrated Surround Sound FormatDolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X
Speaker DescriptionBuilt-in speakers with advanced audio capabilities including Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X
Audio Output Mode[Multiple]
Price$239.99
Review:
This TV is like that friend who’s always showing up to the party but kinda forgets their game face. It's affordable, sure, but don’t expect it to be your tech-savvy soulmate. You’ll be fighting with the connection just to sync it up with your soundbar—wireless or wired, it’s like playing hide and seek with the signal. Playback lags like it’s stuck in traffic. Imagine a computer with a massive screen, but not enough RAM to load the homepage.

Now, the size? It’s BIG. Like, I’m talking ‘wow, did I accidentally buy a cinema?’ big. And it’s so thin, it could slip under the door if it wanted to. Wall-mounting? Easy. I didn’t even mount it, but trust me, it’s begging for that minimalist vibe. Volume? Eh, not gonna shake the walls, but that’s why I have Bluetooth. Kids? Yeah, you know the drill, volume is a whole vibe. I'm eyeing a surround sound system for movie nights to make it all chef’s kiss.

For the price? This TV is like finding treasure in the bargain bin. Setup took 5 minutes max (thanks, Fire Stick), and I'm honestly surprised how much I’m vibing with it. So if you’re all about the deal and don’t mind a little tech battle now and then, you’ll be good. Happy shopping, fam. This purchase? Absolutely worth it.

Amazon Fire TV 50" 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV with Fire TV​

AmazonFireTV504-Series4KUHDsmartTV.jpg

ParameterValue
Resolution3840 x 2160
Display Resolution4K UHD
High Dynamic Range (HDR) formatHDR 10, HLG
Backlight typeDirect LED
Refresh rate60 Hz
Screen size50”
Viewable display size49.5”
HDMI ports3 HDMI 2.0 + 1 HDMI 2.1 with eARC
Ethernet1 Ethernet port
USB1 USB port
Audio supportDolby Digital Plus with passthrough of Dolby-encoded audio
OSFire TV OS
Product size without stand44.2” x 25.6” x 3.5”
Weight20 (lb)
Price$279.99
Review:
For the price, this TV is an absolute gem! The picture quality is stunning—colors pop and the display is perfect. No freezing, no lag, just smooth streaming. The 55” size is ideal for my small living room; it feels big enough without taking over the space. Setting up was a breeze, and the remote is super easy to use—no complicated buttons or confusing controls.

Now, the sound quality is where I’m torn. For some apps, the sound is fine, but when it comes to Netflix, it’s like the TV decided to get shy. The sound is so quiet I have to crank up the volume to max, which isn't ideal. Looks like I’ll be investing in a soundbar soon to fix that issue.

But overall, I’m super happy with the TV. Picture quality is phenomenal, colors are vivid and bright, and the user interface is quick and responsive—I’m not waiting forever for apps to load. Shipping was lightning fast, and the TV arrived in perfect condition, no scratches or dings. Highly recommend this TV if you’re looking for great value!

TOSHIBA 55-inch Class C350 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV (55C350LU, 2023 Model)​

TOSHIBA55-inchClassC350SeriesLED4KUHDSmartFireTV(55C350LU,2023Model).jpg

ParameterValue
Screen Size55 Inches
Item Dimensions D x W x H9.7"D x 48.5"W x 30.6"H
Wireless TechnologyWi-Fi
Screen Mirroring TechnologyMiracast
Connectivity TechnologyWi-Fi
Internet ApplicationsBrowser
Signal Formatdigital
HDR Format SupportedDolby Vision, HDR 10
Picture Quality Enhancement TechnologyRegza Engine 4K, 4K resolution, Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10, Dolby Atmos
Has Color ScreenYes
Screen FinishFlat
Display TechnologyLED
Resolution4K
Refresh Rate60
Aspect Ratio16:9
Parental Control TechnologyBuilt-in device controls
Special FeaturesFlat
Tuner TypeATSC
PortableNo
Water Resistance LevelNot Water Resistant
ColorBlack
Warranty TypeOne-year warranty
Number of Audio ChannelsDolby Atmos
Integrated Surround Sound FormatDolby Atmos
Speaker DescriptionDownward firing
Audio Output ModeSurround
Price$249.99
Review:
Look, I was ready to call this TV a 'cheap gamble'—but now? This thing is a beast. It looks gorgeous, performs like a champ, and the price? Let’s just say I’m shook. Xbox Series S? Absolutely solid. Fire TV? Smooth sailing. And that size? Perfect for my bedroom—like, 'Netflix-and-chill-in-style' level perfect.

Here’s the kicker: this TV is the real MVP when it comes to cloud gaming. I’m talking near-zero latency on Moonlight streaming from my PC. It’s like I’ve unlocked a cheat code for lag-free gaming. Sure, Game Pass doesn’t stream on the default Fire TV, but Moonlight’s got my back so hard, it’s irrelevant. You can stream anything—games, movies, you name it—from your PC, all while the TV shines like the sun. And Luna? Yeah, it plays nice too.

And the OS? Blazing fast. Like, I’ve had other smart TVs, but this Toshiba is like a cheetah on Red Bull compared to my other slowpokes. My 55" living room TV now feels like it's stuck in slow-mo. Honestly, this is a steal for the price. Get on it before the hype train leaves the station.

TCL 55-Inch Class Q65 QLED 4K Smart TV with Fire TV (55Q651F, 2024 Model)​

TCL55-InchClassQ65QLED4KSmartTVwithFireTV(55Q651F,2024Model).jpg

ParameterValue
Total USB 2.0 Ports1
Total Usb Ports1
Wireless TechnologyBluetooth, Wi-Fi
Screen Mirroring TechnologyAirPlay 2
Bluetooth Version5
Connectivity TechnologyBluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, HDMI
Internet ApplicationsNetflix, HBO Max, Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube
Total Number of HDMI Ports3
HDR Format SupportedHLG, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision
Has Color ScreenYes
Screen FinishFlat
Display TechnologyQLED
Resolution4K
Refresh Rate60 Hz
Parental Control TechnologyV-Chip
Special FeaturesSleep Timer, Game Mode, Wide Color Enhancer, Bezel-Less Design, Parental Controls
Tuner TypeATSC
ColorBlack
Price$299.99
Review:
This TV? It’s a game-changer. Imagine watching your favorite show and feeling like you’re in it—colors so vibrant they practically leap off the screen. Extreme angles? No problem. The picture holds its own no matter where you sit, which is mind-blowing. I watched a baseball game through an antenna yesterday and was stunned by the level of detail. You could actually see the texture of the ball in mid-air—talk about next-level clarity! Oh, and let’s talk sound. Who needs a soundbar when the internal speakers already deliver jaw-dropping sound quality? Seriously, they’ve got more wattage than some full-on sound systems.

Now, full disclosure: the setup wasn’t perfect. Some apps were acting like they had no idea where I lived, even though I'm in the U.S. A little frustrating, but TCL’s customer service? Absolute MVPs. They took their time troubleshooting with me—turns out the issue was tied to my Gmail account (classic, right?). I swapped accounts and boom, everything worked. But here’s the kicker: 24 hours later, TCL called me again. Same rep, checking in to make sure everything was perfect. I mean, that’s next-level customer care right there. Who does that? It’s like they actually care.

FPD 50 Inch Smart TV 4K LED Google TV(Canvas-Series, CG50-C3)​

FPD50InchSmartTV4KLEDGoogleTV(Canvas-Series,CG50-C3).jpg

ParameterValue
Total USB 2.0 Ports2
Connectivity TechnologyBluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, HDMI
Total Number of HDMI Ports3
HDR Format SupportedHLG, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Maximum Display Brightness300 Candela Per Square Meter
Display TechnologyLED
Resolution4K
Refresh Rate60 Hz
Special FeaturesChromecast
Price$299.99
Review:
This TV was supposed to be a home run, right? Let’s start with the positive: setup was so easy, even a toddler could do it (don’t @ me). Profiles for each family member? Check. The remote’s so simple, it’s like the ‘Idiot’s Guide to TV’ in your hand. Picture quality? Shockingly vibrant. No complaints on Wi-Fi or sound either—I was ready to toss a soundbar in my cart, but I honestly didn’t even need one. All in all, it looks like a steal for the price, and I’d recommend it, no doubt.

But then… reality hit. I thought I was buying the dream TV, but this thing’s got me questioning my life choices. The picture? Yeah, those "amazing" reviews? Lies. The motion smoothing is on like an over-caffeinated squirrel, and I can’t even figure out how to turn it off. Colors are a disaster. It’s like watching a sunset through a foggy window. And don’t even get me started on the corner light bleed—it's like someone put a flashlight in the corners.

Setup? A hot mess. They want your Google account (because, apparently, cable is a thing of the past), and without it? Good luck, buddy. The interface feels like it’s running on dial-up, and the constant connection issues? No thanks. My Roku would NEVER. So, yeah, I’m not recommending this TV.

Westinghouse Roku TV - 50 Inch Smart TV 4K UHD LED TV​

WestinghouseRokuTV-50InchSmartTV4KUHDLEDTV.jpg

ParameterValue
Item Weight Without Stand14.77 Pounds
Base Depth9.4 Inches
Screen Size50 Inches
Item Dimensions D x W x H9.4"D x 44.2"W x 27.4"H
Total Audio Out Ports1
Number of Component Inputs4
Number of Composite-Video Inputs1
Content Sharing DirectionMobile to TV
Total USB 3.0 Ports2
Total Usb Ports2
Hardware InterfaceUSB, HDMI
Wireless TechnologyWi-Fi
Screen Mirroring TechnologyApple AirPlay2
Connector TypeHDMI, Optical, USB
Connectivity TechnologyWi-Fi
Internet ApplicationsNetflix, Pandora, Hulu, Amazon Instant Video, YouTube
Audio InputUSB, Optical, HDMI
Signal Formatdigital
Total Number of HDMI Ports4
HDR Format SupportedHDR10, HLG
Picture Quality Enhancement Technology4K UHD, HDR10, HLG
Display Language OptionsEnglish
Display Backlight TechnologyLED
Has Color ScreenYes
Display Backlight ConfigurationDirect-Lit
Contrast Ratio1000: 1
Viewing Angle178 Degrees
Screen FinishFlat
Display TechnologyLED
Resolution4K
Refresh Rate60 Hz
Aspect Ratio16:9
Parental Control TechnologyV-Chip
Special FeaturesFlat
Tuner TypeATSC
Video EncodingHEVC
Water Resistance LevelNot Water Resistant
Compatible DevicesAmazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit
Colorblack
Warranty TypeLimited
Number of Audio Channels2.1
Speaker Maximum Output Power2E+1 Watts
Speaker Description2 channel x 10W bottom side speakers with Dolby Digital+
Audio Output ModeDigital
Price$299.99
Review:
This TV is the Goldilocks of TVs—just the right size. We’re already rocking Roku, so adding this beauty to our room was like plugging in a new phone—smooth and painless. Huge relief after that Samsung disaster that nearly gave me a headache. The picture and audio? Straight-up chef’s kiss. No complaints whatsoever. And the remote? Perfection. One little magic wand with voice control, so you don’t have to juggle a billion buttons. If you’re looking for a great value, look no further.

For the price? This is a total steal. It’s super lightweight, so I—yes, a tiny girl—moved this 50-inch bad boy on my own like it was a pillow. Setup? Blink, and it’s done. Seriously, setup and use are so easy that you might question if you’re actually doing it right. Colors pop, the picture’s crisp, and everything just works. Highly recommend this TV if you want to get the most bang for your buck without any of the fuss.
 
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