4 Best QLED TVs Under $500

Thanks to the advancements in display technologies, QLED tech has trickled down to mainstream consumer TVs. For the uninitiated, QLED or Quantum Dot LED TVs draw a lot of parallels to a run-of-the-mill LCD TV set. However, QLED TVs are backed by additional Quantum Dot subpixels that can boost a TV’s peak brightness. At the same time, QLED TVs offer more precise color output too. Needless to say, budget-conscious buyers eyeing a new TV can consider opting for the best QLED TVs under $500. 

Of course, shortlisting the best QLED TV on a budget is akin to finding a needle in a haystack. Well, fret not. We’ve done our due diligence to narrow down the best QLED TVs for you. So, without any further ado, let’s take a look at the options.

But first, you might want to read about- 

• Dolby Vision can elevate your movie-watching experience tenfold. If you want to make the most of the HDR format, then you should get a TV that supports Dolby Vision.
• Most TVs ship with a sub-par sound system. If you want to immerse yourself in witty dialogues and on-screen explosions, consider opting for a soundbar with a subwoofer to complement your TV.
• Ready for the 8K gaming revolution? Consider grabbing an 8K TV for an unparalleled experience.

Now, let’s take a look at the best QLED TVs on a budget. 

1. TCL Class 5-Series QLED TV

Do note that the panel is capped at 60Hz, so you won’t be able to leverage VRR to the fullest. That said, the TV should resolve frame drops in demanding titles superbly. That’s not all; the TV also supports various HDR formats, namely Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG. Needless to say, the panel will be able to overturn scenes shot in overtly bright or gloomy settings superbly. Additionally, the TV also comes with TCL’s AiPQ engine, which uses machine learning to enhance the clarity of the content on your screen. 

Since we’re on the subject, you should also note that TCL’s Class 5-series range of TVs gets 40 local dimming ones. As a result, the TV should exhibit deep, dark black levels, thereby making dark and somber content more immersive. Moving on, the TV has been outfitted with a 20W speaker setup that should get adequately loud. You’ll also get a bevy of connectors, including four HDMI 2.1 connectors, one of which supports the eARC protocol. The unit also comes with popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and the works pre-installed, which is excellent. 

2. Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED Series

Naturally, the TV will reciprocate deeper blacks with richer contrast. And, experts are seemingly of the same opinion too. In fact, folks over at What HiFi opine that the TV offers good picture quality. Additionally, while the display refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, the TV benefits from a handful of gaming-oriented features. These include support for ALLM or Auto Low Latency Mode and VRR. Naturally, the set should offer minimal latency and screen tearing when playing games. 

We should also add that the panel is compliant with a wide array of HDR formats, including HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ Adaptive, and Dolby Vision IQ. As you might have guessed by now, the TV does, in fact, ship with an ambient light sensor to make the most of the Dolby Vision IQ HDR tech. It even comes with the company’s Ambient mode, which lets you use the TV like a super-sized photo frame to display artwork. 

As for software, the TV is backed by Amazon’s FireTV platform, so can watch movies on your favorite streaming services seamlessly. You can also invoke Alexa via voice commands to do your bidding. If anything, we would’ve liked to see more HDMI 2.1 ports with the set.

3. Hisense 55U6H QLED TV

We should also add that the TV supports the Dolby Vision HDR format. It is compliant with Dolby Atmos, too, so you should be able to leverage an Atoms-backed soundbar with the set to the fullest. Since we’re on the subject, the Hisense 55U6H lets buyers leverage the famed FilmMaker mode. To cut a long story short, the preset was developed in collaboration with the UHD alliance, film studios, and filmmakers. When enabled, the TV automatically finetunes the output to relay a movie as intended by the director. 

In terms of software, the TV boots Google TV from the get-go. The interface is quite user-friendly, so you should get the hang of it in no time. We should also point out that the set supports VRR up to 60Hz. Additionally, the TV also comes with ALLM smarts, so you should not incur too much latency when playing games on the 55U6H. All things considered, the Hisense 55U6H is a competitively-priced, 4K QLED TV for the masses. 

4. VIZIO MQX 4K TV

More notably, the panel can refresh at 120Hz when outputting in 4K resolution. That’s not all, as you can bump up the refresh rate to 240Hz if you choose to drop the resolution to 1080p. As such, you can use the TV with your gaming consoles or a gaming desktop seamlessly. We should also add that the unit comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports, and it supports AMD’s FreeSync tech. Correspondingly, the panel should accommodate the refresh rate to match the content on the screen, thereby mitigating instances of screen tearing. 

Of course, you will probably want to watch your favorite TV shows on the set too. To that end, the panel supports a slew of HDR codecs and can relay media in Dolby Vision and HDR10+ formats. Additionally, the panel is backed by full-array local dimming. Consequently, the TV should be able to reciprocate deep, dark blacks, thereby making movies and TV shows more immersive. Add to that WiFi 6E smarts, and the VIZIO 4K QLED is, quite possibly, the best QLED TV you can buy for around the $500 mark. 

Level Up Your Media Consumption Experience

The aforementioned QLED TVs will undeniably keep you glued to the screen. Off the lot, the Omni 4K QLED range from Amazon will serve you well for the foreseeable future. That said, buyers with a flexible budget can also snag the VIZIO MQX QLED TV, which doesn’t just support popular HDR formats but offers a high refresh rate panel for buttery-smooth gaming sessions. Do let us know which TV you opted for in the comments below.