Best TVs Under €500 in 2026: 6 Budget 4K Picks for Europe

You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good 4K TV in 2026. Under €500 you can now buy a 55-inch set with a Mini-LED backlight, Google TV and every major streaming app – something that cost twice as much only a few years ago. The catch is that budget TVs cut corners in different places: some are dim, some sound tinny, and almost none support the 120 Hz modes that newer consoles can use.

This guide picks the TVs that get the basics right for the money, based on recent European tests – mainly netzwelt’s September 2026 comparison of 55-inch TVs under €600 and MediaMarkt’s own budget round-up. Prices are approximate and were checked in October 2026; memory-chip shortages have pushed some electronics prices up this year, while TVs are frequently discounted, so it’s worth checking the current offer.

1. Sharp JP7265E — best TV under €500

The Sharp JP7265E was netzwelt’s test winner among 55-inch TVs under €600, and it’s easy to see why. It is one of very few sets at this price with a Mini-LED backlight (192 zones), which gives it a brighter, more colourful and more contrasty picture than the standard LED panels around it. Netzwelt also rated its sound as clear and comparatively powerful – rare for a slim budget TV.

Google TV is built in, so every major streaming service is available, and there’s a headphone output for late-night viewing. The compromises: the panel tops out at 60 Hz, there’s no ambient-light sensor to adjust brightness automatically, and the channel list takes some getting used to. If you mainly stream and watch TV, it’s the best all-rounder here; if you want a bigger screen, the 65-inch model was around €609 in netzwelt’s October comparison.

2. Hisense Q7S — cheapest good QLED

At around €399 for 55 inches, the Hisense Q7S undercuts most of the field while still offering a quantum-dot (QLED) panel with vivid colours. Its biggest strength is the software: Hisense’s own Vidaa system is fast and logically laid out, with helpful hints in the menus.

It’s not a bright TV, though, and contrast is only average, so it suits a living room you can dim in the evening better than a sunny conservatory. Sound is average too, and there’s no USB recording.

3. Samsung M70H — most natural picture

Samsung’s 2026 M70H is the pick if you prefer realistic colours to punchy ones. Netzwelt praised its natural colour reproduction and good contrast, and Tizen’s app store covers practically every streaming service in Europe. At about €459 for 55 inches it’s fairly priced.

Samsung keeps some features for the step-up M80H – notably AI speech enhancement – and the M70H can’t record to USB or adjust its backlight. It’s a solid, no-surprises choice for people who just want a reliable TV from a big brand.

4. LG QNED70B / QNED72B — best colours and USB recording

LG’s entry QNED models (the 70B and 72B differ mainly in design) were praised by netzwelt for very good colour rendering. They’re also the only TVs in this list with USB recording and time-shift, which matters if you still record free-to-air TV. AirPlay support is handy in Apple households, and webOS is polished.

Brightness and contrast are modest, so HDR films don’t have much impact, and there’s only one USB port. At around €499 it sits right at the top of our budget.

5. Philips 43PUS9000 — best small TV, with Ambilight

If you want a smaller screen for a bedroom, kitchen or a console corner, the 43-inch Philips 43PUS9000 is unusually well equipped for about €465. It has Philips’ three-sided Ambilight, which projects the on-screen colours onto the wall behind and makes a small TV feel bigger. It also has a native 120 Hz panel with VRR up to 144 Hz and FreeSync Premium – the only TV here that can make full use of 120 Hz console modes.

It supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, but measured brightness is only around 400 nits in SDR and contrast is low, so HDR doesn’t look spectacular. Sound is average. Philips’ Titan OS covers the main streaming apps.

6. Amazon Ember 4 — lowest price

Amazon’s own Ember 4 is often the cheapest 55-inch 4K TV from a major brand, at around €379–399. You get a bright, colourful picture, four HDMI inputs and Fire TV with Alexa built in – handy if you already use Amazon’s ecosystem.

Netzwelt found the sound the weakest in its test, and motion can look juddery, with colours fading when you sit off to the side. Pair it with a soundbar (see our soundbar guide) and it’s a decent bargain; otherwise, the Sharp or Hisense are better buys.

Compare the key specs

How to choose a TV under €500

Screen size: 55 inches is the sweet spot

Most of the best value sits at 55 inches. For a typical European living room with a sofa around 2–2.5 metres from the screen, 55 is comfortable; if you sit further back, a 65-inch model (like the Sharp at about €609) is worth stretching for. Our guide to TVs under €1,000 covers bigger and brighter sets.

Mini-LED and QLED make the biggest difference

Brightness and contrast are where cheap TVs struggle most. A Mini-LED backlight with local dimming (as on the Sharp) improves both noticeably. QLED improves colour rather than contrast. Basic LED sets look fine with the lights on but flat in a dark room.

Gaming: check for 120 Hz

Almost every TV under €500 runs at 60 Hz, which is fine for most console games. If you want 120 Hz modes on a PS5 or PC, the Philips 43PUS9000 is the exception here; otherwise look at our best gaming TVs.

Smart platform and sound

Google TV, Tizen, webOS, Vidaa, Titan OS and Fire TV all carry Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and Disney+, but regional apps vary by country. Budget TV speakers are generally weak, so budget €100–300 for a soundbar if dialogue clarity matters. A cheap streaming stick can also replace a slow built-in system later.

EU buying basics

Every TV sold in the EU comes with a two-year legal guarantee from the seller, and you have 14 days to return online purchases. Check the energy label: bright Mini-LED sets use more power in HDR, which adds up over years of use. Model names also differ slightly between countries (for example GU vs. UE prefixes on Samsung), so compare specs, not just the name.

How we choose

We don’t run our own lab tests. Instead we compare published measurements and verdicts from established European testers such as netzwelt, hifi.de and MediaMarkt’s test summaries, check real EU prices, and always list each TV’s weaknesses. Read more on our how we research page.

FAQ

Is a TV under €500 good enough for Netflix in 4K?

Yes. Every TV in this guide supports 4K streaming and HDR. Differences show mainly in brightness, contrast and sound rather than sharpness.

Which budget TV is best for PS5?

The Philips 43PUS9000 is the only one here with a native 120 Hz panel and VRR. The others are limited to 60 Hz, which is still fine for most games.

Should I buy last year’s model instead?

Often, yes – outgoing models are discounted heavily. Just compare the spec sheet, because some 2026 budget models dropped features their predecessors had.

Do I need a soundbar?

Not strictly, but budget TVs tend to sound thin. A compact soundbar like the Sonos Ray or a budget package such as the Hisense AX5125H makes speech much clearer.