If you think that the HD TV you have at home displays the clearest images you have ever seen in your life, then you certainly haven’t seen a 4K television. Here’s a bit of good news: 4K televisions have arrived in an affordable range. Capable of creating clearer and crisper images, 4K televisions can show more details than a standard HD TV. Plus, you can sit closer to a 4K TV without noticing any image degradation.
Moreover, you can get small 4K televisions (also called ultra-high definition TVs). These TVs have a maximum screen size of 50 inches which make them perfect for apartments and places with limited spaces.
4K televisions use either LED (light-emitting diode) or OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display panels. LED display panels are the most commonly used in 4K TVs. Able to deliver excellent picture quality, LED panels have thin profiles, making the unit itself easy to place in any viewing space.
You’ll also be delighted to learn that most 4K TVs today, regardless of their size, are already Smart TVs. This means that the units can directly connect to the Internet via WiFi, Ethernet cable, or both. Smart TVs also have built-in streaming apps, such as Netflix and HBO Now. You can stream movies and TV shows, play video games, and even surf the web on some models.
Now, here are the 8 best small 4K TVs you can buy today:
Samsung UN43LS03NAFXZA 43-Inch 4K TV
This 4K television from Samsung has a screen size of 43 inches. It measures 38 x 8 x 23.6 inches. It also features an Art Mode that shows beautiful artworks when the television is not on. When it is on Art Mode, the TV can show up to 100 beautiful works of art. You can also customize it to show your own photos. An impressive feature of the Art mode is its built-in sensors that enable it to detect ambient lighting conditions and appropriately adjust the brightness and color levels of the TV.
This television offers more pixels than full high definition TV, producing images that are up to four times more detailed. As a result, you can experience a realistic viewing experience. It also features a connect box where all connections such as HDMI cable, and power cords are hosted instead of being at the back of the TV. It results in a clutter-free set-up or arrangement.
Samsung UN40NU7100FXZA Flat 40-Inch 4K TV
This is part of a series of 4K televisions from Samsung. It’s the smallest in the series with other units ranging from 43 inches, 50 inches, 55 inches, 58 inches, 65 inches, and 75 inches. It has good picture quality and native contrast ratio. And its low input lag makes it an excellent gaming TV, too.
This 40-inch TV has dimensions of 36 x 8.2 x 23.8 inches. It has a stylish and slim design that makes it a practical choice for people who live in apartments. Because of its size, it can easily sit on a table or desktop. It can even be hanged on a wall through its VESA mount.
With its superior picture quality, it is also great for TV and movie watching as well as video gaming. The television supports incredibly fluid motion with its Motion Rate 120, so it should have no troubles showing fast-moving sequences.
There’s a single connector panel found on the right-hand side. Here, you can find the three HDMI ports of the TV as well as a couple of USB ports, a digital audio output, a LAN port for wired networking, and an RG connector for the antenna and cable.
Toshiba 43LF621U19 43-Inch 4K TV
This Toshiba 43-inch 4K TV features integrated Fire TV, which seamlessly integrates streaming channels and over-the-air TV. Also known as the Amazon Fire TV, it comes with Voice Remote with Alexa that allows users to control the unit easily. With the said remote control, users can also launch apps, search for TV shows, and control other smart home devices, among other functions.
The unit measures 9.1 x 38.1 x 23.9 inches and weighs less than 20 pounds. Made of plastic, the television has a decent build quality. The stand that goes along with it is well-built and sturdy.
It also has an excellent contrast ratio that improves images in dark scenes. Its decent reflection and brightness make it suitable for placement in bright rooms. With a good response time, the Toshiba Fire TV is capable of displaying fast-images or scenes with minimal blur.
However, it is clear that the Amazon Fire TV platform is the standout feature of this television. It has a good and responsive interface. Animation is smooth, and it is very intuitive. Moreover, it is integrated well with the Amazon Alexa voice command. Just be forewarned that tons of suggestions from Amazon Video can be annoying at times.
TCL 43S425 43-Inch 4K TV
This is one of the more affordable small 4K TVs on the market today. TCL may not be a brand that’s as well-known as Samsung or Sony, but it is a decent budget TV brand. This entry-level 4K television comes with Smart TV functionality which is quite surprising for such a low-priced unit.
The unit measures 45.1 x 26.2 x 5.2 inches and features glossy black bezels. Its Roku TV remote features dedicated buttons for streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu. The integrated Ruku platform features a wide range of movies and TV shows that users can access for free. It is also possible to use the Roku app in streaming media from a phone or tablet.
While this television has its own share of shortcomings such as lack of support for Dolby Vision, it cannot be denied that it is one of the best choices for people who have a limited budget for a small, 4K television.
Be sure to combine it with a wireless speaker for TV for the best experience.
LG 49UB8200 49-Inch 4K TV
This is also a low-priced small 4K television that surprisingly packs a lot of features. The 49-inch version measures 43 x 26.9 x 9.8 inches. There are plenty of connectivity options, including HDMI 2.0. Moreover, it offers full access to streaming apps, such as Netflix and Amazon Instant Video. It also has a good selection of LG image features, like HD to 4K upscaling.
It is user-friendly, too, particularly the use of the webOS smart TV. It is simple and easy to use. A single strip interface is designed to make browsing of online content and controlling the TV quick and hassle-free. Sharing content, such as photos and videos, from mobile devices is easy with the Smart Share feature built into this television.
The upscaling function of this LG television is impressive. It does a great job of enhancing the picture quality of TV shows and movies. This is likewise noteworthy to mention given that most of the broadcast content in many parts of the world remain SD or HD. With the upscaling technology of LG, the television is able to display images much better than it naturally is.
TCL 43S517 43-Inch 4K TV
This TCL model is similar to the other TCL model on this list. But it does have support for Dolby Vision, unlike the TCL 43S425. As such, you can expect this 43-inch television to produce images with superior contrast and more lifelike colors.
With dimensions of 37.8 x 22 x 2.9 inches, this television should fit perfectly in apartments and condos. Like the TCL 43S425, it offers a Smart functionality giving users access to movies and TV shows through Roku TV.
There are three HDMI 2.0 ports in this television as well as a USB port. An RF connector is available for connecting cable or an antenna. Other connectivity options include a digital optical port, an Ethernet port for wired connections, and a TV headphone jack for audio. Plus, it has a built-in WiFi receiver.
With the Dolby Vision, the television is more than capable of producing crisp and clear images. It also has no problems in displaying fast action sequences. Indeed, this is one of the best value-for-money small 4K televisions today.
Sony XBR49X900F 49-Inch 4K TV
From one of the most trusted electronics brand comes this 49-inch television with an impressive color and contrast ratio. It is also relatively affordable.
Measuring 53 x 7 x 29.25 inches, it has a simple and sleek design that makes it appealing to many. Its thin aluminum frame and brushed metal feet all exude high quality. At the back of the feet are channels for cable management to keep those wires in check.
Connectivity options include 4 HDMI inputs, with HDMI 2 and 3 designed for 4K Blu-Ray players and 4K capable gaming consoles. At the heart of this powerful unit is the X1 Extreme processor, which is responsible for its glorious picture, excellent color, and clear motion resolution. The unit has Sony’s Extended Dynamic Range technology, too, ensuring that dark sequences are darker and bright images are brighter.
The television is compatible with Amazon Alexa as well as Google Home, too, so it is possible to change channels and more through voice commands.
Sony XBR43X800E 43-Inch 4K TV
Last but not least is this 43-inch television from Sony. It shares similar features with the XBR49X900F, including Alexa for voice control and Smart functionality. It gets good reviews for superior handling of fast-moving sequences, and its High Dynamic Range ensures that it displays life-like pictures.
The television measures 38 x 22 x 2.25 inches. It doesn’t have the premium feel and look like that of the X900F, and some of its inputs can be quite a challenge to access if the unit is mounted to a wall.
Running on Android TV 7.0, it is user-friendly. A double click of the home button opens a task switching menu for quick opening and switching of apps. The platform is easy to navigate as well.
In terms of performance, the X800E is impressive at handling motion. With a fast response time, it can display fast-moving sequences with minimal blur. It has Game and Graphics picture modes to provide a realistic gaming experience to gamers. And, as a bonus, the sound quality is above average compared to other small 4k televisions on this list.
Here are some tips for buying 4K TVs:
- Consider getting an HDR-compatible unit as it can deliver or produce images with realistic colors.
- The unit should have two HDMI ports at the minimum.
- The higher the refresh rate, the better. The standard refresh rate is 60 Hz.