Not Too Big, Not Too Small, 43-Inch TVs Are the Goldilocks of Televisions

If we’re being honest, having a 43-inch TV in your home is never going to generate the same envy as the imposing frame of an 85-inch behemoth. But nor does it need to, as size isn’t everything. The best 43-inch TVs are still capable of fulfilling the average person’s TV needs in terms of high-quality visuals, easy access to online content and user-friendliness.

At some point in time, a 43-inch TV would have been pushing the extremes of available TV size and well worthy of a place in your living room. However, as technology has moved on, 43-inch devices now find themselves in the lower to middle ground of what is readily available to the average consumer. Given this, 43-inch devices are better suited to bedrooms, gaming rooms, kid’s rooms, offices and other rooms where you’re looking to avoid your TV becoming the focal point. As a general guide, 43-inch devices are a good option for when you are going to be sitting between 3.6 to 5.4 feet away from the screen.

When it comes to choosing the best 43-inch TV for your money, it’s worth considering what factors are most important to you. Things to look for in your pick of TV include:

• User Interface – Compared to the olden days, when all you had to do was flick up or down between a limited number of channels, navigating a TV is now a far more complicated task. With this in mind, make sure you think about what interface style you prefer. Choosing a smart TV with built-in WiFi connectivity saves having to attach an additional device and prevents the need for an additional remote control. Voice control is also a popular feature to look out for.

• Screen Resolution – This is a surprisingly easy decision — 4K (Ultra HD). While 8K is now a possibility, it’s rarely available in 43-inch models. Furthermore, there are few 8K input sources to actually make spending the extra money worth it. On the other end of the scale, investing in a lower resolution 1080p (HD) TV is folly given the prevalence and budget-friendly prices of 4K models.

• Refresh Rate – The refresh rate is how many times per second the screen refreshes the picture. This can affect how fluid things appear when they move on screen. While gamers may prefer to opt for a 60-hertz device, 120 hertz is worth checking out for peak everyday viewing.

• HDMI Ports – If you want to attach extra devices like a games console, a Chromecast device or a soundbar, you’re going to need as many HDMI ports as possible. Most TVs include at least three ports, but some models do have more.

Below you’ll find nine of the best 43-inch TVs available online. Each device is well reviewed and offers great picture quality as well as convenient usability.

1. TCL 4K UHD Smart LED TV

The TCL 4K UHD Smart LED TV is a popular option thanks to an impressive viewing experience for a moderate price point. Backed by over 8,700 five-star ratings, this popular TV features Roku TV which provides intuitive access to all your favorite apps like Youtube, Spotify, Skype and Netflix. With this TV in your home, you’ll have access to over 500,000 movies and TV episodes. The display offers 4K, ultra-HD picture clarity, using direct-lit LEDs to create lifelike images. Furthermore, the three HDMI ports, one USB port, headphone jack and composite ensure you’ve got all the physical connectivity you need.

Buy: TCL 4K UHD Smart LED TV $348.00

2. Toshiba Class LED Smart FireTV

For under $300, you can get yourself the Toshiba Class LED Smart FireTV and enjoy full HD visuals through its LED display. It features three built-in HDMI ports, one USB port and includes built-in WiFi and ethernet connectivity. Plus, it makes it especially easy to access your favorite TV apps like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Hulu thanks to the built-in voice controls in the form of Amazon’s Alexa. It’s an ideal choice for TV lovers on a budget who want to enjoy everyday TV, movies and games.

Buy: Toshiba Class LED Smart FireTV $299.99

3. Insignia Smart 4K UHD Fire TV

Part of the Insignia NS-43DF710NA21 Smart 4K UHD Fire TV’s appeal is its ability to keep things simple. The conventional design includes three HDMI ports, a USB port and a headphone jack. Visually, you get a 4K, Ultra HD picture quality with over eight million pixels. A quad-core CPU and a multi-core GPU deliver near-instant responsiveness and faster search functions. It also comes with a voice-enabled remote control, ensuring you never need to get up by letting you launch apps, switch inputs, search for your favorite TV shows and even control your smart home devices through your voice alone. Plus, the designated Netflix and Prime Video buttons offer one-press access to your favorite apps.

Buy: Insignia Smart 4K UHD Fire TV $319.99

4. Hisense Class R6090G Roku 4K UHD Smart TV

The Hisense Class R6090G Roku 4K UHD Smart TV uses several technologies exclusive to the brand to deliver cleaner colors, better brightness and smoother motion. You’ll enjoy 4K resolution with Dolby Vision HDR and HDR 10 for clear and color-filled visuals, while the DTS Studio Sound gives you virtual surround sound for greater immersion when watching. The TV also uses Roku TV for a user-friendly experience when navigating the device. And, for even greater convenience, you can use your iOS or Android device as a secondary remote using the Roku TV remote app. You’ll also love the TV’s bezel-less design, which looks great when wall mounted.

Buy: Hisense Class R6090G Roku 4K UHD Smart TV $336.13

5. SAMSUNG Q60A Series Quantum HDR Smart TV

If you’re searching for a TV for gaming above all else, it’s worth checking out this SAMSUNG Q60A Series Quantum HDR Smart TV. In addition to quality TV viewing, thanks to the Quantum HDR, Quantum processor 4K and Motion Xcelerator, you’ll enjoy a gamer-friendly experience both visually and functionally. This includes being able to choose between multiple aspect ratios from 21:9 and 32:9, including a Super Ultrawide GameView. Plus, you can choose to view an on-screen menu that provides faster access to your settings, such as headset settings, HDR, FPS and the input lag status. Furthermore, the TV comes with a sleek remote control with designated Netflix, Prime Video and Samsung TV Plus buttons.

Buy: SAMSUNG Q60A Series Quantum HDR Smart TV $577.99

6. Sony X80J 4K Ultra HD LED Smart Google TV

The Sony X80J 4K Ultra HD LED Smart Google TV is a great all-around TV choice. Picture-wise, Sony’s 4K HDR Processor X1 offers true-to-life color, smooth movements and crystal-clear images. Triluminous Pro also ensures you’re seeing more colors than a conventional TV. For convenience, the TV includes Google TV built-in, letting you browse over 700,000 movies and TV shows from all your favorite streaming services, including Disney+, Netflix and Apple TV. Additionally, the TV’s 4K X-Reality Pro uses a unique 4K database to upscale HD content, giving it a close-to-4K look with greater real-world detail and texture.

Buy: Sony X80J 4K Ultra HD LED Smart Google TV $598.00

7. LG UHD 80 Series Class 4K Smart UHD TV

Choosing a TV with an upscaling engine is a great idea for anyone who is still working from a non-4k input source. TVs, like this LG UHD 80 Series Class 4K Smart UHD TV, are capable of taking your standard broadcast and making it look better. Think sharper images, deeper blacks and richer colors. On top of this fancy addition, this popular TV model includes 4K UHD resolution and has three built-in HDMI ports. Additionally, LG’s LG ThinQ AI and accompanying Magic Remote make TV navigation simple through user-friendly controls and intuitive voice commands.

Buy: LG UHD 80 Series Class 4K Smart UHD TV $799.95

8. Sony X85J 4K Ultra HD LED Smart Google TV

If your sole desire is the best picture quality possible, the Sony X85J 4K Ultra HD LED Smart Google TV could be the right choice for you. The device features Sony’s 4K HDR Processor X1 to deliver detailed contrast along with smooth and crystal-clear images. Unlike the more basic models in the line, the X85J includes a native 120-hertz refresh rate to ensure on-screen motion remains clean throughout, even during action sequences, live sports and gaming. A high dynamic range and Dolby vision further add to the visual superiority. With this well-endowed device in your home, you’ll also have access to over 700,000 TV shows and movies through streaming services including Disney+, Youtube, Amazon Prime and Netflix. In addition, the accompanying remote control includes a user-friendly layout and has dedicated buttons for YouTube, Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video.

Buy: Sony X85J 4K Ultra HD LED Smart Google TV $748.00

9. SAMSUNG Class Frame QLED LS03 Series HDR Smart TV

For something a little classier than your average TV set, choose this SAMSUNG Class Frame QLED LS03 Series HDR Smart TV. By incorporating an additional bezel and frame into the design, this stylish device seamlessly transforms from a TV into a picture frame when it’s not being watched. It’s a fun, incognito way to add a TV to any living space without having to make it the focal point of the room. Available frame colors include black, white and brown. It’s also supplied with a no-gap wall mount for flush hanging to complete the picture frame-style appearance.

Buy: SAMSUNG Class Frame QLED LS03 Series HDR Smart TV $997.99

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