It wasn’t that long ago that 40-inch TVs were considered the biggest TV screens you could possibly imagine in your home. Now though, 55-inch has become the flagship size for most new TVs, while 65-inch and even 75-inch TV ranges continue to grow each year – but a 40-inch TV still remains perfectly sized for those unwilling or unable to fit a massive wall-filling screen into their home.
There’ll be a good number of Black Friday TV deals coming later in the year, though the best discounts tend to be on larger sets with bigger price tags, as even 10% off goes a much longer way for a four-figure sum than a set that costs $500 / £500.
- If you have a small budget, or small home, then it might make more sense to check out our list of the best 32-inch televisions on offer right now instead.
Especially if you’re making the jump up from a 32-inch television to a 40-inch screen, you’ll find the new television unlikely to suddenly overwhelm your living room – or eat up your budget.
The biggest drawback with choosing a 40-inch screen rather than one of the bigger options is that you don’t always get the latest tech built into a 40-inch TV – like OLED panels or often 4K or HDR. TV manufacturers tend to save the best performance for the biggest models in their range.
But the good news is that we know not all TVs and TV brands are created equal. There are a number of exceptional 40-inch TVs with 4K HDR at a reasonable price and we’ve done all the hard work and research for you. The result is a list of 40-inch TVs we’ll be constantly updating that we think represent the best 40-inch TVs on the market right now. (If you’re in the US, too, you’ll want to skip to options 2, 3 or 5.)
How do I pick out a 40-inch TV?
Before we dive into our recommendations, it’s worth going over what we look for when we’re reviewing and recommending TVs here on TechRadar.
Ultra HD vs Full HD: That you can’t see a difference between Full HD and Ultra HD on a screen smaller than 55 inches is a common misconception. If you take your time and really look at a picture – especially if that picture is using High Dynamic Range – you will see a difference.
We recommend picking a TV with 4K Ultra-HD and HDR if you can find one. They’re not the standard at this screen size, as the cost can outweigh the benefits for someone shopping for an ultra-cheap TV, but if you’re serious about video, 4K is vital.
Operating system: 40-inch TVs didn’t always come with a smart TV operating system in the past. These dumb TVs were incredibly cheap to make, and therefore cheap to buy, too. But there was a problem: as Netflix and YouTube became more and more popular, people wanted to stream those services on their TV without resorting to a streaming video device like a Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick or Chromecast.
These days, it’s fairly easy to find good Smart TV on a 40-inch TV. All but the most bare-bones of screens will have them. What you’re looking for, ideally, is a well-maintained operating system like Roku TV, LG’s webOS or Samsung’s Tizen operating system. If you go with a TV that uses a proprietary operating system (basically an operating system exclusive to that one TV) you might have some serious issues down the road.
Inputs and outputs: Connections seem boring, but trust us – this is something most folks don’t think about until they bring the TV home and get it all connected, only to realize their great new TV only has one HDMI port.
Having multiple HDMI ports (along with options for optical audio out and RCA connectors) allow you to connect most – if not all – of your devices. This will save you time in the long run as you won’t have to get up and switch the cables around any time you want to change the input.
Now you know exactly what you’re looking for in a brand new 40-inch screen, here are a few of our favorite TVs that we think would be a great addition to your home entertainment center.
What’s the best 40-inch TV in 2019?
(Image credit: Panasonic)
1. Panasonic GX800 LED TV (not for US)
This 2019 Panasonic TV offers staggering HDR format support
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
HCX Processor
Only three HDMI
Undoubtedly one of the best TV offerings of 2019, the Panasonic GX800 hits that sweet spot of price, performance, and functionality, starting at £649 for the 40-inch model.
With Panasonic leaning more on OLED TVs these days, you’d be forgiven for thinking the LED sets in the 2019 Panasonic TV range might not be up to scratch, but the GX800’s HCX processor is more than up to the task. Both HD and 4K images are impressive, while the multi-HDR support (HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG) is a masterstroke is such an affordable price.
You won’t be getting the full effect of all those formats on this panel – you’ll need to consider a larger, more expensive set like the GZ1000 or GZ1500 to do that – but you’ll also never find yourself unable to play a certain kind of HDR content again.
Read our full Panasonic GX800 TV review
(Image credit: Samsung)
2. Samsung Q60R QLED TV
A 43-inch QLED panel, with some compromises
Most affordable QLED
Great for gamers
Responsive smart platform
Edge-lit panel
No OneConnect Box
Lackluster sound
When it comes to the best Samsung TVs, it’s all about QLED. The super-bright QLED displays offer hundred more nits brightness than most LEDs, with a quantum dot filter to enhance contrast across a 4K display.
The Q60R isn’t quite as accomplished as its premium siblings, being the entry-level QLED and therefore the one with the lowest specs. The edge-lighting can be inconsistent, and you won’t get the tidy One Connect box of other premium Samsung TVs either.
Given its 43-inch size, though, you won’t be taking up as much space as a larger set, and as the cheapest QLED to come out this year it’s a smart choice for those wanting to save on high-end technology. Its low input lag and responsive smart platform make it a great choice for gamers wanting a zippy experience – or just anyone feeling impatient.
Read our full Samsung Q60R QLED TV review
(Image credit: Vizio)
3. Vizio M-Series Quantum (US only)
Quantum dot technology on the cheap, in a 43-inch panel
Excellent HDR performance
Lots of smart home integration
Poor upscaling
Old remote design
Vizio has repeatedly put out mid-range sets deserving of our various best guides, and the M-Series Quantum is no exception. It features a brilliant quantum dot display at a surprisingly decent price, with a capable sound performance (2x20W speakers) to match the pictures onscreen.
HDR images are a particular highlight, with Dolby Vision support and local dimming helping to reach those deep black levels.
Vizio’s SmartCast smart TV platform isn’t the best out there, but it does come with a lot of functionality, including support for Google Cast and AirPlay 2, and HDMI Arc for controlling your soundbar through the TV controls. Overall, the compromises are more than fair for the sub-$800 price tag, and you won’t get much better for the money elsewhere.
Read our full Vizio M-Series Quantum review
(Image credit: Philips)
4. Philips 6800 4K UHD TV (not for US)
A 43-inch TV with three-sided Ambilight
Multi-HDR format support
Three-sided Ambilight
SD image quality bleary
Issues with Dolby Atmos
Like the Panasonic GX800, the Philips 6800 offers a wide range of HDR support in its small size, with both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision baked into the panel.
The TV’s casing itself is sleek and fashionable, with three-sided Ambilight upping the atmosphere with colors that spill and project around the TV screen. What could be better for an immersive night gaming or watching a film?
The outside of the set may be its most impressive aspect, though. The 4K display is best for HD, and can struggle with lower-resolution sources. You’ll also want to look at the TV square-on rather than from the side, as viewing angles aren’t the best. Overall, though, this a solid choice for a smaller set.
Read the full review: Philips 6800 4K UHD TV review
(Image credit: TCL)
5. TCL 5-Series (US only)
A solid mid-level TV, propped up by Roku’s smart platform
4K, HDR with Dolby Vision
Roku TV built-in
Value pricing
Mediocre upscaling
Can’t match 6-Series
TCL has some of the strongest mid-range sets out there. While the TCL 6 Series offers a pretty big jump in quality, only the 5 Series goes down the super convenient 43-inch size so many TV models are leaving behind these days.
So what do you get with a TCL 5 Series TV? While the design of the set itself is pretty nondescript – with some messy cabling around the back – the inclusion of the Roku smart TV platform makes for a fast and well-organized interface. HD/SDR images too are right at home, with good color balance and clarity even on the Ultra HD screen.
4K/HDR isn’t quite as impressive, without the luminance to really make those added colors shine, but for everyday watching the TCL 5 Series is solid bet.
Read our full TCL 5-Series review
Buying a 40-inch TV for Black Friday
If you’re after a new television, there are few times better than Black Friday – the massive sales event that sees discounts on a wide range of gadgets, including televisions.
It’s usually older televisions that get the most savings, as retailers try to clear out stock before new models come in. If you’re not bothered about having the most advanced tech on the market, then it might be the best way to get your hands on a quality television from last year’s cohort.
Keep in mind smaller 40-inch TVs won’t have as large savings as larger sets. While you might see a good £500 / $500 / AU$750 off a 65-inch OLED TV, something on the smaller side may not cost that amount in the first place – and even a couple of hundred in savings can mark a good deal.
- Looking for the best screen, period? Here’s the best TV we’ve tested