TL;DR - LG UT80 (399 GBP) is the best pick, Dolby Vision and solid webOS support. Samsung Q60D (379 GBP) for SmartThings users. Hisense A7N (299 GBP) if budget is tight, plan to add a streaming stick by 2027. Under 500 GBP means 60 Hz panels and no HDMI 2.1, so manage those expectations before buying.
UK readers, you're in the right place. This guide covers UK pricing in GBP and models stocked at Currys, John Lewis, and Argos. US shopping in dollars? See our best budget smart TVs under $500 instead, TCL and Hisense Mini-LED options dominate that market, and pricing differs by 30-40% in places.
Scope note: This guide is strictly for the under-500 GBP tier (UK pricing). For premium picks (1,000-1,500 GBP) see the cluster hub best smart TVs 2025. For streaming-specific benchmarks at any budget see best smart TV for streaming.
Honestly, the under-500 TV market is a minefield of yesterday's panels with new branding stickers. My take: pick on smart-OS support over panel hype, because the silicon is what dies first.
Quick comparison: budget TVs under 500 GBP
| Model | Price | Smart OS | Panel | HDR Support | SW Updates | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG UT80 55" | 399 GBP | webOS 24 | IPS LED | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision | 4+ years | Overall best |
| Samsung Q60D 55" | 379 GBP | Tizen | QLED VA | HDR10 | 4 years | Samsung/SmartThings users |
| TCL 55P745 55" | 349 GBP | Google TV | IPS LED | HDR10 | 3+ years | Widest app selection |
| Hisense A7N 55" | 299 GBP | VIDAA | LED | HDR10 | 2 years | Tightest budget |
All four are 4K, 60 Hz panels. None support HDMI 2.1. Refresh rate claims above 60 Hz in marketing refer to software processing, not native panel rate.
What 500 GBP actually buys in 2025
Budget TVs have improved dramatically in the past three years. This guide covers UK pricing in GBP, if you're shopping in the US, see our best budget TVs under $500 instead. If you're not sure what to prioritise, our best smart TVs of 2025 guide covers the full price range. You can get 4K resolution, HDR support, and a decent smart OS for 300 GBP. What you won't get is high peak brightness (no Mini-LED), HDMI 2.1 for 4K gaming, or more than 2 years of guaranteed software updates.
That last point matters more than most buyers realise. A TV bought in 2025 for streaming Netflix might have an unsupported OS by 2027. The fix is easy - a 50 GBP Chromecast or Fire Stick replaces the smart features indefinitely. But it's worth knowing.
Our top picks under 500 GBP
LG UT80 55-inch - Best overall (399 GBP)
The UT80 runs webOS 24, LG's mature and well-designed smart platform. App loading is fast, the remote is good, and webOS gets more updates than any other budget TV OS we've tested. I set one up in my spare bedroom last autumn and the picture quality genuinely surprised me for the price.
The 55-inch 4K panel handles HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision - unusual at this price. It won't get especially bright (400 nits peak), but for a bedroom or darker living room, it's excellent.
What you're giving up: 60 Hz panel only (no HDMI 2.1), no local dimming, and only 8 GB storage.
Samsung Q60D 55-inch - Best for Tizen users (379 GBP)
If you already have Samsung appliances and use SmartThings, the Q60D fits neatly into that ecosystem. Tizen is the fastest-booting OS we've tested at any price - from standby to Netflix in 4 seconds flat.
The QLED panel adds some colour volume over standard LED, though the 60 Hz refresh rate and lack of local dimming keeps this squarely in budget territory. Samsung promises 4 years of software updates, which is genuinely better than most competitors at this price.
Hisense A7N 55-inch - Best value (299 GBP)
At 299 GBP, the A7N is the cheapest route to a watchable 4K HDR experience. VIDAA OS is limited (no Apple TV+ built-in, fewer apps than Google TV or webOS), but Netflix, Disney+, Amazon, and YouTube are all present.
The honest caveat: VIDAA gets 2 years of updates. Buy this TV and plan to add a Chromecast in 2027. At 299 GBP, you've saved enough to buy three Chromecasts.
TCL 55P745 - Best for Google TV fans (349 GBP)
TCL's P745 brings Google TV to the budget segment. That means the full Android app ecosystem, Google Assistant, and smooth Chromecast built-in. The interface is identical to what you'd find on a 1,000 GBP Sony.
The panel itself is basic - no local dimming, 60 Hz - but the software experience significantly outperforms what you'd expect at the price. If you watch a variety of streaming services or use niche apps, this is the one to pick.
What the specs actually mean at this price
Does the spec sheet still matter under 500 GBP? Yes, but only three numbers really do - refresh rate, RAM, and HDMI version.
Refresh rate
Every TV in this category is a 60 Hz panel. Any marketing claiming "120 Hz motion rate" or "TruMotion 120" refers to software interpolation, not the native panel rate. For streaming and standard TV, 60 Hz is perfectly fine. I watched an entire Premier League weekend on the Hisense A7N and the motion handling was decent, not perfect during quick camera pans, but absolutely acceptable for the price.
HDR at budget prices
All four TVs support HDR10. The LG UT80 also adds Dolby Vision. But HDR on a 400-nit budget panel is a muted experience - the highlights don't pop the way they do on a 1,500+ nit Mini-LED display.
Don't buy a budget TV expecting HDR to look the same as on a premium set. It won't. HDR at budget prices mostly means wider colour range, not blinding brightness highlights.
Panel type
All four use standard IPS or VA LED panels. No Mini-LED, no OLED. VA panels (Samsung Q60D uses VA) offer better contrast in dark rooms. IPS panels (LG UT80 uses IPS) have wider viewing angles.
If you're wall-mounting a TV that will be viewed from angles (dining table, multiple seating positions), prioritise IPS. For a dedicated viewing chair directly in front, VA gives better contrast.
The case for a streaming stick instead
A budget TV + streaming stick is a legitimate strategy. Buy a 55-inch 4K TV for 250 GBP (any brand - you don't care about the smart features). Add a 55 GBP Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Total: 305 GBP. You get HDR, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, and software that Amazon will update for years.
I've recommended this combination to three friends who were on tight budgets. None of them have complained about the experience, and one actually prefers it to their previous 1,200 GBP Sony.
Which one should you buy?
For most buyers: the LG UT80. WebOS is the best-balanced smart TV OS at any price, Dolby Vision is a genuine differentiator, and LG's update track record is solid.
Already in the Samsung ecosystem: Q60D. The Tizen performance and 4-year update promise are real advantages.
Watching budget closely: Hisense A7N. Add a Fire Stick in 2027 and you've spent less than any competitor.
Most apps needed: TCL P745. Google TV's app library is unmatched. Not sure which OS suits you best? Our smart TV OS comparison breaks down each platform in detail.
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