Best 43-Inch TV to Buy – Budget, Mid-Range, and Premium Options

What small TV to buy? Choosing the right model can be harder than it seems. If you landed here, you probably already know that choosing a 43-inch TV is not that simple. Why? Because manufacturers are increasingly abandoning this size, focusing on larger screens. As a result, most of the mid-range TVs we recommend start from 55 inches, and finding a really good model in a smaller format can be a challenge. Nevertheless, 43-inch TVs are still very popular. They are perfect for the bedroom, children's room, kitchen, or office, where a larger screen doesn't always make sense.

Best Budget 43-Inch TVs

In the category of cheap 43-inch TVs, two models from reputable Chinese manufacturers stand out – TCL C69B (or C655) and Hisense A7NQ. Despite their affordable price, they offer high contrast, solid colors, and support for modern HDR formats.

High contrast and QLED technology in a budget TV? Yes!

Both models are equipped with VA panels, which means great blacks and high contrast. Furthermore, although they are standard LCD TVs, they use a PFS LED filter, also known as QLED, which results in more vibrant and realistic colors. With this, without spending a fortune, we can enjoy really good color gamut coverage – clearly better than in typical budget models.

📌 Why these models?

• Dolby Vision support compensates for low brightness – this format dynamically adjusts the picture, allowing for better effects on streaming platforms, e.g. Netflix, Disney+.

• Both models are great for watching movies and series in moderately darkened rooms. (It should be noted that they are budget constructions, which is why their brightness is not the highest).

• They support basic gaming features such as VRR and ALLM.

TCL C69B / C655 or Hisense A7NQ? Which model to choose?

💡 It depends on your preferences! Both TVs have similar picture quality but differ in operating system, user features, and options for gamers.

TCL C69B / C655 – Google TV and full app database

✅ Google TV system – full access to thousands of apps from Google Play.
✅ Best choice if you care about smart TV and wide availability of apps.
✅ Supports ALLM and VRR – a good solution for occasional gamers.
✅ A larger number of apps than on Hisense – there will be no shortage of music apps (Spotify, Tidal).

❌ No recording and programming TV functions – for people watching traditional television, this may be a drawback.

Hisense A7NQ – more user functions and 120 Hz in Full HD

✅ Vidaa System – Hisense's proprietary platform, fast and intuitive.
✅ Recording and scheduling function to USB drive – great option for traditional TV viewers.
✅ ALLM and VRR for gamers, and…
✅ Support for 120 Hz in Full HD! – great solution for those who prefer higher fluidity at the expense of resolution.

❌ Fewer applications than TCL – some services may be unavailable.

Comparison: TCL C69B / C655 vs Hisense A7NQ

Mid-range TVs – the best choice at a reasonable price

If you are looking for a small TV with better picture quality, but still at a reasonable price, then models from the mid-range can be the ideal choice. In this category, we recommend two models that stand out from the competition: Sharp GR8 and Samsung Q60D.

Both TVs are LCD with a VA panel, but they differ in their brightness, refresh rate, and operating system. Each has its strengths, so the choice depends on your preferences.

Sharp GR8 vs Samsung Q60D

Both models offer color-enhancing technologies, but in different ways:
✅ Samsung Q60D utilizes quantum dots (QLED), which means a richer color palette and better color saturation.
✅ Sharp GR8 is equipped with a PFS LED coating, which also improves color quality, as effectively as Samsung's QLED.

📌 Brightness

• Samsung Q60D wins in this category – tests have shown it can reach 550 nits, making it a significantly brighter TV than the Sharp GR8.

• Sharp GR8 offers brightness closer to budget models (around 350 nits), so it may perform worse in very bright rooms.

📌 HDR Support

• Sharp GR8 supports Dolby Vision, the most popular HDR format that allows for better contrast and image dynamics on platforms like Netflix and Disney+.

• Samsung Q60D does not support Dolby Vision, but instead offers HDR10+, which also dynamically adjusts image brightness – though it is still less common than Dolby Vision.

📌 Panel Refresh Rate

• Here Sharp GR8 gains a significant advantage, as its panel has a 144 Hz refresh rate, which guarantees much smoother motion in dynamic scenes and games.

• Samsung Q60D remains at 60 Hz, but has Auto Motion Plus for gaming, which is a frame interpolation feature. This allows game visuals to appear smoother.

Comparison: Sharp GR8 vs Samsung Q60D

Which mid-range small TV to choose? Sharp GR8 vs Samsung Q60D

✔ Sharp GR8 – the best choice if:
✅ You are looking for the smoother image and want to use 144 Hz.
✅ You need Dolby Vision for watching movies and series in the best HDR quality.
✅ Google TV and a huge application database are a priority for you.

✔ Samsung Q60D – a better choice if:
✅ You want a brighter screen – the difference in brightness compared to Sharp is significant.
✅ You use smart devices and want easy integration with your home ecosystem (e.g., one remote control for multiple devices).
✅ HDR10+ is sufficient for you instead of Dolby Vision.

The choice is yours! Sharp GR8 is a great choice for gamers and streaming users, while Samsung Q60D offers a brighter screen and better integration with smart home ecosystems.

Premium TVs – the best picture quality in 43 inches

If you are looking for the best small TV and don't want any compromises when it comes to picture quality, then in 2024/2025, the LG C4 and Samsung QN90D/QN92D are absolute top models in the 43-inch size. It can confidently be said that it's hard to find a better choice in this category.

Both TVs represent two different technologies – LG C4 is OLED, which impresses with perfect blacks and infinite contrast, while Samsung QN90D/QN92D is Mini LED, which offers significantly higher brightness and no risk of burn-in.

LG C4 – the best 42-inch OLED on the market

LG C4 is one of the most popular OLED TVs in 2024 and 2025 – and not without reason. If you care about the best picture quality for home theater, this model is unmatched.

📌 The main advantages:
✅ Infinite contrast – perfect black that no LCD TV can match.
✅ 144 Hz panel – ensures exceptional smoothness, both in movies and in games.
✅ Magic Remote Control – intuitive TV navigation, gesture control, and pointer.
✅ Dolby Vision support – ideal detail reproduction in dark and bright HDR scenes.
✅ The best choice for movie lovers and gamers – no motion blur, excellent panel response time.

❌ Does OLED have any disadvantages?

• This is not the brightest TV on the market, so if you plan to watch mainly in a very bright room, Mini LED might be a better choice.

• Risk of burn-in? In everyday use, this is unlikely, but if you plan to watch static content for many hours (e.g., news channels, HUD in games), it’s worth keeping this in mind.

Samsung QN90D / QN92D – Mini LED for demanding users

Not everyone can or wants to choose OLED – and this is where Samsung QN90D / QN92D comes into play. It is a television with Mini LED backlighting, which although it does not offer such perfect blacks as OLED, has several very important advantages:

📌 Key advantages:
✅ Significantly higher brightness than OLED – ideal for viewing in sunlit rooms.
✅ No risk of burn-in – you can safely watch news channels or play games with static HUD.
✅ 144 Hz panel – equally good solution for gamers as in the LG C4.
✅ Auto Motion Plus technology – improves motion smoothness in games.
✅ Better viewing angles than typical LCDs – although they still do not match OLED.

❌ No Dolby Vision
Samsung traditionally does not support Dolby Vision, instead supporting HDR10+. Although this format is gradually gaining popularity (e.g., Disney+ recently announced support for HDR10+), Dolby Vision still remains a more common format. However, the high brightness of Mini LED makes the absence of Dolby Vision not as noticeable as in the cheaper televisions we described earlier where limited luminance can affect HDR quality.

Comparison LG C4 vs Samsung QN90D / QN92D

Which premium 43-inch TV to choose?

✔ LG C4 – for fans of perfect black and cinematic picture quality
✅ The best choice for movies – endless contrast and Dolby Vision.
✅ Great for gamers – 144 Hz, low input lag.
✅ Intuitive webOS system with Magic Remote.

✔ Samsung QN90D / QN92D – for those who want a brighter screen and no risk of burn-in
✅ Ideal for bright rooms – Mini LED provides high brightness.
✅ Excellent for sports and gaming – 144 Hz and Auto Motion Plus.
✅ HDR10+ instead of Dolby Vision – a slightly less popular format, but at this brightness, the differences are minimal.

The final choice depends on you! If you want a cinematic OLED with the best picture quality – LG C4 will be perfect. However, if you are looking for a TV with higher brightness and no risk of burn-in, then Samsung QN90D/QN92D will meet your expectations. Moreover, Maciej talked about them in our video on YouTube.

Alternative TVs – is it worth choosing them?

In the segment of 43-inch TVs, besides classic choices, there are models that may interest specific users due to their unique features. Two of the most popular alternative TVs are:

📌 Philips The One (PUS8959) – with iconic Ambilight backlighting
📌 Samsung The Frame (LS03D) – matte display and “art mode” feature

Is it worth buying them? It depends on your priorities! These are not TVs offering the best picture quality, but they have something that can attract specific groups of viewers.

Philips The One (PUS8959) – Ambilight, but not for movie enthusiasts

The biggest advantage of Philips The One (PUS8959) is the Ambilight backlighting, which significantly enhances the viewing experience, especially in a dark room. This feature is what makes many users choose this model – if you love the effect of dynamic backlighting, it's hard to find a better solution. Of course, there are external alternatives like systems from Govee or Setti that can provide a similar effect, but they can't match the precision of the built-in Ambilight in Philips TVs.

📌 Key features:
✅ Ambilight – unique wall lighting around the TV adjusted to the content on the screen.
✅ 120 Hz display – great motion fluidity, low blur, good for sports and gaming.
✅ Low latency and good response time of IPS panel – a gaming proposition for Ambilight fans.

❌ Drawbacks?

• IPS panel = low contrast – even budget VA TVs from our ranking offer better blacks.

• TitanOS system – very limited app library, you won't find Apple TV, SkyShowtime or Viaplay here.

Is it worth it? If Ambilight is a priority for you, and the limitations of the Smart TV system and low contrast do not bother you, then it could be a great TV for gaming and sports.

Samsung The Frame (LS03D) – TV or work of art?

Samsung The Frame (LS03D) is one of the few televisions that emphasizes design above all. If you care about aesthetics and the TV should look like a picture on the wall, The Frame is a great choice.

📌 Key features:
✅ Matte VA panel – zero reflections, works great in bright rooms, and the panel itself has quite good contrast.
✅ Art mode – the ability to display images in standby mode, so the TV looks like a decoration.
✅ OneConnect module – only one cable connecting the TV to the external box.
✅ Flat mount included – the TV can be hung with no gaps from the wall.
✅ Frame exchangeability – different colors to match the interior.

❌ Drawbacks?

• No 120 Hz in 43" and 50" versions – unlike the larger variants, the smaller models operate only at 60 Hz.

• Colors may appear less saturated – the matte panel eliminates reflections, but makes colors less intense than in classic QLEDs.

• No Dolby Vision – as in most Samsungs, HDR relies on HDR10+.

Is it worth it? If you want a TV that doesn't look like a TV, and aesthetics are crucial for you, then Samsung The Frame might be the ideal choice. Its bright, matte panel may simply appeal to you. However, it is not the best choice for gamers or movie enthusiasts who expect the best image quality.

This is the end of our ranking of the best 43-inch televisions! We have presented models from different categories – from budget options, through mid-range, to premium televisions. There are also alternative choices. We hope this guide helps you make the right decision. And you? Which model would you choose? Or would you like to see other televisions in the comparison? Let us know in the comments!