Are you searching for the best TVs with a 40 inch screen? Here are our top picks. You might consider a 40-inch display if you don’t have the budget or space to install a huge 65 inch TV. Although they may not be as impressive as larger models, you shouldn’t underestimate their value.
You will still be amazed by features like 4K resolution, HDR compatibility that allows you to see stunning picture quality. Smart TV integration will allow you to access a wide variety of content options. To get the most out of your 40-inch TV, you can hook up all your game consoles and Bluray players.
This screen will be more affordable than larger ones, and you won’t have the screen taking up too much space in your living room. The perfect size TV for bedrooms and kitchens where you don’t want to miss the best home cinema experience is the 40-inch TV.
The down side? The downside? There aren’t any 40-inch TVs with OLED, and many brands’ flagship models don’t come in this size.
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We have compiled a list of the top 40-inch TVs we have reviewed, including models that are 42-inch or 43-inch. Here are some tips on what to look out for and how important it is to choose the right size TV.
The list of the best 40-, 42- and 43 inch TVs
These are our top picks
(Image credit: LG)
1. LG OLED42C2
OLED technology makes the 42-inch TVs of the best quality
Specifications
Screen Size: 42-inch
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: OLED
Smart TV: WebOS
HDR: HDR10 HDR10, HDR10 HLG, Dolby Vision
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There are many reasons to buy
+ Amazing OLED contrast and colors + Future-proofed features
Avoidable reasons
-Not as bright and as beautiful as others-Sound isn’t as good as the pictures
The LG C2 OLED 4K TV is the first to be available in a 42-inch format. This brings this high-quality screen technology to small TVs. This TV is the perfect size for movie lovers who want to see the best possible cinematic images from a small screen. Stop searching!
Each pixel produces its own light so you can get precise lighting in dark scenes. This allows for true black to be placed next to brighter lights. Also, dark scenes are able to show more detail than LED TVs.
It also features all the latest LG image tech. It features the highest quality image processing to ensure that everything looks natural on the 4K display. The HDMI ports also support HDMI 2.1, which allows for 4K 120Hz and VRR support for next generation gaming. This is 100% future-proofed. This TV is the best small TV available for gaming, without a doubt.
Although the sound system is not as rich as the visuals it can be, we recommend adding a soundbar. It’s not as bright and vibrant as the Samsung QN90A mini LED TV, but it’s brighter than most of the competition. This TV is expensive but it’s the best 42-inch TV available. We have also reviewed the LG C2 42-inch model and provided a comparison.
Read the complete review: LG
(Image credit: Vizio)
2. Vizio V-Series V435-H11 (US)
The Best 43-inch TV on the Market for Less Than 50 Pounds.
Specifications
Screen size: 43-inch
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: LCD
Smart TV: SmartCast
HDR: HDR10 HDR10, HDR10 HLG, Dolby Vision
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There are many reasons to buy
+Decent upscaling+Affordable+Dolby Vision HDR support
Avoidable reasons
Poor contrast-Desaturated images – Weak off-axis viewing
Although the V- in Vizio V-Series TVs stands for “value”, you could argue that it should be interpreted as “versatile,” since this TV is among the most feature-rich in its price range. The V-Series TVs are a true Swiss army knife in budget TVs, with support for HDR10, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision , as well as Chromecast and AirPlay.
The V-Series, despite all the new technologies, is still quite budget-oriented. The picture quality is “fair”, as it has a decent contrast and could use some improvement in its color saturation. The biggest problem is the off-axis viewing (more that 45 degrees), which quickly transforms a good and acceptable image into a very desaturated mess.
It’s a TV series for those who can keep up with it and are able to focus on it.
Read the complete review: Vizio V Series (2020)
(Image credit: Samsung)
3. Samsung BU8500
UK’s best 43-inch TV
Specifications
Screen Size: 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″, 65″, 75″, (Europe only)
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: LCD
Smart TV: Tizen
Dimensions: 966x560x25.7mm
There are many reasons to buy
+Accomplished 4K image performance+Very acceptable specification for the price+Slim, (relatively speaking), quite elegant
Avoidable reasons
-Sound has its limits in upscaling -Sound can be quite difficult and thin -No Dolby Vision HDR
Samsung set out to create a great all-rounder at a very reasonable price with the BU8500. We think they succeeded. You get 4K HDR (albeit with Dolby Vision), three HDMIs and voice control. There are also two remote controls. Although it’s not as good as the best HDTVs, you get better picture quality than what you would expect for this price. Its speakers are a bit clunky, but you can add a decent soundbar to make it more enjoyable.
Processing is where the biggest gaps have been made. While we didn’t find input lag to be an issue, the fact that Samsung has not published the figures indicates that it will be slower than other gaming TVs. Multi-HDR support will be lost. You won’t get HDR10+ dynamic metadata, HLG, HDR10+ dynamic metadata, or HDR10+ dynamic data. However, you will still have DolbyVision, which is available on all Samsung TVs. The TV performs well and none of these issues is significant enough to make it a deal-breaker. However, you may notice a sharper picture on higher-end models.
We think that this set is great value for money. It is a great value for money, and one of the most affordable Samsung TVs.
Read our full Samsung BU8500 review
(Image credit: Samsung)
4. Samsung 43QN90A
This TV is the best for HDR.
Specifications
Screen size: 43-inch
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: Neo QLED
Smart TV: Tizen
HDR: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+
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There are many reasons to buy
+The largest TV of its size+Exceptional sharpness and colors
Avoidable reasons
-No 4K 120Hz, VRR-No DolbyVision
This TV features Samsung’s Neo QLED TV technology. It combines QLED’s colors and brightness with a next-generation mini-LED backlight. The result is a smaller TV.
Its peak HDR brightness was well above 1,000 nits in our testing. In some modes, it can even reach almost 2,000 nits. This TV’s HDR is brighter than the LG C2 at 700 nits. The TV’s localized dimming of the tiny LED lights makes the contrast between light and darkness better than any LCD TVs. However, the OLED TV still holds the edge.
Samsung’s superior image processing ensures that you will get sharp 4K images and great upscaling. It’s also great for gaming like all Samsung TVs. However, there is a catch. The majority of QN90A sizes have 4K 120Hz and VRR support for next-gen consoles. However, is not at this scale. The LG C2 is still the best choice for gamers. This is the best choice if you are looking for bright HDR that can even be seen in bright sunlight.
Read the complete review: Samsung QR90A
(Image credit: TCL)
5. TCL 4-Series (US only).
Roku’s smart platform supports a solid TV budget.
Specifications
Screen size: 43-inch
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: LCD
Smart TV: Android TV
Dimensions: 72.1 x 12.4.5 x 7.87mm
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There are many reasons to buy
+Decent pictures+Roku TV built-in
Avoidable reasons
The 6-Series is not as cutting-edge as the 6-Series.
Although the TCL 4-Series TLED TV isn’t as impressive as the 6-Series QLED and Mini LED from the company, it’s still a great value at $200.
There are two versions of the 4-Series available based on its smart platform: Android TV or Roku TV. However, we recommend that you choose the Roku model for smoother performance, ease-of-use and greater security.
The 4-Series is not equipped with the most recent specs, such as HDMI 2.1, ALLM, VRR, and all other …). However, it supports HDR10 and HLG forms, and has an 802.11ac antenna. It also has one HDMI port with AR, which is great news for those who are looking to reduce the number of remotes they have in their home.
Although it’s not the most powerful TCL TV, this TV is still a good choice if you have a small TV (40 inches) and are looking for hundreds of streaming channels.
Continue reading: TCL TV Guide
(Image credit: Hisense)
6. Hisense A7200 Roku TV (UK Only)
With some compromises, a 4K HDR TV for a low price
Specifications
Screen size: 43-inch
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: LCD
Roku TV Smart TV
Dimensions: 969x564x85 mm
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There are many reasons to buy
+Splendid Roku TV interface+Clean, discreet design
Avoidable reasons
-Motion problems-Sounds like a poor person
Hisense TVs are a great way to save money on a brand new 43-inch TV. However, you may have to make some concessions.
It is a very affordable TV and the Roku TV platform is easy to use. The sleek interface, well-organized tile icons, and wide app support make it a pleasure to use. It struggles with SD and HD, so it is best connected to high resolution sources. The audio was not impressive either. It’s quite obvious where the price has been reduced to save money.
This could be a great way to get 4K content for a low price if you don’t mind some shaky audio and bungled upscaling.
See our complete review: Hisense Roku TV
(Image credit: Samsung)
7. Samsung QN90B
Samsung’s mini-LED has flagship features at a lower price.
Specifications
Screen size: 43-inch
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: Mini-LED
Smart TV: Tizen
Dimensions: 960.8×623.4×223.0 mm
There are many reasons to buy
+Effective local dimming+Rich colors reproduction+Wide viewing angle
Avoidable reasons
-Some noise, elevated black levels when watching dark movies.
While we are still finishing our Samsung Q90B longer-term review, we have already spent time with the set for our first hands-on review. We can confidently state that it is a sophisticated and impressive set that offers flagship-level specifications at a much lower price. The quantum dot mini-LED screen is excellent in color and contrast. It also delivers better brightness than OLED TVs, which makes it an attractive option for bright rooms. It has some issues with dark movies. OLED is still the best option for this type of viewing. However, it is excellent for CGI-heavy movies, action movies, and TV shows that are colorful. You can also use it for gaming with built-in Xbox Game streaming, VRR, and AMD FreeSync Premium Premium.
This TV is smaller than most and tends to have poor sound quality. However, this model features Samsung’s Q Symphony which allows it to be used with compatible Samsung soundbars to create a larger surround sound system. The smaller model does not have the Object Tracking sound Plus, but the Lite version delivers positional audio for a more immersive experience.
Our hands-on review focused on price. In August 2022, the price of the 43-inch model dropped from PS1,399 down to PS999 on Samsung UK’s website. However, it remained the same at $1,199 in the US. It is significantly more affordable than the list price, with almost a third of it being off.
Read more: Hands on: Samsung QN90B Neo QLED 4K TV review
Best 40- to 43-inch TV FAQ
Is a TV of 40 inches big enough?
It is worth noting that the 40-inch screen, once the highest-end TV tech, has fallen to a very small size in comparison to other options.
55-inch 4K TVs have become the norm, while 65 inch 4K TVs are quickly gaining popularity. The manufacturers can produce larger screens than ever before and consumers are becoming more aware of how large TVs can be.
A 40-inch TV should have 4K resolution. However, you will be able to appreciate the benefits of a larger screen. For a single person not too far away, a 40-inch TV is adequate, but it is less suitable for a large family or group of flatmates.
Don’t let yourself be fooled: Measure the space in which a TV will fit, and then decide how large a TV to bring into your home. You might also consider one of the top projectors to get the best of both.
How about TVs with 42 inches?
We have included both the best 42-inch TVs and 40-inch TVs for your convenience. Sometimes, you’ll see screens that are listed as 43-inch TVs. However, they all have roughly the same dimensions.
There are many factors that affect the size and scale TV screens other than the diagonal length. These include the thickness of the casing, built-in speakers and HDMI connections.
However, we could be witnessing a revival in 42-inch TVs. Panel-maker LG Display confirmed that42 inch OLEDs are currently in development. Although we have yet to hear any details about pricing, models or timelines, this panel could lead to the lowest OLED TV launch prices we have ever seen. The smart money believes that these screens could be available as early as 2022.
How do you choose?
(Image credit: Vizio)
How can I choose a TV with a 40 inch screen?
Are you unsure how to pick the right 40-inch TV for you? Although the choices may seem overwhelming, TechRadar recommends TVs that are within your budget.
Ultra HD vs Full HD – It is a common misconception to think that you cannot see the differences between full HD and Ultra HD/4K when viewing on a smaller screen than 55 inches. You can. If you are able to find one, we recommend a TV with 4K Ultra HD and HDR. It can make a huge difference.
Operating System: While 40-inch TVs did not always come with an smart television operating platform in the past, they do so often now. You want a stable operating system such as Roku TV, LG’s webOS, or Samsung’s Tizen. You might experience serious problems if you choose a TV with a proprietary operating platform (basically, an operating system that is only available for that TV).
Inputs & Outputs: If you have multiple devices that need to be connected to your TV, it is important to have multiple HDMI ports. Do not choose a TV that has only one HDMI port. You will find yourself switching cables far too often.
- We’ve tested the best TV.
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Matt Bolton
Senior Editor, TV & Audio
Matt is TechRadar’s Senior Editor for TV and Audio. He’s responsible for convincing our reviewers to listen to great speakers and headphones and watch stunning TVs. As you can see, it’s not an easy task. Matt has more than a decade of tech publishing experience. He previously managed the TV & Audio coverage for T3.com colleagues. Before that, he edited T3 magazine. He has contributed to many places, including Creative Bloq and MacLife. He is a specialist in TV and movie geekism and goes to the movies three times per week. While he is always willing to share the benefits of Dolby Vision with a few drinks, he may need to use props to show the offside rule.
