Don’t ignore these 4 budget TV warning signs

• The user interface is lethargic
• Ghosting, banding, and other visual issues
• HDMI support is inadequate
• Brightness levels are limited

I’m actually a big proponent of buying budget electronics. All too often, people succumb to peer pressure and marketing, which leads us to think that we should own the best version of whatever product we’re after, whether it’s a phone, computer, or PEV. There can be legitimate reasons to go that route — but as long as you’re getting the specs you need, it’s simply smart to get the most affordable option and put the savings towards something else. You wouldn’t go into debt for a Porsche when you’re still living in a studio apartment, after all.

You do have to be careful, however, because the cheaper you go, the more likely it is that a manufacturer is cutting corners. That can end up being more expensive in the long run. In the case of TVs, you can end up with a set that doesn’t last very long before you need an upgrade, or just doesn’t last long, period. It’s better to spend a little more upfront if it’s going to guarantee long-term value.

But how do you know when a TV is too cheap? There are a few telltale signs, and some that are a little more subtle.

The user interface is lethargic

A major warning sign

To be fair, it’s rare that you’ll find a TV with an interface that’s universally snappy. That requires a powerful processor matched by suitable RAM, and TV makers understandably prioritize picture quality above making their menus glassy smooth. If that’s what you’re after, you’ll want to invest in an Apple TV 4K.

The greater concern is that if a TV is struggling today, it won’t have the performance to keep up with later software updates.

If there’s a very tangible delay in clicking through menu items, however, that’s a red flag. It’s not just about annoyance, although you’ll certainly become irritated if it takes several seconds longer than necessary every time you want to resume watching something. The greater concern is that if a TV is struggling today, it won’t have the performance to keep up with later software updates. It may miss out on new features, or even get cut off from support entirely, since no company can afford to support every TV indefinitely.

Extra caution is warranted if you’re considering a set based on Amazon’s Fire TV platform. While there are decent models out there, the software has a tendency to perform worse over time, even without major updates. That can exacerbate any weaknesses in memory or processing power. If you want to be safe, you’re probably better off buying a TV based on Roku OS or Google TV.

Ghosting, banding, and other visual issues

Or, why it’s still worth shopping in person

I’m pleased to say that going into 2026, it’s actually quite easy to find a cheap TV with decent image quality. Spending more will deliver better specs, but the baseline has crept up to the point that even a sub-$200 LCD model can look good, albeit with sacrifices in areas like size or resolution.

The general rule of thumb is that if you spot something unnatural in a demo, there’s a good chance it’ll crop up again in real-world viewing.

Before you buy, it’s worth checking out an in-store demo, or at least searching out professional reviews. That’s because there’s still the possibility of sub-par panels, backlighting, and/or image processors, which can produce distracting visual problems. Ghosting, for example, can be a result of slow refresh rates and/or pixel response times. You might also run into issues like color banding, blocky compression artifacts, or exaggerated halos around bright objects in dark scenes. I should note that compression artifacts can also be a result of low streaming bandwidth, so consider what a TV is playing media from before you judge it too harshly.

The general rule of thumb is that if you spot something unnatural in a demo, there’s a good chance it’ll crop up again in real-world viewing. You might be willing to put up with this — but be sure you’re educated before you do. If you’re buying a used set, visual glitches could be a sign of damaged components.

HDMI support is inadequate

It’s about both quality and quantity

Think of HDMI as the gatekeeper for connected accessories such as media streamers, game consoles, and soundbars. Outdated versions of HDMI can limit video refresh rates, or fail to support newer technologies like VRR (variable refresh rate) or dynamic HDR. In the case of soundbars and other speakers, you need an HDMI port with eARC if you want to take advantage of 3D audio formats like Dolby Atmos. I’d argue that Atmos isn’t particularly important if you’re on a budget, but I know that option is going to matter to some of you.

Outdated versions of HDMI can limit video refresh rates, or fail to support newer technologies like VRR or dynamic HDR.

If at all possible, choose a TV with at least one HDMI 2.1 port. HDMI 2.2 is the latest standard, but 2.1 will get you all the features that currently matter, including VRR, eARC, and dynamic HDR compatibility. VRR is particularly handy for consoles, since games can run at wildly different refresh rates, and a mismatch will result in artifacts like screen tearing. You can hook a modern console up to an HDMI 2.0 port if you have to — just don’t expect the best results.

A decent living room TV tends to have at least three HDMI connections. That might seem unnecessary at first, but simply connecting a console, a soundbar, and a cable box will leave you without a port to spare. Two ports is (probably) only acceptable for secondary TVs in spaces like kitchens and home gyms.

Brightness levels are limited

Consider both ends of the spectrum

When you think about brightness levels on a TV, your mind probably jumps to peak brightness — that is, the absolute most light a TV can put out. That’s an important spec, to be sure, but mostly when you’re watching HDR content, or if your screen has to compete with the midday sun. Under normal indoor viewing conditions, any modern TV should be bright enough to see clearly.

With budget LCD TVs, the thing you most need to be concerned with is how dark shadows can get.

With budget LCD TVs, the thing you most need to be concerned with is how dark shadows can get. Due to the need for constant backlighting, no LCD is able to achieve a perfect black. A quality panel can get close, however, by exploiting a technology called local dimming. This lowers or shuts off individual backlights as a scene allows. The more lighting zones, the better this looks, since it reduces the impact of one zone’s light “bleeding” into another.

An inferior TV may have noticeably gray shadows, even when overall brightness is low and you’re looking at a night or space scene. This is because of cheap backlighting tech, which may have too few zones. Some older LCD rely on edge lighting, or just a single backlight — but realistically, those sets are so outdated that they’re not worth considering on any level.