Best Small TV: 7 Picks For Extra Entertainment Space

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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In the last few years, the increasing tendency of owning a small TV has emerged. Now that streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu are available, most people are gravitating to smaller devices that make the viewers feel more connected. First of all, these small TVs occupy less space compared to large TVs, which is also the main reason why they are inexpensive. Nevertheless, the existence of a lot of models can make the task of selecting the suitable one for you confusing.

This article will investigate great small TVs based on certain factors like picture quality, features and price. It doesn't matter you need a TV for your living room, studio apartment or kitchen, we got you covered. So sit back, relax, and let's dive into the world of small TVs, with our best overall selection being Hisense 40-Inch Android Smart TV. We chose this small tv because it has a built-in Fire TV operating system and can be controlled remotely with Alexa voice command.

Sony 32-Inch 720p Smart LED TV is our second-best choice because it was a bit pricey and hard to set up. INSIGNIA 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD 720p Fire TV is our third pick because it has unparalleled technology at a very affordable price.

Why a Small Tv?

Guest rooms, like your bedroom or guesthouse, also require a TV set, and usually buying the biggest screen does not make sense. Besides, the apartment may be with less space, so you have to get a small TV.

A TV that is less than 50 inches is considered a small TV. Although they are small, not all sacrifice the many television functions that are great to have. There is a lot to like: smart TV features, many HDMI ports, excellent resolution, great compatibility, and more.

The following are the top 6 picks for the best small TVs you can buy:

1. Best Full HD Resolution: Hisense 40-Inch Android Smart TV With Voice Remote

Sale
Hisense 40-Inch 40H5500F Class H55 Series Android Smart...
  • Inputs & Outputs: 2 HDMI ports, 1 Ethernet port, 2 USB Ports (v...
  • Measuring 35.6 x 20.4 x 3.2 inches and 12.8 pounds (35.6 x 22.4 x...
  • Enjoy crisp, immersive audio from the two 7-watt speakers and DTS...
  • Enjoy all the key moments in fast-paced sports, movies, and games...
  • The vesa measurements for this TV are 100 x 200 millimeter/m6,...

With a 40-inch screen, this TV from Hisense fully displays smart features, starting with an amazing 1080p resolution and an android operating system. We enjoyed that the tv can support voice control, connects to Wi-Fi, and works with DTS Studio Sound for the best sound quality.

Image credit: amazon.com

Moreover, the TV supports Bluetooth, therefore, you can stream music or other content and listen on headphones or soundbar. This TV features a 120Hz refresh rate that considerably minimizes input lag while watching engaging streaming content.

We also noted with joy that this set has two HDMI ports and 2 USB Ports (v 2. The following (0) RCA input, an ethernet port, a Digital Audio Output (Optical) port, and composite audio input. Furthermore, the TV supports the Vesa wall mounting and comes with a 1-year warranty as well.

Pros:

  • An android operating system that allows you to download more streaming apps.
  • 120Hz refresh rate allows comfortable viewing of fast-paced content.
  • Input and output ports for more entertainment options.
  • DTS Studio Sound for well-balanced sound frequencies.
  • Bluetooth connectivity is a plus.
  • Full HD 1080 resolution tv.
  • Supports voice control.

Cons:

  • The TV could use a better back design.
  • Voice control problems.

2. Best 720p Resolution: Sony 32-Inch 720p Smart LED TV

Sale
Sony 32 Inch 720p HD LED HDR TV W830K Series with...
  • HD PICTURE QUALITY - Enjoy TV in crystal-clear 720p HD resolution
  • HDR COLOR AND CONTRAST – See natural and precise picture...
  • ENHANCED CLARITY – Discover picture quality full of rich,...
  • INTELLIGENT MOTION HANDLING– Experience blur-free picture...
  • PREMIUM SMART TV– Google TV with Google Assistant organizes...

Sony has this 32-inch small smart TV with a great 720p resolution, Wi-Fi connectivity, and an LED screen on sale. While it is not an android TV, this Sony KDL32W600D lets you connect to your home network, stream movies from platforms like Netflix and Hulu, and enjoy more entertainment from other platforms like YouTmg and Live TV.

Image credit: amazon.com

With the brand's Motionflow XR 240 technology, the tv enabled us to enjoy fast-moving action from movies and sports because it enables a 60Hz refresh rate to eliminate blurring. The TV also uses the Clear Phase technology to analyze and balance audio quality so you can listen to all your content with smooth frequencies.

We enjoyed that the tv comes with two HDMI cable ports, a stereo minijack headphone output, 1 Component/Composite, an optical digital audio output, 1 RF input for the antenna, and an ethernet port. All these ports are well-designed at the back of the TV to keep cables out of sight.

The TV also has 2 USB inputs, which we thought were great, as we could supply content through a USB drive, connect our camera, or view the images on a larger screen. To top it off, the TV supports screen mirroring, so you can cast your smartphone screen and directly stream from the phone itself.

Pros:

  • Slim design.
  • Easy to use remote control.
  • Available at an affordable price.
  • Several ports for more functionality.
  • Small screen with a 720p resolution to allow crisp images.
  • MotionFlow XR 240 technology enables a 60Hz refresh rate for more comfortable viewing.
  • Smart Tv operation system backed by Wi-Fi connectivity so you can access built-in streaming services.

Cons:

  • Not so good sound quality.
  • HDMI ports location is not ideal for wall mounting.
  • Not an Android TV; hence you won't be able to add more streaming apps.

3. Best Price Value: INSIGNIA 32-Inch Class F20 Series Smart HD 720p Fire TV

Sale
INSIGNIA 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD 720p Fire TV...
  • 720p resolution View your favorite movies, shows and games in...
  • Alexa voice control - The Alexa Voice Remote lets you easily...
  • Fire TV experience built-in - Watch over 1 Million streaming...
  • Supports Apple AirPlay - Share videos, photos, music and more...
  • Supports HDMI ARC - Sends audio directly from the HDMI jack to a...

The INSIGNIA Class F20 Smart HD Fire TV is a television set with a 32-inch screen size and a resolution of 720p. It is part of the F20 series from INSIGNIA, which offers a range of affordable smart TVs with various screen sizes.

Image credit: amazon.com

This model has the Fire TV operating system, developed by Amazon, which allows us to get content from the popular streaming services, like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Videos, etc. It also features Alexa voice control that we used to search content, startup apps, and control our television.

In addition to the INSIGNIA 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD 720p Fire TV features built-in Wi-Fi and multiple HDMI and USB ports, the slim design is also simple to mount on a wall or put on a stand. Even though 720p is not the highest resolution compared to other TVs, it still gives a good viewing experience for most users, as well as those looking for a reasonably priced smart TV.

Pros:

  • Easy mounting.
  • Ideal for any room.
  • Has parental controls.
  • Has a built-in Fire TV operating system.
  • Has voice command over remote with Alexa—Plus.

Cons:

  • Not loud enough

4. Great Picture Quality: SAMSUNG 43-inch Class Crystal UHD TU-8000 Series

SAMSUNG 43-inch Class Crystal UHD TU-8000 Series - 4K...
  • Crystal processor 4K: This ultra-fast processor transforms...
  • Multi voice: Smart TV with Alexa and Bixby. Mini Wall Mount...
  • Smart TV powered by Tizen: Go beyond smart TV with next-gen apps,...
  • HDR: Unveils shades of color you can't find on HDTV. Sound Output...
  • Crystal display: Experience crystal clear colors that are...

No viewing is off the limits with this 43-inch tv from Samsung. It comes with all the smart features you want in any TV, thus making its small screen size less of a worry.

Image credit: amazon.com

The most striking thing we loved in this tv is the 4K picture quality they offer using a high-quality 4K UHD Processor. While the resolution is not the only feature you need for entertainment, this Samsung TV makes an executive decision, providing a top notch image quality with ultra-slim pixel array backlighting, HDR compatibility, and a 60Hz refresh rate for vivid imagery and the required clarity.

It has a stylish design to add plenty of beauty to any room and is packed with a smaller mount and Versa wall attachment. This smart TV has a wide viewing angle and connects to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi with easier access.

It also allows you to play content from three HDMI inputs, two USB ports, an ethernet port, an optical audio input, and a composite input, so you don’t ever have to be concerned about what to watch next. In this category, it is compatible with Bixby Voice, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant.

Pros:

  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity improves viewing options.
  • It comes with numerous ports for better entertainment.
  • HDR compatibility guarantees great image quality.60 Hz refresh rate to eliminate blurry videos.
  • Compatible with voice assistants.
  • A great option for gamers.
  • From a reputable brand.
  • Excellent sound quality.
  • It is a 4K smart TV.
  • Ideal for any room.
  • Easy mounting.

Cons:

  • It can be tough to set up.
  • A bit pricey

5. Best Overall: TCL 32-Inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV

Sale
TCL 32-inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV - 32S327, 2019...
  • Easy Voice Control: Works with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant...
  • Smart Functionality offers access to over 5,000 streaming...
  • 1080p Full HD Resolution excellent detail, color, and contrast....
  • Direct-lit LED produces great picture quality with 60Hz refresh...
  • Inputs: 3 HDMI, 1 USB, RF, Composite, Headphone Jack, optical...

TCL is one of the most prominent TV brands globally. Their small TV line features 32S327, a 32-inch smart TV with two configurations; Roku TVmgd Android TV.

Image credit: amazon.com

This 1080p high-definition resolution of the TCL 32S327 makes you visualize images so sharp when watching movies and videos. Such rooms as student dorms, small apartments, RVs, and bedrooms will find this TV perfect due to the compact LED screen. In addition, you can buy Google TVs in larger sizes if you have a roomier viewing area.

Movie nights gave us the laughs with this small TV. Boasted by a 60Hz refresh screen of Direct-lit LED and high resolution, it has the capability of dispelling blurry images and videos, even in the action-packed screens of sports and movies.

This TCL TV has several connectivity features: it connects to the internet via Wi-Fi or a USB port; it has 3 HDMI ports for streaming and playing media files. It is also smart to work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistance. Besides, there is a headphone jack and optical audio-out port which can be used to enhance the viewing and audio pleasure.

It has a sleek design, and you can easily mount it on the wall.

Pros:

  • It can be wall-mounted.
  • Excellent sound quality.
  • You do not need a cable box.
  • You can choose any of the two configurations.
  • It is compatible with voice assistants for easier browsing.
  • 3 HDMI and 1 USB port to allow you to play external media.
  • 2-band Wi-Fi compatibility is great for streaming thousands of videos online.
  • It comes in a sleek design with sturdy feet and can be placed on simple TV stands.
  • Available in larger screen sizes and can be bought with accessories like soundbars at discounted prices.1080 HD resolution is ideal for movies, series, live TV, and sports 60Hz refresh rate to eliminate motion blur.

Cons:

  • Not available in 4K resolution.

6. INSIGNIA 24-Inch Class F20 Series Smart HD 720p Fire TV

Sale
INSIGNIA 24-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD 720p Fire TV...
  • 720p resolution - View your favorite movies, shows and games in...
  • Alexa voice control - The Alexa Voice Remote lets you easily...
  • Fire TV experience built-in - Watch over 1 Million streaming...
  • Supports Apple AirPlay - Share videos, photos, music and more...
  • Supports HDMI ARC - Sends audio directly from the HDMI jack to a...

The INSIGNIA 24-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD 720p Fire TV is a television that has a built-in 24inch screen and Amazon Fire TV technology. This means bypassing the need for an extra gaming device so you can watch such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video streaming services right on your television.

Image credit: amazon.com

This TV has a resolution of 720p, which by today's standard is a high definition TV format albeit it is not Blu-ray quality. It features a 60Hz refresh rate and therefore screens update every 60ms.

The INSIGNIA Fire TV is an interesting device. It is built with powerful Wi-Fi connectivity. You will be able to establish a connection with your home network and stream content via your wireless network devices without set cables or any additional hardware. Furthermore, it supports three HDMI input ports, making it possible to connect other devices, such as a game console or bluing player.

Pros:

  • It has a voice remote with Alexa.
  • Has Fire TV experience built-in.
  • HDMI connections.

Cons:

  • Not compatible with cameras

How To Know The Ideal Size Of Your Best Small TV

Buying a small TV is easier when you know the best features to look for, but do you know the ideal size for your room? Before deciding on the best TV features, calculate the best TV size for comfortable viewing.

To understand how many inches will work for your room, measure the distance between your ideal TV and sitting positions. Ideally, it would be best if you sat as far as 1.0 to 2.5 times the measurement of your screen size.

It is best to take these measurements in inches, or if you take them in feet, then convert the number into inches(1 inch= 0.083ft). The following are examples to guide you;

  1. If you want to buy a 42-inch TV set, you can sit 84 inches(7 ft) away from it.
  2. If you are unsure about the best screen size, you can divide the length between the Tv position and your sitting position by two; i.e., If the distance is 120 inches, you can buy a 60-Inch tv for comfortable viewing.

Factors to Consider When Buying the Best Small TVs

If you have that extra guest room, dorm room, or any other wall needing a smaller TV, you must apply the same techniques when buying a big TV to find the best deal. These are some of the essential features to consider when buying the best small tv:

1. Screen Size

Determination of the ideal screen size for your next TV is an important step to take before buying it. The size is a critical component of the visibility of content from where you sit. The screen size of a TV is expressed diagonally, from the top corner to the opposite bottom. This figure doesn’t just represent the TV dimensions, which are smaller.

One of the vital features that must be considered while selecting the screen size is the viewing angle. Such that if the TV will be placed in a room, where people will be relaxing at different angles, it is advisable to have a wider viewing angle.

2. The Screen Resolution

The screen resolution is another feature that determines how enjoyable your TV time is. A higher resolution screen allows you to sit closer to the TV because the image looks more life-like, thus not affecting your eye comfort. Resolution means the number of pixels reproducing a picture on your display of horizontal rows and vertical columns.

When buying a small TV, it is best to pick one with no less than 3840 x 2160 resolution, 4K, because you can comfortably sit next to it. 4K means you get 3840 pixels to produce a life-like picture on 2160 horizontal lines.

3. Sound Quality

One of the key things that many consumers overlook is the quality of sound on their TV. Provided that a small TV model does not have the same sound performance that a large TV can deliver, there are still some features that users should strive to obtain. Avoid TVs with separate audio connections and rather opt for those with built-in speakers that provide better sound quality.

The sound quality can be improved by the buying of a soundbar or a set of speakers . These can be linked with TV quite easily, which ensures smooth audio in comparison to traditional speakers.

4. High Dynamic Range (HDR)

A rather small TV with an HDR can better show color and a more uniform ratio of brightness and darkness to provide the best display image. When you buy a small TV of this generation, you have to look for this option which will be available for some 4K models. HDR10 and "Ultra HD Premium" are the most frequent terms in the product notices you should pay attention to prior to the purchase.

5. Refresh Rate

When buying a TV set, always look for the refresh rate, expressed in Hertz or Hz. It is the number of times an image is refreshed on your screen per second. This refreshing eliminates blurry content when watching fast-paced sports or action movies.

The standard refresh rate for all TVS is 60Hz, but you can find double or triple the number, up to 240Hz, for the best seamless streaming.

6. Design and Aesthetics

The design style and general aesthetics of a small television are another factor to ponder, particularly if you are placing it in a very visible spot. Many TVs have ultra-thin bezels and a contemporary design, while others feature a classic design. Think about which design blends well with the other things in your room and enhances what is already present there.

7. External Connection Ports

Ideally, you would want a small TV to include at least 3 HDMI ports, a USB port and all the other essential connections that it can have. HDMI ports make it possible to connect the sound bars, Roku TVs, or Chromecast devices, while the USB ports let you present the content via the flash drives.

For the ports, research at least one or two that support the latest HDMI models, like 2. 1 and 2. 0, for faster connections. You can get a smart TV which is equipped with HDCP 2. This laptop comes with 2 HDMI ports that are compatible with 4K resolution.

8. Smart Capabilities

Intelligent functions are now a common feature among smaller-screen TVs. Smart TV is an internet-enabled device that lets the user watch content on popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. In addition, they give users the ability to navigate the internet, get in touch with others on social media, and play games.

When it comes to TVs with smart capabilities the ability to pick one with a user-friendly interface is an important factor. Some TVs are equipped with a clumsy interface that is not user-friendly. The interface should be user friendly and easy to navigate for a great user experience. Choose a TV with such a design.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Small TV

a) Which TV is best in 24 inches?

Picking the best TV of a particular size could be different due to some factors like your budget, brand of choice, and desired features and use. On the other hand, according to customer reviews and expert ratings, some highly-rated 24-inch TVs on the market include Samsung UN24H4500AFXZA, LG 24LJ4540, Vizio D24f-G1, and TCL 3-Series 24S325.

Indeed, the most satisfactory 24-inch TV will be determined by your personal tastes and requirements. We suggest that you read reviews and compare features and prices before you purchase anything.

b) Is a 24-inch TV too small?

The choice of the TV size that fits you best depends on your individual preferences and the purpose you are going to use the TV for. There are people who are content with a 24-inch display that is only suitable for a small room or to be used as a computer monitor. Then, for some, a bigger screen size could be more suited, but on the other hand, a lot of people prefer a more solid and immersive version, which could be more appropriate in cases like these: watching movies or playing video games.

The viewing distance, size of the room, and usage will advise you on the kind of TV to buy. The approximate distance to view video content, which lies at 1, is a general recommendation. An ideal screen size is anywhere between half and double the diagonal screen size of the TV, which is advised for a superior viewing experience. A 24-inch TV brings a view distance of 3-4 feet approximately.

c) What is the smallest TV you can buy?

The most compact TV size available will depend on different factors like the brand, model, and region. On the other hand, the smallest commercially available TV screen size is 7 inches. For instance, there are Sony and LG offering 7-inch portable TVs that weigh less and can be taken anywhere you wish. Such kinds of TVs generally possess a resolution of 1024x600 pixels and, therefore, are best for personal pursuits like watching movies while riding in a vehicle or traveling.

However, new technology is always developing, and small TVs may be accessible in the near future. Nevertheless, some brands may discontinue and replace their product line, for this reason, one must contact the manufacturer or a reliable retailer for further information.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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