Bigger doesn’t always mean better, and many of the mid-sized TVs on our list pack in all the killer features of the best 65-inch TVs (killer resolution, HDR support, awesome contrast ratios, etc.) but deliver them at a fraction of the price. And beyond those core essentials, many of them also come loaded with great features and extras, stuff like digital assistant support (whether Alexa, Google Assistant, or both), built-in streaming platforms, and more. We’ve rounded up the best sets between 32- and 39-inches to save you the headache of scanning long, dry spec sheets and misleading marketing copy. Want to take a look at some other options? See our guide to the best smart TVs. The included remote has quick access buttons for the Prime Video, Netflix, HBO, and Playstation Vue apps so you don’t have to search menus for them. With automatic updates and new Alexa skills, your TV will always stay on top of the newest apps and hands-free controls. The screen provides 720p HD resolution for great picture, detail, and color saturation no matter if you’re watching cartoons, sports, or the latest movies. With three HDMI inputs, a USB port, RF connection, and composite video input, you’ll be able to connect all your favorite devices and game consoles without a fuss. Toshiba backs this TV with a one year warranty that covers manufacturing defects and DOA units. With Chromecast, you can stream music, videos, and photos right from your smartphone or tablet to share with family and friends. The TV comes packaged with a universal remote that can connect to compatible devices, eliminating the need to fumble with multiple remote controls when setting up a home theater system. With a refresh rate of 60 Hz and MEMC 120 programming, motion is smoothed out for better detail and clarity when watching sports and action scenes. With 4K UHD resolution, you get four times the detail of a 1080p standard HD television so all your favorite shows and movies really come to life. It has HDR support for enhanced contrast so you never miss a single detail. This TV features smart functionality, so you can download and access streaming apps without the need for extra equipment. It also features Samsung’s Bixby voice controls to give you hands-free commands when searching or browsing. The dual eight-watt speakers use DTS Studio Sound programming for crisp, clean audio and a more immersive listening experience. With two HDMI ports, a USB port, coax connection, and component video input, setting up all your devices is quick and easy. The TV utilizes automatic updates so you are always on top of the newest apps and firmware. Check out our other picks for Best Vizio TVs.
What to Look For in a 32- to 39-Inch TV
If screen resolution is an important deciding factor for you when shopping for a new small-screen television, you can find affordable 4K TVs as well as models that have excellent 1080p full HD resolution. If you’re looking to set up a small home theater or just want to connect all of your playback devices, you can select TVs with multiple HDMI and USB inputs as well as Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio and video setups. No matter what your needs are, there is a small-format TV to suit your space. We’ll break down screen resolution, smart features, and connectivity options to help you choose which is right for your home.
Screen Resolution
Screen resolution can be confusing to customers who aren’t tech-savvy or up-to-speed on the latest trends in home entertainment. Put simply, screen resolution refers to how detailed your television’s picture is. Models featuring 4K UHD panels have become more and more popular in recent years as the technology improved and became more affordable, but you can still get TVs with 1080p or 720p screens. There are even televisions now with 8K screens, but those are extremely expensive and not available in small screen sizes. Televisions with 4K resolution give you four times the pixels of a 1080p model, meaning you’ll get more details packed into your TV screen. Models with 4K screens also feature high dynamic range (HDR) technology, which allows your TV to analyze shows and movies scene-by-scene for optimum color, contrast, and detailing to give you the best picture possible. This makes 4K televisions best suited for streaming content, since services like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime video now offer a range of UHD content and your television can upscale older shows and movies in 4K for a better viewing experience. TVs that use 1080p or 720p resolution are better for customers who either don’t stream at all, or stream only rarely and prefer to get their entertainment from traditional broadcast media. Since cable and satellite providers as well as over-air broadcast stations don’t offer many, if any at all, 4K options for watching your favorite shows and movies; this means that you wouldn’t be able to take full advantage of your 4K TV’s technology and capabilities, wasting your time and money.
Streaming and Smart Features
Being able to stream your favorite shows and movies has become the new standard for home entertainment. The latest smart TVs use updated operating systems which allow you to download apps like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+ or have them preloaded so you can start streaming right out of the box. This system eliminates the need for any external equipment to access your favorite apps. As we’ve mentioned before, TCL and Hisense use the Roku platform; this not only lets you stream media, it also uses a companion app for your smartphone or tablet to give you voice controls as well as an easier way to browse movies and shows. Televisions which use the AndroidTV operating system usually have native voice controls via Google Assistant and often allow you to mirror your smartphone or tablet screen with Chromecast for more ways to watch videos with friends. Brands like LG, Samsung, and Sony have their own proprietary operating systems which, depending on the price range and screen size, give you many more smart features than their competitors. Samsung televisions have their own virtual assistant, Bixby, as well as compatibility with Alexa and Google Home so even if you don’t have a separate smart speaker, you get voice controls over your TV. Some Samsung models also have a gallery mode that turns your TV into an art gallery when it isn’t being used so it can blend seamlessly into your home decor. LG models use AI-assisted picture technology that intelligently analyzes both 4K and 1080p content to give you the best viewing experience. They also use Dolby Atmos audio to create virtual surround sound and 3D audio for cinematic quality sound. If you’re a die-hard Sony customer, their televisions have a dedicated picture mode for watching shows and movies on Netflix. This picture mode automatically adjusts color and contrast to give you the same picture quality as a studio master copy of your favorite shows and movies. They also are compatible with Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast so you can mirror your Android and iOS device screens.
Connectivity
How a television connects to your playback devices is a huge factor to consider when shopping for a new TV. Newer DVD, Blue-Ray, and UHD DVD players use HDMI cables to connect to your TV, as do modern game consoles. If you use these devices fairly often, it’s important to choose a TV with multiple HDMI inputs; many TVs have at least four so you can connect multiple game consoles and DVD players. Some televisions have USB ports for viewing pictures on external memory storage devices like flash drives and external hard drives. Not all TVs support every kind of file type, so make sure you check what kinds of files your TV supports so you’re not blocked from sharing photos with friends. Having a smart TV means that you’ll have built-in Wi-Fi, allowing you to connect other smart devices like virtual assistant speakers and smart light bulbs in order to set up a smart home network. Wi-Fi also allows your TV to connect to the internet in order to use a web browser, download firmware updates, and access all your favorite apps. For customers who want to create a home theater, many smart TVs feature Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio. This will allow you to wirelessly connect soundbars, satellite speakers, and subwoofers so you can have a clean-looking audio configuration; this is also great for small living rooms and apartments where wires can create trip hazards and make the space feel cluttered. Wireless audio also lets you create custom speaker configurations so you can take full advantage of a room’s acoustic qualities. If you have wireless headphones, you can use the Bluetooth connection for private listening so you don’t disturb others while you enjoy your favorite music, movies, shows, or games. Bluetooth also lets you connect your mobile devices and laptops to the TV for screen mirroring.
