Finding a genuinely good Smart TV under £300 used to feel impossible. Years ago, “budget TV” meant washed-out colours, slow apps, tinny sound, and a remote you had to point at the TV with sniper accuracy just to change the channel.
But things have changed.
TV brands have quietly improved their budget ranges. Picture quality is better. Smart systems are faster. Energy usage is lower. And you no longer need £500–£700 to get something that looks great in a normal UK living room.
The problem now isn’t that cheap TVs are bad — it’s that there are too many. Fire TV. Roku. Android TV. VIDAA. Tizen. 32″, 40″, 43″, even 55″ models showing up under £300.
This guide cuts through the noise and helps you choose the best Smart TV under £300 for real-world UK homes — based not on lab tests, but how these TVs actually perform in everyday living rooms, bedrooms and student flats.
Let’s get into it.
What You Actually Get for Under £300 (Honest Breakdown)
Before looking at specific TVs, it helps to know what’s realistic in this price range.
✔ Screen Size You Can Expect
Most TVs under £300 fall between 32″ and 43″.
But occasionally, you’ll find a 55-inch model sneaking into discount territory — and we’ve included one here.
✔ Picture Quality
LED panels dominate at this price.
- VA panels = deeper contrast, great for movies
- IPS panels = wider viewing angles, great for bright rooms
4K is now common on 43″ models.
1080p is still normal for 32″ and some 40″ models.
✔ Smart Platforms
At this price, you’ll get one of these:
- Fire TV (Fast, app-rich, Alexa built-in)
- Roku TV (Simple, clean, stable)
- Android TV (Loads of apps, Chromecast built-in)
- Tizen (Samsung’s premium platform, very polished)
- VIDAA (Hisense’s fast, simple OS)
All handle UK streaming apps well.
✔ Energy Efficiency
Budget TVs typically use 40–90 watts, much less than older TVs.
Eco modes can cut this significantly.
✔ What You Won’t Get
Being honest:
- No OLED
- No ultra-premium HDR
- No 120Hz gaming features
- No ultra-high brightness levels
But you will get a great picture for everyday use at a fraction of the price.
How We Chose These TVs
Every TV here had to meet these criteria:
- Under £300
- Good real-world picture quality
- Smooth smart interface
- Energy-efficient modes
- Strong build quality for the price
- Works well in UK homes (not just showrooms)
- Simple setup for families and older users
- Positive long-term user feedback
No laggy interfaces. No dim panels. No “paper specs” that don’t translate into real performance.
The Best Smart TVs Under £300 UK
Below are the TVs that genuinely deliver value — not overpromises.
1. Amazon Fire TV 43-inch 4K (Best Overall Value)
If you want the TV that gives you the best all-round performance under £300, this is it.
⭐ Picture Quality
A bright, sharp, vibrant 4K image.
Movies look great, sports look crisp, and colours feel natural without being overdone.
⭐ Smart Features
Fire TV is fast, intuitive, and full of apps.
Alexa voice search is built in, and the interface is smoother than almost anything else at this price.
⭐ Energy Efficiency
Runs around 48–65W, depending on brightness.
Eco mode is surprisingly effective.
⭐ Best For
Living rooms, gamers on a budget, and anyone wanting a big-screen experience without spending big.
Pros
- Smoothest smart interface in this price range
- Bright and punchy 4K display
- Alexa built in
- Great app support
- Excellent value
Cons
- Amazon-heavy recommendations
- Sound is okay, not amazing
2. Hisense 40-inch A4 Series (Best for Simplicity & Reliability)
Hisense continues to dominate the “budget-but-good” segment, and the A4 is a brilliant example.
⭐ Picture Quality
Sharp 1080p resolution with strong contrast and clean motion.
Perfect for everyday viewing.
⭐ Smart Features
VIDAA OS is clean and easy — ideal if you hate cluttered menus or slow interfaces.
⭐ Energy Efficiency
Very efficient thanks to its compact size and tuned backlight.
Pros
- Crisp image quality
- Super easy to use
- Good streaming support
- Low running cost
Cons
- Not 4K
- Fewer apps than Android/Fire TV
3. TCL 43-inch Android TV (Best for App Lovers & Customisation)
If you love flexibility, app choice, and Google Assistant, this is your under-£300 dream.
⭐ Picture Quality
Colours pop, brightness is stronger than expected, and motion handling is good for the price.
⭐ Smart Features
Android TV =
- Endless apps
- Chromecast built-in
- Google Assistant
- Customisable homepage
⭐ Energy Efficiency
Expect around 55–75W depending on brightness and HDR usage.
Pros
- Massive app library
- Great for YouTube and sports
- Good brightness
- Google voice controls
Cons
- Menus need occasional tidying
- Slightly slower than Fire TV on older versions
4. TCL 55-inch Fire TV (Best Big-Screen Experience Under £300)
Yes — a 55-inch 4K Fire TV under £300.
This is where value gets ridiculous.
⭐ Picture Quality
Excellent for the price.
You get:
- Vibrant 4K resolution
- Decent HDR performance (HDR10 & Dolby Vision)
- Good contrast
- Sharp upscaling
Movie nights feel properly cinematic.
⭐ Smart Features
Fire TV OS is quick and intuitive.
You get Alexa built in, plus:
- Prime Video
- BBC iPlayer
- ITVX
- Disney+
- Netflix
- YouTube
- Thousands more
⭐ Energy Efficiency
Large TVs naturally use more power, but TCL handles it well — expect 70–90W depending on brightness.
Pros
- Huge 55-inch display
- Surprisingly strong picture quality
- Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos
- Smooth Fire TV navigation
- Incredible value
Cons
- Too big for small bedrooms
- Higher power draw (normal for this size)
5. Samsung 32-inch T5300 (Best Small TV Under £300)
If you’re looking for a compact TV for a bedroom, kitchen, or guest room, nothing beats Samsung’s T5300 at this price.
⭐ Picture Quality
Samsung’s processing elevates even smaller displays — colours look clean, warm, and natural.
⭐ Smart Features
Tizen OS is premium-feeling, fast, and polished.
⭐ Energy Efficiency
Extremely efficient. Ideal for long hours of use.
Pros
- Best small-screen image quality
- Smooth Tizen OS
- Very energy efficient
- Strong build quality
Cons
- Only 32-inch
- No 4K
Comparison Table
| Model | Size | Resolution | Best For | Energy Use | Smart System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon Fire TV | 43″ | 4K | Best overall | Low/Medium | Fire TV |
| Hisense A4 | 40″ | 1080p | Simplicity | Low | VIDAA |
| TCL Android TV | 43″ | 4K | App lovers | Medium | Android |
| TCL 55″ Fire TV | 55″ | 4K | Big-screen value | Medium | Fire TV |
| Samsung T5300 | 32″ | 1080p | Bedrooms | Very Low | Tizen |
Which One Should YOU Buy?
⭐ Best Overall TV Under £300:
Amazon Fire TV 43-inch 4K
The best mix of picture quality, smart features, size, speed, and energy efficiency.
⭐ Best for Simplicity:
Hisense 40″ A4
Reliable, easy, fuss-free.
⭐ Best for App Lovers:
TCL 43-inch Android TV
If you want Google Assistant, Chromecast, and endless apps.
⭐ Best for Movie Nights:
TCL 55-inch Fire TV
Huge screen, huge value.
⭐ Best Compact TV:
Samsung 32-inch T5300
Perfect for bedrooms or kitchens.
Budget TV Buying Guide
✔ Brightness matters more than resolution
A bright 1080p TV often looks better than a dim 4K one.
✔ Smart platform affects daily happiness
Fire TV and Tizen are the most user-friendly.
✔ Viewing angles matter in UK homes
If your sofa isn’t straight on, IPS panels help.
✔ Always check the remote
Some cheap TVs feel great… until you pick up the remote.
✔ Energy usage isn’t trivial
Eco modes, brightness settings and screen size all affect bills.
Author Insight
When comparing picture modes on budget TVs, I discovered something amusing: nearly every TV arrives with brightness set to “sunburn simulator.” The moment you turn it down, the picture magically looks twice as expensive — and your electricity bill stops giving you dirty looks.
Energy-Saving Tips
- Turn brightness down from 100%
- Use Eco Mode
- Disable motion smoothing
- Turn off always-listening voice assistants
- Set auto-off timers
- Use a smart plug to minimise standby drain
Small changes → real savings.
🔌 Smarter Tech That Saves You Money — Without Complicating Life
If you’re upgrading your home tech on a budget, you’ll love a couple of our other guides too. Start with Best Budget Smart Accessories That Help You Save — Without Changing Your Routine, where we break down small plug-in devices that quietly shave money off your bills in the background. And if you’re also thinking about refreshing your home office or study setup, check out Top 5 Laptops Under £500 UK (Energy-Efficient Work & Home Options) — a simple, honest guide to choosing a fast everyday laptop that won’t drain your wallet or your electricity.
Conclusion: The Best Smart TV Under £300
If you want the safest, best, most enjoyable choice under £300, the winner is:
⭐ Amazon Fire TV 43-inch 4K
Strong picture quality, excellent smart features, low running cost, and the perfect size for most UK living rooms.
But whichever model you choose from this list, you’re getting a genuinely good TV without overspending — and that’s exactly what the budget TV category should be.
Explore more energy-efficient devices and budget-friendly upgrades in our Everyday Tech Savings Hub UK from smart gadgets to larger home tech that cuts costs without compromise.
For official UK data on appliance energy use, see the latest guidance from Energy Saving Trust:
https://energysavingtrust.org.uk
Written by Andy M. — exploring energy-saving gadgets and home hacks that actually work in real UK homes.