Best small TVs under $1000

If you’re after a smaller TV for a cosy apartment or bedroom, or you just don’t want a gargantuan screen taking over your living room, you’ll probably be considering a television with a screen of around 32–50 inches. 

Bigger isn’t always better, especially in smaller spaces. Sit too close to a large-screen TV and all you’ll see are the small pixels that make up the screen, rather than a crisp picture.

But will you have to downsize your expectations when opting for a petite telly? Not really, our experts say.

“Although these more compact models don’t usually come with 4K resolution, you wouldn’t really notice the higher video resolution in a screen that’s less than 42 inches anyway,” says CHOICE TV expert Denis Gallagher.

“And smaller televisions can still offer great viewing performance for SD video (watching DVDs) and HD video (for Blu-ray movies).”

How to pick the right size

When considering the size of the TV you need, you should think about the size of the room and how far away from the screen you’ll be sitting. Resolution is also a factor, especially if you’re watching 4K, ultra-high definition content.

Did you know it’s actually better to sit closer to the TV when watching 4K? This is because the extra detail is only viewable from a certain distance. If you sit too far, the pixels will become harder to distinguish and ultimately look no better than HD.

The distance between your seat and the TV is a bit more flexible if you’re watching things in HD. Even so, there is still a limit for ideal HD viewing position.

The images below depict the best sitting spots for HD and 4K for a range of TV sizes.

Factoring in field of view

Just because you prefer a smaller TV doesn’t mean you have to compromise your viewing experience. Not everyone wants a cinema in their home!

Positioning the TV relative to your field of view is an important, and oft-overlooked, part of setting up your entertainment area. Your peripheral vision should meet the edges of the TV, so you’re not distracted by anything else around the screen.

While this isn’t an exact science, you don’t want to sit too far back or too close. If you’re too far back, the narrow field of view can make movies and shows seem small. Sitting too close can cause eye strain and nausea. 

30 degrees is the ideal field of view. Trust your eyes and aim for a viewing position in that ballpark. You could even bust out the old protractor for accurate results.

Sound quality for small screens

TV speakers tend to deliver pretty average audio at the best of times, and unfortunately, smaller screens are often worse. The TV case just isn’t big enough to house the larger speakers that can really make an impact.

You may want to pick up a soundbar to improve audio quality, though they can be quite large and may not fit under a small TV. Even if it does, a long soundbar will look pretty out of place.

Headphones or a good-quality wireless speaker are good alternatives. Most small TVs have wireless Bluetooth connectivity, so you can enjoy better audio (depending on the quality of your headphones/speaker) without having to set up a soundbar.

Cheap but not always cheerful

Smaller models start at around the $250–400 mark, but our TV expert Denis Gallagher says there are plenty of average buys out there you should be wary of, regardless of price.

Our experts spend hours in our technology labs testing the audio and picture quality of a wide range of television models, and we also look at model specifications and features, how easy the TVs are to use, and energy efficiency.

To help you find a blockbuster, you can sort our expert TV reviews by price, size, brand, picture quality score, display type and more.

The best small TVs under $1000

If you’re after a quality small TV with a small price to match, check out these options that’ll give you the best picture for the least cash. Our TV experts have rounded up five small TVs that scored well in our testing, but that cost less than $1000 – these are the ones to look out for. Note that they don’t support 4K UHD resolution unless otherwise stated.

Our detailed TV testing data is available exclusively for CHOICE members. If you’re not yet a member, join CHOICE to get instant access to all of our expert, independent reviews. 

Or log in to unlock this article to see the best small TVs on a budget.

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Pru Engel

Pru Engel is the Audience and Engagement editor at CHOICE. Her job is to ensure as many Australians as possible know about the great work we do at CHOICE.  She works closely with our testers and experts to find the gems of information in our data and research that will resonate with Australian consumers and help them make the best decisions, whether they're purchasing an air fryer, looking for a new mattress or trying to find the cheapest car insurance. She also helps to drive meaningful change for consumers by collaborating with our Campaigns team on content covering issues such as grocery pricing, product safety and scams.  Prior to CHOICE, Pru worked as an editor at many of Australia's leading food and lifestyle titles.  Pru has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney. Find Pru on LinkedIn.

Pru Engel is the Audience and Engagement editor at CHOICE. Her job is to ensure as many Australians as possible know about the great work we do at CHOICE.  She works closely with our testers and experts to find the gems of information in our data and research that will resonate with Australian consumers and help them make the best decisions, whether they're purchasing an air fryer, looking for a new mattress or trying to find the cheapest car insurance. She also helps to drive meaningful change for consumers by collaborating with our Campaigns team on content covering issues such as grocery pricing, product safety and scams.  Prior to CHOICE, Pru worked as an editor at many of Australia's leading food and lifestyle titles.  Pru has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) from the University of Technology, Sydney. Find Pru on LinkedIn.

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Peter Zaluzny

Peter Zaluzny is a Content producer in the Digital home team. He covers everything from home entertainment and personal safety devices to tech for your car and mattresses. Peter enjoys cutting through the nonsense to help people understand the products they’re considering to buy. He helps consumers make educated, informed decisions. Peter has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wollongong. LinkedIn

Peter Zaluzny is a Content producer in the Digital home team. He covers everything from home entertainment and personal safety devices to tech for your car and mattresses. Peter enjoys cutting through the nonsense to help people understand the products they’re considering to buy. He helps consumers make educated, informed decisions. Peter has a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wollongong. LinkedIn