A 65-inch TV under $500 in early 2026 is no longer just about getting the biggest screen for the lowest price. Thanks to wider adoption of QLED / Quantum Dot technology, better brightness management, improved HDR tone mapping, and more mature smart TV platforms, budget-friendly large TVs can now deliver genuinely satisfying everyday performance.
This guide highlights the five best 65-inch TVs you can buy for under $500, prioritizing panel technology, real-world picture quality, smart platform experience, and overall value, rather than spec-sheet features that don’t meaningfully improve daily viewing.
1. Best Overall 65-Inch TV Under $500 — Hisense 65QD7QF
The Hisense 65QD7QF, part of Hisense QD7QF, earns the top spot as the most complete and well-balanced 65-inch TV under $500. Its Quantum Dot panel delivers stronger color volume and higher brightness than standard LED TVs, giving HDR movies, sports, and streaming content a noticeably richer and more dynamic look.
Although it doesn’t feature Mini-LED local dimming, Hisense’s image processing maintains solid contrast consistency and avoids the washed-out appearance common in cheaper large-screen TVs. The Fire TV platform is fast, responsive, and tightly integrated with Alexa, making it a strong everyday smart TV solution.
Why it’s great
- Quantum Dot panel improves brightness and color impact
- Strong HDR performance for the price
- Smooth and responsive Fire TV platform
Best for: buyers who want the strongest all-around picture quality under $500
| Hisense 65QD7QF (65-inch Hisense QD7QF) Prices | |
| Walmart.com (N/A) | Amazon.com… |
2. Best Value QLED Pick — TCL 65Q651G
The TCL 65Q651G, part of TCL Q6 (Q651G), takes second place as the best overall value QLED TV in this category. Its QLED display provides brighter highlights and more saturated colors than standard LED panels, which makes a real difference on a 65-inch screen — especially with HDR streaming content.
TCL’s Google TV platform remains one of the best smart systems at any price, offering fast navigation, excellent app coverage, and deep personalization. While refresh rate is limited to 60 Hz, motion handling and input responsiveness are well tuned for sports and casual gaming.
Why it’s great
- QLED panel with strong color and brightness
- Excellent Google TV smart platform
- Outstanding value for a 65-inch QLED
Best for: value-focused buyers who want vibrant color without overspending
| TCL 65Q651G (65-inch TCL Q651G) Prices | |
| Walmart.com… | Amazon.com… |
3. Best Samsung 65-Inch TV Under $500 — Samsung QN65Q6FAAFXZA
The Samsung QN65Q6FAAFXZA, part of Samsung Q6F, delivers Samsung’s signature polish in a sub-$500 65-inch package. Its QLED panel produces bright, punchy images with strong color saturation, making it particularly effective in bright rooms and for sports viewing.
Samsung’s Tizen smart platform is one of the smoothest and most refined interfaces available, with fast app loading and reliable performance. Motion handling is another strength, helping fast-paced content look cleaner than many similarly priced competitors.
Why it’s great
- Bright and vibrant QLED picture quality
- Excellent motion handling for sports
- Refined and responsive smart TV experience
Best for: viewers who want a polished, fast, and reliable TV experience
| Samsung QN65Q6FAAFXZA (65-inch Samsung Q6F) Prices | |
| Walmart.com… | Amazon.com (N/A) |
4. Best Budget QLED 65-Inch TV — Insignia NS65-UQFL26
The Insignia NS65-UQFL26, part of Insignia QF series, is correctly classified as a QLED TV, and it earns its place as the most affordable QLED option in the 65-inch under-$500 category. Its Quantum Dot layer delivers better color vibrancy than standard LED TVs, though overall brightness and processing are more modest compared to the QLED models ranked above.
Powered by Fire TV, it offers easy access to all major streaming services with straightforward navigation. While it doesn’t match the refinement or HDR punch of Hisense, TCL, or Samsung, it clearly outperforms most basic LED sets at similar prices.
Why it’s great
- QLED panel at a very aggressive price
- Simple and familiar Fire TV interface
- Strong value for a budget QLED large screen
Best for: buyers who want QLED color at the lowest possible price
| Insignia NS65-UQFL26 (65-inch Insignia QF Series) Prices | |
| Walmart.com (N/A) | Amazon.com… |
5. Best Standard LED for Everyday Viewing — LG 65UA7700PUB
The LG 65UA7700PUB, part of LG UA77, rounds out the list as the only standard LED TV among these picks. While it can’t match the brightness or color volume of the QLED models above, LG’s strength lies in clean image processing, stable motion, and excellent usability.
LG’s tuning favors natural colors and consistent performance, making it comfortable for long viewing sessions. The webOS smart platform remains one of the easiest and most intuitive systems to use, even if the panel itself is technically less advanced.
Why it’s great
- Clean, natural-looking picture processing
- Excellent webOS smart platform
- Reliable everyday performance
Best for: viewers who prioritize usability and balanced picture quality over brightness
| LG 65UA7700PUB (65-inch LG UA77) Prices | |
| LG.com… | Amazon.com… |
Quick Buying Tips for 65-Inch TVs Under $500 (Early 2026)
- QLED vs Standard LED
On a 65-inch screen, QLED / Quantum Dot panels deliver noticeably better brightness and color volume, making them the smarter long-term choice when available. - Smart Platform Preference
Google TV, Tizen, webOS, and Fire TV are all solid — choose the interface you enjoy using daily. - Gaming Expectations
Most TVs in this price range are limited to 60 Hz, so focus on low input lag and stable motion rather than high refresh rate marketing.
Quick Summary
If you want the shortest answer: Hisense offers the best overall performance, TCL delivers the strongest QLED value, Samsung provides the most polished experience, and Insignia is the cheapest way to get QLED at 65 inches.
| Rank | Model | Display Type | Best For | Check Price |
| 1 | Hisense 65QD7QF | Quantum Dot LED | Best overall performance | Amazon.com… |
| 2 | TCL 65Q651G | QLED | Best value QLED | Amazon.com… |
| 3 | Samsung QN65Q6FAAFXZA | QLED | Bright & polished experience | Walmart.com… |
| 4 | Insignia NS65-UQFL26 | QLED | Cheapest QLED 65-inch | Amazon.com… |
| 5 | LG 65UA7700PUB | LED | Clean processing & usability | Amazon.com… |