Don-t want to shell out big bucks on a new television? Walmart is offering an $86 discount on our favorite budget TV. This 55-inch, 4K panel from Vizio comes in well under $300, a downright steal for the features on offer here, which includes Dolby Vision, variable refresh rate, and a great smart interface.
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Photograph: Parker Hall
Our reviewer Parker Hall called the picture “bright and punchy,” and support for Dolby Vision sweetened the deal. It also supports HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, so you have a wide array of options for achieving the perfect picture. If you’re curious about what all those letters and numbers mean, check out our HDR explainer for all the details.
While it only has a 60-Hz refresh rate at 4K, you’ll still benefit from built-in variable refresh rate, which ties the refresh of your screen to the game’s current frames-per-second rate for a smoother and tear-free experience. It can also help reduce input lag for when you’re feeling competitive. If you turn the resolution down to 1080p, you can play at 120 Hz, which should cover all but the latest gaming consoles.
Vizio’s smart interface is great, with support for a huge variety of apps and streaming services. It has both Google Cast and Apple AirPlay 2 built in, so you can easily pick out your movie on your phone and then send it over without picking up the remote. It has Wi-Fi 6 support, if you’ve already upgraded your router.
Of course, there are always compromises when you’re saving this much money on a screen. The V4K only features direct lighting instead of local dimming, so it won’t have the same deep black levels that you’ll find on more expensive panels.
Still, for less than $300, this would make a great replacement television for an aging 1080p screen, or a perfect second TV for your bedroom or home office. If you feel like you have more room in your budget, we have a whole selection of awesome screens to pick from, including this Vizio, with the fanciest features and biggest panels.
