Today TVs can be gigantic, but what if you just want something small and inexpensive to fit in a dorm, apartment of kid’s room? For areas where a 50-inch TV just overwhelms the space, the 43-inch size offers more value than a smaller model and still won’t cost much. Many 43-inch TVs still have 4K resolution and smart TV streaming features, so you’re getting a lot of the basic stuff, just in a smaller size. Compared to a 50-inch or larger TV, choosing a 43-inch screen will save you $100 or more. Sure, if you have the space it’s worth spending extra for a bigger screen, but 43 inches is still a worthy size to enjoy a good viewing experience.
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Things to to know about 43-inch TVs
Since they’re relatively small and inexpensive, 43-inch TVs usually lack the latest picture-enhancing extras found on larger sets, such as 120Hz, full-array local dimming, Mini-LED and advanced gaming features. Finding a 43-inch TV set with a high-end, excellent-quality picture is a lot more difficult than compared to 55-inch models. OLED TVs are the exception. They’re available in 42-inch sizes (see below) and deliver superb image quality, for a high price.
The list below represents the best TVs in the 43-inch screen size I can recommend, with a couple of things to keep in mind going in:
- At this size, where 4K TV image quality isn’t a priority for manufacturers, I prize smart TV functionality first. If all you’re looking for is a TV for watching your shows or for a gaming TV to hook up a console, the best 43-inch TV models definitely fit the bill.
- Looking for another size? Check out: 55-inch TVs, 65-inch TVs and 75-inch TVs.
- Don’t see what you’re looking for below? Here are all of the TVs I’ve reviewed, with more coming soon.
Best 43-inch TVs of 2025
The picture quality of the TCL 4-Series Roku TV was a step behind the Vizio V-Series in our budget TV test, but the differences between the two are slight enough that you’d really have to have them set up side by side to notice anything at all. The 4-Series lacks the Dolby Vision, Bluetooth connectivity and AMD FreeSync with a variable refresh rate, all of which the Vizio offers.
The 4-Series’ advantage over the Vizio is that it comes with the excellent Roku Smart TV system built in. That makes it a great choice for those looking for a one-stop smart TV solution, without having to add an external streaming device.
Note that TCL has been selling the 4-Series for the last few years with little to no change in image quality or features in our tests, although it has recently added some larger screen sizes, including an 85-inch option.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Excellent smart TV system
Cons:
- Image quality and features lag some entry-level TVs