Today, TVs can be gigantic, but what if you just want something small and inexpensive to fit in a dorm, bedroom or kid's room? For areas where a 50-inch TV just overwhelms the space, the 43-inch size offers even more value to the savvy buyer -- choosing a smaller screen can save you $100 or more. You're not really missing out, as many 43-inch TVs have 4K resolution and smart TV streaming features, and so you're getting a lot of the basic stuff -- just in a smaller size -- and they're great for gaming on. With that in mind, here are the best 43-inch TVs you can buy.
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Best 43-inch TVs of 2026
Pros
- The Samsung S90F boasts excellent image quality
- Fast motion for gamers
Cons
- It's much more expensive than LED
- It lacks the step-up model's glare free coating
- No Dolby Vision support
The Samsung S90F is capable of a dynamic picture and is great for gamers as well. As far as OLED value is concerned, it is the best bang-for-the-buck TV you can get, and its ability to display "true" black is a big part of what makes this Samsung great.
Like any Samsung TV, the only downside is that this model doesn't have Dolby Vision capability, but any differences between it and the HDR10 Plus are subtle. Further still, the S90F's picture is so much better than any other TV on this list that it doesn't matter. Also, it's 42 inches and not 43, but who's counting?
Pros
- Decent sound quality
- Decent image quality for a budget LED
Cons
- No local dimming
- Stock is low because of replacement model
While I haven't reviewed the latest (and cheaper) 2025 Fire TV 4 Series, I have tested its predecessor and found it to be one of the better budget TVs you can buy right now. It boasts a pretty decent picture for the money and unexpectedly good sound quality. If the newer TV is cheaper, and it should be, get that one instead.
Pros
- Gaming is responsive irrespective of mode
- Decent shadow detail
Cons
- No local dimming
- Desaturated reds
- High reflectivity
The Samsung U8000F may be one of the most basic TVs on this list, but it is the best TV on this list if you want a cheaper TV for gaming on. The Samsung had some of the best input lag response times I’ve seen, even when set in Filmmaker Mode. I’m always forgetting to switch between Game mode and Filmmaker on my own TV, so if you also do this, the Samsung TV is great for gaming when using either mode.
Pros
- The Roku Select has the most useful features at the price
- The Roku operating system is friendly and easy to use
Cons
- Picture quality is only average
- Not the best choice for gamers
The Roku Select has an OK picture quality for the money, but the TV has two things in its favor: a high brightness and the Roku operating system. From the excellent Roku interface to the handy, on-TV remote-finder, the Select has the best feature set of any of the TVs here. Its friendliness should appeal to people who want a TV that’s dead easy to set up and use.
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.
Our TV reviews follow a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process honed over nearly two decades of TV reviews. Our primary TV test lab has specialized equipment for measuring light and color, including a Konica Minolta CS-2000 spectroradiometer, a Murideo Sig-G 4K HDR signal generator and an AVPro Connect 8x8 4K HDR distribution matrix. We use Portrait Displays CalMan Ultimate software to evaluate every TV we review. In every CNET TV review, three or more similar TVs are compared side by side in various lighting conditions playing different media, including movies, TV shows and games, across a variety of test categories, from color to video processing to gaming to HDR. Our reviews also account for design, features, smart TV performance, HDMI input and gaming compatibility, and other factors.
One important aspect of image quality we test is overall brightness. Here's how it compares in nits across select TVs listed above.
Testing light output in nits
| TV | Accurate color (HDR) |
|---|---|
| Samsung S90F | 1466 |
| Hisense QD7 | 618 |
| Amazon Fire TV 4-Series (2024) | 300 |
| Roku Select (2025) | 355 |
| Samsung U8000 | 291 |
Check out our page on how we test TVs for more details.
Watch this: These 4 TVs Have the Best Picture Quality in 2025
With all of the TVs available today, and all of the technical terms and jargon associated with television technology, it can be tough to figure out what's important. Here's a quick guide to help cut through the confusion.
Price: TVs range in price from $100 to more than $2,000. Smaller screens are cheaper, well-known brands are more expensive and spending more money can also get you better image quality. Most entry-level TVs have a good enough picture for most people, but TVs last a long time, so it might be worth spending more to get a better picture. It's also best to shop for a TV in the fall, when prices are lower.
Screen size: We know you're looking for a 43-inch TV, but we have to say that bigger is better in our book. Forty-three inches is our minimum recommended size for a small bedroom. If you want a TV for a room that's anything other than tiny, we advise going up to at least 55 inches -- and 65 inches or larger is best. More than any other "feature," stepping up in TV screen size is the best use of your money. One of the most common post-TV-purchase complaints we've heard is from people who didn't go big enough. And we almost never hear people complain that their TV is too large.
Capability: Among entry-level TVs the most important feature is what kind of smart TV system the TV uses. Among midrange models, look for a feature including full-array local dimming, mini-LED and 120Hz refresh rate, which (unlike some other extras) do help improve the picture in our experience. And among high-end TVs, OLED technology is your best bet.
For more TV buying advice check out our guide on how to buy a TV.
Is a 43-inch TV big enough?
Which is better for a 43-inch TV, OLED or LED?
In our reviews, OLED TVs, which use organic light-emitting diode technology, have always had better picture quality than LED TVs, which are basically LCD TVs that use LED backlights. The main reason is that OLED TVs can produce a perfectly dark shade of black with no stray illumination of blooming, which leads to better contrast and pop. LED TVs can get brighter, however, and usually cost less than OLED TVs. That said, there aren't many OLED TVs in the 43-inch size range. Unless you want to spend tons of money, you'll probably end up with an LED TV.
What is the best smart TV system for a 43-inch TV?
At CNET our favorite is Roku for its simplicity, but different systems like Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung and LG have different strengths, in particular for voice commands. In any case, we don't consider the built-in smart TV system that important because you can always connect a streaming device to any TV.
