A giant TV is ideal for your living room, where everyone gathers to catch the big game or the latest episode of a favorite series. But you can’t fit one of them in every room. Instead, 32-inch TVs are best for smaller spaces, like kitchen counter tops, a workout area or a home office. I chose the Samsung Q60C as the best 32-inch TV overall thanks to its 4K resolution, high-quality visuals and strong HDR support (which helps you see brighter and darker areas more clearly). Four other comparable models also impressed me with their vibrancy and smart capabilities.
The best 32-inch TVs display vivid pictures and can stream movies, play games and more.
Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailers
Many of the better TVs in this size range don’t skimp on quality and offer the same bold colors, lifelike picture and smart connectivity as bigger models. Here are the best 32-inch TVs you can buy in 2024, including affordable options for the more budget-minded.
Best for: Enjoying high-quality visuals on a small screen.
With the Samsung Q60C, image quality is top-notch. This is one of the few 32-inch TVs that offers 4K resolution support, as well as support for HDR10 and HDR10+, though it should be noted that, as with all Samsung TVs, it doesn’t support Dolby Vision. The Q60C offers an impressive contrast ratio for such a compact TV, delivering excellent blacks in darkened rooms. Its brightness is crisp too, reaching up to 500 nits in HDR, which is enough to make highlight details really pop.
For gaming, it features a decent 60 Hz refresh rate, but there’s HDMI 2.0 ports for 4K 60 Hz gaming on any of the latest consoles or a gaming PC. It also has very low input lag, so if you’re a competitive player, it won’t hold you back. The Q60C comes standard with Samsung’s Tizen OS and offers immediate access to a wide range of streaming apps, including Samsung’s Game Hub streaming platform.
Pros:
4K resolution and crisp visuals
Strong HDR support
Great contrast and brightness
Cons:
Lacks a high refresh rate
Expensive
Best Budget 32-Inch TV
An Impressive Option For Under $150
Amazon
TCL S3
Type: LED |Resolution: 1080p | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Operating system: Google TV | HDR: HDR10, HLG
Best for: Watching streaming services and Chromecast.
If you want a compact TV that’s affordable and well-connected, the TCL S3 is the best bang for your buck. The TCL S3 supports 1080p resolution, which is plenty for a TV this size, and has built-in Google TV and Chromecast support, so you have immediate access to all the best streaming services, and you can stream or mirror from your phone, giving you quick access to any content you want. It also supports HDR10 and HLG. Worth noting: it’s not the brightest TV in the world, so visuals aren’t as vibrant with this model.
Still, it’s perfectly suitable for daytime viewing. It also supports Bluetooth audio, so you can connect your earbuds or headphones to create a private viewing experience. What’s more, it offers support for Alexa, Apple Homekit and Google Assistant, so it’s a viable option for any modern smart home.
Pros:
Affordably priced
Google TV and Chromecast are built-in
Supports HDR and Bluetooth audio
Cons:
Limited to 1080p
Doesn’t support Dolby Atmos or Dolby Vision
Lacks VRR and low-input-lag mode
Best 1080p 32-Inch TV
An Impressive And Affordable Gaming TV
Amazon
Vizio D-Series
Type: LED |Resolution: 1080p | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Operating system: Google TV | HDR: None
Best for: Watching streaming services and gaming at 1080p 60 FPS.
The Vizio D-Series is an excellent 32-inch TV with impressive picture quality as well as excellent gaming features. Simply, 1080p looks pixel dense with a clear picture, and though this isn’t the brightest TV in this category, it features a full array of LED backlighting, making it more uniform than traditionally edge-lit TVs. It lacks HDR support, but given its relatively modest maximum brightness, that’s not something this TV is equipped to take advantage of anyway.
As an affordable gaming TV, this model really excels. Due to its auto-low-latency mode, it has a low input lag for responsive play and supports variable refresh rates and AMD Freesync. It has a pair of HDMI 1.4 ports, which are plenty for playing 1080p at 60 Hz on any recent generation console or gaming PC. All in all, this is one of the best budget gaming TVs available.
Best for: Enjoying artwork when you aren’t watching TV.
Samsung’s The Frame is a novel idea—it displays colorful artwork when you aren’t watching TV. I appreciate that The Frame has a special anti-reflective coating which makes it look like a real painting or drawing, and you can swivel it on its rotation mount to enjoy art in portrait and landscape modes. Worried about it using excess energy? The built-in motion sensor will keep the monitor off when you’re not in the room and turn it on when you are.
The Frame supports HDR10 and HDR10+ and features excellent brightness. It offers Samsung’s Game Hub and Samsung Health, so you can use it for game streaming and more—like accessing favorite streaming platforms or tracking your workout metrics—without the need to plug in any additional devices.
Pros:
Excellent picture quality
Doubles as wall-mounted art
Has great HDR and brightness support
Cons:
Expensive
Best Cheap 32-Inch TV
Outfitted With Streaming Apps And Alexa Support
Amazon
Insignia F20
Type: LED |Resolution: 720p | Refresh rate: 60 Hz | Operating system: Fire TV | HDR: None
Best for: Budget-minded consumers seeking a solid and basic TV.
The Insignia F20 32-inch TV offers a robust array of functions at this very modest price point. Its 720p resolution is perfectly adequate for watching TV and movies in HD, and it has three HDMI ports, including one with ARC support. It also hosts Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections for online connectivity, and comes outfitted with the best streaming apps. It supports Amazon Luna game streaming and native gaming apps through the Amazon app store, too.
While it lacks HDR support, it does support Alexa, so this TV can be integrated into a smart home and activated with voice commands. Apple fans can enjoy Apple Airplay, too, for simple streaming from your devices.
Pros:
Very affordable price point
Good array of pre-installed apps
Solid connectivity for a budget TV
Cons:
Limited to 720p resolution
Picture is slightly dull
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Executive editor Dave Johnson and consumer tech editor Rebecca Isaacs are TV experts with years of experience reviewing the latest in screen technology. They’ve tested many of the most popular TV models, including the Samsung OLED S95C and the LG OLED G3, and Johnson has authored a number of books on the topic.
Forbes contributor and author of this story Jon Martindale has extensive experience in the tech and gaming space. Martindale formerly ran his own PC hardware review website, and he also is an authority figure on the best TVs.
We have a robust library of TV guides, drawing from our team’s categorical expertise and testing experience. As new TVs enter the market, we regularly update our content for accuracy and to vet our current recommendations. This story was last updated in February 2024 to add new models to our list.
How We Chose The Best 32-Inch TVs
The Forbes Vetted tech team strives to offer accurate and trustworthy product assessments that are the result of intensive research and hands-on testing. To pick the best 32-inch TVs, we used this same approach and also spoke with product experts to help us determine the TVs that made the cut. We surveyed the latest models from established and reputable brands, then carefully evaluated each of the unit’s specifications and features, looking over their resolution, refresh rate, brightness, gaming features and price.
We also leveraged our team’s personal experience with many of these products to determine if they should make the final list. Customer input is critical to our recommendations, which is why every product on our list of best 32-inch TVs features excellent customer reviews, with no less than 4 out of 5 stars.
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