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In This Guide: LG C3 Series 42-Inch Smart TV | Hisense 40-Inch Smart TV | TCL 43-Inch 4K UHD Smart TV | SAMSUNG 40-Inch Smart FHD TV | Samsung 43″ Class QLED 4K Q60B | Buyer’s Guide | How To Care for Your 40-Inch Smart TV | FAQs
Whether you want to catch a football game, play a new video game, or binge the latest episode of a series, a smart TV is your answer. However, 55-inch, 65-inch, and 85-inch TVs may be too big or expensive for your needs, especially if you’re buying for a bedroom or using it as a supplemental viewing experience. If that’s the case, opting for a 40-inch (or similar-sized) model that offers the same intuitive operating system is a great option.
Depending on their make and model, 40-inch smart TVs can cost anywhere from $150 to over $1,000, but on average, they will be much less expensive than a 55-inch or 65-inch TV. To help find the right TV for you, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best 40-inch TVs on the market. Overall, our top pick is the LG C3 Series 42-Inch Smart TV for its stunning image and sound quality, as well as its sleek design. However, there are also several other great options available depending on your needs. Here are the rest of our top picks.
You can also learn more about the differences between television sizes and models in our TV buying guide.
Top 6 40-Inch Smart TVs
After researching several models, we’ve identified our top recommendations for 40-inch smart TVs:
- Best Overall: LG C3 Series 42-Inch Smart TV
- Best Remote Control: Hisense 40-Inch Smart TV
- Best Resolution: TCL 43-Inch 4K UHD Smart TV
- Best Roku TV: TCL 43-Inch Smart LED Roku TV
- Most Compatible: Samsung 40-Inch Smart FHD TV
- Best Brightness: Samsung 43″ Class QLED 4K Q60B
Best 40 Inch Smart TV – Comparison Table
| Product | Display Technology | Resolution | HDMI Ports | Weight | Dimensions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG C3 Series 42-Inch Smart TV | LED | 4K | 4 | 22.3 pounds | 36.7 x 6.7 x 22.7 inches | ||
| Hisense 40-Inch Smart TV | LCD | 1080p | 2 | 13 pounds | 35.6 x 8 x 22.4 inches | ||
| TCL 43-Inch 4K UHD Smart TV | LED | 4K | 3 | 15.4 pounds | 38.2 x 3.3 22.3 inches | ||
| TCL 43-Inch Smart LED Roku TV | LED | 1080p | 3 | 13.2 pounds | 41.3 x 25.56 x 5.9 inches | ||
| Samsung 40-Inch Smart FHD TV | LED | 1080p | 2 | 15.9 pounds | 36.3 x 6.7 x 21.8 inches | ||
| Samsung 43″ Class QLED 4K Q60B | LED | 4K | 3 | 19 pounds | 38 x 7.1 x 23.5 inches | ||
| Product | Display Technology | Resolution | HDMI Ports | Weight | Dimensions |
Terms to Know for Smart TVs
- LED vs. LCD: LED monitors typically have higher image quality than LCD monitors. LEDs are individual lights that can be programmed to emit different colors, while LCD screens use liquid crystals that can be made to open or close to control how much light passes through them.
- 1080p vs. 4K: Budget models may not have 4K image resolution and will likely top out at 1080p. While 1080p provides high-quality, high-definition images, it does not emit the crisp, clear image quality of 4K.
Best Overall
LG C3 Series 42-Inch Smart TV
- $996.99
- $1,197
- 17% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
We found that customers who were impressed with this TV loved the excellent sound quality and vivid image quality. Others were blown away by its connectivity and smart features, as well as its super-slim screen. On the other hand, there were some reviewers who felt that this TV’s remote and navigation menu were difficult to use.
“[…]The blacks are jet black, and the whites (simultaneously) are bright enough that it looks like glare coming from them. It’s a vast difference from my old TV. The picture is amazing, and it’s 120 Hz. Coupled with a PS5 (or Xbox, or PC), it’s awesome, it even has a substantial amount of gaming settings and a little gaming dashboard. It’s like a whole different experience than my old TV. It also has all of the modern smart TV features, including, of course streaming services […]. I love it [to be honest]. It’s a lot of money for something that honestly would be fine at a lower-quality offering, but I’m happy with it.” —Frank via Amazon
“Like the thin, low-weight design. DO NOT like the over-sensitive control button on the remote! I have neuropathy in both hands and it takes me trying over and over again, sometimes 4, 5, 6 times (or more) to click on the desired item.” —Al via Amazon
Best Remote Control
Hisense 40-Inch Smart TV
- $259.99
- $299.99
- 13% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
In their positive reviews, users primarily highlighted this 40-inch TV’s robust built-in speakers, quick and easy setup, and Google Assistant compatibility. Some users also appreciated how lightweight this TV was. However, some customers complained about the TV being sluggish. One user also said that the included TV legs weren’t supportive enough.
“Fantastic picture for the price, plus all the convenience of a Smart TV allowing for any streaming app to be used on it. I also game on this TV and the picture quality still holds up; not exactly 4k but as close as you’ll get for this price.” — Jay Jones via Amazon
“I was looking for a decent TV at a bargain price for my office, and this seemed to fit the bill. It was easy to set up, and I would have given it 5 stars if it wasn’t for two problems. The TV isn’t very quick to respond at times. I can press a button on the remote and nothing will happen for about 15 seconds. I press it again and it acts as if I rapidly pressed the button multiple times. I hope an update comes out that fixes that. My other problem with the TV is that its tuner isn’t as sensitive as my Tivo or three other Hisense TVs. It only picked up about half the channels as my other devices. It scans 45 channels, whereas my other TVs are able to scan 83 channels.” —Christopher Zeman via Amazon
Best Resolution
TCL 43-Inch 4K UHD Smart TV
- $299.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Positively, customers who reviewed this 43-inch TV were impressed with its 4K resolution, especially considering that it was within the same price range as 1080p TVs. Satisfied users also appreciated the access to thousands of applications through the Google TV operating system. Negatively, some customers had issues with the color bleeding from the display and some had input lag issues with the Google or Roku displays.
“I bought this for my father when his TV recently went out. Personally, I have a couple of year old OLED display from LG. I must say, I was extremely impressed with this. Coupled with how inexpensive it is? It’s a steal! Extremely happy with this purchase!” —Trey H. via Amazon
“Overall a good TV for the price. However, the Google TV operating system is glitchy and slow. Especially when waking up from sleep mode rather than a shutdown. Could be the TV’s processing power, but I’ve had to restart the TV almost daily to correct issues.” — Frank Bartley via Amazon
Best Roku TV
Courtesy Amazon
TCL 43-Inch Smart LED Roku TV
- $258.59
- $290
- 11% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Overall, users appreciated the familiarity of the Roku operating system, which allowed them to easily navigate to Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming applications. They also said that the picture quality was adequate, meeting their expectations for the price. Conversely, some customers experienced software issues after several months of use and several were unsatisfied with the remote control.
“A very fine 40″ 1080 p TV for a small price. I have owned this TV for about a week and have been pleased with the pictures for movies, sports, and network TV. If you are looking for a basic TV with a great picture, this is it. Moreover, I can control the on and off volume and channels all through the Alexa app. And Roku is seamlessly built in. If you’re a cord cutter like I am, this is a great upgrade. Roku TV alone gives you at least 50 channels and good free movies. Now add the Roku app to your phone, and you never need to find your remote again. The Roku on this TV is probably one of the best features.” —Neal via Amazon
“It played Netflix and Disney+ like I wanted it to. I could turn it off, pause it, and resume it with Google Assistant, but I couldn’t turn it on for some reason. It does not remember where you were in a show if you turn off the TV; I didn’t realize this was a negative thing until after I returned it and got a different TV. I returned this because it is unbearable slow to respond to commands. When I press “play” or “pause” on the remote, I kind of expect that the show should play or pause within a second or so. It seemed like I’d have to wait 10 – 15 seconds sometimes for it too.” — ZenithStorm via Amazon
Most Compatible
SAMSUNG 40-Inch Smart FHD TV
- $247.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers who purchased this Samsung smart TV said that the setup was quick and easy. They also said that the 1080p resolution was crisp and clear for not being 4K. However, some unhappy customers complained about the quality and the volume of the sound from the built-in speakers.
“I love this TV. It allows you to connect HDTV through the back coax connector. The pic is very clear and crisp. Sound is loud enough. Great size to have in a small place.” —Francesco01 via Amazon
“Three stars because we had to return this model TV two times due to sound malfunctions, but the picture is great. Also, the TV is easy to set up and choose options. The sound issues were just unreliable. I see others have mentioned sound issues, too, in the reviews. On the first one we got, sometimes we would have to turn the sound up to 99 to barely hear it; unplugging it seemed to correct it. On the second one, the sound would suddenly blast and voices would be garbled.” —Customer KL/AEL via Amazon
Best Brightness
Samsung 43″ Class QLED 4K Q60B
- $550
Prices taken at time of publishing.
What Customers Are Saying
Our team found that customers who were impressed with this TV appreciated its clear picture, variety of smart features, and stylish design. However, there were a few reviewers who felt that the sound quality was not up to their expectations, and others claimed that the smart TV software sometimes glitched or ran too slowly.
“This TV has a great picture. The screen is very bright so even in a room with a lot of light from sunshine there is no glare. Great for sports easy to see the golf ball and hockey pucks that is how good the clarity is. QLED makes a difference. I think it is the best picture you can get at this price point. “ —Love2Golf via Samsung
“I want everyone to know the picture is outstanding. The sound on this TV is very, very disappointing, the speakers are to the rear. I was told they bounce off the wall so you can hear it, nope. The apps I have now are lagging with the voices. From what I’m seeing, that is a well-known problem and it has not been corrected. Paying as much as I did for the TV, the sound, picture and sync should be nothing less than perfect. Had I found and read about this issue beforehand, I would have chosen a different brand.” —FooledAgain via Samsung
What Do You Need to Know Before Buying a 40-Inch Smart TV?
While 40-, 42- and 43-inch TVs are generally less expensive and robust than larger models like a 55-inch TV or 65-inch TV, they still can have high-quality picture and image quality as well as a variety of smart features. When purchasing a new 40-inch TV, make a note of each model’s resolution, refresh rate, platform, sound, and inputs. Read our buying guide below for more information about smart TVs.
Resolution
Resolution refers to the number of pixels on a TV’s screen. The higher the resolution, the clearer the image. While 4K is becoming the new resolution norm for smart TVs, you can still find more affordable 1080p TVs. You may also see even high-end 8K TVs, though they’re expensive and hard to come by.
Refresh Rate
Refresh rate refers to the number of times the picture on the screen refreshes per second. Hertz (Hz) is the unit of measurement for this. While 60 Hz is the standard, shoot for 120 Hz if you watch a lot of videos with rapidly changing scenes.
Platform
Smart TVs come with a built-in operating system. Some TV manufacturers have their own streaming platform, while other TVs use a third-party platform, such as Roku TV, Android TV, or Fire TV. Whatever the case, make sure that this platform is compatible with the apps and devices you want to use with your TV.
Sound
TV screens are lighter and thinner than ever before, but this comes at the cost of speaker quality. For a premium audio experience, we recommend purchasing a separate soundbar. Usually, manufacturers sell soundbars that are specifically designed for their TV models.
Inputs
Your 40-inch smart TV should have a panel on the back or side of the screen with HDMI inputs, USB ports, headphone jacks, and other inputs. This is a necessity if you want to use speakers, video gaming consoles, and other devices with your TV.
How To Care for Your 40-Inch Smart TV
The average lifespan of a smart TV is around five years, but some models can last up to a decade. By taking proper care of your new TV, you’re bound to get more use out of it in your living room, bedroom, or home theater. Here are our tips on how to maintain it.
Turn Off the Power
Many users let their TV go idle when they’ve paused a show or movie, often forgetting that it’s still on. Simply pressing the home and power buttons on your remote control saves electricity and prevents the pixels on the display from burning out so quickly.
Leave Some Room for Ventilation
While it’s important to always maximize your viewing angle, don’t situate your 40-inch smart TV directly against a wall or on an entertainment center. The rear and bottom of the TV should have at least a few inches to “breathe” since they give off heat during long hours of operation.
Fortunately, nearly every TV comes with legs that leave enough room between the bottom of the TV and the surface of the TV stand to allow for air circulation. However, also make sure that your TV is away from any other items on your TV stand. If you decide to mount your TV, the mount should be at least a few inches from the wall.
Carefully Dust the Screen
Using a clean microfiber cloth, periodically wipe the surface of your TV screen. This minimizes dust buildup, which can scratch the surface. Make sure that the TV is cool and off before you dust it.
Use a Surge Protector
As with most electronic devices in your home, plug your TV into a surge protector. This is especially important, considering you may have other devices plugged into your TV. In the event of a storm or a different malfunction, a surge protector can prevent these valuable electronics from short-circuiting.
Secure the TV
Keep the power cords to your TV and its accessories out of any walkways where someone could accidentally trip over them. If your TV is on a stand, keep it from tipping over by securely fastening the legs. If you opt for wall mounting, check that all of the mount’s pieces are fastened to each other and to the TV.
Frequently Asked Questions About 40-Inch Smart TVs
What is the highest resolution available for a 40-inch TV?
The highest resolution for 40-inch TVs is 4K. However, the majority of 40-inch TVs use 1080p, which is a step down from 4K. TVs that measure more than 40 inches may have an 8K display, though this is rare and expensive.
How do I know if a TV is “smart?”
The first sign that you’re looking at a smart TV is if it has a built-in streaming platform, such as Roku TV, Fire TV, Samsung TV, or Google TV that operates on your home wi-fi. From there, you can look for other smart features, such as voice assistance.
What size TV should I buy?
Ultimately, the best screen size comes down to where you’re putting the TV. Take special note of how far from the TV screen you’ll be. The best viewing distance for a 40-inch TV is seven to 10 feet away, which is about how far away the bed in a bedroom or guest room is going to be from the TV. For an open and spacious living room, you might want to consider a 55- or 65-inch model.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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