Back to all blogs

By Anthony Jones

Subscribe to Tech Decoded weekly newsletter

Today's TV market is seeing something unexpected: some budget 4K TVs priced under $500 are showing better colors than expensive models that cost four times more. This isn't just clever marketing - tests and measurements prove it. This improvement in affordable TV quality is changing how people shop for TVs, making great picture quality available to everyone.

You no longer need to spend thousands to get a TV with rich, true-to-life colors. Thanks to better technology, smart design choices, and more efficient manufacturing, companies like TCL, Hisense, and Roku now make affordable TVs that show colors beautifully - sometimes better than the pricey options.

The Science Behind TV Color Performance

Understanding Color Reproduction Technology

When we talk about a TV's color performance, we're primarily discussing three key factors:

• Color gamut - The range of colors a display can produce

• Color accuracy - How precisely the TV reproduces colors as intended

• Color volume - How well a TV maintains color saturation at different brightness levels

Modern budget QLED TVs utilize quantum dot technology—microscopic particles that, when hit with light, emit their own differently colored light. This technology was once exclusive to premium sets but has now trickled down to affordable models.

"In QLED TVs, the dots are contained in a film, and the light that hits them is provided by an LED backlight," explains a CNET expert. "That light then travels through a few other layers inside the TV, including a liquid crystal layer, to create the picture."

This quantum dot layer dramatically expands the color gamut of budget TVs, allowing models like the TCL Q6/Q651G or Hisense U6N to display colors that were once only possible on expensive premium sets.

The Technical Breakdown: What Makes Colors Pop

The science of color reproduction goes beyond just quantum dots. Several technical factors contribute to how vibrant and accurate colors appear:

Recent advancements have seen quantum dot technology become much more affordable, with brands like TCL and Hisense implementing it in TVs priced well under $500. For example, the TCL Q6 QLED TV, often available for under $400 for a 65-inch, offers impressive color performance that rivals models costing much more. According to RTINGS testing: "The TV has a very good HDR color gamut. It has outstanding coverage of the commonly used DCI-P3 color space, but most colors are undersaturated. The TV has okay coverage of the wider Rec. 2020 color space.

Budget vs. Premium: Breaking Down the $1500 Difference

What You're Actually Paying For in a $2000 TV

When you spend $2000 on a TV instead of $500, here's what you're typically paying for:

• Premium materials and build quality - Thinner bezels, metal construction vs. plastic

• Advanced processing features - Sophisticated upscaling and motion handling

• Higher peak brightness - 1000+ nits vs. 400-600 nits on budget models

• OLED panels (in some cases) - Perfect blacks and wider viewing angles

• Better motion handling - Higher refresh rates (120Hz native vs. 60Hz)

• Brand premium - You pay extra for Sony, Samsung, or LG logos

• Additional gaming features - HDMI 2.1, VRR support across all inputs

As PCMag notes: "Cheaper TVs generally don't get as bright as pricier panels; they have higher black levels that result in much lower contrast ratios, and they don't have nearly as wide color ranges."

Where Budget TVs Can Actually Outperform

Despite these differences, some budget TVs have strategic advantages that allow their color performance to shine:

• Color gamut coverage - TCQ 4K TVs can achieve 94-97% DCI-P3 coverage, matching premium models

• Color accuracy out-of-box - Many budget TVs like the TCL Q6 come well-calibrated from the factory

• Focus on color over other features - By prioritizing color reproduction over extra features

• Newer technologies - Newer budget models often use the latest quantum dot formulations

For example, the Hisense U6N, priced around $450 for a 55-inch, offers "excellent overall picture quality due to its wide color gamut," according to RTINGS.com. In some specific tests, these budget models actually outperform premium TVs when it comes to color saturation and accuracy.

The Data: Scientific Testing Results

Color Gamut Measurements

Scientific testing from multiple sources confirms that some budget TVs achieve impressive color performance that rivals much more expensive models:

As this data shows, the color gamut coverage of budget models like the TCL Q6 is remarkably close to premium models costing 4x more. While premium models still maintain some advantages in overall color accuracy (Delta-E), the differences are often imperceptible to the average viewer.

Real-world Testing Results

In practical viewing tests conducted by professional reviewers, budget TVs often impress with their color performance:

Tom's Guide's testing of the TCL Q6 found: "In terms of color saturation and accuracy, the Q6 covers 97.41% of the Rec709 color space but had some of the most accurate colors of any TV at this price point with a Delta E value of around 2.1."

Similarly, RTINGS.com noted for the Hisense U6N: "The TV provides excellent overall picture quality due to its wide color gamut, good upscaling, and very good SDR brightness."

When comparing these budget models to premium TVs in side-by-side tests, reviewers consistently found that while premium models might excel in other areas like brightness and contrast, the budget models often matched or even exceeded them in color performance specifically.

Top Budget TVs with Superior Color Performance

Hisense U6N Series

The Hisense U6N stands out as one of the best budget TVs with excellent color performance:

Key Specifications:

• Price: $449−$499 (55-inch)

• Panel Type: QLED with VA panel

• Local Dimming: Yes (limited zones)

• Color Gamut: 88% DCI-P3 xy coverage

• Peak Brightness: ~500 nits

• HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG

Color Performance Highlights: The U6N's color performance is exceptional for its price point. It supports quantum dot technology which provides a wide color gamut, excellent for HDR content. Its local dimming feature helps maintain color vibrancy even in darker scenes.

Limitations: While its colors are impressive, the U6N isn't as bright as premium models, maxing out around 500 nits. It also has a narrower viewing angle than more expensive sets, so colors will fade when viewed from the sides.

TCL Q6/Q651G QLED

The TCL Q6 is possibly the best value in terms of color performance at the budget price point:

Key Specifications:

• Price: $350−$400 (65-inch)

• Panel Type: QLED with VA panel

• Local Dimming: No

• Color Gamut: 88.34% DCI-P3 xy coverage, 94.23% DCI-P3 uv coverage

• Peak Brightness:

• 370 nits HDR,

• 370 nits SDR

• HDR Support: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision

Color Performance Highlights: Despite lacking local dimming, the Q6 delivers superb color accuracy with a Delta-E of just 2.1, which is excellent for a budget TV. Its quantum dot technology allows it to produce richer, more saturated colors than many other TVs in its price range.

Limitations: The lack of local dimming means contrast isn't as good as it could be, and brightness is limited. As Tom's Guide noted, "This isn't the brightest TV, nor the most colorful, but when it comes to color accuracy and SDR brightness, it's a top contender."

Roku Plus Series QLED

Roku's Plus Series QLED offers excellent color performance with the simple Roku interface:

Key Specifications:

• Price: $399−$429 (55-inch)

• Panel Type: QLED with VA panel

• Local Dimming: Yes

• Color Gamut: ~90% DCI-P3

• Peak Brightness: ~450-500 nits

• HDR Support: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision

Color Performance Highlights: The Roku Plus Series combines quantum dots with local dimming for excellent color performance. During testing, Tom's Guide found that "high-dynamic range (HDR) content came through with solid pop," noting its "first-rate HDR color" as a key strength.

Limitations: Like other budget models, brightness is limited compared to premium sets, and viewing angles are narrow. Gaming features are also more limited, with no HDMI 2.1 ports or 120Hz support.

Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED

Amazon's entry into the budget QLED market delivers surprising color performance:

Key Specifications:

• Price: $399−$449 (50-inch)

• Panel Type: QLED with VA panel

• Local Dimming: Yes

• Color Gamut: ~88% DCI-P3

• Peak Brightness: ~474 nits

• HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG

Color Performance Highlights: PCMag's testing found the Fire TV Omni QLED offers "excellent color and strong contrast" despite its modest price. Business Insider noted it's "one of the only 50-inch TV models to offer local dimming" which helps it maintain vivid colors across different content.

Limitations: Not particularly bright compared to premium models, and some reviewers noted "light bloom can overpower shadow detail."

Understanding the Trade-offs

What You Sacrifice for the Price

While these budget TVs excel at color performance, they do make compromises in other areas:

• Brightness limitations - Budget TVs typically max out around 500 nits, while premium models can reach 1500+ nits, making HDR highlights less impactful

• Contrast performance - Fewer local dimming zones (or none) mean blacks appear more gray, and contrast isn't as striking as on premium models

• Processing power - Budget TVs have less sophisticated processors, which can lead to more motion blur and poorer upscaling of lower-quality content

• Sound quality - Almost universally poor in budget TVs, with most reviewers recommending a separate soundbar

• Build quality - Plastic constructions versus the metal frames of premium models

• Interface performance - Budget TVs often have slower, less responsive smart systems

As CNET explains: "In summary, the Samsung [premium model] offered the best picture here, with excellent black levels and low-level shadow detail. It was decidedly less saturated looking than the other TVs, though color is less crucial than contrast, and this was easily fixed by increasing the Color control about 10 points."

Who Should Still Consider Premium TVs

Despite the impressive color performance of budget TVs, premium models still make sense for certain users:

• Home theater enthusiasts who need the absolute best contrast, brightness, and overall image quality

• Bright room viewers who need the extra brightness that only premium TVs can deliver

• Gamers requiring HDMI 2.1 features like 4K/120Hz, VRR across multiple ports

• Wide seating arrangements benefit from the superior viewing angles of premium models, especially OLEDs

• Consumers who value aesthetics and premium design elements

Essential Factors to Consider When Choosing

Room Environment Considerations

Your viewing environment significantly impacts which TV will provide the best color experience:

Bright Rooms:

• Consider brighter QLED models like the Hisense U8N (slightly above $500)

• Look for TVs with anti-reflection coatings

• Brightness matters more than perfect blacks in well-lit spaces

Dark Rooms:

• Budget TVs with local dimming like the Hisense U6N will perform better

• Contrast becomes more important than peak brightness

• Color accuracy is more noticeable in controlled lighting

Viewing Distance and Angle:

• For side-angle viewing, be aware that budget VA panels have narrow viewing angles

• Color saturation and accuracy diminish when not viewed straight-on

• Consider room layout when choosing between a budget model and a premium TV with better viewing angles

Content Type Priorities

The type of content you primarily watch should influence your decision:

Movies and Cinematic Content:

• Color accuracy is crucial - look for TVs with low Delta-E scores out of the box

• HDR format support (Dolby Vision/HDR10+) helps with movies

• Local dimming improves color performance in darker scenes

Sports and Bright Content:

• Brightness and color volume matter more than perfect accuracy

• Motion handling becomes important - look for TVs with good response times

• Consider models with sports-specific picture modes

Gaming:

• Input lag is critical - the TCL Q6 scored an impressive 8.9ms

• Support for gaming features like VRR helps even at 60Hz

• Color accuracy in game mode varies widely between models

How to Get the Most From Your Budget TV

Calibration Tips for Optimal Color Performance

Proper calibration can significantly improve the color performance of budget TVs:

Start with the right picture mode

• Choose "Movie," "Cinema," or "Filmmaker" modes as a starting point

• Avoid "Vivid" or "Dynamic" modes, which oversaturate colors

Adjust color temperature

• Set to "Warm" for most accurate colors (closer to the 6500K standard)

• This may look yellowish at first but is actually more accurate

Fine-tune basic settings

• Contrast: 90-100% for most budget TVs

• Brightness: Adjust until shadow detail is visible without raising black levels

• Color: 45-55% for most accurate saturation

• Sharpness: Lower to 0-10 to avoid artificial edge enhancement

Disable unnecessary "enhancements"

• Turn off motion smoothing for movies (causes the "soap opera effect")

• Disable dynamic contrast which can crush colors

• Turn off noise reduction for high-quality sources

Use calibration patterns

• Consider the Spears & Munsil test disc ($30-$60) for DIY calibration

• Free alternatives include THX tune-up app or YouTube calibration videos

As Will Greenwald, an ISF-certified TV calibrator, advises: "For most consumers, the warmest color temperature preset will do the job," and "Ignore the instructions for tweaking color or sharpness in the Video Calibration menu; the vast majority of TVs sold in the last few years have sorted out those settings as defaults that work pretty well."

Enhancing Your Experience

Beyond calibration, consider these upgrades to maximize your budget TV's color performance:

Add external lighting

• Bias lighting behind the TV can improve perceived contrast and color

• Reduces eye strain and makes colors appear more vibrant

Optimize content sources

• Use 4K streaming apps built into the TV for better color handling

• Consider a premium streaming device if the TV's interface is sluggish

• Make sure HDR is properly enabled on external devices

Audio improvements

• Even an inexpensive soundbar ($100-$200) dramatically improves the experience

• Better audio makes colors seem more vivid through multi-sensory enhancement

Room adjustments

• Control ambient light with curtains or blinds

• Paint surrounding walls a neutral gray for most accurate color perception

• Position seating directly in front of the TV to maximize color accuracy

Future of Budget TV Technology

Upcoming Innovations to Watch For

The budget TV market continues to evolve rapidly with these upcoming technologies:

Mini-LED backlights in budget models

• Previously premium-only, Mini-LED is coming to sub-$500 TVs

• Provides much better local dimming for improved color contrast

• Hisense and TCL are leading this push downmarket

More accessible QLED technology

• Quantum dot prices continue to fall

• Expect better color volume at lower price points

• Next-gen quantum dots with higher efficiency

AI processing improvements

• Machine learning enhances color accuracy in real-time

• Better upscaling of non-4K content

• Automatic scene-by-scene optimization

Market Trends Affecting Prices and Performance

Several industry trends are driving the budget TV color revolution:

Manufacturing efficiency improvements

• Scale and automation reducing production costs

• Vertical integration by companies like TCL who make their own panels

Component cost reductions

• Quantum dot materials becoming cheaper

• Processing chips benefiting from economies of scale

Competition driving innovation

• Chinese brands like Hisense and TCL pushing established players

• Roku and Amazon entering the hardware market with aggressive pricing

Lesser-known TV brands like Hisense and TCL offer great value for money. These Chinese manufacturers have gained popularity in the US by selling affordable TVs that deliver unexpectedly good picture quality.

Conclusion

The budget 4K TV revolution is real, with $500 models now capable of displaying colors that match or even exceed those of $2000 premium sets in specific scenarios. While premium TVs still maintain advantages in other areas like brightness, contrast, processing, and features, the gap in pure color performance has narrowed dramatically. Consumers no longer need to compromise on color quality when shopping on a budget. Models like the TCL Q6, Hisense U6N, and Roku Plus Series provide excellent color gamut coverage and accuracy at a fraction of the price of premium options.

As you shop for your next TV, consider what aspects of performance matter most to you. If vibrant, accurate colors are your priority, today's budget TVs can deliver surprising performance for the price. By understanding the science behind TV color reproduction and properly calibrating your set, you can enjoy a viewing experience that rivals much more expensive options.

The future looks even brighter for budget TV buyers as technologies like Mini-LED backlighting and improved quantum dots continue to trickle down to lower price points, promising even better color performance at affordable prices.

FAQs

How long will a budget TV typically last? Most budget TVs should last 5-7 years with regular use. While they may use less expensive components than premium models, the core display technology is similar and typically has a similar lifespan.

Can budget TVs handle gaming requirements? Yes, many budget TVs have excellent input lag performance. Models like the TCL Q6 measure around 8.9ms, which is excellent for gaming. However, they typically lack HDMI 2.1 features for 4K/120Hz gaming needed for the latest consoles.

Will calibration significantly improve color performance? Yes, proper calibration can improve color accuracy by 10-20%. While budget TVs may not have the most accurate out-of-the-box colors, calibration can help optimize their performance. There are various calibration tools and tutorials available online, or you can hire a professional to do it for you.

Your source for the latest tech news, guides, and reviews.

PAGES

About Us

Contribute

Blog

Privacy Policy

CONTACT

INFORMATION

[email protected]

tech-decoded

Receive Tech Decoded's Newsletter in your inbox every week.

NEWSLETTER