For the best picture
TCL C6KS (55-inch)
Best for: Films and sport in a living room
- Bright Mini-LED picture with strong contrast
- Plays every main HDR format
What buyers love: the picture.
Catch: Games top out at 60 Hz, some motion blur.
Best 4K TVs under £500
Three 55-inch TVs under £500: the best picture, smooth gaming, or the lowest price.
Updated 7 November 2026
For gaming
Hisense E7Q Pro (55-inch)
Best for: Console players who want 4K at 120 Hz
- 144 Hz panel with very low lag
- Accurate colour out of the box
What buyers love: the picture.
Catch: HDR barely brighter than standard, flat sound.
For the lowest price
Samsung U8000F (55-inch)
Best for: A bedroom or a second TV
- Natural colour in Movie mode
- Low lag for casual gaming
What buyers love: the picture.
Catch: Dim screen, no Dolby Vision.
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Good to know
What matters at £500, and the trade-offs to expect.
Freeview and catch-up
The TCL runs Google TV, the Hisense VIDAA and the Samsung Tizen. Check the catch-up apps you use.
Room light
A dim room shows off the TCL. All three reflect in bright sun.
Sound
All three speakers are thin. Plan for a soundbar.
The trade-offs that matter
Picture or gaming
The TCL has the deepest blacks and the brightest highlights. The Hisense responds faster and runs games at 144 Hz.
HDR formats
The TCL and the Hisense play Dolby Vision. The Samsung skips it.
Stock
The Hisense is an older model and stock is thin. If it's gone, the TCL is the safer buy.
Final buying advice: Best picture for the money: the TCL C6KS. A console in the lounge: the Hisense E7Q Pro. Big screen, small spend: the Samsung U8000F.
How they compare
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Premium | Premium | Premium |
| Panel | 4K QD-Mini LED (HVA) | 4K QLED, direct LED (VA) | 4K LED (VA), no local dimming |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 144 Hz native | 50/60 Hz |
| HDMI 2.1 ports | HDMI 2.1 features; 3 HDMI, one eARC | 1 | 0 (three HDMI 2.0) |
| HDR formats | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG (no Dolby Vision) |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Is the TCL C6KS good for a PS5?
For most games, yes, with low lag. But it runs at 60 Hz, so 120 Hz modes are off. The Hisense handles those.
Why isn't the Samsung Mini-LED?
It's Samsung's entry Crystal UHD range with a plain backlight. That keeps the price down but limits contrast.
Do I need a soundbar?
Probably. Reviewers called the speakers thin on all three.
Related guides
How we reached this
We shortlisted 4K TVs that independent reviewers rate well and that we saw selling under £500 at a major shop, then compared them on the makers' specs.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: TCL UK: 55C6KS, What Hi-Fi?: TCL C6KS (50C6KS-UK) review, Expert Reviews: TCL C6KS review, Les Numériques : test du Hisense 55E7Q Pro, Frandroid : test du Hisense 55E7Q Pro, Samsung UK: UE55U8000FKXXU, Expert Reviews: Samsung U8000F review, What Hi-Fi?: Samsung U8000F (UE43U8000F) review.