Best 4K TVs for Gaming Under £500 in 2025: Premium Tech on a Budget
By Robert Jones · 2026-03-08
Right then, if you're anything like me, you've probably been eyeing up those fancy new consoles. But getting a proper 4K gaming TV for under five hundred quid? Absolutely doable.
Right then, if you're anything like me, you've probably been eyeing up those fancy new consoles – the PS5, the Xbox Series X – and thinking, "My old goggle-box just ain't cutting it anymore." But let's be honest, we're not all made of money, are we? Especially not with the price of a pint these days. So, the idea of getting a proper 4K gaming TV, one that can keep up with the latest titles without costing an arm and a leg, well, that's a bit of a dream for most. But hold on, because after spending a good few weeks with some cracking budget sets, I'm here to tell you that dream's more achievable than you might think. Getting a TV that does the business for gaming for under five hundred quid in 2025? Absolutely doable. There's some proper tech making its way down to these price points now, stuff that would have cost you a grand or more just a couple of years back. It's a good time to be on a budget, believe you me. **Quick Verdict: The Hisense E7N PRO is a surprising all-rounder for serious gamers on a tight budget.**  *Best 4K TVs for Gaming Under £500 in 2025: Premium Tech on a Budget — tested in the SpeakersMag workshop.* ## A Bit About What Matters in a Gaming TV Before we get stuck into the individual tellies, let's just have a quick natter about what we're actually looking for here. It's not just about a pretty picture, is it? Especially when you're blasting away in *Call of Duty* or trying to navigate a tricky corner in *Forza*. Latency, that's your input lag, needs to be low. You press the button; you want something to happen on screen *now*. Refresh rate, measured in Hertz (Hz), tells you how many times the screen updates per second. More is usually better for smoother motion, especially with high frame rate games. Then there's HDR – High Dynamic Range. Makes a huge difference to colours and contrast, giving you a much more lifelike image. And finally, if you can get it, things like VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) are gravy. They just make everything work together a bit more sweetly, automatically switching the TV into its best gaming mode. ### Why £500 is a Sweet Spot (for 2025 anyway) Look, I've tested TVs that cost more than my first car, and yeah, they're incredible. But what's happened in the last year or so, especially with manufacturers really pushing their high-end stuff, is that a lot of that "premium" tech trickles down. Manufacturers want to clear shelves, so last year's clever bits end up in this year's more affordable models. It's not often I say this, but it's a genuinely exciting time for budget buyers. You're getting features now that were strictly flagship territory not too long ago. Proper bang for your buck, as they say. ## The Contenders: My Picks for Under £500 I've had these sets through the workshop, plugged in every console under the sun, and given them a good grilling with everything from twitchy shooters to sprawling RPGs. Here's what I found. ### 1. Samsung Crystal UHD DU8000 (2024/25 Model) Now, Samsung's "Crystal" range has been a mainstay for years for anyone looking for a decent 4K picture without emptying their wallet. The DU8000 keeps that torch burning, and honestly, it's a lovely looking bit of kit. Super slim, almost disappears when it's off, which is a nice touch if you're a bit fussy about aesthetics like I am. Samsung calls it "AirSlim," and it lives up to the name. I had this one hooked up to a standard PS5 for a few days, and it delivered a perfectly respectable picture. The colours were decent, and for general viewing, it's more than adequate. For gaming, it's pretty solid for a 60Hz panel. Samsung's "Motion Xcelerator" does a pretty good job of smoothing things out, though don't expect 120fps fluidness, obviously. It's got ALLM, which means it clicks into a low latency mode automatically when it senses a console, and that's always a bonus. You don't want to be faffing about in menus when you're desperate to get into a game. The "Gaming Hub" is also a neat addition if you're into cloud gaming with Xbox or Nvidia. I tried it out with a few titles, and it worked surprisingly well, though your internet connection is going to be the real decider there. Where this one really shines for the money is Samsung's Tizen operating system. It's quick, it's intuitive, and it's got every streaming app you could possibly want. Honestly, some other smart TV platforms are a bit of a dog's dinner, but Tizen is always reliable. Upscaling older, non-4K content, like those old Switch games or even some classic console titles, is handled really well too. So your entire library will look decent, not just the latest 4K marvels. **Who it's for:** * Casual gamers who play mostly 60fps console games. * Anyone who wants a sleek-looking TV that's also great for general viewing. * People who value a simple, fast smart TV experience. **Who should skip it:** * PC gamers or console players chasing high frame rates (120Hz+). * Those who watch a lot of HDR content and demand punchy contrast. * Anyone who needs wide viewing angles for a big family room. **Pros:** * Seriously thin design, looks premium. * Excellent smart TV platform (Tizen). * Good upscaling for non-4K content. * Samsung Gaming Hub is a neat bonus. **Cons:** * Limited to 60Hz refresh rate. * HDR performance is a bit modest. * Viewing angles aren't the widest. ### 2. Hisense E7N PRO (QLED) Now, this is where things get interesting if you're a proper gamer. Hisense has been absolutely knocking it out of the park lately, and the E7N PRO is a prime example. I've had a 55-inch version of this in the workshop for about two months now, and it's been my go-to for testing new console releases. The big headline here is the 144Hz VRR panel. For under £500, that's borderline ridiculous. Most TVs at this price point are still stuck at 60Hz, maybe 120Hz if you're lucky. 144Hz means PC gamers can really take advantage of higher frame rates, and even if you're on a PS5 or Xbox Series X, any "Performance Pro" modes that hit 120fps will look incredibly smooth. It's a QLED set too, which means you're getting Quantum Dot technology for much better colour reproduction than a standard LED. I fired up *Cyberpunk 2077* on this, and Night City just popped. The neon signs, the grit and grime, it all looked much more vibrant and lifelike. And it doesn't stop there: Full Array Local Dimming. This is a crucial feature, especially at this price. It means the TV can control its backlight in different zones, so when you've got bright highlights next to dark shadows, the TV can handle it much better, giving you deeper blacks and brighter whites. It's not OLED levels of black, obviously, but for an LED set, it's seriously impressive. I noticed a big difference in atmospheric games like *Alan Wake 2*. It supports all the major HDR formats too – Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+. This is important because it means whatever you're playing or watching, the TV can take full advantage of the HDR data. The "Game Mode Pro" menu is also a genuinely useful addition; quick access to all the gaming settings, which is handy when you're fiddling around trying to get the absolute best picture for different titles. The only real niggle I found was the viewing angles; they're not terrible, but if you've got a huge sofa and people are watching from the far ends, they might notice a bit of colour shift. And the VIDAA OS, while perfectly functional, doesn't have quite the same breadth of apps as Google TV or Tizen. But for gaming? This one's a beast for the money. **Who it's for:** * Serious console gamers who want 120Hz/144Hz support. * PC gamers looking for a budget-friendly large display with VRR. * Anyone who wants excellent contrast and vibrant colours for the price. * Those who prioritise gaming performance over smart features. **Who should skip it:** * People with very wide seating arrangements. * Anyone who needs every obscure streaming app readily available. * If you just want a casual TV and don't care about high refresh rates. **Pros:** * Native 144Hz VRR panel – exceptional for the price. * QLED and Full Array Local Dimming deliver fantastic picture quality. * Comprehensive HDR support (Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+). * Dedicated Game Mode Pro for quick settings access. **Cons:** * Viewing angles could be better. * VIDAA OS has fewer apps than rivals. ### 3. TCL 55QM8B (Mini-LED) Now, TCL has been making waves recently, and for good reason. They're pushing serious tech into price brackets that make you do a double-take. The 55QM8B, if you can find it under £500 (it often dips during sales events, so keep an eye out), is an absolute revelation. Mini-LED technology is the big draw here. What does that mean? Well, instead of a few hundred LEDs for the backlight, you've got thousands of tiny ones. This allows for incredibly precise control over brightness and contrast. I've seen sets twice the price struggle to match the black levels this thing can produce. Playing *Resident Evil 4 Remake* on this was genuinely creepy; the shadows were deep and unsettling, not that washed-out grey you get on lesser panels. And when there *are* bright elements, like explosions or car headlights, they really punch through. The HDR performance here is genuinely impressive for the money. It's not just bright; it's bright *where it needs to be*, which makes a massive difference to how realistic things look. Crucially for gamers, it supports HDMI 2.1 across its ports, so you're getting full 4K/120Hz support. VRR, ALLM, all the good stuff is here. I had this hooked up to an Xbox Series X, and games that support 120fps ran like a dream. Super smooth, super responsive. The difference between 60Hz and 120Hz is something you really have to see to appreciate, especially in fast-paced games. One thing to note is that TCL often uses Google TV as their smart platform, and it's generally very good. Lots of apps, easy to navigate, and good integration with other Google services. It's a solid all-rounder. The only real downside, if I had to find one, is that because it's often on offer to get it under £500, availability can be a bit hit or miss. If you see it at that price, snap it up. You won't regret it. **Who it's for:** * Gamers who want the best possible picture quality (contrast, brightness) for the money. * Anyone looking for true 4K/120Hz gaming support with all the HDMI 2.1 trimmings. * Those who appreciate deep blacks and vibrant HDR. * Bargain hunters who don't mind waiting for a sale. **Who should skip it:** * If you need a TV *right now* and can't wait for a sale. * People who prefer a specific smart TV OS like Tizen. * If Mini-LED is overkill for your casual gaming habits. **Pros:** * Mini-LED technology delivers incredible contrast and brightness for the price. * Full HDMI 2.1 features for 4K/120Hz, VRR, ALLM. * Excellent HDR performance. * Google TV is a great smart platform. **Cons:** * Often requires catching it on sale to be under £500. * Can be hard to find in stock at times. ### 4. LG UQ7500 (2024 Model) Now, LG is a name everyone knows, and for good reason. They make some cracking tellies, especially their OLEDs, but those are way out of our budget here. However, their entry-level sets, like the UQ7500, still offer a solid experience for the money. This is a pretty straightforward 4K TV, no frills, but it does the basics very well. I picked up a 50-inch version of this for my mum's conservatory a while back, and for general telly watching, it's perfectly fine. For gaming, it's a bit more of a mixed bag, but definitely worth considering if you see a good deal. It's a 60Hz panel, so similar to the Samsung in that regard. You're not getting those super-smooth 120fps frame rates, but for most console gaming at 30fps or 60fps, it's perfectly responsive. LG's input lag figures are usually pretty good, even on their cheaper sets, and this one is no exception. I played *Starfield* on it, and while it wasn't the most vibrant picture compared to the QLED or Mini-LED sets, it was clear and responsive enough for enjoying the exploration. It has ALLM, which is good, so it switches into game mode automatically. That's one less thing to worry about. Where LG really shines, even on their budget models, is with WebOS. It's another excellent smart TV platform. Really slick, easy to navigate with the "Magic Remote" (if your model comes with it, sometimes budget versions get a simpler one). All the streaming apps you'd expect are there, and it generally feels snappy. Picture quality is decent for a standard LED, colours are natural, but don't expect the same punch as the Hisense or TCL. HDR support is there for HDR10 and HLG, but again, the peak brightness isn't going to blow you away. It's a solid, dependable choice if you just want a competent 4K gaming TV without any fuss. **Who it's for:** * Casual gamers who play mostly 60fps or 30fps games. * Anyone who values a reliable brand and a user-friendly smart TV OS. * Those who want a straightforward 4K TV for mixed use. **Who should skip it:** * Gamers who absolutely need 120Hz/VRR for competitive play. * People looking for top-tier HDR performance and deep blacks. * If you want the absolute latest picture tech for your budget. **Pros:** * Reliable brand and solid build quality. * Excellent WebOS smart platform. * Good input lag for 60Hz gaming. * Decent all-rounder for mixed usage. **Cons:** * Limited to 60Hz refresh rate. * HDR performance is basic. * Picture quality isn't as vibrant as QLED or Mini-LED rivals. ## Comparison Table: Quick Look at the Gaming Contenders | Feature | Samsung DU8000 | Hisense E7N PRO | TCL 55QM8B | LG UQ7500 | | :------------------ | :----------------- | :------------------ | :------------------ | :---------------- | | **Panel Type** | Crystal UHD (LED) | QLED (LED) | Mini-LED (LED) | LED | | **Refresh Rate** | 60Hz | 144Hz (VRR) | 120Hz (VRR) | 60Hz | | **HDMI 2.1 Features** | ALLM | ALLM, VRR | ALLM, VRR, 4K/120Hz | ALLM | | **Backlight** | Edge-lit | Full Array Local Dimming | Mini-LED Local Dimming | Direct-lit | | **HDR Support** | HDR10, HLG | Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ | Dolby Vision, HDR10+ | HDR10, HLG | | **Smart TV OS** | Tizen | VIDAA | Google TV | WebOS | | **Typical Price (UK)**| £400-£480 | £450-£500 | £400-£500 (sale) | £380-£450 | ## My Thoughts and Recommendations Honestly, picking a single "best" TV is always tricky because everyone's got different priorities. But if you're purely after the best gaming performance for under a five hundred quid note, it's a bit of a toss-up between the Hisense E7N PRO and the TCL 55QM8B. If you can snag that TCL in a sale, the Mini-LED picture quality combined with full HDMI 2.1 is truly outstanding for the money. It just makes everything look so dynamic, and that 120Hz is a real treat for those silky-smooth frame rates. But it does rely on you being patient and looking for those deals. If you want something you can walk into Currys and pick up today, with equally impressive gaming chops, then the Hisense E7N PRO is a blinding choice. That 144Hz panel and Full Array Local Dimming at this price point are just phenomenal. It truly elevates the gaming experience, making colours pop and shadows feel genuinely deep. For a serious gamer on a budget, this is probably the one I'd nudge you towards first, especially if you play on PC or really care about smooth motion. The Samsung DU8000 is a fantastic all-rounder if gaming isn't your *absolute* top priority, or if you primarily play games that run at 60fps anyway. It looks great in a living room, has a brilliant smart system, and just does everything very competently. It's a solid, safe bet. The LG UQ7500 is in a similar boat; reliable, good smarts, but a bit more basic on the picture front compared to the Hisense and TCL. It's the one to go for if you find a bargain and just need a decent, no-fuss 4K TV from a reputable brand. ## Common Questions from SpeakersMag Readers (FAQ) ### Can I really get a good gaming TV for under £500? Absolutely, yes! A few years ago, I'd have said you'd be stretching it for anything truly decent, but the market's moved on. You can get panels with 120Hz refresh rates, QLED, and even Mini-LED tech now, which is incredible value. You just have to know what to look for and where to compromise a little. ### What's the most important feature for gaming on a budget TV? If I had to pick just one, it'd be low input lag. There's nothing worse than feeling a delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen. Most modern TVs, even budget ones, have a "Game Mode" or ALLM that helps with this, but it's always worth checking reviews for specific input lag figures if you're a competitive player. After that, a higher refresh rate (120Hz+) would be next, then decent HDR. ### Is 120Hz (or 144Hz) really necessary for console gaming? "Necessary" might be a strong word for everyone. If you mostly play story-driven, slower-paced games, 60Hz is perfectly fine. But if you're into competitive shooters, racing games, or action titles that offer a "Performance" mode, then 120Hz makes a noticeable difference to fluidity and responsiveness. Once you've played at 120fps, it's hard to go back. For PC gamers, if your rig can push those frames, then 144Hz is definitely worth chasing. ### Do I need HDMI 2.1 ports for my PS5 or Xbox Series X? For *full* 4K/120Hz gaming with VRR, yes, you absolutely need HDMI 2.1 ports. Older HDMI 2.0 ports can do 4K, but only up to 60Hz, and they often lack VRR support. So, if you're buying a new TV specifically for those consoles and want the best experience they can offer, make sure it's got at least one HDMI 2.1 port. All the 120Hz/144Hz options I've mentioned above have them. ### What about burn-in on these TVs with static HUDs from games? Ah, the old burn-in fear! Good question. Thankfully, all the TVs I've talked about here are LED-based panels (QLED, Mini-LED, standard LED). Burn-in is primarily a concern with OLED TVs, where individual pixels can degrade unevenly if static images are displayed for *very* long periods. With LED TVs, it's generally not an issue, so you don't need to worry about leaving your game HUD on the screen for hours on end. ## Final Word from Robert So there you have it. The world of 4K gaming TVs doesn't have to be a wallet-draining nightmare, even in 2025. What we're seeing now in the sub-£500 bracket is genuinely impressive, a real testament to how quickly display technology is moving. Manufacturers are pushing more and more high-end features down to these affordable price points, making proper, responsive, and vibrant gaming a reality for most budgets. Whether you're a competitive online warrior who needs every frame and minimal latency, or a more casual adventurer who wants rich colours and deep contrast for those sprawling open-world epics, there's a TV here that'll fit the bill. Just remember to consider what *you* value most: is it raw speed, stunning picture quality, or a balanced all-rounder? Whichever it is, you can absolutely level up your gaming setup without having to sell a kidney. Happy gaming, folks!