Best 40 to 43-inch TVs to buy right now

Why we like it: It’s the best TV available within this size range (you can get it in a 42-inch size), and it performed very well in the Good Housekeeping Institute tests, with an impressive score of 89/100. The latest OLED from LG, it has tremendous picture quality for films, sports and gaming, plus LG’s excellent smart TV platform.

Take note: It’s fairly new, so it’s quite pricey. Given that it’s not too different to the LG C4 that it succeeds, you might find that's a better option if you’re after astounding OLED picture quality at more affordable price. It’s also worth mentioning that the sound could be better, so you’ll probably want to budget for a soundbar, too.

Why we like it: Not far behind the LG C5 is its predecessor, the LG C4, which earned a score of 88/100 in our hands-on tests. Also available in a 42-inch size, it’s yet another fantastic performer and one that has now seen multiple price drops. With this, you’re still getting stunning OLED image quality for all content and great brightness. The C5 may have a couple of AI-driven upgrades, but this is a terrific buy at a lower price.

Take note: Like the LG C5, it offers decent but not class-leading sound quality. You’ll want to add a soundbar to your setup for a more immersive experience. There are also brighter OLED screens out there, but they’ll come at a higher cost and screen size. It’s worth considering the LG B4, too, but the smallest screen size for that model is 48 inches.

Why we like it: It looks a lot like the first-generation version, but this second-gen Sky Glass has an improved 4K display that's both brighter and more vivid. It has a built-in system for immersive sound and comes in three stylish colour options. In our rigorous testing, it impressed with a score of 85/100.

Take note: Sky Glass TVs are available either as an upfront payment or over 24 or 48-month plans. There will be an extra cost once you factor in the entertainment packages too, so it’s worth considering how much this subscription will be in total. For example, you might end up paying from £14 a month (for 48 months) for the TV and then needing to add in a 24-month subscription to Sky Essential TV, at £29 a month.

Why we like it: After a TV that blends into your interior design rather than demanding to be the centre of attention? The Frame can be dressed up with picture frame surrounds, so it resembles a work of art when wall-mounted. You can use the “art mode” so it looks like a painting when not in use, and when you’re watching TV, it delivers a glare-free viewing experience, loads of apps on its smart platform, and 4K image quality.

Take note: It's important to remember that it doesn’t come with the swappable frames and these do cost extra (for the 43-inch telly, the teak bezel costs £89, for example), so you’ll want to budget for them. It’s also worth noting that Samsung has moved the ports to its One Connect box – you'll need to find space for this and it can make connecting soundbars and game consoles a little more complicated.

Why we like it: This is an affordable smart TV with deep integration into the Amazon Alexa ecosystem. It delivers a reasonable picture for the price, with Alexa voice control and the Fire TV platform supporting all the major catch-up players.

Take note: It does have a budget build quality, and you’ll find that the audio performance is basic, too, so you’ll want to add a soundbar to this set. It has quite poor input lag too, so it’s not one for gamers.

Why we like it: It isn’t the most feature-packed TV, but this Hisense is very affordable and offers an impressive picture quality for the price. It supports several HDR (high dynamic range) formats, low-latency gaming features, Freely for live TV channels over wifi, and interoperability with Apple AirPlay and Google Home devices.

Take note: It’s not going to be among the brightest or best-sounding TVs you can buy. If you’re mostly viewing in darker rooms and have budgeted for a soundbar, though, we don’t think you’ll be too disappointed, given the affordable price.

Why we like it: This Amazon Fire TV comes with loads of features. You’re getting a bright QLED screen, hands-free Alexa voice control, all of the major streaming services, and an “ambient mode” to show artwork, family photos and widgets when the TV’s not in use. It also has a sensor to automatically adjust the brightness of the screen to match the conditions of the room it’s in.

Take note: Like many affordable TV sets, the sound performance will be fairly average and will be improved by adding a soundbar to your setup. While it has reasonable picture quality, you’ll also find better from mid-range Samsung or LG models for just a little more, but what sets this apart is that it delivers all its features at a reasonable price – and it often goes on offer too.

Why we like it: This is a high-quality and versatile Mini LED TV with high brightness and excellent picture quality, along with impressive motion handling, powerful gaming features, and a slim design. It offers loads of clarity and detail in its 4K image, along with upscaling of lower-resolution content. It has features that will make it tempting for gamers, sports fans and film lovers, and all the main catch-up services are on its smart platform too.

Take note: It’s one of the pricier options for those looking for a 4K screen, and it has a lot of competition at this price point from the likes of Hisense and TCL, especially if you’re also considering larger screen sizes. There are also higher-quality OLED TVs from LG that are worth considering at around this price or for a bit more (if your budget can stretch).

Why we like it: This is a cheap set available in either a 32-inch or 40-inch screen size, and it’s worth remembering that it’s made for delivering the basics. If you’re after a TV for a bedroom or kitchen and don’t mind that it doesn’t have 4K picture quality, this is a good HD TV, with a comprehensive smart platform.

Take note: This may not be one to have as your primary TV, as it doesn’t have the most impressive image quality, a premium build, speedy performance or decent gaming support.