10 Best Budget TVs in the Philippines 2026 | CHiQ, Xiaomi, and More

When purchasing a new television, you should know which size fits the room you will put it in and the distance you will be sitting across it. Remember that viewing your TV from up close could hurt your eyes, while watching from afar wouldn’t exactly give you the best viewing experience.

Most budget TVs come in smaller sizes, ranging from 32 to 55 inches diagonally. It is recommended for you to buy a 32 to 40-inch TV if your space is relatively small and you’ll be sitting at about 2 to 5 feet across your TV. Meanwhile, for bigger areas where you’ll be sitting more than 6 feet away from the TV, a 48 inches and up TV size is recommended.

The most common display technologies featured in budget TVs nowadays are Light-Emitting Diode (LED) display and Quantum Light-Emitting Diode (QLED) display. Below are some of the differences between the two. 

TV resolution refers to the number of pixels composing the images that your TV produces. The higher the resolution, the better the image quality and detail, and the less likely it is to strain your eyes.

 
Most budget TVs sport a High Definition (HD) resolution of 720p, 1080p, or 2K, but there are also affordable TVs with a 4K Ultra High Definition (UHD) resolution. HD resolutions already have crisp and detailed images, but UHD resolutions give clearer images and smoother videos. They are also less straining on the eyes, making longer viewing sessions possible.

Although High-Dynamic Range (HDR) is frequently confused with TV resolution, it is a completely independent function that enhances the images on your TV screen. Your viewing experience can be improved by having an HDR feature, which is available in high-end TV models and even budget ones.

The advantages of having an HDR-enabled TV include a more vivid contrast and a more realistic variety of colors every time you stream. If you find this feature in a low-cost television, you've hit the jackpot!

Nowadays, TVs with good sound quality usually feature surround sound. An example of audio technology that has this feature is Dolby Audio, which is widely used in different devices, including PCs, tablets, phones, and more.

However, more advanced technologies like Dolby Atmos provide clearer, deeper, and more realistic sound, or as they say, “a sound experience you can feel.” When buying a TV, check if it has these audio technologies, so you can immerse yourself more in your favorite shows or movies. 

To maximize the use of your TV, check if it is compatible with other devices by inspecting its available outputs. For example, if your TV has an HDMI output, you may be able to use it as a second screen for your laptop or as a video and audio channel for gaming devices like Xbox or PlayStation.

 
If you prefer watching cable and local channels, you may also check for antenna and satellite connections available. You can also try looking for VGA ports to connect your TV to older computers. Modern TVs also use Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet, but you can also look for LAN ports if you want to connect your TV to your modem directly.

Most TVs today, especially those powered by Android, have a lot of functionalities that may make using your TV easier. For example, TVs that use Google Assistant have voice control functions, allowing you to browse shows and movies, adjust your TV’s volume, and browse the Internet through voice commands.

There are also TVs with a Chromecast feature, which enables you to project your phone’s, laptop’s, or tablet’s screen onto your TV, provided that these devices are compatible. Some TVs are also Bluetooth-enabled, which allows you to transfer files or play audio across your other devices.