Where to buy a 4K TV the cheapest
A good 4K TV doesn't have to break the bank. Here's where you can find one the cheapest
IF YOU'RE in the market for a new 4K TV, you're in luck.
We've rounded up where you can get a new tele the cheapest, including top brands such as Samsung, Toshiba and Hisense.
Most new sets released by big manufacturers are capable of displaying the higher-quality footage.
And although 4K films and TV shows are hard to come by at the moment, we reckon they'll be mainstream within the next few years as TV and film subscription packages upgrade.
Thankfully, although 4K TVs are four times the quality of HD TVs, they're not four times the price.
We've rounded up where you should be able to buy them for less below.
Who has the best deals on 4K TVs?
We recommend checking out a few of the options on this list to compare prices and check for flash sales.
You can always use a price comparison site, but they can't usually keep up with prices and stock demands during sales periods.
What is 4K, Ultra HD and UHD?
Here's an easy guide to what 4K means...
- 4K, Ultra HD and UHD are all different names for the same type of TV screen. 4K refers to the number of pixels on your TV screen – or the "image resolution"
- The pixels are the tiny dots of colour that make up the image you see on your telly. A pixellated image is one where the pixels are really obvious, because there aren't many. But images with lots of pixels – like a 4K movie – generally look sharper and clearer
- A true 4K screen has 4096 x 2160 pixels. That means on your TV screen there are 3840 pixels across, and 2160 pixels vertically. That's roughly 8.3 million pixels on the display in total
- 4K gets it's name because it's got four times the number of pixels as a standard Full HD TV
- Full HD (or 1080p) screens have 1920 pixels across, and 1080 pixels going upwards – for around two million pixels in total. So 4K just means your TV has many more pixels on the screen compared to a more common Full HD display
- Ultra HD, or UHD, is basically the same as 4K. If you buy a UHD telly in a shop, you'll be able to watch 4K content on it with no bother
- But there is a small difference. Almost every TV you ever buy has an aspect ratio of 16:9. That means for every 16 pixels horizontally, there are 9 vertically
- True 4K footage doesn't quite fit in with that ratio, so you won't often find TVs with 4096 x 2160 pixels. Instead, to fit with the 16:9 ratio, most 4K TVs will have 3840 x 2160 pixels instead
- If it doesn't make sense, grab a calculator and divide 2160 by 9. Then multiply it by 16, and you'll get 3840. That's the aspect ratio working its magic. So when you see an Ultra HD TV, it just means it's a 4K image with slightly fewer vertical pixels
- If you try watching a 4K video on a non-4K TV, the video will still play – but it won't be in 4K quality. To watch a 4K video in 4K quality, you'll need to fork out for a 4K TV. Similarly, if you're watching standard or HD footage on a 4K TV, it won't magically become 4K quality
- Some TVs promise "4K upscaling", which converts your standard or HD footage to near-4K quality. This works by using software to guess what colours would fill the extra empty pixels missing in HD footage, and then filling them in. This creates a 4K-like effect, but it's not true 4K
Cheapest 43" 4K TV
Most manufacturers don't make 4K TVs smaller than 43 inches as it's tricky to see the extra detail on smaller screens.
You'll be spoilt for choice when searching for a 43" 4K TV with every retailer in the list above offering multiple choices for £279.99.
Cheapest 50-55" 4K TV
As TV's get larger and larger as standard, manufacturers are currently focusing their efforts on this size range.
The cheapest model we've seen in this bracket is a highly-rated Techwood model from AO.
- 50" Techwood 4K TV - £329 from AO -
Cheapest 55" plus 4K TV
If only the biggest TV will do, the cheapest set we've seen is a 65" Hisense model from AO for £699.
Although it could be worth holding out until Boxing Day/January sales and checking around for deals then to save even more.
- 65" Hisense 4K TV - £699 from AO -
When should you buy a new TV?
If you want to get yourself a good deal on a new TV, it makes sense to buy one in the key sales periods.
Black Friday/Cyber Monday and the Boxing Day/January sales all tend to offer great discounts on a range of sets.
Research done by Which? magazine suggests TVs are usually at their cheapest around November, eight months after they are first released, as sets are usually launched in the Spring.
This is so manufacturers can clear stock ahead of releasing their new models the following year.
More from tech
Hunting for a bargain?
Looking for a deal or two in the Boxing Day/January sales? We're rounding up the best tech and gaming offers.
Or if you're in the market for new decor, hit refresh come January when furniture and homewares are often half price - these are the best sales to bookmark.
This article and any featured products have been independently chosen by The Sun journalists. All recommendations within the article are informed by expert editorial opinion. If you click a link and buy a product we may earn revenue: this helps to support The Sun, and in no way affects our recommendations.