The Best Budget 4K TV to Transform Into a Monitor

Are you on the hunt for a budget-friendly 4K TV that can perfectly serve as a monitor for your PC or gaming console? This article will guide you through the best options available as of August 2023, ensuring you get the best performance and features without breaking the bank.

Top Budget 4K TV Options for Monitors

Several 4K TVs stand out for their performance and affordability, making them suitable for use as monitors. Let's explore the advantages of the top-choice models and what to consider when making your decision.

TCL 6-Series R646

Size: 55 Panel Type: QLED with Mini-LED backlighting Refresh Rate: 120Hz

The TCL 6-Series R646 stands out with its low input lag, which makes it ideal for gaming. It supports advanced HDMI 2.1 features, including VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). This combination of high-performance features and affordable price tag has made it a popular choice among gamers.

Samsung TU8000 Series

Size: 43 Panel Type: VA Refresh Rate: 60Hz

The Samsung TU8000 series offers decent picture quality at a reasonable price. Its lower input lag makes it suitable for light gaming, and it comes with Tizen smart TV features for added convenience.

LG UHD AI ThinQ UP8000 Series

Size: 43 Panel Type: IPS Refresh Rate: 60Hz

LG's UHD AI ThinQ UP8000 series is notable for its wide viewing angles thanks to the IPS panel technology. It provides decent color reproduction and comes with a user-friendly webOS smart TV platform.

Hisense U6H

Size: 50 Panel Type: ULED Refresh Rate: 60Hz

The Hisense U6H is particularly valued for its excellent value for money. It offers good HDR performance and HDMI 2.1 support, making it a strong contender in the budget category for 4K monitors.

Key Considerations for Using a TV as a Monitor

To ensure you get the best performance, consider the following factors:

Input Lag

A low input lag is crucial for a better gaming experience. TVs with low input lag can make your gameplay smoother and more responsive.

Refresh Rate

A higher refresh rate, such as 120Hz, is preferable for smoother motion, providing a more fluid viewing experience for gaming and movies.

Resolution and Scaling

Look for TVs that handle 4K resolution well and have good scaling for lower resolutions to maintain clear and sharp visuals.

Ports

Check for necessary ports like HDMI 2.1, which offer support for gaming consoles and other high-performance devices.

Conclusion

Among the options, the TCL 6-Series R646 is often seen as the best overall choice for a budget 4K TV that can double as a monitor, thanks to its excellent performance and features.

Note: Some readers recommend the Hisense 55H8G as the best choice for monitor use in the budget category. Despite lacking wide viewing angles, it still offers good overall performance for PC use.

While any TV with an HDMI input can be used as a monitor, cheap TVs often fall short in critical areas such as pixel density, refresh rate, and input lag. Unless you view from a distance, these TVs may not be practical as monitors.

For those seeking a real 4K monitor, options like the BEQ EX2780Q or the Asus PA 328Q are exceptional choices, offering better performance and visual quality than budget 4K TVs. Prices may vary, but these monitors provide a higher-resolution and faster response time compared to budget 4K TVs.