Whereas a 40-inch TV is probably not the most well-liked measurement, each large and small manufacturers supply wonderful choices with options you’ve got come to anticipate as customary for dwelling leisure. These options embrace 4K decision, enhanced audio and film processing, greater refresh charges, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. In case you have the additional house, 42-inch and 43-inch TVs are additionally nice choices. And with loads of vacation gross sales at retailers like Amazon, Finest Purchase, and Walmart, it can save you large on manufacturers like Samsung, LG, and extra.
Additionally: Finest 85-inch TVs in 2025
What’s the finest 40-inch TV proper now?
My alternative for the most effective 40-inch TV is the Samsung QN90D for its up to date QLED panel, which gives a brighter image together with deeper distinction and bolder colours. It additionally options assist for each Dolby Atmos and object-tracking sound to create digital encompass sound for a extra immersive expertise whereas streaming motion pictures, reveals, and music. Preserve studying beneath to search out out extra in regards to the Samsung QN90D and the remainder of our picks for the most effective 40-inch TVs.
Additionally: The most effective picks for 32-inch TVs: Prime small TVs in contrast
The most effective 40-inch TVs of 2025
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The Samsung QN90D persistently ranks amongst among the finest TVs throughout a lot of our lists, and it is obtainable in a 43-inch display measurement. You will nonetheless get the up to date Neo QLED panel, which ZDNET’s editor-in-chief, Jason Hiner, acquired to see in individual and praised for its brighter image in addition to higher distinction and colour accuracy. You will additionally get Dolby Atmos and Samsung’s object-tracking sound for audio that follows the on-screen motion of reveals, motion pictures, and video games for a extra immersive expertise.
If you happen to’re a console gamer or watch numerous sports activities, the QN90D helps a 144Hz refresh price for smoother movement. Console players may also love the devoted gaming dashboard, which supplies them entry to cloud gaming companies like Xbox GamePass, real-time framerate monitoring, specialised image settings, and computerized HDR changes. Verified buyer critiques from each Amazon and Finest Purchase agree it is a superb alternative for console gaming, at the same time as a backup monitor for PC players with the 144Hz refresh price. Additionally they spotlight the brighter image and enhanced image high quality over earlier fashions.
Samsung QN90D tech specs – Display screen measurement: 43 inches | Panel sort: Neo QLED | Refresh price: As much as 144Hz | Decision: 4K | HDR: Neo Quantum HDR | Audio: Dolby Atmos, Object Monitoring Sound+ | Voice controls: Alexa, Bixby, Hey Google
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Console players on the lookout for a smaller display ought to try the Sony A90K. Not solely is it one of many smallest Sony TVs, however additionally it is one of the vital petite OLED fashions available on the market. Together with signature OLED image high quality, you may additionally get digital encompass sound with Sony’s Acoustic Floor Audio+ know-how. This know-how turns the entire display right into a speaker for near-perfect video and audio syncing and audio that follows the on-screen motion.
The A90K additionally options unique optimizations to be used with the PlayStation 5, like improved enter latency and proprietary VRR assist to stop delayed reactions, display tearing, and stuttering. Non-PS5 players will be capable to make the most of the 120Hz refresh price and Dolby Atmos assist.
Sony A90K tech specs: Display screen measurement: 42 inches | Panel sort: OLED | Refresh price: 120Hz | Decision: 4K | HDR: Dolby Imaginative and prescient | Audio: Acoustic Floor Audio+, Dolby Atmos | Voice controls: Alexa, Hey Google
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The Amazon Fireplace TV Omni QLED is the corporate’s flagship TV, providing wonderful image high quality and strong audio at a budget-friendly value. With Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ assist, you may get enhanced particulars and extra correct colours in addition to bolder distinction. The 60Hz refresh price helps offer you smoother movement throughout fast-paced sports activities broadcasts, film and TV present scenes, and videogame sequences.
Learn the evaluate: The Amazon Fireplace TV Omni QLED is nice for gaming and streaming
The Fireplace TV platform not solely offers you entry to Amazon’s total library of films, music, and reveals, however you may additionally get entry to hundreds of different apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Paramount+ so you possibly can sustain with your whole favourite collection. And with HDMI ARC passthrough assist, you possibly can arrange a soundbar for enhanced audio and near-perfect video syncing.
Amazon Fireplace TV Omni QLED tech specs: Display screen measurement: 43 inches | Panel sort: QLED | Refresh price: 60Hz | Decision: 4K | HDR: Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ | Audio: Dolby Digital Plus | Voice controls: Alexa, Hey Google
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The LG C4 is without doubt one of the smallest OLED TVs you should purchase at 42 inches, but it surely nonetheless offers you signature OLED image high quality and loads of different options hidden in its tiny body. It helps Dolby Atmos for digital encompass sound and a extra immersive expertise when watching reveals and films and even streaming music. With the 120Hz refresh price, you may get smoother movement for fast-paced scenes in motion pictures, reveals, sports activities, and console gaming.
It helps Alexa and Hey Google digital assistants, supplying you with hands-free voice controls over your TV for launching apps and trying to find a brand new present to binge. The OLED panel offers you signature image high quality with deep distinction, bolder colours, and wonderful particulars additional enhanced by Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR assist. Verified critiques from Amazon and LG spotlight how straightforward it’s to calibrate and fine-tune image modes to get the best-looking photographs in your house. Additionally they love how vibrant the image can get, making it simpler to observe in brighter environments.
LG C4 tech specs – Display screen measurement: 42 inches | Panel sort: OLED | Refresh price: 120Hz | Decision: 4K | HDR: Dolby Imaginative and prescient | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Voice controls: Alexa, Hey Google
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Whereas 40-inch TVs are comparatively cheap, the TCL S3 retails properly below $200 whereas offering nice options. It helps each Alexa and Apple HomeKit voice controls for hands-free operation of your TV and favourite apps. It additionally works with Dolby Atmos to supply digital encompass sound whereas watching motion pictures and reveals.
The most important downside of the TCL S3 is that it solely gives 1080p HD decision quite than 4K UHD. And whereas this implies you may miss out on finer particulars, it nonetheless makes a superb possibility for a second display in your bed room, kitchen, or kid’s playroom.
TCL S3 tech specs: Display screen measurement: 40 inches | Panel sort: LED | Refresh price: 60Hz | Decision: 1080p HD | HDR: N/A | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Voice controls: Alexa, Apple HomeKit
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My alternative for the most effective 40-inch TV is the Samsung QN90D. It helps Dolby Atmos in addition to Samsung’s Object Monitoring Sound+ know-how to create digital encompass sound and a extra immersive expertise for streaming motion pictures, music, and reveals. It additionally has a devoted gaming dashboard with entry to cloud gaming companies, devoted image modes, and real-time body price monitoring.
|
Finest 40-inch TV |
Worth |
Decision |
HDR/Audio |
|
Samsung QN90D |
$900 |
4K |
Neo Quantum HDR, Dolby Atmos/Object Monitoring Sound+ |
|
Sony A90K |
$1,300 |
4K |
Dolby Imaginative and prescient, Dolby Atmos/Acoustic Floor Audio+ |
|
Amazon Fireplace TV Omni QLED |
$360 |
4K |
Dolby Imaginative and prescient IQ, Dolby Digital Plus |
|
LG C4 |
$1,000 |
4K |
Dolby Imaginative and prescient, Dolby Atmos |
|
TCL S3 |
$150 |
1080p |
N/A, Dolby Digital Plus |
*MSRP at time of writing. Please notice that precise retail value could fluctuate relying on vendor and obtainable offers or promotions.
Whereas looking for a brand new TV, regardless of the scale, it is important to bear in mind precisely how you may be utilizing it. If you happen to’re chopping the wire together with your cable or satellite tv for pc supplier, you may desire a mannequin that provides a preloaded suite of well-liked apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ and the power to obtain hundreds extra. If you happen to’re on the lookout for a budget-friendly secondary display to your bed room or children’ playroom, you may need to determine if you’d like 4K or 1080p HD decision. And whereas console players will not precisely be spoiled for alternative, it’s potential to search out 40-inch class TVs that supply some type of VRR assist in addition to a 120Hz native refresh price.
|
Purchase this finest 40-inch TV… |
If you happen to want… |
|
Samsung QN90D |
A well-rounded 40-inch TV. The Samsung QN90D has a devoted gaming dashboard with cloud gaming assist, as much as a 144Hz refresh price, and object monitoring sound. |
|
Sony A90K |
A 40-inch TV for gaming. It options unique optimizations for the PlayStation 5 in addition to assist for HDMI 2.1 for as much as 120Hz @4K. |
|
Amazon Fireplace TV Omni QLED |
A 40-inch TV for streaming reveals, motion pictures, and music. With the Fireplace TV platform, you may get entry to Prime Video’s library of films and reveals in addition to hundreds of different streaming apps. |
|
LG C4 |
A 40-inch OLED TV. With signature OLED image high quality supported by Dolby Atmos digital encompass sound, you may get a superb film or present viewing expertise even with the smaller display. |
|
TCL S3 |
An extremely budget-friendly 40-inch TV. The 40-inch TCL S3 retails below $200. |
Whereas looking for a 40-inch TV, there are a number of components you want to bear in mind to be able to keep on-budget and get the most effective worth to your cash:
- Worth: Whereas a 40-inch TV goes to be way more reasonably priced than its 65-inch, or bigger, counterparts, there’s nonetheless a considerably wide selection of value factors to select from. Every affords completely different units of options, so each 40-inch mannequin has been chosen for a way a lot worth it affords in comparison with its price.
- Decision: Whereas TVs with native 4K decision are commonplace, it is nonetheless potential to search out 40-inch fashions with solely 1080p decision. It is necessary to double-check that the 40-inch mannequin you’ve got chosen goes to supply the decision you need; you do not wish to need to undergo the effort of a return due to a easy mistake. The vast majority of my selections on this listing are able to 4K, although I did embrace a number of various picks that have been 1080p.
- Options: Simply since you’ll get a smaller display with a super-budget price ticket doesn’t suggest you may need to sacrifice options you’ve got come to anticipate as customary for dwelling leisure. Whether or not you get a 4K or 1080p mannequin, every 40-inch TV featured on this listing has been ensured to assist well-liked streaming apps, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and assist for digital assistants like Alexa.
Whereas testing and researching every 40-inch TV featured on this listing, I and different ZDNET specialists saved these standards in thoughts:
- Model integrity: Every TV we selected for this listing is from a good model with verified customer support choices for returns, exchanges, and troubleshooting.
- Sensible options: As customers come to anticipate sure sensible options as-standard, we included TV fashions on this finest listing that supply Wi-Fi connectivity, pre-installed streaming apps, and digital assistant assist.
- Causes to improve: Every TV on this listing affords some type of purpose to improve over its predecessor. Whether or not that be a brighter display, higher HDR and audio assist, or enhanced on-line privateness with devoted safety chips.
A 40-inch TV can be utilized as a monitor with out many points. Although I’d solely advocate doing this in case you use your laptop for informal net browsing, streaming, or typical workplace work. Since a TV normally would not have the identical refresh price and latency as a monitor, it won’t be the only option for video editors or PC players.
Sure. With caveats.
If you happen to’re capable of see your dorm room earlier than you progress in, both on a basic campus tour or throughout pupil orientation, I extremely advocate taking a tape measure with you to scout out potential spots for a TV. As a result of nothing is extra irritating than hauling your TV, and every little thing else you want for faculty, all the way in which to campus solely to need to ship it again dwelling together with your dad and mom as a result of it will not match the place you deliberate.
A 40-inch mannequin ought to match most areas, particularly in case you’re capable of set it on high of a dresser or armoire. Be sure to affirm campus/dorm coverage about wall mounting so you do not incur restore fees or the wrath of your RAs. It might even be helpful to go away your 40-inch TV at dwelling (or the shop if you have not bought it but) till you possibly can rearrange your dorm furnishings to optimize the house; you possibly can all the time carry it again with you after a weekend dwelling go to.
If you happen to’re anxious about wonderful particulars getting misplaced on a smaller display, you should not be. Display screen panel know-how for televisions has superior so much for the reason that first flat-panel and 4K fashions hit the market, and loads of smaller screens are able to producing clear, clear 4K decision for streaming, gaming, and supported broadcast media.
Nonetheless, in case you’re trying to save a bit of money, a 1080p mannequin shall be a bit cheaper than one with 4K. And a 40-inch, 1080p TV remains to be an excellent possibility as a second display in your bed room, kitchen, or children’ playroom.
Extra 40-inch TVs to contemplate
TV Fashions Reviewed and In contrast
