Buying a television in India is very different than it used to be a year ago; TVs are getting better and more affordable at the same time. For less than Rs. 20,000, you can now buy a feature-packed television that ticks all the boxes when it comes to features. In some rare cases, you can even buy a 4K HDR TV for that amount.
Here is our list of the best televisions that you can buy for less than Rs. 20,000 in 2020. They vary in size and brand, as well as availability in online and offline markets. Read on to find out which TVs are worth checking out if you’re on a tight budget.
India’s Best Budget TV: Xiaomi Mi TV 4C Pro (32 inch)
Xiaomi made big waves in the TV space when it launched last year. Although the first product was the 55-inch Mi TV 4 4K, the Chinese manufacturer launched more affordable options shortly thereafter. The lineup in India now has a total of seven TVs available, with the 32-inch Mi TV 4C Pro being the second most affordable option. Priced at Rs. 12,999, it’s our top pick among budget TVs here.
The 32-inch Xiaomi Mi TV 4C Pro features an HD resolution LED panel (1366×768 pixels) with a 60Hz refresh rate, an improved design and two 10W speakers with DTS HD tuning. It’s also a smart TV and allows for Google voice search via the mic-enabled remote. We recommend it over the slightly more affordable Mi TV 4A (32), largely because of the newer voice remote and better sound, but it’s about the same as the Mi TV 4A Pro (32).
It’s our top pick due to the combination of features offered for the price; it’s a full-featured smart TV with a decent panel for most viewing needs, at a price lower than what many non-smart TVs sell for. With Patchwall OS, users can stream content from multiple sources and also use their TV remote to control a set-top box with the optional Mi IR cable. In addition, there are also built-in Google services, including an internal Chromecast for streaming video and audio, YouTube and Google Play for downloading additional apps and services especially for the TV.
For users who want to access online content, the Xiaomi Mi TV 4C Pro is the most cost-effective way to do so. The interface is pretty feature-packed and buyers may not need to invest in a separate streaming device.
Runner-up: Blaupunkt 43BU680 (43 inch) 4K Smart TV
Though priced just above Rs. 20,000 at launch, business and competition have brought the price of the Blaupunkt 43BU680 down to less than Rs. 20,000. With that, it is among the most affordable 4K HDR TVs in India and indeed the most affordable way to get on the 4K and streaming bandwagon.
The TV supports the HDR10 format for high dynamic range viewing and features a 43-inch 4K LED screen. Picture quality is good at 4K and full-HD, but it drops considerably at lower resolutions, meaning this TV is ideal to use if you’re looking to stream most of your content. Sound is decent too, with a nominal 30W output.
The smart interface leaves a lot to be desired, though, and we’d go so far as to say it’s unusable. There are no significant additional features, and the remote is clunky and hard to get used to. However, the TV gets the basics right and does so with a 4K display, making it a television worth considering for under Rs. 20,000.
Also consider: Vu Ultra Android TV 43GA
While there are many options priced below Rs. 20,000 available offline, the best deals can be found online like Vu Ultra Android TV. Priced at Rs. 19,999 for the 43-inch variant, this TV gets the basics right with a full-HD screen and full Android TV 9 Pie right out of the box.
While it’s not exactly the same as Xiaomi’s and Blaupunkt’s offerings when it comes to value for money, you get a pretty consistent level of performance with all resolutions. The software is excellent too, so you’ll have no trouble getting on the streaming bandwagon. Sound and color reproduction can be odd, but those are minor cons in an otherwise heavyweight TV for the pros.
How do we select these options?
While these picks didn’t go through our in-depth review process, we were able to take a look at these models or different-sized equivalent models from the same brand. We used those experiences, along with our idea of the right specs and value offerings, to narrow our list. Specifications, features, size, and value for money were key decisions when selecting the TVs on this list.
While at least a 4K TV is available for this price, our experience with it wasn’t great. You can, however, get decent full-HD options for less than Rs. 20,000 in sizes up to 43 inches. With that said, the options with the most features and value for money are the 32-inch TVs. Most of the options in this range are LED-LCD TVs, as are all of our picks here.
There are a handful of brands here, and we’ve used online prices or what’s listed on the companies’ official websites to narrow this list down to fit the budget of Rs. 20,000. Because of the obvious advantage that online brands have here, you’ll find that many of the recommendations here are online-focused brands and products. However, we have also chosen some traditional options that you can buy in regular retail stores.
Is it worth picking up a smart TV for this price?
Adding smart connectivity raises the price of any TV. And when your budget is just Rs. 20,000, this is an important factor when buying. However, depending on the brand you choose and the size of TV you want, you may be able to slip in smart connectivity. On the other hand, you could buy a more affordable ‘dumb’ TV and simply use the price difference to buy a streaming device and add some smarts to your setup.
However, if much of your viewing is limited to cable or DTH content, it might not be worth buying a smart TV. In that case, you might just invest in an affordable non-smart TV that’s more focused on size, resolution, or panel quality.
Best TV under Rs. 20,000: The competition
TCL 40S62FS (40 inch): This full-HD TV from TCL is among the more affordable options with a relatively large screen, and would make a great upgrade for anyone with a 32-inch TV. The resolution and intelligent connectivity through the TCL Launcher also open up the possibility of streaming for users who are normally used to cable TV and DTH. Currently, the TV costs Rs. 16,999.
Shinco SO42AS-E50 (40 inches): Shinco is best known for its exorbitant sales and noteworthy prices, but the SO42AS-E50 is among the most popular models of all time. Priced at Rs. 15,999, this 40-inch full HD smart TV is worth checking out.
iFFalcon by TCL F2 (40 inch): This sub-brand of Chinese TV maker TCL may have a rather odd name, but it’s on par with its parent company in terms of products. What is interesting about this TV is that it is very similar to the TCL 40S62FS with similar specs and features but with a lower price tag of Rs. 16,999. On paper, this looks like an excellent offer.
Cloudwalker Cloud TV 43SF04X (43 inches): This 43-inch Full HD TV comes from a relatively lesser-known brand, but it promises a lot for Rs. 19,499. You get a 60Hz refresh rate, a smart remote with a built-in mouse, smart connectivity to major supported apps, three HDMI ports and two USB ports. Cloudwalker TV offers the best specs in TVs priced below Rs. 20,000.
Sony KLV-24P413D (24 inch): While it might seem strange to buy a 24-inch TV when you could spend a little more and buy a 40-inch or 43-inch one, you’re buying Sony with this one. Typically considered the maker of the best LED TVs in the world, Sony has significant appeal. And if you’re looking for a small TV for a specific use – like in a kid’s bedroom or in the dining room – this compact Sony with an HD panel (1366×768 pixels) might do the trick. It is available online for Rs. 12,990 and is the most affordable Sony LED TV right now.
Buying a cheap TV online? We discuss how you can pick the best, on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts or RSS, download the episode, or simply hit the play button below.