Bigger is better, right? While that’s often true when it comes to TVs, there are times when a smaller set is exactly what you need. Maybe you’re furnishing a spare bedroom, or your kids have been asking for their own TV. Maybe you have a small desk that needs a TV or you need something that’s easy to move. There’s no shortage of options for 32-inch TVs these days, so how do you know what’s best?
That depends on your needs. Do you want the most affordable choice where quality doesn’t matter or do you want the absolute best picture money can buy? Do you want something that’s easy to use or a mix of factors?
Also: The best Black Friday TV deals live now
ZDNET rounded up the best 32-inch TVs available, taking into account factors like display type, smart technology, and price. Here’s a look at our top picks.
What is the best 32-inch TV right now?
If you simply want the best, it’s going to be very difficult to beat Samsung’s Frame. It mounts beautifully on a wall, the QLED display makes content pop, it has an anti-reflection matte display that looks like a piece of artwork when the TV isn’t being used, and it has Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound for impressive audio. It sounds amazing, and it looks even better. Of course, it is on the more expensive side of TVs period, and it’s especially on the expensive side for a small TV. If you can pay the premium, this TV is worth it. But if that doesn’t fit your specific needs, read on for the rest of our picks for the best 32-inch TVs.
Also: The best TVs of 2024
Best 32-inch TVs of 2024
Samsung The Frame
Best 32-inch TV overall
While many TV manufacturers focus only on the biggest sizes, Samsung includes smaller options for their top-of-the-line option, The Frame. It’s not just one of the best Samsung TVs you can buy, it’s one of the best sets on the market today.
This TV made our list of best smart TVs, and it’s not hard to see why. The QLED display is a leader in its class thanks to its color and clarity and its compact size means you can place it anywhere. The real appeal of this TV, though, is Art Mode. When not being used, the screen displays a personalized art collection that looks like a real canvas hanging on the wall thanks to its super thin design. Best Buy calls this set’s elegance unmatched, both when it’s being used and when it’s off.
Samsung The Frame specs: Size: 32 inches | Type: QLED | Resolution: 1080p | Dimensions: 28.6 x 16.8 x 1 inches (without stand) | Weight: 11.5 pounds | Price: $489
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Onn smart television
Best basic 32-inch TV
If you’re simply looking for a basic 32-inch TV, Walmart’s own Onn brand TV should be your choice. At only 720p and 60Hz refresh rate, the set doesn’t have the greatest performance, but that’s still HD though, and should look good enough for most uses. This TV runs on the Roku ecosystem, which is very simple to use. It’s compatible with Alexa, Apple Home, and Google Home plus Apple, and has three HDMI inputs for all your devices.
Onn smart television: Size: 32 inches | Type: LED | Resolution: 720p HD | Dimensions: 18.7 x 17.1 x 3.1 inches | Weight: 7.7 pounds
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TCL 3 Series
Best user-friendly 32-inch TV
At under $200, the TCL 3 Series is on the more affordable side of 32-inch TVs. The LED display isn’t as vibrant as others on this list, but it’s still 1080p resolution. This set doesn’t have fancy audio, but it’s loud enough to stand on its own.
The biggest selling point of this TV is that it runs on the Roku ecosystem, which is the easiest to use for newcomers to smart TVs or kids. It also comes with a voice-controlled remote if you want hands-free operation. Amazon reviewers speak highly of this set’s versatility to work in any room and of its built-in audio.
TCL 3 Series specs: Size: 32 inches | Type: LED | Resolution: 1080p | Dimensions: 3.1 x 28.1 x 16.6 inches | Weight: 7.5 pounds
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Insignia Class F20 Series Smart TV
Best budget 32-inch TV
Looking for the most affordable 32-inch TV around? At under $80, the Insignia Class F20 is one of the most affordable sets you’ll find outside of special Black Friday sales. It does only have 720p resolution, but that’s perfectly fine for most cases, especially if you’re buying this for a kid’s room or for someone who doesn’t watch much TV. It has Alexa voice control, and it runs on Fire TV, Amazon’s own OS. This TV supports Apple AirPlay, which lets you share videos, photos, music, and more from your phone with the tap of a button.
Insignia Class F20 Series Smart TV specs: Size: 32 inches | Type: LED | Resolution: 720p | Dimensions: 8.3 x 28.9 x 19 inches | Weight: 15.75 pounds
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LG 32-inch LR65
Best 32-inch TV for gaming
If you’re looking for a 32-inch TV for gaming, the LG LR65 should be your choice. It’s under $200 and comes with HDR 10 and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) support, a 60Hz refresh rate, and most importantly, LG Game Optimizer that lets you customize your settings. The α5 AI Processor Gen6 provides improved brightness and sound plus more picture detail, meaning your gaming sessions will look and sound their best.
LG 32-inch LR65 Smart TV specs: Size: 32 inches | Type: LED | Resolution: 720p | Dimensions: 7 x 29 x 18 inches | Weight: 10.4 pounds
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Samsung The Frame is ZDNET’s pick for the best 32-inch TV overall, but there are other options that may better suit your needs and budget.
This is an overview of the best 32-inch TVs so you can find the right model for you.
| Best TV for small spaces | Display size | Display type | Price |
| Samsung Frame | 32 inches | QLED | $489 |
| Onn smart TV | 32 inches | LED | $88 |
| TCL 3 Series | 32 inches | LED | $146 |
| Insignia Class F20 Series Smart TV | 32 inches | LED | $ 70 |
| LG LR65 | 32 inches | LED | $ 180 |
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Not sure which 32-inch TV is best for you? These considerations may help.
| Choose this best TV for small spaces… | If you want… |
| Samsung The Frame | The best TV for a small space that you can buy. It has a phenomenal QLED display and looks even better when it’s off. |
| Onn smart TV | A TV that’s easy to use and runs on Roku. |
| TCL 3 Series | A 32-inch TV that’s perfect for kids or someone new to smart TVs. |
| Insignia F20 Series | The best cheap 32-inch TV that still has smart capability. |
| LG LR65 | A 32-inch TV that’s great for gaming. |
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If you’re looking to buy a 32-inch TV, you should consider the following:
Display type: Even in a small set, picture quality still matters. Whether it is the best QLED TV or the best 4K TV, there are many types of TVs on the market today. Resolution makes a difference too. Some of the TVs on this list have a 720p resolution, which is fine if you need a basic image quality. Some on this list have 1080p resolution, the standard for sets today.
Smart technology: It’s hard to find a TV that isn’t smart these days, but even for a small space television, you need one with connectivity. Smart TVs let you enjoy voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant and more importantly, apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.
Ease of use: If this TV is for a child’s room or someone who isn’t used to smart TVs, you want one that’s easy to use. Most smart TVs have operating systems that are easy to pick up, but some on this list have an OS that’s super easy for beginners to navigate.
Cost: No matter the size of TV you’re looking for, cost matters. If you’re looking for a basic television, it’s possible to spend under $100 for a completely fine set. It’s also possible to spend nearly $600 if you absolutely want the best available. We also made sure to include several options in between for the everyday shopper.
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While researching and testing TVs for ZDNET, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:
- Brand integrity: A reliable customer service department is vital when dealing with returns, exchanges, and refunds as well as troubleshooting any issues you may have with your new TV. Each model on this list was chosen from a reputable brand with a verified customer service department.
- Smart features: It’s become standard for a TV to have Wi-Fi connectivity as well pre-loaded streaming apps for entertainment right out of the box. Each OLED TV on this list has been verified to support popular streaming apps like Spotify, Netflix, and Disney+.
- Screen sizes: Not every space is created equal, so it’s important to choose an OLED TV that will fit into your living room, bedroom, or home theater space. Each model on this list is available in multiple screen sizes to fit a variety of spaces.
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The better questions is, are there 32-inch TVs that aren’t smart? The answer to the second question is yes, but barely. The vast majority of TVs on the market these days are smart TVs, so you won’t have any trouble finding an option if that’s what you want.
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The best 32-inch TVs come from well-established brands that make bigger sets like Samsung, TCL, and Insignia.
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That depends. Looking for the most affordable option? It’ll set you back $70. If you want a nicer-looking picture quality in a nicer package, it’ll cost around $150-$200. If money isn’t a concern, you can spend up to nearly $500 on a 32-inch set.
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