I bought my first TV over two decades ago, a 43-inch model that felt revolutionary—and expensive—at the time. Since then, I’ve spent years testing TVs across all sizes professionally and watching smaller screens become smarter, more capable and affordable. While they’re less common today, the best 43-inch TVs are just large enough to feel immersive and cinematic without overwhelming smaller spaces. After research, testing and speaking with experts, I chose the Samsung Neo QLED QN90F TVas the best 43-inch TV overall thanks to its excellent blend of contrast and colors, a useful glare-free display and more. But there are other options, too. Here are the three best 43-inch TVs you can add to your home today.
Despite their smaller size, the best 43-inch TVs offer a sharp picture and quick refresh rates.
Its Glare Free display, which helps preserve the view in bright rooms
The processor that enhances images in real time
Skip if:
You prefer less color saturation
You want a lower-cost TV
The Samsung Neo QLED QN90F is available in eight screen sizes, with the 43-inch option being the smallest. It showcases impressive picture quality and includes Glare Free technology to help the display look great in light-filled rooms. Thanks to its excellent HDR support, the QN90F offers superb contrast between lights and darks and true color fidelity. When the Forbes Vetted tech team tested the 65-inch model as a contender for the best TVs, our testers felt that the colors were so saturated they sometimes looked cartoonish.
The TV uses AI-powered software to enhance image quality in real time, upscaling older content to 4K resolution. During sequences with intense graphics, such as movie action or during live sporting events, motion looked smooth and crisp. That said, this is a pricey TV given its modest panel size.
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Type: QLED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 60Hz | Operating system: Fire TV OS | HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby IQ and HLG | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, ethernet and USB-A
Best for:
Easy voice controls and Amazon Alexa integrations
The 1,000-plus free artistic backgrounds for use when the TV is in ambient mode
Its excellent color quality
Skip if:
You get frustrated by glitches requiring restarts
You want a more intuitive calibration process
The Amazon Omni Fire TV offers excellent screen quality with standout contrast, which is aided by real-time adaptive brightness. The TV uses built-in sensors that can detect how bright a room is; from there, it boosts or reduces its panel’s brightness so you can enjoy your movies with a clear picture. Colors are vibrant thanks to the various HDR formats this affordable 43-inch TV set supports, including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision IQ and HLG.
It features Amazon Alexa integrations, and it works seamlessly with multiple streaming platforms. The TV also features Amazon Luna, which, when connected to an Amazon Luna controller, allows you to game-stream your favorite titles. During game streaming testing on a 65-inch model, its motion looked smooth, and our testers attributed this to the 120Hz refresh rate. It also offers a massive catalog of free images that load when the TV isn’t in use. Some customers noted it’s prone to glitching and even freezing up, which can require a reboot and can cause frustration.
Best OLED 43-Inch TV
Great For Gaming
Amazon
LG OLED Evo C5
Type: OLED | Resolution: 4K | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Operating system: LG WebOS 25 | HDR: HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG | Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI, ethernet and USB-A
Best for:
Excellent contrast
Its rapid response time
An AI-enhanced user experience
Skip if:
You want better built-in speakers
You want a better remote control
The LG OLED Evo C5 TV can serve as a TV for a smaller room or a commanding oversized monitor for a gamer. Its response time of less than 0.1 milliseconds (and the up to 144Hz refresh rate when a console is connected via HDMI cable) means zero lag or screen tearing when playing AAA video games with fast-moving, vivid graphics. The same goes for fast-action live sporting events and shows or movies with busy sequences. When we tested the 65-inch model of this TV, our testers felt colors were vivid and praised its excellent contrast. That’s partially because this OLED model can turn each of its 8.3 million pixels off independently, allowing true blacks on-screen.
Navigating around this TV is intuitive thanks to LG’s webOS interface, which is visually approachable and easy-to-use, making finding streaming apps and content fast and simple. The TV can be easily calibrated to your personal preferences thanks to the LG Picture Wizard. This AI software creates your ideal viewing settings by showing you a series of sample images and sound clips and asking you to choose which ones you prefer. While it also offers this feature using the LG Sound Wizard, during our testing, we noted the built-in sound system is pretty weak. Plan to add speakers, a soundbar or headphones for better audio quality. Also be mindful of the remote control, which our testers universally loathed for its unreliable pointer function. It’s also worth noting that this TV measures 42 inches, not 43, which is a measurement standard amongst OLED panels.
How We Chose The Best 43-Inch TVs
In addition to my own research, I considered the Forbes Vetted team’s recent hands-on TV testing as well as input from display experts to determine which panels made the cut. Here’s how I selected the best 43-inch TVs.
Hands-on testing: Our Forbes Vetted staffers recently conducted extensive panel testing on many of the top contenders. Additionally, several members of our team completed long-term testing over the course of several weeks. By combining extended real-world use with concentrated side-by-side testing, we were able to evaluate performance thoroughly and consistently across a broad range of TVs.
Extensive research: I narrowed down my top contenders to leading TV brands, including Samsung, LG and more. I compared features and specs on each TV to determine what’s hype and what’s worth the investment.
Expert input: I spoke with Mark Friend, the Director of Classroom365 and a 30-plus-year veteran of the consumer technology industry, seeking his insights on 43-inch TVs.
Customer reviews: As I considered each contender, I read dozens of reviews left by verified buyers. All TVs recommended have a minimum of 4 out of 5 stars.
What To Look For In The Best 43-Inch TVs
While I consider picture quality to be the most important factor to consider when buying a 43-inch TV, I also recommend thinking about your intended use and software preferences. Here are the factors to consider when shopping for a 43-inch TV.
Color And Contrast: According to Friend, look for Dolby Vision or HDR support to add color fidelity and enhance contrast. “Excellent HDR support is the great advantage in terms of the real brightness levels of your panel,” says Friend. “Those deep colors look washed out in a sunny room without decent peak brightness.”
Inputs: Friend recommends you take careful note of the inputs. Look for 43-inch TVs with plenty of HDMI ports in particular if you want to connect gaming consoles, and for an ethernet port if your Wi-Fi gets spotty. HDMI 2.1 is the current widely adopted standard.
Refresh Rate: A refresh rate refers to how many times per second a TV updates the picture on the screen. A 60Hz refresh rate means the image refreshes 60 times per second, which is fine for regular shows and most movies. A 120Hz refresh rate is better for fast motion like sports and gaming because it makes the on screen action look smooth.
Operating System: A TV’s operating system (OS) is the core software platform that runs the television, managing its hardware and software like streaming apps, settings menus, voice control and connectivity with other devices. Examples include Samsung Tizen and Fire TV OS. Make sure you choose one that offers the apps and features you use the most.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
Our team has published a large library of TV guides, which includes roundups on different kinds of TVs, from 4K TVs to TVs for bright rooms.
Author of this guide and Forbes Vetted tech and gear writer Steven John took part in the recent TV testing project and has spent over a dozen years testing the latest panels. In addition to writing about 4K TVs, he recently shared insights on the 55-inch TVs.
Consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs edited this article. Isaacs is an ISF-certified calibrator who brings more than six years of experience as a tech and home entertainment specialist. In addition to firsthand testing, she covers many of the latest panel launches, traveling far and wide to get the scoop on the newest display technologies.
Meet The Expert
Mark Friend, director of Classroom365, has more than 30 years of experience in the technology field and leads a team that offers ICT architecture and IT solutions for the UK education sector.
FAQs
What Is The Best 43-Inch TV?
After research and testing, the Forbes Vetted tech team and I found the Samsung Neo QLED QN90F to be the best 43-inch TV. Its screen brightness and glare reduction technology allow for a sharp, vivid image in dark or bright rooms alike. Our testing also appreciated that its processor upscales and enhances older content. Its impressive contrast also makes shadows close to OLED-worthy blacks and lights truly bright.
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