Great Small TV

How to buy the perfect 32-inch TV: the 5 big questions answered

On the lookout for one of the best 32-inch TVs? While average TV sizes seem to be getting larger every year, there's still something to be said for a purposefully small TV.

If you don't have the space, or will, to fit in one of the best 4K TVs at a massive size - or let's face it, the budget - a wallet-friendly small TV can still do many of the same things, even if you are taking a hit compared to the most premium specifications.

You might find a small TV much more convenient for moving between rooms or just not dominating the decor the way a larger screen would. For some people getting the best TV possible is crucial - but for many of us we're happy to accept the odd compromise.

How much does a great 32-inch TV cost?

First, the price. The main benefit of a small TV is the small price tag and you may well be able to nab one for a double-digit figure.

Budget Insignia TVs can go for as little as $80 in the US with cheap Toshiba screens starting for around double that. Australian shoppers can grab low-cost TCL screens AU$400 too.

A higher-spec small TV like Samsung The Frame will go for $529, but you shouldn't be shelling out more than that for a TV of this size.

Why can't I get a 32-inch 4K TV?

One of the big omissions in a 32-inch TV is 4K resolution - you'll generally get Full HD (1080p) instead of Ultra HD with a quarter of the pixels of a 4K screen. Many cheaper models may even be stuck with just HD (720p), such as the Toshiba WK3C, too.

If you're sitting much closer than a regular living room layout, you could make out all the 4K pixels as with a 4K monitor, but the assumption here is that you'll be treating this small TV like a normal TV.

Is HDR important?

Some small TVs will pack in HDR(High Dynamic Range), even where4K is absent and it's a very good thing to look out for.

When a TV show or movie is available in HDR, rather than simply SDR(Standard Dynamic Range)it means the content is encoded with a wider array of color information, allowing for more nuanced color gradations richer hues, where the TV panel is capable of showing it.

On a cheap, small TV, the difference between SDR and HDR may not be massive - as the panel might not be advanced enough to fully take advantage of the increased dynamic range. But you're less likely to miss 4K if the pixels you can see offer a bit more punch and it's very commonly offered feature these days on most TVs.

What ports should I get on my small TV?

Like any TV, make sure you've got enough ports for the number of set-top boxes, consoles and so on you want to connect!

You're unlikely to get a massive array of ports and inputs on a small TV - as there's less room for the manufacturer to work with. But you should make sure that your basic connection needs are being met. In particular, you should make sure that you buy a TV with HDMI ports - two at a minimum, three ideally(it's rare to find more than three on a 32-inch TV).

If you're planning on plugging in a games console, like a Nintendo Switch (as a machine that doesn't output 4K, it's quite a good match for a smaller screen)it's crucial that your TV has an HDMI input. The same goes for a streaming devices, which we'll come to in a minute.

Some small TVs even come with built-in DVD players, but they may be a little harder to find than they used to.

What about smart TV platforms?

                       If your TV doesn't have a great smart TV system built-in, you can just add your own!

It's important to know exactly what TV you can actually watch on your new screen. You'll generally get a built-in TV tuner for watching basic TV channels, but smart TVs offer a lot more than that - with a medley of streaming apps and serices for all your content desires. If you already have a streaming device to plug in, though, this won't be as big a worry.

Cheap TV hardware tends to ship with cheap software, though. Aside from having to deal with a basic interface, this means you might not get every key streaming app(Netflix, Disney Plus and the like).

The good news is that, because you can just add a streaming stick to a TVs HDMI socket, it's okay if you find the ideal TV hardware for you but you don't like the software - add an Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite or a Roku Streaming Stick and you'll get the slick operating you're hoping for.