Our Top Picks:
Click to jump down to a more detailed review of each TV
- Best Overall: Samsung QE43QN90DATXXU – A full-package TV that offers everything the discerning user could need. | Reliant Rating: 5/5
- Best For Gaming: Samsung UE43DU8000 – Perfect for building a truly enviable gaming setup right in your living room. | Reliant Rating: 4/5
- Best Budget: TCL 43P755K – A consumer-friendly compact TV that won’t break the bank. | Reliant Rating: 4/5
- Best For Smart Features: LG 43QNED80T6A – A feature-rich 43 inch TV that puts control right in your hands. | Reliant Rating: 4.5/5
- Best For Watching Movies: Samsung QE43Q60D – Make the most of your favourite movies with this vibrant display. | Reliant Rating: 4.5/5
What To Consider When Buying A 42 To 43 Inch TV
TVs always seem to be getting larger and larger with each passing year. Despite this, however, more compact 42 to 43 inch TV models still prove immensely popular. They’re large enough to act as the centrepiece of a living room, yet compact enough to not risk being “Too large” for any home.
In order to grab a perfect 42 to 43 inch TV, you’ll first need to consider the exact screen size you want. You’ll then want to measure this against the available space in your room. Make sure to consider where you will be watching the TV from. Consider the position of the sofa, and how far away the TV will be. Too far, and the image will appear too small, too close, however, and the image will be overwhelming and unsatisfying.
Once you’ve chosen the perfect screen size and position for your TV, you’ll then need to consider what you are going to use it for! If you’re planning to enjoy film and TV content, then you’ll want to make sure the TV has a robust operating system that gives full access to your favourite streaming services. On the other hand, if you’re planning to enjoy gaming, then you’ll need to pick a model that has a high refresh rate, but low levels of input lag.
No matter what you plan to use it for, we’ve taken a look at some of the very best 42 to 43 inch TVs, and collected them in the handy guide below!
The Best Overall 42 to 43 Inch TV
Samsung QE43QN90DATXXU
Reliant Rating: 5/5
Specifications
Display: QLED Panel, 4K (3840 x 2160), 100Hz refresh rate.
Available Sizes: 43”, 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”, 85”, 98”.
HDR Support: HDR, HDR10, HDR10+.
Sound Support: Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound Lite, Q Symphony, BlueTooth, eARC.
Operating System: Tizen Smart TV.
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 x 4, USB x 2, Ethernet, WiFi, Optical.
Reasons To Buy
- The NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor is equipped with 20 AI neural networks that it can use to intelligently upscale and enhance the images on-screen.
- Quantum Matrix Mini LED Technology allows this TV to achieve striking contrast that makes all of that QLED colour truly shine.
- Get a perfect view from every point on the sofa thanks to the TV’s immense anti-reflection coating and ultra-wide viewing angle.
Not Suitable If…
- You’re looking to stream content in the Dolby Vision format. This format is not currently supported by Samsung TVs.
- You’re looking to jump right into your content. Unfortunately, you’ll need to play around with the visual settings to get the best visual experience first.
QLED Brilliance For Everyone: Enjoy all types of content with improved visual clarity and colour accuracy thanks to the Samsung QE43QN90DATXXU’s immense QLED panel. Every single image is brimming with detail, thanks to the millions of unique shades the display is capable of rendering. And no matter where you choose to sit in your living room, you’ll always get a perfect view. The Ultra Wide viewing angle keeps the image from distorting, while the anti-reflection coating keeps ambient light from obstructing your view.
Make The Most Of Your Content: No matter what kind of content takes your fancy, this TV ensures that it always looks its absolute best. The NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor is one of Samsung’s most powerful smart TV processors ever, and it’s capable of some really amazing feats! Thanks to its 20 powerful AI Neural Networks, it’s capable of accurately analysing images and finding satisfying ways to upscale them. The processor also powers the ultra-smooth Tizen Smart TV interface, which gives you instant access to your favourite streaming services!
Sharper Contrast For Sharper Colour: What better way to make all of that QLED colour shine than with some sharp contrast? The Quantum Matrix Technology built into this TV helped it to easily cement its position as our overall favourite. Equipped with thousands of mini LEDs, a fraction of the size of standard LEDs, the TV is better able to control its brightness levels to deliver images that catch the eye.
The Best 42 – 43 Inch TV For Gaming
Samsung UE43DU8000
Reliant Rating: 4/5
Specifications
Display: LED Panel, 4K (3840 x 2160), 50Hz refresh rate.
Available Sizes: 43”, 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”, 85”.
HDR Support: HDR, HDR10, HDR10+.
Sound Support: Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound Lite, Q Symphony, BlueTooth, eARC.
Operating System: Tizen Smart TV.
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 x 3, USB x 2, Ethernet, WiFi, Optical.
Reasons To Buy
- Thanks to its liquid crystal layer, this TV is capable of rendering up to a billion unique colours in every image. Make the most of every last pixel!
- The Tizen Smart TV user interface is intelligently designed and easy to navigate. So you can always find the content you’re looking for!
- Auto Low Latency Mode and Motion Xcelerator technology ensure your games are smooth, fast-paced, and incredibly responsive!
Not Suitable If…
- You require Dolby Vision support.
- You’re looking for a TV with perfect contrast. Unfortunately, the screen is occasionally subjected to light bloom in darker images.
Great For Gaming: The Samsung UE43DU8000 TV is perfect for all kinds of content, especially gaming. The immense display, which makes use of specially engineered liquid crystals, is able to render billions of unique colours for greater detail in in-game images. The 3 HDMI 2.1 ports at the back of the telly allow you to hook up multiple consoles simultaneously. And thanks to Motion Xcelerator and Auto Low Latency Mode technologies, you can ensure your favourite games feel buttery smooth and incredibly responsive!
Immersive In-Game Audio: So much of the gaming industry is focused on delivering top-notch visuals. But we would hate to neglect the importance of good audio in the gaming experience. Luckily, the Samsung UE43DU8000 doesn’t just boast incredible visual capabilities. Object Tracking Sound Lite technology allows the audio of your games to actually move around and fill your space. The tech is so clever that it can also match the movement of the audio to the movement of the visuals. This TV is fantastic when paired with a Samsung soundbar!
Fits Right Into Place: One of the best features of this TV is its AirSlim design. Made to be as skinny as possible, the TV looks simply stunning from any angle, even when it’s turned off! And thanks to its skinny design, the TV is incredibly easy to wall-mount. It can sit flush against the wall, which helps you to save plenty of space in your living room. But, don’t worry, even though the TV is slightly skinner than the competition, it still has all of the input ports you need!
The Best Budget 42 – 43 Inch TV
TCL 43P755K
Reliant Rating: 4/5
Specifications
Display: LED Panel, 4K (3840 x 2160), 120Hz refresh rate.
Available Sizes: 43”, 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”.
HDR Support: HDR, HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision.
Sound Support: Dolby Atmos, BlueTooth, eARC.
Operating System: Google TV OS.
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 x 4, USB x3, Ethernet, WiFi, Optical.
Reasons To Buy
- The TCL 43P755K is easily one of the most affordable smart TVs on the market. Despite its low cost, it boasts a vibrant 4K display and numerous smart features.
- Enjoy your content with more vibrant colours thanks to this TV’s multi-HDR support.
- Full support for your favourite voice assistants allows you to control all of the content without touching a button.
Not Suitable If…
- You’re looking for perfect built-in audio. Dolby Atmos sound is at its best when used with a compatible soundbar.
Easy On Your Wallet: Easily one of the best things about the TCL 43P755K TV is its generous price tag. When compared to the prices of other competing models at similar sizes, you’ll find yourself blown away by how simply affordable this TV is. Though this TV comes with a generous price, it doesn’t lack the features you need. If you’re looking for a great entry-level smart TV that boasts a great stable of modern features, then this is a great model to check out. It’s robust, and won’t cost you the earth!
Lose Yourself In Colour: The TCL 43P755K TV boasts an incredible 4K screen that shows off your content at its very best. To sweeten the deal, the TV also boasts full support for a range of HDR formats, including HLG and Dolby Vision! Dolby Vision is particularly worthy of mention, as it’s arguably one of the very best HDR formats around, and delivers the most accurate visual experience. Dolby Atmos sound also helps to improve the experience with room-filling audio. It’s also a popular format that’s actually used in cinemas across the UK!
Hands-Free Entertainment: Full compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Voice Assistant allows you to control every aspect of the TCL 43P755K experience without touching a button. These voice controls make it effortless to find all of your favourite content, without the need to navigate through countless menu screens. Just kick back, relax, and start streaming right away!
The Best 42 to 43 Inch TV For Smart Features
LG 43QNED80T6A
Reliant Rating: 4.5/5
Specifications
Display: QNED Panel, 4K (3840 x 2160), 60Hz refresh rate.
Available Sizes: 43”, 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”, 86”.
HDR Support: HDR, HDR10, HDR10+.
Sound Support: AI Sound Pro, 2.0 Channel Speakers, BlueTooth, eARC.
Operating System: WebOS 24.
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 x 3, USB x 2, Ethernet, WiFi, Optical.
Reasons To Buy
- Automatic audio and brightness adjustment technologies ensure you get a perfect audio-visual experience no matter what kind of space you’re watching in.
- AI Sound Pro technology creates a virtual surround sound experience. Emulating the sound of 9.1.2 channel surround audio, through just two simple speakers!
- WebOS 24 is the heart of the operation. This immensely robust and speedy operating system makes it effortless to find the content you’re looking for.
Not Suitable If…
- You’re looking for a budget television. This TV is packed full of immense features, and thus has a slightly higher price tag to go with it!
- You’re looking for true surround sound. While AI Sound Pro sounds fantastic, it cannot offer a true surround sound experience.
The Smartest LG Smart TV: As smart TVs get smarter and more efficient, it can be tough to tell which ones really stand out among the competition. Easily one of the smartest smart TVs on the market is the immense LG 43QNED80T6A. Thanks to its Alpha 5 AI Processor 4K Gen7, this TV operates entirely via the incredible WebOS 24 operating system. This robust operating system prioritises easy navigation, so it’s easy to find your favourite content in an instant.
AI-Enhanced Audio:Good sound plays a key role in the TV experience. So, you’ll be pleased to hear that this TV comes equipped with a number of unique audio technologies to enhance your experience. AI Sound Pro technology creates a virtual 9.1.2 channel surround sound experience using just the TV’s two built-in speakers! And thanks to AI Acoustic Tuning, the TV is able to adjust its volume level according to the acoustics in your space. So, you’ll never find the audio too quiet or too loud!
A Perfect Image Every Time: This TV also has it where it counts when it comes to delivering immense visuals. The QNED screen is capable of rendering truly immense colour that draws you right into the image. And for a greater sense of depth, the TV also comes with Dimming Pro technology, allowing it to carefully control its brightness for sharp contrast that makes every on-screen shape much clearer.
The Best 42 to 43 Inch TV For Watching Movies
Samsung QE43Q60D
Reliant Rating: 4.5/5
Specifications
Display: QLED Panel, 4K (3840 x 2160), 60Hz refresh rate.
Available Sizes: 43”, 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”, 85”.
HDR Support: HDR, HDR10, HDR10+.
Sound Support: Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound Lite, Q Symphony, BlueTooth, eARC.
Operating System: Tizen Smart TV.
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1 x 3, USB x 2, Ethernet, WiFi, Optical.
Reasons To Buy
- The Samsung QE43Q60D TV is equipped with a fabulous QLED display panel. This enables it to display colours and images that look totally real.
- Immense sound technologies like Object Tracking Sound Lite immerse you in the sonic landscapes of your favourite movies.
- The Tizen Smart TV interface makes it simple to stream movies on all of your favourite content platforms.
Not Suitable If…
- You’re set on streaming content via the Dolby Vision premium format. It’s unsupported by this TV.
Enjoy Movies As They Should Look: Film is an art form in which accuracy is vital. To truly enjoy a film, you want to make sure you can enjoy every frame as it was meant to be seen. Thankfully, because of the QLED display of the Samsung QE43Q60D, it’s easier than ever to make the most of your films. The quantum dot technology packed into the display enables it to render colours exactly as they’re supposed to look. So, you can really soak in the atmosphere of every last scene.
Improved Brightness For Sharper Contrast: Want to appreciate every last detail in your favourite films? Then the improved brightness of this TV is perfect for you. Thanks to Quantum HDR technology, this TV is able to more accurately control its brightness levels on the fly. In turn, this means it’s able to draw attention to every individual detail in each frame of footage. So, you’ll be able to notice those hidden details that previously were well out of reach!
Hear Every Action As It Happens: The Samsung QE43Q60D is equipped with some seriously fantastic sound technologies. Not least of which is Object Tracking Sound Lite. This technology allows the audio of your content to match the movement of on-screen action. So, for instance, if a superhero were to fly from one side of the screen to the other, you’d hear as the sound followed suit! It’s fantastic for enjoying unrivalled immersion in your favourite films.
