Best TVs Under $500 for Black Friday 2026: 4 Smart Picks
Start with the 55-inch TCL QM6K if your Black Friday budget is $500 and you want a TV for movies, streaming, and console gaming. Buy it only when the exact 55QM6K drops below your limit. The 55-inch Hisense U65QF is another Mini LED worth watching, while the 65-inch Hisense QD7QF trades gaming capability for a bigger picture. For a bedroom or a much smaller bill, the 55-inch Insignia F50 covers the basics.
The useful choice here is how much picture quality and gaming flexibility you want to keep. A $200 television and a $500 television can both say 4K on the box, yet put that money into very different hardware.
These are our Black Friday 2026 shortlist picks, with buying thresholds below. For offers across higher budgets, see our Black Friday TV buying guide.
Updated November 3, 2026. Black Friday falls on November 27. The amounts in this guide are editorial buy-price targets, not confirmed Amazon sale prices or promised Black Friday offers. Amazon's product pages did not expose a verifiable main offer price during our check. Confirm the exact size, condition, seller, and delivered price before buying. The $500 limit here is before sales tax.
US model names: This guide covers 55QM6K, 55U65QF, 65QD7QF, and Insignia NS-55F501NA26. In Canada, the U65QF is called U68QF; RTINGS identifies it as equivalent, while the 75-inch U65QF uses a different panel. The Canadian TCL QM67K is related to the QM6K Pro and adds a different screen coating. Don't substitute similarly named international models without checking their specifications.
Best TVs Under $500 for Black Friday: The Shortlist
We favor local dimming and useful gaming connections near the top of this budget. Far below it, the priority changes to getting the right size without paying for features you won't use. Every price below is a target to compare with the offer you actually see.
| TV and US size | Why consider it | Buy-price target | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCL QM6K · 55-inch | First choice for mixed use and gaming | $450–$499.99 | Limited HDR impact; direct reflections |
| Hisense U65QF · 55-inch | Fire TV with 144Hz and local dimming | $400–$449.99 | Motion blur; overly bright HDR presentation |
| Hisense QD7QF · 65-inch | Larger screen for a modestly lit room | $400–$449.99 | 60Hz; weaker processing and motion |
| Insignia F50 · 55-inch | Low-cost bedroom or spare-room TV | $200 or less | Basic 60Hz direct-lit LCD |
TCL QM6K 55-Inch: Our First Pick When It Falls Under $500
The 55QM6K earns its place through a useful combination: Mini LED local dimming, a native 144Hz panel, Google TV, and support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+. For a PS5 or Xbox Series X owner, its 4K/120Hz capability and VRR are more useful than a motion-rate label on a basic 60Hz television.
RTINGS tested the 75-inch QM6K and says most findings also apply to the 55-inch model. Its results show good black levels and responsive gaming, but limited HDR brightness and visible direct reflections. That makes this a sensible shortlist choice for a living room with controllable lighting, rather than a reason to expect premium HDR from a budget set.
Buy around $450–$499.99. If the Amazon offer is above $500, wait or choose another model. Don't stretch the budget just because a listing shows a large percentage discount. The two HDMI 2.1 inputs also matter if you have multiple gaming devices; eARC is on a separate HDMI 2.0 input.
Read our TCL QM6K review for the fuller picture. After delivery, our QM6K picture settings guide can help you get started.
TelevisionCafe · PRICE CHECK
TCL QM6K · 55-inch
Check the exact 55QM6K offer. Our target is $450–$499.99; this is a buying threshold, not a verified current price.
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Hisense U65QF 55-Inch: The Fire TV Alternative to Watch
The 55U65QF is a 2025 model, which is useful when clearance pricing beats the cost of its replacement. Hisense's US specification sheet confirms Mini LED local dimming, a native 144Hz panel, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and two HDMI 2.1 inputs. Fire TV suits shoppers who already prefer Alexa and Amazon's streaming interface.
RTINGS' 65-inch test found strong SDR brightness, good contrast, and poor direct-reflection handling. It also found motion blur and an HDR image that runs too bright. RTINGS considers most results applicable to the 55-inch model, although that size has fewer dimming zones; don't treat the larger set's measurements as exact 55-inch results.
Our target is $400–$449.99. At the same price as the QM6K, we'd lean toward the TCL for evening movies and mixed gaming. A meaningful saving makes the Hisense easier to justify, especially for regular daytime TV with light coming from the side. Neither is a strong answer to a window reflected directly in the screen.
Check the full model number. U65QF, U6SF, and U6SF Pro are separate products. Our QM6K versus U6SF Pro comparison covers the newer alternative if its price drops into reach.
Hisense QD7QF 65-Inch: More Screen, Fewer Gaming Extras
The 65QD7QF is the size-first option. Its US specification sheet lists Mini LED full-array local dimming, quantum dots, Fire TV, and Dolby Vision. Crucially, the 65-inch model has a 60Hz panel and HDMI 2.0 inputs. The 144Hz specification you may see for the QD7QF family belongs to the 75-, 85-, and 100-inch versions.
RTINGS tested this exact 65-inch size. It found strong contrast, but limited brightness, slow pixel response, uneven screen uniformity, and weak cleanup of low-quality video. Those compromises matter with afternoon sports and compressed cable channels. A larger picture makes flaws easier to notice as well as making movies feel bigger.
Look for $400–$449.99. We'd consider it for mostly straight-on viewing in a moderately lit room when a 55-inch screen feels too small. At close to $500, compare the smaller QM6K first. If fast gaming is the reason you're upgrading, keeping 4K/120Hz support is usually the better trade.
Our Hisense QD7QF review explains the size differences and where this budget Mini LED fits.
To choose between a 55- and 65-inch TV, start with your seating distance and the space available.
Insignia F50 55-Inch: Spend Less for a Second Room
The 55-inch F50, model NS-55F501NA26, makes sense when your real goal is an inexpensive screen for streaming in a bedroom, guest room, or occasional-use space. It has 4K resolution, a 60Hz panel, Fire TV, three HDMI inputs, and HDMI eARC for a compatible soundbar.
This is a basic direct-lit LCD, rather than a Mini LED upgrade with local dimming. HDR10 support tells you it can accept that format; it doesn't establish bright HDR highlights or deep local-dimming contrast. We wouldn't spend near the full $500 budget on this model, and it isn't our choice for 4K/120Hz gaming.
At $200 or less, the case is much clearer. You're leaving a substantial amount unspent for a simple second-room setup. If this will be your main TV for years of movies and gaming, a discounted QM6K or U65QF is worth the additional outlay. See our Insignia F50 review before deciding how basic is enough.
For other entry-level models to compare, read our Hisense QD6QF review and LG UA7700 review. Check the current price in the screen size you need before choosing.
TelevisionCafe · PRICE CHECK
Insignia F50 · 55-inch
A basic second-room option when the NS-55F501NA26 is $200 or less. Check the selected size and current seller before buying.
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Three Checks That Matter More Than the Discount Badge
Match the room
Look at the screen from the seats people actually use. An off-center couch or a window opposite the TV can matter more than another advertised feature. For movie nights, local dimming belongs high on your list; for daytime viewing, brightness and reflection handling need separate attention.
Check the real refresh rate
For PS5 and Xbox Series X, look for native 120Hz or 144Hz, 4K/120Hz input support, and VRR. Motion Rate 240 or 480 is not a native panel refresh rate. A 60Hz set is fine for ordinary streaming, but it can't show a 120fps console signal at 4K/120Hz.
Count the full bill
Include sales tax, delivery, a suitable stand or mount, and any soundbar you actually need. Check who sells the TV, its condition, and the return deadline. A smaller discount from a dependable seller can be more useful than a cheaper open-box or marketplace offer with awkward return terms.
Buy Now or Wait Until Black Friday?
If a new TV from a suitable seller meets one of the targets above, fits your room, and has acceptable return terms, buying early can make sense. Waiting until November 27 doesn't guarantee a lower price or remaining stock in the size you want.
If the QM6K and U65QF are both over $500, keep them on the watchlist rather than forcing a purchase. A different 2026 model can become the better deal, but it still needs its own specification and performance check. A familiar series name isn't enough.
A large saving against List Price also doesn't establish the lowest recent selling price. Compare the amount you'll pay with the other suitable TVs available that day. Our guide to the best time to buy a TV explains the seasonal tradeoffs.
Our Recommendation
For a main TV, we'd prioritize the 55-inch QM6K once it drops below $500, with the 55-inch U65QF as the alternative when its price is meaningfully lower. Keeping local dimming and 4K/120Hz gaming support is a useful long-term choice if you watch movies and play on a modern console.
Choose the 65-inch QD7QF around $400–$450 when size matters more than fast motion, or the 55-inch Insignia F50 at $200 or less for a straightforward second-room purchase. If none meets its target, waiting is a reasonable decision; your budget doesn't need to be spent just because the sale has started.