As a policy, I try to avoid any bias against budget TVs. They’re the only option for a lot of people, and honestly, technology has advanced so much in the past decade that they can look fantastic under the right circumstances. Today’s bargain-basement QLED offerings would annihilate most mid-range TVs from 2016, and probably high-end models too.
There are a few budget brands I consciously avoid, however, one of them being Vizio. I used to be onboard — but I can’t recommend them anymore, not given the alternatives out there. Their products are acceptable at best.
What’s so wrong with Vizio TVs?
Too many compromises
For a start, Vizio insists on using a proprietary operating system. This isn’t automatically a problem, since LG and Samsung are largely succeeding with their own platforms, webOS and Tizen. Vizio isn’t matching its software with fast processors, though, and app selection is limited. In fact, there’s nothing like a conventional app store for Vizio products. If an app isn’t preloaded, you’ll probably have to cast from your phone (using AirPlay or Google Cast) or buy an add-on media streamer. That second option might nudge you out of your budget, and simply isn’t necessary when you could choose a TV with Google, Roku, or Fire TV from the jump. All three have well-supported app stores, and additional perks, such as Gemini or Alexa+ commands.
It’s really subpar specs that kill the brand’s appeal. Consider what should nominally be one of its flagships, the 65-inch VQM65C-1004. It’s a mini-LED set, and even has three HDMI 2.1 ports, that latter spec being rarer that it should be in the budget space. But there are just 180 dimming zones, below the norm for mini-LED, and its native refresh rate is capped at 60Hz. Many competing products provide 120Hz or better, which can help tremendously with motion performance, particularly when you’re connecting a PC or game console. That model also lacks support for ARC or eARC soundbars, which is kind of mind-blowing given how commonplace they are, and that you need one if you want Dolby Atmos or DTS:X.
The companies setting the par are TCL and Hisense. While it is possible to find products from them that have similar compromises, it’s also easy to find ones with superior specs in a similar price range, and with Google TV or Roku OS, to boot. They’re not strictly budget brands, either. Their RGB mini-LED TVs are some of the best on the market.
As if that weren’t enough, you’re taking something of a gamble on reliability. You’ll probably be fine, statistically, and it’s not like other brands can’t be susceptible to faults too. Yet it’s not hard to find complaints online, and in 2024, the company settled a class-action lawsuit over some models repeatedly turning off or failing to power back on.
Vizio also has a history of tracking people without their consent. Unfortunately, that’s not as unique as it used to be. Many TVs now ship with ACR (automatic content recognition), and companies turn to euphemisms or promises of “personalization” to trick you into enabling it. Vizio is out in the open about this now too, but I feel it’s important to acknowledge the elephant in the room.
Is there any reason to buy a Vizio?
Some final thoughts
If price is your chief concern, a Vizio may still be one of your better options. The brand is owned by Walmart, which makes its products both cheap and omnipresent in North America. It’s also one of the few major manufacturers selling TVs below 32 inches. If you’re looking to install a TV on your kitchen counter or the power rack in your home gym, it doesn’t make much sense to go with a Samsung.
Lastly, I should note that what I said in the intro still applies. If your demands aren’t picky, you’ll probably enjoy your purchase — it’s just that you can get more for your money by being a bit pickier.
