'ZDNET Recommends': What exactly does it mean?
ZDNET's recommendations are based on many hours of testing, research, and comparison shopping. We gather data from the best available sources, including vendor and retailer listings as well as other relevant and independent reviews sites. And we pore over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products and services we’re assessing.
When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions. This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay. Neither ZDNET nor the author are compensated for these independent reviews. Indeed, we follow strict guidelines that ensure our editorial content is never influenced by advertisers.
ZDNET's editorial team writes on behalf of you, our reader. Our goal is to deliver the most accurate information and the most knowledgeable advice possible in order to help you make smarter buying decisions on tech gear and a wide array of products and services. Our editors thoroughly review and fact-check every article to ensure that our content meets the highest standards. If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article. If you see inaccuracies in our content, please report the mistake via this form.
The best 32-inch TVs you can buy
While many people think bigger is always better when it comes to TVs, there are times a smaller set is exactly what you need -- like for a kids' room, an extra bedroom, a garage, or just a small space. And if you've been looking for a small television, you've probably found there are lot of options.
How do you know what's best? That depends on your needs. Do you want the most affordable choice where quality doesn't matter, do you want the absolute best picture money can buy, do you want something that's easy to use, or a mix of factors?
Also: The best TVs of 2024
I test TVs at ZDNET for a living, and rounded up the best 32-inch TVs available, considering factors like display type, smart technology integration, and price. These are my top picks.
What is the best 32-inch TV right now?
In terms of pure aesthetics, it's hard to beat Samsung The Frame. It mounts beautifully on a wall, the QLED display makes any content pop, it has an anti-reflection matte display that looks like a piece of artwork when the TV isn't being used, and it has Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound for unmatched audio. In short, it looks and sounds amazing. Of course, it's on the more expensive side of similarly-sized TVs. If that doesn't fit your specific needs, read on for the rest of our picks for the best 32-inch TVs.
Best 32-inch TVs of 2024
- Art Mode
- QLED clarity and color
- Flush wall mount
- Price
While many TV manufacturers focus only on the biggest sizes, Samsung includes smaller options for their top-of-the-line option, The Frame. It's not just one of the best Samsung TVs you can buy, it's one of the better sets, period.
This TV made our list of best smart TVs, and it's not hard to see why. The QLED display is a leader in its class thanks to its incredible color and clarity, the thin mount looks beautiful on any wall, and the compact size means you have lots of options for placement. The real appeal of this TV, though, is Art Mode. When not being used, the screen displays a personalized art collection that looks like real canvas hanging on the wall. Best Buy reviewers say this set's elegance is unmatched, both when it's being used and when it's off.
Samsung The Frame specs: Size: 32 inches | Type: QLED | Resolution: 1080p | Dimensions: 28.6 x 16.8 x 1 inches (without stand) | Weight: 11.5 pounds | Price: $529
- HDR10, HLG
- Affordable Price
- Alexa integration
- Only 720p HD resolution
If you're simply looking for an all-around capable 32-inch TV for a low price, the Amazon Fire should be your choice. The resolution isn't the greatest at only 720p, but that's still HD, and should look good enough for most uses. It has Dolby Digital Audio, so content sounds better than many TVs this size, and it has 2 HDMI 1.4 ports plus one HDMI ARC port if you need to attach a cable box or console.
If you have other Fire TVs, this set will sync for a seamless viewing experience from one room to the next, and if you're a gamer, there's support for Amazon Luna cloud gaming. This set is a favorite of many Amazon reviewers for its price, built-in tuner that adds over-the-air channels, and simplicity.
Amazon Fire TV 2-Series specs: Size: 32 inches | Type: LED | Resolution: 720p HD | Dimensions: 28.6" x 17.0" x 3.2" | Weight: 7.7 pounds
- Price
- Roku ecosystem
- No Dolby audio support
At under $200, the TCL 3 Series is on the more affordable side of 32-inch TVs. The LED display isn't as vibrant as some of the others on this list, but it's still 1080p resolution. This set doesn't support Dolby Atmos, but it does get quite loud on its own.
The biggest selling point of this TV is that it runs on the Roku ecosystem, which is the easiest to use for newcomers to smart TVs or kids. It also comes with a voice-controlled remote if you want hands-free operation. Amazon reviewers speak highly of this set's versatility to work in any room and of its built-in audio.
TCL 3 Series specs: Size: 32 inches | Type: LED | Resolution: 1080p | Dimensions: 3.1 x 28.1 x 16.6 inches | Weight: 7.5 pounds
- Smart TV
- Affordable
- Only 720p resolution
Looking for the most affordable 32-inch TV around? The Insignia Class F20 fits the bill at under $100. It does only have 720 resolution, but that's perfectly fine in many cases, especially if you're buying this for someone who doesn't watch TV much or for a kid's room. It has Alexa voice control, and it runs on Fire TV, Amazon's own OS. If you use an iPhone, this TV supports Apple AirPlay, which lets you share videos, photos, music, and more from your phone with the tap of a button.
Insignia Class F20 Series Smart TV specs: Size: 32 inches | Type: LED | Resolution: 720p | Dimensions: 8.3"D x 28.9"W x 19"H | Weight: 15.75 pounds
What is the best 32-inch TV?
Samsung The Frame is ZDNET's pick for the best 32-inch TV overall, but there are other options that may better suit your needs and budget.
This is an overview of the best 32-inch TVs so you can find the right model for you.
| Best TV for small spaces | Display size | Display type | Price |
| Samsung The Frame | 32 inches | QLED | $529 |
| Amazon Fire TV 2-Series | 32 inches | LED | $119 |
| TCL 3 Series | 32 inches | LED | $170 |
| Insignia Class F20 Series Smart TV | 32 inches | LED | $ 89 |
Which is the best 32-inch TV for you?
If you aren't sure which 32-inch TV is best for your small space, these considerations may help.
| Choose this best TV for small spaces... | If you want... |
| Samsung The Frame | The best TV for a small space that you can buy. It has a phenomenal QLED display and looks even better turned off. |
| Amazon Fire TV 2-Series | A TV that's easy to use and connects with other Amazon Fire TVs for seamless viewing. |
| TCL 3 Series | A 32-inch TV that's perfect for kids or someone new to smart TVs. |
| Insignia F20 Series | The best cheap 32-inch TV that still has smart capability. |
Factors to consider when choosing a 32-inch TV
If you're looking to buy a 32-inch TV, you should consider the following:
Display type: Even in a small set, picture quality still matters. Whether it is the best QLED TV or the best 4K TV, there are many types of TVs on the market today. Resolution makes a difference as well. Some of the TVs on this list have a 720p resolution, which is fine if you need a basic image quality. Some on this list have 1080p resolution, the standard for today's TVs.
Smart technology: It's hard to find a TV that isn't smart these days, but even for a small space television, you need one with connectivity. Smart TVs let you enjoy voice assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant and apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube.
Ease of use: If this TV is for a child's room or someone who isn't used to smart TVs, you want one that's intuitive. While most smart TVs have operating systems that are easy to pick up, some on this list have an OS that's super easy for beginners to navigate on their own.
Cost: No matter the size of TV you're looking for, cost matters. If you're looking for a basic television, it's possible to spend under $100 for a completely fine set. It's also possible to spend nearly $600 if you absolutely want the best available. We also made sure to include several options in between for the everyday shopper.
How we test TVs
While researching and testing TVs for ZDNET, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:
- Brand integrity: A reliable customer service department is vital when dealing with returns, exchanges, and refunds as well as troubleshooting any issues you may have with your new TV. Each model on this list was chosen from a reputable brand with a verified customer service department.
- Smart features: It's become standard for a TV to have Wi-Fi connectivity as well pre-loaded streaming apps for entertainment right out of the box. Each OLED TV on this list has been verified to support popular streaming apps like Spotify, Netflix, and Disney+.
- Screen sizes: Not every space is created equal, so it's important to choose an OLED TV that will fit into your living room, bedroom, or home theater space. Each model on this list is available in multiple screen sizes to fit a variety of spaces.
Are there smart 32-inch TVs?
The better questions is, are there 32-inch TVs that aren't smart? The answer to the second question is yes, but barely. The vast majority of TVs on the market these days are smart TVs, so you won't have any trouble finding an option if that's what you want.
What brand makes the best 32-inch TV?
The best 32-inch TVs come from well-established brands that make bigger sets like Samsung, TCL, and Insignia.
How much do the best 32-inch TVs cost?
That depends. Looking for the most affordable option? It'll set you back less than $100. If you want a nicer looking picture quality in a nicer package, it'll cost around $150-$200. If money isn't a concern, you can spend up to nearly $600 on a 32-inch set.