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The 5 best 32-inch TV deals right now: Get a cheap second screen

Whether you want a small TV for your bedroom or a second screen to mirror your phone, these 32-inch TV deals are the best available.
Written by Rebecca Isaacs, Staff Writer and  Lara Vukelich, Contributing Writer
Insignia 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD 720p Fire TV | Save $80
Insignia 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD 720p Fire TV
Insignia 32-inch Class F20 Series Smart HD 720p Fire TV
Save $80
View now View at Amazon
TCL - 32" Class 3-Series HD Smart Android TV | Save $20
TCL - 32" Class 3-Series HD Smart Android TV
TCL - 32" Class 3-Series HD Smart Android TV
Save $20
View now View at Best Buy
Toshiba 32-inch Class V35 Series LED HD Smart Fire TV | Save $60
Toshiba 32-inch Class V35 Series LED HD Smart Fire TV
Toshiba 32-inch Class V35 Series LED HD Smart Fire TV
Save $60
View now View at Best Buy
RCA 32-inch Class HD 720P Roku Smart LED TV | Save $110
RCA 32-inch Class HD 720P Roku Smart LED Television
RCA 32-inch Class HD 720P Roku Smart LED TV
Save $110
View now View at Walmart
Samsung 32-inch Smart HD LED TV | Save $20
samsung-32-inch-smart-hd-led-tv
Samsung 32-inch Smart HD LED TV
Save $20
View now View at Target

Obviously, 32-inch TVs are small, but sometimes that's just what you need. If you're outfitting a dorm room, office, workout space, or spare bedroom, a small TV will fit perfectly atop a dresser or mounted in a cozy area. Best of all, you can get a smart model for under $200. Want some further research? We found the best small TVs overall to help you out. 

Deals on 32-inch TVs right now include models that are compatible with Alexa and built-in streaming services. It's hard to find a 32-inch model that isn't a smart TV, so you can set up your device to stream even if it doesn't have built-in apps. Here are some of the best TV deals we found on 32-inch screen TVs that deliver on-screen clarity and smart features. 

  • Current Price: $99
  • Original Price: $179

With 720p resolution, this 32-inch TV will get you watching all your favorite shows in high definition. It has the Fire TV experience built into the software, so you can ask Alexa to pull up your favorite shows as well as find them in a hub on the TV via the remote. It offers connections for a game console, speakers, and more to make sure you'll get a great picture, not matter what you're watching or playing.

More: The 5 best budget TVs: Awesome entertainment for less

  • Current Price: $149
  • Original Price: $169

This TCL option streams in 720p with the built-in Chromecast, making it perfect for those that need a TV for a small space like a dorm or a kitchen as background noise. It also comes with voice remote control features that make it easy to bring up and watch your favorite shows.

  • Current Price: $119
  • Regular price: $199

This Toshiba LED HD TV has an easy-to-navigate home screen, and downloading your go-to apps for other streamers is simple. If you have traditional cable, you can also hook up your cable box to the 32-inch HD screen. This model is ideal for Amazon users who want a TV that integrates with their Alexa, Amazon Prime Video, and home internet.

This is the lowest price we've seen on this model to date.

  • Current Price: $138
  • Original Price: $248

This 32-inch model has a steep discount at Walmart, and snagging one is a great way to access streaming apps. It's a great fit for Roku users and even non-Roku users, but people who have previously used a Roku box or streaming stick might quickly take to it. 

With this Roku TV, your home screen will be the familiar Roku screen, and you can download your favorite streaming apps. That being said, the TV is capable of connecting to your cable box, too, for ultimate coverage in any small space.

  • Current price: $199 
  • Regular price: $219

The Samsung M4500 has a built-in web browser in addition to its standard Wi-Fi and Samsung Smart Hub. The hub is where you can download your favorite apps, like Hulu and Prime Video. You can also enjoy a 60Hz refresh rate for clear pictures during playback. It costs a little more than similar options, but you're getting the reliability of a trusted brand and Ultra Clean View images. 

The lowest price we've seen is $179.

Also: Best TV: Budget-friendly to big-screen opulence

How did we choose these 32-inch TV deals?

When choosing the best 32-inch TV deals, we naturally considered the price of each product. We cross checked prices across multiple sites and reviewed the cost for each product going back six months. Additionally, anything that was purposely price gouged and reduced, we did on include.

We also weighed the discount against available features, ensuring our selections did not sacrifice popular functionality for a lower price tag. Our selected deals include TVs with features like smart technology, HD resolution, and a good audio experience.

Which is the right 32-inch TV for you?

Unlike a 65-inch TV, which probably has a featured spot in your living room, a 32-inch television is more likely to be a supplemental device. A lot of people put these convenient screens in a spare bedroom or office. They also fit well in a small studio apartment or other modest living space.

The right 32-inch TV for you may depend on where you plan to use it:

  • Office use: The ability to search the web turns any TV into a spare computer monitor, and the size is ideal for just above your desk. It's also perfect for viewing your favorite shows on your lunch hour.
  • Bedroom accessory: A 32-inch model is good for a spare bedroom or small primary bedroom. 
  • Dorm room tech: You may also want to send a college kid off to school with a 32-inch screen that will fit in their dorm without taking up too much precious space. This article's Samsung or Toshiba would be a great addition to bring them their favorite shows while maximizing those small dorm room spaces.

What size room is best for a 32-inch TV?

A 32-inch screen is one of the smallest available. Stick to rooms 10x10 feet or smaller, or a corner nook, for this type of TV. 

Can I get a 32-inch TV that is not a smart TV?

There are 32-inch TVs without smart technology, sometimes called non-smart TVs, but they are not easy to come by. Most new televisions are connected to the internet and designed to connect to your apps and streaming services. 

Non-smart TVs are also less likely to be on sale than their smart counterparts. If you're looking for the best TV discounts, smart TVs are the way to go. If you don't feel comfortable using the smart technology, you can always switch your TV set to the cable input and use it with your traditional cable box.

What is the difference between full array LED and direct-lit LED screens?

Direct-lit and full array lighting are similar, but they have a few key differences. Both refer to the way your TV screen is lit from behind. Full array lighting means your screen has LED lights spread out across the entire back side of the screen. They usually have local dimming, which means the lights are separated into zones. Depending on what you're watching, your TV may dim some zones and increase the lighting in other zones. This offers brighter whites and darker darks on your screen. 

Direct-lit backlighting also involves having LED lights spread out across the back of your screen. However, in this case, there are fewer bulbs, and they usually don't have the ability to perform local dimming. Full array lights may offer more concise color contrasting, but direct-lit TVs can still have decent clarity and contrast. 

Are there alternative 32-inch TV deals worth considering?

These aren't the only 32-inch TV deals to consider. If you want to expand your small TV options, consider these alternatives:

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