10 Best 42 Inch Smart Tv 2025 in the United States

The LG 42-Inch OLED evo AI 4K C5 Series is a standout choice if you're looking for a compact smart TV with impressive picture and sound quality. Its 4K OLED panel delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors thanks to self-lit pixels, making movies and shows look stunning even in well-lit rooms. The 120Hz refresh rate combined with an ultra-fast 0.1ms response time is great for smooth, blur-free gaming, further enhanced by support for NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync technologies. This makes it suitable for both casual and serious gamers.

The TV supports popular HDR formats like Dolby Vision and HDR10, providing richer contrast and brighter highlights, and Dolby Atmos adds immersive sound that complements the visuals well. LG’s webOS platform offers easy access to major streaming apps and over 300 free channels, plus AI features that personalize recommendations and optimize picture and sound settings to your preferences. Connectivity options include multiple HDMI 2.1 ports, USB, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet, accommodating various devices and smart home integrations including Alexa voice control.

The design is sleek and modern, fitting nicely in smaller spaces with a thin profile and lightweight build. While the sound quality is good for a TV, audiophiles might want to add an external sound system for a richer experience. Also, the 42-inch size might feel small for some living rooms, so it’s best suited for bedrooms, offices, or smaller lounges. For those seeking a premium picture, solid smart features, and excellent gaming performance in a smaller 4K TV, this LG model offers a compelling option.

The TCL 43-Inch Class S5 UHD 4K LED Smart TV offers a sharp 4K resolution which ensures great detail and clarity, making it ideal for watching movies and TV shows. Its high brightness LED backlight and enhanced color features deliver vibrant and bright images. The TV includes HDR PRO+ with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG, enhancing contrast and color accuracy, making it excellent for high-quality picture performance.

The built-in Fire TV platform provides easy access to a wide range of streaming services, and Alexa integration allows for convenient voice control. Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility is a nice addition for users in the Apple ecosystem. For gamers, the Auto Game Mode (ALLM) reduces input lag, providing a smoother gaming experience. The audio quality is bolstered by Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X, offering an immersive sound experience, although it might not replace a dedicated sound system for audiophiles.

With a refresh rate of 60 Hz, it is suitable for most content, though some higher-end TVs offer faster refresh rates for smoother motion in fast-paced action scenes. Connectivity options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB, Ethernet, and HDMI, covering most user needs. The slim, bezel-less design is modern and sleek, making it an attractive addition to any room. Weighing in at around 20 pounds, it's relatively lightweight and easy to set up. However, some users might find the 43-inch size slightly larger than the typical 42-inch specification they might be looking for. This TV suits users looking for a feature-rich, mid-sized smart TV with good picture quality and smart capabilities.

The Hisense 43" E6 Cinema Series QLED TV delivers impressive picture quality with its QLED panel, providing rich and vibrant colors through quantum dots technology. Its 4K resolution ensures sharp images, and the Total HDR Solution supports multiple formats including Dolby Vision and HDR 10+, enhancing contrast with deeper blacks and brighter colors for lifelike visuals. The TV has a 60 Hz refresh rate, suitable for most viewing but may not handle fast-moving scenes or competitive gaming as smoothly as higher refresh rates.

Running on the Fire TV platform, it offers a user-friendly interface with easy access to popular apps and Alexa voice control for convenient hands-free navigation. Its connectivity options include Bluetooth, HDMI, USB, and Wi-Fi 6, enabling stable streaming and versatile device connections. Audio is enhanced by Dolby Atmos technology, delivering immersive sound that complements the excellent picture quality.

The design features a sleek, modern look with a slim profile, and the AI Light Sensor automatically adjusts screen brightness to improve viewing comfort and save energy. Although slightly larger than the 42-inch category at 43 inches, it suits small to medium rooms and users seeking a feature-rich smart TV experience without premium pricing. While the 60 Hz refresh rate might limit performance for fast-action sports or advanced gaming, it performs very well for movies, shows, and everyday use.