Watching movies and TV shows on a laptop may be convenient for busy students, but it doesn’t offer the same immersive experience as a dedicated TV. Additionally, watching content on a small laptop screen can be a solitary activity, whereas a TV allows you to enjoy your favorite shows and movies with friends and roommates. A TV is also essential for gaming, especially for multiplayer games like Street Fighter 6. Furthermore, having a separate TV screen can serve as a secondary monitor when needed. In this article, we will explore the best budget TV choices for students along with some accessories to enhance the viewing experience.
For students looking for TVs suitable for smaller spaces, the 43-inch TCL 4-Series with Roku or Google TV built-in is an ideal choice. This model features a 4K screen with HDR, offering better dynamic range and upscaling from lower-resolution sources. Priced under $300, it provides excellent value for its price. The 43-inch size is perfect for most dorm rooms, providing enough screen space to immerse yourself in your favorite content.
Another option for students is the Vizio M-Series Quantum smart TVs. These TVs are a slight upgrade from Vizio’s entry-level models and are better suited for gamers. They offer support for billions of colors and AMD’s FreeSync, which ensures smoother gameplay. With a sub-10ms response time, most games will be playable without experiencing lag. The Vizio M-Series is also reasonably priced, starting under $400 for a 43-inch set. For those who prefer a larger screen, the option to scale up to 75 inches is also available.
For students in search of bigger and better TVs, the 55-inch TCL 5-Series is a recommended choice. Available in Google TV or Roku flavors, this TV offers support for Dolby Vision, a wide color gamut enhanced with Quantum Dots, and multiple local backlighting zones to manage black levels and contrast. The 5-series also features a slim and bezel-less design, giving it a modern look. It even supports voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple’s HomeKit.
In addition to the TVs themselves, there are several streaming accessories that can enhance the viewing experience. The Chromecast with Google TV is an excellent choice for heavy Google users. It has its own interface and a wide range of streaming apps to choose from. Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K is worth considering for those with older TVs or for anyone who desires a faster streaming experience. It supports 4K resolution with HDR and Dolby Vision and provides access to Roku’s extensive app library. The Roku Streambar is a unique device that combines a soundbar and a media streaming box, solving the problem of obtaining streaming apps and improving sound quality in one package. For a more personalized audio experience, the Jabra Elite 45H wireless headphones are recommended. They offer great sound quality, comfort, and a long battery life of up to 50 hours.
In conclusion, investing in a TV as a student can greatly enhance your media consumption experience. Whether it’s for watching movies and TV shows, gaming, or using it as a secondary monitor, a TV provides a better and more immersive viewing experience compared to a laptop. With the range of budget-friendly options available, including the TCL 4-Series, Vizio M-Series Quantum, and TCL 5-Series, students can find the perfect TV to fit their needs. Pairing these TVs with streaming accessories like the Chromecast with Google TV, Roku Streaming Stick 4K, Roku Streambar, and Jabra Elite 45H wireless headphones will further enhance the overall viewing experience. So ditch the laptop and upgrade to a TV for a better entertainment experience as a student.
