8 Best Rated 40 Inch TVs (September 2026) Tested

Looking for the best rated 40 inch TV without wading through dozens of mediocre Amazon listings? Our team spent six weeks side-by-side testing eight top compact smart TVs in real bedrooms, dorms, and home offices, measuring picture quality, app snappiness, input lag, and sound. The 40-inch size class sits in a sweet spot for secondary viewing, kitchens, and small living rooms – close enough to sit four to seven feet away, far cheaper than 55-inch models, and lighter on the wall mount.

The challenge is that “40-inch” now means everything from a barebones 1080p LED to 42-inch OLEDs that punch well above their weight. We picked the eight TVs below based on real customer ratings, lab measurements, smart platform polish, and how each holds up for everyday streaming, casual gaming, and the occasional movie night. If you’re shopping for a broader lineup of 40-inch TVs or a more budget-focused shortlist, those guides dig deeper into specific categories.

Below: our top three picks, a full comparison table, individual reviews of all eight TVs, a buying guide covering resolution, HDR, smart platforms, and gaming, and a FAQ that answers the questions shoppers actually ask.

Our Top 3 Tested 40-Inch TVs at a Glance

All 8 Best Rated 40 Inch TVs Compared (2026)

1. TCL 40-Inch 3-Series Roku TV – Editor’s Choice for Balanced Streaming

I’ll be honest: when I unboxed the TCL 40-Inch 3-Series for our media room, I expected the same washed-out look cheap LED TVs usually deliver. Instead, this little Roku TV pushed a sharper, more colorful image than I remembered from the brand. Roku’s stripped-down interface made the TV usable in under five minutes, and the included remote – while missing a number pad – launched Netflix and YouTube TV without any fuss.

What makes this our top pick is balance. Picture quality lands well above what you’d expect at this price tier, the smart platform stays out of your way, and the three HDMI ports handle a soundbar, a game console, and a streaming stick without swapping cables. Reviewers consistently call out the lightweight build – 13.2 lbs is easy for one person to mount, and the VESA 100×100 pattern works with most small-TV wall brackets.

Picture Quality and Color

The 1080p panel uses direct LED backlighting and HDR10 support, which gives colors more pop than older TCL models. In side-by-side viewing against the Insignia F40, the TCL’s reds looked fuller and skin tones more natural. It won’t match a 4K screen, but at 4-7 feet viewing distance the difference is hard to spot on most content.

One nitpick I noticed in our darker test scenes: a faint light bleed around the screen edges. It’s only visible during letterboxed movies in a dim room, and most viewers won’t notice it. If you watch a lot of dark cinema, the Samsung F6000 has slightly better black levels.

Roku OS Simplicity

Roku OS remains the easiest smart TV platform for people who hate menus. There’s no bloatware, the home screen is one flat row of apps, and the search function works across every service. The included remote has shortcuts for Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and Apple TV+ – small touches that save real time.

The Live TV Channel Guide aggregates 250+ free channels in one place. The glitch our team caught: occasionally the Live TV app ignores the remote when changing channels. Power-cycling the TV fixed it every time, but it’s worth knowing if you plan to rely heavily on free live channels.

Inputs and Connectivity

Three HDMI ports is generous at this size and beats the two-port Insignia and Amazon Ember setups. You get one USB 2.0 port that doubles as a pause-live-TV slot if you plug in a flash drive – genuinely useful for antenna users. The catch is no Ethernet port on this particular model, so Wi-Fi is the only network option.

Who Should Buy This

The TCL 3-Series is the right pick if you want a reliable, easy-to-use 40-inch TV for a bedroom or dorm, you already like (or are open to) Roku, and you want three HDMI ports to plug in a console plus a soundbar plus a streaming stick. If you need 4K or a Dolby Vision-capable OLED, step up to the 42-inch OLED class instead.

2. Samsung 40-Inch F6000 Smart TV – Best Value With HDR10+

The Samsung F6000 surprised us. We’ve tested Samsung TVs for years, and even the entry-level models tend to deliver more thoughtful picture processing than the badge suggests. In our media room test, the F6000 produced noticeably punchier highlights than the TCL thanks to HDR10+ support, and Object Tracking Sound Lite made movie scenes feel wider without needing a soundbar.

This is our best value pick because it threads the needle between price and refinement. The slim three-bezel-less design looks far more premium than the price tier suggests, and Q-Symphony means you can pair a Samsung soundbar later and have the TV’s speakers contribute to the mix instead of being bypassed entirely.

HDR10+ and Picture Quality

HDR10+ is a step above plain HDR10 because it adds scene-by-scene metadata, which means the TV can brighten highlights and deepen shadows more intelligently. Watching a 4K HDR movie downscaled to 1080p, the F6000 held detail in bright clouds and dark shadow areas simultaneously better than the TCL and Insignia. If you watch a lot of streaming HDR content, this matters more than resolution at 40 inches.

The trade-off: only two HDMI ports, and the remote is small, not backlit, and lacks voice control. Samsung clearly expects you to either buy a Samsung remote app or upgrade later.

Tizen Smart Platform

One UI Tizen is faster than older Samsung smart TVs but still trails Roku for sheer simplicity. You get Samsung TV Plus with 2,700+ free channels including 400+ premium channels, plus all the major streaming apps. Samsung Knox Security protects connected IoT devices, which is a small but meaningful addition if your TV sits on a network with smart home gear.

The setup snag our team hit: Tizen requires a Samsung account login during initial setup. It feels intrusive, but it unlocks Samsung TV Plus, Bixby, and Q-Symphony features. If you want to skip it, look at the TCL or Roku models instead.

Sound and Soundbar Pairing

Object Tracking Sound Lite simulates a virtual top channel – sound pans left and right as on-screen action moves. It’s not a replacement for a dedicated soundbar, but it’s the best built-in audio we heard on any 40-inch TV we tested. Pair the F6000 with a compatible Samsung soundbar and Q-Symphony combines TV and soundbar speakers for a fuller soundstage.

Who Should Buy This

Buy the Samsung F6000 if you want a 40-inch TV with better-than-average HDR processing, a slim modern design, and the option to add a Samsung soundbar later for Q-Symphony. Skip it if you hate the Samsung account requirement or want a remote with voice control at this size.

3. Insignia 40-Inch F40 Fire TV – Budget Pick With the Largest User Base

With over 5,300 customer reviews, the Insignia F40 Fire TV has the largest user base of any 40-inch TV we tested. That’s not a gimmick – it means real-world feedback on long-term reliability is more available here than on most compact TVs. Our team spent two weeks with one in a guest bedroom, and it delivered a clean Fire TV experience with Alexa voice control at the lowest price tier.

The F40 is the right answer when you need a basic, working smart TV and want to spend as little as possible without giving up app access. You’ll give up HDR10+ processing, a slim bezel-less design, and the snappiest remote, but you keep Fire TV, Alexa, and a usable 1080p picture.

Fire TV Experience

Fire TV gives you over 1.5 million streaming movies and TV episodes plus thousands of channels and Alexa skills. The interface is content-forward, which means it leans toward recommendations. If you want a simpler, app-first layout, Roku or Google TV may suit you better. For Amazon Prime households, Fire TV is hard to beat on convenience.

The included Alexa Voice Remote works reliably for app launching and content search. It lacks backlighting, which makes it tough to use in a fully dark bedroom – a small but consistent complaint in customer feedback.

Sound and DTS Virtual:X

DTS Virtual:X tries to simulate a 3D sound field from the TV’s built-in speakers. It sounds better than the basic stereo on most cheap TVs, but reviewers report that the effect is most noticeable close to the TV. If you’re sitting 4-7 feet away in a small room, DTS Virtual:X adds welcome depth. For larger rooms, plan on adding a budget soundbar.

Build and Wall Mounting

The F40 uses a VESA 200×200 mount pattern, which is one of the most common patterns for compact TVs and works with the vast majority of small wall brackets. The plastic stand feet angle outward, which means the TV needs a wider surface than the screen itself – something to keep in mind for narrow TV stands. At roughly 16 kg with the stand, it’s heavier than the TCL but still single-person-mountable.

Who Should Buy This

Buy the Insignia F40 if you want the lowest-priced 40-inch smart TV from a recognizable brand, you use Fire TV and Alexa already, and you’re willing to spend a few minutes tweaking picture settings out of the box. Skip it if you need a backlit remote or want HDR-grade processing at this size.

4. Roku 40-Inch Select Series 2026 – Best for Streaming Snappiness

The Roku Select Series 2026 is the newest model in our test pool and the most streaming-focused. Roku’s 2026 update adds faster Wi-Fi handshakes, an uncluttered Home Screen, and Bluetooth Headphone Mode for late-night viewing without disturbing others. In our testing, app launches were noticeably quicker than the 2022 TCL 3-Series, and AirPlay support finally makes Roku TVs a serious option for Apple households.

If you want a small TV that feels responsive, has the simplest remote, and doesn’t push content recommendations in your face, this is the one. The trade-offs are minor: only 1080p, and on-screen menus render at lower resolution than full-HD apps, which can look slightly soft.

Roku OS and Smart Home Fit

Roku OS remains the easiest platform for anyone who hates menus. The 2026 version adds personalized picks on the Home screen without going as aggressive as Fire TV’s recommendation-first layout. The voice remote works across thousands of apps, and if you’d rather use Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, all three are supported.

The Bluetooth Headphone Mode is genuinely useful for late-night viewing. Pair any Bluetooth headphones and the TV routes audio privately while keeping the speakers off. We tested it with AirPods Pro and a pair of Sony WH-1000XM5s – both paired on the first try.

Picture Quality and Smart Picture

The 1080p panel uses direct LED backlighting with Roku Smart Picture optimization, which adjusts brightness, contrast, and sharpness based on content. In our test pattern viewing, it produced punchier colors than the Insignia F40 but couldn’t match the Samsung F6000’s HDR10+ scene metadata.

One small frustration: the default Vivid picture mode is dimmer than expected out of the box. Switching to Normal or Movie mode solved it. Once tuned, the picture looked solid for the price.

Inputs and Connectivity

Three HDMI ports is competitive at this size, plus one USB 2.0 and one USB 3.0. The remote uses Bluetooth instead of infrared, so you don’t need line-of-sight. VESA 200×300 means slightly fewer compatible wall brackets than the 200×200 standard – check your bracket’s spec sheet before buying.

Who Should Buy This

Buy the Roku Select Series 2026 if you want the snappiest streaming experience, the simplest remote, and Bluetooth headphone support for late-night viewing. Skip it if you watch a lot of HDR content and need scene-by-scene tone mapping – the Samsung F6000 handles that better.

5. Hisense 40-Inch QD4 Fire TV – Best for Casual Gaming With 16ms Input Lag

For casual console gaming at 40 inches, the Hisense QD4 Series punches above its weight. Its 16ms Game Mode is the lowest input lag we measured on any 40-inch TV in this roundup, and the Hi-QLED Quantum Dot panel produces richer colors than the standard LED TVs. We tested with a Nintendo Switch and a PlayStation 5 (downscaled to 1080p), and button presses registered noticeably faster than on the TCL or Insignia.

The catch is Fire TV OS, which is heavier than Roku. If you’re already in the Fire TV ecosystem, that’s a non-issue. If you want maximum streaming simplicity, the Roku or TCL options are lighter.

Hi-QLED Color Performance

Quantum Dot color (Hi-QLED in Hisense branding) produces a wider color gamut than standard LCD. In our side-by-side viewing against the TCL 3-Series, the QD4 rendered more vivid reds and blues, especially in animated content and HDR streams. Full Array LED backlighting helps with brightness uniformity across the panel.

If you watch a lot of sports or animated content, the QD4’s color advantage over plain-LED competitors is real and noticeable.

Game Mode and Input Lag

Game Mode reduces input delay to 16ms – measured with a Bodnar input lag tester. For reference, anything under 20ms is considered excellent for casual console gaming. PS5 and Xbox Series X users won’t get HDMI 2.1 features like VRR or 4K at 120Hz at this size, but for 1080p 60Hz gaming the QD4 is fast and responsive.

Reviewers note that switching back from Game Mode to standard picture modes occasionally takes a second or two longer than expected. Minor, but worth knowing if you toggle modes frequently.

Sound and Connectivity

DTS Virtual:X handles dialogue well, and the TV pairs cleanly with a soundbar via HDMI ARC. Bluetooth 5.0 makes audio sync more reliable than older Bluetooth versions. Three HDMI ports plus USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 give you room for a console, a soundbar, and a streaming stick.

Who Should Buy This

Buy the Hisense QD4 if you want the best gaming performance and richer Quantum Dot colors in a 40-inch TV and you’re already comfortable with Fire TV. Skip it if you want the absolute simplest streaming OS or need Bluetooth headphone support.

6. Amazon Ember 40-Inch 2-Series Fire TV – Best for Alexa+ Smart Homes

The Amazon Ember 40-Inch 2-Series is the newest Fire TV in the lineup and the one Amazon built for Alexa+ households. Wi-Fi 6 keeps streaming fast on crowded networks, the Omnisense sensor wakes the display when you walk into the room, and Amazon Luna cloud gaming is built in. If you’ve bought into the Alexa ecosystem and want a small TV that talks to your smart home, this is the cleanest match.

The downsides are real but limited: only 1080p, weak onboard speakers, and Ambient Mode that goes to sleep faster than you’d expect. If you’re an Alexa household already, none of those are dealbreakers.

Alexa+ and the New Fire TV Experience

The 2026 Fire TV interface is the most modern Amazon has shipped. Content is grouped into curated categories, Alexa+ handles natural voice queries (“Find me a thriller with a strong female lead”), and the home screen feels less cluttered than older Fire TV versions. Reviewers consistently note that app launches feel snappier than on the Insignia F40.

The Alexa Voice Remote Enhanced adds preset app buttons – a small touch that shaves seconds off daily use.

Wi-Fi 6 and Cloud Gaming

Wi-Fi 6 support is unusual at this size and price tier. If your home network is Wi-Fi 6 capable, the Ember 40 takes advantage of cleaner bandwidth and faster handshakes. Amazon Luna cloud gaming is a meaningful add for casual gamers who don’t want to plug in a console.

If Luna isn’t your thing, the TV still works as a normal Fire TV. The catch: Luna requires a Luna subscription and a stable internet connection.

Sound and Smart Home Integration

Onboard speakers are weak – reviewers consistently call this out. Plan on adding a basic soundbar or pairing with an Echo device for fuller audio. On the plus side, Alexa+ ties into Ring doorbells, Echo speakers, and smart home routines more cleanly than any other TV in this roundup.

Who Should Buy This

Buy the Amazon Ember 40 if you’re an Alexa household and want the newest Fire TV experience with Wi-Fi 6. Skip it if you watch a lot of movies on the built-in speakers or want 4K resolution.

7. Hisense 40-Inch QD4SR Roku TV – Best for Free Content

If free ad-supported content drives your viewing, the Hisense 40-Inch QD4SR Roku TV is the standout. Roku OS aggregates 5,000+ free movies and 40,000+ hours of free content, and Hisense pairs it with Quantum Dot color and the same 16ms Game Mode we liked on the QD4. In our testing, the free channel lineup loaded quickly and updated without manual intervention.

This is the pick for cord-cutters who want the cheapest path to legitimate free movies, plus a smart platform that doesn’t lock you into a single ecosystem.

Roku OS and Free Content

Roku’s free content library is the deepest in the industry. The Roku Channel aggregates 5,000+ free movies, plus live news, sports, and Roku Originals. The free content updates monthly, and the Smart Picture feature optimizes picture settings automatically based on what you’re watching.

The Roku Smart Picture system adjusts brightness, contrast, and sharpness on the fly. In dark scenes it brings out shadow detail; in bright content it tones down highlights. Once we let it run for a few hours, we stopped touching the picture menu.

Hi-QLED Picture Quality

Quantum Dot color combined with full Array LED backlighting pushes the QD4SR above most 1080p TVs at this size. In our test patterns, color accuracy out of the box was better than the TCL 3-Series and on par with the QD4 Fire TV. Noise Reduction cleans up grainy video, which helps with low-bitrate free streams.

Game Mode at 16ms input lag is identical to the QD4 Fire TV – if you want gaming performance and Roku’s free content library, this is the better pick.

Sound and Connectivity

Dolby Audio handles built-in speakers, but at higher volumes sound gets fuzzy – reviewers report this consistently. Two HDMI ports is fewer than the QD4 Fire TV, but still adequate for most setups. VESA 100×200 wall mount pattern is common.

Who Should Buy This

Buy the Hisense QD4SR if you watch a lot of free ad-supported content, want Roku’s simple interface, and care about color quality more than absolute brightness. Skip it if you need HDMI 2.1 or more than two HDMI ports.

8. Westinghouse 40-Inch Xumo Smart TV – Most Connections for the Money

The Westinghouse 40-Inch stands out for its connectivity. Three HDMI ports, USB, composite video, Bluetooth 5.1, AirPlay 2, and Dolby Atmos – it’s the most generous port layout we found on a 40-inch TV at this price. If you have legacy devices, soundbars, and Apple gear to plug in, this little Westinghouse handles them all.

The trade-off is the Xumo TV operating system. Reviewers consistently report it’s slower and more cluttered than Roku or Fire TV, and it lacks an app marketplace for downloading additional apps. The TV is also sold in a Roku OS variant – many reviewers recommend choosing that version if available.

Dolby Atmos and Sound

Dolby Atmos support on a TV this small is unusual. The TV itself doesn’t produce true overhead Atmos, but it passes Atmos signals through HDMI ARC or optical to a compatible soundbar. Reviewers report the Atmos pass-through works reliably with major soundbars.

The built-in speakers are 16 watts – bigger than most 40-inch TVs but still no replacement for a dedicated soundbar in a medium-sized room.

Connectivity and AirPlay 2

Three HDMI ports is the most generous in this roundup, plus one USB 2.0, one USB 3.0, one composite video input, and one optical digital audio output. That’s a real edge if you have legacy gear like an older Wii, a DVD player, or a cable box. AirPlay 2 plus DIAL means easy casting from iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Android.

Bluetooth 5.1 gives you stable wireless headphone or speaker pairing – useful if you want to listen at night without disturbing others.

Xumo TV OS – The Catch

Xumo TV is the weakest smart platform in this roundup. The interface feels cluttered, app launches are slow, and there’s no app marketplace to add new services. Live streaming can stutter even on wired Ethernet. If you can find the Roku OS variant of this TV at a similar price, buy that instead.

If you already plan to plug in an Apple TV, Chromecast, or Roku stick, the weak OS becomes less of an issue. The hardware is solid; the smart platform is the weak link.

Who Should Buy This

Buy the Westinghouse 40 if you need three HDMI ports plus composite video for legacy devices and you plan to use an external streaming stick. Skip it if you want a polished built-in smart platform – the Hisense or Roku options are better in that regard.

How We Tested the Best Rated 40 Inch TVs

Our team ran each of these 40-inch TVs through six weeks of real-world testing. Picture quality was evaluated against standard test patterns plus hours of streaming content including 4K HDR movies downscaled to 1080p, animated series, and live sports. Smart platform snappiness was measured by timing app launches and menu navigation. Input lag was measured with a Leo Bodnar input lag tester in Game Mode. Sound was evaluated with built-in speakers at conversational and reference volumes.

Each TV spent at least five days in a bedroom, a dorm-style setup, and a home office to test how it handles wall-mounting, varied lighting, and everyday use. Customer reviews from Amazon and major retailers were cross-referenced to surface long-term reliability issues and platform-specific quirks. We refreshed our rankings in 2026 based on the newest models and current pricing.

Buying Guide: How to Pick the Best Rated 40 Inch TV

Resolution: 1080p vs 4K at 40 Inches

At 40 inches viewed from 4-7 feet away, the difference between 1080p and 4K is much smaller than it is on a 65-inch screen. Every TV on our list is 1080p, which reflects what’s actually available in the 40-inch size class – 4K options are mostly 42-inch OLEDs or 43-inch LED sets from larger manufacturers. If you’re choosing between 40 and 42 inches and care about resolution, a 42-inch OLED is the meaningful step up.

For a strictly 40-inch TV, 1080p delivers a sharp picture at normal viewing distances and saves real money. If you sit closer than 4 feet (using the TV as a monitor replacement, for example), 4K becomes more important.

HDR Formats: HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision

HDR expands the contrast between the brightest and darkest parts of a scene, producing more lifelike images. Three formats matter for 40-inch TVs in 2026: HDR10 (baseline, supported by every TV here), HDR10+ (adds scene-by-scene metadata, found on the Samsung F6000), and Dolby Vision (premium format, mostly absent at 40 inches).

If you watch a lot of HDR streaming content, HDR10+ support on the Samsung F6000 produces a noticeably better image than plain HDR10. Dolby Vision is rare at this size class – if it’s a must-have, you’d need to step up to a 42-inch OLED.

Refresh Rate and Gaming: 60Hz vs 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM

Every 40-inch TV on our list is 60Hz. That’s fine for streaming, casual gaming, and most sports content. HDMI 2.1 features like 120Hz, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) are rare at 40 inches – they’re mostly reserved for 55-inch and larger premium TVs.

For PS5 or Xbox Series X gamers, 1080p at 60Hz is supported by all of these TVs. Input lag is the more meaningful metric. The Hisense QD4 and QD4SR hit 16ms in Game Mode – excellent for this size class. Most others sit between 20-30ms, which is fine for casual gaming but noticeable in fast-paced competitive titles.

Smart TV Platforms Compared: Fire TV vs Roku vs Google TV vs Tizen vs Xumo

Smart platforms matter more than most buyers expect. They affect app selection, voice control, update longevity, and how quickly apps load. Here’s how the five platforms on our list stack up in 2026:

Roku OS is the simplest, with the cleanest interface and best app selection. Fire TV is content-forward and best for Alexa households. Tizen (Samsung) is feature-rich but slower and tied to a Samsung account. Google TV is missing from our roundup but is the best choice for Android households. Xumo TV is the weakest – laggy, cluttered, and missing an app marketplace.

Smart platform update longevity matters too. Roku and Samsung have the strongest track record of multi-year software updates. Fire TV updates regularly but its interface has grown more cluttered over time. Xumo updates are less consistent.

Soundbar Pairing for 40-Inch TVs

Built-in speakers on 40-inch TVs are universally weak. Even the best-sounding TV on our list – the Samsung F6000 with Object Tracking Sound Lite – benefits from a soundbar. For 40-inch TVs, a compact 2.1 or basic Dolby Atmos soundbar is the right match. The Samsung F6000’s Q-Symphony feature pairs with compatible Samsung soundbars for fuller sound. The Westinghouse’s Dolby Atmos pass-through works with Atmos-capable soundbars.

If you’re planning a soundbar later, look for a TV with HDMI ARC or eARC support. Every TV on our list has HDMI ARC.

Wall-Mount and VESA Patterns

40-inch TVs use one of three VESA patterns: 100×100, 200×100, 200×200, or 200×300. The TCL 3-Series uses 100×100. The Insignia F40, Samsung F6000, and Roku Select Series use 200×200 or 200×300. The Hisense and Westinghouse models use 100×200 or 200×100. Before buying a wall mount, verify the VESA pattern on your chosen TV matches the bracket.

40-inch TVs typically weigh 10-16 lbs, which is well within the capacity of any standard small-TV wall bracket. Single-person wall-mounting is realistic for most models on our list.

Using a 40-Inch TV as a PC Monitor

40-inch TVs work as PC monitors if input lag is low enough. The Hisense QD4 and QD4SR at 16ms are the best on our list for monitor use. Others sit in the 20-30ms range – usable for everyday work but noticeable for fast-paced gaming.

One warning for OLED monitor use (relevant if you step up to a 42-inch OLED like the LG C5/C6): burn-in risk from static UI elements like taskbars and browser chrome. LCD TVs at 40 inches don’t have this risk.

Are 40 Inch TVs Being Phased Out?

Short answer: no, but the category is shrinking. Manufacturers are pushing 42-inch, 43-inch, and larger sizes because panel cutting is more efficient at those dimensions. 40-inch TVs are still readily available – every TV on our list is currently shipping – but the selection is narrower than it was five years ago.

If you’re shopping today, 40-inch remains a smart size for small rooms. If you want the absolute best picture quality in this footprint and don’t mind going one size up, 42-inch OLEDs (LG C5, LG C6) and 43-inch LED sets (Samsung 43QN90F, Sony Bravia 3) are worth considering. Our picks stay strict to the 40-inch size class so you’re comparing like for like.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which Best Rated 40 Inch TV Should You Buy in 2026?

If you want the safest overall pick, choose the TCL 40-Inch 3-Series Roku TV. The 4.6-star rating across 1,900+ reviews, three HDMI ports, and Roku’s simple interface make it the best rated 40 inch TV for most bedrooms, dorms, and home offices.

If HDR processing matters more than price, choose the Samsung F6000 with HDR10+ and Q-Symphony. If you’re buying the cheapest 40-inch smart TV that still has a real platform, choose the Insignia F40 Fire TV. If you want the snappiest streaming experience, choose the Roku Select Series 2026. If you’re a casual console gamer, choose the Hisense QD4 for its 16ms Game Mode. If your household runs on Alexa, choose the Amazon Ember 40-Inch 2-Series. If free content drives your viewing, choose the Hisense QD4SR Roku TV. If you need three HDMI ports plus legacy composite video, choose the Westinghouse 40-Inch.

Whichever 40-inch TV you pick from this list, you’re getting a tested model with verified customer feedback. If you’re also shopping for larger TVs for a living room or want to compare to Samsung’s 50-inch lineup, those guides cover the bigger sizes in detail.

For more on compact TVs, see our roundup of the best 32-inch smart TVs for even tighter spaces, or revisit the cheapest 40-inch TVs under $200 if budget is the top priority.