Small TVs at Walmart: Why You Shouldn't Just Grab the Cheapest One

You’re standing in the electronics aisle at Walmart. It’s bright, loud, and smells vaguely of floor wax and popcorn. You just need something small. Maybe for the kitchen so you can watch the news while flipping pancakes, or perhaps for the guest room where your nephew crashes over the holidays. You see a row of 24-inch and 32-inch screens. Some are $88. Others are $150. They all look basically the same under those harsh fluorescent lights, right?

Actually, no.

📖 Related: Moses-Saunders Power Dam: What Most People Get Wrong

Buying small TVs at Walmart is a bit of a minefield because the "value" brand landscape has shifted massively over the last couple of years. It used to be that you just looked for the Samsung or LG logo and called it a day. Now? You’ve got Onn, Vizio, Hisense, and TCL all fighting for that tiny slice of your counter space. If you pick the wrong one, you’re stuck with a sluggish interface that takes ten seconds just to open Netflix. That’s a dealbreaker.

The 720p Trap vs. 1080p Reality

Here is the thing most people miss: Resolution matters way more on a small screen than marketers want to admit.

Most 32-inch small TVs at Walmart are still 720p. In 2026, that’s almost offensive. While a 720p resolution is technically "High Definition," it’s the bare minimum. If you’re sitting three feet away from the screen—which is common in a small office or kitchen setup—you’re going to see the pixels. It looks fuzzy. It looks cheap.

If you can find a 1080p (Full HD) model, grab it. Vizio and TCL often sneak 1080p versions into the 32-inch category for just twenty bucks more than the base models. That extra $20 buys you significantly sharper text and better clarity for sports.

Walmart’s In-House Secret: Is Onn Actually Any Good?

Onn is Walmart’s private label. It’s their equivalent of Great Value peanut butter, but for electronics. For a long time, tech nerds laughed at Onn. They were slow, the speakers sounded like they were inside a tin can, and the backlight was uneven.

But things changed.

Walmart started partnering heavily with Roku. Now, most Onn small TVs at Walmart run the Roku OS. This is a game-changer because Roku is arguably the easiest smart TV platform to use. It doesn't lag nearly as much as the proprietary software found on other budget brands. If you're buying a TV for an elderly parent or someone who "hates technology," an Onn Roku TV is honestly a solid bet. Just don't expect the "deep blacks" or "vibrant HDR" that the boxes promise. Those are mostly marketing buzzwords at this price point. The contrast ratio on an $80 TV is never going to be spectacular.

Why the OS is More Important Than the Screen

When you’re buying a 24-inch or 32-inch TV, the "smarts" inside are what will make you love or hate the purchase.

1. Roku TV: Found in Onn and some TCL models. It’s clean. It has a great app. It’s predictable.
2. Google TV: Found in newer Hisense models. It’s great for recommendations but can be "heavy." On a cheap processor, Google TV can feel stuttery.
3. Vizio SmartCast: It has improved, but it’s still very ad-heavy.

If the TV takes five minutes to "warm up" before you can launch YouTube, you've wasted your money. Always check the box for the processor info, though Walmart rarely lists it. A good rule of thumb? If the box says "Quad-core," you’re usually in the clear.

The Sound Quality Dilemma

Let’s be real: Small TVs sound terrible.

Physics is the enemy here. To make a TV thin and small, you have to use tiny speakers. These speakers usually face downward or backward. If you put your new TV inside a wooden cabinet or right against a kitchen backsplash, the sound is going to bounce around and sound muffled.

I've noticed a lot of people buying small TVs at Walmart and then complaining they can't hear the dialogue. It's not your ears; it's the 5-watt speakers. If you’re setting this up in a bedroom, consider a cheap $50 soundbar or even a pair of computer speakers plugged into the headphone jack. Yes, even the most basic external speakers will outperform the built-in ones.

Connections: Check the Back Before You Buy

Don’t assume every TV has the ports you need.

I recently helped a friend set up a "small TV" in their hobby room. They wanted to hook up an old Nintendo Wii and a modern Roku stick. We got to the house and realized the TV only had one HDMI port and zero RCA (yellow/white/red) inputs.

Walmart's ultra-budget models often cut costs by stripping away ports.

• Look for at least two HDMI ports.
• Ensure there is a USB port if you want to power a streaming stick directly from the TV.
• Check for an Optical Out or 3.5mm Headphone Jack if you plan on using external speakers.

Better Alternatives for Tight Spaces

Sometimes, a TV isn't actually what you need.

If you're looking at small TVs at Walmart to use as a secondary monitor or a dedicated desk screen, you might be better off buying a computer monitor. Most 24-inch or 27-inch monitors now come with built-in speakers and HDMI ports. The advantage? Monitors usually have much higher pixel density and better viewing angles.

The downside is that monitors don't come with a remote or a built-in tuner for over-the-air channels. But if you’re just streaming Twitch or Netflix from a laptop anyway, the monitor will give you a way better visual experience for roughly the same price.

✨ Don't miss: Why the HP ProBook 11 G2 is Still the Best Cheap Laptop for Kids Who Break Everything

Real-World Reliability and the Warranty Question

We need to talk about longevity.

A $90 TV is not a "buy it for life" item. The capacitors are cheaper, the soldering is hit-or-miss, and the LED backlights tend to burn out faster than they do on a $1,000 Sony. If this is a primary TV, Walmart’s Protection Plan (usually through Allstate/SquareTrade) is actually one of the few retail warranties that isn't a total scam. For about $10-$15, they’ll cover you for three years. If the screen starts flickering in month 14, you get your money back.

How to Get the Best Price at Walmart

Walmart’s pricing is dynamic. The price you see on the shelf isn't always the "real" price.

• The "Rollback" cycle: Most small TVs at Walmart go on rollback every 6-8 weeks. If a 32-inch TCL is $148 today, it was likely $128 last week and will be again soon.
• The Refurbished Section: If you shop on Walmart.com rather than in-store, look for "Restored" models. These are often units that were returned because the box was dented, but the TV is perfect. You can save 30% or more.
• Open-Box in-store: Talk to the associate in the electronics department. Sometimes they have a display model or a return tucked behind the counter that hasn't been marked down yet.

Making the Final Choice

If you want the best overall experience, look for a TCL 3-Series or 4-Series. They hit the sweet spot of price and performance. If you are on a strict sub-$100 budget, the Onn 32-inch Class HD Smart TV with Roku is the safest bet because the software won't drive you crazy.

Avoid the "no-name" brands that appear during Black Friday or seasonal sales unless you literally just need a screen to display a menu or a security camera feed. If you're actually watching movies, the lack of color accuracy will eventually bug you.

Actionable Next Steps for Your Purchase

1. Measure your space twice. A 32-inch TV is actually about 28 inches wide. Make sure it fits between your cabinets or on your desk.
2. Download the Walmart App. Use the scanner tool in-store to check if the "online price" is cheaper. They will often price-match their own website at the register.
3. Check the VESA pattern. If you plan to wall-mount your small TV, make sure it has the holes on the back. Some ultra-thin budget models actually lack mount points.
4. Pick up an HDMI cable. Most small TVs do not come with one in the box, and you’ll need it for your cable box or gaming console.
5. Test it immediately. Small TVs are prone to "dead pixels." Turn it on, put on a bright white screen, and make sure there are no tiny black dots. If there are, take it back within the 30-day window.

Buying a small television shouldn't be a headache. Just remember that at this size, the software and the ports matter just as much as the picture. Pick the right platform, avoid the 720p traps where possible, and don't expect the world from those tiny speakers. Do that, and you'll end up with a great little screen that does exactly what you need it to do.