There’s lots of intimidating jargon and acronyms involved when buying TVs, but we would prioritise only a few key specs and features when shopping for a new set. These are the most essential ones.
Display resolution
You typically won’t see highresolution 4K quality (3840 x 2160 pixels) when you’re shopping for a small set. Instead, 32inch TVs are usually either 720p (HD Ready) or 1080p (Full HD), with the second option giving you the best picture and detail.
If possible, we recommend going for Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels). Of course, a 720p resolution will look fine if you’re watching from between 1.8 and three metres away, so it can be suitable for many kitchens and bedrooms.
Display technology
This is where you start to see a lot of confusing acronyms. LED (Light Emitting Diode) is more affordable and prevalent among smaller and cheaper TVs, while QLED (Quantumdot Light Emitting Diode) builds on that technology with richer colours, increased vibrancy and higher brightness.
You may want to think about the gaming features in a smaller TV, too. These won’t be as typical as they are in flagship sets, like OLED models, but it’s still worth looking for a low input lag and a high refresh rate as features that gamers will appreciate. It’s worth saying that you won’t find Mini LED or OLED screens listed when shopping for budget or smaller TVs, as these more premium technologies are only found in pricier panels, for now.
HDR (High Dynamic Range)
Look for “High Dynamic Range” for the best contrast between the light and dark areas in an image. There are multiple high dynamic range formats that you’ll see for videos on streaming services (such as HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision or HLG) – it’s worth noting which ones show up on your favourite platforms like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.
If your new television supports the relevant type used by your preferred streaming service, it will be able to display high dynamic range videos. With HDR support, you should be able to see increased detail in the darkest and brightest parts of your image.
Audio
Smaller TVs mean smaller speakers. If you’re buying a new set to watch TV dramas and films, it’s worth investing in a decent soundbar. The default sound quality out of the box won’t be stunning at this screen size, although it’s passable for general daytime TV viewing if it’s mounted on a kitchen wall, for example.
It’s worth checking that you’ll be able to pair your soundbar or speaker via Bluetooth, too. Just note, Bluetooth can introduce a little lag between the sound and what’s happening onscreen.
Voice control
Voice assistants let you control the search, navigation and functions of your TV handsfree. The two most common are Alexa and Google Assistant, but Samsung usually has its own “Bixby” helper, too. It’s worth checking, as you may need to press a button on the remote control before you can use an assistant.
Mounting
TVs come with a stand or feet that prop them up, but most also let you mount them to a wall using a bracket. You’ll see this called VESA, with popular sizes on 32inch sets being 200 x 200mm and 100 x 100mm (horizontal x vertical).
You can find the size by measuring the gaps between four prebuilt screw holes on the back of your set in millimetres. Always doublecheck to make sure the bracket can hold the weight of your TV.
HDMI ports
Connecting a streaming device or gaming console like a Nintendo Switch? You’ll be using the HDMI ports on the back or side of the TV. Unfortunately, smaller sets are more limited in the amount you get (usually only two, but potentially three), so you should consider what you want to connect and plan accordingly.
If you’re connecting a nextgeneration gaming console (such as a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X or S), be aware that you won’t get the top resolution or refresh rates. On sets not designed for gaming, it’ll be automatically downgraded to a slower 60Hz refresh rate.
