There are plenty of ways to shop for TVs these days, whether you're browsing the shelves at a local retailer or absentmindedly clicking on the Black Friday TV deal in your Google news feed. But if you watch a supermarket TV this Black Friday or Cyber Monday, is this really the way to go?
In the past two decades, traditional supermarkets have significantly expanded their product lines from grocery stores to clothing lines, kitchen sets, 4K Blu-ray Discs, video games, and even electronics like new TVs.
You won't get every new TV in your local supermarket because there are only specific types of TV brands that tend to offer their products in this environment. People tend to have a specific budget in mind when they come in with their shopping list, and there's a limit to what they'll spend there, whereas high-end TVs, whether it's QLED, LCD, or the best OLED TVs tend to be available. in specialty stores, who know the ins and outs of the devices they sell.
So what supermarket TV can you buy, where should you buy them and is it a smart purchase for your home?
Supermarket televisions: what and where?
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What supermarkets have televisions available? Various low-cost TV manufacturers tend to target these retailers, such as Walmart and Target (in the US) or Asda, Tesco and Aldi (in the UK).
These television brands include brands such as Polaroid, Onn, RCA, Spectrum, JVC, Logik or Blaupunkt.
You'll see names like Samsung or Panasonic in our Walmart TV deals guide, but their lineup tends to represent a price premium for the size of the TV, format support, and panel technologies deployed in the market. #39; together.
What are supermarket televisions like?
(Image credit: Scepter)
Outfits in this category generally meet the following three criteria: they are affordable, small, and involve a commitment.
Why cheap? Supermarket TVs need to be relevant to the income segment of these POS shoppers, and even if you can exchange a four-digit amount with your credit card at your local Walmart/Tesco, the most effective segmentation strategy for local merchants. TV manufacturers are selling TVs as seamlessly as possible with the other purchases you make at the store. That means a fairly cheap TV to make it feel right at home on your purchase receipt.
Why small? The TVs you can look for or install in your shopping cart are the easiest to stock in supermarkets, and the easiest to install in your car or on your commute (although a bike cart can push it around a bit).
Why a compromise? Supermarket TVs tend to look for the value proposition, meaning you have low-cost TVs with basic features (HD resolution, limited format support, and limited Smart TV interfaces) or TV offerings with more premium factors at a lower cost. (4K resolution and HDR support).
There are exceptions to all three points: there are certainly larger sets, higher cost options, and sets that offer fantastic performance for the cost. But it's usually where things happen.
So should you buy a supermarket TV?
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Whether you buy a supermarket TV or not will depend on your priorities. If your budget is limited and you can't afford a TV around £500 / £500 / AU$800, a supermarket TV is definitely a cost-effective way to install a screen in your home. However, keep in mind that TVs of this type equipped with advanced technologies, such as Ultra HD, extended dynamic range or Dolby Vision support, will only provide a limited version.
The display quality of high and low resolution content varies considerably between 4K TVs. This is because the internal specifications of the TV and the quality of its image processing are essential to maintaining a picture-rich, smooth and detailed picture.
You get what you pay for, and those who bring home a business TV shouldn't be surprised if they experience visual issues like shaky frame rates, blooming light sources, and color contrast. unnatural. It depends on how important you are to these factors, but if you only use a television with limited capacity, or if you don't want to buy a quality picture, a television in a supermarket can be useful. judicious of your money.
Just make sure you get a warranty on the set, in case the budget-limited material gives way before you use it decently.
Some supermarket TVs to consider (US and UK)
Medion 4-inch 55K Smart TV | €359 | Aldi
Medion is a manufacturer of low-cost electronics, and its TVs stock at Aldi for a great price, considering everything you get: 4K resolution, 55-inch screen, Freeview Play catch-up services, and Dolby Vision.
JVC 40-inch Fire TV Edition 4K TV | €329 | Curries
Here's an example of a really cheap 4K package, with a 4K Ultra HD panel and Amazon's slick, app-rich Fire TV interface for access to all your favorite streaming interfaces. You'll also get Dolby Vision and HLG compatible formats.
Other TV buying tips for Black Friday