Why do people keep buying these cheap VA TVs?

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Wherever you prefer to shop for electronics, you’re almost guaranteed to find a wide range of cheap TVs. Brands like Hisense and TCL make some of the best cheap TVs on the market, and many use vertical alignment (VA) panels. VA displays are used on some of the most basic entry-level LCD TVs, but you can also find them on higher-end models that advertise picture specifications such as Mini LED lighting. Unfortunately, VA displays are more susceptible to a number of image issues that are not as prevalent on IPS (In-Plane Switching) displays, the other main type of LCD display.

Washed out colors, low brightness, and ghosting are just some of the complaints you’ll hear about cheap TVs with VA displays. And “cheap” is the main reason people keep buying these lackluster VA sets. For years, most TV manufacturers have operated on the principle of “getting what you pay for,” reserving the most advanced picture technology for mid-range and high-end TVs. But when you’re looking for a big-screen model, flagship features often translate into exorbitant prices. However, the same cannot be said for cheap VA displays.

Even at the low end, VA panels have a few of their own advantages over IPS displays. It’s also much harder to see these tradeoffs when you’re looking at a huge wall of large TVs that are all set to maximum brightness and displaying pixel-perfect 4K demo loops. Ultimately, even a cheap VA TV is still a TV, and the drawbacks aren’t enough to stop many buyers from enjoying the screen as it is.

The reality is that picture quality isn’t as important to some viewers as it is to others. If you just want the biggest screen your living room can accommodate and don’t want to spend a ton of money, a 75-inch VA model that only costs $500 will likely be more appealing than a $1,200 55-inch set with better brightness, color accuracy, and better motion handling. Plus, you’ll have a hard time seeing spots or other picture abnormalities until you get your brand new TV set up at home.

Traditionally, VA panels are actually a bit better than IPS displays when it comes to black levels and overall contrast. If you’re looking for an inexpensive gaming TV intended for installation in a basement or sun-deprived bedroom, an inexpensive VA display may be sufficient. If you’re a competitive gamer who constantly plays online, you’ll definitely notice the slower pixel transitions of a VA display, especially when quickly switching from bright to dark scenes. This is what causes the smudging, and there’s not much you can do about it.

It is also worth mentioning that manufacturers and retailers are more likely to promote a large screen TV at a low price. Often you’ll find these sets stacked side by side in the store, perhaps alongside inexpensive accessories like HDMI cables and surge protectors. You may not even need to go to the TV section of the store, as many of these bargain displays are placed near the entrance, especially during seasonal events (e.g. Black Friday, Father’s Day, etc.).

Let’s be very clear: there’s nothing wrong with buying a big TV primarily because it’s cheap. It’s just helpful to know what kinds of drawbacks you can expect to encounter on an entry-level model with a VA display. But it’s not necessarily the VA panel’s fault if your image doesn’t look good; some of the best TVs money can buy use VA technology. It’s more likely that poor quality comes from poor lighting, poor image processing, or anti-glare technology.

Luckily, you’re not completely left out if you own a cheap VA TV or are considering purchasing one. If you’re buying a TV for a bright room, you can try moving lamps and other fixtures to reduce glare while attenuating sunlight with blackout curtains. You can also try tuning your TV to a brighter picture or increasing the backlight level. You should also do your best to sit in the center of the screen, as cheap VA panels tend to lose fidelity when viewed at an angle.

Buying a cheap TV with an IPS screen may not be much better, especially if you like to watch movies and play video games in a dark room. IPS displays don’t fare as well in terms of overall contrast, which could result in blacks closer to gray. In this case, VA panels may actually be preferred, providing another reason why people will buy these cheaper displays.