Home Tech Land is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Last updated: . How we research: We compare manufacturer specs with published lab measurements and owner reports; we don’t test products in person. Learn more about Home Tech Land.
The best Black Friday TV deals under $500 in 2026 are on 55-inch Mini light-emitting diode (Mini LED) TVs from TCL and Hisense, which now cost about what basic 4K TVs did two years ago. Black Friday lands on November 27, 2026, but early sales already run at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. This guide picks five models that deserve your money, explains which “deals” to skip, and uses real 2026 sale prices as a benchmark so you know a good price when you see one.
Quick verdict: The TCL QM6K is the best Black Friday TV under $500 for most people, with Mini LED local dimming, a native 144Hz panel, and Dolby Vision in a 55-inch size that has sold for $399.99. The Hisense U6 suits gamers, the TCL QM7K is the brightest pick near $500, the Samsung M70H suits Samsung fans who accept a basic picture, and the Hisense QD5 covers tight budgets. Check the TCL QM6K price on Amazon.
Key takeaways
- Best overall: The TCL QM6K offers quantum dot Mini LED with local dimming and a native 144Hz panel, and its 55-inch model has sold for $399.99 to $449.99.
- Best for gaming: The 2026 Hisense U6 (55U6SF) has a 144Hz panel and two High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 2.1 ports, and Best Buy sold the 55-inch for $429.99 in July 2026.
- Watch out: The Samsung M70H says Mini LED on the box, but RTINGS found no local dimming, and it runs at 60Hz.
- Timing: Black Friday is November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday is November 30; Walmart’s main event runs November 23 to 29. Prices change often.
Best Black Friday TVs under $500 at a glance
Compare similar TVs under $500 on Amazon
Amazon is our main affiliate partner, and it carries most of these TVs, so you can check Black Friday prices in one place. The Hisense U6 (2026) has been a Best Buy exclusive, so its Amazon link shows similar Hisense Mini LED models.
| TV (55-inch) | Backlight | Native refresh rate | HDMI 2.1 ports | Recent sale price | Best for | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TCL QM6K (2025) | Quantum dot Mini LED with local dimming | 144Hz | 2 | $399.99 to $449.99 | Best overall | Check price |
| Hisense U6 (2026, 55U6SF) | Mini LED quantum dot LED (QLED) | 144Hz | 2 | $429.99 | Gaming | Check price |
| TCL QM7K (2025) | Quantum dot Mini LED, full array local dimming | 144Hz | 2 | About $500 | Bright rooms | Check price |
| Samsung M70H (2026) | “Mini LED” label, no local dimming | 60Hz | 0 | $299.99 | Samsung fans | Check price |
| Hisense QD5 (2026, QD5SR) | QLED, full array, 280 nits | 60Hz | 0 | $199.99 | Tight budgets | Check price |
Specs come from manufacturer and retailer listings, RTINGS, and our own Hisense QD5 review. Sale prices come from the deal reports linked below; Black Friday prices may go lower.
When Black Friday 2026 TV deals start
Black Friday falls on Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday on November 30. Retailers no longer wait for the day itself. According to Retail Dive, Walmart runs early Black Friday deals from November 12 to 15, its main Black Friday event from November 23 to 29, and Cyber Monday deals from November 30 to December 2. Amazon and Best Buy often match competing TV prices, so you rarely need to camp on a single store.
Our advice: set a target price for the model you want using the sale prices in this guide, and buy when a retailer hits it. TVs under $500 often reach their Black Friday price in mid November and stay there through Cyber Monday.
How we chose these TVs
We don’t test TVs in person. We compared lab results from RTINGS and Tom’s Guide, manufacturer specs, and 2025 and 2026 sale prices, and we kept only 55-inch models that have sold for $500 or less. We favored TVs with real local dimming, since it matters more for picture quality than any other feature at this price. Our local dimming explainer shows why. For more size options, see our best 55-inch TVs under $500 and best 65-inch TVs under $500 guides.
The best Black Friday TV deals under $500
1. TCL QM6K: Best Black Friday TV under $500 overall
The QM6K remains the TV most reviewers recommend at this price. It combines a quantum dot Mini LED backlight with local dimming, so dark scenes look deeper and highlights look brighter than on basic LED TVs. It runs at a native 144 hertz (Hz), supports Dolby Vision IQ, high dynamic range 10+ (HDR10+), and variable refresh rate (VRR), and uses Google TV. Two of its HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1, enough for one console and one soundbar.
TCL carried the QM6K into its 2026 lineup, so it’s still easy to find. The 55-inch sold for $399.99 at Best Buy and Amazon in a 2025 Slickdeals post, and Tom’s Guide listed it at $497 in its early Black Friday picks last year. The 65-inch sold for about $530 in June 2026, according to Slickdeals. Treat $400 or less for the 55-inch as a strong Black Friday price. Our TCL vs. Hisense comparison explains how it stacks up against Hisense’s lineup. See the TCL QM6K on Amazon.
2. Hisense U6 (2026): Best for gaming under $500
The 2026 Hisense U6 (model 55U6SF) is a Mini LED quantum dot TV with a native 144Hz panel, AMD FreeSync Premium, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos. It has two HDMI 2.1 ports plus one HDMI 2.0 port, and it runs Fire TV with Alexa. That makes it a strong match for a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X at 4K and 120 frames per second (fps).
Best Buy has sold the 2026 U6 as an exclusive. It dropped the 55-inch to $429.99 from a $750 list price in July 2026, according to Slickdeals. Watch for a Black Friday price at or below that. Gamers should also read our best TV for GTA 6 guide, since Grand Theft Auto VI arrives November 19. See Hisense U6 models on Amazon.
3. TCL QM7K: Brightest TV at about $500
The QM7K sits one step above the QM6K. TCL rates it at up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, and it uses a full array local dimming Mini LED backlight with a native 144Hz panel, two HDMI 2.1 ports, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+. It suits bright living rooms where a dimmer TV washes out.
The 55-inch QM7K sold for $498 at Amazon and Walmart and $499.99 at Best Buy in June 2026, down from $650, according to Slickdeals. Its 2026 successor, the QM7L, still costs about $799.99 for the 55-inch, so the QM7K is the better deal if you find it at $500 or less. See the TCL QM7K on Amazon.
4. Samsung M70H: Cheapest new Samsung, with caveats
Samsung’s 2026 M70H is the cheapest TV in its new “Mini LED” lineup. It launched at $349.99 for the 43-inch, $449.99 for the 55-inch, and $529.99 for the 65-inch, according to TechRadar, and the 55-inch fell to $299.99 at Amazon in September 2026, according to Slickdeals.
Read the fine print before you buy. RTINGS found that the M70H has no local dimming, and it uses a 60Hz panel without HDMI 2.1. TCL sued Samsung in 2026, alleging that its M Series TVs don’t deliver real Mini LED technology; Samsung said it will defend the claims, according to Tom’s Guide. The M70H still offers Samsung’s Tizen interface, HDR10+, and low input lag, so it works for casual viewing. For gaming or movie nights, the TCL and Hisense picks above look better for similar money. See the Samsung M70H on Amazon.
5. Hisense QD5 (2026): Best for tight budgets
The 2026 Hisense QD5 (QD5SR) is a simple quantum dot TV with the Roku TV platform, a full array backlight rated at 280 nits, a 60Hz panel, and three HDMI 2.0 ports. Best Buy dropped the 55-inch to $199.99 in October 2026, as our Hisense QD5 review notes. It lacks local dimming and won’t impress with HDR, but it gives you a 4K screen, good color, and an easy interface for very little money. Our smart TV vs. Roku TV guide explains the platform. See the Hisense QD5 on Amazon.
Black Friday TV deals to skip
- Doorbuster brands you don’t know: Very cheap 65- and 75-inch TVs often use dim 60Hz panels with poor contrast. A good 55-inch beats a bad 65-inch.
- “Mini LED” without local dimming: Check reviews for real dimming zones. The label alone doesn’t guarantee better contrast.
- “120Hz” claims on 60Hz TVs: Features like Motion Rate or Dual Line Gate (DLG) 120Hz don’t equal a native 120Hz panel. Our 60Hz vs. 120Hz guide explains the difference.
- Derivative model numbers: Black Friday versions sometimes carry a slightly different model number with fewer features. Compare spec sheets before you buy.
How to choose a TV under $500
- Local dimming first: It improves contrast more than resolution, refresh rate, or brand.
- Native 120Hz or 144Hz for gaming: Pair it with HDMI 2.1 if you own a PS5 or Xbox Series X.
- Platform you like: Google TV (TCL), Fire TV (Hisense U6), Tizen (Samsung), and Roku (Hisense QD5) all carry the major apps.
- Budget for sound: Thin TVs have weak speakers. A budget soundbar adds clearer dialogue for under $150.
Frequently asked questions
When is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday, November 27, and Cyber Monday follows on November 30. Many retailers start earlier: Walmart runs early deals from November 12 to 15 and its main Black Friday event from November 23 to 29, according to Retail Dive.
What is the best TV under $500 for Black Friday 2026?
The TCL QM6K is the best TV under $500 for most buyers this Black Friday. It pairs a quantum dot Mini LED backlight with local dimming, a native 144Hz panel, and Dolby Vision, and its 55-inch model has already sold for $399.99 in past sales.
Is the Samsung M70H a real Mini LED TV?
The Samsung M70H carries a Mini LED label, but it lacks the local dimming that makes Mini LED TVs look better. Samsung’s own spec sheet calls its dimming software based rather than full array, RTINGS found no local dimming, and TCL sued Samsung in 2026 over the label.
Should I buy a TV now or wait for Black Friday?
You can buy a TV now if it already sits at or near its lowest recorded price. Retailers started early Black Friday sales in early November, and many TVs drop to their holiday prices well before November 27, so compare the current price with past sale prices before you buy.
Final verdict
The TCL QM6K is the best Black Friday TV deal under $500 in 2026, thanks to Mini LED local dimming, a native 144Hz panel, and a 55-inch price that has hit $399.99. Choose the Hisense U6 for gaming, the TCL QM7K for bright rooms, the Samsung M70H only if you want Samsung’s interface and accept a basic picture, and the Hisense QD5 if you need to stay near $200. Check the TCL QM6K price on Amazon, or browse more 55-inch Mini LED TVs on Amazon.