LG LR65 32LR655BPUA 32"

LG stuffed its excellent webOS smarts into a tiny HD package that costs next to nothing. The 1366x768 resolution is the elephant in the room, but if you need a 32-inch screen for a secondary spot, it's hard to beat at under $100. Just don't expect HDR that wows or audio that fills a room.

The LG LR65 32LR655BPUA is a tiny 32-inch HD smart TV that knows exactly what it is: a secondary screen for a kitchen, dorm, or bedroom where you just need something that works. Its 1366x768 resolution sounds ancient in 2024, but LG pairs it with the same webOS 23 platform you'd find on their pricier sets, so streaming apps fly and the interface feels genuinely snappy. We ran it through our benchmarks and came away impressed by the brains, even if the panel leaves a lot to be desired.

It's not trying to be a home theater centerpiece. At this size, you won't notice the lack of 4K unless you're sitting way too close. The build is light, VESA mounting is straightforward, and with AirPlay 2 and Alexa support baked in, it slots into an existing smart home without drama. If you've been hunting for a cheap screen that doesn't make you fight the remote every time you switch apps, this LG punches above its weight.

Our benchmarks paint a pretty clear picture. The smart platform sits in the 88th percentile, which is stellar for a budget set, webOS 23 is fluid and well-organized, launching Netflix or Disney+ faster than plenty of midrange competitors. Connectivity is solid at 64th, but picture quality lands at 36th, the HD panel holds it back when streaming HDR10 content, you get the format but none of the contrast pop you'd hope for. Gaming is middle-of-the-pack (48th) with a 60Hz refresh and Game Mode, fine for casual stuff but no VRR or 120Hz support. Audio drops to 42nd, the 10W two-channel speakers are thin and tinny, plan on a soundbar if you value dialogue clarity. The display itself limps into the 1st percentile, which is no surprise, it's 1366x768 in a world of 4K.

We tracked prices from $96 to $248 across vendors, and Newegg was the place to look if you want the lowest sticker price. At under a hundred bucks, this thing is a steal for a kitchen counter or guest room. Even at the higher end, it's still cheap, but at $200+ you start inching toward entry-level 4K TCL or Hisense sets that outclass it in picture quality. For what it is, a grab-and-go smart display that won't annoy you with sluggish menus, it's a value champ if you grab it on sale.

Stack it against a TCL QM7K 55-inch, and the resolution gap is laughable, but that's a full-size 4K living room TV. The Samsung QN32Q8F is a more direct rival at 32 inches, but that one packs a QLED 4K panel and costs significantly more, making the LG's webOS pace the only real tiebreaker. Roku's Select Series 65R4C5 and the Hisense QD7 offer 4K at similar prices if you step up in size, but they can't match LG's software polish. The Insignia QF Series NS-55UQFL26 is another budget 4K contender, but also bigger. If your space demands 32 inches, this LG's only real drawback is that it's locked to HD while the world moves on.

If you need a main living room TV with real 4K resolution, HDR that actually pops, or any future-proof gaming features, look elsewhere. The HD panel is a dealbreaker for modern content, and competitors like the TCL QM7K or Hisense QD7 offer 4K at not much more money in a slightly larger size.

This is not a primary TV for anyone who cares about picture quality. It's a bedside screen, a kitchen companion, or a no-fuss display for a Peloton setup. Buy it for webOS, not for the panel. It fits where a 43-inch 4K TV would feel ridiculous, and it streams like a much more expensive set.