Sony BRAVIA 3 43" Class LED 42.5" 2024 Review

This 43-inch Sony scores in the 98th percentile for smart features and 96th for both picture and audio. It's arguably the best-sounding, smartest small TV you can buy for around $500. But its 60Hz panel and compact size make it a specialist, not an all-rounder.

The Sony BRAVIA 3 is a 43-inch 4K LED TV that punches way above its weight class in a few key areas. It lands in the 98th percentile for smart features and the 96th for both picture and audio quality in our database. That means for around $500, you're getting a TV that's smarter and sounds better than nearly everything else out there. It's a small screen powerhouse for streaming and smart home integration, but it's not built for gamers or as a primary living room centerpiece. Think of it as a premium secondary TV for a bedroom, office, or kitchen where you want great streaming and sound without a massive footprint.

Let's talk about where this TV shines. Its 4K HDR Processor X1 and Triluminos Pro color tech deliver a picture that sits in the 96th percentile. That's impressive for a direct-lit LED panel. You get 448 nits of brightness and support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, so HDR content looks vibrant and detailed. The audio is the real surprise, also hitting the 96th percentile with Dolby Atmos support built-in. You might not even need a soundbar for casual viewing. The smart platform is Google TV, which is why it scores in the 98th percentile for smart features. It's fast, has every app you need, and integrates seamlessly with Google Assistant and Apple AirPlay 2. The weak spot? Gaming. At 60Hz and with HDMI 2.1 features likely limited, it's only in the 78th percentile there. It's fine for casual gaming, but serious players should look elsewhere.

At a consistent $498 to $500, the value proposition is clear: you're paying for Sony's excellent processing and smart ecosystem in a compact size. You won't find another 43-inch TV that sounds this good or has a smarter interface. The price per performance ratio is high for what it is—a premium small-screen TV. However, if your main priority is sheer screen size for the dollar, you'll get a much larger (but likely less refined) Hisense or TCL for similar money.

Stacked up against competitors, the BRAVIA 3 carves a niche. The Sony BRAVIA 5 series offers better mini-LED panels but starts at much larger sizes and higher prices. The Hisense U6 series gives you more inches for your buck, but you lose Sony's processing magic and the top-tier smart/audio scores. A TCL QM8 is a brightness monster with better gaming specs, but again, not in this small 43-inch form factor. The LG OLED evo G5? That's in a different universe of price and performance. The BRAVIA 3 wins if you want the best possible 43-inch TV for streaming and sound, period. If you want a bigger screen or higher refresh rate for gaming, the others win.

Skip the BRAVIA 3 if your primary goal is a large, immersive living room TV. Its 43-inch size lands in the 14th percentile for display size, so it's physically small. Also, hardcore gamers should pass due to the 60Hz refresh rate (78th percentile for gaming). If you want a massive screen for movie nights or buttery-smooth 120Hz gameplay, your money is better spent on a larger, gaming-focused model from TCL, Hisense, or a higher-end Sony.

We recommend the Sony BRAVIA 3 if you need a superb secondary TV for a smaller room. The data doesn't lie: its smart, audio, and picture quality scores are exceptional for the size and price. It's the 43-inch TV you buy when you refuse to compromise on streaming experience and sound, even if the screen itself isn't giant. Just know you're trading screen real estate and gaming specs for that premium polish.