Are you looking for a 43-inch smart TV at a budget-friendly price? If so, you are at the right place and this article will provide you with a guide to choose the best 43 Inch Insignia Smart TV. Why Insignia? Well, Insignia is a product of Best Buy and is known for selling value-for-money products.
Yes, compared to its competitors, you can buy a 43-inch smart TV below $200. But will it be worth it? If you are wondering the same, read below for a detailed review and the guide to choose the best 43 Inch Insignia Smart TV.
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Best 43 Inch Insignia Smart TV
Although Insignia sells value-for-money televisions, it has only a few models in every screen size. In that way, your hunt for the 43-inch smart TV limits with the F30 Series model. Below are the Insignia 43-inch smart TV models;
- Insignia F30 Series – Fire TV
- Insignia NS-43DR620NA18 – Roku TV
Continue reading for a detailed review of the best Insignia TVs mentioned above.
1. Insignia F30 Series – Fire TV
Design and Build Quality
First things first, the design of the TV is the first factor that every user notices. In that way, the F30 Series Insignia TV does not have any premium build or attractive metal finish. However, it does provide a satisfying quality for its budget. The overall TV has a plastic build and that is expected. On the other hand, the bezels are reasonably slim, so that you won’t feel like looking through a picture frame. Finally, the box contents also include a V-shaped stand which gives a sturdy support. Fortunately, the TV is also compatible with VESA mounts to wall-mount your TV.
Picture Quality
Seemingly, picture quality is what matters the most for a TV-watching experience.
4K Resolution
4K UHD Display: The Insignia F30 TV has a 4K Ultra HD resolution, so you will get a sharp and clear image. But remember, not all 4K TVs are created equal. While the resolution is technically there, you’ll notice that the color accuracy and contrast are not as punchy as what you would get with a more premium set.
HDR Support: It also supports HDR (High Dynamic Range), which is nice in theory but limited in the real-life scenario. Seemingly, HDR tends to shine on higher-end models, and the F30 does not quite deliver the full range of bright whites and deep blacks that you would expect from top-tier HDR.
Color Accuracy and Brightness
Colors: The colors are fairly accurate, though they can sometimes appear a bit muted. You might need to go through the settings to get it just right for your space and preferences.
Brightness Levels: As for brightness, it is decent but might struggle in a well-lit room. If you have a dimly lit living room or plan to use this as a secondary TV in a bedroom, it will be fine for sure.
Motion Handling
For casual viewing, the Insignia F30 does a reliable job. You won’t notice much motion blur when watching sports or fast-paced movies, but hardcore gamers may find its refresh rate lacking. At 60Hz, it is not bad, but serious gamers might want to invest in a model with a higher refresh rate.
Audio Quality
Indeed, most built-in TV speakers won’t give you theater-quality sound. The Insignia F30 Series 43-inch Smart TV is no exception here. Accordingly, the audio is passable, but don’t expect it to perform competently.
2-channel 8W speakers: It features two 8W speakers that deliver sound well enough for everyday viewing, but the bass is thin, and the mid-range doesn’t always come through as clearly as you’d hope.
DTS Studio Sound: The TV does come equipped with DTS Studio Sound, which tries to enhance the overall audio experience. It helps a bit by creating a wider sound field, but for audiophiles, an external soundbar or speaker system is probably a must.
If you are particular about your audio, you will want to invest in a soundbar. Seemingly, adding one additional speaker will make a noticeable difference, especially for movies and music. The Insignia F30 has all the standard connections to make it easy to hook one up.
Smart Features and Usability
This TV is not just about pretty pictures, but also about the smart features as it is a smart TV. The Insignia F30 Series 43-inch Smart TV runs on Fire TV OS, so if you are already familiar with Amazon’s streaming platform, you’re going to feel right at home.
Fire TV OS
User-friendly interface: The Fire TV interface is clean, simple, and intuitive. It is great if you are an Amazon Prime member because Prime Video is integrated into the TV, making it easy to navigate your favorite shows and movies.
Voice Control with Alexa: One standout feature is the built-in Alexa. You can control the TV hands-free, ask Alexa to find a movie, play music, or even control smart home devices all with your voice.
Apps and Streaming: The Fire TV platform offers access to a ton of apps and services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, and more. You will have plenty to watch, but keep in mind, you will need subscriptions for some of these services.
Gaming
Of course, this TV is not for professional or hardcore gamers. Seemingly, the Insignia 43-inch Fire TV is fused with a basic processor that can handle casual games but not any AAA game titles.
However, you can still connect your Xbox or PlayStation consoles to this TV with an expectation of minimal gameplay. Moreover, you will like the 4K resolution on the screen while playing some games. In addition, the dedicated Game Mode on the TV will help with reducing the input lag and can provide a decent gaming experience for non-competitive gamers.
Performance
You can’t expect an award-winning performance but the F30 TV can handle your everyday tasks without any hassle. The primary advantage of the TV is the Fire TV OS which serves as the best source for accessing various apps and streaming your favorite content. On the whole, the 43-inch Insignia Fire TV is one of the best options for casual movie streaming, playing basic games, and browsing apps.
Connectivity
The F30 offers all the standard connectivity options you would expect, including;
- HDMI ports: There are three HDMI inputs, which is typically more than enough for most users.
- USB ports: It also has USB ports for easy plug-and-play of external media.
- Wi-Fi & Ethernet: Both wireless and wired internet connections are supported, so you won’t have any issues streaming your favorite shows.
2. Insignia NS-43DR620NA18 – Roku TV
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the Insignia 43-inch Roku TV has a pretty minimalistic design, which is honestly expected at this price point. It’s not going to blow you away with a super thin frame or fancy finishes, but it gets the job done. The bezels are modest neither too chunky nor razor-thin and made of plastic.
While it lacks the premium feel you would get from high-end brands like Samsung or Sony, it is still respectable and fits well into most modern living rooms or bedrooms. It is also lightweight enough to easily wall-mount or set up on a TV stand.
You won’t need three people to maneuver it into place, which is always a win. The TV comes with a plastic stand that feels sturdy but basic. If you’re planning to use it on a table or console, just make sure the surface is flat and secure because the stand doesn’t seem “durable.”
Picture Quality
The Insignia 43-inch Roku TV boasts a Full HD (1080p) display. Now, I know what you’re thinking “In the age of 4K, is 1080p even relevant anymore?” Well, the answer is both yes and no. For a 43-inch screen, 1080p is fine for most people. If you are not sitting too close, the difference between Full HD and 4K might not be as noticeable.
If you are upgrading from an older TV or still using a standard 720p model, you are going to notice a significant jump in picture clarity. But if you are a cinephile or planning on future-proofing your setup, this might feel a little underwhelming compared to more advanced options.
Color and Brightness
One thing that stands out about the Insignia 43-inch Roku TV is the color reproduction. It is not groundbreaking, but it is vibrant enough for casual viewing. Watching a nature documentary? Expect greens and blues to pop nicely.
However, it does not handle very dark scenes as well, and there’s a bit of a struggle with contrast in dimly lit environments. Indeed, the black levels can appear more grayish, which may bother some viewers during moody, atmospheric shows or movies.
Brightness is decent but not spectacular. For instance, if you are using the TV in a moderately lit room, then everything works fine. On the other hand, you may have to adjust the position of the TV to avoid the glare if the room is too bright.
Check this article – Best Insignia Roku TV
Motion Handling
If you are big into sports or fast-paced action movies, you might notice some motion blur. It is not terrible, but it is there. For everyday viewing think sitcoms, dramas, or cooking shows you won’t be too bothered by them.
But, if you are a hardcore gamer or watch high-octane sports like hockey or Formula 1, you might want to look for something with better motion handling.
Audio Quality
It is a known fact that TV speakers rarely blow anyone away, and the Insignia 43-inch Roku TV is no different. Seemingly, the built-in speakers are decent. If you are watching casual content like a talk show or a rom-com, they are completely fine. But for blockbuster movies or immersive gaming experiences, you will probably want to invest in a soundbar or external speakers.
The sound can come across as a bit flat, lacking in both bass and treble. There is no real punchy sound when it comes to audio depth, which is pretty typical for TVs in this price range. Fortunately, since it has a range of connectivity options, connecting external sound systems won’t be a hassle.
Smart Features
Roku OS
This is where the Insignia 43-inch Roku TV has an advantage. Yes, Roku’s smart TV platform is one of the most user-friendly systems out there in the market. Everything is neatly organized, intuitive, and snappy.
Whether you are streaming from Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, or any of the 5,000+ channels available, it is easy to find and launch your favorite shows or movies. No confusing menus or overly complicated settings.
In addition, the remote is refreshingly simple. Indeed, you won’t find too many buttons here, just the essentials like power, volume, and quick shortcuts to popular streaming services. And if you have Alexa or Google Assistant devices, you can connect them and access voice commands too.
App Availability
With Roku, you get access to a wider range of apps compared to many other smart TVs. From mainstream options like Netflix and HBO Max to niche streaming services like Shudder or Crackle, there is something for everyone. And, if you are a cord-cutter, Roku has its own “Roku Channel” that offers free, ad-supported content, including movies, news, and TV shows.
Connectivity and Ports
The Insignia 43-inch Roku TV offers a wide range of ports to satisfy most needs;
- 3 HDMI Ports: Perfect for gaming consoles, Blu-ray players, and streaming devices.
- 1 USB Port: Great for viewing media from a flash drive or connecting a peripheral.
- Headphone Jack: Handy for private listening or if you are using a wired sound system.
- Digital Optical Audio Out: Ideal for high-quality audio setups.
- Wi-Fi connectivity is smooth, though it is worth mentioning that if you have a super-fast internet connection, this TV only supports up to ‘802.11n’.
Final Note
That is all to mention about the best 43 Inch Insignia Smart TV in the market. Hope the information provided above will be helpful in distinguishing the products and getting an overview. Indeed, the primary difference that you can notice between both devices is the Operating System. Finally, it is up to the user’s hand to choose the best device for their home. Thank you for reading our blog post.