Buying Guide: 10 best 32-inch TVs in the world today

10 best 32-inch LCD TVsStill going strong as we plunge headfirst into the summer of 2014, the 32-inch TV is one of the most popular consumer electronics products in the UK.It was always the most popular TV size by far, mainly because many British living rooms can't physically take a TV much bigger than 32-inches in size. But in recent years, it's also become the de facto size option for a 'big' bedroom or secondary TV.Within the 32-inch TV division there's plenty of choice, too. A basic HD-ready 32-inch TV can be found for well under £300 if you search hard, though it's just as easy to spend over £1,500.But there is one certainty at this size - your new TV will be an LCD TV.If you're lucky it could have LED backlighting, but it won't be a plasma; LG used to make plasmas at this size, but there's not one on sale these days.A typical £500 purchase will sport a Full HD screen, have at least three HDMI inputs, and some kind of 100Hz scanning, though the latter feature varies so much in effectiveness that you've simply got to see it in action in the shop before you shell out any extra cash.Full HD, media streaming and even built-in Freesat HD or Freeview HD - it's all possible on these small TVs.So what's the best 32-inch LCD TV for you? Read on to find out...Finlux 32F8030-TSolid features and a bargain price make this one to watchWith Full HD, Freeview HD and those four HDMIs on offer, the Finlux 32F8030-T is terrific value, though just as important are its naturally coloured, contrast-heavy and richly detailed pictures that don't suffer from the kinds of problems we'd expected to see.There is, however, a slight issue with judder that won't go away, and the lack of dual-core processing makes smart TV a box-ticking exercise rather than an unbridled joy to use. That's being harsh, though, because the user interface is mature and easy to use, and by adding the likes of Netflix,Now TV and Lovefilm to its smart TV interface, Finlux could have a hit on its hands.OK, so the Finlux 32F8030-T has a poor EPG and the audio is terrible, but that's pretty normal even on big brand's 32-inch TVs; we're all going to have to think wisely in future about spending a penny over £300 on a smart TV of this size.Read: Finlux 32F8030-T reviewToshiba 32D1333Carries a built-in DVD player despite its exceptionally low price.Despite being the cheapest 32-inch TV in our hot 10, the 32D1333 has a pleasant surprise tucked away down its side: a built-in DVD player. This means it isn't as slender as most of Toshiba's other TVs, but it's still reasonably easy on the eye. It also surprisingly offers multimedia playback via either DVD discs or USB devices - though there's no PC or Internet connectivity. Nor is there a Freeview HD tuner, sadly.However, aside from a bit of motion blur and a slight general lack of fine detail it performs comfortably well enough for such an exceptionally cheap combi TV.Read: Toshiba 32DL933B reviewToshiba 32D3454DBAnother impressive second room TV from ToshAt a time when we're obsessing about Ultra HD TVs, curved TVs and all manner of fancy new smart TV technologies, there's something reassuringly 'mainstream' about the 32D3454DB.It's clearly been created with laser-like precision to target a specific, relatively undemanding 'second room' market, focussing on utility features like DLNA streaming, its built-in DVD player, built-in Wi-Fi and a few online video streaming services.It partners these extremely useful second-room features, moreover, with an aggressive price for a product from a household name brand, and while neither its pictures nor its sound are in any way exceptional they get the job done adequately for such a cheap TV.Read: Toshiba 32D3454DB reviewPanasonic TX-L32X5BA minimal-frills but effective budget optionDespite being widely available for less than £350, the L32X5B boasts a Freeview HD tuner and is capable of playing back of a good selection of video, photo and music files via both USB device or SD card.it also boasts an IPS Alpha panel that can be watched from a wider angle than most LCD TVs without losing contrast, and its pictures are overall much more watchable than those of most similarly cheap 32in TVs. There are inevitably compromises, such as a 1366x768 native resolution rather than a full HD one, a little motion blurring and some rather 'hollow'-looking dark scenes. But L32X50 is still by any stretch of the imagination a bargain.Read: Panasonic TX-L32X5B reviewSamsung UE32EH5000Few features, but exceptional pictures for its priceThe UE32EH5000 32-inch TV is unusual by budget TV standards in that it sacrifices features to focus on delivering better picture quality. So while you do get a Freeview HD tuner and multimedia playback from USB sticks, you only get two HDMIs; you don't get 3D; you don't get Smart TV online features; and you don't get network streaming from DLNA PCs.Nor do you get one of Samsung's famed skinny designs. In fact, the UE32EH5000 is one of the fattest TVs we've seen. Its picture quality really is excellent for a sub-£400 32-inch TV, though, delivering better contrast, colour, sharpness and motion handling than you've any right to expect for so little money.Read: Samsung UE32EH5000 reviewPanasonic TX-L32E5BA solid mid-ranger with step-up 2D pictures but no 3DThe L32E5 32-inch TV slots between the L32X5 and L32ET5, offering mid-level motion processing, multimedia playback from two USBs (versus the one and three of the L32X5 and L32ET5 respectively), and access to Panasonic's Viera Connect online service. It also supports streaming from DLNA PCs unlike the cheaper L32X5, though it doesn't carry Wi-Fi.Picture quality is good. Colours are bold, and HD sources look sharp and detailed. Motion is a big improvement over the L32X5 too, and the set's rich colours and high brightness create at least the impression of a strong contrast performance. There's some backlight inconsistency during dark scenes, but overall the L32E5 comfortably outperforms its price point. Read: Panasonic TX-L32E5 reviewPanasonic TX-L32ET5Panasonic turns to passive 3D with impressive resultsThe L32ET5 32-inch TV gets off to a great start by sporting an unusual and attractive smoky grey colour and glass-like finish. It's also richly featured, including among its attractions passive 3D playback, a Freeview HD tuner, multimedia playback from USB or a networked PC, and access to Panasonic's Viera Connect online platform, with its solid selection of video, game and infotainment apps.In many ways the L32ET5's pictures are good too. Its passive 3D pictures are clean, bright and untiring, while its 2D pictures are punchy, sharp and colour-rich. Dark scenes reveal a lack of contrast, but this is only a big problem for serious film fans.Read: Panasonic TX-L32ET5 reviewToshiba 32RL958The ultimate trickle-down TV?As versatile a TV as we've seen, Toshiba's diminutive 32RL958 is one of the best value 32-inch televisions around. Freeview HD channels are handled exquisitely, with the relatively small Edge LED-backlit LCD panel offering clean standard definition and HD images that have plenty of detail.It's also great to see Wi-Fi and some semblance of smart TV apps - including BBC iPlayer and YouTube - on a TV of this low price. It won't do much of a job in a home cinema, where its size and lack of black level and contrast will soon become apparent, but as a living room TV there are few better options for such little spend.Read: Toshiba 32RL958 reviewSony KDL-32HX753Impressive mid-range performer with expansive multimedia featuresAlthough not as outstanding as Sony's brilliant HX853 models, the step-down 32HX753 32-inch TV is still a fine 32in option.For starters it's very well featured, with a Freeview HD tuner, Sony's excellent new video-rich SEN online service, streaming from DLNA PCs and Macs, and even active 3D playback (though you don't get any free glasses).Its pictures, meanwhile, look sharp and richly coloured, and handle motion well. The set also does excellently with 3D, largely ducking the dreaded crosstalk problem. The only catch is that pictures aren't very bright after they've been calibrated to produce a good black colour. But provided you're not looking for a TV for a kitchen or conservatory, it should do you just fine.Read: Sony KDL-32HX753 reviewPanasonic TX-L32E6BSlim, fast and fat with features, this is a great connected TVA fast-working, dependable and great-looking Edge LED TV with a smart TV user interface as impressive as any we've seen, the Panasonic TX-L32E6B is one of the smartest choices for a bedroom or second room that's currently around.Picture quality isn't quite as impressive as on bigger iterations, such as the Panasonic TX-L42E6B, but it's mighty fine nonetheless, handling all sources with enough care. The icing on the cake is the free Viera Remote 2 app for smartphones and tablets, and in particular its Swipe & Share 2.0 feature that trade files back-and-forth between mobile devices and the TV. Now that's pretty advanced for a bedroom TV.Read: Panasonic TX-L32E6B reviewTV Buyers GuidesBest TV - All the buying advice you need for buying a new TVBest 32-inch TVsBest 40-42-inch TVsBest 46-47-inch TVsBest 50-inch TVsBest 60-inch TVs

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