Thinking Of Buying A New TV From Walmart? Here's What You Need To Know First

If you haven't bought a television in a while, you might be surprised by how much TV prices have dropped over the last several years, especially when costs for almost everything else seem to be rising. Television prices are falling because of things like significant competition among manufacturers, advances in manufacturing techniques, and lower costs for the parts. Although there are mistakes everyone makes when buying TVs, such errors won't cost you as much money as they may have several years ago.

Even though televisions are relatively cheap, there's nothing wrong with saving a few more dollars if you can. Walmart is well-known for budget-friendly home essentials, groceries, and electronics. The retailer has a wide selection of televisions, and enough sales going on throughout the year that you're sure to find a deal.

However, you should understand a few things before placing that TV in your Walmart shopping cart. On the plus side, beyond the low prices, you can use your Walmart+ membership for perks associated with the TV, including access to streaming service benefits. On the downside, it can be tough to find TV models with the latest technology and highest quality at Walmart, which is part of the reason the retailer offers such low prices. Learn more about the pros and cons of shopping for TVs at Walmart, helping you decide whether you want to pick up a television alongside your groceries.

Some of the best reasons to consider purchasing a television at Walmart are price, variety in selection, and convenience. If you're looking for the most reliable TV brand, you'll find some of the best brand names at Walmart, too, including Samsung and LG. You can also find the inexpensive Onn television brand exclusively at Walmart, as this is a brand that the manufacturer owns. Reviewers appreciate the especially low price of Onn TVs, but they don't always compare favorably to the screen quality of the top manufacturers.

Walmart has more than 4,700 stores in the United States, meaning there's probably a store nearby if you need a TV now and want to shop in person. The discount retailer also has a greater selection of televisions than most other discount retailers, including Amazon, making it easier to find the perfect model. Walmart offers significant TV savings at various points during the year, including during Black Friday. It is one of the top retailers for entry-level smart TVs, offering some of the most affordable models on the market.

If you decide to buy a television at Walmart and you have a Walmart+ subscription, you'll receive a few extra benefits. The Walmart+ membership gives you access to either the Paramount+ or Peacock ad-supported streaming service — your choice. With Walmart+, you also receive free shipping if you purchase a television online, but the offer might exclude some oversized televisions, so make sure any TV you buy is eligible for free shipping.

One potentially disappointing aspect of shopping for TVs at Walmart is that the retailer often sells units with unique model numbers. Even though two televisions may appear to be similar at Walmart and other retailers, they might have one or two letters or numbers that are different in the model numbers, which means Walmart might not allow you to request a price match against another retailer. This is a common practice among major retailers when they offer popular products like TVs.

One major disadvantage of shopping for a TV in person at Walmart is the typical store lighting and positioning of the TVs. The light sources are primarily overhead with very little intensity control, meaning you'll see a lot of reflections from the lights on the screens. Additionally, the screens sit on shelves at an angle that is not ideal for viewing them and judging screen quality. Considering Walmart doesn't normally carry the highest-quality televisions, being unable to determine screen quality precisely can be frustrating.

If you set up the TV at home and decide that its quality isn't quite what you want, Walmart's return policy is not as good as what's available at some retailers, but better than others. Walmart gives you a 30-day return window for TVs and consumer electronics. At Best Buy, you have a 14-day return window, but Best Buy Plus or My Best Buy Total members have a 60-day return window. Costco and Sam's Club members each receive a 90-day return policy on all products.