26 Inch TV Buying Guide: Are They Still Available in 2025
When you search for a “26-inch TV” in 2025, the results shrink fast — the size has not disappeared from store listings, but it is no longer the default small-screen pick. The real question is not whether you can find one; it is whether you should buy one once you understand what you give up.
Screen size: 26-inch sets are now niche • Typical resolution: 720p or 1080p • Street price for small TVs: $70–$300 • Market trend: declining since 2015
Confirmed facts
A 26-inch flat-screen TV still shows up in retail search results, mostly from Sceptre and Vizio, but the stock is thin and the category is shrinking.
Most small TVs in the 24-to-27-inch class are 720p or 1080p sets, not 4K models.
Expect most small-screen sets to land somewhere between $70 and $300, with 26-inch models often closer to the higher end of that range.
The 26-inch size has been losing shelf space since around 2015, and the 32-inch class has become the new “small TV” default.
Here are the facts that matter most if you are deciding whether to track down a 26-inch TV or buy something close to it.
| Fact | What that means for a 2025 buyer |
|---|---|
| True 26-inch availability | Still sold, but the pickings are thin; Sceptre and Vizio are the names you are most likely to see in Best Buy (retail search results). |
| 24-inch availability | Very few current 24-inch models remain in tested lineup according to RTINGS (TV-testing lab). |
| Typical resolution | Most 24-to-27-inch small TVs are 720p or 1080p, so do not expect sharp 4K detail at this size. |
| Smart TV features | 26-inch sets rarely include a full smart-TV platform; many are best paired with a streaming stick. |
| Street price | Most small TVs fall in the $70–$300 range, with 26-inch models often at the upper end. |
| Market direction | Small-screen buyers have been drifting to 32-inch and larger sets since 2015. |
| Viewing-distance rule | Consumer Reports (TV buying guide) recommends using viewing distance as the starting point. |
| Best advice | Crutchfield (TV retailer and learning center) says pick the largest screen your room, distance, and budget allow. |
Is a 26-inch TV still available in 2025?
Yes, but only as a specialty size. A search for 26-inch sets still returns current listings, and most of them are from Sceptre and Vizio, according to Best Buy (retail search results). Wholesale supply lists also still include 26-inch configurations for 2025, which means panels are still being made even if they are not in every big-box ad. For example, Made-in-China (manufacturing marketplace) shows the size still working its way through global TV supply lines.
Can you get a 26 inch TV?
Yes, as described above. Sceptre and Vizio are the most common brands.
Where can I buy a good small TV?
Major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target carry small TVs. Online marketplaces such as eBay and Facebook Marketplace offer used or refurbished models. Consider buying directly from manufacturer websites for warranty coverage.
There are very few 24-inch models on the market.
— RTINGS, a display-testing lab
The result is a small but reliable “yes, you can still buy one.” The catch is that it is no longer the obvious choice in the same size class.
Does a 26-inch TV still make sense for a small room?
Consumer Reports uses a simple rule of thumb: think about roughly one foot of viewing distance for every 10 inches of screen size. That puts a 26-inch TV around 2.6 feet away, while a 32-inch TV works best from about 3.2 feet away. If you are sitting much farther away than that, a larger screen will quickly feel more comfortable.
Choose the largest screen your room, viewing distance, and budget can accommodate.
— Crutchfield, a TV retailer and learning center
The same logic is why the 32-inch class took over the “small TV” label. At typical bedroom or apartment seating distances, a 32-inch set feels bigger without becoming overwhelming. That is not a knock on the 26-inch size; it is just a sign that you should let your room, not habit, decide.
What is the smallest inch TV you can get?
The smallest commonly available TV size is 19 inches. 24-inch TVs are the smallest mainstream size; 22-inch models are rare. A 26-inch TV sits between small and medium categories.
Which 26-inch alternatives should you compare in 2025?
If you are not locked into the exact 26-inch size, the most practical comparisons are the 24-inch class and the 32-inch class. Current small-screen roundups frequently point to the TCL 24S327, Samsung UN24H4000, and Vizio D24f-F1 as 24-inch models worth comparing, according to current product coverage. Stepping up to 32 inches costs a little more but usually gives you a smarter platform and more flexibility.
The trade-off comes down to what you gain by moving a few inches either way.
| Option | Why it is worth comparing | Smart-TV reality |
|---|---|---|
| 26-inch class | Still small enough for a nightstand or tight shelf, but availability is thin. | Usually limited; budget for a streaming stick. |
| 24-inch class | The closest “small” alternative and the class where models such as TCL, Samsung, and Vizio keep appearing in reviews. | Some versions have Roku or another platform, but check user reviews for weak Wi-Fi and outdated software. |
| 32-inch class | The new default small-room TV; it fits in similar spaces but gives you more picture. | Smart TV support is common, which makes it a better value for most buyers. |
The pattern: 32-inch sets consistently offer smarter platforms and better value, while 24-inch sets remain a reliable fallback when space is extremely tight.
What is the best small TV in 2026?
Top-rated small TVs for 2026 include the TCL 24S327, Samsung UN24H4000, and Vizio D24f-F1. 27-inch models like the Samsung M7 offer smart features and 4K resolution. The cheapest 24-inch TVs come from brands like Element and Sceptre, often under $100.
Upsides of a 26-inch TV
- Fits on nightstands and tight shelves
- Still available from Sceptre and Vizio
- Low power consumption
Downsides of a 26-inch TV
- Limited selection and slim stock
- Usually lacks a full smart-TV platform
- Often priced higher per inch than 32-inch sets
How much should you pay for a small TV in 2025?
Most small-screen sets land between $70 and $300, with larger screens and better smart platforms pushing the number up. Consumer Reports finds that the deepest discounts usually land around Black Friday, and the weeks before the Super Bowl are another strong window for TV deals. If you can wait, those are the moments when the 32-inch class often drops into the same price territory that a 26-inch set occupied a few years ago.
Here are the numbers that matter on a typical small-screen box in 2025.
| Shopping detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Street price | $70–$300 for the small-TV class |
| Resolution | 720p or 1080p on most 24-to-27-inch sets |
| Smart platform | Rare on 26-inch models, common on 32-inch models |
| New-model timing | LG and Samsung releases typically arrive from late February to early March, according to RTINGS (TV-testing lab). |
| Best discount windows | Black Friday and the pre-Super Bowl weeks, according to Consumer Reports (TV buying guide). |
The implication: waiting for seasonal sales can make a 32-inch set cost about the same as a 26-inch set, tilting the value strongly toward the larger screen.
What should you check before buying a small TV in 2025?
Before you choose between a 26-inch, 24-inch, or 32-inch set, do three quick checks.
- Read the user reviews. Small-screen buyers often mention weak Wi-Fi and outdated smart-TV software more than they mention picture quality.
- Decide on the smart-TV platform separately. If the TV does not have a platform you like, plan to add a streaming stick.
- Confirm the real size. A “26-inch class” set and an actual 26-inch screen are not always the same once the bezels are measured.
What smart TVs to stay away from?
Avoid budget smart TVs with slow processors and limited app support, such as some Sceptre or older RCA models. Privacy concerns have been raised with certain brands like TCL’s Roku data collection. Check recent user reviews for issues like failing Wi-Fi or outdated software.
What is still unclear? The 2026 review cycle is not complete for many 24-inch and 32-inch models, so there is still not a single authoritative “best 26-inch TV” recommendation. That is not unusual for a size that keeps shrinking on retail shelves.
For further reading, see our guide on How to Mount a TV on the Wall and Rustic TV Unit Buying Guide: Best Picks in Ireland.
The short version: A 26-inch TV still exists in 2025, but it is a narrowing niche. For most people, a 24-inch or 32-inch-class set will be the better buy, depending on seating distance, discount timing, and how important a supported smart-TV platform is to you.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 26-inch TV still made in 2025?
Yes. Sceptre and Vizio still show up most often in retail search results, and wholesale TV supply lines still include 26-inch configurations. Availability is thinner than it was in 2015, but the size is not completely gone.
Is a 26-inch or 32-inch TV better for a bedroom?
It depends on seating distance. Consumer Reports suggests about one foot of viewing distance for every 10 inches of screen size. If you can sit about three feet away, a 32-inch set will feel more immersive; if the TV is going to be much closer to you than that, a 26-inch set can still work.
Why is it hard to find a 26-inch smart TV?
Most 26-inch sets are built to a price where a full smart-TV platform is difficult to include. As a result, many smaller TVs come as limited smart sets or non-smart models. Budgeting for a separate streaming stick is often the better move.
When should I buy a small TV to get the best price?
Consumer Reports says the best TV prices historically show up around Black Friday, and the weeks before the Super Bowl are another strong discount window. Waiting for one of those periods usually gives you more screen for the same money.
What are the best 24-inch alternatives to a 26-inch TV?
Current small-screen roundups keep returning to the TCL 24S327, Samsung UN24H4000, and Vizio D24f-F1. These are 24-inch screens, so they are a little smaller than an old 26-inch set, but they are also the most thoroughly reviewed and easiest to compare.
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