The best value 43‑inch TCL 4K TV in May 2026 is the TCL 43S551G (S5 S‑Class) at $189. It’s the lowest price‑per‑inch among all TCL 43‑inch 4K models—$4.40 per inch—with Google TV. Compared to the $275 43S450R ($6.40/inch), the 43S551G costs 31.3% less per inch, making it the budget pick in TCL’s 43‑inch 4K range.
TCL’s 43‑Inch 4K Lineup at a Glance
On May 5, 2026, BuyPerUnit’s live price tracking shows exactly three TCL 43‑inch 4K LED models in stock. No QLED or OLED 43‑inch TCL models appear—the entire lineup is LED. Here’s what’s available, ranked by cost per inch:
- TCL 43S551G (S5 S‑Class) – $189 ÷ 43″ = $4.40/inch
- TCL 43‑Inch Class S4 4K LED Smart TV with Roku TV (43S450R) – $275 ÷ 43″ = $6.40/inch
- TCL 43‑inch 4K UHD Smart LED TV – 43S435, 2021 Model – $318 ÷ 43″ = $7.38/inch
No Dolby Vision, HDMI 2.1, or advanced backlight technology terms appear in the listing titles, so those specs remain unconfirmed.
Price Per Inch Showdown: 43S551G vs. 43S450R vs. 43S435
Side by side, the 43S551G’s value advantage is clear:
- 43S551G vs. 43S450R: The S5 costs $86 less outright ($189 vs. $275). Per inch, the S5 is 31.3% cheaper than the Roku‑powered S4.
- 43S551G vs. 43S435 (2021 model): The S5 is $129 cheaper ($189 vs. $318).
Stepping up from the 43S551G to the S4 adds $2.00 per inch for Roku TV, while the 2021 model adds $2.98 per inch with no clear hardware advantage evident from the listings.
What Makes the 43S551G the Best Value Within the TCL Brand?
The 43S551G isn’t the absolute cheapest 43‑inch 4K TV on the market—more on that below—but it’s the best value within TCL’s own range. At $189, it’s the lowest price TCL asks for any 43‑inch 4K model, giving you 4K HDR LED with Google TV. If you want the very lowest TCL entry point for this screen size, the 43S551G stands alone.
There’s also no 43‑inch TCL QLED or OLED alternative in stock, so the cross‑panel debate that can muddy larger‑size value discussions simply doesn’t apply. Every TCL 43‑inch 4K TV you can buy today is LED—making the S5’s price per inch directly comparable to the other two.
TCL’s 43‑Inch Pricing vs. the Broader 4K LED Market
To contextualize the 43S551G’s price, here are the five lowest‑priced 4K LED TVs (any size) from BuyPerUnit’s live feed on May 5, 2026:
Top Picks by $/GB
View all →| # | Product | Capacity | $/GB | Price | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westinghouse - 58" Class Smart 4K UHD Xumo TV, HDR10, Dolby Vision & Atmos, Edgeless Flat LED, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | 58 GB | $3.276/GB | $189.99 | Best Buy |
| 2 | VIZIO 43-inch 4K UHD LED Smart TV w/Dolby Vision HDR, WiFi 6, Bluetooth Headphone Capable, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast Built-in (V4K43M-08, New) | 43 GB | $3.488/GB | $149.99 | Amazon |
| 3 | INSIGNIA 55-inch Class F50 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV with Alexa Voice Remote (NS-55F501NA26) | 55 GB | $3.670/GB | $199.99 | Best Buy |
| 4 | Roku - 50" Class Select Series 4K Smart RokuTV | 50 GB | $3.900/GB | $194.99 | Best Buy |
| 5 | TCL 43S551G 43 inch S5 S-Class LED 4K UHD HDR Smart Google TV | 43 GB | $4.395/GB | $189.00 | Amazon |
Westinghouse - 58" Class Smart 4K UHD Xumo TV, HDR10, Dolby Vision & Atmos, Edgeless Flat LED, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
58 GB · Best Buy
$3.276/GB
$189.99
VIZIO 43-inch 4K UHD LED Smart TV w/Dolby Vision HDR, WiFi 6, Bluetooth Headphone Capable, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast Built-in (V4K43M-08, New)
43 GB · Amazon
$3.488/GB
$149.99
INSIGNIA 55-inch Class F50 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV with Alexa Voice Remote (NS-55F501NA26)
55 GB · Best Buy
$3.670/GB
$199.99
Roku - 50" Class Select Series 4K Smart RokuTV
50 GB · Best Buy
$3.900/GB
$194.99
TCL 43S551G 43 inch S5 S-Class LED 4K UHD HDR Smart Google TV
43 GB · Amazon
$4.395/GB
$189.00
But a 58‑inch set isn’t a substitute if you need exactly 43 inches.
Within the 43‑inch class, the cheapest option is the Vizio 43‑inch 4K UHD LED Smart TV at $150 ($3.49/inch). Its listing title includes Dolby Vision HDR and WiFi 6—features not noted in any TCL 43‑inch title. If budget is your primary driver and you’re not tied to TCL, the Vizio undercuts the 43S551G’s per‑inch cost by $0.91 (20.7% less).
The 43S551G shines as the cheapest 43‑inch 4K LED from TCL—period—and the only new‑generation TCL 43‑inch offering under $200. It’s the sole choice if you want TCL with Google TV instead of paying $275 for the Roku‑based S4.
Should You Buy the TCL 43S551G?
Buy the TCL 43S551G if you:
- Need a 43‑inch 4K HDR TV and prefer TCL’s brand.
- Want Google TV built in—the S5 is the only TCL 43‑inch 4K model offering it.
- Must stay under $200 before tax ($189 is the lowest TCL 43‑inch 4K price in the database).
Skip it if you:
- Are open to other brands and want the absolute cheapest 43‑inch 4K picture: the $150 Vizio saves $39 outright.
- Require confirmed Dolby Vision or WiFi 6—TCL’s 43‑inch listings don’t advertise these, while the Vizio does.
- Can fit a larger screen (e.g., the Roku 50″ at $195, $3.90/inch) for just $6 more total and a bigger viewing area.
All prices are from BuyPerUnit’s live in‑stock data on May 5, 2026—a real‑time market snapshot, not historical MSRPs or selective sale prices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which TCL 43-inch 4K TV offers the lowest cost per inch in 2026?
The TCL 43S551G (S5 S‑Class) at $189 ($4.40 per inch) is the cheapest per‑inch TCL 43‑inch 4K model as of May 5, 2026.
Is the TCL 43S551G worth its $189 price?
Yes. It’s the lowest‑priced TCL 43‑inch 4K TV, offering 4K HDR and Google TV.
How does the TCL 43S551G compare to the 43S450R and 43S435?
The 43S551G costs $189 ($4.40/inch), the 43S450R $275 ($6.40/inch), and the 2021 43S435 $318 ($7.38/inch).
Are there cheaper 43-inch 4K TVs from other brands?
Yes, the Vizio 43‑inch 4K LED TV at $150 ($3.49/inch) undercuts the TCL by $39 (20.7% less per inch) and includes Dolby Vision and WiFi 6, which TCL’s listings don’t mention.