The best smart TV on this list for most NZ buyers is the SKYWORTH Q5600H 32″, a compact QLED Google TV that suits a bedroom, study or small lounge. Large 55-65″ TVs that ship to New Zealand are thin on the ground right now, so this guide focuses on the 24-32″ models that are reliably available, including a 12V model built for caravans, RVs and boats.
A genuine note on this category: most major TV brands, including Samsung, Sony and Panasonic, don’t sell TV units directly through the major online marketplaces at all, only accessories like remotes and wall mounts show up in search. This guide focuses on the smart TVs that are actually available to buy and ship to New Zealand, spanning LG, SKYWORTH, ENGLAON and FPD.
Quick comparison
| # | Product | Best for | Size | Panel/OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ENGLAON 24″ 12V | Best portable / RV & caravan | 24″ | HD LED, Google TV (Android 14) |
| 2 | SKYWORTH Q5600H | Best budget QLED | 32″ | QLED+, Google TV |
| 3 | LG LB655 32″ | Best budget | 32″ | HD LED, LG smart platform |
| 4 | FPD 32″ Smart TV | Best cheapest | 32″ | LED 720p, Google TV |
The 4 best smart TVs in NZ
1. ENGLAON 24″ 12V – Best Portable / RV and Caravan
ENGLAON’s 24″ is built specifically for life on the move: it runs on either 12V DC or 240V AC, with vibration resistance and surge protection built in, genuinely designed for caravans, RVs and boats rather than adapted from a standard lounge-room TV.
Despite the compact 24″ size and modest 1366×768 HD resolution, it runs full Google TV on Android 14 with built-in Chromecast, so streaming apps and casting work exactly like a full-size smart TV. A frameless design keeps the bezel minimal for the screen size, and 2x8W Dolby speakers give it more genuine bass and clarity than most small TVs manage.
The obvious trade-off is resolution and scale: at HD rather than 4K and 24″ rather than a lounge-room size, this isn’t a primary home theatre TV, it’s built for a specific mobile or compact-space use case. For that use case, though, the 12V/240V dual power input is a genuinely rare and useful feature most standard TVs don’t offer.
Pros
- Genuine dual 12V/240V power input, built for caravans, RVs and boats
- Full Google TV (Android 14) with Chromecast, not a cut-down mobile OS
- Vibration resistance and surge protection built in for life on the road
Cons
- HD resolution only (1366×768), not 4K
- 24″ size suits a caravan or bedroom, not a main lounge-room TV
Key specs: 24″ HD LED, 1366×768, Google TV (Android 14), 12V DC/240V AC dual power, 2x8W Dolby speakers, vibration + surge protection.
2. SKYWORTH Q5600H 32″ – Best Budget QLED
The Q5600H brings SKYWORTH’s 5th-gen QLED+ technology down to a genuinely budget-friendly 32″ size, with a 90% DCI-P3 wide colour gamut and HDR10 support delivering noticeably richer colour than a typical entry-level small TV. It’s built around Google TV with a built-in Chromecast, so streaming apps and casting work just as they do on a bigger Google TV.
Google Assistant voice control is built in for hands-free searching and smart-home commands, and Dolby Audio with six tuned sound profiles gives it more genuine audio flexibility than most 32″ TVs offer. SKYWORTH’s EyeCare technology, flicker-free backlighting and low blue light, is a thoughtful inclusion for a TV likely destined for a bedroom or smaller room used for longer viewing sessions.
Being HD rather than 4K resolution is the honest trade-off at 32″, though at this screen size the difference is far less noticeable than it would be on a 55″ or 65″ lounge TV. For a second TV or a compact room, it’s a genuinely well-specified budget pick rather than a stripped-down basic model.
Pros
- 5th-gen QLED+ technology at a genuinely budget 32″ price point
- Full Google TV with Chromecast and Google Assistant built in
- EyeCare flicker-free, low blue light design suits longer viewing sessions
Cons
- HD resolution, not 4K, at this size
- 32″ size suits a bedroom or second room, not a main lounge TV
Key specs: 32″ QLED+ (5th gen), 90% DCI-P3, HDR10, Google TV, Chromecast, Google Assistant, Dolby Audio (6 sound profiles), Bluetooth 5.1.
3. LG LB655 32″ AI HD Smart TV – Best Budget
LG’s LB655 is a 32″ HD smart TV from one of the most established TV brands, and it covers the basics well for a bedroom, study or kitchen. LG’s AI picture processing tunes clarity and colour balance automatically, and HDR support helps with brightness and detail on content that carries it.
The built-in smart platform handles the main streaming apps and web browsing without needing a separate stick, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are both included, so you can stream wirelessly or connect Bluetooth headphones or a speaker. Two HDMI ports and USB cover a streaming box, games console or media drive.
The trade-offs are resolution and panel: it is an HD (768p) LED panel at 60Hz rather than QLED, so colour and contrast sit a step below the SKYWORTH Q5600H above, and the listing had very few owner reviews when we checked. For a straightforward budget smart TV from a big-name brand, though, it covers the essentials.
Pros
- Established LG brand at a budget size
- AI picture processing and HDR support
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth built in
Cons
- HD (768p) LED panel, not QLED
- Very few owner reviews so far
- 32″ size suits a secondary room rather than a main lounge
Key specs: 32″ LED, HD (1366 x 768), 60Hz, HDR, AI picture processing, smart TV platform, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 2 x HDMI, USB, 71.9 x 43 x 7.1cm.
4. FPD 32″ Smart TV – Best Cheapest
FPD’s 32″ Palette-Series is the cheapest genuine smart TV in this guide, and it still runs full Google TV with access to Netflix, YouTube and other major streaming apps organised in one interface rather than a cut-down or forked smart platform. A voice remote powered by Google Assistant lets you search by voice instead of typing with an on-screen keyboard.
HDR10 and Dolby Audio are both included, genuinely unusual at this price point, and smart home integration lets it control compatible lights, thermostats and cameras directly from the TV screen. Built-in Google Cast rounds out the connectivity for streaming from a phone or laptop without extra hardware.
The real trade-offs at this price are resolution and brand depth: 720p rather than 1080p or 4K, and a newer, lesser-known manufacturer without the retail history of LG or SKYWORTH.
Pros
- Cheapest genuine smart TV on this list
- Full Google TV with HDR10 and Dolby Audio included
- Smart home integration controllable directly from the TV
Cons
- 720p resolution only, the lowest on this list
- Newer, lesser-known brand
Key specs: 32″ LED, 720p, HDR10, Dolby Audio, Google TV, Google Cast, voice remote with Google Assistant, smart home integration.
How to choose a smart TV in NZ
Panel technology matters more than screen size alone. QLED and QD-Mini LED panels, like the SKYWORTH Q5600H in this guide, deliver noticeably richer colour and deeper contrast than standard LED panels at a similar size. For a bedroom or secondary TV, standard LED (like the LG LB655 or FPD) is genuinely fine; for a main lounge-room screen, the jump to QLED is usually worth it.
Built-in sound quality varies enormously between models. Some larger premium TVs include a genuine multi-channel system with a dedicated subwoofer, while compact budget TVs like the ones here typically rely on small, basic speakers. If a separate soundbar isn’t in the budget, checking the built-in audio spec closely is worth the extra few minutes.
Refresh rate matters for gaming and sport, not everyday viewing. A 144Hz native refresh rate, found on some premium gaming-focused TVs, makes a genuine difference for fast-paced gaming and sport, but standard 60Hz content like most TV shows and streaming won’t show a visible difference either way.
Check what the TV is actually built for before buying on size alone. A 24″ 12V model like the ENGLAON is purpose-built for a caravan or boat, not a lounge room, while a 55-65″ TV suits a main living space but is overkill for a bedroom. Matching the TV to its actual use case avoids paying for size or features that won’t get used.
Not every room needs a 65-inch panel, and for a bedroom or a small lounge a 32 inch smart tv runs the same apps at a third of the price. Streaming 4K reliably depends on the router far more than the panel, and a wifi router more than a few years old is usually the reason a stream drops resolution.
Verdict
For most NZ buyers, the SKYWORTH Q5600H is the strongest all-rounder on this list, bringing a QLED panel and Google TV to a compact 32″ screen. The LG LB655 is a solid budget alternative from an established brand, the FPD is the cheapest way into a full Google TV, and the ENGLAON is the clear pick for caravans, RVs or boats. Anyone after a large 55-65″ lounge TV will need to look beyond this list for now, as those sizes are hard to get shipped to New Zealand at the moment.
Related guides:
- Want better sound for movie nights? See our best soundbars guide.
- Setting up a home theatre properly? Check our best portable projectors picks.
- Want music and podcasts around the house too? Browse our best true wireless earbuds guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t Samsung, Sony or Panasonic TVs show up in this guide?
Those brands don’t sell TV units directly through the major online marketplaces that ship here, only accessories like remotes, wall mounts and cables appear in search. This guide covers the smart TVs that are actually available to purchase and ship to New Zealand, which comes from LG, SKYWORTH, ENGLAON and FPD instead.
Is QLED better than a standard LED smart TV?
QLED panels, like the SKYWORTH Q5600H in this guide, use quantum dot technology to deliver richer, more accurate colour and generally better contrast than a standard LED panel at a similar size. For a main lounge-room TV the difference is genuinely noticeable; for a bedroom or secondary TV, standard LED options like the LG LB655 or FPD are still a reasonable choice.
Do I need a 4K TV, or is HD enough?
For a 55-65 inch main TV, 4K resolution makes a real, visible difference. For smaller 24-32 inch TVs like several budget picks in this guide, HD resolution is far less noticeable at typical viewing distances, so it’s a reasonable trade-off for a lower price on a secondary screen.
What does a 144Hz refresh rate actually do?
It allows the screen to update up to 144 times per second instead of the standard 60, producing smoother motion for fast-paced gaming and sport. Regular TV shows, movies and most streaming content are filmed at much lower frame rates, so a 144Hz panel won’t make a visible difference outside of gaming and some live sport.
Can a TV with built-in speakers replace a soundbar?
For most everyday viewing, a TV with a genuine multi-channel sound system, such as a 2.1.2-channel setup with a built-in subwoofer, is a real step up from typical thin TV speakers. For a dedicated home theatre setup, a separate soundbar or full surround system still outperforms even a well-specified built-in system.
Is a 12V TV worth buying for a regular home?
Not usually, a 12V TV like the ENGLAON in this guide is purpose-built for caravans, RVs and boats, with a smaller HD screen and simpler speakers than an equivalent mains-only lounge TV at a similar price. It’s the right pick specifically for mobile or off-grid use, not as a primary home TV.
