You’re standing in the electronics aisle, past the massive 85-inch OLEDs that cost as much as a used car, and you see them. The small ones. Specifically, the walmart 24 inch tv selection that looks like a sea of black plastic and budget price tags. Most people just grab the cheapest one and head for the checkout. They think a small screen is a "throwaway" purchase. Honestly? That’s a mistake.
Budget displays aren't all created equal. You might think $80 to $120 buys you the same thing regardless of the logo on the bezel, but the panel tech inside these tiny units varies wildly.
I’ve spent years looking at display refreshes and panel sourcing. When you're buying a 24-inch set at Walmart, you aren't just buying a TV; you're usually buying a rebranded panel from a massive manufacturer like BOE or HKC. Walmart’s house brand, Onn., is the elephant in the room here. It’s cheap. It’s everywhere. But is it actually the right move for your kitchen or your kid’s gaming setup? Let's get into the weeds of what’s actually happening in that 24-inch market.
The 720p Trap and Why It Still Exists
Most 24-inch TVs at Walmart are 720p. In 2026, that sounds like a relic from the Stone Age. Why aren't they all 1080p? Costs. To keep a TV under a certain price point, manufacturers shave pennies everywhere. A 720p panel is significantly cheaper to produce than a 1080p one at this specific scale.
Here is the thing though: at 24 inches, pixel density actually works in your favor. If you are sitting six feet away, your eyes literally cannot distinguish between 720p and 1080p. It's physics. The math of visual acuity says that at that distance, the pixels are small enough to blend together. However, if you're using this as a computer monitor? 720p is a disaster. Text will look jagged. You'll see the "screen door effect." It's rough.
If you're hunting for a walmart 24 inch tv to use as a secondary monitor, you have to hunt for the rare 1080p models, often from brands like Vizio or occasionally a higher-end Samsung if they have it in stock. Most of the time, the Vizio D-Series is the "premium" choice in this size category at Walmart. It usually offers Full HD (1080p), which makes a massive difference for clarity.
Smart Platforms: The Hidden Performance Tax
The software matters more than the screen sometimes. You’ve got three main players in the Walmart aisles: Roku, Google TV, and Vizio’s SmartCast (now being transitioned/integrated with Walmart's acquisition of Vizio).
Roku is the king of the budget space for a reason. It is lightweight. It doesn't need a massive processor to run smoothly. When you buy a 24-inch Onn. Roku TV, the interface stays snappy because Roku OS was built to run on literal potato hardware.
On the flip side, some budget sets try to run Google TV. I love Google TV on a high-end Sony, but on a $90 walmart 24 inch tv? It can be painful. The lag between pressing a button on the remote and the app actually opening can feel like an eternity.
- Roku: Best for seniors or kids. It’s simple. Large icons. Very little to break.
- Vizio SmartCast: Good app support, but the interface can feel cluttered.
- Google TV: Great if you’re in the Android ecosystem, but check the "Pro" or "higher-end" models to ensure the processor can actually handle it.
The Sound Problem Nobody Mentions
Physics is a jerk. You cannot get deep, rich sound out of a TV that is two inches thick and weighs five pounds. The speakers in these 24-inch units are usually downward-firing 3-watt or 5-watt drivers. They sound thin. They sound "tinny."
If you’re putting this in a noisy kitchen where the dishwasher is running, you aren't going to hear the dialogue. You just aren't. Honestly, if you buy a walmart 24 inch tv, you should probably budget an extra $30 for a cheap soundbar or even a pair of PC speakers. Most of these TVs still have a 3.5mm headphone jack or an Optical Out. Use them. Your ears will thank you.
Viewing Angles: The TN vs. IPS Battle
This is where people get burned. Have you ever looked at a cheap TV from the side and the colors looked all washed out or inverted? That’s because it’s using a TN (Twisted Nematic) panel. These are cheap to make and have fast response times, but the viewing angles suck.
If you are mounting this TV up high—like on top of a refrigerator or high on a bedroom wall—and you're looking up at it, the image might look like a negative photograph.
- Check the box: Look for mention of "Wide Viewing Angle" or IPS technology.
- The "Eye Test": If you’re in the store, walk to the side of the display. If the color shifts dramatically, don't buy it for a wall mount.
- Vizio vs. Onn.: Generally, Vizio uses slightly better panels with better off-axis viewing than the entry-level Onn. models.
Why "Onn." Isn't Always a Budget Compromise
Walmart's "Onn." brand used to be pretty terrible. It’s okay to say it. But over the last two years, they've stepped up. They realized that people who buy a walmart 24 inch tv want it to just work.
The secret is that Walmart doesn't make these. They contract them out to massive OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers). Often, an Onn. TV is basically a simplified version of an RCA or an Element TV. They are surprisingly durable. Because they are so simple, there is less to go wrong with the hardware. I've seen these things survive dorm rooms, greasy kitchens, and garage workshops where a $2,000 OLED would have died in a week.
Gaming on a 24-Inch Scale
Don't expect 120Hz. Don't expect HDMI 2.1. Don't expect VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). You're getting a basic 60Hz refresh rate.
However, for a Nintendo Switch or an older PS4/Xbox One, a 24-inch screen is actually great. Because the screen is small, the lower resolution of those consoles looks sharper. The "input lag" on these basic TVs is often surprisingly low because they don't have complex "image enhancement" processing that slows down the signal. It’s raw. It’s fast. It’s perfect for a budget gaming nook.
Real-World Use Cases: Where This Size Actually Shines
We live in an era of "bigger is better," but the 24-inch form factor is a survivor.
In a home office, a walmart 24 inch tv serves as a perfect dedicated news or sports monitor. You don't want to use your main computer monitors for the "background noise" of CNBC or ESPN. A small TV on a swivel mount next to your desk is the play.
For RVers and van-lifers, the 24-inch size is the gold standard. It draws very little power—often less than 30 or 40 watts. Some models even run on 12V DC power natively (though you usually have to look at specialized brands or use an inverter for the Walmart ones).
Technical Specs to Watch For
Don't just look at the price tag. Look at the back of the box.
- HDMI Ports: Most only have two. If you have a cable box and a streaming stick, you’re full. If you also want a game console, you're swapping cables.
- USB Power: Does the USB port provide enough juice to power a Fire Stick or Chromecast? Most modern Onn. and Vizio sets do, but the older, non-smart models might not.
- Vesa Mount: Ensure it has the 75x75mm or 100x100mm holes on the back. Some super-cheap models have weird integrated stands that make mounting a nightmare.
The Warranty Question
Walmart offers their Protection Plan (usually through Allstate/SquareTrade). For a $300 TV, I usually say skip it. But for a $90 walmart 24 inch tv? Sometimes the plan is like $10 for three years. In a high-traffic area like a kid's room, that’s actually not a bad deal. These TVs are built to a price point, and while they are durable, they aren't "survive a flying Wiimote" durable.
Making the Final Call
So, which one do you actually buy?
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If you want the best possible image, you look for the Vizio D-Series. It’s usually a bit more expensive, but the 1080p resolution and better color accuracy matter if you’re watching movies.
If you just need a screen that works for the lowest possible price, the Onn. 24-inch Class HD Roku Smart TV is the winner. The Roku interface is the saving grace. It makes a cheap TV feel like a much more expensive one.
Before you leave the store, check the return policy. Even the best brands have "panel lotteries" where one TV might have a dead pixel or a weird backlight bleed. Walmart is usually pretty good about exchanges within 30 days. Test it the second you get home. Put on a bright white screen and look for dark spots. Put on a black screen and look for bright glowing corners. If it’s bad, take it back.
Actionable Steps for Your Purchase:
- Measure your space twice: A 24-inch TV is actually about 21-22 inches wide. Make sure it fits between your kitchen cabinets.
- Prioritize the OS: If you hate slow menus, stick with the Roku-powered models.
- Check the resolution: Only buy 720p if you are sitting more than four feet away. If it’s a desk TV, hunt for 1080p.
- Grab an HDMI cable: Most budget TVs do not include one in the box, and you don't want to drive back to the store.
- Update the firmware immediately: As soon as you connect to Wi-Fi, run the system update. It often fixes the "laggy menu" issues that plague these cheaper processors out of the box.