Insignia FE NS40-FEFL26 39.5"

The Insignia FE NS40-FEFL26 nails smart TV features (88th percentile) and audio (80th), but its display is in the bottom 6% of our database. At $89 to $150, it's a great value for a secondary TV, but skip it if you need 4K or HDR.

In our database, this TV scores in the 88th percentile for smart features, which is one of the best on the market. The Fire TV platform is snappy, and Alexa voice control works well. Audio is also a standout, hitting the 80th percentile with 20W of power and Dolby Atmos support. But picture quality is where it falls apart: it's in the 37th percentile, and the display itself is in the 6th percentile. That's because it's a 1080p panel with no HDR to speak of. Gaming is also weak, at the 19th percentile, thanks to a 60Hz panel and no VRR.

Compared to the Samsung Neo QLED QN70F or Hisense U6 Series, the Insignia is a completely different beast. Those are 4K TVs with HDR and much better picture quality, but they cost several times more. The Insignia's 1080p panel and weak HDR put it in a different class. If you're on a tight budget and want a smart TV, the Insignia wins on price and smart features. But if you can stretch your budget, the Hisense U6 offers a far better display for not much more.

At $89 to $150, this TV is a steal for what you get in smart features and audio. The price per performance ratio is excellent if you're measuring smart TV capabilities, but if you care about picture quality, you're paying for a panel that's in the bottom 10% of our database. It's a great value for a secondary TV, but not for a main viewing experience.

The Insignia FE NS40-FEFL26 is a 40-inch 1080p Fire TV that sells for $89 to $150. It's a budget pick that nails the smart TV experience, landing in the 88th percentile for smart features and 80th for audio. But the display is a different story: it sits in the 6th percentile for display quality, which is about as low as it gets. If you're after a cheap TV with great streaming integration and decent sound, this might be it. Just don't expect much from the panel itself.

We've seen a lot of budget TVs, and this one is a mixed bag. The Fire TV integration is top-notch, and the 20W speakers with Dolby Atmos support are surprisingly good for the price. But the 1080p resolution and lack of HDR mean it's not going to impress anyone who's used to 4K. It's a TV for the bedroom or kitchen, not the living room centerpiece.

If you're a gamer, this TV will disappoint you. The gaming score is in the 19th percentile, and the 60Hz panel with no VRR means motion blur and input lag. Also, if you're used to 4K or HDR, the 1080p panel with no HDR support will look washed out. And if you want to use it as a digital photo frame, the inability to disable the auto-sleep timer will drive you crazy.

The Insignia FE NS40-FEFL26 is a solid budget TV for smart features and audio, but it's a poor choice for anyone who cares about picture quality or gaming. We'd recommend it for a bedroom, kitchen, or guest room where you'll mostly stream content and don't need 4K. If you're a gamer or a movie buff, look elsewhere.