The term 'budget TV' is misleading. Everyone has a budget when shopping for a new telly -- it's just that, for many of us, that budget doesn't extend to a solid-gold remote control, motorised mahogany stand and perhaps even 3D technology.

Luckily, opting for a cheap TV these days needn't mean skimping on features or build quality. The temptation when shopping for a television is to go straight for the biggest screen you can afford. This is often a mistake. No-brand TVs might offer plenty of screen for your cash, but they can also come with real problems: dodgy image or sound quality, buggy software, flimsy components and limited connection options.

A better move is to decide on the size of screen you want and then research models within your budget -- you might be pleasantly surprised. For a start, even some of the cheapest sets on the market are now HD Ready. But it's not always worth paying extra for high-definition capability. With sets under 28 inches in size, the difference between a HD Ready and a good standard-definition TV is much less apparent. On that note, 37 inches is really the smallest screen size at which it makes sense to opt for a Full HD, 1080p resolution over an HD Ready, 720p one.

You're unlikely to have much choice over the screen type in the lower price bracket. Most budget TVs are plain old LCDs, with none of the low-power, colour-boosting LED technology found on more expensive sets. Plasma TVs aren't particularly expensive, but they are rarely made with screen sizes less than 37 inches, so even the cheapest ones will set you back a few hundred quid.

The best TV bargains are usually found at the most popular size -- 32 inches -- and among last season's models. That means you might not have the very latest frequency-doubling motion control or Internet widgets, but you will get a great set with proven technology.

Insist on multiple HDMI inputs and at least some flexibility in the form of component, S-Video, USB and even old-fashioned Scart ports. You might get a Freeview tuner built in, but it's unlikely to be of the tasty new Freeview HD flavour or have access to any integrated recording space. We're happy to see some entry-level TVs starting to come with eco modes to save power -- some adjust the set's brightness automatically to suit your room.

One area in which cheap televisions still lag behind the bourgeoisie is audio performance. Many manufacturers seem to think that, if they splash out on a half-decent LCD panel, they can get away with tinny speakers, mushy sound and flabby bass. Either seek out affordable sonic superstars (they do exist) or connect the TV to your stereo or home-cinema system.

Below is CNET UK's choice of cheap TV sets. If even these look too expensive, don't fret -- prices are always dropping, so wait a month or two and they might just fall into your budget.