If you’re an avid TV watcher like us, then you understand the importance of having a high-quality television. With so many brands out there, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.
If you’re curious about how a brand manages to offer 4K TVs at an incredibly affordable price, you’ve come to the right place.
Although Insignia doesn’t offer the same level of luxury as the latest Samsung or Sharp Aquos TVs, it is a reliable brand that provides quality products at an affordable and reasonable price too. You can expect a product that exceeds your expectations without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re on a tight budget or looking for the best technology out there, Insignia could be an excellent brand choice.
But is Insignia a good brand? Is it worth buying? Let’s dive in and find out!
What is Insignia? Who Owns It?
The Insignia brand is a brand owned by by Best Buy, a reputable online retailer that offers a wide range of products.
Insignia produces a variety of devices, such as televisions, refrigerators, freezers, dashcams, air purifiers, and microwaves, in addition to TVs.
In order to buy Insignia products such as TVs, home audio or video equipment, camera accessories, or other electronic goods, you must go to the Best Buy store.
Where Are Insignia Products Made?
Insignia products are manufactured in China as Best Buy outsource companies based in China for their production process.
It is unclear which company is responsible for producing the products. It’s worth noting that Chinese manufacturing is not exclusive to Insignia; TCL and HiSense also have products manufactured in China.
In the following sections of this article, you will discover the reason why these companies choose China as their manufacturing hub.
Insignia – A Budget Brand
How much do Insignia TVs cost?
Premium brands such as Sony, Sharp, and Samsung are generally more expensive compared to Insignia. For instance, a 55-inch Insignia smart TV with 4K resolution and HDR costs less than $400, which is more than two times cheaper than the same TV from Samsung.
If you are on a budget, choosing an Insignia TV will always give you a good deal compared to other brands. So, you can trust Insignia to provide you with a great option.
Insignia Smart TVs: Is it Always About Low Prices?
While Insignia TVs are typically priced lower, their quality and technology are often on par with other leading brands. In fact, they even have exclusive partnerships with Amazon.
A decade ago, Insignia was among the first companies to embrace the Smart TV trend. They continue to be a leading figure in technology integration today.
In 2018, Insignia was the exclusive brand with an official partnership to sell TVs with Amazon Fire TV built-in, and they were also among the first brands to launch 4K Roku and Fire TVs.
Insignia TVs are often seen as budget-friendly options, but this perception is not necessarily true.
Do not assume that these TVs only have a low price, as they can still possess impressive features and capabilities.
What Makes Insignia Products So Affordable?
I already told you that Insignia is owned by Best Buy and all of their products are manufactured by Chinese companies through a contracted agreement.
Insignia is able to offer competitive prices for its goods as it benefits from China’s vast manufacturing infrastructure and cheap labor through outsourcing, resulting in reduced costs for the company.
Many people believe that high-priced products are always of higher quality. This is not always true, as some brands charge more than what their products are worth.
The reason for this is that some companies have discrepancies in their research and development, marketing, and manufacturing processes.
Insignia utilizes slightly previous premium models of pricey brands’ products. This is akin to buying an iPhone from the previous year shortly after the release of a new model.
You are not buying an inferior product, but rather getting a great discount on an older model.
Thus, the products are priced quite reasonably in comparison to those of other manufacturers.
Where do Insignia TVs Come From?
Insignia televisions are manufactured in China, Taiwan, and Japan. The individual parts are produced in various factories and then assembled in China before being transported to the United States.
Best Buy doesn’t manufacture or design TVs like big brands do. Instead, they partner with multiple manufacturers and outsource the production.
Insignia TVs are manufactured in the same factories as other major brands, so you might find Samsung, LG or other companies’ components in an Insignia TV if you open it up. The TVs are typically made using spare parts and materials from previous year’s models.
Unused or surplus tv screens and processors from Samsung TVs made in 2020 will be used in the production of 2021 model Insignia TVs. This allows for a cheaper and easier production process while still utilizing high-quality components.
Buying an Insignia TV is similar to purchasing last year’s iPhone model right after the release of the latest version. You will still get a decent TV, but it will be a previous generation compared to a high-end Samsung TV.
Features of Insignia Products
Design & Quality
Despite the affordable price and target customers, the materials used in the finished product don’t give off a cheap feel. The overall build quality is exceptional and feels very durable.
Price
The reason why Insignia products are priced lower is that the manufacturing process is outsourced to China. As a result, the brand incurs reduced expenses which are passed on to customers.
Technology
No matter if you are purchasing a 4K TV from Insignia or the latest refrigerator, you can be sure that they will not be outdated. Best Buy has a large selection of Insignia products, offering a variety of consumer electronics.
Reliability
Although Insignia gadgets are not as high quality as their more expensive counterparts, they generally have a longer lifespan. TVs and washers, among others, come with a one-year warranty.
Customer service
If you have any technical issues, Insignia has a customer support team available to assist you promptly.
Pros and Cons of Buying an Insignia TV
Pros
- Significant cost savings: If you’re looking for a 4K Smart TV under $500, then the Insignia TV is a great option and the main reason to consider buying one.
- High-Quality: As we talked about earlier, the TVs being economical doesn’t mean they’re of cheap quality. Although the TVs may not have the latest technology inside them, they are still reliable and high-quality.
- Fire TV-Enabled: If you own Amazon Echo devices at home, it’s logical to have your TV connected to the same smart home system. Luckily, with an Insignia TV, you don’t need to purchase an additional Fire TV device.
Cons
- May Have Outdated Components: Insignia TVs probably have components that are one model year older than those found in Samsung, Toshiba, or Sony TVs. If you’re looking for the newest technology, Insignia may not be the best option for you.
- Speakers are “Meh” at Best”: Although this issue is not specific to Insignia, it is important to note that the audio quality may not be exceptional. To enhance the audio quality, you may need to purchase a soundbar.
Best Insignia TV to Buy Today
The Insignia NS-43DF710NA21 Smart 4K UHD – Fire TV is considered the top-rated Insignia TV. It offers 4K Ultra HD picture quality, with over 8 million pixels for excellent clarity, deep contrast, and vibrant colors.
Additionally, it is affordably priced.
You can access all the popular streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, and Disney+ with Fire TV built-in.
To get one for yourself, you can check Amazon.
What Other Products Does Insignia Make?
Insignia offers a wide variety of consumer electronics such as TVs, refrigerators, portable washers, microwaves, heaters, and more. You can easily explore Best Buy’s product categories to find what you’re looking for.
They sell various electronics, such as
- televisions,
- home theatre accessories,
- home audio and video systems,
- gaming accessories (including controllers, microphones, and headsets),
- car electronics (including GPS),
- camera accessories and photo frames,
- portable audio,
- laptops and desktops,
- smartphone and tablet accessories,
- home appliances, and
- smart home accessories (including power strips, surge protectors, and WiFi security cameras).
The brand is popular for only a few products, among which are the highly sought-after Insignia TVs. These TVs are reasonably priced.
Is Insignia TV a smart TV?
All the TV models are smart except for the Insignia N10 series, which is more affordable but requires a streaming stick. If you are comfortable with this setup, then it could be a good option for you.
The N10 TVs offer many features and are a practical and reasonably priced alternative to other companies products.
Using smart tv or not, watching Insignia TV is always enjoyable.
Do Insignia TVs last long?
Yes, they do last long. Insignia TVs are known to have a long lifespan and can even be up to several years old before needing an upgrade.
If you take good care of your Insignia TV, it can last for up to ten years. Even with heavy use, it should last for at least seven years. This is similar to other TVs on the market.
They are reliable and offer good performance for the price you pay. Additionally, their customer service is excellent if you ever need help or run into issues with your purchase.
How long is the Insignia TV warranty?
The Warranty Period for the Product is 1 year (365 days) from the day you bought it. Check the purchase date on the receipt provided with the Product.
Before contacting customer support and using the warranty, you may try troubleshooting by referring to the collection of solutions I have provided.
Which brand is better, LG or Insignia?
Compared to the Insignia Fire TV, the LG UK6300 has advantages such as lower input lag and better viewing angles.
These features are useful if you plan to use the TV as a PC monitor or if you want the screen to accommodate a wide seating arrangement in your room.
Additionally, the LG handles reflections better and is capable of accommodating more light sources.
Which brand is better, Insignia or Vizio?
If you want an affordable TV, Insignia is a good brand to consider. However, if you prioritize features, Vizio is a better option.
Which is better, OLED or LED?
OLED provides superior picture quality when compared to LED.
Alternatives to Insignia: Other Budget TV Brands You Can Consider
TCL
This brand is well-known for being the top-selling Smart TV that includes built-in Roku.
In terms of price, picture quality, and overall value, these TVs appear very similar to Insignia for the common consumer.
Therefore, it may be unclear why someone would choose to purchase a TCL over an Insignia (or vice versa).
Choosing between Insignia and TCL TVs is easy. If you like Amazon Fire TV’s interface, go for Insignia. But if you prefer Roku, opt for TCL. Both brands offer comparable TVs at similar prices.
Westinghouse TV
If you prioritize saving money above everything else, consider purchasing a Westinghouse TV.
However, it’s worth noting that while they may be the most affordable option, they often lack in quality.
Westinghouse TVs tend to have a cheap tv appearance, feel, and sound.
Amazonbasics
Amazonbasics is a range of products offered by Amazon that are comparable to Insignia products. They offer a good combination of affordability and performance.
Additionally, Amazonbasics has a larger selection of products to choose from, so it’s a good option if you want more variety.
Dynex
Dynex is another Best Buy’s in house brand that offer more affordable options compared to Insignia.
If you are looking for the best value for money, consider Dynex instead.
You can easily compare the two brands as they are both sold in the same stores, which can help you make a more informed decision.
Conclusion – Should You Buy an Insignia TV?
It’s safe to say that Insignia is a fantastic brand and worth buying. The brand offers excellent value for your money and has a reliable history of satisfactory customer experiences with its hardware components, great picture quality, smart features, and reliable customer service.
The icing on the cake is the warranties provided by Insignia for their products, ensuring that your new TV now is safe from any unexpected damages and delivering hassle-free ownership.
So, if you’re looking for your next great TV brand to buy, don’t overlook Insignia. It might be the perfect, affordable solution to your TV needs!
