You no longer have to pay through the nose for a cutting edge, big-screen TV. For less than a £1,000 you can bag a remarkable new set that’s slimmer and smarter than anything that’s gone before.

From net-connected IPTV portals to 3D, potential buyers are spoilt for choice. But should you splurge on cutting-edge features or look for a hi-def bargain? To help you decide, we’ve put six big-brand sub-£1,000 TVs, with screen sizes ranging between 37- 42 inches, through their paces...

LG 42LW550T
£999
Resolution: 1080 x 1920
Web TV service: Media Link
Tuner: Freeview HD, analogue
Love: Low-cost, Won’t break the bank. Excellent media streaming with support for all key formats
Hate: 3D picture has a lower resolution than Active Shutter rivals Media Link setup is not for technophobes
LG 42LW550T review I Link: LG

Panasonic TX-L42E3
£799
Resolution: 1080 x 1920
Web TV service: None
Tuner: Freeview HD, analogue
Love: Wide horizontal viewing angle makes it great for bigger living rooms Integrated SD card reader for AVCHD and JPEG stills
No VIERA Connect streaming VOD portal Low motion resolution rules this out for sports fans
Panasonic TX-L42E3 review I Link: Panasonic

Samsung UE37D6530
£999
Resolution: 1080 x 1920
Web TV service: Smart Hub
Tuner: Freeview HD, analogue
Love: Smooth, sharp hi-def pictures are a wow Enjoy free 3D courtesy of the brand’s Explore 3D Smart Hub channel
Hate: No 3D glasses included, so you’ll need to budget extra Media streaming support across a network can be pedantic
Samsung UE37D6530 review I Link: Samsung

Sharp LC-40LE831
£999
Resolution: 1080 x 1920
Web TV service: Net TV
Tuner: Freeview HD, analogue
Love: Dramatic new hi-res user interface Finger-licking 3D performance
Hate: No 3D glasses supplied Wispy-thin audio performance
Sharp LC-40LE831 review I Link: Sharp

Sony KDL-40CX523
£599
Resolution: 1080 x 1920
Web TV service: BRAVIA Internet Video Services & Qriocity VOD
Tuner: Freeview HD, analogue
Love: Smooth, noise free images make the most of hi-def sources The BRAVIA Internet video portal offers plenty of streaming IPTV
Hate: No Motionflow processing makes moving objects a little blurry Track ID feature steadfastly failed to work
Sony KDL-40CX523 review I Link: Sony

Toshiba 42RL853
£699
Resolution: 1080 x 1920
Web TV service: BBC iPlayer & YouTube
Tuner: Freeview HD, analogue
Love: Resolution+ picture does a great job upscaling SD sources The YouTube client allows you to stream HD
Hate: Poor motion resolution means movement can look blurry The set’s online TV offering is rather paltry
Toshiba 42RL853 review I Link: Toshiba