Forget socks and barbecue equipment, what you really want to get for the dad in your life is a new TV.
Not a big-screen behemoth, though — chances are one of those is already in the living room — but a little TV that’ll fit snugly into a kitchen corner, the bedroom or even the garage.
Unlike big-screen TVs, there are different specs to keep in mind when it comes to buying TVs 32-inches or smaller (they typically cost less than $350).
“The three most important things to consider when shopping for a smaller LCD TV are backlighting type, number [and] type of inputs and Web services,” says Adrienne Maxwell, video editor for HomeTheaterReview.com.
Maxwell, who recently picked the Panasonic TC-L32X5 as a best bet on gadget site The Wirecutter, likes LED screens because they are generally thinner and more environmentally-friendly than LCDs.
She also recommends picking a TV with enough inputs to accommodate intended add-ons like a DVD player, cable box or gaming console.
If you’re looking to network your TV for streaming video, video on demand and other Web-based services, be sure to make it a Smart TV. (Otherwise you’ll need to shell out for a streaming media player like Apple TV or a Roku box.)
For people who’ve cut the cable cord and want to use a TV instead of a traditional computer monitor, Maxwell says it’s a good idea to seek out a set with a dedicated PC input.
And, if family photo slideshows and vacation videos provide hours of entertainment, check out a TV that has a USB port or an SD card reader built-in, so you can plug and play.
On small TVs, getting the highest resolution isn’t too important.
“At the typical viewing distance from which you would likely watch TV, your eyes won’t be able to see the different between 1080p and 720p,” Maxwell says. “So, I recommend you save some money and get a 720p TV.”
It’s the same for refresh rates — how often the image changes on screen.
Maxwell says that most people will be perfectly happy with a 60Hz refresh rate, although 120Hz and higher might help reduce motion blurring on-screen if you’re picky.
The best small TV sets out there
SONY BX330
$329.99;store.sony.com
A handy feature of this 32-inch 720p LCD set is its USB port, which makes it easy to plug in MP3 players or memory sticks. Digital noise reduction helps clean up video and photos from USB or PC sources.
Toshiba 24V4210U
$349.99; toshibadirect.com
A big selling point for this 24-inch, 1080p TV is a built-in DVD player, which means fewer cables and remotes. It also has LED backlighting (for bright, sharp images) and a special gaming setting that reduces controller delay. It’s compatible with tablets, too.
Panasonic TC-L32X5
$399.99; shop.panasonic.com
The 32-inch LED TV’s special features includeawide viewing angle (178 degrees) and SD memory card slot, which lets everyone have a good view of those vacation snapshots. Eco mode automatically adjusts screen brightness and shuts off when there’s no activity.
LG 32LM6200
$799; amazon.com
This 32-inch 1080p LED TV’s got all the bells and whistles — 3-D picture (six pairs of 3-D glasses are included), dual play gaming (split-screen gaming without the split-screen) and 3-D sound zooming for immersive audio. It’s also wi-fi ready with a built-in Smart TV Web interface and is very multimedia friendly.