Shopping for a new TV can be overwhelming with so many brands, features, and technical jargon to understand. As someone who just wanted a decent 32 inch TV for my bedroom, I learned a lot in my search for the best value pick. After hours of research and testing, I’m excited to share my experiences and buying guide for the Insignia 32 Inch TV.

Why I Needed a New 32 Inch TV

The old box TV in my bedroom finally died after over a decade of use. I needed something more compact with a better picture. As I browsed TVs online and in stores, I found myself drawn to 32 inch screens. This size is ideal for smaller spaces like bedrooms and offices, providing an immersive viewing experience without dominating the room.

32 inch TVs also tend to be very affordable compared to their massive big-screen counterparts. As someone sticking to a budget, I appreciated the balance of size and price with a 32 inch. But I still wanted decent HD resolution and smart capabilities in my new TV.

The Case for Choosing Insignia

Insignia quickly emerged as the top contender for brand. Insignia is Best Buy’s in-house lineup of affordable electronics. The prices are very budget-friendly, but the products still offer great value.

As a casual TV watcher planning to stream shows and use apps, I didn’t need fancy OLED screens or theater-level sound systems. I just needed something reliable and simple to use.

The Insignia 32 inch TV met all my needs at a fraction of the price of big names like Samsung and LG. And it had generally positive reviews from other budget-focused shoppers. I appreciated that Insignia products are exclusive to Best Buy, so I could easily go see models on display.

Key Features of the Insignia 32 Inch TV

The Insignia 32 inch TV comes loaded with features that enhance the viewing experience. Here are some of the key specs that caught my attention:

• 1080p full HD resolution – With a 1920 x 1080 resolution, the crisp detailed images were a massive upgrade from my old analog set.
• DTS Studio Sound – This built-in audio technology provides rich, immersive sound quality for shows, movies and streaming content.
• 2 HDMI ports – The HDMI ports allow you to connect gaming consoles, a Blu-ray player, cable box or other devices to the TV.
• 1 USB port – The USB input allows you to view photos, music, and videos from a flash drive.
• WiFi connectivity – The built-in WiFi made setting up the TV easy. I didn’t have to run any unsightly Ethernet cables.
• Voice remote – The voice-controlled remote made navigating menus and searching for content a breeze.

These key features made this an attractive option as both a smart TV and an external monitor for my laptop. Next I’ll go over my experience setting up the TV.

Setting Up My Insignia 32 Inch TV

One of my worries about ordering a TV online was the setup process. I’m not very tech savvy so I feared it would be difficult. Luckily, getting my Insignia 32 inch TV ready to use was quick and painless.

As soon as I unpacked the TV, I noticed the stand was already attached. This was a nice surprise that saved me from fumbling with assembly. The TV itself was very lightweight at just over 10 pounds. I easily carried it to my bedroom and placed it on the media console.

With the TV powered on, it booted up right into the setup menu. I followed the on-screen instructions to connect to my WiFi network. The process only took a couple minutes thanks to the built-in wireless connectivity.

Next I turned to the voice remote, which pairs automatically with the TV via Bluetooth. Using the provided batteries, I set up the remote to understand my speech and control the TV with voice commands.

In less than 10 minutes, I had the TV fully set up and connected. The interface was very user-friendly and simple to navigate. I didn’t need to tinker with any advanced settings to start enjoying the superb HD picture.

Streaming and Viewing Experience

Since I planned to use my Insignia TV primarily for streaming shows and movies, I tested it out with a few popular apps. I was thrilled to find the smart TV supported apps like Hulu, YouTube, Disney+, HBO Max, and many more.

The interface made it easy to find and download new apps from the app store. I didn’t experience any lag or technical issues with streaming over my WiFi network. Shows and movies looked fantastic in full 1080p HD resolution.

The DTS sound provided an immersive audio experience that felt like I had a mini home theater system. I could clearly hear dialogue and sound effects without the need for external speakers.

Whether I was binging Netflix or watching playoff basketball, the video quality impressed me every time I turned on the TV. The anti-glare protective coating also minimized any issues with reflection or eyestrain if I watched during daylight hours.

Gaming and External Device Connectivity

Even though I didn’t plan to game on this TV, I still tested it out with my old Xbox console. I wanted to make sure it could serve double duty as both a streaming device and external monitor.

Using one of the HDMI ports, I easily connected my Xbox and launched into some gaming. Just as with streaming shows, the gaming experience was flawless. The refresh rate delivered smooth, lag-free visuals with crisp colors and vivid images.

The 32 inch screen size felt immersive for both gaming and TV/movie watching. I also used the USB port to view personal photos and videos from a flash drive. Everything worked seamlessly, validating how versatile this TV is.

Comparison Shopping: Insignia vs Other Brands

As I researched 32 inch televisions, I scoured reviews and specs for models by other brands like TCL and Samsung. Most of these TVs were considerably more expensive than the comparable Insignia model.

For example, the TCL 32S325 32-Inch 1080p Smart LED Roku TV was priced nearly $100 higher than the Insignia. At that small screen size, I couldn’t justify paying a premium for brand names when the features were very similar.

The Insignia seemed to keep pace with pricier competitors regarding HD resolution, sound quality, apps, connectivity and smart assistance. I realized I could get all the key features I needed for hundreds less.

While Sony and LG make arguably superior TVs, their 32 inch options cost several times more. As a budget buyer, the Insignia provided phenomenal value. I didn’t feel like I sacrificed anything opting for the cheaper Insignia model.

Final Impressions After 1 Month of Use

Now that I’ve used my Insignia 32 inch TV daily for a month, I’m amazed at how this affordable TV has exceeded my expectations. The smart platform makes streaming a breeze while still offering flexible connectivity.

The HD resolution never fails to impress me when watching sports, movies or playing video games. The picture quality rivals that of my friend’s much more expensive Samsung smart TV.

The voice remote and Google Assistant features make it easy to search for content on different apps and services. I’m also happy with how seamlessly it integrates into my living space.

Overall, the Insignia 32 inch TV has been an excellent purchase that delivers premium features and performance at a bargain price point. I would highly recommend it to anyone seeking an entry-level smart television on a budget.

Recommendations for Making the Most of Your Insignia 32 Inch TV

Based on my experience getting set up and living with this TV, here are my top tips for new Insignia owners:

• Take time to adjust the picture settings for your optimal viewing. The vivid mode offers really rich colors, but you may prefer something more natural.
• Experiment with placing the TV in different positions to minimize glare and reflections during daytime. Angle it away from windows if needed.
• Connect external speakers or soundbar for more powerful audio if the built-in DTS sound isn’t enough.
• Use the FAST port on the back to plug in an over-the-air HDTV antenna for accessing local broadcast channels.
• Mount the TV to the wall with a bracket if you want to conserve space and prevent tipping accidents.
• Turn off motion smoothing effects that create unrealistic visuals, especially for sports and films.
• Adjust the power settings so the TV does not remain in always-on standby mode when powered off.

Following these tips will ensure you make the most of your Insignia 32 inch TV for years of spectacular viewing. Feel free to customize settings and connections to match your preferences.

Bottom Line: Why This Insignia TV is Worth Buying

For shoppers like me seeking a quality 32 inch television that won’t break the bank, I wholeheartedly recommend the Insignia. It provides a complete smart TV solution with crisp HD resolution, robust sound, and intuitive controls.

Streaming apps and external devices connect perfectly for endless entertainment options. The setup couldn’t be simpler right out of the box. While more premium brands offer flashy extra features, this budget buy has everything needed for immersive viewing.

If you want to upgrade your bedroom, office or other small space with a new TV, put the Insignia 32 inch at the top of your list. I consider this very affordable model to be the ideal balance of size, price and performance.

So turn on your new Insignia TV and start enjoying your favorite movies, shows, YouTube videos and more in stunning high definition. This small smart television combines big picture quality with wallet-friendly value. Thanks for reading my Insignia buying guide and happy streaming!