Everything You Need To Know Before Buying an Insignia Smart TV

I’ve been in the market for a new TV lately and I’ve been eyeing the Insignia smart TVs. As someone who loves binge watching Netflix and catching the latest movies and shows, having a smart TV seems like an absolute must these days. But with so many options and features to consider, I wanted to do thorough research before making this big purchase.

After spending hours comparing different models and brands, I’m convinced that Insignia offers one of the best values for a smart TV. In this buying guide, I’ll share everything I’ve learned about Insignia smart TVs to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your home entertainment needs.

Overview of Insignia Smart TV Features

Insignia is Best Buy’s in-house brand, known for budget-friendly tech that doesn’t skimp on quality. Most Insignia smart TVs run on Amazon’s Fire TV platform, giving you easy access to tons of shows, movies, apps and Alexa voice control.

Here are some of the key features Insignia smart TVs offer:

• 4K Ultra HD resolution – Get stunning image quality with over 8 million pixels. Great for watching sports, movies and shows in crisp detail.
• HDR support – HDR (high dynamic range) boosts color, contrast and brightness for a more vivid and realistic viewing experience.
• WiFi and ethernet connectivity – Easily connect your Insignia smart TV to your home WiFi network to access all your streaming apps. There’s also an ethernet port for wired connectivity.
• Built-in apps – Insignia Fire TVs come pre-loaded with popular apps like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, HBO Max and more. Tons of entertainment at your fingertips.
• Alexa voice assistant – Use your voice to search for content, launch apps, play music and control smart home devices. Alexa makes it easy to get the most out of your Insignia TV.
• Gaming features – Low input lag and fast refresh rates provide smooth gameplay. Some models even support variable refresh rate for gaming.

Setting Up Your New Insignia Smart TV

Once you get your new Insignia TV home, you’ll need to go through the initial setup process. Here are the steps to get your smart TV up and running:

1. Mount the TV – Decide on wall mounting or placing on a TV stand, then get your TV securely in place. Be sure to place it somewhere with easy access to power outlets and ethernet ports if needed.
2. Plug in the power cable – Connect the included power cord from the TV to an outlet. The TV may automatically turn on once plugged in.
3. Connect to WiFi – The setup wizard will guide you through connecting your Insignia TV to your home WiFi network. Have your WiFi password handy.
4. Sign in – Link services like Amazon, Netflix and more by signing into your accounts. This will link your subscriptions for easy streaming access.
5. Activate Alexa – Follow the steps to enable Amazon Alexa so you can use voice commands with your Insignia Fire TV.
6. Install apps – Use the search feature to find and download additional apps you want, like Disney+, Hulu, ESPN, and more. Your TV is all set!

With those simple steps complete, you’ll be ready to start enjoying free channels, streaming movies and shows, and using your smart TV’s great features.

Display Quality and Resolution

One of the most important factors when choosing a new TV is display resolution and overall image quality. Here’s an overview of what to expect from Insignia’s smart TV lineup:

• Entry-level 720p – If you’re looking for an affordable smart TV, you can find Insignia models with 720p HD resolution. This is decent for casual viewing but won’t be as crisp as higher resolutions.
• 1080p Full HD – Most of Insignia’s Fire TV models feature 1080p resolution, also known as Full HD. This provides great image quality for most content. Pixel count comes in at around 2 million.
• 4K Ultra HD – For the best visual experience, look for a 4K Insignia TV. 4K resolution has over 8 million pixels for the sharpest picture. Highly recommended for large screen sizes.
• HDR support – Many Insignia TVs include HDR capability for a wider color gamut and increased contrast. This really boosts the realism of images.
• Refresh rate – Lower budget models have 60Hz refresh rate which is fine for movies and shows. Aim for 120Hz or higher refresh rates if you want smoother motion for sports and gaming.

As you can see, Insignia smart TVs are very solid when it comes to display specs and resolution. The 4K models in particular can compete with top-tier TVs at much lower price points.

Connecting Your Insignia TV to WiFi

Since Insignia smart TVs run on Fire TV, getting your TV connected to WiFi is essential to streaming content and downloading apps. Here are the steps to get your Insignia TV hooked up to your home wireless network:

1. From the home screen, select “Settings” then “Network”
2. Select “Set up new WiFi connection”
3. Choose your wireless network from the list when it appears
4. Enter your WiFi password using the on-screen keyboard
5. The TV will confirm when connected successfully to your WiFi
6. Run an internet speed test in the settings to verify connectivity
7. If you have issues connecting, you can use the Ethernet port on the TV to establish wired internet as well.

If your WiFi signal is weak in the room your TV is located in, I recommend getting a wireless range extender or mesh WiFi system. This will boost your signal strength for smooth 4K video streaming.

Available Apps and Features

One amazing benefit of Insignia Fire TVs is the huge variety of apps and streaming services available. Here are some of the top apps you can enjoy:

• Netflix – The world’s leading subscription streaming service with thousands of movies & shows. Great original programming like Stranger Things too.
• Hulu – Hulu has current shows, classics, Hulu Originals and more. Ad-free plans available.
• Disney+ – Get endless Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar and National Geographic content. Must-have for fans big and small.
• YouTube – Watch all your favorite YouTube content on the big screen, from music videos to tutorials and more. Sign into your account for subscriptions.
• HBO Max – Unlock Max Originals plus favorites like Game of Thrones. Stream DC movies and classics like The Wizard of Oz.
• Prime Video – Amazon’s streaming service has a huge catalog of movies and originals. Free with a Prime membership.
• PlutoTV – This free streaming TV service offers 100+ channels of news, sports, movies and more!

Basically all of the most popular streaming platforms are available on Insignia’s Fire TV Edition models. You can access tons of free content as well as paid services like Netflix by logging into your existing accounts.

Voice Control with Alexa

One of my favorite aspects of Insignia’s Fire TV models is that they come with full Alexa integration. Here are some of the great ways you can use Alexa voice commands:

• Launch apps – “Alexa, open Netflix.”
• Search for content – “Alexa, find comedies.”
• Play music – “Alexa, play my jazz playlist.”
• Get info – “Alexa, what’s the weather forecast?”
• Smart home controls – “Alexa, turn on the kitchen lights.”
• Make purchases – “Alexa, order more popcorn.”

With Alexa built-in, you can navigate and control your Insignia Fire TV completely hands-free. Alexa makes it easy to find something to watch or listen to with just your voice. You can even link compatible smart home devices to power on your TV or soundbar automatically.

Price and Budget

One of the best things about Insignia TVs is that they provide tremendous value. Here’s an overview of what to expect at different budget levels:

• $200-$350 – Entry level 720p and 1080p models from 24” to 50”. No frills but still include smart features.
• $350-$500 – Mid-range 49”-55” 1080p TVs with Fire TV or Roku. Solid performance and quality.
• $500-$800 – Large 65”+ 4K models with all the bells & whistles. Premium viewing experience.
• $800+ – Top tier 75”+ 4K Insignias with quantum dot, local dimming, 120Hz gaming features.

You can get a basic 43-inch Insignia HD smart TV for under $250, which is an amazing value. Stepping up to 55”+ 4K TVs still keeps you under $500 in most cases. Compared to other brands, Insignia provides impressive quality for the price.

If you want the absolute best features like OLED or quantum dot technology, you may want to look at LG, Samsung or Sony. But for most buyers, Insignia hits the sweet spot of affordability and performance.

Where to Buy Your Insignia Smart TV

Since Insignia is Best Buy’s in-house brand, you can find the entire lineup there both in stores and online. Best Buy frequently runs sales on Insignia TVs making them even more affordable.

You can also find select Insignia smart TV models at:

• Walmart
• Target
• BJ’s
• Sam’s Club
• Amazon

I suggest checking for price matching across retailers to score the best deal. Buying online for delivery is convenient, but TVs are expensive to ship. Pickup in-store helps avoid damage and shipping fees.

Setting Up Streaming Apps and Services

Once you have your Insignia TV up and running, you’ll probably want to link some streaming apps and services. Here’s how to get set up with popular options:

Netflix – Open the Netflix app and choose Sign In. Enter your account info to link your membership. You can also create a new account if needed.

Hulu – Select the Hulu app from your app library. Choose Sign In and input your Hulu email and password to access your subscription.

Disney+ – Open the Disney+ app then select Log In with your existing Disney account. Don’t have one? You can create an account and subscribe right from the TV.

HBO Max – Launch the HBO Max app and hit Sign In. Log in using your HBO Max email and password. Subscribe if new to HBO Max.

Prime Video – Open Prime Video and choose Sign-In. Enter your Amazon credentials to activate Prime Video if you have a Prime membership.

The setup process is quick and easy for each streaming service. Log into your accounts, subscribe if needed, and you’re all set to enjoy unlimited entertainment!

Gaming Performance

If you plan to use your Insignia TV for gaming in addition to streaming movies and shows, there are a few key things to look for:

• Low input lag – This means there’s minimal delay between pressing buttons on your controller and seeing the response on-screen. Crucial for fast-paced action games.
• High refresh rate – Aim for at least 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals and responsiveness. Some Insignia TVs go up to 240Hz for ultra fluid gaming.
• HDR gaming – HDR boosts contrast, color and brightness to make games more vibrant and realistic looking. Many new consoles and games support HDR.
• Variable refresh rate – VRR matches the TV’s refresh rate to the game’s frame rate for tear-free, super smooth visuals. Ideal for PS5 and Xbox Series X.
• Auto low latency mode – Automatically switches the TV into low latency game mode when you launch a compatible console or game. Ensures optimal settings.

While not designed for hardcore gaming, Insignia’s screens and smart features provide a great experience for casual gamers. The 4K models with HDR, 120+Hz refresh rates, and Auto Low Latency mode are your best options.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, Insignia offers stellar smart TV value with great quality and features at very affordable prices. I’m confident my new Insignia 4K Fire TV edition will make an excellent addition to my home entertainment setup without breaking the bank.

With perks like Fire TV access, Alexa voice control, and easy setup, this budget-friendly brand really competes with top models. I hope this Insignia smart TV buying guide has helped highlight the key factors to consider as you shop! Let me know if you have any other questions.