Vizio V-Series Review

Kevin Foley Avatar

Written by:

Updated 11:26 pm

Expert Rating

88

As one of the best TV monitors for gaming, the Vizio V-Series (V505-G9) has a lot to offer. With a full array UHD display of 3840 x 2160p, a refresh rate of 120Hz, and support for a variety of HDR technologies (Dolby Vision, HDR10, & HLG), this TV brings a lot to the table for less than $500. Speaking of a lot to the table, find out what’s on offer from some of the best TVs around.

Why We Like It – Vizio V-Series

The Vizio V Series (V505-G9) is a 50” 4K UDH smart TV with local dimming, an Octa-Core processor, and Dolby Vision HDR capabilities that’s available for less than $500.

Pros
  • 50” UDH Display
  • 120Hz Refresh Rate
  • Integrated Apple Airplay 2 & Chromecast Compatibility
Cons
  • Fragile Screen

Performance

The V505-G9 offers decent specs with a refresh rate of 120Hz, a viewing angle of 178°, the ability to display over 1 billion different colors, & Dolby Vision technology. These specs, combined with a display resolution of 3840 x 2160, mean you won’t experience lag while gaming, and the monitor itself will have deep blacks with a high level of contrast, thanks in part to local dimming. No speakers? No problem! This Vizio TV has two 10W speakers built-in for an adequate stock listening experience. If you like this TV, take a look at our Vizio V505 review.

Viewing Angle

This TV meets the standard viewing angles for LED TVs, with a 178° horizontal viewing angle & a 178° vertical viewing angle. The added benefits of HDR technology on a screen size of 50″ mean you’ll continue to get a great picture no matter where you’re looking at the TV from (if you’re looking for a UHD TV with a larger display, consider the Sony X900H 85 Inch TV: 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV). This will come in handy when you’re watching the game or playing COD with friends.

Related: Also check out our Vizio P Series Quantum X review.

Durability

Vizio V-Series TVs have a standard black plastic casing with fairly thin bezels on each side of the screen, which won’t take away much from your viewing experience. Each TV comes with a simple two-part stand that consists of two little stands (each with two small legs). While the overall exterior construction of this television is decent, unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the screen. The LED screen is very sensitive and prone to cracking, so if you are someone who moves your TV around a lot then this is probably not the TV for you.

Ports & Expandability

You’ll find a small variety of inputs on this TV, including 3 HDMI inputs, a USB 2.0 port, a cable antenna port (which works with the internal tuner), a composite input, and an ethernet port (if three HDMI inputs aren’t enough, consider the Samsung Q80R TV, which has 4 HDMI inputs). For outputs, it has both analog & digital audio-out ports but lacks any other options. On the plus side, one of the HDMI ports is ARC-compatible, so your audio options won’t be limited at all.

Value

For the price, you get a lot from the Vizio V-Series (especially when compared to similarly-sized TVs such as the Sony X950H). It has a UHD 4K display, local dimming, more-than-average HDR support, and Vizio WatchFree pre-installed. It even comes with accessories (a 6-ft. HDMI cord, two velcro cable ties, & a microfiber cleaning cloth), and Vizio offers a one-year manufacturer’s warranty too! Scoring 4.4 out of 5-stars based on 59 Amazon ratings, this TV seems like a good investment overall. The only concern we have is with the durability of the screen, which has a tendency to crack easily.

Vizio V-Series Wrap Up

Overall, the Vizio V-Series TV is a great purchase for the price. It offers a 4K display, a variety of HDR options, and streaming support, all for less than $500. While it would have been nice to have seen a more durable screen and the addition of another HDMI input, these shortcomings aren’t dealbreakers, so we definitely still recommend the V505-G9!

Kevin Foley Avatar