LG LQ60 43″ FHD Smart TV Review: A Superb Picture with One Baffling Design Flaw

In today’s world, buying a new television can feel like navigating a minefield of acronyms and ever-escalating numbers. 4K, 8K, OLED, QLED, Mini-LED—the options are overwhelming and often come with a price tag to match. I remember setting up a secondary room in our home, a space meant for casual viewing, gaming for the kids, and the occasional movie night. We didn’t need a cinema-grade, wall-dominating behemoth. We needed something practical: a TV with a crisp picture, a smart interface that wasn’t a chore to use, and a size that would fit the space without overpowering it. The search led me down a rabbit hole of specifications, where the core purpose—simply enjoying content—seemed to get lost. The real challenge is finding a television that nails the fundamentals of picture quality and user experience without forcing you to pay for features you’ll never use. This is precisely the niche where a high-quality Full HD TV promises to shine.

What to Consider Before Buying a Mid-Sized Smart TV

A TV is more than just an item of consumer electronics; it’s a central hub for entertainment, information, and family time. For many rooms like bedrooms, kitchens, or smaller living areas, a 43-inch Full HD model represents the sweet spot. It provides a significant upgrade over smaller screens without the physical and financial commitment of a massive 4K panel. The main benefit is achieving excellent visual clarity and smart functionality at a highly accessible price point. You get access to all your favourite streaming services, a sharp picture for broadcast TV and Blu-rays, and modern connectivity for other devices, all wrapped in a package that fits comfortably in most spaces.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone furnishing a secondary room, a student heading off to university, or a family looking for a reliable and affordable second screen. It’s for the person who values a great “out-of-the-box” experience and a straightforward, responsive smart platform over chasing the absolute pinnacle of resolution and display technology. Conversely, it might not be the best fit for dedicated cinephiles building a home cinema or serious gamers who demand 4K resolution, 120Hz refresh rates, and HDMI 2.1 features for the latest consoles. For those users, investing in a higher-end QLED or OLED model would be a more suitable long-term choice.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Don’t just look at the diagonal screen size. Measure your available space and compare it to the TV’s total width, height, and depth, including the stand. Consider the bezel size, as a slimmer frame provides a more immersive experience. One common point of confusion, as noted by some users, is that the advertised “43 inches” refers to the diagonal screen measurement, not the physical width of the unit, which in this case is around 95.5 cm.
• Performance: For a Full HD (1920×1080) TV, the quality of the internal processor is paramount. A good processor, like LG’s α5 series, can significantly improve colour accuracy, contrast, and the upscaling of lower-resolution content. Also, evaluate the smart operating system (OS); it should be fast, intuitive, and support all the streaming apps you regularly use.
• Materials & Durability: At this price point, most TVs will have a plastic construction. However, the quality can vary. Look for a sturdy build that doesn’t feel overly flimsy, and pay attention to the design and stability of the included feet or stand. A well-built chassis will better protect the internal components over the long term.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: The setup process should be simple and guided. The remote control should be ergonomic, and the on-screen menus easy to navigate. For long-term care, a simple wipe with a microfiber cloth is usually all that’s needed, but consider the placement of ports on the back for easy access once the TV is in place.

Keeping these factors in mind, the LG LQ60 43″ FHD Smart TV stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications here.

While the LG LQ60 43″ FHD Smart TV is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Featherlight Frame and a Speedy Setup

Unboxing the LG LQ60 43″ FHD Smart TV, the first thing that struck me was its weight, or rather, the lack of it. At just 11 kg, it was incredibly easy for one person to handle, lift, and position. This is a significant advantage over older, bulkier sets and makes the initial assembly process a breeze. The two “boomerang” style feet screw into the base with minimal effort, and the whole unit felt surprisingly stable once placed on our media console. The design is simple and functional, with reasonably slim bezels that don’t distract from the screen.

Powering it on for the first time, we were greeted by LG’s webOS setup guide. The process was intuitive and quick, guiding us through connecting to Wi-Fi, scanning for channels, and logging into our essential streaming accounts. We did note a prompt, also mentioned by other users, to enter credit card details for the LG App store. We chose to skip this, and it didn’t hinder the setup in any way, allowing us to proceed without issue. Within about 10 minutes, we were on the home screen, ready to go. The initial impression is of a thoughtfully designed user experience focused on getting you to your content as fast as possible.

A Deep Dive into the LG LQ60’s Performance and Quirks

After living with the LG LQ60 43″ FHD Smart TV for several weeks, we’ve developed a comprehensive understanding of its strengths and its one glaring weakness. It’s a television that excels in its primary functions—displaying a beautiful picture and providing a seamless smart experience—but is let down by a physical design choice that feels like a baffling oversight from a company as experienced as LG.

Picture Quality: The α5 AI Processor Gen5 at Work

In a market saturated with 4K, is a Full HD 1080p panel still relevant? On a 43-inch screen, the answer is a resounding yes. The pixel density is more than sufficient to deliver a sharp, detailed image from a normal viewing distance. Where the LG LQ60 43″ FHD Smart TV truly shines, however, is in its processing. The α5 AI Processor Gen5 does a remarkable job of optimising the picture on the fly. We tested it with a variety of sources, from high-bitrate Netflix streams to older DVDs and standard-definition broadcast television.

Colours are vivid and natural without being oversaturated, a common failing of budget TVs. LG’s Dynamic Tone Mapping technology adjusts brightness and contrast scene-by-scene, lending a surprising amount of depth to the image. We were impressed with how well it handled dark scenes in shows like “The Crown,” retaining detail in the shadows without crushing the blacks into a murky mess. Upscaling is another strong point; 720p content from older sources looked clean and significantly sharper than on less capable sets. As one user noted, there’s little need to amend the settings, as the “out-of-the-box” quality is genuinely great. For casual gamers, the dedicated Game Optimiser mode is a welcome addition. It automatically adjusts picture settings and reduces input lag, making for a more responsive and enjoyable experience on consoles like the Nintendo Switch or PlayStation 4.

The webOS Experience: Smart, Swift, and Mostly Comprehensive

A smart TV is only as good as its operating system, and LG’s webOS has long been one of the best in the business. On the LG LQ60 43″ FHD Smart TV, it’s a pleasure to use. The system is responsive, with no discernible lag when navigating menus or launching applications. The home screen is cleanly laid out, featuring a row of app cards that can be easily customised. All the major international streaming players are present and correct: Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+, and YouTube are all pre-installed and run flawlessly.

The TV also supports Apple AirPlay 2, which made it incredibly easy for us to cast photos, videos, and screen mirror directly from our iPhones and iPads. This is a fantastic feature for sharing content with family and friends. However, the app ecosystem isn’t perfect. We confirmed a user’s report that the Sky Go app is not available for download on LG’s webOS platform. For Sky TV subscribers who rely on this app for multi-room viewing, this could be a significant drawback and is an important factor to consider. We also noticed the occasional pop-up notification for software updates, which, while important for security, could be slightly less intrusive. Overall, though, the smart experience is a definite highlight that elevates this TV above many of its budget competitors.

The Elephant in the Room: A Deep Dive into the Wall-Mounting Fiasco

This is where our review takes a sharp turn. For all its strengths in picture and performance, the LG LQ60 43″ FHD Smart TV suffers from a design flaw so fundamental it’s hard to believe it made it past the planning stage. The issue, echoed loudly in user feedback, relates to the placement of its ports relative to the VESA mounting holes.

We decided to test this ourselves. The TV uses a 300x300mm VESA pattern. The problem is that the coaxial aerial input is located directly in the path of where a standard vertical mounting bracket arm would sit. When we attached our universal wall bracket, the metal arm completely obscured the port, making it physically impossible to connect an aerial cable. Several users confirmed this exact scenario, with one rightly calling it a “rubbish shell design.” It’s an astonishing oversight. For anyone in the UK who relies on Freeview via a standard aerial and wishes to wall-mount this TV, this is a potential deal-breaker.

Some users have noted that different bracket styles might cause different problems; a “cross” style fixture might clear the aerial port but could instead block the LAN and optical audio ports. We managed to “fudge it,” as one user put it, by using a very specific low-profile, right-angled aerial adapter and slightly offsetting the bracket, but this is a far-from-ideal solution that shouldn’t be necessary. Compounding the physical design issues is a relatively short power lead, which could further complicate a clean, wall-mounted setup. This single issue is the TV’s Achilles’ heel and sadly tarnishes an otherwise excellent product. For those who plan to use the included stand, this is a complete non-issue. But for the significant number of people who prefer to wall-mount, it’s a critical flaw to be aware of before you make your purchase decision.

What Other Users Are Saying

Our findings are strongly corroborated by the broader user community. The sentiment is generally split into two camps: those who use the stand and love the TV, and those who tried to wall-mount it and were left frustrated. On the positive side, praise for the ease of setup is universal. Comments like “very light and easy to carry” and “very easy to set up and amazing quality” perfectly match our own experience. The picture quality is consistently lauded as being excellent for the price, reinforcing its core strength.

However, the negative feedback is just as consistent and focuses almost exclusively on the physical design. One user summed it up perfectly: “Great TV, let down by poor VESA mounting design.” Another expressed their frustration, stating, “Whoever designed this tv did so with aerial port in line with the vesa wall bracket connection… So close, yet so far.” This feedback is crucial because it highlights a real-world problem that isn’t apparent from a spec sheet. It confirms that our experience wasn’t an isolated case but a fundamental flaw affecting many customers.

How Does the LG LQ60 Compare to the Competition?

The LG LQ60 43″ FHD Smart TV exists in a competitive space. While it offers great value, it’s important to see what else is available for a similar, or slightly different, budget and use case. Here are three key alternatives.

1. Hisense 43E77NQTUK 43 Inch 4K QLED Smart TV

The Hisense 43E77NQTUK represents the next step up in technology. For a modest increase in price, you get a significant upgrade to a 4K resolution and a QLED panel, which uses Quantum Dots to produce a wider range of more accurate colours. It also includes support for premium formats like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, making it a better choice for movie lovers. If your primary use is streaming high-quality 4K content or you plan to use this as your main living room TV, the Hisense is likely the superior choice for its future-proofed specifications and enhanced picture quality.

2. Toshiba 32WF2F53DB HD Ready Smart Fire TV

If budget and space are your primary constraints, the Toshiba 32WF2F53DB is a compelling alternative. It’s smaller at 32 inches and has a lower “HD Ready” (720p) resolution, but it integrates Amazon’s Fire TV OS directly. This provides a very slick smart interface with Alexa voice control built into the remote. It’s an ideal choice for a kitchen or a child’s bedroom where a compact size is essential and the lower resolution is less noticeable. It offers fantastic smart functionality in a smaller, more affordable package than the LG.

3. Cello 19 inch Smart Frameless TV C1924WSH

The Cello 19-inch model caters to a very specific niche: the need for a TV in the smallest of spaces. Perfect for a caravan, a small kitchen counter, or a dorm room desk, its tiny footprint is its main selling point. Interestingly, it also runs on LG’s webOS, so users will get the same great smart experience as the LG LQ60 43″ FHD Smart TV, just on a much smaller scale. It’s not a direct competitor in terms of size or resolution, but it’s an excellent alternative for anyone whose main purchasing driver is finding the most compact smart TV available.

Final Verdict: A Great TV Hampered by a Critical Flaw

The LG LQ60 43″ FHD Smart TV is a television of two tales. On one hand, it’s a fantastic performer. The Full HD picture, powered by the α5 AI processor, is sharp, colourful, and a joy to watch. The webOS smart platform is fast, polished, and packed with features that make accessing your content effortless. It’s lightweight, easy to set up, and represents excellent value for money from a trusted brand. For anyone looking for a high-quality TV to place on a stand in a bedroom or secondary living space, we can recommend it without hesitation.

However, the baffling design flaw concerning the port placement for wall-mounting cannot be ignored. It turns a simple installation into a frustrating exercise in problem-solving. For this reason, we cannot recommend it to anyone who knows for certain they need to wall-mount it and use a traditional aerial for Freeview. The risk of incompatibility with your bracket is simply too high. It’s a superb stand-based television and a problematic wall-mounted one. If you fall into the former category and this TV meets your needs, you will be very happy with it.

If you’ve decided the LG LQ60 43″ FHD Smart TV is the right fit for your stand-based setup, you can check its current price and purchase it here.