In this wallet-friendly price category, you'll find a few small, thin LCDs (see Hi-Tech TV Guide), but most of the sets will be boxier CRTs that take up a bit more shelf space. Look for new flat-screen versions of CRTs, however, which have sleeker-looking screens and reduced glare.

Philips 27PT6441 (CRT), $300 (top right)

This elegant 27-inch flat-screen TV is a great pick for the casual viewer who doesn't need a thin set. It has several video inputs for DVDs, game systems, and cable sources, plus side-mounted speakers for solid sound.

Panasonic CT-27Sl14 (CRT), $350 (top left)

This set is bulkier than the more expensive plasmas and LCDs, but it has a flat screen, headphone jacks, and several video inputs for DVD players and game systems.

Westinghouse LTV-17V1 (LCD, HDTV-capable), $499 (bottom)

This flat-screen set is only 17 inches wide and 2.3 inches deep, so it's thin enough to fit anywhere, even your kitchen countertop. And it's PC-compatible, which means you can hook it up to your computer to turn the TV screen into a monitor.