Q. Walmart is advertising a 42-inch TV for $88 as part of an early Black Friday sale. The brand is called onn. Have you ever heard of it? Is it a piece of junk? Or do you think I should buy it? Pretty good price, right? — Todd, Culver City, California.
Todd, Walmart.com this Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET will sell two TVs with what seem like irresistible prices, even for an early Black Friday sale. One will be a 42-inch Smart 1080p HDTV for $88 while the other will be a 65-inch 4K model priced at $228.
Both sets are onn TVs, and that’s where the ‘irresistible’ might run into some resistance.
Onn is Walmart’s exclusive brand for a variety of inexpensive electronics including TVs, headphones, speakers, wall mounts, tablets, and even printer ink. Like other retailers, such as Best Buy, which sells the low-cost Insignia brand, Walmart uses onn (yes, it’s lower case) to woo customers looking for bargain prices. Once in the store, they may buy the onn, or they buy something better. But either way, it’s good for Walmart.
Of course, Walmart doesn’t invest the same money in producing an onn TV that Sony or Samsung might spend to make a TV. But it’s usually good enough for someone who just wants a new TV (or printer ink) regardless of whether it has all the bells and whistles, or even the quality you would hope for in a new product.
But should you buy one of Wednesday’s onn specials?
Journalist reviews for onn products have been lukewarm, but at $88 or even $228, you’re not investing much. So I would not discourage anyone from snatching one up Wednesday night.
However, don’t be surprised if you’re in the market for a new set in a year or two. Or less.
Todd, hope that helps. Happy viewing, and stay safe!
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I have one and I love it. Did have to reset the dish but it’s working great. I also have a onn computer also. If you use a tv 24/7 yes it will wear out of it’s usefulness
I bought one 4 months ago. It’s a blank screen sitting in my living room now, only thing I can watch on it is my reflection on the screw. Horizontal and vertical lines started appearing on screen, but it was still watchable. Called Warranty department and sent them all requested information and pictures. Said they would send me further instructions on how to proceed in 24-48 hours. Nothing called back service rep said same thing. TV got progressively worse and will no longer even come on
Repeat. Repeat. And still repeating. No closure. Just them promising resolution Tomorrow. Except in this Wal-Mart scenario, tomorrow never comes
Out 500 bucks and still no TV. It’s a big gamble. Next time I’ll happily pay 100 bucks more to avoid this stress and aggravation. If you did buy one already, good luck, you’re going to need it. Be prepared to play an endless game of calling customer service and getting the exact same response and the redundant robot email, from whom, or where, only God knows. I’m not kidding either.
Sounds like I will be onn my way to finding a different brand tv. My Vizio has lasted 14 years so far and my LG isn’t bad either. My mom didn’t know what Vizio was back then and considered it a off or generic brand and opted for a Sylvania of which I consider a off brand because that’s a name that companies lease or buy to use as a brand. Needless to say the Sylvania was replaced by a Vizio a few years later. The Sylvania was hard to see in a bright room, the sound wasn’t good and picture was off. I have a feeling the onn would be in the same boat. Ok for a guest room, vacation property, college door or for kids.
is this a reg tv to get all local channels or just roku movies
I own two ONN TVs both 50 inch and both purchased from a liquidator, VIP outlet for $177 apiece with shipping and tax. They were labeled refurbished and in damaged boxes, but that is what a liquidator sells. Typically you pay premium for brand identification and packaging. Keep in mind, there are only so many television factories in the world and only so many electronics manufacturers who make circuits and circuit boards for electronics so there’s a very good chance that you’re on TV is going to be the same television if you were via JVC, Panasonic, Sanyo, sharp etc. Like your Apple iPhone, it is made up of parts from different manufacturers. Your Apple iPhone is about 70% Samsung parts, assembled in China. ONN TVs are assembled in the USA, of Chinese and other Asian manufactured parts! I have had absolute Lee no problems with my televisions and I love both of them. Compared to my Sony Bravia, 1080, by ONN. Tv’s are at least 1000 times better! Use your own judo and do not listen to all the trolls and Walmart haters! Buy one, if you don’t like
It, return it! The price you pay is not equal to value as value as a meet up man-made concept for retail exclusively! Remember there was a time when diamonds were value listen to the New York advertising agency told people that they were necessary for a woman to get engaged! Again, the onn TV’s are an awesome deal!
I have an onn tv, the picture quality is amazing. I was very surprised how clear the picture is. I love it. I have only had it a couple of weeks. I also have an onn mouse, the ergonomic kind, I am very happy with it as well.
I have an onn wireless keyboard and mouse. They were both surprisingly cheap at Walmart for $17.88 for both in a package deal. Is it the most ergonomic mouse and keyboard? no. They were promoted as “BASIC” which is what they are. But I have had no problems whatsover. I am sure I could have paid 5x as much going with a Logitech or name brand, but they are holding up nicely and did not break the bank. is there 5x as much engineering into the Logitech to justify the price? No, just shareholders and profit margins!
Internal retail brands often sell cheap electronics as a way to offer the best price for its customers who are less concerned about quality and warranty. If you compare say a Onn TV vs a name brand and don’t feel the added cost is worth it. Then I guess a Onn might work for you. I don’t know how well WalMart stands behind these TV’s but if a optional warranty is offered. A person may want to buy one just for piece of mind.