A used plasma TV may be thought of as a slimmed-down version of a regular TV. However, a plasma TV is so much more than that. Plasma TVs use a different type of technology similar to that involved in a fluorescent light bulb. Plasma screens consist of cells. Inside each cell are two glass panels between which neon-xenon gas is inserted. This gas is sealed within the cells during manufacturing. The gas in the cells is electrically charged when the set is in use. When this electrically charged gas hits red, blue, and green phosphors, an image is formed. The groups of colored phosphors are referred to as pixels.

There are many popular brands of plasma TVs. Purchasing any of them used can mean obtaining a set with a reputation for quality at a significant savings. For many shoppers, the cost difference is enough to allow for creating a complete home theater system, rather than only being able to afford a television.

Both Panasonic and Pioneer are popular plasma brands. Pioneer is reputed to offer particularly sophisticated sets. On the other hand, Panasonic industrial plasma sets are reputed to offer images of a similar quality. On a consumer level, Panasonic's plasma sets are known as quality basic units, while Pioneer's are said to offer brighter images with more features.

Sony, Hitachi, Samsung, Philips, and Fujitsu are popular plasma brands as well. There are even some brands known for offering quality, budget plasma sets. For example, V, Inc. and Maxent plasma TVs are often associated with decent quality plasma TVs with lower price scales.