The best 55-inch TVs of 2024: Top medium-sized displays for all kinds of viewers

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TVs are disposable successful galore sizes, pinch 55-inches being a celebrated action for group who want a medium-sized display. Entry-level 55-inch TVs tin beryllium recovered for nether $300, and galore brands waste 55-inch versions of their apical TVs pinch each nan precocious features you'd get connected a bigger size. The champion 55-inch TVs supply fantabulous image value while still being ample capable to show disconnected nan benefits of 4K resolution. 

To thief you find nan correct exemplary for your needs, our experts person picked nan 5 champion 55-inch TVs you tin buy. Our apical proposal is nan Samsung S90D, which delivers precocious opposition and heavy achromatic levels acknowledgment to its OLED screen. But if you want to walk nether $500, we urge nan Roku Plus Series. It produces a wide scope of colors and delivers coagulated brightness for nan money. 

Below are each 5 of our picks for nan champion 55-inch TVs, including a high-end action for location theatre enthusiasts and a inexpensive entry-level exemplary awesome for casual buyers. 

Our apical picks for nan champion 55-inch TVs

Best overall: Samsung S90D OLED 4K TV - See astatine Amazon

Best premium option: Sony A95L OLED 4K TV - See astatine Amazon

Best anti-reflective display: Samsung S95D OLED 4K TV - See astatine Amazon

Best nether $500: Roku Plus Series QLED 4K TV - See astatine Amazon

Best entry-level model: TCL S5 LED 4K TV - See astatine Best Buy

Best overall

Competition is steep for nan champion 55-inch TV, pinch respective awesome options available. Though we antecedently recommended nan LG C3 OLED successful this category, caller value fluctuations person made nan Samsung S90D OLED a amended value. The LG C3 and its 2024 successor, nan C4, are some still fantabulous TVs, but nan S90D offers somewhat amended capacity while often costing nan aforesaid amount.

The S90D uses Samsung's latest QD-OLED panel, which allows it to nutrient an infinite opposition ratio pinch heavy achromatic levels that vanish into a acheronian room. High opposition is 1 of nan astir important elements of bully image quality, and opposition doesn't get immoderate amended than this. In addition, nan TV incorporates quantum dot colour technology. This is thing LG's competing OLEDs lack, and it enables a wider and brighter scope of colors erstwhile watching high-dynamic-range (HDR) videos.

The TV's highest brightness is besides awesome for a midrange OLED. In our testing, we measured a max of astir 1,240 nits, which is simply a decent betterment complete nan 1,000 nits that nan 2023 S90C exemplary could output. When watching 4K HDR content, nan S90D delivers beautiful image performance, pinch item and vibrancy that astir matches high-end sets that costs $1,000 more. Even lower-quality sources for illustration cablegram TV and HD YouTube streams look good, though nan set's image processing and upscaling aren't rather arsenic refined arsenic you'd get pinch competitors from Sony aliases LG.

The S90D's viewing angles are besides excellent, truthful nan image doesn't noticeably slice aliases distort erstwhile you beryllium disconnected to nan broadside of nan TV. The show is besides a awesome prime for gamers, acknowledgment to its debased input lag and accelerated 120Hz refresh pinch a PS5 aliases Xbox Series X erstwhile paired pinch an ultra-high-speed HDMI cable. It tin besides support an moreover faster 144Hz refresh complaint pinch a compatible PC. And Samsung remains nan only smart TV marque that includes nan Xbox app, which lets Game Pass members watercourse games without a console.

On nan downside, for illustration each Samsung TVs, nan S90D is missing support for Dolby Vision. This HDR format tin supply nan astir meticulous image from streaming services for illustration Disney Plus and Netflix. We don't deliberation Dolby Vision is simply a must-have, but it is simply a bully perk. Check retired our HDR TV guide for much specifications connected nan differences betwixt HDR formats.

We besides encountered a fewer hiccups pinch nan TV's Tizen interface. It offers tons of streaming apps and convenient Alexa sound search, but navigation could lag a spot and wasn't arsenic responsive arsenic nan best streaming devices we've reviewed. The TV besides had a inclination to show excessively galore notifications tied to updates for Samsung's various argumentation agreements, contempt nan truth that we abnormal notifications successful nan settings menu. These are each insignificant shortcomings that will apt beryllium improved aliases corrected via firmware, but they're still worthy noting.

Where it counts most, nan 55-inch S90D is an perfectly stunning TV. People who want a midsize show that doesn't skimp connected image value and features should see this exemplary first.

Best premium option

The Sony A95L is nan champion 55-inch TV for high-end performance. Premium displays from LG and Samsung get close, but nan A95L has a flimsy separator if you're consenting to walk apical dollar. 

The TV uses a QD-OLED sheet to connection pixel-level opposition and industry-leading colour performance. The A95L is besides 1 of nan brightest OLEDs we've tested. We measured a highest of astir 1,500 nits successful a 5% brightness trial pattern, a whopping 500 nits much than its predecessor, nan A95K. The A95L tin only deed that number erstwhile displaying mini agleam elements connected nan screen, but that's still an awesome feat for an OLED. 

This precocious brightness allows nan A95L to present exceptional HDR images. Black levels vanish into a acheronian room, while specular highlights (like explosions) radiance pinch pinpoint accuracy and nary blooming. If you watch TV successful a location theatre setting, nan A95L simply dazzles. 

The caller Samsung S95D and LG G4 tin get moreover brighter, but Sony's proprietary image processing enables image accuracy that edges retired rival brands. This processing besides offers awesome upscaling that minimizes flaws successful lower-quality sources, for illustration HD feeds from streaming services, cable, and indoor TV antennas. Viewing angles are besides top-notch, truthful you don't person to interest astir colors distorting erstwhile sitting off-center. 

The A95L's Google TV operating strategy useful well, too. The included Google Assistant sound distant has a premium consciousness and a useful backlight that automatically turns connected erstwhile you prime it up. A webcam is besides included, which supports video calls and motion controls. The TV's guidelines tin moreover beryllium configured successful a high- aliases low-profile mode depending connected whether you want to put a soundbar successful beforehand of it. 

The only notable characteristic missing is 144Hz support, which different brands connection connected immoderate of their higher-end TVs erstwhile paired pinch a gaming PC. But if you're utilizing a console, for illustration a PS5 aliases Xbox Series X, you tin remainder easy knowing you'll still get afloat 120Hz support. 

Given its price, nan A95L is geared toward large location theatre enthusiasts consenting to salary a premium for apical performance. Most buyers will beryllium satisfied pinch immoderate of nan little costly 55-inch TVs we recommend, but if money is nary object, nan A95L is nan show to get. 

Best anti-reflective display

Samsung's high-end S95D OLED has a unsocial matte surface that sets it isolated from astir each different 55-inch TV you tin buy. Most competing displays usage a glossy aliases semi-glossy panel, but nan S95D's matte show enables it to trim glare and reflections significantly. 

In fact, nan S95D is nan champion anti-glare TV we've tested. If you person a room wherever reflections are a large problem, this group could beryllium a crippled changer. However, location is simply a notable drawback. While nan S95D's matte surface combats glare, it gives achromatic levels a somewhat elevated look successful agleam rooms. This tin springiness acheronian scenes a hazy and level value erstwhile you watch TV pinch nan lights on. So, there's a clear tradeoff, and whether you prioritize reducing reflections aliases preserving achromatic levels comes down to individual preference. 

Thankfully, successful a acheronian room, nan S95D's achromatic levels look conscionable arsenic awesome arsenic immoderate OLED's. The TV delivers exceptional image capacity that holds its ain against apical competitors from Sony and LG. It's besides nan brightest OLED we've measured, pinch a highest of 1,700 nits. Sony's A95L still has an separator erstwhile it comes to wide image value and accuracy, but nan S95D is easy 1 of nan apical high-end TVs location is.

The TV's creation is besides premium, pinch a uniformly bladed floor plan and a One Connect Box to location its inputs alternatively of building them into nan panel. Gamers get cool perks for illustration a 144Hz mode erstwhile paired pinch a PC, and entree to nan Xbox Game Pass app to watercourse games.   

Samsung's cheaper Frame TV uses a akin matte screen, but that exemplary can't lucifer nan S95D's image quality. The marque besides still sells nan 2023 type of this display, called nan S95C. The S95C offers akin capacity for little money, but it doesn't person nan S95D's matte panel. Though pricey, nan S95D is nan champion 55-inch TV you tin bargain if you want nan astir effective anti-glare surface connected nan market.   

Read our Samsung S95D 4K TV review and our guideline to nan best Samsung TVs.

Check retired our S95D vs. S95C comparison.

Best nether $500

The Roku Plus Series is an affordable QLED show powered by our favourite smart TV interface. The Roku operating strategy (OS) is elemental and convenient, and nan TV delivers coagulated image value for its class. This is easy 1 of nan champion 55-inch TVs you tin snag for nether $500. 

The show uses a QLED panel, which enables it to supply a wide scope of colors. It besides has section dimming to brighten and darken circumstantial areas crossed its screen. This characteristic is uncommon to find successful cheaper 55-inch TVs, and it provides a sizable betterment successful black-level and brightness capacity complete little costly displays, for illustration TCL's S5.

That said, nan Plus Series' achromatic levels can't lucifer nan pixel-level precision of an OLED, for illustration nan Samsung S90D. And dissimilar pricier QLEDs, nan Plus Series uses regular-sized LEDs successful its backlight alternatively than Mini LEDs. This leads to little power complete nan panel's contrast. During our review, we recovered nan TV's dimming to beryllium a small clunky, pinch somewhat delayed shifts successful brightness.

The show besides has mediocre viewing angles, which intends colors and opposition slice erstwhile you beryllium to nan side. And nan sheet is constricted to 60Hz, truthful you can't get 4K/120Hz support connected consoles aliases gaming PCs. There's nary motion-smoothing feature, either. Though we typically for illustration to support settings for illustration that off, mobility smoothing tin use definite sports broadcasts. 

But nan TV helps dress up for those shortcomings pinch its intuitive Roku OS, which provides easy and snappy entree to each celebrated streaming app. It besides has immoderate usability perks that you won't find connected galore different smart TV systems, for illustration nan expertise to region unrecorded TV from a integer antenna erstwhile you person a USB instrumentality plugged in. The distant is besides great, pinch hands-free sound search, a rechargeable battery, and an audio chime you tin activate if you misplace it.

Buyers connected nan hunt for nan champion 55-inch TV connected a fund should besides see nan Hisense U6N QLED. The 55-inch U6N has a database value of $600, but it's occasionally connected waste for beneath $500. The U6N is akin to nan Roku Plus Series, but it has a Mini LED backlight, which should construe to amended dimming performance. However, it uses nan Google TV OS alternatively than Roku OS. 

Read our Roku Plus Series 4K TV review.

Read our guides to nan best TVs nether $500 and nan best fund TVs.

Best entry-level

Though we antecedently recommended TCL's step-up Q5 model in this category, that group is now difficult to find successful stock. Given existent readiness and pricing, we now urge nan S5 arsenic nan champion 55-inch TV for buyers who favour affordability.

For a emblematic waste value of nether $350, nan S5 offers coagulated performance. However, it can't lucifer nan image value you'd get from immoderate of our different picks. This exemplary uses a modular LED sheet without quantum dots aliases section dimming. As a result, its color, contrast, and black-level capabilities are a noticeable measurement down from QLED TVs for illustration nan Roku Plus and pricier OLED models.

This intends HDR contented won't beryllium arsenic aggravated and acheronian scenes could look much washed retired if you watch TV pinch nan lights off. Colors and opposition besides distort if you beryllium to nan broadside of nan screen, and nan TV's refresh complaint is constricted to 60Hz truthful it can't support high-frame-rate gaming. To beryllium clear, these drawbacks are communal for immoderate TV this inexpensive, but they're important to support successful mind. 

We urge you salary much for nan Roku Plus Series if you want a budget-friendly TV pinch HDR successful mind. However, nan S5 is simply a coagulated action if you conscionable want basal 4K playback for casual viewing. Integrated support for nan Google TV level and a sound distant information retired nan package, offering reliable playback from each nan best streaming services. An version pinch nan Fire TV OS is besides available.

How we trial 55-inch TVs

To prime nan champion 55-inch TVs, our squad of experts relies connected a operation of hands-on testing and investigation informed by much than 10 years of acquisition reviewing location intermezo products. 

When we reappraisal TVs, we attraction connected 65-inch units since that size is considered nan industry's flagship offering. However, a TV model's wide capacity usually remains comparable crossed sizes 55 inches and above. For instance, a 65-inch Sony A95L OLED and a 55-inch A95L person nan aforesaid specs and capabilities. The only notable quality is nan size of nan screen. 

However, immoderate TVs that usage section dimming, for illustration nan Roku Plus Series, employment less zones successful smaller surface sizes versus larger ones. This tin lead to differences successful opposition capacity erstwhile comparing a 55-inch exemplary to different size, but not capable to change our wide impressions of that model. Occasionally, location are bigger differences crossed sizes, and we statement those specifications erstwhile applicable.  

To trial 55-inch TVs, we look astatine image clarity, contrast, highest brightness, colour performance, viewing angles, gaming capabilities, smart TV navigation, and wide value. We measurement HDR brightness pinch an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter and usage trial patterns connected nan Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc to measure different nonsubjective show parameters. 

But trial patterns tin only uncover truthful much, truthful we watch plentifulness of existent movies and shows to spot really a TV performs pinch real-world contented connected a day-to-day ground successful some acheronian and agleam rooms. We revisit various scenes connected each TV we trial that we've specifically chosen to analyse achromatic levels, protector details, HDR highlights, and upscaling. Our demo contented includes 4K, 1080p precocious meaning (HD), and modular meaning (SD) worldly from various sources for illustration Blu-ray discs, streaming services, and cablegram TV.

You tin study much astir our reappraisal process successful our breakdown of how we trial tech products.

55-inch TV FAQs

Is 55 inches a bully size for a TV?

A 55-inch surface is simply a coagulated prime for various needs and galore of nan best smart TVs are sold successful this size. A 55-inch group is still large capable to consciousness immersive successful smaller surviving rooms while offering a much compact replacement to 65-inch models that mightiness beryllium excessively large for immoderate spaces. If you're shopping for a media console aliases equine to brace pinch a 55-inch TV, cheque retired our guides to nan best TV stands and best TV wall mounts for a fewer recommendations. 

A 55-inch TV is besides a bully fresh for a chamber wherever you mightiness want thing smaller than what you've sewage successful your surviving room but not truthful compact that you must sacrifice image value features. Most brands' best 4K TVs are disposable successful 55-inch options, but galore apical displays are not sold successful sizes beneath that. For instance, if you want 1 of Sony's best OLED TVs, 55 inches is nan smallest size available. 

How overmuch should a 55-inch TV cost?

The champion 55-inch TVs alteration successful price, pinch entry-level options starting astatine nether $300 and high-end options costing $2,000 aliases more. 

If you want a midrange 55-inch TV, you should scheme to walk astir $400-$700. Several awesome 55-inch QLED models successful that value scope person quantum dots, section dimming, and Mini LED backlights to present bully opposition and highest brightness levels arsenic precocious arsenic 1,000 nits.

Shoppers who want a 55-inch OLED TV alternatively than a QLED will person to salary more, pinch prices starting astatine astir $1,200. Though notably much costly than their QLED counterparts, OLED TVs connection pixel-level brightness power for superior opposition and cleanable achromatic levels. 

How acold should you beryllium from a 55-inch 4K TV?

The smaller a 4K surface is, nan person you'll request to beryllium to nan show to spot nan afloat benefits of its resolution. To spot nan other item that 4K offers complete 1080p Full HD, you'll want to beryllium astatine a region of astir 1 to 1.5 times nan size of your display. For a 55-inch 4K TV, nan recommended viewing region is betwixt 4.6 and 6.9 feet from your TV.    

Of course, you tin still beryllium farther distant from your TV and bask its image quality, but nan recommended region will let you to spot nan champion level of detail.

If you request to beryllium moreover person to your TV aliases conscionable person a mini room to activity with, cheque retired our guideline to nan best 50-inch TVs.

And for rooms wherever you'd request to beryllium farther from your display, we urge opting for a larger surface size to get nan afloat benefits of 4K. Check retired our guides to nan best 65-inch TVs, best 75-inch TVs, and best 85-inch TVs for our apical recommendations.

Should you bargain a soundbar to brace pinch a 55-inch TV?

Even nan champion 55-inch TVs thin to person mediocre built-in speakers. Audio drivers integrated into astir TVs are mini and often placed successful areas that tin lead to a muddy sound that lacks scope and heavy bass. For this reason, we urge pairing your TV pinch a soundbar aliases afloat situation sound strategy to get nan champion audio value for movies, TV shows, and video games.

For nan astir immersive experience, we propose uncovering a strategy that supports Dolby Atmos, which tin alteration sound effects from each directions, moreover supra your head. Performance varies depending connected nan exemplary you get, but location are entry-level Atmos systems that tin still supply a bully upgrade complete your TV's built-in speakers.

Check retired our various soundbar guides to spot our apical recommendations for different needs:

• Best soundbars
• Best Dolby Atmos soundbars
• Best fund soundbars 
• Best soundbars pinch subwoofers
• Best Bose soundbars