We’ve tested the best 55-inch TVs from LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL, Hisense and more
(Image credit: herzindagi)
The middle child of TV sizes, the best 55-inch TVs are these ones. 55-inch TVs are stuck in a no-man’s land these days as bigger 65-inch versions are all the rage and 40-inch screens are still the standard for kids’ rooms. However, it turns out that there are some benefits to being the middle child: With sticker prices comparable to the previously mentioned 40-inch versions, these screens frequently provide the same performance as larger ones. 55-inch TVs, in my opinion, combine the best features from both worlds.
Having tested TVs for over ten years, I’ve written and revised more than a hundred TV evaluations, carefully evaluating these displays based on dozens of parameters like as contrast, brightness, colour saturation, colour accuracy, and motion processing. At Tom’s Guide, we test TVs using specialised equipment in a dedicated TV lab before bringing them into our own homes for additional testing.
The finest 55-inch TV of 2024, then? You only need to consider the Hisense U8N Mini-LED TV right now. The U8N, as its name suggests, uses a quantum dot screen with Mini-LED backlighting to achieve exceptional brightness output; we measured an astounding 3190 nits. And then, there’s the QN90C, a well-rounded QLED that’s ideal for ardent moviegoers and priced around $1,000.
QUICK LIST
1. Hisense U8N ULED TV
- MINI-LED PRO+ WITH FULL ARRAY LOCAL DIMMING PRO: Unleash superior picture quality with Mini-LED Pro+. Experience incredible detail and sharpness with up to 1800 peak brightness, revealing every star in the night sky. Full Array Local Dimming Pro, featuring over 2000+ local dimming zones, dramatically improves color contrast and detail, bringing every scene, game, and movie to life
- UP TO 1800 NITS PEAK BRIGHTNESS: Bask in stunning picture quality with up to 1800 nits of peak brightness. This feature guarantees vivid clarity in every scene, even in the brightest rooms, making your viewing experience always truly immersive and enjoyable
- QLED QUANTUM DOT COLOR: Experience color like never before with QLED Quantum Dot Technology. This innovation significantly broadens the range of color you perceive, creating over a billion individual shades. So, you can soak up every wave of the Caribbean Sea and every brushstroke of the desert sunset
- 144HZ GAME MODE PRO WITH GAMEBAR: Elevate your gaming with seamless performance. The 144Hz Game Mode Pro, featuring Variable Refresh Rate from 48Hz to 144Hz, ensures you stay ahead. AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Auto Low Latency Mode virtually eliminate screen tearing and controller input lag. The New Game Bar lets you customize gameplay directly from your TV, not just your controller
- DOLBY VISION · ATMOS: Bring the sounds of the cinema directly to your home with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Dolby Vision captures even the subtlest emotions in every scene, while Dolby Atmos delivers multidimensional sound, placing you right in the heart of the action, whether it’s a jungle, urban landscape, or spaceship
The Hisense U8 Series has been at the top of our list for the past two years. It is here because, considering its price, it offers exceptional performance. While OLED TVs will undoubtedly have superior black depths, this Mini-LED can achieve twice the brightness and still provide stunning colours and an amazing smart platform.
Why, therefore, did our review give it a mere 5 out of 5 stars? Well, there are two primary causes. We adore that it has an input lag of 13.1 ms and can refresh at 144 Hz when connected to a gaming PC (120 Hz for sports and movies). Compared to the LG OLED TVs below, it is a few milliseconds higher. Additionally, some fine-tuning is necessary to achieve colour accuracy because some scenes may appear a little too saturated straight out of the box.
The TV’s contrast and black levels really astonished me when I tested it out at home. While the image in the centre of the panel remained vibrant and colourful, the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen provided practically OLED-levels of blackness. I think the Cinema Day or Cinema Night HDR picture settings are a better choice because they will balance colour saturation with the TV’s 2,000-nit peak brightness, while I found the Vivid option to be a little too harsh.
Yes, when comparing them side by side, a proper OLED TV (like our next choice, the LG G4 OLED) will appear better, but this is the greatest TV available for the money, and anything else will cost twice as much.
Pros
- Bonkers brightness
- Google TV built-in
- NextGen TV ready
- Under $800
Cons
- Only 2 x HDMI 2.1 ports
- Upscaling / color banding
- Color accuracy needs tweaking
2. LG G4 OLED
- SELF-LIT PIXELS: LG’s signature OLED technology creates an incredible watching experience and stellar picture quality illuminated with over 8 million self-lit pixels. Take in rich and accurate colors from the brightest to darkest parts of the scene thanks to 100% Color Volume* and with 100% Color Fidelity.
- BRIGHTNESS BOOSTER MAX: Discover a brighter more vivid picture. The LG OLED evo shines even brighter than before. Brightness Booster Max technology magnifies each individual pixel for luminous quality that shines with every detail.
- ONE WALL DESIGN: Transform your home into a more artful space with the all-new, contemporary LG OLED design that leaves virtually no gap when you hang it on the wall.* And when you’re not watching, display paintings, photos and other content to blend the LG OLED evo G4 into your surroundings.
- DOLBY VISION, FILMMAKER AND DOLBY ATMOS: Experience the magic of the big screen right from your couch. Every LG OLED comes loaded with Dolby Vision for extraordinary color, contrast and brightness, plus Dolby Atmos* for sound you can feel all around you. Land in the center of the action with FILMMAKER MODE, allowing you to see films just as the director intended.
- a11 AI PROCESSOR: Enjoy smooth, crisp picture and sound no matter what you watch with AI Picture Pro and AI Super Upscaling. Find and choose what to watch fast and without lag. See movies in perfected tone with AI Director Processing. Multi View with 4 screens lets you split your screen into four unique views so you can watch even more than before. These elements and more make up the peak LG OLED watching experience, powered by LG’s one-of-a-kind processor.
If the Hisense U8N wasn’t such a great deal, the G4 OLED would be the top choice. Perhaps you entered this guide expecting to see a 55-inch OLED TV at the top of the list. It’s our overall winner, but it’s a touch costly.
However, assuming its $2,400 price tag doesn’t scare you away, the LG G4 OLED delivers movie theatre quality at living room dimensions. Thanks to its 2024 LG Display MLA panel, it’s one of the brightest OLED TVs available, and it has some truly amazing AI capabilities that enhance the quality of the picture and audio. It is equipped with LG’s innovative α11 AI Processor 4K processor, which improves the quality of upscaled content and smoothens motion (as long as you disable TruMotion).
The LG G4 OLED produced nearly 1,500 nits in HDR with a colour accuracy of 1.4041 in our lab testing (lower numbers are better in this case). The G4’s brightness isn’t as high as the U8N’s, but it has considerably more accurate colours right out of the box. Additionally keep in mind that the G4’s contrast will be exceptional because, when turned off, OLED pixels may get as dark as pitch black.
It is undeniable that you are paying more for the G4 OLED here. I believe that the G4 OLED is a fantastic choice for many people who want to spend their money on a TV that will look fantastic for many years to come. When you can buy about 80% of the same performance for less than $800, it’s just a hard sell.
Pros
- Outstanding picture quality
- Smart interface
- Strong gaming features
- Four HDMI 2.1 ports
Cons
- Average sound
- No ATSC 3.0 tuner, HDR10+ support
3. Roku Plus Series
- The smart TV that makes sense: Roku Plus Series TVs are thoughtfully designed by Roku to give viewers a premium entertainment experience at an incredible value.
- Made by Roku: From the brand you trust to make streaming easier comes a thoughtfully designed 55-inch smart TV powered by the delightfully simple Roku experience.
- Breathtaking 4K & auto brightness: Stunningly sharp 4K resolution brings out the rich detail in your entertainment. Avoid fiddling with settings with a screen that automatically adjusts based on your room’s lighting.
- Colorful QLED screen: Watch strikingly accurate hues pop off the QLED screen with an expanded color palette and increased brightness.
- See it to believe it: Experience eye-popping detail in spectacular color, contrast, and brightness with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, plus sharp contrast with local dimming for vivid highlights and deep darks.
I expect to see a brand like Insignia or Onn when I envision a $500 TV. However, the Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV is far superior to those inferior TV manufacturers in the past. It provides unexpectedly good sound and picture quality, which are typically the first things to go when budgets are tightened.
There are a few compromises to be made here (you are restricted to a 60Hz panel and a full array of HDMI 2.1 connectors are just not possible), but there aren’t many more. During our tests, its exceptionally good sound quality, crisp HDR colour, and speedy Roku TV smart platform left us in awe.
The Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV is an incredible deal that won’t let you down if you’re determined not to spend more than $500 on a new 55-inch TV (and we don’t blame you).
Pros
- Excellent value
- First-rate HDR color
- Good sound
- Solid Roku TV smart interface
Cons
- So-so brightness
- Only 60Hz refresh rate
- No HDMI 2.1 ports
4. Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV
- QUANTUM MATRIX W/ MINI LEDS: See every freckle on your favorite actor’s face thanks to the huge grid of Samsung’s ultra-precise Quantum Mini LEDs that take control of the individual zones of light in your picture for sensational color and contrast
- NEO QUANTUM HDR+: See sensational contrast, stellar brightness and vivid color—just as the director intended—with Neo Quantum HDR+; Things on screen look true enough to touch; Absorb the movies and the shows you love made for High Dynamic Range*
- NEURAL QUANTUM PROCESSOR W/ 4K UPSCALING: Whether streaming an HD movie, watching sports or looking at home videos, experience it transformed into sharp 4K resolution with our high-performance, AI-powered processor upgrading content scene by scene**
- ANTI-GLARE W/ ULTRA VIEWING ANGLE: There isn’t a bad seat in the house thanks to Anti-Glare with Ultra Viewing Angle technology; Get a consistent and detailed 8K picture—at any angle, in any light— with pristine color across the entire screen***
- DOLBY ATMOS & OBJECT TRACKING SOUND+: Hear the spinning whirr of helicopter blades and streams of sirens speeding by with Dolby Atmos and Object Tracking Sound+; Feel like you’re right there with sound that tracks the action from all corners****
If brightness is your main concern, you ought to give Samsung’s 55-inch QLED TV serious thought. With its exceptional HDR brightness, the Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV comfortably ranks among the top five brightest TVs we’ve examined in the past 12 months. The QN90C, which is powered by Samsung’s high-octane Mini-LED panel, guarantees outstanding performance in all of the major genres.
Why is its brightness superior than that of the competition? In essence, mini-LED backlighting compacts hundreds of LEDs into smaller clusters so that they can provide high brightness levels while preserving realistic colour and luminance gradations. Better control also results in reduced haloing and bleeding of light.
Although there are more expensive Samsung TVs available, such as the Samsung QN900C 8K QLED TV, we choose the QN90C because of its affordable price.
Pros
- 4 HDMI 2.1 ports
- Excellent off-angle viewing
- Spectacularly bright
- Less blooming than previous model
Cons
- No Dolby Vision support
- Included stand isn’t very sturdy
5. Sony Bravia A95L
- LIFELIKE PICTURE– The intelligent and powerful Cognitive Processor XR delivers a picture with wide dynamic contrast, detailed blacks, natural colors, and high peak brightness, replicating how we see the real world.
- PURE BLACK PAIRED WITH OUR BEST COLOR– Thanks to QD-OLED and XR Triluminos Max, experience our widest palette of shades and hues equally matched by pure OLED black and high brightness.
- PREMIUM SMART TV – Get access to all your favorite streaming apps in one place with Google TV, and simply use your voice to search and ask questions with Google Assistant. Supports Apple AirPlay.
- MOVIES ON US WITH BRAVIA CORE – Enjoy streaming high-bitrate, high-quality 4K UHD movies included with the BRAVIA CORE app. Get 10 credits to redeem on latest release movies and 24 months subscription on hundreds of classics.
- ALL YOUR GAME SETTINGS IN ONE PLACE– Game Menu puts all your gaming picture settings and exclusive assist features in a single easy-to-manage interface.
The Sony Bravia A95L OLED is going to blow you away if you have a completely loaded bank account and all you want is the best 55-inch TV without having to worry about sticker price. It is among the first QD-OLED TVs from Sony (officially the first was the A95K from 2023), and thanks to its panel, it is more colourful and brighter than other OLED TVs.
The A95L boasts unparalleled post-picture processing technology, flawless blacks, limitless contrast, and vibrant colours thanks to its OLED construction. The A95L’s motion processing is the greatest in the business, and it leverages its Cognitive Processor XR to automatically and precisely upscale images if you view a lot of SD/HDR video.
Extras include some credits to Sony’s BRAVIA CORE streaming service, which streams material at up to 80Mbps, and the controversial (but optional) Sony Bravia Cam, which may be used for in-home video conferences.
There’s a reason it’s the gold standard in Hollywood.
Pros
- Remarkable picture quality
- Unparalleled HDR color gamut coverage
- Superb sound
- Google TV interface
- Equipped with ATSC 3.0 tuner
Cons
- Only two HDMI 2.1 ports
- Relatively high input lag
How to choose the best 55-inch TV for you
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Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what’s best for you.
Since buying a TV is an investment, our TV buying guide outlines the important considerations that should be made. You should make sure you choose the best 55-inch TV for you because you’ll probably own it for a number of years.
Size: Initially, ascertain if you are obligated to purchase a 55-inch set. It doesn’t necessarily make sense for the space just because it’s the largest size that will fit on your wall or TV stand. Likewise, think about if a 65-inch TV might fit in your room better. There’s a reason it’s the gold standard in Hollywood.
Price: A decent 55-inch 4K TV should cost you roughly $500. Based on our extensive database of TV tests, the Insignia 55-inch 4K Fire TV Edition mentioned above is the lowest priced model we would suggest. However, if money is tight, have a look at our top TV offers for some substitutes. However, bear in mind that performance will suffer at lower price points.
HDR: Choose one of the HDR sets above that are compatible with Dolby Vision if you want the maximum colour. With the use of this technology, more colours, contrast levels, and brightness can be produced. Although a set may become slightly more expensive, it ensures that you will continue to enjoy TV as the Dolby Vision format appears to be growing popularity.
Ports: The port options should also be taken into account. While some of the sets above have four HDMI ports, others only have three. Broadly speaking, having more ports is preferable, particularly if you own a variety of input devices, such as game consoles or soundbars.
Take a look at our selections for the top TVs in each category if you’ve focused your TV search on a certain brand, price range, or screen size.
