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We tested 72 different 55-inch TV models, and these are the best ones
By Maren Estrada,
7 hours ago
Picking the best 55-inch TV can be tricky. You have to worry about picture quality, sound quality, the smart OS that powers it, and much more. BGR’s expert product reviewers have tested 72 different televisions at this size over the past decade. That means we’re uniquely positioned to advise you on the best 55-inch TV for your needs, whatever they might be.
Our top picks
Here’s a quick preview of our top picks before you get to all the details:
Of course, you’ll want to know why I chose each model since not every 65-inch TV is ideal for every user. We’ll cover all of the most important details below so that you can make an educated decision and get the best 65-inch TV for you based on your unique wants and needs.
For stunning picture quality at an affordable price, no TV beats the LG C4 OLED. OLED’s per-pixel lighting gives this TV the darkest blacks possible. They put LED displays to shame when it comes to contrast and viewing angles. I can’t overstate how much of a difference OLED makes in image quality. However, the LG C4 isn’t just a great looker. LG’s webOS platform is reliable and easy to use.
Unfortunately, webOS doesn’t have the same amount of apps available to Google, Roku, and Amazon TVs. Still, all the major streaming services are available, as well as more niche ones. While you might have trouble finding some specific apps and games, you can rest assured that all the bases are covered when it comes to streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Tubi, and so on.
LG’s magic remote also sets this TV apart from the others on this list. It works as a normal remote but can also be used like a Wii remote. It can move a cursor around the screen. This control method is quicker once you get used to it, and it also makes for a less frustrating Smart TV experience.
The LG C4’s most significant downsides are the same issues that plague all OLED TVs. It doesn’t have the max brightness that standard LED TVs can achieve, and burn-in is also a risk. Fortunately, the TV has enough safeguards in place that it’s relatively rare if users practice a modicum of caution.
Also, since the C4 is the latest LG OLED TV series, it’s quite expensive. Prices start at $1,299.99 for the 42-inch model, and the 55-inch model retails for $1,999.99. This model often goes on sale though, and you can check the latest prices right here .
Pros: Excellent value for the price, reliable general-purpose TV
Cons: Poor viewing angle, doesn’t excel at any one thing
The Hisense U6 is a surprisingly good TV for the price. It’s one of Hisense’s entry-level models in the ULED series. Still, it has great contrast, good blacks (for an LED TV), and solid color accuracy.
It’s hard to call the U6 a budget TV because it doesn’t feel budget at all. It does everything well. Plus, its Android TV OS is dependable and reasonably easy to use, It’s also compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa. This is also one of the cheapest TVs that is Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos capable.
However, the U6 doesn’t excel at anything. It’s a workhorse TV that doesn’t have a ton of frills. Features like Variable Refresh Rate and 4K at 120 frames per second aren’t supported. Those features are almost exclusively used by consoles and PCs, though. Anyone uninterested in gaming likely won’t miss their absence, and casual gamers likely won’t care or even notice. If you’re a hardcore gamer though, you may want to look elsewhere.
Additionally, like many TVs with regular LED panels, the U6 has viewing angle issues. Its VA panel is notorious for poor viewing angles. Those with wide rooms and scattered seating arrangements might want to look elsewhere.
Pros: Extremely affordable, Roku interface is straightforward and user-friendly
Cons: Poor viewing angles, some banding, and black crush
The TCL 4 Series/S451 is a great option for people who want a 55-inch TV resolution that has built-in Roku software.
The S451 is more future-proof than the other sets in this price range since it has a 4K display. It also supports HDMI 2.1 on two of its, which lets it support 4K at 120 FPS gaming.
Unfortunately, the screen itself isn’t very remarkable, aside from being an 4K display. It’s a VA-type panel, and viewing angle issues mean you need to be facing the TV head-on to get the best experience. It does feature decent brightness, but even having more dimming zones doesn’t eliminate the black crush and banding you get from standard LED screens.
This TV’s remote also leaves something to be desired as it is very similar to one you’d get with a Roku streaming device. That’s great for those who are used to that and don’t want anything else, but for the price, I expected a more full-featured remote.
Pros: Fire TV Interface is versatile and has many apps, great for those invested in the Amazon ecosystem
Cons: Picture quality is mediocre
The flagship Amazon Fire TV Omni shines brightly as Amazon’s recently introduced TV line. However, this entry-level 4K TV still has its flaws. The only thing that will put this above the competition for some buyers is the built-in Amazon Fire TV interface.
Amazon’s Omni TV has decent contrast, but the complete lack of local dimming means picture quality will suffer no matter what content you play. The 65 and 75-inch models support Dolby Vision in addition to HDR, but the 55-inch model only has HDR. Still, there’s not much of a point since it doesn’t have the color gamut necessary for the “pop” you get with HDR format video.
Amazon Fire TV Omni models use VA panels, and as I discussed above, this makes for poor viewing angles. If you plan on using this TV as your daily driver, that can cause issues. You also might find it to be a problem if it’s in your living room and you have a lot of seating. If most of your viewing is from straight-on, however, you won’t have any problems with this display.
Still, if you want Fire TV built into your television are an affordable price, the Omni models are the best available despite all their flaws. Most buyers would be better off just purchasing a Fire TV Stick 4K or Fire TV Stick 4K Max and hooking it up to another TV, like an LG OLED TV. It’ll cost more, but the picture quality and overall experience are better by an order of magnitude.
Pros: Excellent picture quality, Google TV is the most versatile TV OS available
Cons: Extremely expensive
Fortunately, we get to end on a high note.
The Sony Bravia XR A95L is an OLED TV that rivals LG’s OLED line in picture quality and performance. Buyers can expect the deep blacks, excellent contrast, and vivid colors that are a hallmark of OLEDs. Unfortunately, like the LG C4, the A95L has issues with brightness and potential burn-in. However, the pros of OLEDs far outweigh the cons, and the A95L is one of the best smart TV sets you can buy.
The Google TV interface has recently moved to be more uniform across devices. So, if you’ve used it lately on a Chromecast, Nvidia Shield TV, or another TV, you’ll find it works much the same on the A95L.
Google TV might not be as straightforward as using a Roku or Apple TV, but it does have the advantage of having access to the Google Play Store, which has a ton of apps. That even includes some niche services, like Crunchyroll or Funimation.
Also, I have good news for gamers: the A95L supports Variable Rate Refresh (VRR), which previous-generation models did not.
Of course, the downside of this model is the price tag. The 55-inch model costs $2,798, while the 65-inch A95L is priced at just under $3,500. If you want the gigantic 77-inch version of this stunning OLED TV, prepare to pay $5,000 unless you catch it on sale.
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