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The LG C3 OLED TV displaying a 4K nature documentary in front of a brick wall Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

The Best 55-Inch TVs of 2024

Recommendations are independently chosen by Reviewed's editors. Purchases made through the links below may earn us and our publishing partners a commission.

The LG C3 OLED TV displaying a 4K nature documentary in front of a brick wall Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

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1
Editor's Choice Product image of LG Evo OLED55C3PUA
Best Overall

LG Evo OLED55C3PUA

Check Price at LG

With an exquisite picture and exhaustive features, the LG C3 OLED is an incredible TV for movies, gaming, and everything in between. Read More

Pros

  • Incredible contrast
  • Vivid, accurate color
  • All the gaming features you’ll need

Cons

  • So-so smart platform
  • Not as bright as competitive OLEDs
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Sony XR-55A95L
Best Upgrade

Sony XR-55A95L

Check Price at Amazon

The Sony A95L doesn’t come cheap, but it’s got the best picture quality money can buy, plus an exhaustive list of extra features. Read More

Pros

  • World-class contrast and color
  • Excellent software and features
  • Sleek, accommodating design

Cons

  • Fewer gaming features than competitors
3
Editor's Choice Product image of Hisense 55U8K
Best Value

Hisense 55U8K

Check Price at Amazon

The Hisense U8K is a bright, colorful, competitively priced TV overflowing with value. Read More

Pros

  • Incredibly bright and colorful
  • Superb local dimming
  • Long list of gaming features

Cons

  • Only two HDMI 2.1 inputs
  • Quirky picture processing
  • Narrow viewing angle for most sizes
4
Editor's Choice Product image of Samsung QN55QN90CAFXZA
Best For Bright Rooms

Samsung QN55QN90CAFXZA

Check Price at Amazon

With its incredible picture and extensive list of features, the Samsung QN90C is one of the best-performing mini-LED TVs you can buy. Read More

Pros

  • Incredibly bright and colorful
  • Impressive local dimming
  • Perfect for dedicated gamers

Cons

  • Off-axis viewing isn’t as sharp
  • Cluttered smart platform
  • No Dolby Vision
5
Editor's Choice Product image of Hisense 55U6K
Best TV Under $500

Hisense 55U6K

Check Price at Amazon

The Hisense U6K is the most affordable mini-LED TV on the market and a great fit for those who want a good-looking TV for daytime viewing. Read More

Pros

  • Offers mini-LEDs for less
  • Bright enough for daytime viewing
  • Excellent quantum-dot color

Cons

  • Motion-related color fringing
  • Narrow viewing angle
  • Lackluster design
  • Best Overall LG C3
  • Best Upgrade Sony A95L
  • Best Value Hisense U8K
  • Best For Bright Rooms Samsung QN90C
  • Best TV Under $500 Hisense U6K
  • Other 55-Inch TVs We Tested
  • How We Test TVs
  • What to Consider When Buying a Television
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

55 inches is one of the most popular TV screen sizes for a reason. Not too big and not too small, 55-inch TVs feel luxuriously large without entirely dominating your living room.

If you want the best 55-inch TV money can buy, go with the LG C3 OLED (available at LG) . With its excellent contrast, stunning color, and next-gen gaming support, you really can't go wrong.

If the C3 isn’t right for you, we spend hundreds of hours testing great 55-inch TVs in every price bracket. You’re sure to find the best one for your budget.

The LG C3 OLED TV displaying colorful, 4K content in front of a brick wall
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

The LG C3 combines the unbelievable performance of an OLED with an array of exciting features.

Best Overall
LG C3
  • Screen sizes: 42”, 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, 83”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: LG webOS 23

With its incredible picture quality and extensive selection of A/V- and gaming-related features, the LG C3 OLED is our pick for the best all-around 55-inch TV you can buy. Like its predecessor, the C3 pairs picture-perfect black levels with punchy highlights and rich, voluminous color. It’s brighter than the C2, but only by a hair, due to new picture processing enhancements that manage light output.

The C3 is at its best when displaying HDR content, covering an impressive 99% of the HDR color gamut (DCI-P3) and doling out highlights as bright as 800 nits. Picture purists will appreciate the TV’s out-of-the-box accuracy and Dolby Vision support, and everyone in the room will appreciate the C3’s remarkably wide viewing angles (a hallmark of OLED displays).

Few TVs offer as many gaming-related features as the LG C3 including ultra-low input lag, four HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K/120Hz gaming, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). The C3 also supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility. LG’s Game Optimizer is back, too, which gives gamers an easy-to-access menu for adjusting the TV’s picture and toggling its gaming-related enhancements on the fly.

See our full LG C3 review.

Pros

  • Incredible contrast

  • Vivid, accurate color

  • All the gaming features you’ll need

Cons

  • So-so smart platform

  • Not as bright as competitive OLEDs

Buy now at LG

$1,296.99 from Amazon

$1,299.99 from Best Buy

$1,299.99 from Target
The Sony A95L QD-OLED TV displaying colorful, 4K content in front of a brick wall
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

The A95L offers an incredible experience.

Best Upgrade
Sony A95L
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65", 77”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV

The Sony A95L is the follow-up to the A95K, a TV we had previously declared the best we'd ever seen. The A95L is even better than its predecessor. From a picture quality standpoint, it's the best 55-inch TV money can buy.

The A95L represents the best QD-OLED technology has to offer. Its color volume is unparalleled, its specular highlights are among the brightest in its class, and Sony's picture processing is second to none. Simply put, everything looks good on the A95L—from cable broadcasts to 4K movies mastered in Dolby Vision.

And if it's features you're after, the A95L is practically overflowing with them. There are more audio- and video-related enhancements than any TV I can remember, including IMAX Enhanced mode, Surface Acoustic Audio, and Bravia Cam support. Gamers are covered, too, as the A95L supports Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode, and Sony's Game Mode.

Unfortunately, gamers who own two current-gen gaming consoles and an eARC-enabled soundbar will have to juggle their devices across just two HDMI 2.1 inputs. This is the only aspect of the A95L's capabilities that falls short of its top-tier OLED competitors like the Samsung S95C and the LG G3.

It doesn't come cheap, but the Sony A95L is the ultimate TV for those looking for the absolute best picture in the 55-inch class.

See our full Sony A95L review.

Pros

  • World-class contrast and color

  • Excellent software and features

  • Sleek, accommodating design

Cons

  • Fewer gaming features than competitors

$3,298.00 from Amazon

$3,299.99 from Best Buy

$3,298.00 from Abt

$2,947.00 from Walmart
The Hisense U8K, resting on a media console in front of a brick wall, displaying a 4K/HDR image of a city skyline
Credit: Reviewed / Tim Renzi

The Hisense U8K offers great performance for a price most people can justify.

Best Value
Hisense U8K
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65", 75", 85"
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV

If you’re shopping for a high-performance 55-inch TV without a high-end price, the Hisense U8K should be at the top of your list. Its set of features and picture quality rival some of the best LED TVs from competitive brands, but its price tag is much lower.

Like many top-shelf TVs in 2023, the U8K blends mini-LEDs and quantum dots for a bright, colorful picture. Its high amount of dimming zones and excellent local dimming software keep its black levels inky while minimizing light bloom. If you have a brighter-than-average living space, the U8K is a slam dunk; it’s one of the brightest TVs of the year, and its average picture brightness is plenty sufficient to cut through sunlight.

The U8K’s Google smart platform is easy enough to use and offers plenty of downloadable apps. It's not quite as powerful a gaming machine as other high-end TVs, but there’s enough here to satisfy casual and dedicated gamers alike. It’s equipped with two HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K/120Hz gaming (or up to 144Hz with VRR), as well as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro.

Its picture processing isn’t as sharp as some of the other TVs in its class, and like all mini-LED TVs, the picture quality gets noticeably worse during off-axis viewing. Nevertheless, with 55-inch models currently starting at just $650, the U8K is positively overflowing with value.

See our full Hisense U8K review.

Pros

  • Incredibly bright and colorful

  • Superb local dimming

  • Long list of gaming features

Cons

  • Only two HDMI 2.1 inputs

  • Quirky picture processing

  • Narrow viewing angle for most sizes

$798.00 from Amazon

$799.99 from Best Buy

$798.00 from Walmart
The 65-inch Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV in a living room setting displaying a 4K image of a shoreline
Credit: Reviewed / Tim Renzi

The Samsung QN90C is one of the brightest LED TVs we’ve reviewed this year.

Best For Bright Rooms
Samsung QN90C
  • Screen sizes: 43", 50", 55", 65”, 75”, 85”
  • HDR support: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Tizen OS

As we've come to expect from Samsung's Neo QLED line, the QN90C is sensationally bright and colorful. It's one of the brightest 55-inch TVs of the year, making it a great choice for folks with sun-soaked living spaces. The QN90C's sheer brightness and quantum dot-enhanced display make for an impressively punchy palette of colors, regardless of what you're watching.

Most impressive, however, is the QN90C's local dimming, which does a remarkably good job of keeping all of that brightness in check. Rarely did we notice any light bloom around brighter objects, including bright, white subtitles during darker shows and movies. Simply put, if you have your heart set on a mini-LED TV, the QN90C is one of the best at implementing that display technology.

Gamers will feel right at home with the QN90C, as it offers a full slate of HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K gaming up to 144Hz, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and AMD FreeSync Premium. Like many high-end Samsung TVs this year, the QN90C also supports Samsung's cloud gaming software suite, Gaming Hub. This allows users to access a host of popular cloud gaming services—no console required.

Like all LED TVs, the QN90C doesn't look quite as good when viewed from an off-axis position. We also find the overall software experience to be fussier than Google TV. Nevertheless, the QN90C is one of the best mini-LED TVs money can buy, and certainly one of the best 55-inch TVs of the year.

See our full Samsung QN90C review.

Pros

  • Incredibly bright and colorful

  • Impressive local dimming

  • Perfect for dedicated gamers

Cons

  • Off-axis viewing isn’t as sharp

  • Cluttered smart platform

  • No Dolby Vision

$1,297.99 from Amazon

$1,299.99 from Best Buy

$1,297.99 from Abt

$1,297.99 from Walmart
The Hisense U6K Mini-LED TV on a table with a brick background.
Credit: Reviewed / Timothy Renzi

Thanks to mini-LED display technology, the Hisense U6K delivers excellent performance for a budget TV.

Best TV Under $500
Hisense U6K
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65", 75", 85”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV

The 55-inch Hisense U6K is the most affordable mini-LED TV on the market, making it a great choice for those shopping for a budget-friendly TV with a hefty amount of performance-related upside. Its picture quality is better than most TVs in its price range, and although it's not packed to the brim with features, its flexible smart platform and handful of gaming features should be enough to satisfy most bargain-hunters.

The U6K owes most of its success to its mini-LED display. This hardware is typically reserved for pricier TVs, but the U6K features a scaled down version of the technology with fewer dimming zones, keeping it firmly locked into a budget-friendly price bracket. With mini-LEDs in tow, the U6K offers tighter dimming zone control than entry-level and mid-range TVs that rely on traditional LEDs.

It’s bright enough for casual daytime viewing and looks good in the dark, too. With quantum dots in play, the U6K is also quite colorful for a mid-range TV; it covers an impressive 96% of the HDR color gamut (DCI-P3). It’s not as gaming-friendly as pricier TVs from Hisense and competitive brands, but Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) are included.

There are a few drawbacks to the U6K’s otherwise excellent approach: Its design isn’t as sturdy or sleek as we’d like, and there are some picture processing issues that spoil some of the fun. Like many Hisense TVs, the U6K often exhibits a subtle, red-tinted ghosting effect on objects in motion, particularly during dimly lit scenes in warm lighting. It also struggles to upscale sub-4K content as cleanly as other mid-range TVs.

Still, if you’re looking for an affordable TV that delivers better performance than most in its class, the U6K is a great pick.

See our full Hisense U6K review.

Pros

  • Offers mini-LEDs for less

  • Bright enough for daytime viewing

  • Excellent quantum-dot color

Cons

  • Motion-related color fringing

  • Narrow viewing angle

  • Lackluster design

$447.99 from Amazon

$449.99 from Best Buy

$448.00 from Walmart

Other 55-Inch TVs We Tested

Product image of Sony XR-55A95K
Sony A95K
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65"
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV

The A95K, Sony's first quantum dot-enhanced OLED TV, is absolutely mindblowing. For pure picture quality, it's one of the best TVs we've ever seen (topped only by its successor, the Sony A95L).

The A95K delivers the perfect black levels and the wide viewing angles of any OLED, while correcting OLED tech’s biggest problem—brightness. It’s bright enough to watch day or night, unless it’s sitting directly in a sunbeam.

Sony's quantum dot technology helps A9K cover an impressive 100% of the HDR color gamut (DCI-P3). Its bold, bright colors pop noticeably, no matter what you’re watching or playing. Most impressively, it can render skin tones and subtle color gradations without color banding, even when it’s upscaling standard-definition content thanks to Sony’s excellent picture processing.

The A95K isn’t quite as robust for gaming as some of its competitors, but it does alright. Two of its HDMI 2.1 inputs support 4K gaming at 120Hz, though one of them is also the eARC-enabled soundbar port. It also features Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode, and G-Sync compatibility.

Finally, the A95K has a fast, easy-to-use Google-based smart platform that works well for streaming.

The price tag is astronomical and the gaming support could be stronger, but if you're looking for one of the best pictures money can buy, the A95K is a great candidate. It’s also a savvy way to save a little bit of money if its successor, the A95L, is a bit too pricey for you.

See our full Sony A95K review.

Pros

  • World-class picture quality

  • Superb design

  • Fast, flexible software

Cons

  • Not as bright as QLED rivals

  • Gaming support so-so

  • Minor color fringing

Buy now at Amazon

$2,519.99 from Best Buy

$2,279.00 from Walmart
Product image of Samsung QN55S95CAFXZA
Samsung S95C
  • Screen sizes: 55”, 65”, 77”
  • HDR support: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Samsung Tizen OS

The second generation of Samsung’s quantum dot-enhanced OLED display technology is even more stunning than the first. With class-leading brightness, incredibly vibrant color, and a bevy of gaming features, the Samsung S95C picks up right where its predecessor (the S95B) left off. An S95B on sale is still the better financial option, unless you’re after a 77-inch model or want the flexibility of Samsung’s One Connect box which puts all connections in a conveniently detached box, both only offered with the S95C.

The S95C is the brightest OLED we’ve tested to date, with HDR specular highlights reaching as high as 1,400 nits. Colors on the S95C look spectacular no matter what you happen to be watching, but HDR movies, shows, and video games look especially vibrant. The S95C covers 99% of the HDR color gamut, and the sheer luminosity of its quantum dot-enhanced palette truly makes a difference.

The S95C is a gaming powerhouse and its low input lag and 144Hz native refresh rate are just the tip of the iceberg. All four of its HDMI 2.1 inputs support 4K/120Hz gaming, along with Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), and AMD FreeSync Premium. Like last year’s model, the S95C also offers Samsung Gaming Hub (a cloud gaming platform) and Game Bar, a settings menu that puts the TV’s various gaming enhancements right at your fingertips.

As is the case with all Samsung TVs, you won’t be getting Dolby Vision support with the S95C. Instead, the TV offers HDR10+ support in its place, an HDR format that harnesses frame-by-frame metadata similarly. In addition, while the S95C’s software has seen subtle improvements year over year, we find the user interface to be somewhat confusing and certain processes to be slow, which might disappoint those looking for a simple, easy smart platform experience.

See our full Samsung S95C review.

Pros

  • Incredible contrast

  • Dazzling color

  • Fantastic gaming support

Cons

  • Sluggish, cluttered software

  • Raised black levels in ambient light

  • No Dolby Vision support

$2,499.00 from Samsung

$1,897.99 from Amazon

$1,899.99 from Best Buy

$1,897.99 from Abt
Product image of LG OLED55G3PUA
LG G3
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65", 77” (with MLA), 83” (without MLA)
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: LG webOS 23

The G3 OLED is one of the best TVs LG has ever made, thanks in part to its unique Micro Lens Array (MLA) panel technology. This special hardware allows the G3 to produce peak white highlights at brightness levels on par with QD-OLED TVs. When you put those highlights alongside perfect black levels, magic things happen to the picture. (Note: The 83-inch G3 does not feature MLA technology.)

Like its predecessors, the G3 is designed to hang on the wall like a portrait. This means if you want to set up the G3 on a media console, you'll have to fork over an extra $150 for a compatible, first-party stand. If you wall-mount the G3, however, you'll be treated to a work of art. There is no gap between the panel and the wall, and its metallic border calls to mind a fancy frame.

Gaming enthusiasts will be thrilled to see a full suite of HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K gaming at 120Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium, G-Sync, and Auto Low Latency Mode. Like all LG OLEDs, the G3 also offers Game Optimizer mode—a convenient set of enhancements to improve the experience from one game to the next.

The G3 is not perfect, though. Those chasing the brightest, boldest colors an OLED has to offer might want to explore alternatives. While its colors are spectacular to behold (and accurate right out of the box), the G3 lags behind QD-OLED when it comes to color volume. In addition, the G3's stand is wobbly, and the configuration causes the panel to lean back slightly, which might bother some.

That said, it's among the best OLEDs money can buy, which puts it near the top of the list of the best TVs, period. It's an especially good pick for those looking to wall-mount their next TV.

See our full LG G3 review.

Pros

  • Excellent contrast and out-of-the-box accuracy

  • A gaming powerhouse

  • Attractive wall-mounted design

Cons

  • Lackluster tabletop configuration

  • Lags behind QD-OLED in some ways

  • So-so streaming platform

Buy now at LG

Buy now at Amazon

$1,799.99 from Best Buy

$1,796.99 from Abt
Product image of Samsung QN55S90CAFXZA
Samsung S90C
  • Screen sizes: 55”, 65”, and 77” (QD-OLED), 83” (WOLED)
  • HDR support: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Samsung Tizen OS

The 55-inch Samsung S90C is Samsung’s most affordable OLED TV. While it’s not quite as impressive as the step-up S95C, it shares many of the same benefits and features. As such, it’s a great way to save some money on a high-end Samsung TV.

The inclusion of quantum dots helps to explain why the S90C is brighter and slightly more colorful than many OLED TVs in its price range (like the LG C3 and the Sony A80K). When paired with the perfect black levels OLED TVs are known for, the S90C’s added brightness makes for a fantastically cinematic experience, particularly in HDR. Small, concentrated areas of brightness really pop.

Picture purists will appreciate the S90C’s razor-sharp Filmmaker mode, which produces an incredibly accurate picture right out of the box. Gamers, on the other hand, will love the S90C’s full-hearted support for current-generation consoles, as the S90C supports 4K gaming at up to 144Hz across all four of its HDMI 2.1 inputs. It also supports ALLM, VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium, and Samsung’s Gaming Hub streaming software suite.

There are a couple of downsides to report, unfortunately. Being a Samsung TV, the S90C does not support Dolby Vision, opting instead for the open-source alternative, HDR10+. A/V enthusiasts might miss having the option to watch Dolby Vision-enhanced content in its native format. In addition, the S90C’s software (especially its built-in smart platform) often feels like it gets in its own way.

It’s also worth noting just how much pricier the 65-inch model is when compared to the 55-inch version. The 55-inch S90C is the most competitively priced model, and there’s a significant price jump when moving up to the 65-inch version—more so than with most TVs in its class.

Nevertheless, if you’re interested in landing a Samsung-branded OLED TV, the S90C is the most affordable route.

See our full Samsung S90C review.

Pros

  • Brighter than most OLEDs

  • Fantastic color

  • Wealth of gaming features

Cons

  • So-so software experience

  • No Dolby Vision

$1,397.99 from Amazon

$1,397.99 from Abt

$1,379.00 from Walmart
Product image of LG OLED55C2PUA
LG C2
  • Screen sizes: 42”, 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, 83”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: LG webOS 22

The LG C2 was originally released in 2022, but you can still find great deals on this award-winning OLED TV.

In HDR, the TV can produce specular highlights in the 700- to 800-nit range, and it covers about 97% of the HDR color space (DCI-P3). SDR content (like most cable broadcasts) also looks spectacular, though not as bright. HDR support includes Dolby Vision, a big draw for cinephiles.

The C2 is also our favorite TV for gamers. All four inputs are full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1, supporting 4K gaming at 120 hertz (Hz). It comes with features for optimizing frame rate and reducing input lag, including Auto Low Latency (ALLM) Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync. LG’s Game Optimizer menu lets you toggle VRR and picture options, and keeps frame rate information handy while you play.

It’s not perfect. It doesn’t support DTS audio, diminishing the experience of some Blu-Rays. We’re also not a fan of LG’s webOS smart platform, which is slow and full of sponsored content. Still, that’s nothing an affordable streaming device can’t fix.

The LG C2 is a successful addition to a long line of winning LG OLED TVs. It’s still pricier than most 55-inch TVs, but its world-class performance and wide array of features justify the price tag.

See our full LG C2 review.

Pros

  • World-class picture quality

  • A top-tier gaming TV

  • Wafer-thin design

Cons

  • Not as bright as top-shelf QLED TVs

  • Slight off-angle color shift

Buy now at Amazon

$1,799.99 from Target

$1,149.00 from Walmart
Product image of Samsung QN55S95BAFXZA
Samsung S95B
  • Screen sizes: 55”, 65”
  • HDR: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Samsung Tizen OS

The Samsung S95B combines the perfect black levels of an OLED display with the color- and brightness-boosting qualities of quantum dots.

The S95B’s added brightness has an incredibly powerful impact on HDR content. Perhaps the most significant improvement brought to the table by quantum dots is their effect on the S95B’s color reproduction—reds and greens, in particular, look stunning.

It's built for gaming, too. All four of the S95B’s HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K gaming at 120Hz, ALLM, andVRR. Combined with Samsung’s Game Bar, a dedicated settings menu for game optimization, avid gamers will be covered for years to come.

See our full Samsung S95B review.

Pros

  • QD-OLED is a game changer

  • Excellent gaming TV

  • Superb design

Cons

  • No Dolby Vision

  • Might need to be calibrated

  • Minor color artifacts

Buy now at Amazon

$1,897.00 from Walmart
Product image of Sony XR-55A80K
Sony A80K
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65", 77"
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV

The Sony A80K, a terrific option for OLED bargain hunters, sports perfect black levels and incredible contrast, especially when viewed in a dark room. It also boasts ultra-wide viewing angles, maintaining excellent contrast and color saturation wherever you’re sitting in the room. Its color gamut coverage is remarkable, covering 99% of the HDR color gamut (DCI-P3).

The A80K loses some luster when you compare it to other OLED TVs in its price bracket. It isn’t as bright as the competition, and it struggles in bright rooms. It’s also not quite as gaming-friendly as competitively-priced OLED TVs. It features HDMI 2.1 and all of its benefits (ALLM, VRR, and 4K gaming at 120Hz), but only on two of its four inputs—one of which is also the dedicated eARC port.

See our full Sony A80K review.

Pros

  • Excellent color and contrast

  • Elegant design

Cons

  • Not as bright as other OLEDs

  • Only two HDMI 2.1 ports

Buy now at Amazon

$1,498.00 from Walmart
Product image of Hisense 55U7K
Hisense U7K
  • Screen sizes: 55”, 65”, 75”, 85”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV

The U7K is right in the middle of Hisense’s mini-LED lineup, sandwiched between the entry-level U6K and the top-shelf U8K. It’s a great fit for those who are looking for a better-than-average 55-inch TV but don’t want to cross into a higher price range. It’s an especially great pick for gamers on a budget.

Although it doesn’t showcase small, specular highlights as impressively as its higher-end counterpart, the U7K is nevertheless bright enough for most living spaces on account of its relatively high average picture brightness. Its HDR performance in particular won’t exactly wow dedicated A/V enthusiasts, but most people will be perfectly pleased with the U7K’s picture–especially those upgrading from an older TV.

The U7K’s set of gaming features is terrific. It supports 4K gaming at 120Hz (or 144Hz for PC gaming), ALLM, VRR, and FreeSync Premium Pro. Unfortunately, only two of its HDMI inputs are optimized for gaming, and one of them also functions as the TV’s eARC port. If you own two consoles and a soundbar, they’ll be fighting over one of the HDMI 2.1 inputs.

The U7K is a respectable, affordable TV that ought to entice casual viewers and gamers alike.

See our full Hisense U7K review.

Pros

  • Bright picture

  • Impressive backlight control

  • Great gaming features for the price

Cons

  • HDR content often looks washed out

  • Minor motion-related color fringing

$598.00 from Amazon

$599.99 from Best Buy

$598.00 from Walmart
Product image of Sony XR-55X90K
Sony X90K
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65", 75", 85”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV

If you’re looking for a taste of high-end performance without the high-end price tag, consider the 55-inch X90K, Sony’s best mid-range TV. For less than the price of most flagship TVs, it delivers a bright, colorful picture, a user-friendly smart platform, and a handful of useful gaming features.

With an average picture brightness of around 600 to 700 nits in both SDR and HDR, the X90K is a great choice for viewers who watch cable TV or stream their favorite shows in the daytime. Small highlights (like the shimmer of light on a samurai sword) get even brighter, and with both HDR10 and Dolby Vision support in tow, the 55-inch X90K is one of the best ways to showcase HDR content without spending an exorbitant amount of money. Thanks to Sony's Triluminos quantum dot technology it covers about 92% of the HDR color gamut (DCI-P3). With Sony’s excellent picture processing conducting the proceedings behind the scenes, everything from upscaled content to native 4K content looks clean and accurately expressed.

Unfortunately, you’ll likely contend with some light bloom whenever bright picture elements are overlaid on a dark background. The effect is especially pronounced during off-axis viewing. This is because the 55-inch X90K isn’t equipped with very many dimming zones—something you don’t have to worry about as much if you invest in a higher-end mini-LED TV. Its gaming support is also more limited as only two of the X90K’s four HDMI inputs support 4K gaming at 120Hz, with ALLM and VRR. Non-gamers won't be affected by this limitation, though.

The Sony X90K is a great compromise for folks who want a handful of cutting-edge features and a great 55-inch picture, but who don’t feel comfortable jumping up to the high-end, heavy-hitting options that often cost twice as much. It's an especially sensible pick for people who do most of their viewing during the day.

See our full Sony X90K review.

Pros

  • Bright enough for daytime viewing

  • Great smart platform

  • Accommodating design

Cons

  • Moderate light bloom

  • Narrow viewing angle

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Product image of TCL 55Q650G
TCL Q6
  • Screen sizes: 55", 65”, 75”, 85”
  • HDR support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
  • Smart platform: Google TV

If you're in the market for a decent-looking TV that offers a full spectrum of streaming options and won't break the bank, the TCL Q6 is a great candidate. It's available in several size options, all of which are among the most affordable options you'll find from a major, reputable TV brand.

The Q6 isn't equipped with high-end display hardware, but it makes the most of what it's got: a direct LED backlight with quantum dots. The Q6 may not be bright enough for sunny rooms, but it's fine for average lighting conditions, and its color production is quite impressive for the price.

Unfortunately, due to the Q6's relative lack of brightness, its HDR performance isn't as impactful as some of its competitors (like the Hisense U6K). Still, folks looking for a decent, affordable TV with full access to streaming options should take a closer look at the Q6. With Google's smart platform baked right into the TV's software, you're getting a fast, flexible set of streaming options right out of the box.

See our full TCL Q6 review.

Pros

  • Excellent color

  • Great for casual gamers

  • Reliable smart platform

Cons

  • Not very bright

  • No local dimming

  • Lackluster design

$369.99 from Amazon

$369.99 from Best Buy

$368.00 from Walmart

How We Test TVs

Credit: Reviewed

Our lab is outfitted with much of the same equipment you would find at a factory that manufactures and calibrates televisions.

The Testers

Reviewed has been testing TVs for over a decade. Our current Home Theater expert is Michael Desjardin, a Senior Staff Writer who has been a member of the tech team since 2014. Michael takes picture quality seriously, but he also understands that not every TV is a good fit for everyone.

John Higgins, Reviewed’s A/V and Electronics Senior Editor, is an ISF Level III-certified calibrator. He has been covering all manner of home theater electronics for two decades—from TVs and gaming gear to speakers and headphones.

A TV tester measuring a TV's contrast
Credit: Reviewed / Chris Snow

We measure things like peak brightness, black level, hue, and so on.

The Tests

The average person's viewing experience is very important to us, so when we test TVs, we spend a lot of time just using them like the general public would. We stream video, use smart features and watch movies on a Blu-ray player. We also check out the ports, remote, and on-set buttons. Basically, we evaluate anything that might be relevant to the daily experience of using the TV.

But our testing process doesn’t stop there. Our lab has much of the same equipment factories use to manufacture and calibrate televisions so we can gather enough esoteric data that would satisfy even curious video engineers. Overall, we weigh our performance tests based on how the human eye prioritizes vision—brightness first, then colorimetry, and so on.

What to Consider When Buying a Television

Everyone wants to get the most out of their home entertainment experience. The seemingly endless options can make shopping intimidating, though. There are some things to think about when you’re shopping for the best smart TV available, especially if you’re on a tighter budget.

Size

What’s the best size for a TV? That really depends, and it’s more complicated than “bigger is better.”

Some factors that come into play are the size of the room where it will go and the viewing distance. A smaller TV, even one with 1080p resolution, can be the perfect fit for a kitchen, but if you’re going to be relaxing and watching tons of movies, you’ll want a bigger 4K TV.

Additionally, you should be aware of your wall space. Make sure to check the width of the room if you plan to wall mount. If you plan on using a TV stand, find out how big of a set your stand can support. Some TVs sit on central pedestals, while others have feet mounted to either side.

One thing to remember: If you buy a TV that's a little too big for your space, you can usually move furniture around to create a better viewing environment. That’s harder to do if you buy one that's too small. A 55-inch TV will complement most living rooms nicely.

Cost

Our recommendation is to buy the best TV that fits your budget. Make sure you know what features are most important to you. Don’t pay for ones that you don’t need or want. Gamers with new systems have different needs than someone who is using their TV to stream their favorite shows. The same goes for cinephiles.

For people looking to spend less money, our favorite 55-inch TV under $500, the TCL 5-Series S555 (2022), is a serious budget win. For those who have more to spend, it’s hard to beat our best upgrade pick, the Sony A95K, which will give you the absolute best picture money can buy. Regardless of your budget, though, you should be able to find a quality TV.

Display Type

When shopping for a 55-inch TV, you’re likely to see a lot of different terms—LED, LCD, QLED, OLED.

LED refers to Light Emitting Diode, while LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. These technologies are used together, so you may see them referred to interchangeably. LEDs are the backlights used in LCD TVs. They shine through a layer of a semi-solid substance called "liquid crystal," which gets its name for its ability to morph in reaction to electrical volts and allow light to pass through.

Essentially, QLED TVs are LED TVs with quantum dots. The addition of quantum dots allows the displays to produce rich colors, especially those that rely on combinations of red and green, better than LED TVs without quantum dot technology.

OLED, or Organic Light Emitting Diode, is a different panel technology than LED/LCD. An OLED TV combines the backlight and display arrays, using sub-pixel strata that produce light and color individually. There’s now also QD-OLED, which combines OLEDs’ amazing contrast with quantum dots vibrant colors.

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  • The Best TVs Under $500
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Meet the testers

Michael Desjardin

Michael Desjardin

Senior Staff Writer

@Reviewed

Michael Desjardin graduated from Emerson College after having studied media production and screenwriting. He specializes in tech for Reviewed, but also loves film criticism, weird ambient music, cooking, and food in general.

See all of Michael Desjardin's reviews
John Higgins

John Higgins

Managing Editor, Tech

@johntmhiggins

John is Reviewed's Managing Editor of Tech. He is an ISF Level III-certified calibrator with bylines at ProjectorCentral, Wirecutter, IGN, Home Theater Review, T3, Sound & Vision, and Home Theater Magazine. When away from the Reviewed office, he is a sound editor for film, a musician, and loves to play games with his son.

See all of John Higgins's reviews

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Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.

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