If you haven’t bought a TV in ages, you’ll be surprised to see a 55-inch TV currently viewed as a medium or even small screen. LCD TVs have become so popular and plentiful that consumers are paying lower and lower prices for bigger and bigger screens – we’re talking about $ 300 for one perfectly decent budget 55 inch TV with the latest technology in image quality and streaming. At the top of this market, almost every beautiful TV series has a size of 55 inches and is often the smallest in the series.
TL; DR: The 55-inch size offers more choices than any other. Therefore, upscaling is now a necessity and there are many quality options. Let me help you decide by listing my favorites.
The following list contains the best TVs that I checked in the CNET test lab. There I compare the pros and cons side by side to determine which ones are best worth buying. Here are my latest recommendations for the best 55 inch TVs that are updated regularly. Keep these points in mind when you look at my decisions:
- Looking for a different size? Check out our comparisons of 32-inch TVs, 43-inch TVs, 65-inch TVs, and 75-inch TVs.
- The pictures below generally show 65 inch TVs as this is the size we are checking at CNET. However, the review continues to apply to the 55-inch version.
- Don’t see what you’re looking for below? Here are all the TVs I’ve checked. More will follow shortly.
Sarah Tew / CNET
OLED televisions are the kings in picture quality, but they are not cheap. The TV’s OLED displays use organic LED technology to achieve a contrast ratio, viewing angle and a wide range of colors that no LCD TV (or QLED TV) can match. As the cheapest OLED TV, the 55-inch B9 TV is our favorite for high-end buyers, even though it’s a 2019 model. In our tests, the image quality of the CX 2020 (below) was only slightly undercut, but the differences in the image quality are tiny – and since it is cheaper than the CX, it is a better value. Read the LG OLED55B9P review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
No television I’ve ever tested offers so much picture quality for that little money. Thanks to improved color technology, the latest version of the TCL 6 series offers an even better image quality than its predecessor. Thanks to the well implemented local dimming with full array, it can circle almost any other TV at this price. As if that weren’t enough, the Roku Smart TV operating system, which really supports all top streaming services, is our absolute favorite for a seamless viewing experience. Yes, that’s one of if not the best 55 inch TV. Read the test report for TCL 55R625 (2019 Roku TV).
Sarah Tew / CNET
What are you saying? You just want the high-end television with the best picture quality, and money doesn’t matter? May I help you. In my side-by-side tests, the 2020 CX is the best TV I’ve ever tested, and hardly surpasses the 2019 B9 (above), which is a superior value – almost as good and a lot cheaper. That said, if you want the best and newest OLED we’ve reviewed, money isn’t an object, that’s it. Read the LG OLED55CXP review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Apart from the TCL 6 series mentioned above, no television offers as much picture for this little money. In my comparisons, the TCL easily won in some key areas, especially HDR brightness and black levels, which are critical to the viewing experience. I would also recommend the TCL to streaming service-centered viewers as it offers a superior Roku Smart TV system with voice control features. Still, the Vizio is still an excellent choice and sometimes available for less than the TCL – just make sure you get the M8 and not the M7. Read the Vizio M558-G1 review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Roku is our preferred platform for streaming apps and apps like Netflix and even better integrated into the TV. This TCL 4 series cannot outperform any of the above models in terms of image quality – the 4K resolution and HDR (High Dynamic Range) compatibility don’t improve the image or color – but it does provide a good viewing experience for them most people, especially at this price. Read the TCL 55S425 test.
Knowing other things
I’m sure you would be happy with any of the TVs mentioned above, but a new 55-inch TV can be a big investment. Maybe you’re looking for a little more information. Here’s a quick and dirty list.
- New 2020 TVs are now available, but since TVs are generally a mature technology, a cheaper 2019 version is usually just as suitable.
- In my opinion, bigger is better. Large televisions are cheaper than ever, and your money is best spent on large screens, rather than slightly improving picture quality or resolution.
- If you don’t like the interaction of the integrated Smart TV system with your streaming apps, you can add a media streamer at any time. After all, there are more streaming services with more amazing content than ever (have you started? The Mandalorian still ?!) Streamers are cheap and easy to use and get updates more often than most smart TVs. Check out our selection of the best media streamers.
- Most built-in speakers sound awful, so it’s worth pairing your new device with a soundbar or other speaker system. Good ones start at around $ 100. See the best sound bars.
Do you have it all Great! Now take your remote control and enjoy high-end TV.
Are you looking for more information? Here you will find everything you need to know Purchase of a new TV in 2020.