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

A 55-inch display is ideal if you want a midsize 4K TV. Our picks range from budget models under $500 to premium sets with high-end features.

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

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A composite image for best 55-inch TVs with a TCL S5 TV on a media console next to a photo of a Samsung S90D TV hanging on a wall.
The TCL S5 (left) and Samsung S90D (right) are two of the best 55-inch TV models you can buy right now.

A 55-inch TV is an excellent fit for people who want a medium-sized display. Entry-level 55-inch models can be found for under $300, and many brands sell 55-inch versions of their top TVs with all the advanced features you'd get on a bigger size. The best 55-inch TVs provide excellent picture quality while still being large enough to showcase the benefits of 4K resolution. 

To help you find the right model for your needs, our experts have carefully selected the five best 55-inch TVs you can buy. Our top recommendation is the Samsung S90D, which delivers high contrast and deep black levels thanks to its OLED screen. But if you want to spend under $500, we recommend the Roku Plus Series. It produces a wide range of colors and delivers solid brightness for the money. 

Below are all five of our picks for the best 55-inch TVs, including a high-end option for home theater enthusiasts and a cheap entry-level model great for casual buyers. 

Our top picks for the best 55-inch TVs

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

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

Best under $500: Roku Plus Series QLED 4K TV - See at Amazon

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

Best entry-level model: TCL S5 LED 4K TV - See at Amazon


Best overall

Competition is steep for the best 55-inch TV, with several worthy options available. Though we previously recommended the LG C3 OLED in this category, recent price drops have made the Samsung S90D OLED a better value. The LG C3 and its 2024 successor, the C4, are both still excellent TVs, but the S90D offers slightly better performance while often costing around the same.

The S90D uses Samsung's latest QD-OLED panel, which allows it to produce an infinite contrast ratio with deep black levels that disappear into a dark room. High contrast is one of the most important elements of good picture quality, and contrast doesn't get any better than this. In addition, the TV incorporates quantum dot color technology. This is something LG's competing OLEDs lack, and it enables a wider and brighter range of colors when watching high-dynamic-range (HDR) videos.

The TV's peak brightness is also impressive for a midrange OLED. In our testing, we measured a max of around 1,240 nits, which is a decent improvement over the 1,000 nits that the 2023 S90C model could output. When watching 4K HDR content, the S90D delivers beautiful picture performance, with detail and vibrancy that nearly matches high-end sets that cost $1,000 more. Even lower-quality sources like cable TV and HD YouTube streams look good, though the set's image processing and upscaling aren't quite as refined as you'd get with competitors from Sony or LG.

The S90D's viewing angles are also excellent, so the picture doesn't noticeably fade or distort when you sit off to the side of the TV. The display is also a great pick for gamers, thanks to its low input lag and fast 120Hz refresh with a PS5 or Xbox Series X when paired with an ultra-high-speed HDMI cable. It can support an even faster 144Hz refresh rate with a compatible PC. And Samsung remains the only smart TV brand that includes the Xbox app, which lets Game Pass members stream games without a console.

On the downside, like all Samsung TVs, the S90D is missing support for Dolby Vision. This HDR format can provide the most accurate image from streaming services like Disney Plus and Netflix. We don't think Dolby Vision is a must-have, but it is a nice perk. Check out our HDR TV guide for more details on the differences between HDR formats.

We also encountered a few hiccups with the S90D's smart TV interface. It offers tons of streaming apps and convenient Alexa voice search, but navigation could lag a bit and wasn't as responsive as the best streaming devices we've reviewed. The TV also had a tendency to display too many notifications tied to updates for Samsung's various policy agreements, despite the fact that we disabled notifications in the settings menu. These are all minor shortcomings that will likely be corrected via firmware, but they're still worth noting.

Where it counts most, the 55-inch S90D is an absolutely stunning TV. People who want a midsize display that doesn't skimp on image quality and features should consider this model first.

Best premium option

The Sony A95L is the best 55-inch TV for high-end performance. Premium displays from LG and Samsung get close, but the A95L has a slight edge if you're willing to spend top dollar. 

The TV uses a QD-OLED panel to offer pixel-level contrast and industry-leading color performance. The A95L is also one of the brightest OLEDs we've tested. We measured a peak of around 1,500 nits in a 5% brightness test pattern, a whopping 500 nits more than its predecessor, the A95K. The A95L can only hit that number when displaying small bright elements on the screen, but that's still an impressive feat for an OLED. 

This high brightness allows the A95L to deliver exceptional HDR images. Black levels disappear into a dark room, while specular highlights (like explosions) shine with pinpoint accuracy and no blooming. If you watch TV in a home theater setting, the A95L simply dazzles. 

The 55-inch Samsung S95D and LG G4 can get even brighter, but Sony's proprietary picture processing enables image accuracy that edges out rival brands. This processing also offers impressive upscaling that minimizes flaws in lower-quality sources, like HD feeds from streaming services, cable, and indoor TV antennas. Viewing angles are also top-notch, so you don't have to worry about colors distorting when sitting off-center. 

The A95L's Google TV operating system works well, too. The included Google Assistant voice remote has a premium feel and a handy backlight that automatically turns on when you pick it up. A webcam is also included, which supports video calls and gesture controls. The TV's stand can even be configured in a high- or low-profile mode depending on whether you want to put a soundbar in front of it. 

The only notable feature missing is 144Hz support, which other brands offer on some of their higher-end TVs when paired with a gaming PC. But if you're using a console, like a PS5 or Xbox Series X, you can rest easy knowing you'll still get full 120Hz support. 

Given its price, the A95L is geared toward big home theater enthusiasts willing to pay a premium for top performance. Most buyers will be satisfied with any of the less expensive 55-inch TVs we recommend, but if money is no object, the A95L is the display to get. 

Best under $500

The Roku Plus Series is an affordable QLED display powered by our favorite smart TV interface. The Roku operating system (OS) is simple and convenient, and the TV delivers solid image quality for its class. This is easily one of the best 55-inch TVs you can snag for under $500.

The display uses a QLED panel, which enables it to provide a wide range of colors. It also has local dimming to brighten and darken specific areas across its screen. This feature is rare to find in cheaper 55-inch TVs, and it provides a sizable improvement in black-level and brightness performance over less expensive displays, like TCL's S5.

That said, the Plus Series' black levels can't match the pixel-level precision of an OLED, like the Samsung S90D. And unlike pricier QLEDs, the Plus Series uses regular-sized LEDs in its backlight rather than Mini LEDs. This leads to less control over the panel's contrast. During our review, we found the TV's dimming to be a little clunky, with slightly delayed shifts in brightness.

The display also has poor viewing angles, which means colors and contrast fade when you sit to the side. And the panel is limited to 60Hz, so you can't get 4K/120Hz support on consoles or gaming PCs. There's no motion-smoothing feature, either. Though we typically prefer to keep settings like that off, motion smoothing can benefit certain sports broadcasts.

But the TV helps make up for those shortcomings with its intuitive Roku OS, which provides easy and snappy access to every popular streaming app. It also has some usability perks that you won't find on many other smart TV systems, like the ability to pause live TV from a digital antenna when you have a USB stick plugged in. The remote is also great, with hands-free voice search, a rechargeable battery, and an audio chime you can activate if you misplace it.

Buyers on the hunt for the best 55-inch TV on a budget should also consider the Hisense U6N QLED. The 55-inch U6N technically has a list price of over $500, but it's occasionally on sale for even less than the Roku Plus Series. The U6N is similar to the Roku Plus Series, but it has a Mini LED backlight, which translates to better dimming performance. However, it uses the Google TV OS rather than Roku OS.

Read our Roku Plus Series 4K TV review.

Read our guides to the best TVs under $500 and the best budget TVs.

Best anti-reflective display

Samsung's high-end S95D OLED has a unique matte screen that sets it apart from nearly every other 55-inch TV you can buy. Most competing displays use a glossy or semi-glossy panel, but the S95D's matte display enables it to reduce glare and reflections significantly. 

In fact, the S95D is the best anti-glare TV we've tested. If you have a room where reflections are a big problem, this set could be a game changer. However, there is a notable drawback. While the S95D's matte screen combats glare, it gives black levels a slightly elevated look in bright rooms. This can give dark scenes a hazy and flat quality when you watch TV with the lights on. So, there's a clear tradeoff, and whether you prioritize reducing reflections or preserving black levels comes down to personal preference. 

Thankfully, in a dark room, the S95D's black levels look just as impressive as any OLED's. The TV delivers exceptional picture performance that holds its own against top competitors from Sony and LG. It's also the brightest OLED we've measured, with a peak of 1,700 nits. Sony's A95L still has an edge when it comes to overall image quality and accuracy, but the S95D is easily one of the top high-end TVs there is.

The TV's design is also premium, with a uniformly thin profile and a One Connect Box to house its inputs instead of building them into the panel. Gamers get cool perks like a 144Hz mode when paired with a PC, and access to the Xbox Game Pass app to stream games.   

Samsung's cheaper Frame TV uses a similar matte screen, but that model can't match the S95D's image quality. Some stores also still sell the 2023 version of this display, called the S95C. The S95C offers similar performance for less money, but it doesn't have the S95D's matte panel. Though pricey, the S95D is the best 55-inch TV you can buy if you want the most effective anti-glare screen on the market.   

Read our Samsung S95D 4K TV review and our guide to the best Samsung TVs.

Check out our S95D vs. S95C comparison.

Best entry-level

Though we previously recommended TCL's step-up Q5 model in this category, that set is now hard to find in stock. Given current availability and pricing, we now recommend the S5 as the best 55-inch TV for buyers who favor affordability.

For a typical sale price of under $350, the S5 offers solid performance with wide color support, something that's rare to find on an entry-level set. However, it still can't match the picture quality you'd get from any of our other picks. This model uses a standard LED panel without quantum dots or local dimming. As a result, its contrast, brightness, and black-level capabilities are a noticeable step down from QLED TVs like the Roku Plus and pricier OLED models.

This means HDR content won't be as intense and dark scenes look more washed out if you watch TV with the lights off. Colors and contrast also distort if you sit to the side of the screen, and the TV's refresh rate is limited to 60Hz so it can't support high-frame-rate gaming. To be clear, these drawbacks are common for any TV this inexpensive, but they're important to keep in mind. 

We recommend you pay more for the Roku Plus Series if you want a budget-friendly TV with HDR in mind. However, the S5 is a solid option if you just want basic 4K playback for casual viewing. Integrated support for the Fire TV platform and an Alexa voice remote round out the package, offering reliable playback from all the best streaming services. An edition with the Google TV OS is also available.

How we test 55-inch TVs

A TV with a brightness test pattern displayed and a colorimeter attached to the screen.
We use a colorimeter and test patterns to measure a TV's peak brightness.

To select the best 55-inch TVs, our team of experts relies on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by more than 10 years of experience reviewing home entertainment products. 

When we review TVs, we focus on 65-inch units since that size is considered the industry's flagship offering. However, a TV model's overall performance usually remains comparable across sizes 55 inches and above. For instance, a 65-inch Sony A95L OLED and a 55-inch A95L have the same specs and capabilities. The only notable difference is the size of the screen. 

However, some TVs that use local dimming, like the Roku Plus Series, employ fewer zones in smaller screen sizes versus larger ones. This can lead to differences in contrast performance when comparing a 55-inch model to another size, but not enough to alter our general impressions of that model. Occasionally, there are bigger differences across sizes, and we note those details when applicable.  

To test 55-inch TVs, we look at picture clarity, contrast, peak brightness, color performance, viewing angles, gaming capabilities, smart TV navigation, and overall value. We measure HDR brightness with an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter and use test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc to evaluate other objective display parameters. 

But test patterns can only reveal so much, so we watch plenty of actual movies and shows to see how a TV performs with real-world content on a day-to-day basis in both dark and bright rooms. We revisit various scenes on each TV we test that we've specifically chosen to examine black levels, shadow details, HDR highlights, and upscaling. Our demo content includes 4K, 1080p high definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) material from various sources like Blu-ray discs, streaming services, and cable TV.

You can learn more about our review process in our breakdown of how we test tech products.


55-inch TV FAQs

A front view of a Sony A95L 4K OLED TV on a TV stand displaying the Google TV home page with an image from "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" on the screen.
Many top OLED TVs, like the Sony A95L (pictured above), are not available in sizes smaller than 55 inches.

Is 55 inches a good size for a TV?

A 55-inch screen is a solid choice for various needs and many of the best smart TVs are sold in this size. A 55-inch set is still big enough to feel immersive in smaller living rooms while offering a more compact alternative to 65-inch models that might be too big for some spaces. If you're shopping for a media console or mount to pair with a 55-inch TV, check out our guides to the best TV stands and best TV wall mounts for a few recommendations. 

A 55-inch TV is also a good fit for a bedroom where you might want something smaller than what you've got in your living room but not so compact that you must sacrifice picture quality features. Most brands' best 4K TVs are available in 55-inch options, but many top displays are not sold in sizes below that. For instance, if you want one of Sony's best OLED TVs, 55 inches is the smallest size available. 

How much should a 55-inch TV cost?

The best 55-inch TVs vary in price, with entry-level options starting at under $300 and high-end options costing $2,000 or more. 

If you want a midrange 55-inch TV, you should plan to spend about $400-$700. Several great 55-inch QLED models in that price range have quantum dots, local dimming, and Mini LED backlights to deliver good contrast and peak brightness levels as high as 1,000 nits.

Shoppers who want a 55-inch OLED TV rather than a QLED will have to pay more, with prices starting at around $1,200. Though notably more expensive than their QLED counterparts, OLED TVs offer pixel-level brightness control for superior contrast and perfect black levels. 

Many 55-inch TVs get discounts throughout the year, but we see the biggest price drops during sales like Prime Day and Black Friday. For the latest discounts, head over to our roundup of the best Black Friday TV deals.

How far should you sit from a 55-inch 4K TV?

The smaller a 4K screen is, the closer you'll need to sit to the display to see the full benefits of its resolution. To see the extra detail that 4K offers over 1080p Full HD, you'll want to sit at a distance of about one to 1.5 times the size of your display. For a 55-inch 4K TV, the recommended viewing distance is between 4.6 and 6.9 feet from your TV.    

Of course, you can still sit farther away from your TV and enjoy its image quality, but the recommended distance will allow you to see the best level of detail.

If you need to sit even closer to your TV or just have a small room to work with, check out our guide to the best 50-inch TVs.

And for rooms where you'd need to sit farther from your display, we recommend opting for a larger screen size to get the full benefits of 4K. Check out our guides to the best 65-inch TVs, best 75-inch TVs, and best 85-inch TVs for our top recommendations.

Should you buy a soundbar to pair with a 55-inch TV?

Even the best 55-inch TVs tend to have mediocre built-in speakers. Audio drivers integrated into most TVs are small and often placed in areas that can lead to a muddy sound that lacks range and deep bass. For this reason, we recommend pairing your TV with a soundbar or full surround sound system to get the best audio quality for movies, TV shows, and video games.

For the most immersive experience, we suggest finding a system that supports Dolby Atmos, which can enable sound effects from all directions, even above your head. Performance varies depending on the model you get, but there are entry-level Atmos systems that can still provide a nice upgrade over your TV's built-in speakers.

Check out our various soundbar guides to see our top recommendations for different needs:

Best overall

Under most circumstances, we recommend the Samsung S90C as the best TV you can buy, but LG's C3 has a slight edge if you're specifically looking for a 55-inch display. The key factor at this size is price. The 55-inch C3 is often at least $200 cheaper than the 55-inch S90C, while the 65-inch models of both TVs are typically sold at matching prices. 

When they cost the same, the S90C is the winner since it has a brighter image and higher color volume. But when you can save a couple hundred bucks going with the C3, we veer toward recommending LG's TV. While its peak brightness of 800 nits can't match the S90C's 1,000 nits, it still gets bright enough for average living rooms and delivers the same pixel-level contrast that all OLEDs are known for. This means you'll get deep black levels that disappear in a dark room, along with intense high-dynamic range (HDR) highlights without any of the halos that can appear around bright objects on some QLED TVs. 

And unlike even the best Samsung TVs, the C3 supports Dolby Vision to provide the most accurate HDR image from streaming services like Disney Plus and Netflix. Viewing angles on the C3 are also excellent, so the image doesn't dramatically fade or distort when you sit off to the side of the TV. The display is a great pick for gamers, too, thanks to its low input lag and fast 120Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay on a PS5 or Xbox Series X. LG's webOS smart TV platform is solid as well, and with the included Magic Remote, you can navigate through the menus via physical buttons or motion controls by pointing the remote at the screen and moving a mouse-like cursor. 

If you don't mind paying a bit more, the Samsung S90C is a strong alternative that can deliver a brighter, slightly more vivid image, but for the money, we think the LG C3 is the best 55-inch TV overall. Buyers should keep in mind that LG will be releasing a 2024 "C4" version of this display later this year, but we don't expect a big performance increase and see little reason to wait for the updated model.

Best entry-level

The TCL S4 is a solid entry-level display for buyers who just want a basic smart TV but don't want to pay more to get better image quality. At under $300 for the 55-inch model, the S4 delivers good performance for the money but makes some key concessions to get there. 

The S4 uses a regular 4K LED panel, which means that it doesn't have quantum dots for expanded colors, and it doesn't have local dimming to dim and brighten its image across specific zones. Instead, it has a standard direct-lit backlight. As a result, the TV's black levels aren't as deep as the other displays we recommend, and it's more prone to uneven brightness across the screen, which can cause dark scenes to look washed out if you watch TV with the lights off. Colors and contrast also distort if you sit off to the side of the screen, but that's common for any TV this inexpensive.

Peak brightness is limited to under 300 nits, which is fine for standard dynamic range (SDR) content. But while the S4 technically supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision playback, its low brightness and lack of wide color support severely undercut its ability to render HDR videos properly. HDR content will still look better than SDR videos, but this isn't the model to get if you're buying a TV specifically for HDR capabilities. 

However, the TV still delivers a decent 4K image with solid contrast, considering its lack of dimming. The model we're recommending here comes with Amazon's Fire TV operating system built in, along with an Alexa voice remote, but TCL also sells a version of this same display that uses Google TV instead. App selection varies slightly between each platform, but they both support the most popular streaming services, so deciding between them depends on which ecosystem and interface you like the best. 

For under $300, the TCL 55-inch S4 offers good value, but only if you just want a simple TV for casual viewing. However, if you're willing to pay a bit more, you can get substantially better image quality with other budget-friendly models like the Hisense U6K, our "best under $500" pick. Before buying the S4, you should also check for what TCL's step-up model, the 55-inch Q5, is selling for. Though that model has a higher list price than the S4, both TVs are sometimes on sale for nearly the same amount. The Q5 is a similar TV but uses quantum dots for better color performance.

Best under $500

Buyers who want the best 55-inch TV under $500 should look no further than the Hisense U6K. Though the 55-inch model technically carries a full retail price of $580, it's almost always on sale for $450 or less. 

Unlike most TVs in this price range, the U6K doesn't skimp on advanced picture quality features. It's the most affordable TV on the market that has a Mini LED backlight with local dimming and quantum dots. This gives it unmatched color and contrast performance for the money. With a max of around 600 nits, the display gets bright enough to show off the benefits of HDR content, and it has solid black levels with minimal blooming. 

However, the U6K isn't as bright as more expensive QLEDs, and its contrast control isn't anywhere near as precise as an OLED. The display also demonstrated mediocre viewing angles during our testing, which means colors and contrast fade when you sit to the side of the TV. Hardcore gamers may also want to splurge for a step-up model since the U6K only has a 60Hz panel rather than a 120Hz one. 

The U6K uses the Google TV operating system, and its interface and Google Assistant voice remote are solid. However, navigation can be a bit sluggish compared to higher-end models. But despite a few drawbacks here and there, the U6K's picture quality beats every other TV in its class. This is the best 55-inch TV to buy if you want a budget display that doesn't sacrifice HDR performance. 

Read our Hisense U6K 4K TV review.

Best midrange option

The Hisense U7K is a midrange 55-inch TV that punches way above its class. Like the cheaper U6K, this model uses a QLED panel with a Mini LED backlight. But the U7K steps things up with a higher peak brightness of 1,000 nits and a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, which makes it an excellent gaming display.

The TV's local dimming delivers high contrast with great black levels, and its bright highlights allow it to deliver a more realistic HDR experience than the U6K. It still has fewer dimming zones than more expensive QLED models, which could create some brightness fluctuations. But for the money, the U7K's performance is impressive.

On the downside, like the U6K, the U7K's Google TV OS can be a little sluggish, and the display's image quality degrades if you sit too far off to the side of the screen, but these issues are common for QLED models in this price range. The display is also prone to some minor uniformity issues that can cause a subtle "dirty screen" effect during some panning motions. However, this was rarely noticeable during our tests. 

The 55-inch U7K's price fluctuates, but it's almost always $650 or less, which makes it tough to beat. The TV's closest competitor is the 55-inch TCL Q7, which delivers similar performance but uses regular-sized LEDs rather than Mini LEDs. This gives the Q7 less control over local dimming. That said, if you find the Q7 on sale for less than the U7K, it's a worthwhile alternative. 

Read our Hisense U7K 4K TV review.

Best premium display

The Sony A95L is the best premium 55-inch TV you can buy. Competing displays from LG and Samsung get close, but the A95L has an edge. 

The TV uses a QD-OLED panel to offer pixel-level contrast and industry-leading color performance. The A95L is also the brightest OLED we've ever tested. We measured a peak of around 1,500 nits in our brightness test pattern, which is a whopping 500 nits more than its predecessor, the A95K, and just slightly more than this TV's closest rival, the LG G3. The TV can only hit that number when displaying small bright elements on the screen, but that's still an incredible feat for an OLED display. 

This impressive brightness allows the display to deliver exceptional HDR images. Black levels disappear into a dark room, while specular highlights shine with pinpoint accuracy and no blooming. If you watch TV in a home theater setting, the A95L simply dazzles. 

Sony's proprietary picture processing enables image accuracy that edges out rival brands, with impressive upscaling that minimizes flaws in lower-quality sources, like HD streams and cable feeds. Viewing angles are also top-notch, so you don't have to worry about colors distorting when sitting off-center. 

The A95L's Google TV operating system works well, too, and the included Google Assistant voice remote has a premium feel with a handy backlight that automatically turns on when you pick it up. A webcam is also included, which supports video calls and gesture controls. The TV's stand can even be configured in a high- or low-profile mode depending on whether you want to put a soundbar in front of it. 

The only notable feature missing is 144Hz support, which is something that Samsung, Hisense, and TCL offer on some of their higher-end TVs when you pair them with a gaming PC. But if you're using a console, like a PS5 or Xbox Series X, you can rest easy knowing you'll still get full 120Hz support. 

Given its price, the A95L is geared toward big home theater enthusiasts willing to pay top dollar for top performance. Most buyers will be satisfied with any of the less expensive 55-inch TVs we recommend, but if money is no object, the A95L is the TV to get.

How we test 55-inch TVs
A white test pattern displayed on LG's G2 and C2 OLED TVs - LG G2 and C2 4K TV first look
A test pattern used to measure a TV's peak brightness.

To select the best 55-inch TVs, our team relies on a combination of hands-on testing and research informed by more than 10 years of experience reviewing home entertainment products. 

When we review TVs, most brands typically send us their 65-inch screen size, considered the industry's flagship offering. However, a TV model's overall performance usually remains comparable across sizes 50 inches and above. For instance, a 65-inch Sony A95L OLED and a 55-inch A95L have the same basic specs and capabilities. The only notable difference is the size of the screen. 

However, some TVs that use local dimming, like the Hisense U7K, will employ fewer dimming zones in smaller screen sizes versus larger ones. This can lead to slight differences in contrast performance when comparing a 55-inch model to another size, but not enough to alter our general impressions of that model. Occasionally, there are bigger differences in design and features across different sizes, and we note those details when applicable.  

To test TVs, we look at picture clarity, contrast, peak brightness, color performance, viewing angles, gaming capabilities, smart TV navigation, and overall value. We measure HDR brightness with an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter and use test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc to evaluate other objective display parameters. 

But test patterns can only reveal so much, so we watch plenty of actual movies and shows to see how a TV performs with real-world content on a day-to-day basis. We revisit an assortment of scenes on each TV we test that we've specifically chosen to examine black levels, shadow details, HDR highlights, and upscaling. Our demo content includes 4K, 1080p high definition (HD), and standard definition (SD) material from various sources like Blu-ray discs, streaming services, and cable TV.

55-inch TV FAQs
The home screen of the Google TV smart interface on the Hisense U6K.

Is 55 inches a good size for a TV?

A screen size of 55 inches is a great choice for a variety of different rooms. This size is still big enough to feel immersive in smaller living rooms while offering a more compact alternative to 65-inch models that might be too big for some spaces. 

A 55-inch TV is also a great fit for a bedroom where you might want something smaller than what you've got in your living room but not so small that you must sacrifice picture quality features. Most brands' best 4K TVs are available in 55-inch options, but many higher-end displays are not sold in sizes below that. For instance, if you want one of Samsung or Sony's best OLED TVs, 55-inches is the smallest size available. 

How much should a 55-inch TV cost?

The best 55-inch TVs vary in price, with entry-level options starting at below $300 and high-end options costing $2,000 or more. 

If you want a midrange 55-inch TV, you should plan to spend about $400-$700. Several great 55-inch QLED models in that price range include quantum dots, local dimming, and Mini LED backlights to deliver good contrast and peak brightness levels as high as 1,000 nits.

Shoppers who want a 55-inch OLED TV rather than a QLED will have to pay more, with prices starting at around $1,200. Though notably more expensive than their QLED counterparts, OLED TVs offer pixel-level brightness control for superior contrast and black levels. 

How far should you sit from a 55-inch 4K TV?

The smaller a 4K screen is, the closer you'll need to sit to the display to see the full benefits of its resolution. To see the extra detail that 4K offers over 1080p Full HD, you'll want to sit at a distance of about one to 1.5 times the size of your display. For a 55-inch 4K TV, the recommended viewing distance is between 4.6 and 6.9 feet from your TV.    

Of course, you can still sit farther away from your TV and enjoy its image quality, but the recommended distance will allow you to see the best level of detail. For rooms where you'd need to sit a lot farther from your display, we recommend opting for a larger screen size to get the full benefits of 4K. Check out our guide to the best 65-inch TVs for our top recommendations.

Read the original article on Business Insider