When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
The best 55-inch TVs provide excellent picture quality while still being large enough to showcase the benefits of 4K resolution. They are an excellent fit for people who want a medium-sized display. Entry-level models are available for under $300, and many brands sell 55-inch versions of their top TVs with all the bells and whistles you'd get with a bigger size.
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 under $500: Roku Plus Series QLED 4K TV - See at Amazon
Best premium option: Sony A95L OLED 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
The S90D is one of our favorite 4K TV models. It uses a QD-OLED panel to deliver the most impressive brightness and color performance available in this price range.
- Impressive peak brightness for a midrange OLED
- Quantum dots enable high color volume
- Wide viewing angles
- Tizen interface lags a bit here and there
- Some annoyances with notifications and signal glitches
- Doesn't support Dolby Vision
Competition is steep for the best 55-inch TV, with several worthy options available, but the Samsung S90D offers the most impressive value of any display we've tested.
The S90D uses a 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 Samsung's previous S90C model could output. When watching 4K HDR content, the S90D delivers beautiful picture performance with vivid detail that's nearly on par with 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 under $500
The Roku Plus Series is the brand's budget-friendly QLED display. The TV has local dimming and quantum dots to provide solid contrast, color, and brightness capabilities. For under $500, the 55-inch model is a great value for anyone who wants a capable smart TV.
- Good HDR brightness for the money
- Convenient Roku smarts
- Handy voice remote and app
- Local dimming delivers solid black levels for this class
- Picture quality suffers at off-center view
- Missing motion processing options
- Lacks Mini LEDs for more precise contrast control
- Limited to 60Hz panel without variable refresh rate
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 and TCL QM7. These models all technically have a list price of over $500, but they occasionally go on sale for less. All three sets use Mini LED backlights, which translates to better dimming performance and overall image quality. However, they use the Google TV OS rather than the more streamlined 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 premium option
Sony's A95L is the best high-end TV you can buy. Though pricey, its QD-OLED panel offers the most impressive picture quality we've seen.
- Delivers the most accurate image quality on the market
- One of the brightest OLEDs you can buy
- Includes a webcam for video calls and gesture controls
- Only has two HDMI 2.1 ports for 120Hz gaming
- Doesn't support a 144Hz mode for PC gaming
- Expensive for a 55-inch TV
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 anti-reflective display
The S95D is one of Samsung's flagship 4K TVs. It's the brightest OLED we’ve ever measured, and it has a unique anti-glare screen that nearly eliminates reflections. However, the matte display gives black levels a slightly elevated look in a bright room.
- Highest peak brightness we've seen on an OLED
- Matte screen combats glare much better than competing TVs
- Supports 144Hz refresh rate for smooth PC gaming
- Thin profile with One Connect Box for cable management
- Lacks Dolby Vision capabilities
- Anti-reflective coating causes black levels to look faded in bright rooms
- Similar 2023 model costs a lot less
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. 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
The S5 is one of TCL's upper entry-level TVs. Its contrast capabilities are limited compared to QLED and OLED models, but it offers solid performance for viewers who just want a cheap smart TV for casual viewing.
- Affordable price
- Google TV and Fire TV options
- Supports wide color
- Lacks local dimming which limits contrast and black level performance
- Not as bright as step-up models
- Narrow viewing angles
For a typical sale price of under $300, the TCL S5 is the best 55-inch TV for buyers who favor affordability over advanced image quality features.
This model uses a standard LED panel without quantum dots or local dimming. As a result, its brightness and black-level capabilities are a noticeable step down from QLED TVs like the Roku Plus and pricier OLED models.
Though the S5 can produce a wide range of colors, its limited contrast prevents the set from displaying HDR content the way it's meant to look, and it causes dark scenes to 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 for those who prefer Google's platform.
How we test 55-inch TVs
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
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.
When will 2025 55-inch TV models be available?
Many TV manufacturers announced their latest displays at CES in January 2025, including several new 55-inch models. However, these new displays are not yet available for purchase. We expect 2025 TV models to start rolling out to stores in the spring.
That said, shoppers should remember that 2024 TV models will remain in stock for much of the year and will likely receive heavy discounts. We'll be reviewing new 2025 TVs as soon as they're available but will also continue to recommend 2024 options if they remain the better value.
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 and around major sporting events like the Super Bowl.
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 soundbars
- Best Dolby Atmos soundbars
- Best budget soundbars
- Best soundbars with subwoofers
- Best Bose soundbars
- Best Sonos soundbars
You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.
Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
