The best 55-inch TVs offer high-quality panels and state-of-the-art image processing technologies, without taking up too much space!
55-inch TVs are very popular because they often represent the perfect mix of small screen size and affordable price, considering the cost of high-end TVs – this makes them worthy of being on our list of the best 55-inch TVs ever.
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55-inch TVs, for example, give you the option to buy your first OLED TV, as it is currently the most popular screen size in which this technology is produced.
But it’s not just 55-inch OLED TVs, there are also some great LCD TVs of the same size and it doesn’t matter which one you choose, because they both offer high-quality models with state-of-the-art HDR and smart features.
Why buy a 55-inch TV? And which one to choose?
A 55-inch TV might seem too big at first, but once you consider the recent trends in technology and design, you may change your mind. For starters, modern TVs (not just OLEDs) are much thinner.
A 55-inch HDR TV will be only 2 or 3 cm deep and the minimalist design, narrow bezels and hidden speakers mean that both OLED and LCD TVs are basically just a screen with no special design features, and with borders. less thick. This means that you can probably place a 55-inch 4K TV in the same space previously occupied by a smaller, but older model.
For small living rooms, a 55 ″ will probably be the ideal choice. For larger living rooms, you should check out the best 65-inch TVs, even if these come at a slightly higher cost.
The best 55-inch TVs on the market
1. SAMSUNG Q90 55 ″
Best if you want beautiful HDR images
Screen size: 55 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Tuner: Freeview DVB-T2 / FreeSat DVB-S2 | Panel technology: QLED | Smart TV operating system: Samsung Eden | Curved: No | Dimensions: 1450 x 922 x 284 mm
Why buy it (Pro): excellent HDR performance, smart TV, great gaming features.
Cons: no Dolby Vision or Atmos.
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The Samsung Q90, when it comes to 4K OLED models, is the pride of the company, and as such this 55-inch LCD TV is the perfect combination of impressive performance and cutting-edge features. Direct backlighting with local dimming, wider viewing angles, and Quantum Dot technology ensure an image with 100% color gamut, deep blacks, shadow detail, and reference brightness levels.
The AI-enhanced quantum processor delivers superior image quality with SDR and HDR sources – the latter being particularly impressive. There is support for HDR10 +, and the only flaw with this TV is the lack of Dolby Vision.
The Q90 doesn’t support Dolby Atmos either, but it can send the immersive audio format from its built-in applications via ARC. There are tons of apps, with video streaming from Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, Apple TV +, Disney +, and catch-up TV. There is also a handy Universal Guide to help you make sense of all this choice.
It also offers easy setup, via the SmartThings app, and the ability to work with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. The Q90 is also a great 55-inch 4K TV for gamers, with very low input lag, graphics enhancements, and support for VRR and ALLM.
2. LG OLED55C9
Best 55 ″ OLED TV
Screen size: 55 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Tuner: Freeview HD | Panel technology: OLED | Smart TV operating system: webOS | Curved: No | Dimensions: 1,225 x 714 x 48.9 mm
Why buy it (Pro): Impressive picture quality, Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos, great as a smart TV.
Cons: Lacks HDR10 + support.
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The LG C9 is the best 55-inch OLED TV you can currently buy. Not only is it at the forefront of technology, it also boasts the pride of having nearly every possible smart feature. The display then offers, of course, beautiful colors and perfect blacks, which are the hallmark of the OLED.
It uses LG’s α9 AI processor to deliver very clean and detailed upscaled images. This impressive 55-inch 4K TV is capable of producing stunning images with both SDR and HDR content – in the case of the latter it also supports HLG and Dolby Vision. Only the absence of the HDR10 + is disappointing.
The C9 includes four HDMI 2.1 inputs – a very rare thing at the moment – making this 55-inch Smart TV future-proof, with support for eARC, 4K at 120fps, variable refresh rate, and low latency auto mode. The latter three are also good news for gamers, in addition to an incredibly low input lag. An added bonus is the optimized sound system, with Dolby Atmos immersive audio.
But the real icing on the cake is the webOS operating system – it’s responsive and intuitive, with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant built-in. Add a full set of video streamers to it now, and the LG C9 is really hard to fault – it’s one of the best TVs in the world.
3. PANASONIC TX-55GZ960
The best 55-inch TV for HDR
Screen size: 55 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Tuner: Freeview HD | Panel technology: OLED | Smart TV operating system: Opera | Curved: No | Dimensions: 1,228 x 774 x 300 mm
Why buy it (Pro): Incredible image accuracy, Dolby Vision and HDR10 support, Dolby Atmos
Cons: Smart system is only basic
The Panasonic GZ960 might also use an OLED panel made by LG, but the Japanese manufacturer has used its imaging expertise to make a superb 55-inch 4K TV. All the classic strengths of OLEDs are there and right, with saturated colors and perfect blacks.
The intelligent HCX PRO process makes sure to deliver the best possible images regardless of the source, and full HDR support includes HDR10 + and Dolby Vision. This THX-certified television also offers an impressive level of picture accuracy, with extensive calibration controls.
The build quality of the GZ960 is excellent and the minimalist design keeps it very simple. However, hidden in that slim chassis is a pair of high-quality speakers, with support for object-oriented Dolby Atmos.
The My Home Screen 4.0 smart system is quite simple when compared to the platforms offered by LG and Samsung, but it includes the main video streamers and Freeview Play, while also working with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Competitive pricing is the icing on this particular OLED cake, making the Panasonic GZ960 the best value for money 55-inch HDR TV.
4. PHILIPS 55PUS7334
The 55-inch TV with the best value for money overall
Screen size: 55 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Tuner: Freeview HD | Panel technology: LED | Smart TV OS: Android TV | Curved: No | Dimensions: 1,230 x 746.7 x 239.9 cm
Why buy it (Pro): Dolby Vision and HDR10, Dolby Atmos support, full app support, Ambilight is a great addition
Cons: Edge LED backlight
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If you’re looking for the best value for money 55-inch TV, look no further than the Philips 7334. This 4K LCD TV uses an LED backlight and includes Philips Perfect Picture Engine image processing, which translates into features industry leader: upscaling, noise reduction and fluidity of movement. This produces striking images from both SDR and HDR content. As for the latter, it also supports every version, including HLG, HDR10 +, and Dolby Vision, making the 7334 a superb 55-inch HDR television.
The backlight is edge-based, which means you don’t get the excellent local dimming of the Samsung Q90R, which is also an LCD set. Despite this, this TV has a half price, but we would never say, absolutely, that the image is of half quality.
It’s not all about image quality, however: the 7334 also has decent speakers and supports Dolby Atmos for a more immersive sound experience. The Android TV operating system has a built-in Google Assistant for a better “smart experience”, while a highly effective game mode ensures very low input lag.
Finally, the three-sided Ambilight uses perfectly timed ambient light to enhance on-screen images, making the Philips 7334 a well-defined and attractively priced 55-inch Smart TV.
5. SONY KD-55XG9505
The best 55-inch TV for gaming and sport
Screen size: 55 inches | Resolution: 3840 x 2160 | Tuner: Freeview HD | Panel technology: LED | Smart TV OS: Android TV | Curved: No | Dimensions: 133 x 82.6 x 19.5 cm
Why Buy (Pro): Great image processing, Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos, extensive application support.
Cons: HDR10 + support is missing.
Click HERE now to see it on Amazon
The Sony XG95 represents the company’s pride in 55-inch LCD TVs and boasts a number of picture-enhancing features designed for superior performance. It features local dimming and full-array direct LED backlighting, which means a wider color gamut, wider viewing angles, deeper blacks, improved shadows, and higher brightness.
It has Sony’s X1 Ultimate processor, for optimal upscaling and noise reduction, combined with X-Motion Clarity for the smoother motion: even videos under 4K will appear perfectly “clean”. And finally, it adds details in quick movements, those present for example in a sport.
The XG95 supports Dolby Vision, despite not having HDR10 +, and produces bright, detailed, and colorful images with SDR and HDR. The exceptional motion handling is sure to please sports enthusiasts and gamers alike, and, in addition, the low input lag is great news for the latter.
The Android TV OS includes Google Assistant built in, but it also works with Amazon Alexa, and while the choice of streaming services isn’t as comprehensive as in the LGs or Samsungs, the XG95 is an excellent 55-inch Smart TV for watching. sports broadcasts and games.
The 55-inch TV buying guide: how to buy the best 55-inch TV that’s right for you
55-inch TV: is it the right size for you?
For smaller living rooms a 55 ″ will probably represent the limiting dimension of the space you want to occupy, so it’s worth taking a few steps first to be sure. But it can give you an epic cinema screen feeling while sitting about 10 feet away!
For larger living rooms, where you are likely to be seated farther away, it’s pretty much the standard size you should aim for if you’re sitting about 4 meters from the screen: over 4m, you should check out the best TVs instead. 65-inch, although these have a slightly higher cost.
What should you pay attention to when choosing a 55 ″ TV?
The 55-inch, high-quality 4K TV market is dominated by high-end OLED and QLED TVs (or equivalent LCD technology). As a result, LCD screens can be expected to use LED backlighting with local dimming, which helps them get closer to the deep black that OLED offers.
Going down in price, OLED panels are lost and LCD panels become simpler, with fewer dimming zones in the backlight, then move on to LED panels with edge lighting, still coming down with the budget. These still offer strong brightness and nice colors but aren’t quite as good when switching to dark scenes.
Both technologies offer broad HDR support and AI-enhanced image processing. You should also worry about looking for high-quality audio systems (with Dolby Atmos support included if you’re thinking of a high-end soundbar or surround system), smart systems, and lots of cool gaming features.
