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Best 50-inch TVs in 2023 – our top 50″ TV picks

The top 55 inch TVs on the market today.
Last Updated on November 20, 2023
Best 50 inch TV

If you’re looking for the best 50-inch TV, we’ve got you covered right here with our top picks and guide to finding the right one for you.

50-inch TVs are excellent for smaller living spaces, or simply rooms where you don’t want the TV to dominate. At this size, you’ll get 4K and most of the latest technology, whether that be QLED, mini-LED, and more. One technology that is somewhat rarer to find at specifically 50-inches is OLED and QD-OLED, at the time of writing. That being said, if you scale down slightly, you can find OLED – mostly with the LG C-series. We recommend checking out our top picks for the best 48-inch TVs and best OLED TVs for more options if you’ve got your heart set on this technology.

In terms of price points, 50-inch TVs are a great option for those looking to stick to a budget. Brands like TCL, Hisense, Toshiba, Insignia, Vizio, and more all have excellent 50-inch TVs at low prices. On the other side of the coin, the likes of Samsung and Sony have much more expensive options that pack advanced processors, audio innovations, and the latest panel technology.

We’ve selected what we think are some of the best 50-inch TVs available on the market today, so you can kick off your search in the best way possible.

Products at a Glance

But that doesn’t mean it’s any less popular with households. We’re getting to the stage now where more and more people are considering 50-inch TVs as being upper-mid sized instead of a large-screen TV, and a size that’s just right for anyone that wants an epic screen for their bedroom or who has a smaller lounge that can’t accommodate anything bigger.

How do you find the best 50-inch screens, and what are the best features you can still enjoy at this screen size? We’re here to tell you.

How we picked the best 50-inch TVs

Usually, one of the first considerations with a TV is the resolution, but that doesn’t factor into choosing the best 50-inch TV. You won’t find any Full HD TVs in this size, but nor will you find any manufacturer that’s decided to put an 8K screen in a 50-inch TV. So, every TV of this size is 4K.

So we’ve looked at some other key influences on the picture quality – the screen type, and the processor. The best screen type in a 50-inch TV is going to be a QLED option – since you won’t get an OLED or Mini LED at this screen size. But we’ve also picked out a couple of regular LED screens that have other benefits.

In terms of processor, there are some pretty high-end options in this screen size that work to maximize the quality of both picture and sound, including upscaling older content to as near to 4K as possible. 

Sound plays a part, and we’ve pulled out where a TV has an interesting feature to boost the audio, but you’ll always get the best quality if you pick up a separate soundbar anyway. The other key factor in our decision has been any extra features that offer something unique, or that make your gaming experience better.

Our Recommended

Product Reviews

1
PROS
  • Powerful processor
  • Top-level HDR
  • Stunning design
  • Gaming features
CONS
  • Hefty price tag
  • OLED still better for more contrast

If you’re looking for one of the best 50-inch TVs on the market today, and the best 50-inch TV for gaming too, we’d recommend checking out the Samsung Neo QLED QN90C.

So what makes this TV stand out from the crowd? Well first off, it’s NEO QLED – which is a combination of mini-LED and quantum dot technology designed to deliver one of the best viewing experiences you can get. NEO QLED is essentially one above QLED and is typically seen as an excellent alternative to OLED TVs – especially as they tend to be brighter. Thanks to this, this TV would be an excellent TV for bright rooms.

This TV also shares a lot in common with some of the best TVs for gaming, as it features a 120hz refresh rate with HDMI 2.1 compatibility. This means that you can pair your Xbox Series X or PS5 with the TV and you’ll be able to experience high frames-per-second in 4K.

When it comes to everyday viewing, this TV packs a Neural Quantum processor with 4K upscaling. This uses AI to upscale the all-to-common lower-resolution content you’re viewing or streaming.

You’re also getting Dolby Atmos and object tracking sound, both of which are welcome whether you buy a soundbar with it, or not.

Overall, it’s an excellent, top-of-the-line TV that even gives the impressive LG C3 48″ model a run for its money. For even more options with this type of panel technology, we’d recommend checking out our top picks for the best Samsung TVs and best QLED TVs too.

2
PROS
  • Fantastic compromise between quality and price
  • Great for gaming with HDMI 2.1 and VRR
  • Good for using as a computer monitor
CONS
  • Viewing angles not the best
  • Not optimally sized for first-person shooters

If you’re looking for the best 50-inch TV for your money, we’d say this Vizio MQX-Series is the way to go.

As with many of the best Vizio TVs, this one is packed with features that you simply wouldn’t expect from this price range. This 50-inch TV has a QLED panel, which will provide excellent brightness, color, and contrast, but has some unique gaming features that set it apart from the crowd.

Namely, this TV is HDMI 2.1 compatible, so 4K at 120hz for next-gen consoles (or powerful gaming PCs). Not only that but it can be used for 1080p, 240 fps gaming if you’re pairing it with a PC. This is akin to some of the best gaming monitors on the market, and while it may not be the best size for first-person shooters, it’s an excellent choice for those who enjoy either racing games or simply playing less competitively.

Truly built for gamers. Game in 4K at 120 fps or 1080p at 240 fps on PC. AMD FreeSync Premium, VRR, ultra-low input lag, HDMI 2.1, Dolby Vision, and the integrated gaming menu power on with Auto Game Mode when a console or PC is detected. It even has AMD FreeSync Premium and VRR – both of which are essential to reducing screen tear when frames drop or increase.

In terms of everyday viewing, it features Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, which is one of the best versions of Wi-Fi you can get, meaning that streaming YouTube, Netflix, and more should be super smooth too.

Overall, it’s an excellent bang for your buck choice in our opinion, and one worth considering if you want to use your TV for gaming, watching sports, and more.

 

3
PROS
  • Super affordable
  • Motion Rate 240 will be good for watching sports
  • Sleek design for the price point
CONS
  • No 120hz refresh rate
  • LED display not quite as punchy as QLED alternatives

If you’re looking for the best budget 50-inch TV, we’d say that this TCL Class S4 should be well worth your consideration.

The best TCL TVs often deliver excellent quality at more affordable price points, meaning you can kit out your chosen room for way less than you’d think.

This is an LED TV, which is more of an ‘entry-level’ panel technology, but by no means sub-par. As this is more of a budget TV, you won’t find refresh rates of 120hz, but rather 60hz. That being said, this TV does have something called Motion Rate 240, which is a technology that works to create visually smoother images when you’re watching something fast-paced. Many of the best TVs for sports are 120hz, but a good, cheaper alternative would be one with a feature like this.

What’s more, thanks to the relatively slim profile and narrow bezels, this TV actually looks premium in many ways. Win, win!

4
PROS
  • Premium quality
  • 120hz refresh rate, VRR, and ALLM
  • Narrow bezel design
CONS
  • Quite expensive for an LED TV
  • May be overkill if not used for gaming

If you’re after the best LED 50-inch TV, we think the Sony X85K is well worth checking out.

The best Sony TVs often have the latest technology and are characterized by their premium build quality and stunning designs. That being said, even their TVs with older panel technology pack a punch.

This TV in particular stands out as it has basically everything you would need for everyday viewing, sports, and gaming. It’s HDMI 2.1 compatible for those of you playing on PS5 and Xbox Series X, and has a 120hz refresh rate for 4K, 120fps gaming. On top of this, it also features VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (auto-low-latency mode). As mentioned previously, these are both vital if you’re looking for the most responsive and tear-free gaming experience. The TV also has Motionflow XR technology, which can assist in giving you a visually smoother viewing experience when watching fast-moving content.

As with many of the best 4K TVs, this one upscales 1080p content to make it more ‘4K-like’. It does this using its 4K XR-Reality PRO technology, which will come in handy if you’re streaming.

Speaking of streaming, you’re getting Google TV which gives you access to all your favorite streaming services and is super easy to navigate.

5
PROS
  • Unique functionality and design
  • Punchy QLED display
  • Fits flush against a wall
CONS
  • Not designed for gaming
  • Expensive for a 50-inch TV

A fantastic alternative to your traditional 50-inch TVs is the unique Samsung The Frame. This TV is designed to double up as a work of art while not in use, making it excellent for those who aren’t keen on the aesthetic (or big black screen) of a TV on standby.

This TV boasts an Art Mode that can be used to fill The Frame with iconic artworks from the great masters all the way to works from rising stars. The Frame’s frame is designed to sit flush against a wall, giving the appearance of a piece of art. This is a good alternative for those who may not want the more traditional wall mount.

This is also a QLED TV, meaning you’re getting vibrant color, excellent brightness, and striking contrast. That’s great for all types of content, from movies to gaming.

On the gaming front, this isn’t the best TV for gaming, and it’s not trying to be either. This is the type of TV you’ll want to go for if you’re interested in something that will blend seamlessly with your interior, rather than be the focal point of a room.

Buyers’ guide to finding the best 50-inch TV

Jumping on the first 50-inch TV you find isn’t always the best way to go, and you should absolutely be looking at more than just price and size. Here, we’ll share our expert insight and advice to finding the best 50-inch TV for you.

Refresh rate

In short, the higher the better, and the choice is between 60hz and 120hz generally speaking. 60hz is fine for everyday viewing and 120hz is what you’ll need for superfluid motion with gaming and watching sports. The higher the refresh rate, the more expensive the TV – especially if it’s 4K.

Extra features

At this size, you may find some brands offering a few extra features. These usually come in the way of different ‘modes’, mostly for sports and gaming. These modes can lower input lag, make on-screen motion even smoother, and even perform auto HDR tone mapping. They’re nice to have, but not essential. If you’re seriously into your sports or gaming, they’re an added bonus.

Panel type

In short, OLED is the best, but very rare to find at 50 inches. Your next best bet is a Neo-QLED or Mini-LED TV (both of which are actually pretty much the same thing). For cheaper options go for LED sets. They’re still good, but color, brightness, and contrast will be slightly lacking compared to a QLED.

Resolution

Don’t worry about resolution at this size – all of the TVs you’ll find will be 4K, unless there are a few stragglers we haven’t seen. What you find are any of the best 8K TVs of this size – simply because it’s unnecessary and completely overkill!

Audio

Be prepared…many TVs are lacking in the audio department. It’s not due to poor design in many cases, but due to the slim-line profile of a modern TV. There is just not too much space for decent speakers, but brands like Samsung have solutions to this issue that are pretty impressive. The best thing to do is to buy a soundbar with your TV.

Size

You may find that 50-inches is either too small or too big for your living space. If that’s the case, we’d recommend browsing our picks for the best 43-inch TVs, the best 55-inch TVs, and the best 60-inch TVs for more options.

Is QLED or OLED better?

OLED TVs are considered a better choice than a standard QLED TV because they have much better contrast and smoother motion. Neo QLED TVs are brighter than OLEDs though and split opinion much more, especially without the risk of burn-in. There aren’t any 50-inch OLED TVs available although LG do manufacture a 48-inch option.

What is the most reliable TV brand?

Samsung is arguably the leading TV manufacturer, and are the leading innovators in TV technology. Other notable mentions are Sony, LG and Panasonic.

What is the best TV to buy in 50 inches?

The Samsung QN90A Neo QLED is arguably the best 50-inch TV on the market. Samsung’s Neo QLED displays combine the powerful Neo Quantum Processor with a vibrant QLED display, which results in a picture that’s crisp and sharp but also really bright, enhancing colors to be more lifelike but also really vibrant.

What’s so special about QLED?

Our Verdict

We think the best 50-inch TV on the market right now is the Samsung Neo QLED QN90C, thanks to its stunning display, powerful processor, and advanced gaming features for those playing on Xbox Series X or PS5. It’s an excellent, premium-quality TV that comes with a price-tag to match, but if you’ve got the budget it can transform a smaller living space into the ultimate entertainment setup for movies, streaming, gaming, and more.