Products at a Glance
How we pick
Since 55-inch is a common TV size, you will find an overwhelming variety of TVs with different specs out there. To make your search easier, our experts have researched and shortlisted some of the best 55-inch TVs available in the market. The TVs mentioned in this guide have been selected based on specs like display size, resolution, refresh rate, and a few other aspects. In case you’re looking to size up, you can check out the best 60-inch TVs. You can also have a look at the best 48-inch TVs if you want a smaller TV.
Product Reviews
- 4K OLED display
- HDMI 2.1 ports
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Might be expensive
We think the best 55-inch TV on the market right now is the LG C3 55-inch Class OLED.
One of the best OLED TVs around, this TV delivers stunning color and contrast along with wider viewing angles. You also get 4K resolution, which should deliver clear picture quality. And for better contrast and realistic visuals, the TV comes equipped with HDR. Plus, the LG TV has α9 AI Processor Gen6, which automatically adjusts the picture and sound settings based on the content. For a more cinematic experience, the TV also packs in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
As far as gaming is concerned, you get a 120Hz refresh rate, which should run your games smoothly. Plus, you get VRR compatibility for FreeSync and G-Sync, so you can expect a stutter-free gaming experience. The TV comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports, which should allow you to plug in your consoles and game in 4K at 120Hz.
This smart TV uses the webOS interface and LG channels, which are typically found in LG TVs. The smart AI-powered platform, along with Magic Remote, should make navigation and searching easier. Plus, you also get support for Alexa and Google Assistant, which makes controls intuitive.
Overall, it’s an excellent TV if you have the budget, but if you want to explore other options from LG that are similar (like the C2, B2, or C1) we’d recommend checking out our best LG TVs picks.
- 4K display
- VRR support
- Sports mode
- 60Hz refresh rate
If you’re looking for a budget option, then you should check out the Hisense A6 Series 55-inch TV.
The Hisense TV comes with an LCD display, which is more energy-efficient than an LED display. However, LCD panels do not reach the same high brightness levels as LED panels. You get a 4K resolution, which translates to sharper and more detailed images for a more immersive viewing experience. Plus, you get Dolby Vision with HDR support, which should tweak the contrast for darker darks and brighter brights. The TV also comes with Hisense’s AI UHD Upscaler, which enhances non-4K content to almost 4K levels.
You also get a dedicated mode for sports. When activated, Sports Mode optimizes the color settings and makes motion smoother with reduced blur, which should give you a more enjoyable viewing experience when watching your favorite sports teams.
When it comes to gaming, the TV has a dedicated Game Mode Plus, which brings all the gaming-related features under one interface. You also get VRR support as well as the ALLM mode, which should deliver a stutter-free, low-latency gaming experience. However, the refresh rate is 60Hz, which is standard but not the fastest out there.
Like other TVs running on Google TV, this smart TV has a smooth and easy-to-use interface where you can easily access some of the most popular streaming apps. For voice control, you can use Google Assistant and Alexa, which should make controls easier.
As with many of the best Hisense TVs, the A6 delivers on performance and price, and we think it’s a great option for those looking for serious bang for your buck.
- 4K OLED display
- 120Hz refresh rate
- VRR support
- Still expensive, even though slightly older release.
If you want the amazing picture quality of OLED, consider the LG C2 Series, which is a slightly older lineup than the LG C3 series we saw. However, it’s more affordable and might offer a better value for the money if you want a 55-inch OLED TV.
As mentioned, the LG C2 TV comes with an OLED display, which should deliver stunning picture quality with LG’s 8 million self-lit pixels. Plus, the TV is powered by the α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K, which adjusts the TV’s picture and sound to the content you’re watching. You also get Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos, so you can expect an immersive cinematic experience.
If you want to game on your TV, then the LG C2 model has a bunch of features to offer. To start with, you get a dedicated LG Game Optimizer mode, which brings all your game settings under one easy-to-use interface. Plus, the TV features a 120Hz refresh rate, which is sufficient to run your AAA games smoothly. To help make your games stutter-free, the TV is VRR-enabled and supports NVIDIA G-Sync and FreeSync Premium.
Much like other LG TVs, this one, too, runs on the webOS platform, which should make it easy to navigate and find your streaming apps and manage multiple profiles. Plus, you get voice command support with Alexa and Google Assistant for quicker controls.
- Neo QLED 4K display
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Dolby Atmos with Object Sound Tracking
- Not quite as punchy contrast as OLED
If you want a 55-inch TV for gaming, then you need to check out this model from the Samsung QN85C Series.
The 55-inch TV comes with a Neo QLED display, which is a tweaked version of the regular QLED display. Unlike the QLED panels, Neo QLED TVs make use of mini-LEDs, which allows for finer Quantum Dots and precise lighting. As a result, you should see excellent picture quality. Plus, you get Neo Quantum HDR, which should deliver better colors and contrast. The TV is packed with a Neural Quantum processor, which upscale content to almost 4K quality.
Along with the cinematic visuals, you can expect high-quality audio as this TV features Dolby Atmos as well as Object Tracking Sound. When combined, these features should deliver immersive 3D audio that moves with the objects onscreen.
As far as gaming is concerned, the TV features a Samsung Gaming Hub, which gives you access to gaming-related settings, apps, and more. To run your games, you get a 120Hz refresh rate, which is sufficient for most games in your library. You should be able to play games in 4K and get up to 120Hz rate with Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ delivering a lag-free experience.
If you want to take a break from gaming, the Tizen OS offers hours of entertainment by giving you access to a variety of apps and free content. Using the included solar-powered remote and your voice assistants, you can easily find your favorite streaming apps for watching movies and TV shows.
One of the best Samsung TVs around, this is premium display that’s well worth it if you want to take your gaming to the next level.
- 4K LED display
- HDR support
- Dedicate Game Optimizer
- 60z refresh rate
If you’re looking for a 55-inch LED TV, then you should check out this model from the LG UR9000 Series.
The LG TV comes with a 4K LED display, which delivers vibrant, clear visuals in high quality. Plus, the TV has α5 AI Processor Gen6, which upscales content to 4K and optimizes the color and contrast settings based on the room lighting.
As far as gaming is concerned, you get a 60Hz refresh rate and low input lag, which should be enough for casual gaming. You also get a dedicated LG Game Optimizer, which is a useful and intuitive interface for your game settings. However, the TV does lack advanced gaming features if you’re looking for those.
This smart TV uses the webOS interface, which should give you easy access to a good selection of apps, including popular streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu. You also get virtual assistant support with Alexa, which makes controls easy.
How to pick the best 55-inch TV
Before you head out to shop for the best 55-inch TVs, here is a quick brief about a few things you should consider.
Display Type
As 55-inch is a very common TV size, you will find TVs of this size with all kinds of display types – OLED, QLED, LED, LCD, and more. Depending on your requirements and budget, you can choose a display type.
Out of the available types, OLED TVs are probably the best and the most expensive ones. They have a panel powered by self-illuminating pixels, which delivers high contrast and vibrant picture quality.
Next, we have QLED TVs, which form a middle ground between LED and OLED. Like LED, QLED TVs make use of backlight, but they have Quantum Dots, which allow them to deliver better contrast and color than LEDs. Price-wise, these TVs are costlier than LEDs but more affordable than OLEDs.
Then, we have LED TVs, which are easily available in the market for all kinds of budgets. While these may not have the stunning picture quality of OLEDs, LED TVs do deliver decent contrast with local dimming zones and high brightness.
Resolution
Technically speaking, a 4K resolution is 4x more than FHD, which affects the picture quality – and you’d see the difference immediately. So if you’re looking to buy a mid-sized or large TV, you should consider getting 4K resolution to get high-picture quality. Most TVs today, even the budget ones, have a 4K resolution. So you won’t have to worry much about finding a high-resolution TV unless you’re looking for an 8K TV.
Refresh Rate
A quick look at the TV market will tell you that 60Hz is a standard refresh rate in TVs. This rate is enough for watching content as well as casual gaming. However, the more gaming-oriented or high-end TVs have a refresh rate of 120Hz, which makes them suitable for console gaming. Depending on your requirements and budget, you can choose a refresh rate that best suits your purpose.
Gaming Features
To give you the best possible gaming experience on your TV, some TVs come equipped with useful features. You can find features like a dedicated gaming interface, ALLM, VRR, and much more. If you’re looking to play games on your TV, then you should check out the best gaming TVs.
Smart Features
In case you want quick and easy access to streaming apps, you can consider getting TVs with smart OS like Tizen or FireTV. Plus, you can also look for virtual assistant support like Alexa, Bixby, and Google Assistant for easy voice commands.
Frequently asked questions – ask the expert
There are few questions that always pop up when it comes to 55-inch TVs, so let’s see if we can clear a few things up to help you with your search.
How far away should I sit from a 55-inch TV?
About 7-8ft away is good. Any closer and it’ll be a little too immersive!
How much should you spend on a 55-inch TV?
As always, it depends on your personal budget, but we’d say for something 120hz, 4K, with gaming features and OLED or QD-OLED, you’re looking at around $1000 – $2000. At between $700 – $1000 you’ll find most of the QLED and some Mini-LED options. Lower than $700, there are loads of options to choose from including LED and QLED, with the occasional 120hz refresh rate.
We’d say for everyday viewing, you can get something great for around $600 – $800. For gaming, higher frame rates, and top-tier brightness, contrast, and color, you’re looking at around $1500 in most cases.
Should you get a 55-inch TV or a 65-inch TV?
Honestly, the difference is actually quite noticeable – more so than when you go from 65 to 75 inches. The price does jump up a fair bit though, so if you want the most bang for your buck, we’d say go for a 55-inch TV and move your couch a little closer. You’ll save around $200 – $400, and only have to move your sofa about a ft closer to the TV.
Our Verdict
If you want to get the best 55-inch TV today, we’d recommend considering the LG C3 55-inch OLED TV. This LG model comes with a 4k OLED display, so you can expect stunning, high-quality pictures. Plus, you get a 120Hz refresh rate, which should deliver smooth visuals whether you’re gaming or watching a fast-paced action movie. The TV also has updated HDMI ports, so you should be able to game in 4K at 120Hz. Overall, the LG C3 is a great TV for general use as well as gaming.