A 55-inch TV is currently considered medium or even small, which can be surprising if it has been a few years since you bought it. Companies offered ever lower prices for bigger screens – We’re talking about $ 300 for a full-fledged 55-inch TV, and as low as half of it for sale. And at the end of this market, about every nice TV series has a size of 55 inches and is often the smallest in the line.
Many of these TVs contain all the bells and whistles, including full-scale local eclipse, OLED screens, 120Hz refresh rates, 4K resolution, HDR, an abundance of HDMI ports, and even high-end play features to with a PlayStation 5 or Xbox X Series. Oh, and most of them are smart, giving you access to all your favorite streaming content without using a second device.
TL; DR: The size of 55 inches offers more choice than any other. As such, there are many quality options. Let me help you list my favorites.
The list below represents the best TVs I have reviewed in CNET’s test lab (for 2020 it’s my basement), where I compare the pros and cons side by side to see what is most worth buying. Here are my latest recommendations for the best 55-inch TVs, which are updated from time to time. Keep these points in mind when looking at my choices:
- Looking for another size? Check out our comparisons between 32-inch TVs, 43-inch TVs, 65-inch TVs and 75-inch TVs.
- The photos below are usually of 65-inch TVs, as this is the size we judge at CNET. But the review still applies to the 55-inch version.
- Can’t see what you’re looking for below? Here are all the TVs I have reviewed, and more will be coming soon.
Sarah Tew / CNET
No TV I have ever tested offers so much picture quality for this little cash. The 2020 TCL 6 Series has even better image quality than its predecessor, thanks to mini-LED technology and well-implemented local eclipse, which helps it spin circles around any other TV at this price. It’s also a great choice for gamers with a new THX mode that combines low input delay and high contrast. As if that’s not enough, the Roku TV operating system is our practical favorite. Read our review of TCL 6 Series (2020 Roku TV).
Look at this:
TCL 6 Series Roku TV Review: Brighter and Better Than …
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Sarah Tew / CNET
What do you say? You just want the best TV, money no object? Here you go. In my side-by-side tests, the 2020 LG CX is the best TV I have ever rated, with a world-beating contrast, perfect oblique angle and excellent uniformity. If you can afford it, this is the 55-inch TV you can get. Read our LG OLEDCX series review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
Apart from the TCL 6 series above, it is the second place for the best TV for the money. The TCL has a better picture and a better smart HDTV system, so it’s a better TV in general, but it’s also a few hundred dollars more expensive. If you can not afford the 6 Series, this Vizio is a very good runner-up. Read our Vizio M7 Series Quantum (2020) review.
Sarah Tew / CNET
With the overall image quality comparable to the TCL 6 series above and a price that is not that much more expensive, the X900H series connections are actually better than the TCL. It is the most affordable TV with full 4K / 120Hz HDMI input capability. Read our Sony XBR-X900H Series Review.
David Katzmaier / CNET
Samsung is the TV brand that sells more TVs than anyone, and our favorite Samsung for the year is the Q80T series. The sleek design stands out compared to the other TVs on this list – though the ultra-thin LG CX OLED is even slimmer – and also offers excellent picture quality, next-generation game connectivity and an excellent smart TV system. The TVs above are superior values, but if you want a Samsung anyway, it’s an excellent choice to play TV shows, movies, YouTube TV and more. Read our review of the Samsung Q80T Series (2020).
Other things to know
I’m sure you would be happy with one of the TVs above, but a new 55-inch TV set can be a great investment, so are you looking for more information? Here is a quick and dirty list.
- In my opinion, bigger is better. Large TVs are cheaper than ever, and your money is best spent on large-scale sizes rather than a slight improvement in picture quality or resolution.
- If you do not like the way the built-in smart TV system communicates with your streaming programs, you can always add a media streamer. After all, there are more streaming services with more amazing content than ever before (have you watched The Mandalorian ?!) Streamers are cheap and easy to use, and they receive more frequent updates than most smart TVs. Check out our selection of the best media streamers.
- Most built-in speakers sound awful, so it’s worth pairing your new set with a soundbar or other speaker system. Goods start at about $ 100. Look at the best sound bars.
Do you have it all? Big! Now grab your remote and allow for high-end TV viewing.
Looking for even more information? Here’s everything to know about buy a new TV in 2021.