Only a few years ago, the most popular TV size was the 55-inch TV, but 65-inch models have become more common in recent years. Still, there are a lot of 55-inch models on the market, and TVs in this size are still great options if you need something for a smaller room or another tight space. Finding the best 55-inch television for your needs depends on your usage, viewing conditions, and budget. Through our testing process, we can determine which TVs stand out as the best options in their respective price ranges.
Below are our recommendations for the best 55-inch televisions. Our picks reflect the market as it stands today, so you might still see some 2025 models in this article if they're still available. You can also see our picks for the best TVs, the best smart TVs, and the best 65-inch TVs, or you can vote on which models you want us to buy and test. To learn more about the current models on the market, check out our 2026 TV lineup page.
We buy and test dozens of TVs yearly, taking an objective, data-driven approach to deliver results you can trust. Our testing process is complex, with hundreds of individual tests that take over a week to complete. Most of our tests use specially designed test patterns that mimic real content, but we also use the same sources you have at home to ensure our results match the real-world experience. We use two main tools for our testing: a Colorimetry Research CR-100 colorimeter and a CR-250 spectroradiometer.
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Best 55-Inch TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:165HzScreen Finish:MattePanel Type:OLEDSub-Type:QD-OLEDDolby Vision:NoSee all our test resultsSizes:55" 65" 77" 83"The Samsung QN55S95HAFXZA is the best 55-inch TV you can buy. It's an incredibly versatile model with top-tier image quality, making it an excellent choice whether you need a TV for gaming, home theater, or watching sports on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Thanks to its matte screen coating and high brightness, reflections on the screen are a thing of the past in bright rooms. It also delivers impressive performance in dark environments by combining inky blacks with highlights that truly pop, making HDR content look excellent. Colors are rich, accurate, and bright, resulting in a vivid and immersive viewing experience. It's also a solid choice for larger spaces with wide seating, since the picture remains consistent even when viewed from the sides of the screen.
Gaming performance is just as strong. The TV's four HDMI 2.1 ports can handle up to 4k @ 165Hz with VRR, and motion clarity is exceptional, making it an excellent choice for both the latest consoles and powerful gaming PCs. This TV doesn't offer Dolby Vision support, but its high brightness and HDR10+ support mean you still get a top-tier HDR experience.
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Best Upper Mid-Range 55-Inch TV
Exclusive member deal: RTINGS members save $250 on the LG C6 55" ($1,549.99), $200 on the 65" ($2,499.99), or $400 on the 77" ($3,299.99) at our partner retailer. Join now to unlock the deal.Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:165HzScreen Finish:GlossyPanel Type:OLEDSub-Type:WOLEDDolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:42" 48" 55" 65"If the Samsung S95H OLED is too pricey for your budget, but you still want a top-tier TV, the LG OLED55C6PUA offers a lot. It doesn't use a QD-OLED panel, so colors aren't as vivid as they are on the Samsung. However, colors still look rich and vibrant in most movies, shows, and games. It's bright enough to handle glare in a moderately lit room, but unlike the Samsung, reflections are an issue in brighter spaces. It displays the same inky blacks, and highlights still stand out well enough for an impactful HDR experience, so it looks great in dark environments like a home theater. It also has a similarly wide viewing angle, so it's still an excellent choice for large living rooms. A big upside with this model is that blacks stay very deep in rooms with ambient lighting, so the TV still has nice depth to it when you have your lights turned on.
The TV has four HDMI 2.1 ports capable of up to 4k @ 165Hz with VRR, making it fully compatible with the features offered by modern consoles. On top of that, it offers the unrivaled motion clarity that OLEDs are known for, so fast-paced games look crisp. It doesn't support HDR10+, but it does support the more popular Dolby Vision format, so it has great compatibility with streaming services and 4k Blu-rays.
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Best Mid-Range 55-Inch TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:165HzScreen Finish:MattePanel Type:LCDSub-Type:VADolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:55" 65" 75" 85" 100"The best 55-inch TV in the mid-range price bracket is the Hisense 55U7SG, which is also one of the best Mini LED TVs available. While it doesn't match the inky blacks of the LG C6 OLED 2026, it gets surprisingly close due to its stellar local dimming, delivering deep, bold blacks with minimal glowing around subtitles and highlights. This TV is very bright and offers solid reflection handling due to its matte coating, making it great for very bright rooms. HDR content also looks great since bright areas really stand out. Combined with its wide range of bright and punchy colors, it's a versatile option that looks great in any setting. The viewing angle is decent for setups where the seating is slightly angled from the screen, but image quality degrades at more extreme angles, which makes it less ideal for very large rooms than the OLED options above.
It has four HDMI 2.1 ports that support 4k @ 165Hz, 1080p @ 330Hz, and VRR, so you can take full advantage of your console or push your PC to its limits. Additionally, the TV supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10+, ensuring you're covered regardless of the HDR format your content uses.
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Best Lower Mid-Range 55-Inch TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:144HzScreen Finish:GlossyPanel Type:LCDSub-Type:VADolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:55" 65" 75" 85" 98"If the Hisense U7SG sounds like the perfect TV for you, but it's a bit out of your price range, you can go with the cheaper TCL 55QM7K and still get a great TV overall. While it's a bit dimmer than the Hisense, it's still bright enough to handle glare from indirect lighting in well-lit rooms. However, light sources directly facing the screen cause mirror-like reflections. Blacks are actually a bit deeper on this model than they are on the Hisense, though there's a bit more glowing around highlights and subtitles. The TV isn't as bright as the Hisense in HDR content, but bright areas still stand out well enough for an impactful HDR experience, especially when paired with its vibrant colors. Its viewing angle is relatively narrow, so it's best to sit directly in front of the screen for the best experience.
Beyond its solid image quality, this model offers a wide range of modern gaming features. With two HDMI 2.1 ports, support for 4k @ 144Hz, 1080p @ 288Hz, and VRR, it's a great choice for both console and PC gamers. It also supports both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, so you're set no matter the content you're watching. If you're looking for an option that delivers solid performance and a wealth of features without breaking the bank, the QM7K is a fantastic choice.
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Best Budget 55-Inch TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:144HzScreen Finish:GlossyPanel Type:LCDSub-Type:VADolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:55" 65" 75" 85" 98"The TCL 55QM6K is the best 55-inch smart TV for those on a budget who want the modern gaming features the TCL QM7K offers, but at a lower price point. While it doesn't match the higher-end model's image quality, it still performs well. Colors are slightly muted but not washed out, so they remain fairly vibrant and pleasing. Blacks aren't quite as deep, but they still provide good depth for a budget-friendly TV due to its full-array local dimming. The TV is noticeably dimmer in HDR content, so highlights don't pop as much, but it still provides a decent HDR experience overall. On the other hand, the TV is bright enough for use in well-lit rooms, as long as you avoid placing light sources directly opposite the screen.
This model offers the same feature set as the more expensive option, including two HDMI 2.1 ports, support for 4k @ 144Hz and 1080p @ 288Hz, VRR, and minimal motion blur. Like the QM7K, it has a narrow viewing angle, so for the best image quality, you'll want to sit directly in front of the screen. If you're looking for an affordable TV that offers a range of features and delivers solid image quality, this budget model is a great choice.
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Best Cheap 55-Inch TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:60HzScreen Finish:GlossyPanel Type:LCDSub-Type:IPSDolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:43" 50" 55" 65" 75" 85"If you just want something cheap that gets the job done, the Walmart-exclusive Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4k (VQM55C) is a decent option. Like the TCL QM6K, it has local dimming to help deepen blacks, but it doesn't work as well as it does on that TV. You still get blacks that avoid looking gray, but they aren't as deep, and there's a more noticeable glow around bright lights and subtitles. Fortunately, colors are pretty vibrant for a cheaper TV, so the image looks colorful enough to avoid looking dull. Furthermore, bright areas stand out pretty well in HDR movies, shows, and games, so the TV provides decent image quality in all types of content. It's even bright enough to handle some glare from overhead lights. However, any lights directly facing the screen cause mirror-like reflections that are distracting.
It's a bit light on gaming features, but it does support 4k @ 60Hz and 1080p @ 120Hz, and it has VRR to help reduce screen tearing. It even supports Dolby Vision and HDR10+, so it has great compatibility with streaming services. Finally, the TV has a wide viewing angle, so you get a similar-looking image when watching from an angle as you do when you're seated directly in front of the screen.
Notable Mentions
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LG OLED55G6WUA:
The LG G6 OLED goes head-to-head with the Samsung S95H OLED. The LG supports Dolby Vision, and it has better image processing, which can help make low-quality content look cleaner. However,
the Samsung is a bit more colorful, displays highlights that pop out more in HDR content, and it performs better in bright rooms, so it's the more versatile TV.
See our review -
Samsung QN55S90FAFXZA:
The Samsung S90F OLED competes directly with the LG C6 OLED 2026 and offers a similar experience. The Samsung displays punchier colors if you get the 55-inch model, since that size uses a QD-OLED panel. However, the C6 is better for bright rooms, has superior processing, and supports Dolby Vision, making it the more versatile option.
See our review -
LG OLED55B5PUA:
If you prefer the exceptional motion clarity and wide viewing angle of an OLED over a Mini LED model like the Hisense U7SG, the LG B5 OLED offers those benefits at a similar price. However, the Hisense outshines it with its significantly brighter panel, better reflection handling, and more well-rounded feature set, making it the better choice for most people.
See our review -
Hisense 55U75QG:
The Hisense U75QG shares similarities with the TCL QM7K but boasts higher peak brightness. However, it makes HDR content appear brighter than intended. With clearer motion handling and better contrast, the TCL is the stronger overall choice.
See our review -
Hisense 55U65QF:
The Hisense U65QF is a brighter option compared to the TCL QM6K. However, it overbrightens HDR content, so it doesn't fully respect the content creator's original vision. The TCL provides a more balanced experience with deeper blacks, better color accuracy, and support for 1080p @ 288Hz.
See our review -
Hisense 55QD6QF:
The Hisense QD6QF competes with the Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4K. The Hisense has a few small advantages, such as better accuracy, clearer motion, and better processing. However, the Vizio displays deeper blacks, is noticeably brighter, has better colors, and offers a wider viewing angle, making it the better TV overall.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jun 19, 2026:
We replaced the Samsung S95F OLED with the Samsung S95H OLED, the LG C5 OLED with the LG C6 OLED 2026, the LG B5 OLED with the Hisense U7SG, and the Hisense QD6QF with the Vizio Mini LED Quantum 4k. These changes were made because the newer models are better options and are more widely available. We also updated the Notable Mentions section to reflect the market as it stands today.
May 27, 2026:
We replaced the Samsung S90F OLED with the LG C5 OLED in the 'Best Upper Mid-Range' category to offer more variety in our picks. We also moved the S90F to the Notable Mentions and revised text throughout the article for clarity.
May 08, 2026:
We mentioned the Samsung S95H OLED in the 'Best TV' section and the Samsung S90H OLED in the 'Best Upper Mid-Range' section.
Mar 25, 2026:
We revised the introduction and confirmed the availability of our current picks.
Feb 04, 2026:
We replaced the Samsung S85F OLED with the Hisense U8QG in the Notable Mentions. We also revised some text throughout the article for clarity.
All Reviews
Our recommendations are based on what we think are the best 55-inch smart TVs currently available. They are adapted to be valid for most people in each price range. The rating is based on our review, factoring in price and feedback from our visitors.
If you would prefer to make your own decision, here is a list of all our recent 55-inch TV reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. Most TVs are good enough to please most people, and the things we fault TVs for are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.