The best 55-inch TVs you can buy right now
When you’re looking to upgrade your TV to a new 4K HDR model, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is the screen size you need. Getting the balance right between picture clarity and domestic harmony is crucial.
For many, the best option will likely be a 55-inch screen. This is large enough to appreciate the finer picture details offered by ultra high definition streams from the likes of Netflix and Disney+, yet won’t dominate your living space, thanks to tiny bezels and thin cabinets.
In this roundup, we’ll guide you through some of the best 55-inch TVs you can buy right now.
How we test TVs
To help you buy the best 55-inch TV for your needs, we put all models through a series of stringent tests to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Picture quality is our top priority, ensuring you’ll see your favourite TV shows, sports and films in pristine clarity. To assess picture quality, we use test footage able to showcase a TV’s ability to shine, with high brightness, and deep, nuanced black levels.
One key element that distinguishes good screens from the rest is their ability to handle HDR (High Dynamic Range) content. The best offer a dynamic image that has punch and depth; the worst have images that can look flat and dull. We measure peak brightness using industry-standard patterns, comparing each model against others in their class.
We also consider how TVs perform in bright rooms and dark theatres – and how they might look in your living space. We look at each TV's gaming credentials – how good or bad is input lag, and does it support 4K 120Hz gameplay, for example?
Finally, we’ll turn our ears to sound. This is one area where cheaper models tend to fall behind their more expensive stablemates, as they are usually restricted to stereo speakers with limited amplification. If you’ll need to budget for a soundbar, we’ll let you know before you buy.
Sony A80L OLED (XR-55A80L) 4K OLED HDR TV
Score: 95/100
Currently one of the most affordable OLEDs you can buy from the Sony stable, the A80L is notable chiefly for its gorgeous, filmic picture quality, with peerless black levels and rich, candy colours. It also boasts superb motion handling, making it a top choice for live sports.
Of course, there’s more to this Sony than just scintillating imagery. It also has a superb sound system, in the shape of Sony’s unique Acoustic Surface Audio system. Offering 50W of full-bodied sound, you won’t need to invest in a separate soundbar.
The set is built around the Google TV smart platform, so that means no shortage of streaming services on tap, and there’s a full complement of Catch-Up TV services as well. The TV also comes with Sony’s own dedicated movie streaming service, Sony Pictures Core (previously Bravia Core).
Design-wise, the set dresses to impress, with its ultra-slim bezel and metallic grey colour scheme. Two of its four HDMIs are 4K 120Hz compatible, for high frame rate game-playing.
Samsung 55-inch S95D OLED 4K
Score: 93/100
Samsung does OLED rather differently from rivals, and this has resulted in an altogether brighter, colour-forward image style. This third-generation QD-OLED model uses a Quantum Dot filter to heighten the intensity of its colour performance. If you want your OLED to shine, regardless of how bright your room might be, you’ve come to the right place.
This model also heralds a novel, non-glossy screen treatment that nullifies bright reflections on the screen. These might be from a nearby window or table lamp. This makes it uniquely watchable, wherever the ambient room lighting is.
There’s no Dolby Vision support, but overall HDR brightness is just stunning. Its smart functionality is excellent, with all major streaming services available, as well as catch-up TV services. The set also works with any SmartThings devices you might have on your network.
The screen looks swish and is well-finished, but it does come with a chunky One Connect box. This separate tuner box has four HDMI inputs and connects to the panel using a single lead.
Gaming support is excellent, with all HDMI inputs compatible with 4K 120Hz gameplay. And the audio quality is above average. The S95D boasts eight speakers fed by Samsung’s “Object Tracking Sound” system, which provides a much more immersive listening experience than straight stereo.
LG C4 55-Inch 4K UHD Smart TV
Score: 88/100
The C4 is a fabulous 4K OLED screen which builds on the success of the brand’s C3 model, with improvements in HDR picture performance and colour handling. The end result is a screen that pushes the envelope when it comes to 4K image clarity.
The latest iteration of “Brightness Boosting” picture processing, powered by an Alpha 9 6th generation chipset, brings out the very best from this OLED panel. The C4 delivers deep blacks, with bright HDR highlights and rich, vibrant colours. There’s also support for Dolby Vision.
Motion handling is also top-notch, making this a great option for sports fans. This is also ideal for owners of next-gen gaming consoles too. All four HDMI ports (one with eARC/ARC support) support 4K 120Hz playback for high frame-rate gaming. There’s also NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync compatibility for PC gaming, as well as a “Game Optimiser Dashboard” mode with quick access to game settings. Input lag is low, another gaming plus point.
The smart platform of choice is LG’s webOS platform, which offers a wide selection of popular streaming apps and catch-up TV services.
The set’s onboard sound system benefits from 20W of amplification and some AI-enhanced virtual soundscapes, but you’ll probably want to add an LG soundbar. Using this unlocks “Wow Orchestra” functionality, allowing both the soundbar and the set’s speakers to work together.
Hisense 55-Inch 4K QLED Smart TV 55E77NQTUK
Score: 87/100
Given its price, this Hisense TV stands out as something of an all-rounder. Its design is sleek and premium-looking with an unobtrusive bezel. In our tests, it impressed us with everything from its picture quality to sound and usability.
Starting with its colour performance, we found it had good clarity, detail and sharpness, particularly in its ‘Filmmaker’ preset where colours appear well-balanced and true to the source material. The overall brightness lagged behind higher-end models, though. While it excelled in upscaling HD content and maintaining smooth motion, we noticed some graininess at lower resolutions.
As for its audio, it has Dolby Atmos support and customisable modes, all delivering clear and immersive dialogue and sound. There’s an integrated soundbar, but whether you decide to add an additional one or not may come down to the room it’s in. We thought its higher volumes may be slightly underwhelming in larger spaces. You’ll also need a deep console table so that the TV feet don’t get in the way.
It doesn’t just have the basics covered. An array of features, including HDR support, VRR and ALLM, a host of streaming options and seamless smart home integration sets it apart from competitors of a similar price. And while there’s no dedicated preset, gamers will appreciate the low input lag of 13.2ms, 4K 120Hz support and smooth VRR, making it a capable option for modern consoles.
And however you plan to use it, it’s intuitive from the off, with a clear remote and accessible menu. If you’re seeking smooth motion performance at an affordable price, it shouldn’t disappoint.
Sky Glass
Score: 86/100
According to industry data, this was the best-selling 55-inch TV in the UK during 2023, and it’s easy to see why. With Sky Glass, you get a high-quality QLED 4K screen and an outstanding Dolby Atmos sound system, bundled with an internet-delivered premium Sky TV package.
And just like your mobile phone contract, you can pick up a Sky Glass screen, complete with the channel package of your choice, from just £19 per month.
The Sky Glass TV system works well and we like the fact that no dish is required. A fast broadband connection from any internet service provider will do the job.
In addition to Sky’s own premium entertainment, movies and sports channels, there are also integrated apps from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Apple TV+ and others. There’s no built-in hard drive for recording shows. Instead, you can record and Series Link programmes to a Cloud PVR, so they’re ready to stream when you need them. There are also playlist profiles for different family members.
The picture quality is very good. There’s support for Dolby Vision, and images are bright and colour-rich, making this an excellent screen for use during daytime and in brightly lit rooms. The six-speaker, 215W Dolby Atmos sound system is also of blockbuster calibre.
The Sky Glass TV is quite sizable, at least when compared to razor-thin OLED models, but it’s not ugly and you can choose from five colour finishes (including Ocean Blue and Dusky Pink). Its connectivity includes three HDMI inputs, one with eARC support, but there’s no support for 4K 120Hz gaming though, so this shouldn’t be the first choice for gamers.
TCL 55 C805 4K QD Mini LED 4K HDR TV
Score: 86/100
There’s no doubt that TCL delivers plenty of bang for your buck. This 55-inch TV employs a highly dynamic QD (Quantum Dot) Mini LED backlight which delivers highly dynamic images with inky black levels and colour-rich pictures during the day, and when you dim the lights for movie night. It’s also well made, with a smart brushed titanium metal bezel.
It has four HDMI inputs, with support for high frame rate 4K 120Hz gaming, making this a great option for next-gen console owners. Home cinema enthusiasts get Dolby Vision ensuring cinematic HDR.
The smart platform is provided by Google TV and comes with a wide selection of streaming apps and catch-up TV services. The TV also works with Alexa and has Google Assistant voice control.
The stereo audio system, designed by audio outfit Onkyo, does the job, but you’ll probably want to spring for a soundbar sooner rather than later.
Philips 55OLED809
Score: 83/100
The Philips OLED809 is a high-spec OLED screen with a difference, namely three-sided “Ambilight”, which enhances the viewing experience by projecting coloured light onto the surrounding walls, creating a more immersive viewing experience as well as enhancing your room lighting scheme.
Build quality is high, with the panel housed in a premium metal frame. It sits on a central pedestal stand which has a handy swivel mechanism. This allows for easy adjustment of the viewing angle, without the need to reposition any furniture.
The picture quality is excellent. This high-brightness panel delivers delicious blacks, without sacrificing near-black shadow detail, and punchy colours. There’s support for a wide range of HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and IMAX Enhanced HDR. The audio is impressive too. Its 70W sound system includes a 30W subwoofer, so you’ll not need to budget for a soundbar straight out of the gate.
It’s worth noting that only two of the 55OLED809’s four HDMI inputs are 4K 120Hz compliant – but we do get a “Game Bar” interface, which allows for the creation of up to ten gamer profiles and provides quick access to gaming features like Shadow Enhancer, Edge Enhancer, and a customisable Crosshair. The Google TV platform ensures all major streaming services are on tap, although UK catch-up support is patchy. You’ll need to get iPlayer from another device.
Samsung The Frame LS03 QLED 4K HDR TV
Score: 78/100
A huge hit for Samsung, The Frame is a regular 4K TV that can be customised with a variety of bespoke picture frames, so that it looks like a work of art when you’re not watching the TV. A subscription to The Art Store will allow you to enjoy digital works of art, both contemporary and classic.
The panel itself has a unique matte finish, to complete the arty illusion. The screen itself is a QLED panel, typically bright and colourful. HDR performance is reasonably good, although if you turn off all the lights, blacks do tend to turn a little grey.
Connectivity comes via Samsung’s separate One Connect Box. This has four HDMI ports (including eARC) and a connection for your TV aerial. All the usual streaming services are available. The set’s audio performance is above average, with 40W of amplification to fill the room. We rate it as a fine everyday TV with a designer twist.
What size room is good for a 55-inch TV?
There’s a definite shift in the market to larger televisions, as buyers look to enjoy a more cinematic experience in their homes.
So it makes sense to buy a larger screen than the model you’re replacing. If your old telly dates back five years or more, then it’s highly likely that a modern model will have a much smaller bezel and slimmer profile. That means you’ll be able to fit a larger screen size into the same space.
Ultimately, the best room size for a 55-inch TV depends on where you intend to sit in relation to the screen. That’s because there's an unavoidable relationship between viewing distance and screen size.
For a 55-inch TV, the maximum viewing distance would equate to 1-1.5x the screen size. That means you should plan to watch from no more than 2 metres away; any more and you’ll not appreciate the finer picture benefits that UHD can bring.
Does that work with your seating plan? If not, you may want to opt for a larger screen size.
Things to consider when buying a 55-inch TV
The best 55-inch TVs will come stacked with features, some of which may be more important to you than others. Let’s break down this often daunting list into simple bite-sized chunks...
Screen size and resolution
Your new 4K 55-inch screen will offer a resolution of 2840 x 2160 pixels, which is a significant step up from the 1920 x 1080 pixels of Full HD TVs. Translated: the screen can display images that are sharper and more dynamic.
The 55-inch screen size is a good choice when it comes to maximising the performance of native UHD programmes from the likes of Netflix and Prime Video. Your 4k TV will also be able to upscale regular HD pictures too.
HDR explained
All our chosen TVs have HDR (High Dynamic Range) support, for superior brightness. HDR content features an uplift in the screen intensity of certain objects, like streetlights, fireworks and car headlights. Good HDR adds more depth to an image and home cinema enthusiasts should favour screens with Dolby Vision HDR processing, for a more cinematic HDR presentation.
Panel technologies: LED LCD Vs OLED
There’s a variety of panel technologies to consider when shortlisting your new 55-inch TV. LCD screens with an LED backlight are most common, and affordable, and they work best when used in rooms with moderate to high ambient light. In a fully dark room, their blacks tend to look a little grey.
QD-LED panel technology improves matters with somewhat better blacks and a wider spread of colour. The latest LED backlight technology, Mini LED, features far better HDR precision and black level control.
Conversely, OLED screens always look great when the lights go down. Black levels remain solid and screen dynamics are high. The best OLED TV screens are increasingly suitable for daylight viewing too, as various brightness-boosting technologies are used. Samsung’s QD-OLED technology, a Quantum Dot OLED variation, is particularly bright and colourful.
Refresh rates
Panels tend to have either a 60Hz refresh rate or 120Hz. When it comes to films and TV in general, both refresh rates are much of a muchness. The difference comes when gaming.
If you have a next-gen PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S, you’ll want to play certain titles at a high refresh rate, for super smooth action. In this case, look for a screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and at least two HDMI inputs that support 4K 120Hz capable game consoles.
Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity, it’s all about HDMI these days. Our chosen collection of 55-inch TVs will have either three or four inputs. The more the merrier. On some TVs, these are a mix of 60Hz and 120Hz inputs, but that can also be all 60Hz or all 120Hz. One of these HDMI inputs will also be eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) enabled, and it’s this input you’ll need to connect any soundbar to.
Sound support
For a cinematic sonic experience out of the box, look for a TV that has an advanced built-in audio system. This might take the form of a two-channel soundbar, or a more complex multi-speaker arrangement with copious amplification. Opt for the latter and you could save money on a soundbar at a later date.
Smart features
Any connected TV worth its salt will come with its own smart platform. LG has webOS, Samsung has Tizen, while others opt for Google TV or something similar.
Most will come with streaming apps for all the popular services: Netflix, Apple TV+, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.
There’s less universal support for catchup services like iPlayer, ITV+ and Channel 4. The good news is that these services can often be covered by another connected device, like a TV set-top box or a streaming device like a Fire TV Stick.
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