Bigger isn’t always better, and that’s certainly the case when it comes to TVs. Your living room TV is free to be as large as you’d like, but some rooms call for a smaller TV. And as a bonus, smaller models are often more affordable than larger TVs.
Outfitting a kids’ room with a TV, snagging one for the garage, or buying a TV for a studio apartment are all reasons why a 55-inch-or-under model might work best for your space. As is standard when buying any size TV, you’ll be facing an overwhelming number of options that call for some decisions, like whether you want OLED or QLED and what kind of refresh rate you’re looking for. Before you fall into a Googling frenzy, check out what the experts say.
How to shop for a new TV
Aside from choosing a laptop, TVs are probably next in line for the amount of jargon you’ll need to decode while shopping. If you’re not interested in becoming a TV expert, Mashable’s sister site, PCMag, has a team of experts who test TVs with fancy equipment like a Klein K-80 colorimeter, a Murideo SIX-G signal generator, an HDFury Diva 4K HDMI matrix, and Portrait Displays’ Calman software. Since you don’t have that tech in your garage (you wouldn’t be reading this if you did), PCMag’s home entertainment expert, Will Greenwald, helped us choose the best 55-inch and under TVs.
We’ve intentionally kept this list slim, knowing the number of options is far too lengthy and none of us have that kind of time these days. Keep in mind, there are a few times throughout the year that are best to get a discount on a new TV, so shop during those periods if you’re looking to grab the best discount.
Best overall
Why we like it
The 55-inch Hisense U8N with its bright display and QLED screen is a great choice for most people. The 2025 model is pricey, with a $1,499.99 MSRP — though we’ve seen it on sale for under $1,000. The 2024 model is a more budget-friendly choice with a list price of $998 and a regular sale price of under $700. “Budget-priced TVs available in smaller screen sizes like 50 or 43 inches are usually much dimmer than higher-end TVs, and their colors aren’t as wide,” said Greenwald, but the Hisense doesn’t disappoint when it comes to brightness. In fact, CNET, another Mashable sister site, also found the Hisense U8N to be a prime option for a 55-inch TV, mentioning its impressive image quality, which uses mini-LED backlights.
After Greenwald’s testing of the 2024 Hisense U8N, he said, “Hisense once again hits it out of the park with a premium TV that rivals much more expensive competitors.”
Hisense also equipped this model with full-array local dimming, which means your screen will have better picture quality. Some TVs only use LED lighting around the edge, while full-array places LED throughout the back of the screen with locally dimmable areas to provide deeper blacks for a better experience with increased brightness, better contrast, and a crisp image.
We’re also fans of the Google TV integration, which neatly keeps your favorite streaming platforms easily accessible on the home screen with an intuitive design. Google Cast lets you push from an Android device or Chrome tab to the TV, and Apple AirPlay does the same with an iPhone or iPad.
Should you be looking for a 55-inch TV for gaming, the Hisense U8N has a 144Hz Game Mode Pro, keeping up with quick action.
What are the other sizes?
The Hisense U8N also comes in 65, 75, 85, and 100 inches.
Best high-end TV
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Why we like it
If you’re looking for the best TV possible, the LG Evo G5 OLED TV is likely your best option for 55-inch models. After testing, Greenwald said, “The LG Evo G5 is the best OLED TV I’ve seen yet,” which says quite a bit since he’s tested over 170 TVs. That statement helps justify the $2,499.99 price tag, but LG packed this model with high-end features that also explain the price.
For starters, the Evo G5 looks modern and sleek thanks to its almost non-existent bezel and because it sits as close to flush to the wall as it gets. The “G” in Eco G5 stands for “gallery,” and LG intends the TV to look more like an art piece on the wall than a TV. You won’t have to worry about finding a wall mount that can accomplish this because it’s included when you buy the TV.
Greenwald said the display is the best OLED he’s ever seen. LG mentions this model is the brightest and most vivid in the brand’s lineup, and PCMag’s testing showed impressive results from the Evo G5.
Instead of a matte finish, LG uses Perfect Black technology, which the brand says is ideal for watching in bright rooms, offering a glare-free experience. The brightness of the LG Evo G5 makes this a great model for cinephiles and those who take picture quality seriously. Greenwald was wowed by the contrast when watching The Great Gatsby and also loved its performance when testing with BBC’s Planet Earth II, mentioning, “It’s a lifelike picture that makes the nature footage look like you’re viewing it through a window and not a TV.”
If you’re not thrilled with the price of the Evo G5, Greenwald says it’s wise to look at its predecessor, the LG Evo G4 OLED TV. While it’s not as bright, it’s often on sale, potentially saving you hundreds compared to the standard price of the G5.
What are the other sizes?
The LG Evo G5 OLED also comes in 65, 77, 83, and 97 inches.
Best model under 55 inches
Why we like it
If you’re interested in something under 50 inches that doesn’t sacrifice on quality, the LG Evo C4 OLED TV comes in smaller sizes, including a 48- and 42-inch model. Since it comes with LG’s impressive screen brightness and contrast, these smaller TVs are well worth a spot in your home. However, they tend to be pricey, especially given the size, costing $1,499.99 for the 42-inch model and $1,599.99 for the 48-inch. However, it’s possible to find these models on sale for under $1,000, which brings them into the more affordable range for quality TVs.
The LG Evo C4 really shows off when it comes to screen performance in a bright room, not giving in to lower contrast that often happens with lower-end TVs. We also like the modern aesthetic on the LG Evo C4 with a slim design and barely noticeable bezel.
Another noteworthy feature of the Evo C4 is the four HDMI 2.1 inputs, desirable if you’ll be using this as a gaming TV.
What are the other sizes?
The LG Evo C4 OLED comes in 42, 48, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches.
Best budget-friendly TV
If you’re grabbing a TV for a guest bedroom or one for the kids to watch Moana, you might not want to spend much. If that’s the case, we’re proponents of the Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED. Right off the bat, it comes with an affordable price tag of under $500 for the 55-inch model (when it’s not on sale), or you can go even cheaper with the 43-inch option, which is just under $440 at full price. However, another budget-friendly benefit is that Amazon typically discounts its own product line during major sales periods like Black Friday and Prime Day, which means you’re likely in for a steep discount. We’ve seen the 43-inch model go as low as $340.
Aside from an attractive price, the Fire TV Omni 4K QLED comes with impressive contrast and nice color that Greenwald noted in his review. Another benefit of hanging out in the Amazon family is the compatibility with other Amazon devices like security cameras, the video doorbell, or smartplugs, all of those being accessible on the TV screen. You can also easily pair the TV with Echo speakers.
The Fire TV Omni can switch into ambient mode when you’re not watching, giving you the ability to customize the display to show your favorite photos, custom artwork, or bring up your calendar.
What are the other sizes?
The Amazon Fire TV Omni 4K QLED TV comes in 43, 50, 55, 65, and 75 inches.
