David Katzmaier Editorial Director — Private Tech
David opinions TVs and leads the Private Tech staff at CNET, masking cell, software program, computing, streaming and residential leisure. We offer useful, skilled opinions, recommendation and movies on what gadget or service to purchase and get probably the most out of it.
- Though nonetheless awaiting his Oscar for Greatest Image Reviewer, David does maintain certifications from the Imaging Science Basis and the Nationwide Institutes of Requirements and Know-how on show calibration and analysis.
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It isn’t straightforward to select the precise TV. Getting the scale proper is essential. Ideally, you need a display screen that’s large enough which you could see it clearly, however not so large that you will have to stretch your neck to look at it. A 55-inch TV is a candy spot for smaller rooms.
A 55-inch tv is a mainstream alternative: You may get just about any TV characteristic you’d need on this dimension. They arrive loaded with good TV options, which embody the flexibility to stream your favourite reveals and movies on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, Disney Plus, and extra. Should you’re searching for extra superior options, you may get these, too, together with full-array native dimming, OLED screens, 120Hz refresh price, 4K UHD decision, excessive dynamic vary, and a bunch of HDMI ports.
As such, that will help you choose the most effective one for you, we have put collectively the most effective 55-inch TVs of 2024 under.
At CNET, I evaluation TVs aspect by aspect in a state-of-the-art testing lab, taking tons of of measurements with specialised gear, evaluating gaming, residence theater and bright-room picture high quality. My 20 years expertise as a TV reviewer helps me decide not simply the most effective 55-inch TV total but in addition the most effective 55-inch TV in your value vary.
What’s the greatest 55-inch TV proper now?
The TCL 6-Collection Roku TV sits on the prime of our record of greatest TVs for numerous causes. It provides excellent image high quality, an inexpensive value and Roku, the most effective good TV system. It additionally contains gaming options like 4K/120Hz enter and variable refresh price that may get probably the most out of consoles just like the PS5 and Xbox Collection X. When associates ask me what TV to purchase from 55 to 85 inches, and cash continues to be an object, I inform them to get the TCL 6-Collection.
There are many different wonderful selections on the market, nonetheless, so although the 6-Collection is my present favourite for most individuals, it may not be proper to your preferences or funds.
Learn extra: Do This to Your TV Now: 9 Essential Settings to Enhance the Image
Greatest 55-inch TVs in 2024
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For the final 5 years, the TCL 6-Collection has been our favourite TV for the cash, and the most recent model — also called the R655 collection — isn’t any exception. This TV has a wonderful picture due to mini-LED tech and well-implemented full-array native dimming that helps it run circles round nearly some other TV at this value. It improves upon the earlier R635 collection with improved gaming extras and a brand new center-mount stand which you could elevate to make room for a soundbar. And eventually, the Roku TV working system is our hands-down favourite.
Professionals:
- Comparatively inexpensive
- Wonderful total picture high quality
- Roku good TV is easy, succesful
- Improved design with central stand
Cons:
- Some competing mini-LED TVs can get brighter
Notice that along with the R635, which this TV replaces, different variations of the 6-Collection had been launched in 2021 and stay on sale. The R646 collection makes use of the Google TV working system, however in any other case has comparable specs to the R655 fashions reviewed right here. The R648 collection has 8K decision and is considerably costlier.
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The C2 delivers superior image high quality at a value that is admittedly excessive, however not ridiculous. It beats any non-OLED TV on this record with its excellent black ranges, unbeatable distinction and excellent off-angle viewing. It additionally has wonderful gaming options, making it an important companion to an Xbox Collection X or S, PlayStation 5 or each. The C2 is available in quite a lot of sizes as nicely, although the larger fashions are costly.
The C2 can also be one of many lightest TVs we have ever reviewed, due to its carbon-fiber development. The 55-inch model weighs simply 35 kilos with its stand, in comparison with 51 kilos for the 55-inch C1 from 2021.
Professionals:
- Higher image high quality than any non-OLED TV
- Superior distinction and off-angle picture
- Greatest-in-class gaming options
- Smooth styling with ultralight, skinny panel
Cons:
- Costly
- No main image high quality enhancements over the C1 from 2021
The C1 was additionally a wonderful TV that delivered comparable picture high quality and options to the C2. We have additionally reviewed the 2023 model, the LG C3, however we advocate the C2 as an alternative proper now. Going with final yr’s LG OLED saves you a number of hundred bucks and the 2 TVs had been principally indistinguishable in options, design and picture high quality in my exams. The C2 will promote out over the summer time and heading into the TV shopping for season this fall, whereas the C3 will drop in value, however if you need a high-end TV proper now, seize a C2.
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On the lookout for a high-end TV with spectacular picture high quality, however don’t need an OLED? The Samsung QN90B is your greatest wager. This TV makes use of QLED TV tech augmented by mini-LED for a brighter picture than any OLED TV. The spectacular distinction of OLED nonetheless gained out in our side-by-side exams, however the QN90B QLED display screen comes nearer than ever.
Professionals:
- Greatest non-OLED image high quality we have ever examined
- Unbelievable brightness with minimal blooming
- Fashionable design, full of options
Cons:
- Costly
- Barely worse distinction, off-angle and uniformity than OLED
Samsung produces numerous QLED TVs, however the QN90B is among the many highest-end, other than variations with 8K decision. It is a 2022 mannequin, however the 2023 model, the QN90C, seems very comparable by way of options and whereas we’ve not reviewed it, we anticipate it to ship comparable picture high quality. It is also considerably costlier.
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The image high quality of the TCL 4-Collection Roku TV was a step behind the Vizio V-Collection (see under) in our funds TV check, however the variations between the 2 are slight sufficient that you simply’d actually should have them arrange aspect by aspect to note something in any respect. The 4-Collection lacks the Dolby Imaginative and prescient, Bluetooth connectivity and AMD FreeSync with a variable refresh price, all of which the Vizio provides.
Professionals:
- Reasonably priced
- Wonderful good TV system
Cons:
- Picture high quality and options lag some entry-level TVs
The 4-Collection’ benefit over the Vizio is that it comes with the wonderful Roku Sensible TV system inbuilt. That makes it an important alternative for these searching for a one-stop good TV answer, with out having so as to add an exterior streaming system.
Notice that TCL has been promoting the 4-Collection for the previous few years with little to no change in picture high quality or options in our exams, though it has lately added some bigger display screen sizes, together with an 85-inch possibility.
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Amongst midpriced fashions we preferred the TCL 6-Collection just a bit higher in our side-by-side comparability, however this Hisense is a powerful contender. Its wonderful picture high quality is anchored by best-in-class brightness that improves its bright-room image high quality and makes HDR TV films, reveals and video games actually pop. It is truly brighter than the TCL with higher distinction, however the TCL’s barely extra correct picture gave it the sting total. The Hisense makes use of Google TV as an alternative of Roku, and in contrast to the TCL, the U8H contains an ATSC 3.0 tuner. Frankly, you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with both one.
Professionals:
- Comparatively inexpensive
- Wonderful total picture high quality
- Greatest-in-class vivid room image
- Succesful Google TV system
Cons:
- Barely much less refined picture than some rivals
- “Theater” image modes have interaction movement smoothing by default
It is a 2022 mannequin, however the 2023 model, the U8K collection, seems largely comparable other than the addition of a 75-inch possibility. We have not reviewed it but. It is at present a few hundred {dollars} costlier than the U8H.
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Samsung is the model that sells extra TVs than anybody, and one in all its hottest is the Q60 collection. Its modern QLED display screen design stands out in contrast with the opposite TVs on this record — although the ultrathin OLED fashions are sleeker — and it provides higher options, picture high quality and extra sizes than fashions just like the TCL 4-Collection and Sony X80K. The TVs listed on this article are all superior values, however if you need a Samsung TV and might’t afford the QN90B, this can be a nice alternative.
Professionals:
- Smooth design and wonderful distant
- Shiny picture with stable distinction
- Informative standing display screen for gaming
Cons:
- Costlier than competing TVs with higher image high quality
- Cluttered good TV menus
It is a 2022 mannequin, however the 2023 model, the Q60C, seems largely comparable by way of options, design and value. We have not reviewed it but, however we anticipate it to have comparable picture high quality.
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Competitors amongst TVs within the center pricing band is heating up and the Plus Collection is the most recent entrant, which got here out in 2023. It provides a few step-up extras, together with QLED and full-array native dimming, which assist ship a greater image than the TCL 4-Collection, for instance. It isn’t as spectacular because the Vizio MQX, although, because it lacks 120Hz for gaming and has worse image high quality total. Should you worth these extras, the Vizio is value saving for, but when not the Roku Plus Collection is an excellent worth.
Professionals:
- Reasonably priced
- Good image high quality due to native dimming
- Nice good TV system
Cons:
- Lacks 120Hz refresh price and different gaming extras
- Not as vivid as some equally priced TVs
That is the primary TV Roku has produced underneath its personal model, versus partnering with a model like TCL, Sharp, Pioneer or Hisense. The corporate additionally launched a model with fewer options and no native dimming, referred to as the Roku Choose Collection.
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Once we in contrast the greatest funds TVs side-by-side, the image high quality of Vizio’s V-Collection clearly emerged because the chief of the pack. The Vizio supplied probably the most balanced and correct image throughout our comparisons, and it comes with some helpful extras akin to Dolby Imaginative and prescient help, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth compatibility and variable refresh price for doubtlessly smoother gaming. The most important draw back of the Vizio is its good TV platform, Vizio SmartCast. It is crowded, sluggish and affected by advertisements for platforms akin to Tubi and Kidoodle TV. Even if you think about the price of including a brand new streaming system, nonetheless, the V-Collection stays the most effective total entry-level TV that we examined.
Professionals:
- Strong picture high quality for an entry-level TV
- Numerous options, together with VRR and Wi-Fi 6E
Cons:
- Poor built-in good TV system
Vizio did not launch a 2023 model of the V-Collection, however we may even see a refresh in 2024.
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- Sony KD-X80K collection: Sony is a outstanding model and its higher-end TVs just like the X90J do nicely in opinions, however the entry-level TV in its 2022 lineup, the X80K, did not make the record. It prices across the similar because the TCL 6-Collection and Samsung Q60 TVs, and had a worse image than each, with lighter black ranges and distinction. It is positively not a nasty TV, and we preferred its Google good TV system, colour accuracy and connectivity, however you’ll be able to positively do higher for the cash. Learn our Sony KD-X80K collection evaluation.
- Amazon Hearth TV 4-Collection: One in every of many Hearth TVs out there on the market, this one is typical of the breed: so-so picture high quality and a sensible TV system that lags behind Roku and Google TV. Should you’re a giant fan of Alexa voice or see this TV at a very low value it is perhaps worthwhile, however in any other case go for the TCL 4-Collection. Learn our greatest funds TVs roundup.
Our TV opinions comply with a rigorous, unbiased analysis course of honed over practically twenty years of TV opinions. Our main TV check lab has specialised gear for measuring mild and colour, together with a Konica Minolta CS-2000 spectroradiometer, a Murideo Sig-G 4K HDR sign generator and an AVPro Join 8×8 4K HDR distribution matrix. We use Portrait Shows CalMan Final software program to guage every TV we evaluation. In each CNET TV evaluation, three or extra comparable TVs are in contrast aspect by aspect in numerous lighting circumstances enjoying totally different media, together with films, TV reveals and video games, throughout quite a lot of check classes, from colour to video processing to gaming to HDR. Our opinions additionally account for design; options; good TV efficiency; HDMI enter and gaming compatibility; and different components.
One vital side of picture high quality we check is total brightness. This is the way it compares in nits throughout choose TVs listed above.
Mild Output in Nits
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| TV | Brightest mode (HDR) | Correct mode (HDR) | Brightest mode (SDR) | Correct mode (SDR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung QN65Q90B | 3,316 | 1,981 | 2,625 | 974 |
| Hisense U8H | 1,867 | 1,867 | 1,605 | 1,605 |
| TCL 65R655 | 1,387 | 1,194 | 1,292 | 624 |
| Vizio M65QXM-K03 | 939 | 742 | 958 | 608 |
| LG OLED65C2 | 812 | 759 | 413 | 389 |
| Roku TV Plus (65-inch) | 514 | 455 | 579 | 404 |
Take a look at How We Take a look at TVs for extra particulars.
With all of the TVs out there as we speak, and all of the technical phrases and jargon related to tv know-how, it may be powerful to determine what’s vital. This is a fast information that will help you reduce by the confusion.
Worth: TVs vary in value from $100 to greater than $2,000. Smaller screens are cheaper, well-known manufacturers are costlier and spending more cash also can get you higher picture high quality. Most entry-level TVs have a ok image for most individuals, however TVs final a very long time, so it is perhaps value spending extra to get a greater image. It is also greatest to buy a TV within the fall, when costs are decrease.
Display dimension: Greater is best in our e book. We advocate a dimension of not less than 43 inches for a bed room TV and not less than 55 inches for a lounge or foremost TV — and 65 inches or bigger is greatest. Greater than some other “characteristic,” stepping up in TV display screen dimension is the most effective use of your cash. One of the crucial widespread post-TV-purchase complaints we have heard is from individuals who did not go large enough. And we virtually by no means hear individuals complain that their TV is simply too massive.
Functionality: Amongst entry-level TVs crucial characteristic is what sort of good TV system the TV makes use of. Amongst midrange fashions, search for a characteristic together with full-array native dimming, mini-LED and 120Hz refresh price, which (in contrast to another extras) do assist enhance the image, in our expertise. And amongst high-end TVs, OLED know-how is your greatest wager.
For extra TV shopping for recommendation take a look at Learn how to Purchase a TV.
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