The best 55-inch 4K TVs for 2024: OLED, QLED and more TVs for all budgets

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The best 55-inch 4K TVs are a great size for those stepping into the idea of a big, beautiful home theater. 55 inches is the amount of space where 4K resolution, advanced HDR tech and super-smooth gaming features all really step into their own, on a screen big enough to show them off.

While you can now get plenty of screen tech packed into the best 50-inch TVs, 55 inches is where you're most likely to find next-gen OLED and QLED panels, because it's such a popular screen size, and balances price and scale so well. 

Because of all this, the best 55-inch TVs have the most choice for options among any size range, really – both on price and technology. The best OLED TVs all come in 55 inches, for example – in fact, practically every one of the best TVs does. This can feel overwhelming, but a) we're here to help whittle it down to the most worthwhile, and b) this fierce competition means you tend to find fantastic discounts on 55-inch TVs a lot of the year, as companies battle to stand out. 

We alluded to this before, but all of best gaming TVs come in 55-inch sizes too, so it's easy to find something ready for PS5. Oh, and if 55-inches still isn’t big enough for you, you can go all in with our list of the best 65-inch TVs and go big or go home with the best 75-inch TVs.

Written by
Matthew Bolton headshot against grey background
Written by
Matt Bolton

Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Entertainment, and has over a decade of experience in tech publishing. He has been writing about the latest TVs and soundbars since 2017. The 55-inch TV list has had a few new additions and some re-arranging, particularly with, after some deliberation, the introduction of the Samsung S90C as the best OLED of 2024, due to its stunning picture and more affordable price for QD-OLED technology. 

The quick list

In a hurry and want to find out the best 55-inch TV for you? Check out our grid below. You can still get to more detailed reviews of every choice below if you're looking for more analysis and prices. 

The best 55-inch TVs of 2024

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Best 55-inch TV overall

Samsung S90C on a table

(Image credit: Future)
The best 55-inch OLED TV overall

Specifications

Panel type: QD-OLED
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Smart TV: Tizen
HDMI 2.1: 4
HDR: HDR10+, HDR, HLG
Measured peak brightness: 1,100 nits
Input lag: 9.2ms

Reasons to buy

+
Brighter than most OLEDs
+
Excellent gaming support
+
Great value QD-OLED

Reasons to avoid

-
The S95C and LG G3 are brighter
-
The S95C sounds better
-
No Dolby Vision
Buy it if:

✅ You want the best value QD-OLED: The S90C gives brilliant QD-OLED performance and picture at a more reasonable price

✅ You have a lot of connectivity needs: The S90C carries great gaming support including a 144Hz refresh rate and Samsung's Game hub.

Don't buy it if:

You want the full QD-OLED experience: The S90C doesn't quite hit the brightness of the S95C or quality of the Sony A95K

❌You need the best smart TV platform: Although improved, the Tizen OS from Samsung could still use some work

The S90C is Samsung's first attempt to make its exciting QD-OLED technology, first introduced in 2022, more affordable without compromising on any of the quality. It mostly succeeds, which is why it's our top recommended pick for most people.

Although not as bright as the S95C, the S90C still offers a fantastic, bright picture that is complimented with rich detail and deep blacks. The LG G3 also provides a brighter picture, but both it and the S95C are much more expensive than the S90C, meaning you still get a brilliant picture without blowing your budget. 

The S90C also carries excellent gaming features, with 4K 120Hz on four HDMI ports, VRR support and a dedicated game bar to make this an excellent choice for gamers who are looking to improve their gaming experience. However, like all other Samsungs on the list, it doesn't support Dolby Vision, but we feel the excellent picture quality and brightness more than compensate for this. 

You may not be getting all that QD-OLED can offer (look to the S95C for this) but with such a big price difference between the two, the S90C really shows its value. Marrying the brightness of QLED with the detailed blacks of an OLED for less money is a welcome thing and it's this reason that the Samsung S90C is our top overall pick that we think would suit most people looking for a new 55-inch panel.

Read our full Samsung S90C review

The best budget 55-inch TV

Amazon Omni QLED with dusk city landscape on screen

(Image credit: Future)
Best budget 55-inch TV

Specifications

Panel Type: QLED
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Smart TV: Fire TV
HDMI 2.1: 1 (eARC)
HDR support: Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG
Measured peak brightness: 531 nits
Input lag: 10.4ms

Reasons to buy

+
Surprisingly detailed picture
+
Good gaming performance 
+
Outstanding value 

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly clunky smart TV platform 
-
Average sound quality 
-
Middling black levels 
Buy it if:

✅ You want a 55-inch screen on a budget: The Omni QLED gives you a 55-inch QLED display for less than the competition. 

✅ You want a detailed picture: The color, sharpness and detail are all surprisingly great on the Omni QLED, considering its budget price. 

Don't buy it if:

You want the most intuitive smart TV platform: Fire TV on the Omni QLED can be clunky to navigate and a little slow at times.

❌ You want the sound quality to match the picture: Although it's punchy enough, the Omni QLED could benefit from a soundbar to get the most from your movies 

The Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED is a feature-packed TV that offers plenty of quality for an excellent price. While it may not be the strongest performer in any category, it offers you serious bang for your buck, which is why it won best value TV at the TechRadar Choice Awards 2023

Picture quality is one of the most surprising aspects of the Amazon Omni QLED. Its colors are punchy and dynamic, but maintain an accurate and natural look at the same time. Texture detail and sharpness are also well-balanced and again give a true-to-life look, with the Omni QLED's HDR picture being a particular highlight. While the Omni QLED's black levels can be inconsistent, with some black uniformity (the ability to evenly distribute black across the screen) issues, the picture you get for your money is impressive. 

Gaming-wise, the Omni QLED isn't the most feature packed TV, as it lacks 120Hz support, but it does come with VRR, ALLM and 4K Dolby Vision gaming. Performance wise, it handles fast motion and graphically intense moments well and the same colorful and detailed picture whilst it plays movies is present on games too. 

The Amazon Omni QLED isn't perfect. Its sound quality is direct but lacking, which means it could definitely benefit from a soundbar. Also, its smart TV platform can be clunky and slow to respond on occasion, but it's hard to argue against this TV on value for money. That's why it's the best budget 55-inch TV you can currently buy. 

Read our full Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED review

The best 55-inch premium OLED TV

The Samsung S95C displaying an abstract green design

(Image credit: Samsung)
The best 55-inch premium OLED TV

Specifications

Panel Type: QD-OLED
Refresh rate: 144Hz
Smart TV: Tizen
HDMI 2.1: 4
HDR: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+
Measured peak brightness: 1,400 nits
Input lag: 9.2ms

Reasons to buy

+
Wonderfully bright, colourful pictures
+
Spectacular contrast
+
Excellent gaming support

Reasons to avoid

-
No Dolby Vision support
-
Some initial presets need work
-
Slightly aggressive tone mapping
Buy it if:

✅ You want stunningly bright QD-OLED: The S95C offers an incredible level of brightness that is unrivalled for QD-OLEDs.

✅ You want excellent gaming features: The S95C gives almost everything you could need for gaming, and looks very good doing it.

Don't buy it if:

You need Dolby Vision: Despite being one of Samsung's flagship TVs, Dolby Vision is still missing.

❌ You're looking for the best value: This is a fantastic TV, but there are other options like the S90C that are better value for money.

The S95B TV from 2022 was remarkable given it was the first OLED TV model from Samsung in a decade. But now the newer Samsung S95C outguns it in almost every department – even in bringing bright and colorful images into your home, which we originally applauded the S95B for last year. 

Samsung has managed to find almost 40% more brightness. In our Samsung S95C review we said this is a "truly transformational" set-up. Especially when applied to a self-emissive, every-pixel-makes-its-own-light technology like OLED. We found that this impressive brightness is "particularly effective for HDR video, delivering a new level of enjoyment and realism and unleashing levels of colour volume and purity that we’ve never seen before from an OLED TV". 

We also highly rated viewing angles, sharpness and upscaling from the Samsung S95C too. But as well as making your movies, TVs and games look fantastic, the TV itself is ultra-slim with a miniscule screen trim – a great option if you want to hang your TV on a wall. It's also stacked with gaming features including up to 144Hz, VRR, ALLM, AMD FreeSync and a dedicated Game Hub. 

So why is the Samsung S95C not at the top of this list? It simply comes down to price. The Samsung S90C, which does top the list, does a lot of what the S95C does for cheaper. However, if you can stretch the budget, the S95C is a good step up and that's why it's our best premium OLED. 

Read our full Samsung S95C review

The best 55-inch TV for sports

Samsung QN90C showing green landscape

(Image credit: Future)
The best TV for watching sports

Specifications

Panel type: Mini-LED
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Smart TV: Tizen
HDMI 2.1: 4
HDR support: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Measured peak brightness: 1,787 nits
Input lag: 9.8ms

Reasons to buy

+
High brightness and anti-glare
+
Excellent gaming features
+
Great for daytime sports viewing

Reasons to avoid

-
Some backlight blooming
-
Complicated interface
-
Pricey compared to other mini-LEDs
Buy it if:

✅ You have a bright viewing room: The QN90C's anti-glare screen make this an essential TV for daytime viewing in bright rooms

✅ You're a sports fan: High brightness, great picture quality and consistent images from all angles will get the best out of any sport

Don't buy it if:

You want the cheapest mini-LED: There are more budget mini-LED options available, including the TCL 6-series above

You want the absolute best TV: The Samsung QN95C is a better mini-LED and some QD-OLEDs do best the QN90C

The Samsung QN90C offers an extra bright, detailed picture that makes it the perfect TV for daytime sport viewing and gaming. Not quite as bright as Samsung's flagship Neo QLED, the QN95C, it is more affordable and still delivers fantastic specs.

Speaking of gaming, the QN90C offers all the options gamers could want including 4K 120Hz support across all four HDMI 2.1 ports, VRR and Freesync premium. With a respectably low input lag time too, the QN90C is well suited to next gen gaming consoles to really get the best out of them.

With an anti-glare screen and an impressive brightness, the QN90C makes short work of bright rooms. It also looks good from any angle, making it ideal for big groups to watch TV during the day and with good processing power and colorful pictures, it's a definite top choice for sports fans.

As we mentioned above, the QN90C doesn't have the same brightness as the QN95C. But it's our choice for best mini-LED on this list due to the price difference between the two for not a great deal of difference in specs, other than brightness and the one-connect box. 

Although it doesn't deliver in terms of picture quality quite as highly as some of the other TVs on our list, namely OLEDs like the Samsung S95C or the Sony A95K, due to some backlight blooming issues, the surprising amount of gaming support and exceptional daytime viewing abilities make this an excellent TV. Those with bright rooms, this may be your choice. 

Read our full Samsung QN90C review

The best budget 55-inch OLED TV

LG B3 OLED TV with satellite dish in desert on screen

(Image credit: Future)
The best budget 55-inch OLED TV

Specifications

Panel type : OLED
Refresh rate: 120hz
Smart TV: WebOS
HDMI 2.1: 2
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Measured peak brightness: 649 nits in Standard mode
Input lag: 9.2ms in Boost mode

Reasons to buy

+
Spectacular picture details  
+
Affordable price, for an OLED 
+
Extensive selection of gaming features 

Reasons to avoid

-
Sub-par audio 
-
Cheap-feeling stand 
-
Just two HDMI 2.1 ports 
Buy it if:

✅ You want an OLED that won't break the bank: The LG B3 offers serious value thanks to its price vs performance. 

✅ You need fantastic picture quality: Thanks to its rich contrast and dynamic color, the B3 really packs a punch. 

Don't buy it if:

You're looking for full HDR support: It may support Dolby Vision, but sadly the B3, like all LG TVs, doesn't support HDR10+.

You don't want to buy a soundbar: The B3's audio is lacking sadly, so to get the most from it you'll need to invest in a soundbar.

The LG B3 does exactly what you'd want in a budget OLED TV – it offers brilliant picture and performance, while saving you money. Now, it's not the cheapest set on this list by any stretch, but it does give you that OLED picture quality that other TVs can't offer, which is worth that bit extra if you can stretch your budget.

When we tested the B3, we were surprised at just how good it's picture quality was. Black levels were particularly crisp and textures were sharp, yet natural in whatever movies, TV shows or footage we threw its way. In our review, we found when testing some HDR demo footage from Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark Blu-ray that "Night scenes within cities looked crisp, with the lights of the skyscrapers standing out from the black backgrounds. Colors were also dynamic within scenes of nature, with bright blue skies seeming natural against the rocky landscape below." 

Gaming-wise, the B3 also performs incredibly well. Graphically intense moments (i.e. when there's a lot of movement occurring during a fast-paced action game) were a breeze for the B3, thanks to its 9.2ms input lag time (measured in 4K/60Hz) putting it up there with some of the best gaming TVs. It does only come with two HDMI 2.1 ports but apart from this, the B3 does support a lot of gaming feature. It has Dolby Vision gaming, 4K 120Hz support and a stack of other gaming features including AMD Freesync. 

The B3 isn't perfect, though. For one, its stand feels cheap and its audio quality doesn't match the picture performance, meaning you'll need to invest in a soundbar. But considering what the B3 does for such a low price point, and the fact that it has been found to be discounted, it's fantastic for those looking for a 55-inch OLED with money to spare.

Read our full LG B3 review

The best 55-inch TV for versatility

LG C3 OLED TV showing image of sunset on water onscreen

(Image credit: Future)
The best for picture quality and versatility

Specifications

Panel type: OLED
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Smart TV: WebOS 23
HDMI 2.1: 4
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Measured peak brightness: 830 nits
Input lag: 9.2ms

Reasons to buy

+
Great overall picture quality
+
Improved smart TV interface
+
Extensive gaming features

Reasons to avoid

-
Average built-in audio performance
-
No ATSC 3.0 broadcast TV support
-
Priced the same as last year’s C2 series
Buy it if:

✅ You like a very good, all-rounder: A fantastic picture, tons of gaming support and a good interface make the LG C3 a jack of all trades

✅ You need lots of size options: Not content with being a top 55-inch option, the C3 is available in 42-83 inch screen sizes

Don't buy it if:

The LG C2 is still available: The LG C3 makes minor improvements, but stays at an inflated price for these incremental changes

You are expecting stellar audio for the money: The LG C3 has lots of sound settings, but it is still lacking compared to other TVs

2022's LG C2 TV, which spent a long time at the top of the guide until it was replaced by the Samsung S90C, is fantastic, combining top performance, features, and a good value price. The LG OLED55C3 is the C2's successor and we're happy to report it’s every bit as impressive as its predecessor, and then some. 

We liked that the features and specs on offer here make this a versatile choice for both gamers and movie lovers alike. It has four HDMI 2.1 inputs with a range of support that includes 4K 120Hz, VRR, along with FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync, and ALLM. Cloud gaming options include Nvidia GeForce Now and Utomik.

LG’s Alpha9 Gen6 chip used for picture processing brings new HDR-improving features including OLED Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro and Expression Enhancer, both of which have an impact on image quality. You'll get similar picture brightness to the C2, but the level of contrast, clarity, and definition it delivers is notable.

So why isn't the C3 higher up the list? Although still a great TV, the C3 doesn't quite have the brightness of Samsung's QD-OLEDs that give them the edge. But, in terms of versatility, the C3 is hard to beat with brilliant picture quality, gaming support and a wide variety of sizes ranging from 42-83 inches. 

Read our full LG C3 OLED review

The best mid-range 55-inch TV

Samsung Q80C showing an abstract pattern onscreen

(Image credit: Future)
Samsung delivers superb value for money and impressive HDR

Specifications

Panel type: QLED
Refresh rate: 120Hz
Smart TV: Tizen
HDMI 2.1: 4
HDR: HDR10+, HDR10, HLG
Measured peak brightness: 929 nits
Input lag: 9.7ms

Reasons to buy

+
Bright, colorful HDR pictures 
+
Great lighting control 
+
Good value 

Reasons to avoid

-
No Dolby Vision
-
Limited viewing angles 
-
Some minor backlight limitations
Buy it if:

✅ You want a decent offering of gaming support: For the money, the Q80C has great gaming features including 4K 120Hz on four HDMI ports. 

✅ You want an excellent picture: The Samsung Q80C offers some of the best picture quality we've seen from a mid-range TV.

Don't buy it if:

You need multiple viewing angles: Once viewed from more than 30 degrees, the Q80C's picture does start to lose quality.

You want Dolby Vision: The Q80C doesn't support Dolby Vision, like all Samsung TVs, for either your games or your movies and TV shows 

The Samsung Q80C delivers phenomenal picture quality for its price. Although it doesn't have the brightness and color definition of Samsung's more premium mini-LED TVs, what it does with a QLED panel is astounding. In our review, we said it delivered a "mid-range masterclass" and thanks to this stunning picture and the extensive list of features it has, it lives up to that title. 

Although it doesn't reach the heights of Samsung's more premium mini-LED and OLED models, the Samsung Q80C is bright for the money, with peak brightness levels measuring at 929 nits. Not just a bright TV, it also has bold and vibrant colors that don't overwhelm, keeping a subtle tone at the same time. Black levels and contrast are also excellent, something that can falter in other QLED models. The Q80C's viewing angles may not be perfect, but almost evert aspect of its picture is superb.

Gaming is another strong point for the Q80C. It comes with plenty of gaming features that we look for including 120Hz across all four HDMI ports, (which will keep next-gen console owners happy) VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium and ALLM. It also comes with Samsung's Game Hub built-in, which provides cloud based gaming apps and collates everything gaming for easy access. 

The Q80C may not have the strongest audio in the world, but we were impressed at how clear dialogue was and how effective the Object Tracking Sound (OTS) system was, with the audio accurately following the action on screen. 

The Samsung Q80C sits pretty much at the halfway point in Samsung 2023 lineup; not quite a mini-LED or OLED but better than the LED budget screens. But, the Q80C is quite simply a brilliant TV for its price, living up to the name of a 'mid-range QLED marvel'.

Read our full Samsung Q80C review

The best 55-inch TV for wall mounting

A picture of the LG G3 TV on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)
The best 55-inch TV for wall mounting thanks to a special bracket

Specifications

Panel type: OLED (Micro Lens Array)
Refresh rate : 120Hz
Smart TV: webOS 23
HDMI 2.1: 4x HDMI 2.1
HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
Measured peak brightness: 1,449 nits
Input lag: 12.9ms

Reasons to buy

+
Superb picture and brightness
+
Unbeaten gaming performance and features
+
Special wall bracket in the box

Reasons to avoid

-
Sound quality doesn't match picture
-
Not as good value as Samsung S95C
-
If you want a stand, it's extra
Buy it if:

✅ You want outstanding picture quality: Expect vibrant colors, punchy and dynamic images, stunning black levels, and a new-found HDR brightness to top it all off.

✅ You want a perfect gaming TV: The LG G3 offers Dolby Vision gaming and 4K 120Hz with VRR and ALLM support across all four HDMI ports.

Don't buy it if:

You want incredible built-in sound: While credible enough, its built-in audio won’t best the likes of the Samsung S90C/95C or the Sony A80L.

You need a stand: Designed with wall mounting in mind, there are no optional feet or a stand included with the G3, only a pricey optional stand. 

The LG G3 is an incredibly bright, incredibly impressive TV. To achieve this, LG added micro lens array (MLA) tech its already fantastic OLED Evo panel, as well as LG's latest generation of image processor. Combine all these elements together and not only do you get a substantial brightness increase, but also picture quality that's truly phenomenal, with spectacular contrast, detailed, true-to-life textures and vibrant colors. 

Although the LG G3 is an excellent TV generally, it's our top pick if you want a gorgeous-looking TV built for wall mounting. It has a sleek, bezel-less build that looks elegant when it's been mounted on a wall, and it comes with a special wall mount in the box that's designed to let it sit flush to the wall, with no unsightly gap. But if you don't want it on a wall, you'll need to buy an extra stand. With the G3 ranging in sizes from 55-inch to 83-inch (although the 83-inch has a less-bright panel so will perform differently), there’s an option here for nearly all home theater lovers. 

The LG G3 is perfect for gamers. There are extensive features on offer here, including 4K 120Hz support on all four 2.1 HDMI ports, Dolby Vision gaming at 120Hz, VRR, and ALLM. Pair all of these excellent specs with intuitive Game Dashboard menu and extremely useful Game Optimizer picture mode, and it’s hard to fault. The only slight downside is built-in sound is just fine, but you'll just need to invest in one of the best soundbars to match the excellent quality of this TV's picture. 

Read our full LG G3 review

How to choose the best 55-inch TV

What is the best 55-inch smart TV?

Right now, the best 55-inch TV available, that sits at the top of our list, is the Samsung S90C. It combines the best of what makes an OLED (deep blacks and superb contrast) with QLED (high brightness levels) into one outstanding package. Not only that, but it does it for a competitive price too. 

How much should you pay for a 55-inch TV?

55-inch TVs can be very cheap, with some budget LCD models costing just $400 / £400 – though that number will double for mid mid-tier options, if not triple and quadruple for high-end screens with OLED panels or Mini LED backlighting. A brand new 55-inch OLED will usually cost around $1,799 / £1,799, for example.

Is a 55-inch smart TV big enough?

55-inch TVs are the flagship size for today's televisions. That makes it pretty much the most common sizing option. It's a kind of happy medium between 32-inch small TVs and massive 75-inch TVs.

It's worth thinking hard about how important screen size is to you, though. You'll likely pay less for smaller screens, as with the 48-inch OLED TVs that generally offer premium TV tech for less, or the lower-spec models found at 40-inch sizes.

However, larger screens are increasingly becoming the norm for those that can fit them into their home, and mass production means a big-screen display isn't quite the bank-breaking cost that it used to be.

A bigger screen means more detail that's more easily visible at a larger distance – ideal for family movie nights or those after a truly impactful home cinema. Keep in mind though that picture defects are also more visible at larger sizes, so you should make sure that you're getting a TV good enough to warrant a step-up screen size.

What should I look for in a 55-inch TV?

At this ample size, you should absolutely be looking for some good features – lest you get stuck with a large screen that simply blows up artefacts and visual defects.

OLED or mini-LED screens are well worth getting at this size, without the truly extravagant price points of larger models – 55 inch TVs offer a smart, well-judged entry point to premium TV tech. For LCD models, you want to make sure you're getting direct full array lighting rather than the edge lighting still found on some budget sets, which limits the consistency of brightness across the screen.

Otherwise, 4K HDR is a given, and you may want to check that HDMI 2.1 is included if you're partial to gaming, with the VRR (variable refresh rate) and ALLM (auto low latency mode) support usually thrown in.

How we test the best 55-inch TVs

We use the same methods to test the best 55-inch TVs as we do across all our other TV buying guides. This testing criteria is broken down by picture quality (looking at particular elements such as contrast, color and so on), audio quality of built-in speakers,  gaming features, smart TV platform, ease of use, design and value for money. We base our testing on subjective opinion and objective measurements of the picture quality, which we take using specialized equipment. 

Firstly, we’ll run in the TVs across various types of AV sources, such as broadcast, streaming and 4K Blu-ray. During this time, we’ll cycle through the different picture presets found on each set, such as  Standard, Movie and Sport, to establish what we see as the most accurate for that set. We then watch the same movies, TV shows and so on again, making notes of how they compare to each other.

When analyzing picture quality, we’ll use a mixture of sources such as 4K Blu-ray and streaming to look at color reproduction and accuracy, contrast and black levels, and textures. We’ll then use lower-resolution sources such as broadcast TV and DVD to test a TV’s upscaling effectiveness. 

We’ll also look at how a TV handles black uniformity (how well it can display dark tones across the screen evenly), especially on LCD based models. This is when we consider how effective the backlight is and if it suffers from any backlight blooming. We’ll also test motion, not just for 24fps movies but also for sports viewing, looking out for judder and blur – and seeing how effective a TVs motion settings are for reducing this. 

After we’ve conducted subjective tests surrounding picture quality, smart TV platform, sound quality and so on, we move onto objective tests using specialized equipment to measure color accuracy, brightness, grayscale and more, recording results through Portrait Displays' Calman calibration software

The first area we will usually test is brightness. We use a test pattern generator and colorimeter to measure a TV’s brightness levels across a variety of window sizes, from 1% all the way to 100% (full screen brightness). The more significant window sizes include 10%, which will usually tell you what a TV’s peak brightness is and how HDR highlights will look, and 100%, which will indicate the TV’s full screen brightness and how it can handle longer periods of brightness across the whole screen (which is often important when viewing sports). Full screen brightness generally also tells us how effective a TV will be at handling reflections. We do these tests to not only test a TV’s backlight, but also to measure our results against any figures claimed by the manufacturer. Brightness tests are conducted in light controlled rooms to prevent any external light sources affecting results. 

Color reproduction, in both SDR and HDR, is also tested as we look at each TV’s accuracy to its source and how wide a color gamut it can display on screen. We won’t just look at color though, we also look at grayscale to test how accurately a TV can display black tones and just how effective its contrast is as well. 

When it comes to gaming tests, we use the Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI input lag tester to test the latency time that a TV’s processing adds when displaying video games. We’ll also test the effectiveness of a TV’s Game Mode (if it has one), which is often used to adjust the TV’s settings to its most optimum when gaming. We also look out for a number of features such as how many HDMI 2.1 ports a TV has and whether it supports VRR, 4K 120Hz, ALLM and more. 

When conducting these tests, we aim to keep everything as consistent as possible in our TV testing lab but it’s worth noting that some reviewers will work in different environments with different setups. In those instances, we always make sure that our reviewers have the same level of equipment and conduct the same tests. 

Latest Updates to the best 55-inch TV list

March 5, 2024
Expanded the 'How We Test' section to give more detail on how the TVs in this guide are tested. 

January 31, 2024
Replaced the LG A2 with the LG B3 as 'best budget OLED' due to dwindling stock levels of the A2. 

January 4, 2024
Added LG G3 as the 'best for wall mounting'. Checked the rest of list against our latest reviews.

December 13, 2023
Combined best budget UK and US to best budget and chose the Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED. Removed Sony A95K and 'best for image quality' category. Renamed Samsung S95C as 'best premium OLED'. Replaced Samsung Q80B with Samsung Q80C as 'best mid-range' due to stock levels.

Matt Bolton
Managing Editor, Entertainment

Matt is TechRadar's Managing Editor for Entertainment, meaning he's in charge of persuading our team of writers and reviewers to watch the latest TV shows and movies on gorgeous TVs and listen to fantastic speakers and headphones. It's a tough task, as you can imagine. Matt has over a decade of experience in tech publishing, and previously ran the TV & audio coverage for our colleagues at T3.com, and before that he edited T3 magazine. During his career, he's also contributed to places as varied as Creative Bloq, PC Gamer, PetsRadar, MacLife, and Edge. TV and movie nerdism is his speciality, and he goes to the cinema three times a week. He's always happy to explain the virtues of Dolby Vision over a drink, but he might need to use props, like he's explaining the offside rule.