There’s a lot to consider when you’re trying to choose the best TV, including getting the right-sized TV to fit your space. For instance, a 55-inch TV sits in the sweet spot for smaller areas such as bedrooms or a gaming room.
A 55-inch television is a mainstream choice and can feature some of the most cutting edge fetaures: full-array local dimming, OLED screens, 120Hz refresh rate, 4K UHD resolution, high dynamic range and a bunch of HDMI ports. They come loaded with smart TV features, which let you stream your favorite shows and films on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, Disney Plus and more.
At CNET, we review TVs side by side in a state-of-the-art testing lab, taking hundreds of measurements with specialized equipment, comparing gaming, home theater and bright-room image quality. My 20 years of experience as a TV reviewer helps me determine not just the best 55-inch TV overall but also the best 55-inch TV in your price range. To help you pick the best one for you, we’ve put together the best 55-inch TVs of 2024 below.
What is the best 55-inch TV right now?
The Hisense U8 Series appears on our list of best TVs for a number of reasons. It offers superb picture quality and an affordable price, plus gaming features like 4K/120Hz input and variable refresh rate that can get the most out of consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. When friends ask me what TV to buy at 55 inches, and money is still an object, I tell them to get the Hisense U8N.
Today’s tvs Deals*
No deals found for the current product category.
Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article.
There are plenty of other excellent choices, so although the Hisense U8N is my current favorite for most people, it might not be right for your preferences or budget.
Read more: Every TV Can Look Better by Changing These Settings
Best 55-inch TVs in 2024
Photo Gallery 1/1
If you’re looking for the best TV for the money and the 65-inch TCL QM8 is just too big, the Hisense U8N should be your go-to. We compared the two TVs side-by-side, and while we liked the QM8 just a bit better, the U8N has one medium-size advantage: a 55-inch screen option. If 65 inches is too large for your room, your budget or your tastes, the choice between the two is simple: Get the 55-inch Hisense U8N.
Both offer excellent image quality and affordable prices thanks to mini-LED backlights and full-array local dimming, as well as similar gaming features and the Google TV operating system. Both cost hundreds less than you’d have to pay to get similar image quality from a better-known brand.
Note that while we tested the 65-inch size in the U8K series, the prices shown here are for the 55-inch size.
You can read our C4 review here, and while we previously recommended the earlier C3 the two TVs cost the same right now. Not much changed between the C3 and C4, however, so just get whichever model is cheaper.
” page-position=”” linktext=”Read our LG C4 series OLED TV review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/lg-oled-c4-review-high-end-staple-balances-picture-quality-and-value/” like=”~Excellent overall image quality
~Preserves contrast well in bright rooms
~Superior contrast and off-angle viewing
~Wide variety of size offerings” dislike=”~Expensive ~No major improvements over the C3″ can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”7daecf41-a8c7-4067-ade6-9b4f4829dbbb”,”slug”:”lg-55-class-c4-series-oled-evo-4k-uhd-smart-webos-tv-2024″,”name”:””LG – 55″” Class C4 Series OLED evo 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2024)””,”productType”:”PRODUCT”,”updateType”:”AUTOPID”,”mod”:1733780013019}” overridecredit=”Josh Goldman/CNET” overridecaption=”
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”af4b83ad-9862-4817-be05-90262f0c590c”,”alt”:”lg-c4-01″,”caption”:”
“,”credits”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”af4b83ad-9862-4817-be05-90262f0c590c”,”filename”:”lg-c4-01.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/0f28b5b57d42a3e11b8347e20574c5c5fefce570/hub/2024/07/16/af4b83ad-9862-4817-be05-90262f0c590c/lg-c4-01.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2024-07-16 18:09:36.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/0f28b5b57d42a3e11b8347e20574c5c5fefce570/hub/2024/07/16/af4b83ad-9862-4817-be05-90262f0c590c/lg-c4-01.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”
“,”imageCredit”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”lg-c4-01″,”imageFilename”:”lg-c4-01.jpg”,”imageWidth”:5713,”imageHeight”:3207,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2024-07-16″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”hd9xn9zaclvs38u”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__c088ac73-7ac3-4dda-8a3a-8f42dc41fb45″ index=”2″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”project-save,amazon,lg,roku,samsung,sony,vizio,hv14,tcl” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Josh Goldman/CNET” imagealttext=”lg-c4-01″ class=”c-bestListListicle”>
Photo Gallery 1/1
The C4 represents better picture quality than any non-OLED TV on this list at a higher price but is still not outrageously expensive. Its perfect black levels, unbeatable contrast and superb off-angle viewing kept it a notch above the mini-LED models in my comparison tests, and while its overall brightness isn’t quite as impressive, it’s still an incredible performer in all kinds of room lighting.
You can read our C4 review here, and while we previously recommended the earlier C3 the two TVs cost the same right now. Not much changed between the C3 and C4, however, so just get whichever model is cheaper.
In a bright room, the G4 fell short of the performance of its direct competitor, the Samsung S95D, which is the best TV for picture quality that we’ve seen this year. The Samsung uses an all-new matte screen finish, which in our tests did a better job fighting reflections than the more typical glossy screen of the LG. The S95D’s matte finish has its downside, namely a reduction in contrast, but overall we preferred its bright-room image quality over the G4’s.
The major caveat here is that both TVs performed well (and practically identically) in a dark room. So unless you routinely have a bright viewing environment, the G4 performs just as well as the S95D. The G4 also comes in significantly more sizes than the S95D, making it a more versatile option.
Glare-free or not, here’s where we mention that most TV viewers will be perfectly satisfied with something less expensive but still excellent, like the step-down LG C4 or a mini-LED model. The G4 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a high-performance television and is willing to pay for it.
” page-position=”” linktext=”Read our full review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/lg-g4-oled-tv-stunning-picture-quality-available-in-larger-sizes/” like=”~Superb overall image quality ~Preserves black levels well in bright rooms ~Superior contrast and off-angle viewing ~Wide variety of size offerings” dislike=”~Expensive ~Glossy screen catches reflections in bright rooms” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”78075443-c092-47c7-b727-4e8120421e92″,”label”:””LG – 55″” Class G4 Series OLED evo 4K UHD Smart webOS TV””,”slug”:”lg-55-class-g4-series-oled-evo-4k-uhd-smart-webos-tv”,”edition”:[“us”],”imageId”:”aca1835c-d4f8-4009-9f8c-eaa43a9479d9″,”imgUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/1afbe2ac0bb1eb1d85e21fb993378246f431668c/hub/2024/03/21/aca1835c-d4f8-4009-9f8c-eaa43a9479d9/6578049-sd.jpg?auto=webp&width=300&height=300&fit=crop”,”imageHeight”:0,”imageWidth”:0,”typeLabel”:”Product”,”objectType”:”content_product”,”icon”:””}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”78075443-c092-47c7-b727-4e8120421e92″,”name”:””LG – 55″” Class G4 Series OLED evo 4K UHD Smart webOS TV””,”slug”:”lg-55-class-g4-series-oled-evo-4k-uhd-smart-webos-tv”,”productType”:”PRODUCT”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1721407653822,”displayDate”:”Fri Jul 19 2024 09:47:33 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)”}” overridecredit=”Josh Goldman/CNET” overridecaption=”
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”bed934f4-d75b-4dc0-9f83-34eaf8c0a022″,”alt”:”lg-g4-08″,”caption”:”
“,”credits”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”bed934f4-d75b-4dc0-9f83-34eaf8c0a022″,”filename”:”lg-g4-08.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/ea0792cc503f239bc633710b581ffdce281b5d93/hub/2024/06/07/bed934f4-d75b-4dc0-9f83-34eaf8c0a022/lg-g4-08.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2024-06-07 16:48:24.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/ea0792cc503f239bc633710b581ffdce281b5d93/hub/2024/06/07/bed934f4-d75b-4dc0-9f83-34eaf8c0a022/lg-g4-08.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”
“,”imageCredit”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”lg-g4-08″,”imageFilename”:”lg-g4-08.jpg”,”imageWidth”:5184,”imageHeight”:2920,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2024-06-07″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”f74ywdvjr7payg4″,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__5494776a-e35d-40f5-a42d-3d70eccdd537″ index=”3″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”project-save,amazon,lg,roku,samsung,sony,vizio,hv14,tcl” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Josh Goldman/CNET” imagealttext=”lg-g4-08″ class=”c-bestListListicle”>
Photo Gallery 1/1
In 2023 we awarded the G3 the title of the best TV for picture quality, and this year’s version, the G4, is even better. In our side-by-side comparisons it beat its predecessor in brightness and overall image quality with the kind of jaw-dropping images you can only get from a topflight OLED TV.
In a bright room, the G4 fell short of the performance of its direct competitor, the Samsung S95D, which is the best TV for picture quality that we’ve seen this year. The Samsung uses an all-new matte screen finish, which in our tests did a better job fighting reflections than the more typical glossy screen of the LG. The S95D’s matte finish has its downside, namely a reduction in contrast, but overall we preferred its bright-room image quality over the G4’s.
The major caveat here is that both TVs performed well (and practically identically) in a dark room. So unless you routinely have a bright viewing environment, the G4 performs just as well as the S95D. The G4 also comes in significantly more sizes than the S95D, making it a more versatile option.
Glare-free or not, here’s where we mention that most TV viewers will be perfectly satisfied with something less expensive but still excellent, like the step-down LG C4 or a mini-LED model. The G4 is an excellent choice for anyone who wants a high-performance television and is willing to pay for it.
Between its versatile matte screen and awesome picture overall, the Samsung S95D delivers the best image quality of any TV we’ve tested, beating both the G4 and last year’s winner, the G3, as well as any other non-OLED TV. It also costs a ton, and most people — even those with bright rooms — will be perfectly happy with a less expensive TV.
The price shown below is for the 55-inch TV.
” page-position=”” linktext=”Read our full review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/samsung-s95d-oled-tv-the-best-picture-quality-bright-room-or-dark/” like=”~Best overall image quality we’ve tested ~Best-in-class glare reduction in a bright rooms ~Superior contrast and off-angle viewing ~Ultrathin panel with external input box” dislike=”~Expensive ~Slightly diminished contrast in bright rooms” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”dc7e79cd-034f-46dc-8051-97709bd86895″,”label”:”Samsung – 55” Class S95D Series OLED 4K Smart Tizen TV”,”slug”:”samsung-55-class-s95d-series-oled-4k-smart-tizen-tv”,”edition”:[“us”],”imageId”:”c311b602-f542-41aa-b501-24b5b787f5ab”,”imgUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/60798b08ddd56e80529eda5b5b5878b7ffc3eb83/hub/2024/03/21/c311b602-f542-41aa-b501-24b5b787f5ab/6576559-sd.jpg?auto=webp&width=300&height=300&fit=crop”,”imageHeight”:0,”imageWidth”:0,”typeLabel”:”Product”,”objectType”:”content_product”,”icon”:””}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”dc7e79cd-034f-46dc-8051-97709bd86895″,”name”:”Samsung – 55” Class S95D Series OLED 4K Smart Tizen TV”,”slug”:”samsung-55-class-s95d-series-oled-4k-smart-tizen-tv”,”productType”:”PRODUCT”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1716908566642,”displayDate”:”Tue May 28 2024 08:02:46 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)”}” overridecredit=”Josh Goldman/CNET” overridecaption=”
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”bb468765-a7b3-44c5-8983-e9b89897cef0″,”alt”:”The Samsung S95D OLED TV in a bright room.”,”caption”:”
“,”credits”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”bb468765-a7b3-44c5-8983-e9b89897cef0″,”filename”:”image.png”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/683121f3643ee45cbbf94b8894e1ea4c3519592a/hub/2024/05/17/bb468765-a7b3-44c5-8983-e9b89897cef0/image.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2024-05-17 20:18:31.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/683121f3643ee45cbbf94b8894e1ea4c3519592a/hub/2024/05/17/bb468765-a7b3-44c5-8983-e9b89897cef0/image.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”
“,”imageCredit”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”The Samsung S95D OLED TV in a bright room.”,”imageFilename”:”image.png”,”imageWidth”:5057,”imageHeight”:2848,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2024-05-17″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”9wxwz74tarr7kgh”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__f36f5d4f-0331-4609-ae74-ddba8c60a4f5″ index=”4″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”project-save,amazon,lg,roku,samsung,sony,vizio,hv14,tcl” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Josh Goldman/CNET” imagealttext=”The Samsung S95D OLED TV in a bright room.” class=”c-bestListListicle”>
Photo Gallery 1/1
The Samsung S95D’s matte finish does more than reduce reflections, it nearly eliminates them, improving image quality in bright rooms more than any OLED TV we’ve tested. Some non-OLED models have matte screens, but this is the first time they’ve been available in an OLED TV, a display technology that has always delivered the best picture available. That matte finish really works, reducing windows and other glare to dimmer blobs instead of super-bright, mirror-like distractions. The S95D also has an external box, allowing for a cleaner look with the option to store HDMI connections and the power cord out of sight.
Between its versatile matte screen and awesome picture overall, the Samsung S95D delivers the best image quality of any TV we’ve tested, beating both the G4 and last year’s winner, the G3, as well as any other non-OLED TV. It also costs a ton, and most people — even those with bright rooms — will be perfectly happy with a less expensive TV.
The price shown below is for the 55-inch TV.
The 4-Series’ advantage over the Vizio is that it comes with the excellent Roku Smart TV system built in. That makes it a great choice for those looking for a one-stop smart TV solution, without having to add an external streaming device.
Note that TCL has been selling the 4-Series for the last few years with little to no change in image quality although it has recently added some larger screen sizes, including an 85-inch option, plus Google TV in the 2024 version.
” page-position=”” linktext=”” linkurl=”” like=”~Affordable ~Excellent smart TV system” dislike=”~Image quality and features lag some entry-level TVs” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”1eaaeb83-7219-4df2-bd2e-ec0174ca9966″,”label”:””TCL – 55″” Class 4-Series 4K UHD HDR Smart Roku TV””,”slug”:”tcl-55-class-4-series-4k-uhd-hdr-smart-roku-tv”,”edition”:[“US”,”ES”],”imageId”:”9255a2a2-73dc-45a6-b270-af748af31447″,”imgUrl”:”/content/image/redirect/9255a2a2-73dc-45a6-b270-af748af31447/resize/75×56″,”typeLabel”:”Tech Product”,”objectType”:”content_product”,”icon”:”type-icon ct-cmg-tech-product ct-small”}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”1eaaeb83-7219-4df2-bd2e-ec0174ca9966″,”slug”:”tcl-55-class-4-series-4k-uhd-hdr-smart-roku-tv”,”name”:””TCL – 55″” Class 4-Series 4K UHD HDR Smart Roku TV””,”productType”:”PRODUCT”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1733780005865}” overridecredit=”David Katzmaier” overridecaption=”
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”c496e8fc-c71e-4a1f-81d1-a2b6e4bda962″,”alt”:”TCL 4 Series Roku TV on a stand”,”caption”:”
“,”credits”:”David Katzmaier”,”imageData”:{“id”:”c496e8fc-c71e-4a1f-81d1-a2b6e4bda962″,”filename”:”budget-tvs-6157.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/78ce276ec5c1308e45b4da1175e993c379f6c1ae/hub/2022/10/18/c496e8fc-c71e-4a1f-81d1-a2b6e4bda962/budget-tvs-6157.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2022-10-18 20:48:52.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/78ce276ec5c1308e45b4da1175e993c379f6c1ae/hub/2022/10/18/c496e8fc-c71e-4a1f-81d1-a2b6e4bda962/budget-tvs-6157.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”
“,”imageCredit”:”David Katzmaier”,”imageAltText”:”TCL 4 Series Roku TV on a stand”,”imageFilename”:”budget-tvs-6157.jpg”,”imageWidth”:3000,”imageHeight”:1688,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2022-10-18″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”e1tuegpjbdse68e”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__73ab4c98-ce54-4846-af39-158949e23646″ index=”5″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”project-save,amazon,lg,roku,samsung,sony,vizio,hv14,tcl” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”David Katzmaier” imagealttext=”TCL 4 Series Roku TV on a stand” class=”c-bestListListicle”>
Photo Gallery 1/1
The picture quality of the TCL 4-Series Roku TV was a step behind the Vizio V-Series in our 2022 budget TV test, but the differences between the two were slight enough that you’d really have to have them set up side by side to notice anything at all. The Roku 4-Series lacks Dolby Vision, Bluetooth connectivity and AMD FreeSync with a variable refresh rate, all of which the Vizio offers.
The 4-Series’ advantage over the Vizio is that it comes with the excellent Roku Smart TV system built in. That makes it a great choice for those looking for a one-stop smart TV solution, without having to add an external streaming device.
Note that TCL has been selling the 4-Series for the last few years with little to no change in image quality although it has recently added some larger screen sizes, including an 85-inch option, plus Google TV in the 2024 version.
” page-position=”” linktext=”Read our Roku Plus Series Review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/roku-plus-series-tv-review-simple-smarts-meet-solid-picture/” like=”~Affordable ~Good picture quality thanks to local dimming ~Great smart TV system” dislike=”~Lacks 120Hz refresh rate and other gaming extras ~Not as bright as some similarly priced TVs” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”fd98ae93-ce48-4c75-8207-55a62a2de521″,”label”:””Roku – 55″” Class Plus Series QLED 4K Smart RokuTV””,”slug”:”roku-55-class-plus-series-qled-4k-smart-rokutv-55r6a5r55r6ax”,”edition”:[“us”],”imageId”:””,”imgUrl”:””,”imageHeight”:0,”imageWidth”:0,”typeLabel”:”Product”,”objectType”:”content_product”,”icon”:””}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”fd98ae93-ce48-4c75-8207-55a62a2de521″,”slug”:”roku-55-class-plus-series-qled-4k-smart-rokutv-55r6a5r55r6ax”,”name”:””Roku – 55″” Class Plus Series QLED 4K Smart RokuTV””,”productType”:”PRODUCT”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1733780005376}” overridecredit=”Josh Goldman/CNET” overridecaption=”
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”f933f488-adeb-4d2d-9d5f-a7315749ae96″,”alt”:”Roku TV on a wooden TV cabinet”,”caption”:”
“,”credits”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”f933f488-adeb-4d2d-9d5f-a7315749ae96″,”filename”:”roku-tv-23-09.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/00323c9170e6c9349450875873761003b774bb7a/hub/2023/04/06/f933f488-adeb-4d2d-9d5f-a7315749ae96/roku-tv-23-09.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2023-04-06 17:51:38.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/00323c9170e6c9349450875873761003b774bb7a/hub/2023/04/06/f933f488-adeb-4d2d-9d5f-a7315749ae96/roku-tv-23-09.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”
“,”imageCredit”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”Roku TV on a wooden TV cabinet”,”imageFilename”:”roku-tv-23-09.jpg”,”imageWidth”:4248,”imageHeight”:2393,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2023-04-06″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”kgeohiyjboqjyxs”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__ec72eff8-5a72-4280-8a05-3dd8ff9d8085″ index=”6″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”project-save,amazon,lg,roku,samsung,sony,vizio,hv14,tcl” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Josh Goldman/CNET” imagealttext=”Roku TV on a wooden TV cabinet” class=”c-bestListListicle”>
Photo Gallery 1/1
Competition among TVs in the middle pricing band is heating up and the Plus Series is the latest entrant, which came out in 2023. It adds a couple of step-up extras, including QLED and full-array local dimming, which help deliver a better picture than the TCL 4-Series, for example. It’s not as impressive as the Vizio MQX, since it lacks 120Hz for gaming and has worse picture quality overall. If you value those extras, the Vizio is worth saving for, but if not the Roku Plus Series is a very good value.
This is the first TV Roku has produced under its own brand, as opposed to partnering with a brand like TCL, Sharp, Pioneer or Hisense. The company also released a version with fewer features and no local dimming, called the Roku Select Series.
With all the TVs available today, and all the technical terms and jargon associated with television technology, it can be tough to figure out what’s important. Here’s a quick guide to help you cut through the confusion.
Price: TVs range in price from $100 to more than $2,000. Smaller screens are cheaper, well-known brands are more expensive and spending more money can also get you better image quality. Most entry-level TVs have a good enough picture for most people, but TVs last a long time, so it might be worth spending more to get a better picture. It’s also best to shop for a TV in the fall when prices are lower.
Screen size: Bigger is better in our book. We recommend a size of at least 43 inches for a bedroom TV and at least 55 inches for a living room or main TV — and 65 inches or larger is best. More than any other “feature,” stepping up in TV screen size is the best use of your money. One of the most common post-TV-purchase complaints we’ve heard is from people who didn’t go big enough. We almost never hear people complain that their TV is too large.
Capability: Among entry-level TVs the most important feature is what kind of smart TV system the TV uses. Among midrange models, look for a feature including full-array local dimming, mini-LED and 120Hz refresh rate, which (unlike some other extras) do help improve the picture, in our experience. Among high-end TVs, OLED technology is your best bet.
For more TV buying advice check out How to Buy a TV.
Our TV reviews follow a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process honed over nearly two decades of TV reviews. Our primary TV test lab has specialized equipment for measuring light and color, including a Konica Minolta CS-2000 spectroradiometer, a Murideo Sig-G 4K HDR signal generator and an AVPro Connect 8×8 4K HDR distribution matrix. We use Portrait Displays CalMan Ultimate software to evaluate each TV we review. In every CNET TV review, three or more similar TVs are compared side by side in various lighting conditions playing different media, including movies, TV shows and games, across a variety of test categories, from color to video processing to gaming to HDR. Our reviews also account for design, features, smart TV performance, HDMI input and gaming compatibility and other factors.
One important aspect of image quality we test is overall brightness. Here’s how it compares in nits across select TVs listed above.
Check out How We Test TVs for more details.
Is a 55-inch TV big enough?
How wide is a 55-inch TV?
How much does a 55-inch TV weigh?
Read More: Best 55-Inch TV for 2023: Top Features and Brands for Every Budget
