Last updated on February 10th, 2021
There was a time when a three-foot-wide TV was branded as a mammoth. But coming to the modern scenario, the big-sized screens are the ones in vogue especially the 55 inch TV.
These sublime beauties can turn your drawing space into a mini-theater instantaneously without ruining your Feng Shui.
Among the available screen sizes, 55 inches is considered optimum given its straddling nature between the wall-mounted 60+ inch behemoths and the smaller bedroom favorites.
Modern-day millennials demand a smart hub that can be used for accessing on-demand content through the internet, recording favorite shows and mesmerizing us with premium range sound quality which we had earlier thought was reserved just for the elite.
Top 55 inch TV under $600
| # | Preview | Product | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
SAMSUNG 55-Inch Class Crystal UHD TU-8000 Series - 4K UHD HDR Smart TV with Alexa Built-in... | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |  |
TCL 55-inch 5-Series 4K UHD Dolby Vision HDR QLED Roku Smart TV - 55S535, 2021 Model | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |  |
LG 55UN7300PUF Alexa Built-In UHD 73 Series 55" 4K Smart UHD TV (2020) | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |  |
Samsung QN50Q60TA 50" Ultra High Definition 4K Quantum HDR Smart QLED TV with a 1 Year Extended... | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |  |
SAMSUNG 55-inch Class Curved UHD TU-8300 Series - 4K UHD HDR Smart TV With Alexa Built-in... | Buy on Amazon |
| 6 |  |
Sony X750H 55-inch 4K Ultra HD LED TV -2020 Model | Buy on Amazon |
| 7 |  |
Hisense 54.6-Inch Class H8 Quantum Series Android 4K ULED Smart TV with Voice Remote (55H8G, 2020... | Buy on Amazon |
Last update on 2021-10-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Samsung 55-Inch Class Crystal UHD TU-8000 Series
Buy on Amazon
Samsung has been responsible for making some of the best TV options under the sun for years and years now, and this 55 inch option is no exception.
Far and away one of the best 55 inch TVs money can buy, it’s not hard to get excited about all that this 4K HD TV has to offer.
For starters, the picture quality on this TV is right up there with the very best of the best.
Razor-sharp images are going to be displayed at all resolutions, but especially when you have 4K HD source material. On top of that, the built-in “motion blur” technology guarantees that you don’t have horrific frame rate drops when you’re watching fast-paced action for sports.
The upscaling capabilities on this 55 inch TV are also pretty spectacular.
You’ll be able to turn 720p HD sources into something pretty close to 4K, all without having to worry about a lot of artifacting or a lot of distortion.
There aren’t a lot of other high end TV options out there that have this kind of capability – especially at the sub $600 price point.
As far as smart TV capabilities go, the Samsung operating system has always been a little bit limited compared to Sony, LG, and some of the other “big boys” in the world of 55 inch 4K TVs.
That’s not really the case any longer, though.
This Series 8 HDTV has all of the smart TV capabilities you could ever want and then some, featuring a totally overhauled Samsung operating system unlike anything the company has put out in the past.
You’ll get access to all the streaming services you want, all the built-in smart applications you could use, and some other core features (like mirror casting, for example).
There are some hangups with this TV to be sure – the wireless connectivity is a little spotty, brightness with HDR on can look washed out, and viewing angles are a little narrow – but all in all this is a pretty solid offer in the sub $600 arena.
2. TCL 55” 5-Series 4K UHD Dolby HDR QLED Roku Smart TV
Buy on Amazon
A solid, if not spectacular, mid range television offer that isn’t going to break your bank account into tiny little pieces, there’s a lot to like with this 55 inch TCL unit.
It may not be able to go toe to toe with a multi thousand dollar LG offer, but that doesn’t mean that it is still one of the top 55 inch HDTVs money can buy.
For starters, the image quality on this set box is incredible (especially for something that costs less than $600).
The contrast ratio is incredible, making sure that the hardware takes full advantage of the built-in HDR support across the board.
On top of that, this TCL 55 inch TV has wonderful color range. You’re going to get to see the greenest greens, the deepest blues, and the most vibrant reds you can imagine – as well as pretty much every other color you’d like to see on your TV.
Brightness issues can be a little bit of a problem, which will prevent you from seeing really deep blacks. But that’s pretty commonplace with (most) TVs that hover around this price point specifically.
The low input latency is a huge part of the attraction of this TV, though.
Gamers are always looking for low input lag when they are purchasing and HDTV and it ranks right up there with overall image quality for those that want to jump online and play games with their friends – especially competitively.
The low input lag make sure that your screens are refreshing quickly but that your controller is also able to respond to the things you see on screen in a hurry. Tie that in with the excellent picture quality of this HDTV and it’s not hard to get really excited about all that it offers.
3. LG 55UN7300PUF Alexa Built-In UHD 73 Series 55” 4K Smart UHD TV
Buy on Amazon
If you’ve been on the hunt for the best 55 inch TV the odds are pretty good that you’ve come across this LG in your search.
LG is responsible for some of the best looking 4K TVs money can buy, especially at a 55 inch level.
The OLED technology that LG has perfected is head and shoulders above pretty much anything else you’ll find in the TV world today. There’s a reason why people go so crazy when they get a first look at one of these panels!
Colors look great, black-and-white contrast is rich and vibrant, the HDR is smooth and attractive, and native 4K looks absolutely phenomenal.
You don’t necessarily need to spend a pile of money on an LG CX OLED television when you can get (almost) the same results at a fraction of the price with this option!
Sure, the smart TV capabilities on this particular unit are little bit lackluster compared to some of the other choices. And the complete lack of Dolby Vision capabilities are a bit of a disappointment.
At the end of the day you are still getting one of the best deals in 55 inch HDTV world today, setting yourself up for years of entertainment without having to go out-of-pocket too terribly much.
This is a very well executed 55 in 4K TV – just like you would expect from the folks at LG!
4. Samsung QN50Q60TA 50″ Ultra High Definition 4K Quantum HDR Smart QLED TV
Buy on Amazon
Samsung has done something really unique with this contender for the title of “best 55 inch television”.
They have included their top-of-the-line flagship QLED panel technology into a television that isn’t loaded down with all the other flagship features that most Samsung televisions include, resulting in a television that looks amazing even if it doesn’t have quite as many capabilities.
The bottom line is pretty simple.
You end up with a television that looks like one that could cost $3000 or $4000 (easy) without having to pony up anywhere near as much money. Not a bad bargain, right?
HDR and SDR performance is fantastic, especially thanks to the inclusion of HDMI 2 1 inputs. As long as your devices support that kind of HDMI input you are going to be good to go.
The smart features (especially access to all your favorite streaming services) are really well done with this television as well. You won’t have any trouble getting Netflix up and running, checking out Hulu, or popping onto YouTube and seeing what’s new online.
As far as the sound system is concerned it definitely isn’t quite as “beefy” as it could be, and you’ll notice that quite a bit more when you’re watching movies as opposed to your favorite TV shows.
The edge lighting leaves a bit to be desired as well, and brightness on this box is always a problem. You might be able to get deep blacks pretty consistently, but anything in the gray or white color spectrum is going to be a little bit washed out.
It never gets tinted yellow the way that cheap televisions might, but it still comes off a little bit washed out.
5. Samsung 55-inch Class Curved UHD TU-8300 Series
Buy on Amazon
This is another solid Samsung option, one of the best 55 inch TVs you’ll find out there right now and certainly one worth a closer look if you are after one with a curved display.
The beauty of the curved display on this unit is that you have much better viewing angles than you would have ever had with a more traditional looking television.
You can expand your viewing angles by as much as 30% on either side, and that’s a huge difference – especially if you are using this as the center of entertainment in a larger space.
This Samsung television is a little more feature-rich than the one reviewed above, but it also lacks some of the true “top-end” technology some folks are looking for in a new television.
It doesn’t have Dolby Vision or HDR10, for example, and the sound quality leaves a little bit to be desired for sure.
All the same, though, it does make great use of a world-class OLED panel that looks bright, has bold colors, and has solid contrast. This televisions ability to handle fast-moving action – especially at 4K – is amazing at this price point.
Throw in a very easy to use remote control and this has to be one of the best master series televisions you’re going to get from the folks at Samsung for less than $600 these days!
6. Sony X750H 55-inch 4K Ultra HD LED TV
Buy on Amazon
The 4K capabilities on this set top box are really solid, ranking right up there amongst the best options money can buy – which is exactly what you would expect from something made by the folks at Sony in the first place.
4K TVs are a dime a dozen these days, with every major manufacturer using this resolution level as a baseline the same way that 720p or 1080p used to be in the past.
Sony, however, continues to innovate and a lot of really exciting ways to get the very best out of this picture resolution. It does so with intelligently designed panels that unlock fantastic contrast ratios, rich color ranges, and the kind of vibrancy that you are expecting from a world-class OLED TV manufacturer like this one.
Sony has been right up there on the front line making absolutely fantastic OLED TVs for as long as we can remember.
They are just as good as anything from the folks at LG and Samsung, and may even be better – especially since they used so much of what they learned creating the best plasma televisions ever produces with these OLED panels.
At this sub $600 price point you’re not going to get quite as many “cool features” as you might have expected from a Sony television – there is no Dolby Vision and HDR10 included here – but for the money this is still a very well-made, very intelligently designed and very premium television to be sure.
Gamers are going to love its best in class gaming features, with low input latency, sky high refresh rates, and always snappy response times.
7. Hisense 55-Inch Class H8 Quantum Series Television
Buy on Amazon
For the first time in its history, Hisense has decided to implement their Quantum Dot technology directly into this H8 television – and it’s a decision that totally transforms the way people are going to look at the best budget televisions from here on out.
Image quality on this television is almost unbelievably high quality.
We are talking about some of the best image quality you’ll find on any 55 inch TV under $600, the kind of image quality you can expect from televisions that cost three or four times as much (and maybe even more).
The color range across the spectrum on this television is spectacular, too.
You’ll get a lot of vibrancy, a lot of richness, and a lot of brilliance regardless of the tone or contrast of the elements that are playing on this panel.
Input latency is amongst the very best in its class as well.
That’s going to make this a very attractive option for those that want to use this OLED panel as a PC monitor.
Most of the other options on this list – including the other OLED options – just don’t have the kind of pixel dot precision and sharpness you need to display things like PC text the way that this Hisense can.
Combine all of that with a gorgeous industrial design that makes this television look significantly more expensive than it is and it’s really easy to get excited about all it has to offer.
Throw in some of the best implementations of Android TV capabilities we’ve seen in any of the top options on this list (or any Android TV, for that matter) and you just can’t get a new television these days without seriously considering this one, too.
Sure, the viewing angle is a bit more narrow than you might be expecting and the built quality can be a little bit hit or miss with this Chinese manufacturer.
If you are however willing to roll the dice with a very good chance of getting a problem free television straightaway there is not a lot to worry about here.
On top of that, if you do get a lemon (and some folks will) you can always reach out to some of the best customer service agents in the television world at Hisense for a total replacement or your money back as well.
What is the Best 55 Inch TV to Buy?
At the end of the day, if you are serious about getting your hands on the very best 55 inch HDTV today – in 2021 – then you’re going to want to save your pennies and happily spend them on the mind blowing LG CX OLED television for sure.
The LG CX has absolutely smashed it out of the park with this television.
Beautiful to look at (even when it is off), nothing can come close to delivering the same kind of image quality that LG can with their world-famous OLED displays.
Add in the fact that the sound quality of this television is fantastic, the smart tv technology is refined, and the remote control is a joy to use and this is far and away the best 55 in TV money can buy right now.
What’s the Best Budget 55 Inch Television?
On the budget side of things, nothing beats the Samsung RU8000 55 in TV in 2021.
First of all, it’s a Samsung unit so you know it’s going to be filled to the brim with top-tier video and audio technology.
Secondly, you know it’s going to be well-designed, well-made, and built to last and last.
Lastly, even though this is one of the more affordable 55 in television options in 2021 it still has one of the best pictures of any television (even if the overall viewing angle is a little bit condensed).
Is the Best 55 Inch TV Better Than a 60 In Television?
There are a couple of things you need to think about when you are getting ready to buy a new HDTV, especially if you are trying to decide whether or not you want a 55 inch television or a 60 inch television .
At first blush in mind it looks like there’s much of a difference between these two televisions – 5 inches diagonally, right? – but that’s not exactly the situation you have on your hands here.
To help you decide between these two options, here are a couple of things you’ll want to consider.
First, you need to figure out the size of the room that you’re going to be putting the new television in as well as where it’s going to be positioned.
Smaller rooms are (obviously) better suited to smaller TVs that are placed closer to the viewer, whereas larger rooms can accommodate bigger TVs that are positioned further away.
It’s also important to think about overall screen size (and not just general dimensions) and the resolution of the television that you are going to be purchasing.
A 55 inch television in 4K resolution is always going to outperform a 60 inch , 65 inch , or 70 inch television that only runs in 1080p.
At the end of the day, though, it really all comes down to what you’re interested in, what your budget allows, and the kind of television that you really fallen in love with.
How To Choose The Best 55 Inch TV
Refresh rate
Refresh rate refers to the number of times a picture gets refreshed on the screen per second. 60 Hz serves as the standard refresh pace.
But it might end up paving the way for jittery or blurry images when fast-moving objects are screened on HDTV or LCDs. In such cases, it is imperative to proceed with the ones having a variable refresh rate of 120 or even 240 Hz for optimum image quality.
Certain new models come with High-Frame Rate support which paves the way for higher refresh rate for contents exceeding frame rates of 60 Hz.
However, you need to be aware of manufacturers promoting effective refresh rates while selling their products since in such cases, the actual frame rate is an exact half of the one stated.
Inputs
Although the selection of HDMI input lag serves as an afterthought during the purchase of a television , it is imperative to pay attention to the same for gaining the most out of your television’s potential.
Modern-day manufacturers are increasingly shoving away HDMI plugs for bringing upon greater cost-efficient tv in the market. If you decide to bring home a 4K Ultra HD model, then make sure that it renders support to HDMI 2.0 for accommodating future Ultra HD sources.
Resolution
Resolution refers to the sharpness of television visuals and is measured in terms of horizontal pixel lines. A bargain HD might support up to 720p while HDTVs support 1080p HD format which is popularised by the name of Full HD.
TV manufactures of modern times are increasingly shifting gear from the HDTVs in favor of Ultra HD sets. Compared to current HDTV screens, the 4K models have four times the pixel number thus paving the way for sharper text and life-like imagery.
11 Things to Avoid Doing to Your Flat Screen TV
Like all modern technologies, these flat television screens also require attention and care. Technology these days is manufactured with amazing features but aren’t as durable as they used to be.
Keeping that in mind we formulated some tips and tricks that will help you increase the life span of your flat screen
In case you have no idea as to how to buy a television set then make sure to read go through this TV buying guide.
1. Avoid mounting the TV over a fireplace
Even though a fireplace seems quite aesthetically pleasing and you might have seen pictures in some interior design magazines of flat screen mounted above the fireplace, we strongly advise against it.
What the fireplace can actually do to your television is that it can warn it up and reduces the TV’s lifespan. In case you use the fireplace often, the soot will rise and enter your television screen.
Also mounting the television above the fireplace means that it will be set quick high up the wall. Watching television at that angle can get quite uncomfortable.
2. Your 55-inch Flat Screen TV isn’t a home theater
In case you are currently in between a Netflix marathon where you crank up the TV volume and watch the screen at a weird angle then you have got to stop.
As TV design have gotten sleeker and thinner so have the speakers in them. Plus, the speakers installed aren’t famous for producing good audio.
What you can do instead is read this guide for the best Bluetooth speakers. Speakers are a very inexpensive solution to the problem and will save you the trouble of ruining your television speakers by recommending the best Bluetooth speakers under $ 200.
You can also purchase a projector to revolutionize your movie time. We have also shortlisted the best projectors with amazing feedback.
In case you only have a limited amount of space then short-throw projectors are an ideal option. Click here to read more about short throw projectors and some of the best ones that you can buy.
3. Don’t use chemicals
In case you like to keep everything spotless and usually rub your television screen with harsh chemicals then you definitely need to stop doing that.
Even your most dependable cleaner isn’t ideal for the 55-in television screen.
The harsh chemicals and paper towels can cause scratches on the screen. In short your television screen will be ruined and movie time ruined for good.
We know that you want a smudge-free screen so we recommend that you try some traditional methods.
After turning off the television use a duster or a clean rug to wipe it. The rug or duster should be dry but for those really hard marks you can dampen the duster.
4. Mounting isn’t an easy task
One of the major advantages of flat-screen television is that it can be mounted on a wall, thus it saves you quite a lot of space.
Mounting is a task that requires attention and caution so never assume that you can mount a television all by yourself. It’s better that you do not claim that you are somewhat of a professional at mounting.
Before mounting you need to take into account the structure of the wall and have to calculate where you intend to place the television .
In case you have never mounted a television before then do read the instructions provided.
5. There is a danger of tipping
Do not underestimate the fact that television can tip and break.
Even though flat-screen TVs are lighter as compared to their predecessors, they still can fall down. In case you have kids that tend to climb on furniture then television screens definitely pose a threat.
If you haven’t mounted the screen, then having a sturdy television stand is vital. The size of this stand should be appropriate for the 55-in flat-screen.
You can get creative and build a stand all by yourself. Remember to install safety stapes in order to intensely anchor the screen to the wall or you can just call professionals to mount the television up.
6. Keep the wires away
The exposed wires are dangerous and ruin the entire look of the room.
While watching a movie on your clear and crisp flat screen you can get distracted with the messy wires. Looking at them can be quite stressful. Trying to organize and untangle them can be even more nerve-wracking.
Although wiring the television is a vital first step, the second step is hiding all those ugly wires. What you can do is sneak them all under the television stand, you can zip them together or try some DIY techniques.
7. Remember to purchase a surge protector
While purchasing the flat screen you might have come across a recommendation for surge protector by the salesman or online suggestions.
It’s not necessary that you get an expensive and powerful one but it is necessary that you get one.
What does a surge protector do?
It protects the television from sudden surge of power. These surges can destroy your expensive flat screens. Getting a surge protector for the entire house is also an ideal way to play it safe.
8. Avoid awkward wall placement
If you intend to invite over people for watching sport or movies, then you need to make sure that everyone in the room will be able to watch the screen easily.
Usually, the screens are installed either too high or just too low. The awkward placement leaves everyone with a stiff neck.
For a 55-in television , it is recommended that you mount it 61 inches from the ground.
Another common mistake that people make is that they fail to take into account the suns reflection. The afternoon sun can prevent you from enjoying the afternoon game, so consider how the sun or windows will affect the screen.
Or you can just cover the windows with curtains or blinds even during the day.
9. Focus on Calibration
Even thou the factory settings of contrast, brightness and color are quite perfect you can always alter then according to your taste.
Perfecting the calibration will require ambition and patience on your part but the final result will be worth it. Your viewing experience will be enhanced.
Before calibration make sure you educate yourself to get an idea of what is what or just hire a professional.
Some experts even consider the color of the room and TVs position for calibration.
10. Don’t let the screen or gadgets overheat
While mounting the television you need to leave room for airflow. The same goes for the TV stand.
The gadgets used with the television also need care and attention. These simple tips will make sure that your gadgets and television last longer than expected.
Because we don’t want you to cook your gadgets so recommend against placing your gadgets like Blu-ray player or PlayStation in an enclosed cabinet or television stand.
Such places limit the flow of air and increase the temperature of the gadgets. This, in turn, decreases the lifespan.
So always remember that high temperatures tend to kill your electronics.
11. Don’t lay the screen flat
This is essential when you are moving the screen. The flat-screen television should be kept upright at all times.
Flat screens have been engineered carefully when they are standing up the weight is distributed evenly and when the screen is laid down it isn’t balanced.
Gravity will pull on the edges and your screen is likely to crack. To avoid this catastrophe and keep your 55-in TV screen upright when shifting.
7 Ways to Get Everybody in Front of the TV screen
The entire viewing party must have a place in front of the screen while watching the Olympics, award shows or playing games.
Everyone should have a place while watching the TV without having to suffer from a stiff neck. We formulated 7 ways that one can host a party with everyone having a place in front of the screen.
1. Reorganize furniture
In case you have an extra seat or couch somewhere else in your house adjust them around the TV.
While altering the arrangement of the furniture you can get rid of all non-essential furniture and move the extra seating in.
You can place the seating in a semi-circle or row which would make the most of the space. This arrangement would make ample space for everyone in front of the flat screen.
So you can enjoy watching the big game with everyone.
2. Install additional screens
The majority of houses tend to have more than one screen but these are all installed in separate rooms. TV screens in separate rooms eliminate the advantage of using them all while hosting.
So if you find it difficult to host a crowd then we have the ideal solution to combat this problem. In order to make sure that all the guests will be cozy you can move another screen into the kitchen or adjacent room.
You can also DIY a TV stand and personalize it to add a bit of style. You can also arrange tablets around the sitting area. These screens will help display shows that are live streaming.
3. Add bar stools
When you are adding extra sitting it’s important that you place all the furniture in the correct way. The correct way would be that the furniture faces the screen.
You can line up bar stools behind the sofa. This would create a perfect area for guests to sit while watching. This would not require any construction job and you can personalize everything as you like.
4. Create a home theater
If you are thinking about buying expensive equipment to create a home theater, then stop. All you need to do is set up seating like theater.
Using floor pillows and cozy blankets you can make a special area in the lounge right in front of your screen.
5. Projecting the screen
All you require for this step is a blank wall, plain paper, bed sheet or a pull-down screen. Now use a digital projector and you are all set for game night.
Your digital projector will act as a huge screen and can be seen from all the vantage points.
Not only will this help avoid crowding around the TV screen but also keep everyone in front of the screen.
6. Utilize multi-functional pieces
Multi-purpose pieces like poufs, bean bag chairs and ottomans will add more places for the guests to sit comfortably while watching the screen. So get some creative ideas from your days in the dorm rooms and get buys.
For example, you can make an ottoman by attaching a sturdy fabric to some old coffee table. Make sure to personalize it all so that it is comfy and stylish.
7. Take the crowd outside
If the weather is nice and the crowd far more than your house capacity, then it’s time to take your party outside.
So set up a movie theater in your backyard. In case you can’t purchase a portable projector then you can rent some.
No matter what you opt for the setup is bound to impress your guests and you will be the host of the year.
Conclusion
55-inch TV’s are currently the most popular 4K UHD size given its perfect combination of beauty and brain to showcase the extra resolution of 4K content while uplifting the aesthetic appeal of your drawing room simultaneously.
The physical footprint of the 55-inch versions is almost similar to the requirement posed by a 42-inch model back when flat panels were in vogue courtesy the razor slim bezels.
The rising popularity of the 55-inch segment has added inertia to cut-throat competition amongst its manufacturers who are trying to maximize their market share by adding more features while scraping off prices on the go.
Thus, if you thought that these high-end beauties are not your cup of tea, it’s time to think again given their new-found affordability tag.
Alain is Cartbig’s managing editor, in charge of the research, production and editing of all content.
He has a BA in Journalism from Cornell University and is passionate about photography and technology.
He loves travelling but he lacks orientation so he never leaves home without his GPS. Really.
