![best-55-inch-tvs-for-2024:-hisense,-samsung-and-more-[cnet]](https://i0.wp.com/upmytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/196677-best-55-inch-tvs-for-2024-hisense-samsung-and-more-cnet.jpg?resize=300%2C182&ssl=1)
Best 55-Inch TVs for 2024: Hisense, Samsung and More [CNET]
Our Experts
David reviews TVs and leads the Personal Tech team at CNET, covering mobile, software, computing, streaming and home entertainment. We provide helpful, expert reviews, advice and videos on what gadget or service to buy and how to get the most out of it.
Expertise A 20-year CNET veteran, David has been reviewing TVs since the days of CRT, rear-projection and plasma. Prior to CNET he worked at Sound & Vision magazine and eTown.com. He is known to two people on Twitter as the Cormac McCarthy of consumer electronics. Credentials
- Although still awaiting his Oscar for Best Picture Reviewer, David does hold certifications from the Imaging Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Standards and Technology on display calibration and evaluation.
CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.
It’s not easy to choose the right TV. Getting the size right is crucial. Ideally, you want a screen that is big enough that you can see it clearly but not so big that you’ll have to stretch your neck to watch it. A 55-inch TV is a sweet spot for smaller rooms.
A 55-inch television is a mainstream choice: You can get pretty much any TV feature you’d want in this size. They come loaded with smart TV features, which include the ability to stream your favorite shows and films on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, Disney Plus and more. If you’re looking for more advanced features, you can get those too, including full-array local dimming, OLED screens, 120Hz refresh rate, 4K UHD resolution, high dynamic range and a bunch of HDMI ports.
As such, to help you pick the best one for you, we’ve put together the best 55-inch TVs of 2024 below. Now is also a great time to get 2023 TVs on sale.
At CNET, I 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.
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 U8K.
There are plenty of other excellent choices, so although the Hisense U8K is my current favorite for most people, it might not be right for your preferences or budget.
Read more: Do This to Your TV Now: 9 Crucial Settings to Improve the Picture
Best 55-inch TVs in 2024
Photo Gallery 1/1
” page-position linktext=”Read our LG C3 series OLED TV review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/tech/home-entertainment/lg-oled-c3-review-sets-the-standard-for-high-end-television-picture-quality/” like=”~Better picture quality than any non-OLED TV we’ve tested ~Superior contrast and off-angle image ~Best-in-class gaming features ~Sleek styling with ultralight, thin panel” dislike=”~Expensive ~Not as bright as higher-end OLED TVs ~No major improvements over the C2 from 2022″ can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer=”{“id”:”c30a23fd-18d0-4cd0-b018-b6149a0b73de”,”label”:”LG OLED 55″ C3 Series”,”slug”:”lg-oled-55-c3-series”,”edition”:[“us”],”imageId”:”56f379be-9d43-4e0d-bf31-16eb6e8f223b”,”imgUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/b577e76f4d09cc17d1f5afe3cf608e79d5bfe213/hub/2023/04/02/56f379be-9d43-4e0d-bf31-16eb6e8f223b/6535933-sd.jpg?auto=webp&width=300&height=300&fit=crop”,”imageHeight”:0,”imageWidth”:0,”typeLabel”:”Product”,”objectType”:”content_product”,”icon”:””}” techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”c30a23fd-18d0-4cd0-b018-b6149a0b73de”,”slug”:”lg-oled-55-c3-series”,”name”:”LG OLED 55″ C3 Series”,”productType”:”PRODUCT”,”updateType”:”PRISM”,”mod”:1719323260896}” overridecredit=”David Katzmaier/CNET” overridecaption=”
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”04b93b26-ac6c-4a81-a04a-dd7d9828cecc”,”alt”:”The 2023 LG C3 OLED TV”,”caption”:”
“,”credits”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”04b93b26-ac6c-4a81-a04a-dd7d9828cecc”,”filename”:”lg-c3-oled-tv-2023-05.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/24c06c8b8eea8a7becc378ebd87abf4bf2da3593/hub/2023/06/09/04b93b26-ac6c-4a81-a04a-dd7d9828cecc/lg-c3-oled-tv-2023-05.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2023-06-09 13:29:17.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/24c06c8b8eea8a7becc378ebd87abf4bf2da3593/hub/2023/06/09/04b93b26-ac6c-4a81-a04a-dd7d9828cecc/lg-c3-oled-tv-2023-05.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”
“,”imageCredit”:”Josh Goldman/CNET”,”imageAltText”:”The 2023 LG C3 OLED TV”,”imageFilename”:”lg-c3-oled-tv-2023-05.jpg”,”imageWidth”:5170,”imageHeight”:2912,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2023-06-09″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”true” ng-block=”{“id”:”8b9cggxh0fia0zu”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__c088ac73-7ac3-4dda-8a3a-8f42dc41fb45″ index=”2″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”amazon,lg,roku,samsung,sony,vizio,hv14,tcl” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”David Katzmaier/CNET”>
The C3 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.
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=”false” can-truncate=”false” truncate-on-page-load=”false” 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 12:47:33 GMT-0400 (Eastern 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”:”ec3w2rih1q095nn”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__5494776a-e35d-40f5-a42d-3d70eccdd537″ index=”3″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”amazon,lg,roku,samsung,sony,vizio,hv14,tcl” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Josh Goldman/CNET”>
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=”false” can-truncate=”false” truncate-on-page-load=”false” 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 11:02:46 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)”}” overridecredit 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”:”vvcsjwrneouqsjb”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__f36f5d4f-0331-4609-ae74-ddba8c60a4f5″ index=”4″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”amazon,lg,roku,samsung,sony,vizio,hv14,tcl” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit>
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.
Vizio didn’t launch a 2023 version of the V-Series, but we may see a refresh in 2024.
” page-position linktext linkurl like=”~Solid image quality for an entry-level TV ~Lots of features, including VRR and Wi-Fi 6E” dislike=”~Poor built-in smart TV system” can-collapse=”true” can-truncate=”true” truncate-on-page-load=”true” offer techobjectinfo=”{“uuid”:”76a9d689-9e2f-4443-a7bb-d4a0c84114e1″,”slug”:”vizio-v-series-2021″,”name”:”Vizio V-series (2021)”,”productType”:”SERIES”,”updateType”:”AUTOPID”,”mod”:1721233011817}” overridecredit=”David Katzmaier/CNET” overridecaption=”
” imagegroup=”{“uuid”:”ac352ecd-724e-47dd-87ba-903a155d5478″,”alt”:”Vizio V-Series on a TV stand”,”caption”:”
“,”credits”:”David Katzmaier”,”imageData”:{“id”:”ac352ecd-724e-47dd-87ba-903a155d5478″,”filename”:”budget-tvs-6166.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/9649419c4d5bfc7fb2dc617295a8438d724abf33/hub/2022/10/18/ac352ecd-724e-47dd-87ba-903a155d5478/budget-tvs-6166.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2022-10-18 20:42:19.000000″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false},”size”:””,”float”:””,”lightbox”:false,”imageUrl”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/9649419c4d5bfc7fb2dc617295a8438d724abf33/hub/2022/10/18/ac352ecd-724e-47dd-87ba-903a155d5478/budget-tvs-6166.jpg?auto=webp&height=500″,”imageCaption”:”
“,”imageCredit”:”David Katzmaier”,”imageAltText”:”Vizio V-Series on a TV stand”,”imageFilename”:”budget-tvs-6166.jpg”,”imageWidth”:3000,”imageHeight”:1687,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageDateCreated”:”2022-10-18″,”imageParallax”:””,”imageCrop”:””,”imageEnlarge”:false}” usepricing=”false” ng-block=”{“id”:”9yz8t9gfhc6aueo”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__07ca7c36-06d5-42ad-b6d3-8b28197bfe70″ index=”5″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”amazon,lg,roku,samsung,sony,vizio,hv14,tcl” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”David Katzmaier/CNET”>
When we compared the best budget TVs side-by-side, the picture quality of Vizio’s V-Series clearly emerged as the leader of the pack. The Vizio offered the most balanced and accurate picture during our comparisons, and it comes with some useful extras such as Dolby Vision support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth compatibility and a variable refresh rate for potentially smoother gaming. The biggest downside of the Vizio is its smart TV platform, Vizio SmartCast. It’s crowded, slow and littered with ads for platforms such as Tubi and Kidoodle TV. Even when you factor in the cost of adding a new streaming device, the V-Series remains the best overall entry-level TV that we tested.
Vizio didn’t launch a 2023 version of the V-Series, but we may see a refresh in 2024.
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 or features in our tests, although it has recently added some larger screen sizes, including an 85-inch option.
” 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”:1721408059467}” 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”:”zegsmmiscidymjk”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__73ab4c98-ce54-4846-af39-158949e23646″ index=”6″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”amazon,lg,roku,samsung,sony,vizio,hv14,tcl” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”David Katzmaier”>
The picture quality of the TCL 4-Series Roku TV was a step behind the Vizio V-Series (see below) in our budget TV test, but the differences between the two are slight enough that you’d really have to have them set up side by side to notice anything at all. The 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 or features in our tests, although it has recently added some larger screen sizes, including an 85-inch option.
” 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”:1718742835309}” 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”:”0bt33qrrr34fvrj”,”type”:”listicle”}” edition=”us” data-key=”cnetlisticle__ec72eff8-5a72-4280-8a05-3dd8ff9d8085″ index=”8″ contenttype=”Best List – Precap” pagelayout=”FAQ Markup + BL Precap” tagslugs=”amazon,lg,roku,samsung,sony,vizio,hv14,tcl” isbestlistredesign=”true” imagecredit=”Josh Goldman/CNET”>
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?
It depends on your room size, seating distance and personal taste. For a standard master bedroom or smaller living room, a 55-inch TV is fine, but for bigger rooms, we recommend a larger TV, say a 65- or even 75-inch model, if you can afford it. If you sit closer to the screen, you don’t need as large a TV for the best experience. For maximum theatrical impact, according to THX and SMPTE, you should be between 5.5 and 7 feet from a 55-inch screen, which is relatively close. Nearly every 55-inch TV has 4K resolution, and if you have 20/20 vision you can sit as close as about 4 feet and still not discern individual pixels.
How wide is a 55-inch TV?
Most 55-inch TVs measure between 48 and 49 inches wide. Because the frames around newer TV screens are typically quite narrow, 55-inch TV widths don’t vary much. Models with very slim frames are on the lower end — the 55-inch LG C2 measures 48.1 inches wide for example, while the slightly thicker-framed 55-inch TCL 4-Series is 48.7 inches wide. If you’re not planning to wall-mount the TV, you generally want the piece of furniture supporting the TV to measure at least as wide as the TV itself, and preferably a few inches wider. Refer to the manufacturer’s website for the exact dimensions of a particular 55-inch TV.
How much does a 55-inch TV weigh?
A 55-inch TV weighs between 25 and 50 pounds with its stand, but this varies significantly depending on the type of TV. Removing the stand — which often consists of a pair of little legs under the panel — allows you to wall-mount the TV and reduces its weight slightly (stands weigh between 1 and 8 pounds). Shipping weight (box, accessories, etc.) of 55-inch TVs ranges from 35 to 63 pounds. Refer to the manufacturer’s website for the exact weights of a particular 55-inch TV.
![capcom’s-exoprimal-offers-a-world-with-a-crisis-of-dinos-[game-informer]](https://i0.wp.com/upmytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/54344-capcoms-exoprimal-offers-a-world-with-a-crisis-of-dinos-game-informer.png?resize=390%2C205&ssl=1)
![should-you-wait-on-buying-a-nintendo-switch-right-now?-–-cnet-[cnet]](https://i0.wp.com/upmytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/32416-should-you-wait-on-buying-a-nintendo-switch-right-now-cnet-cnet.jpg?resize=390%2C205&ssl=1)
![japan’s-b2b-ordering-and-supply-platform-caddi-raises-$73-million-series-b-funding-[techcrunch]](https://i0.wp.com/upmytech.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/38280-japans-b2b-ordering-and-supply-platform-caddi-raises-73-million-series-b-funding-techcrunch.jpg?resize=390%2C205&ssl=1)