David Katzmaier Editorial Director — Private Tech
David critiques TVs and leads the Private Tech group at CNET, overlaying cell, software program, computing, streaming and residential leisure. We offer useful, skilled critiques, recommendation and movies on what gadget or service to purchase and the best way to get essentially the most out of it.
- Though nonetheless awaiting his Oscar for Finest Image Reviewer, David does maintain certifications from the Imaging Science Basis and the Nationwide Institutes of Requirements and Expertise on show calibration and analysis.
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Hours Examined
Finest mid-priced 55-inch TV with glossy design
Samsung Q60B
Finest funds 55-inch TV for image high quality
Vizio V-Sequence
There is a little bit of an artwork to choosing the proper TV. You may desire a display that is large enough to see clearly, however not so large that it may find yourself overwhelming the area. A 55-inch display tends to be the candy spot for smaller rooms, so that will help you discover the perfect mannequin to your bed room or dorm, we have rounded up the perfect 55-inch TVs of 2023 under.
Most trendy 55-inch televisions include loads of options and are good TVs, so you may get pleasure from streaming your favourite exhibits and movies on Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, Disney Plus and extra. And better-end examples supply all of the bells and whistles we have come to anticipate, together with full-array native dimming, OLED screens, 120Hz refresh fee, 4K UHD decision, excessive dynamic vary, a plethora of HDMI ports and even high-end gaming options — together with variable refresh fee — to go along with a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Sequence X. The listing under represents our favourite 55-inch TVs proper now.
At CNET, I overview TVs facet by facet in a state-of-the-art testing lab, taking tons of of measurements with specialised tools, evaluating gaming, house theater and bright-room picture high quality. My 20 years expertise as a TV reviewer helps me decide not simply the perfect 55-inch TV general but in addition the perfect 55-inch TV in your value vary.
What’s the finest 55-inch TV proper now?
The TCL 6-Sequence Roku TV sits on the high of our listing of finest TVs for a variety of causes. It affords excellent image high quality, an reasonably priced value and Roku, the perfect good TV system. It additionally contains gaming options like 4K/120Hz enter and variable refresh fee that may get essentially the most out of consoles just like the PS5 and Xbox Sequence X. When buddies ask me what TV to purchase from 55 to 85 inches, and cash remains to be an object, I inform them to get the TCL 6-Sequence.
There are many different glorious selections on the market, nevertheless, so though the 6-Sequence is my present favourite for most individuals, it won’t be proper to your preferences or funds.
Learn extra: Do This to Your TV Now: 9 Essential Settings to Enhance the Image
Finest 55-inch TVs in 2023
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For the final 5 years, the TCL 6-Sequence has been our favourite TV for the cash, and the newest model — also referred to as the R655 collection — isn’t any exception. This TV has a superb picture because of mini-LED tech and well-implemented full-array native dimming that helps it run circles round nearly another TV at this value. It improves upon the earlier R635 collection with improved gaming extras and a brand new center-mount stand which you could elevate to make room for a soundbar. And eventually, the Roku TV working system is our hands-down favourite.
Professionals:
- Comparatively reasonably priced
- Wonderful general picture high quality
- Roku good TV is straightforward, succesful
- Improved design with central stand
Cons:
- Some competing mini-LED TVs can get brighter
Word that along with the R635, which this TV replaces, different variations of the 6-Sequence had been launched in 2021 and stay on sale. The R646 collection makes use of the Google TV working system, however in any other case has related specs to the R655 fashions reviewed right here. The R648 collection has 8K decision and is considerably costlier.
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The C2 delivers superior image high quality at a value that is admittedly excessive, however not ridiculous. It beats any non-OLED TV on this listing with its excellent black ranges, unbeatable distinction and excellent off-angle viewing. It additionally has glorious gaming options, making it an excellent companion to an Xbox Sequence X or S, PlayStation 5 or each. The C2 is available in a wide range of sizes as effectively, although the larger fashions are costly.
The C2 can be one of many lightest TVs we have ever reviewed, because of its carbon-fiber development. The 55-inch model weighs simply 35 kilos with its stand, in comparison with 51 kilos for the 55-inch C1 from 2021.
Professionals:
- Higher image high quality than any non-OLED TV
- Superior distinction and off-angle picture
- Finest-in-class gaming options
- Modern styling with ultralight, skinny panel
Cons:
- Costly
- No main image high quality enhancements over the C1 from 2021
The C1 was additionally a superb TV that delivered related picture high quality and options to the C2. We have additionally reviewed the 2023 model, the LG C3, however we advocate the C2 as a substitute proper now. Going with final yr’s LG OLED saves you a number of hundred bucks and the 2 TVs had been mainly indistinguishable in options, design and picture high quality in my checks. The C2 will promote out over the summer time and heading into the TV shopping for season this fall, whereas the C3 will drop in value, however if you need a high-end TV proper now, seize a C2.
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Searching for a high-end TV with spectacular picture high quality, however don’t need an OLED? The Samsung QN90B is your finest guess. This TV makes use of QLED TV tech augmented by mini-LED for a brighter picture than any OLED TV. The spectacular distinction of OLED nonetheless gained out in our side-by-side checks, however the QN90B QLED display comes nearer than ever.
Professionals:
- Finest non-OLED image high quality we have ever examined
- Unbelievable brightness with minimal blooming
- Trendy design, full of options
Cons:
- Costly
- Barely worse distinction, off-angle and uniformity than OLED
Samsung produces a variety of QLED TVs, however the QN90B is among the many highest-end, other than variations with 8K decision. It is a 2022 mannequin, however the 2023 model, the QN90C, appears to be like very related by way of options and whereas we’ve not reviewed it, we anticipate it to ship related picture high quality. It is also considerably costlier.
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The Samsung QN90B QLED TV is without doubt one of the firm’s higher-end televisions for 2022.
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The image high quality of the TCL 4-Sequence Roku TV was a step behind the Vizio V-Sequence (see under) in our funds TV take a look at, however the variations between the 2 are slight sufficient that you simply’d actually should have them arrange facet by facet to note something in any respect. The 4-Sequence lacks the Dolby Imaginative and prescient, Bluetooth connectivity and AMD FreeSync with a variable refresh fee, all of which the Vizio affords.
Professionals:
- Inexpensive
- Wonderful good TV system
Cons:
- Picture high quality and options lag some entry-level TVs
The 4-Sequence’ benefit over the Vizio is that it comes with the superb Roku Good TV system inbuilt. That makes it an excellent alternative for these searching for a one-stop good TV resolution, with out having so as to add an exterior streaming machine.
Word that TCL has been promoting the 4-Sequence for the previous few years with little to no change in picture high quality or options in our checks, though it has just lately added some bigger display sizes, together with an 85-inch possibility.
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Amongst midpriced fashions we favored the TCL 6-Sequence just a bit higher in our side-by-side comparability, however this Hisense is a powerful contender. Its glorious picture high quality is anchored by best-in-class brightness that improves its bright-room image high quality and makes HDR TV motion pictures, exhibits and video games actually pop. It is really brighter than the TCL with higher distinction, however the TCL’s barely extra correct picture gave it the sting general. The Hisense makes use of Google TV as a substitute of Roku, and in contrast to the TCL, the U8H contains an ATSC 3.0 tuner. Frankly, you may’t go incorrect with both one.
Professionals:
- Comparatively reasonably priced
- Wonderful general picture high quality
- Finest-in-class shiny room image
- Succesful Google TV system
Cons:
- Barely much less refined picture than some opponents
- “Theater” image modes interact movement smoothing by default
It is a 2022 mannequin, however the 2023 model, the U8K collection, appears to be like largely related other than the addition of a 75-inch possibility. We have not reviewed it but. It is presently a few hundred {dollars} costlier than the U8H.
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Samsung is the model that sells extra TVs than anybody, and one in every of its hottest is the Q60 collection. Its glossy QLED display design stands out in contrast with the opposite TVs on this listing — though the ultrathin OLED fashions are sleeker — and it affords higher options, picture high quality and extra sizes than fashions just like the TCL 4-Sequence and Sony X80K. The TVs listed on this article are all superior values, however if you need a Samsung TV and may’t afford the QN90B, this can be a nice alternative.
Professionals:
- Modern design and glorious distant
- Vivid picture with stable distinction
- Informative standing display for gaming
Cons:
- Costlier than competing TVs with higher image high quality
- Cluttered good TV menus
It is a 2022 mannequin, however the 2023 model, the Q60C, appears to be like largely related by way of options, design and value. We have not reviewed it but, however we anticipate it to have related picture high quality.
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Competitors amongst TVs within the center pricing band is heating up and the Plus Sequence is the newest entrant in 2023. It provides a few step-up extras, together with QLED and full-array native dimming, which assist ship a greater image than the TCL 4-Sequence, for instance. It isn’t as spectacular because the Vizio MQX, although, because it lacks 120Hz for gaming and worse image high quality general. In the event you worth these extras, the Vizio is value saving for, but when not the Roku Plus Sequence is an excellent worth.
Professionals:
- Inexpensive
- Good image high quality because of native dimming
- Nice good TV system
Cons:
- Lacks 120Hz refresh fee and different gaming extras
- Not as shiny as some equally priced TVs
That is the primary TV Roku has produced beneath its personal model, versus partnering with a model like TCL, Sharp, Pioneer or Hisense. The corporate additionally launched a model with fewer options and no native dimming, referred to as the Roku Choose Sequence.
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Once we in contrast the perfect funds TVs side-by-side, the image high quality of Vizio’s V-Sequence clearly emerged because the chief of the pack. The Vizio provided essentially the most balanced and correct image throughout our comparisons, and it comes with some helpful extras resembling Dolby Imaginative and prescient help, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth compatibility and variable refresh fee for doubtlessly smoother gaming. The largest draw back of the Vizio is its good TV platform, Vizio SmartCast. It is crowded, sluggish and suffering from adverts for platforms resembling Tubi and Kidoodle TV. Even if you think about the price of including a brand new streaming machine, nevertheless, the V-Sequence stays the perfect general entry-level TV that we examined.
Professionals:
- Stable picture high quality for an entry-level TV
- A lot of options, together with VRR and Wi-Fi 6E
Cons:
- Poor built-in good TV system
Vizio hasn’t introduced a 2023 model of the V-Sequence but.
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- Sony KD-X80K collection: Sony is a distinguished model and its higher-end TVs just like the X90J do effectively in critiques, however the entry-level TV in its 2022 lineup, the X80K, did not make the listing. It prices across the similar because the TCL 6-Sequence and Samsung Q60 TVs, and had a worse image than each, with lighter black ranges and distinction. It is undoubtedly not a foul TV, and we favored its Google good TV system, colour accuracy and connectivity, however you may undoubtedly do higher for the cash. Learn our Sony KD-X80K collection overview.
- Amazon Fireplace TV 4-Sequence: Considered one of many Fireplace TVs out there on the market, this one is typical of the breed: so-so picture high quality and a wise TV system that lags behind Roku and Google TV. In the event you’re a giant fan of Alexa voice or see this TV at a extremely low value it could be worthwhile, however in any other case go for the TCL 4-Sequence. Learn our greatest funds TVs roundup.
Our TV critiques comply with a rigorous, unbiased analysis course of honed over almost 20 years of TV critiques. Our major TV take a look at lab has specialised tools for measuring mild and colour, together with a Konica Minolta CS-2000 spectroradiometer, a Murideo Sig-G 4K HDR sign generator and an AVPro Join 8×8 4K HDR distribution matrix. We use Portrait Shows CalMan Final software program to guage every TV we overview. In each CNET TV overview, three or extra related TVs are in contrast facet by facet in varied lighting situations taking part in completely different media, together with motion pictures, TV exhibits and video games, throughout a wide range of take a look at classes, from colour to video processing to gaming to HDR. Our critiques additionally account for design; options; good TV efficiency; HDMI enter and gaming compatibility; and different elements.
One vital side of picture high quality we take a look at is general brightness. Here is the way it compares in nits throughout choose TVs listed above.
Mild Output in Nits
| TV | Brightest mode (HDR) | Correct mode (HDR) | Brightest mode (SDR) | Correct mode (SDR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung QN65Q90B | 3,316 | 1,981 | 2,625 | 974 |
| Hisense U8H | 1,867 | 1,867 | 1,605 | 1,605 |
| TCL 65R655 | 1,387 | 1,194 | 1,292 | 624 |
| Vizio M65QXM-K03 | 939 | 742 | 958 | 608 |
| LG OLED65C2 | 812 | 759 | 413 | 389 |
| Roku TV Plus (65-inch) | 514 | 455 | 579 | 404 |
Take a look at How We Check TVs for extra particulars.
With all of the TVs out there at the moment, and all of the technical phrases and jargon related to tv expertise, it may be robust to determine what’s vital. Here is a fast information that will help you lower by means of the confusion.
Worth: TVs vary in value from $100 to greater than $2,000. Smaller screens are cheaper, well-known manufacturers are costlier and spending more cash may get you higher picture high quality. Most entry-level TVs have a adequate image for most individuals, however TVs final a very long time, so it could be value spending extra to get a greater image. It is also finest to buy a TV within the fall, when costs are decrease.
Display screen dimension: Larger is healthier in our e book. We advocate a dimension of at the very least 43 inches for a bed room TV and at the very least 55 inches for a front room or fundamental TV — and 65 inches or bigger is finest. Greater than another “characteristic,” stepping up in TV display dimension is the perfect use of your cash. One of the frequent post-TV-purchase complaints we have heard is from individuals who did not go large enough. And we virtually by no means hear folks complain that their TV is simply too giant.
Functionality: Amongst entry-level TVs a very powerful characteristic is what sort of good TV system the TV makes use of. Amongst midrange fashions, search for a characteristic together with full-array native dimming, mini-LED and 120Hz refresh fee, which (not like another extras) do assist enhance the image, in our expertise. And amongst high-end TVs, OLED expertise is your finest guess.
For extra TV shopping for recommendation try Find out how to Purchase a TV.
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