Best 55-inch TVs 2025: 4K HDR OLED, Mini LED and LCD sets, tried and tested

For many people, 55 inches is the Goldilocks size for a TV: big enough to provide a cinematic experience, but small enough to not completely dominate the room.

This size and above tends to offer better specs like more gaming features and improved screen technology. But these models don't come cheap, so you want to make sure you're getting the best TV for you.

Which is where we come in. We've brought together only the best 55-inch TVs we've tested, so you can find the best for price, gaming specs, panel technology and so on.

We have decades of combined experience in TV testing and use dedicated testing facilities to see how the TVs perform. We also test each model against rivals in the same price and size bracket to see how they compare. You can read more about our TV testing process at the bottom of the page.

Note: We haven't reviewed all of these TVs at the 55-inch size, but given that they usually perform very similarly to their 65-inch variants, we have extrapolated our findings from our reviews of the larger-sized models. We'll make clear where this is the case.

The quick list

The table below offers a quick look at all of the 55-inch TVs we recommend in this article. Every TV in it has been thoroughly and comparatively tested against its rivals by our team of experts in one of What Hi-Fi?'s bespoke test rooms.

Written by

Written by

Tom Parsons

I'm What Hi-Fi?'s TV and AV Editor, and I've been testing TVs and home cinema products (as well as hi-fi kit and headphones) for over 17 years. I'm obsessed with picture quality and love 55-inch TVs as that's the size at which manufacturers offer their very best panel tech and picture processing. But I'm equally obsessed with value and believe a great home movie experience should be available to all. Thankfully, there are now budget and mid-range models that might not dazzle like a flagship but will give you a hugely enjoyable and cinematically authentic performance. As well as a great picture, I'm also looking for slick gaming specs, an app-packed operating system and solid sound – but I do always recommend adding a dedicated sound system if you can.

The best 55-inch TVs of 2025

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

Still need some convincing or more information? Scroll down and you'll see a detailed breakdown of why we recommend each TV in this list based on our direct experience using it in our dedicated test rooms.

Best 55-inch TV overall

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The Bravia 8's predecessor, the A80L, won Product of the Year at the 2023 What Hi-Fi? Awards, so this model has big shoes to fill.

While the Bravia 8 might be only a slight upgrade – on paper, at least – any improvements on such a stunning TV are enough to keep Sony ahead of the pack and earn the Bravia 8 an accolade in this year's Awards.

Put simply, the Bravia 8 is the best 55-inch TV for most people.

We haven't reviewed the 55-inch model, but the 65-incher bowled us over. From a design point of view, it's very similar to the A80L, but its feet have flat tops to accommodate a soundbar lying across them like it's reclining on a sun lounger.

The feet can still be situated wide or narrow, and they can raise up too (again, to help fit in a soundbar). The remote feels a bit cheaper than the A80L's, but the set itself is noticeably slimmer, with a flatter back, so is better suited to wall-mounting.

There are some improvements in terms of performance, too. The WOLED panel is 10 per cent brighter than the A80L's, and its Bravia XR processor improves the picture processing using AI.

There's a new Prime Video Calibrated mode too, to optimise the settings for Amazon's streaming service (it already has similar modes for Netflix and Sony Pictures Core).

Otherwise, it's largely the same TV as the A80L, with a 50W Acoustic Surface Audio+ sound system, the Google TV operating system, and the same HDR formats.

It's well specced for gamers too, though only has two HDMI 2.1 ports.

So, minor upgrades in the grand scheme of things, but specs rarely tell the full story.

Once you've fiddled with the Bravia 8's settings, it presents a fantastic picture, with colours true to life, particularly skin tones. "The Bravia 8's picture is wonderfully natural, with characters' skin tones offering more reds than the A80L, which shifts more to the blue end of the spectrum," we wrote in our review.

But it's not just the colours. Motion handling is sublime, while there's plenty of dark detail to see. The picture is sharp too, and well defined, with a great sense of depth.

It's also one of the better-sounding OLED TVs we've tested. While it might be a little light on the bass, it stays within its limits without distorting the sound.

The control and spaciousness it offers are more than worth the tradeoff of a bit less low-end heft. Though as ever, we recommend investing in a soundbar for an audio experience on a par with the visuals.

Read the full Sony Bravia 8 review

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Best 55-inch TV for gaming

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The C3 was a little underwhelming, but the C4 puts LG back near the top of the step-down OLEDs. While the specs might look near identical to the C3, the C4 is a real step on in terms of performance.

And for gamers after a 55-incher to sate their needs, it's the best model by far.

That's chiefly down to its four HDMI 2.1 ports – a longtime mainstay of LG's C-series. But there are some upgrades in this area too, namely support for 4K/144Hz signals and full Nvidia G-Sync VRR certification.

Admittedly these will only be useful to the more hardcore gamers, but they do still bolster the TV's gaming skills.

Add to that support for 4K/120Hz (and 144Hz), VRR and ALLM across all four of its HDMI 2.1 sockets, Dolby Vision gaming, HGiG for more accurate HDR game performance and the Game Optimiser menu for quick access to gaming features, and you've got the best TV for gamers.

(Again, we have only reviewed the 65-inch model, but almost everything from our review applies to the 55-incher too.)

The C4 is much more than just a gaming monitor that can also show movies. It's exceptionally slim (though its design doesn't leave room for a soundbar), with a beefed up Alpha 9 processor, virtual 11.1.2 sound upmixing and enhanced voice remastering.

It's a delight to watch. The picture is noticeably sharper and more vibrant the C3's, and the skin tones look especially natural.

This applies across the entire picture – "[The] colours are still balanced and natural, and there’s superb subtlety and blending to shades, but more impressive still is the consistency with which colours are delivered from the brightest to darkest parts of the picture," we wrote in our review.

Motion handling is top class too, and while it might lack a bit of dark detail, it's still superb for a mid-range OLED.

The sound is a big improvement on last year's model as well, being much less harsh. And that's despite having a sound system with the same specs. Looks like LG has been busy tweaking...

Read the full LG C4 review

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Best budget 55-inch TV (UK)

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The U7N offers an array of features that you wouldn't expect from a TV this cheap. But it's not just good on paper – it performs brilliantly (though not perfectly) in practice as well.

Its pedestal stand takes up precious little room, and so will fit on pretty much any TV cabinet. Inside the set is a customised Hi-View Engine Pro chipset with improved light control. You do only get two HDMI 2.1 ports though (out of the total of four HDMI sockets), so hardcore gamers with multiple consoles and/or separate sound systems might want to look elsewhere.

But otherwise, it has a fine suite of gaming features, including support up to 144Hz at 4K, ALLM, VRR and Dolby Vision gaming.

It's also well equipped in terms of HDR formats, supporting all four (HDR10+ included).

For the price, the picture is very good indeed, though you will need to fiddle with the settings to get the best out of it. But once you do, skin tones look natural and realistic, and movement is nice and smooth.

Images look three-dimensional, and retain tons of detail from the lightest parts to the very darkest.

"Moving to our tried, and terrifying, It 4K Blu-ray, results remain uniform, and the U7N continues to deliver great results considering its price," we wrote in our review of the 65-inch model. "The basement oozes menace as Georgie descends into it, and skin tones and colours in general have a nice pop without ever entering overcooked territory."

It's not quite as impressive as a pricier TV, but we wouldn't expect it to be. The brightest highlights lack some nuance, for example, and lose some colour volume.

But the audio is surprisingly impressive for a mid-range TV. It's not a patch on what you get from a decent soundbar, but it's decent nonetheless, remaining controlled with a notable lack of sibilance.

If you want a 55-inch TV on a budget, look no further.

Read our full Hisense U7N review

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Best budget 55-inch TV (US)

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If you're in the US, the Amazon Omni QLED is the cheap TV to buy. This is a TV that doesn't aim to knock your socks off but instead delivers a very balanced and consistent performance for a very low price.

We reviewed the 65-inch model, and were impressed.

Of course, one of the Omni QLED's main selling points is that it has Fire OS built in. Why buy a TV and a separate Fire TV stick when you can get both in one?

The additional appeal here is that this isn't a super-basic TV, but one with some more advanced specs that you usually only find in the class above.

So, as the name suggests, this is a Quantum Dot TV with a backlight that doesn't feature Mini LEDs but does benefit from local dimming, which allows the set to better control the light to different parts of the picture, generally resulting in better contrast.

This isn't a super-bright performer, though (that's true of the 65-inch model we've reviewed, but also very likely the 55-incher). Amazon has clearly decided that rather than have the TV attempt feats of which it's simply not capable (a common mistake made by cheap TVs), it's going to carefully balance dynamics and subtlety.

Colours are pretty vibrant when required, but also subtle and fairly nuanced when that is what's called for. Skin tones are perhaps slightly richer than is totally realistic, but not to an obvious degree.

The Omni QLED doesn't exaggerate contrast, detail or sharpness, either. It instead treads a perfectly satisfying middle ground that doesn't dazzle but does nail the basics and delivers a good approximation of what the director intended. The lack of aggressive, over-enthusiastic picture processing also means that you're never distracted by what the TV is up to, which means you can fully focus on the movie or TV show you're watching.

The only real negatives, other than the picture not being as good as that of TVs costing a lot more money, are that motion is a bit smeary at times and that dark detail is a bit lacking.

Back to the positives, the sound system, while basic, is direct and clear, so perfectly adequate for everyday TV. And while 4K/120Hz gaming is obviously off the menu, the Omni QLED does support VRR and ALLM.

The Fire OS operating system, meanwhile, is very user-friendly and packed to the gills with streaming apps.

All told, if you want a cheap TV that does everything and does it all in a balanced, grown-up way, the Omni QLED is a strong option.

Read our full Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED review

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Best premium 55-inch TV

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Talk about a misleading name. The Bravia 8 II is actually nothing to do with the Bravia 8 – it's a QD-OLED model and natural successor to the A95L, whereas the original Bravia 8 is a W-OLED set.

But what's in a name? Rest assured that this is one of the best TVs of recent years. It's so good, it makes the five-star A95L look a bit flat by comparison.

Looking at both TVs, you might struggle to tell them apart. It's likely that Sony has reused as much of the A95L's chassis as possible to keep the Bravia 8 II's launch price down.

(Speaking of which, the new set is actually cheaper than the A95L was at launch in the UK and Australia. Though the A95L is now discounted, so is actually the cheaper of the two.)

At 3.4cm, the Bravia 8 II is the slimmest of Sony's current TV lineup, though still thicker than its closest other-brand rivals. Like the A95L, the TV's feet can't be positioned centrally, so you'll need a fairly wide TV cabinet on which to place it (at least 122cm in the case of the 55-inch model).

Also like the A95L, the feet can be raised to accommodate a soundbar.

The Bravia 8 II uses Sony's latest QD-OLED panel, which, combined with the heatsink and the TV's processing abilities, make it 25 per cent brighter than the A95L for peak brightness, and 50 per cent brighter than the Bravia 8.

This brings with it an increase in colour volume, while Sony also claims big gains in terms of dark shading.

There's a new XR processor too, which uses AI to detect and analyse scene information and optimise the picture. And it has Studio Calibrated modes for Netflix, Sony Pictures Core and Prime Video (the A95L lacked the last of these).

Supported HDR formats are Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG, and it has IMAX Enhanced certification and Dolby Atmos audio.

You also get the Google TV operating system, and decent gaming specs (including 4K/120Hz, VRR and ALLM, Dolby Vision gaming and the ‘Perfect for PlayStation 5’ functionality).

It's just a shame it only has two HDMI 2.1 ports, as hardcore gamers with multiple consoles will demand more.

You can't knock its picture quality though. It's a real step on from the excellent A95L – peak highlights are noticeably brighter, while colours retain their natural vibrancy in low light. The extra shadow detail (what Sony refers to as "dark gradation") is plain to see.

"But what’s most impressive is how all of these elements combine with Sony’s new AI processing to make the image look so much more solid and three-dimensional," we say in our review.

"There’s volume and roundedness to objects and people… and backgrounds have depth and purpose."

It's also a cinch to get it looking its best. No menu fussing required.

It's good news on the audio front, too. The same actuator-based sound system as the A95L provides a sonic performance that's tied to the on-screen action. The audio also expands far beyond the confines of the screen.

"There’s excellent detail, too, and enough dynamic nuance to convey the emotion in an actor’s performance," we say in our review. "Bigger dynamic shifts are also handled well, with chapter two of Blade Runner 2049 building steadily where rival sets sound flat."

All in all, it's a truly exceptional TV, and the best premium 55-incher money can buy.

Read the full Sony Bravia 8 II review

TOP TIP

TOP TIP

Tom Parsons

If you don't like spending large chunks of time in your TV's menus settings (and who does?), then good news – the Bravia 8 II is a doddle to get looking its best. Just opt for one of its excellent presets. For a supremely authentic picture, pick Dolby Vision Dark for Dolby Vision content or Professional for everything else. Want more pop? Switch to Dolby Vision Bright or the Cinema mode. Hey presto. Small tweaks could yield even better results, but the vast majority of people will be more than happy with Sony's presets.

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Best new 55-inch TV

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LG's C-series TVs have always been good all-rounders, and a new model rarely disappoints. We're happy to report that the C5 is no different – it's another winner from LG, and the best new 55-inch TV you can buy.

Not that you would know it from looking at the spec list. On paper, not much has changed since the C4 – admittedly that was another five-star TV, but still, we have high expectations.

Thankfully the performance improvements far exceed those on paper.

Design-wise, not much has changed, and in terms of features, you get some extra brightness and some AI-focussed software features, along with a new AI shortcut button on the remote.

These AI features include a chatbot that can diagnose issues with your TV, like undecipherable dialogue or washed-out colours. And you can speak to switch user profiles, so you're not bombarded with someone else's recommendations.

It's another great option for gamers, with a full suite of gaming features and the addition of the Xbox app for console-quality streaming without a dedicated games machine.

But it's the picture quality that really makes this the best new 55-incher around.

It's just as unfussy as its predecessor, which makes it easy to get the best from it. Colours are always rich and punchy without looking unnatural, while skin tones retain a warmth that really adds to the realism.

Contrast is excellent, with objects standing out with sharp edges that never look over etched. Pushed to its brightness limit with a scene from Pan, it performs admirably.

"The centre of each floating bubble of water glows with a vibrant greenish-blue hue, and the sunlight shimmers through the ship's sails, illuminating the fabric patchwork to striking effect," we wrote in our review.

It's even more cinematic and engaging than the Sony A80L.

Motion is also handled excellently, with no judder or slowdown.

Unfortunately, sound remains LG's Achilles heel. The C5 sounds merely fine, with the same 2.2-channel 40W speaker system with downward-firing drivers as the C4. But – like most TVs – it would vastly improved by one of the best budget soundbars.

Still, that's a problem with most TVs, and it certainly doesn't stop us recommending the C5 as the best new 55-inch TV money can buy.

Read our full LG C5 review

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Best 55-inch Mini LED TV

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The flagship Mini LED Bravia 9 might have garnered more headlines, but the step-down Bravia 7 is something of a mid-range marvel.

True, it has fewer local dimming zones than the Bravia 9, isn’t as bright and it has a less powerful sound system. But it's also quite a bit cheaper, which makes it possibly even better value than its flagship stablemate.

It looks pretty premium for a mid-ranger, with its screen sitting flush with the frame. The frame is nice and narrow, and you can place the feet in four different positions to suit your TV furniture and accommodate a soundbar. Now that's versatile.

Screen tech isn't lacking either. You get a Sony XR Backlight Master Drive panel with Mini LED backlighting that boasts more than 300 separate local dimming zones.

You also get a Quantum Dot colour system, calibrated modes for Prime Video, Netflix and Sony Pictures Core, IMAX Enhanced certification, support for three formats of HDR and audio courtesy of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

You still only get two HDMI 2.1 sockets though. That's more forgivable on this mid-range model than a flagship, but similarly-priced rival sets do offer the full four, so gamers may be better served by one of these.

The picture quality is very much in the same vein as the Bravia 9, which is to say: excellent.

The backlight control stands out. At the brighter end, you get "exceptionally bright and intense HDR whites and colours that blaze off the screen with more intensity than they do on many much more expensive flagship TVs," we wrote in our review.

Blacks are startlingly deep, dark and convincing, and not far off the level you would expect from an OLED TV.

It's good news in between these two extremes as well. The Bravia 7's backlight control is so spot-on that scenes with a mix of dark and light look nothing less than natural and authentic.

There's barely any sign of blooming when bright objects appear next to dark areas, either. Native 4K images look sharp and detailed, while motion remains smooth throughout.

The sound too is very good for a TV at this price. It lacks a bit of bass weight, and will be improved by a decent soundbar, but that's true of most TVs, especially mid-rangers like this. A marvellous Mini LED effort from Sony.

Read our full Sony Bravia 7 review

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Also consider

Samsung S95D
Samsung's third-gen QD-OLED TV combines exceptional brightness and vibrancy with a degree of subtlety that the previous S95C lacked. The newer S95F is also now available, but we haven't yet been able to test it.

LG G4
LG's second-generation MLA technology is an excellent, extra-bright OLED TV – and it's now available with some huge discounts as it's a year old. This is an especially good choice for gamers and those who appreciate the picture frame-style design.

Samsung QN95D
If you want a premium 4K TV but don't want an OLED, the Samsung QN95D is well worth considering. It has some slight flaws, particularly in the way it handles very high-contrast images, but it's also incredibly bright, punchy and detailed – and it's great for gaming.

LG G5
This is a real leap forward for OLED screen technology. Its picture is truly exceptional, with bold highlights, rich colours and crisp details. It's just a shame about the sound, but a decent soundbar will fix that. We've only tested the 65-inch model of G5, but the 55-incher should perform just as well.

How we choose

When choosing a new TV, picture technology is almost always the most important factor.

Without a doubt, OLED has become the premium TV technology of choice, thanks to its perfect blacks, extraordinary contrast and exceptional viewing angles.

QLED, which combines LED (or Mini LED) backlighting with ultra-vibrant Quantum Dots, is a strong alternative, though, largely thanks to being capable of greater brightness and punchier colours.

Standard LCD TVs (often, confusingly, sold as 'LED' TVs on account of their LED backlights) are more variable in overall quality but, if you shop carefully, can offer excellent bang for your buck.

Sound is massively important, too. Are you planning to combine your new TV with a dedicated sound system? You probably should, because most TVs sound passable at best, even at the high-end. But if you are determined to keep things neat and rely on the in-built speakers of your new TV, check our reviews to make sure that they're at least good – there's no point in a great picture if the accompanying sound is rubbish.

If you're a gamer, it's also worth considering the next-gen gaming features of your prospective new TV.

Xbox Series X and PS5 gamers can gain a competitive advantage on certain games if their TV supports 4K 120Hz, while VRR support can result in a smoother gameplay experience. ALLM, meanwhile, simply ensures that you automatically get the best visual experience from both games and movies / TV shows.

If you're a more casual gamer or not a gamer at all, you can pretty much disregard these features, and it's likely that doing so will save you a lot of cash.

55-inch TV FAQ

How we test

The process of testing a TV is long and complex, with oodles of elements to consider before giving the final review verdict.

Modern TVs not only handle a variety of content resolutions – standard-def, 1080p, 4K and sometimes even 8K – and both standard dynamic range and high dynamic range (the latter in a number of formats), all of which need to be specifically tested.

On top of that, they have a sound system with various advanced settings and a full smart platform. We look at how well a TV manages to tie all of this up in one package, which can often be a challenging task.

Connectivity

As part of our testing process we manually check that every major app – from Netflix to All 4, Prime Video to Spotify – is not only present, but also outputting in the video and sound formats that it should.

Just because there's a Disney+ app doesn't necessarily mean it's working in Dolby Vision and/or Dolby Atmos. In fact, in many recent cases it hasn't been.

We also connect both a PS5 and Xbox Series X in order to establish which advanced gaming features are and aren't supported, and on which of the TV's HDMI ports.

Is 4K 120Hz supported? How about VRR? Is there a Dolby Vision game mode? Is there an HGiG preset for more accurate HDR tone mapping? We check all of these things, and measure input lag using a Leo Bodnar device.

Picture quality

It’s all well and good having some top-notch connectivity options, but what’s the point if you do not have a good picture quality?

We test how a TV measures up in this category by using a huge variety of content, from old DVDs to the latest 4K Blu-rays and plenty of streamed movies and TV shows in between.

Every TV is tested against the best model at its price and size – we have a stockroom packed full of Award-winners for this very purpose.

When it comes to settings, we are not satisfied with testing it with the ones straight out the box. We do not want to go down the route of getting it professionally calibrated as you should be able to get the best out of your TV without that.

Instead, we do spend hours adjusting settings using a mixture of test patterns and real-world content until we are sure we're getting the best out of a TV so that it has the best chance to shine.

Sound

We almost always suggest pairing your TV with a dedicated sound system such as a soundbar or AV amplifier, but many people want to stick with their TV’s built-in speakers.

Because of this, we use a wide variety of movie and music content and pay great attention to the TV's many processing modes and individual settings.

The right environment

We have state-of-the-art testing facilities in Bath and Reading, where our team of expert reviewers do all of our testing. This gives us complete control over the testing process, ensuring consistency.

What's more, all review verdicts are agreed upon by the team as a whole rather than an individual reviewer, again helping to ensure consistency and avoid any personal preference.

The What Hi-Fi? team has more than 100 years collective experience of reviewing, testing and writing about consumer electronics between it. What Hi-Fi's TV and AV editor Tom Parsons has been reviewing TVs for nearing two decades.

From all of our reviews, we choose the best products to feature in our Best Buys. That's why if you take the plunge and buy one of the products recommended below, or on any other Best Buy page, you can be assured you are getting a What Hi-Fi? approved product.

Recent updates

28th July 2025
Replaced Sony A95L with Bravia 8 II, and TCL P755K for Hisense U7N. Added LG C5 as best new, and Sony Bravia 7 as best Mini LED. Also added the LG G5 to the 'Also consider' section.

5th November 2024
Replaced Sony A80L with Bravia 8 and LG C3 with C4. Removed the C4 as the 'Best 2024' model. Rewrote introduction to clarify which models we have tested at 65 inches.

9th July 2024
LG C4 added as 'Best 2024' model, LG LG G4 and Samsung QN95D added as 'Also Consider' options

2nd April 2024
'Also Consider' and 'Recent Updates' sections added, plus new FAQs added

2nd February 2024
Added new author information and combined US and UK recommendations

31st October 2024
Replaced the Panasonic LZ980, Sony A95K, TCL RP620K and Samsung QE55QN94A with the LG C3, Sony A95L, TCL C845K and Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED.

Useful links

• Looking for a bargain? Here are the best cheap TVs
• Hardcore gamer? These are the very best gaming TVs
• Need something bigger? What about the best 65-inch TVs
• Want a future-proof TV? Here are the best 8K TVs