The average size of TVs is getting bigger all the time, so while 48in, 49in and 50in TVs aren't as big as they used to be nowadays, they'll suit those short on space or after a reasonably-sized screen for a second room.
You don't have to spend a fortune to find a picture you can be proud of, either. There are some fantastic bargains around on some of our favourite models, which we've rounded up below.
Under £500
Philips 50PUS6272
Way, way more impressive and capable than the price suggests.
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: LED | Resolution: 4K | HDMI inputs: 3 | HDR support: HDR10, HLG
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
Today's best Philips 50PUS6272 deals
This budget Philips 4K TV offers a lot of screen for not a lot of money.
The highlight is its class-leading (for the price) picture – which is impressively punchy and dynamic with impressive detail levels – and helping its case is a well-stocked app tray.
Amazon Video works in 4K (but not HDR), while Netflix gives you the full 4K HDR package. All four of the main catch-up apps (iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4 and Demand5) are also present, and you can stream pay-as-you-go blockbusters from Rakuten.
The sluggish and basic OS makes it a bit of a chore to get to the content you’re after, and you have to have a good play with the picture settings to get it looking its best, but those issues are well worth putting up with for a picture this good at such a reasonable price.
Philips 50PUS6703
This Award-winning Ambilight TV has a picture to brighten up your day
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: LED | Resolution: 4K | HDMI inputs: 3 | HDR: HDR10, HLG
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
Today's best Philips 50PUS6703 deals
Philips is enjoying a good run of form with excellent value TVs, and this What Hi-Fi? Award winner 2018 is the best of the lot. If you can afford to spend the extra £100 over the 50in Philips set above, then we'd urge you to.
Like its sibling, the 50PUS6703 has its shortcomings: a pretty lacklustre interface and the absence of HDR support within the Amazon Prime Video app. But it more than makes up for that with an impressively punchy, dynamic and detailed picture and an effective implementation of Ambilight (lights that shine on the wall behind and to the side of the TV to enhance what you're watching).
Netflix (4K HDR) and Amazon (4K) are both on-board, and on the catch-up side iPlayer, ITV Hub, All4 and Demand5 all make an appearance.
All in all, the 50PUS6703 is a superb TV at a startlingly low cost.
Over £500
Sony KD-49XF9005
A class-leading belter of a 4K TV that truly excels for the price
SPECIFICATIONS
Type: LED | Resolution: 4K | HDMI inputs: 4 | HDR: HDR10, HLG
Reasons to Buy
Reasons to Avoid
Today's best Sony KD-49XF9005 deals
Another What Hi-Fi? 2018 Award winner, this premium 49in Sony is the absolute best in class at this size, marrying benchmark performance across the board with fab features and great performance-per-pound price.
While its Android TV OS isn't as intuitive as others, it brings some benefits: the Google Play Movies & TV app for 4K HDR rentals, and support for Google Home and Amazon Echo voice control, so if you have smart speakers you can use them to search and play content hands-free.
Netflix and Amazon Prime Video are included (and in 4K HDR), as are catch-up apps from the BBC, ITV, All 4 and Demand 5. The iPlayer app is also 4K and HDR compatible, and YouView is integrated too.