If you’ve already settled on a 55-inch TV you probably know a thing or two about what specs and features you need – but here’s what to consider before splashing out:
Display tech
The visual quality on a 55-inch LED TV will look very different compared to a 55-inch OLED TV – so make sure you choose the right display technology. There are three main types: LED (light-emitting diode), QLED (Quantum-dot Light-Emitting Diode) and OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode), with LEDs being the most basic and OLED the most high-end. Which one you go for depends on your personal choice – and how much you’re willing to spend.
Resolution
Buying a TV is often about getting the best possible picture quality, and that’s where resolution comes into play. Don’t go lower than 1080p or your image may look blurry, especially as you get up to the big sets. Luckily, most 55-inch TVs now come with at least 4K resolution, which gives you a crisper image for your movies.
HDR
Glance at the side of the TV box and you may see the acronym “HDR”, or High Dynamic Range. For panels that are bright enough, this helps to improve the colours and vividness of your image quality by boosting the level of contrast between the darkest blacks and the brightest whites on the screen. You may also see this described as HDR, HDR10, Dolby Vision, or HLG.
Smart features
All the 55-inch TVs on our list have smart features, from streaming apps to voice assistants. All either have Alexa or Google Assistant built-in or are compatible with devices that run them so you can control the set hands-free. Always check which assistant comes with the TV as it’s best to have them work seamlessly with other smart home products in your rooms.
HDMI ports
We recommend making sure your new TV has at least three HDMI ports – as you’ll quickly find that they quickly run out if you’ll be connecting other devices – like streaming devices, a Blu-ray player, a soundbar or a gaming console. If there are gamers in the house, get a TV with as many HDMI 2.1 ports as possible – this lets you play in 4K at up to 120Hz refresh rates and get ultra-smooth performance.
VESA
Most of the TVs on our list are on feet or a stand, which you then set on your TV cabinet or shelf. But if space is limited, consider mounting it to your wall using a bracket. The standard used to describe this is Vesa – with popular sizes including 200 x 200mm, 400 x 400mm, and 600 x 400mm. You can find your Vesa size on the box, or by measuring the gaps (in mm) between the pre-built screw holes on the back of your set. Pro tip: make sure that the material of the wall is strong enough to hold the TV, and that the wall mount also supports the weight of the 55-inch model you’ve chosen.
