The 55-inch television is a happy middle among TVs – not too big, and not too small, it’s one of the most popular screens you can buy.
It’s also why some of the best TVs in the market are 55-inch ones. They incorporate smart TV features, and the screen’s adequately large size produces incredible 4K picture quality – all at a price that doesn’t leave you feeling swindled.
Fazal Imam, founder of Dubai Repairs, a 20-year-old repair service where a wide-range of television brands are maintained and fixed, said: “The 55-inch TV configuration is indeed very popular in the market. It strikes a good balance between size and affordability and is favoured by many consumers for its immersive viewing experience.”
What features should I look for in a 55-inch TV?
First and foremost, it’s important to figure out whether you want to purchase an LED (light emitting diode), QLED (quantum dot LED) or OLED (organic LED) television.
Imam shared some insight about these technologies: “Both OLED and LED have their strengths. OLED technology offers unmatched contrast levels, pixel-level dimming, and wider viewing angles, resulting in stunning picture quality. LED (including QLED) technology, on the other hand, delivers brighter images and is often more affordable.”
Ultimately, it depends on the user’s “preferences, budget, and viewing angle”, Imam said. If deep backs and wider viewing angles are more important to you, then you might be better off buying an OLED television. However, if you’d like to prioritise a more budget-friendly device that offers bright images, LED and QLED televisions would be preferable. Also, do note that OLED televisions tend to be much slimmer, and therefore more fragile, than other televisions – something to consider if you have children or pets at home.
Once you’ve settled on your preferred display technology, Imam recommended opting for TVs with 4K resolution for sharper, more detailed images. Devices that support HDR (high dynamic range) content enhance the contrast and colour accuracy of images, so it’s worth looking for a product that has this feature. Additionally, Imam advised picking a smart TV that offers internet connectivity, allowing users to stream content from various apps and services.
The final consideration is perhaps the most important. Imam said: “I highly recommend getting a good warranty program when buying a TV. TVs can be a significant investment, and a warranty helps provide peace of mind in case of any manufacturing defects or issues that may arise during the warranty period. It is important to carefully review the terms and conditions of the warranty and ensure it covers the desired duration and the necessary services.”
Based on our expert’s recommendations, and top-rated user reviews, we picked the best 55-inch televisions in the market right now. Check out our list of top 65-inch, 75-inch and more compact 50-inch TVs, as well.
Get your favourite device with Amazon Prime for free and quick delivery, and take advantage of the ongoing sale on TVs. You can also book an in-home wall mounting service (with a free wall bracket) by a professional.
1. Best Overall: Samsung Q80C QLED 4K Smart TV
Pros
- Slim, elegant design
- Spectacular brightness with QLED
- Excellent gaming features
- Dolby Atmos sound
Cons
- Reviewers say TV contrast could be better
The highest-end model in Samsung’s QLED TV range is the Q80C, and it’s a solid choice. It has exquisite brightness, along with deep, rich colours that showcase the best of Quantum HDR+ content. The TV features Direct Full Array backlighting, which allows for a much tighter control of each dimming zone. It’s extremely slim, yet still manages to integrate an array of smart features. The TV is a treat for gamers, who’ll find that it has incredibly low input lag, HDMI 2.1 bandwidth with VRR (variable refresh rate) support, and a Game Mode that offers excellent HDR brightness. Samsung’s 4K resolution is as clear and vibrant as it gets, and its smart features make streaming your favourite shows as easy as pressing a button. Reviewers say its audio matches the viewing experience, thanks to Dolby Atmos’s multidimensional sound, but the television’s contrast may not be good enough to make the content stand out in a dark room.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent installments and pay Dh287.41 for 12 months with select banks. Add an in-home wall mounting service with a professional for Dh89.10.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh199, 1-year accidental damage protection for Dh332, and 2-year damage protection with 1-year extended warranty for Dh424.
2. Best OLED TV: LG OLED Evo CS3 Series
Pros
- Stunning picture quality
- Best-in-class gaming performance
- WebOS is fantastic
- Great HDMI connectivity
- Dolby Atmos sound
Cons
- Panel is extremely thin and delicate
With OLED technology, pixels produce their own light, rather than the need for a backlight to illuminate them, as in the case of LED/LCD screens. So, it results in deep, inky blacks, stunning colour, and nearly-perfect contrast. If you’re tempted by this unique feature, LG’s CS3 series is the way to go. This spectacular television gives you four full HDMI 2.1 ports, which gamers will find useful, and its webOS has plenty to offer, from voice assistant capabilities to AI-driven sports alerts, and even a Game Optimiser menu for gamers who want to adjust brightness and contrasts quickly. While it's a visual delight, reviewers caution that it's not the hardiest TV out there - the panel is incredibly thin, measuring just 0.1-inch thick across the top half of the TV.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent installments and pay Dh458.25 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh312, 1-year accidental damage protection for Dh522, and 2-year damage protection with 1-year extended warranty for Dh666.
3. Best Mid-Range TV: Sony BRAVIA 4K UHD Smart Google TV
Pros
- Excellent picture quality
- Built-in voice command capability
- Built-in Google TV
- Includes useful features
Cons
- Smart functions are slow and tend to lag, reviewers say
Sony is no stranger to producing incredible picture quality and vibrant colour displays. But its BRAVIA 4K Ultra HD television manages to pack a whole host of other useful features in its slim frame, as well. The television's 4K X-Reality PRO technology ensures crisp imagery with rich detail and texture, and even upscales images filmed in 2K or HD, so you don’t have to settle for mediocre, grainy imagery ever again. Reviewers appreciate that the TV connects via Bluetooth to their devices, and like the fact that they can find their favourite content with voice commands, instead of tedious text searches. The cherry on top is the television’s in-built Google TV, a hub for over 700,000 movies and episodes that grants access to endless entertainment options, no matter what you’re in the mood for. However, reviewers caution that some of the smart menu options are slow and tend to glitch.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent installments and pay Dh183.08 for 12 months with select banks. Add an in-home wall mounting service with a professional for Dh89.10.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh142, 1-year accidental damage protection for Dh238, and 2-year damage protection with 1-year extended warranty for Dh303.
4. Best Budget TV: Hisense 4K UHD Smart TV
Pros
- Built-in voice command capability
- Incorporates Dolby Vision
- Game Mode included
- Great price
Cons
- Too many unnecessary pre-installed apps, say reviewers
An affordable 55-inch TV with many of the smart features we’ve come to expect from television brands, this Hisense model doesn’t disappoint. With fantastic 4K UHD picture quality provided by Dolby Vision and backed by a Direct Full Array grid of LEDs, you can make the most of crisp, vivid colours and deep blacks. Easily access your favourite streaming channels through the TV’s Vidaa Smart OS streaming platform. It also includes a Game Mode and voice command support for a better, faster experience. While some reviewers find that the Vidaa platform comes with a lot of pre-installed apps, which they can’t remove, they still appreciate the fact that the television is built for entertaining and offers a lot of smart features for a decent price.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent installments and pay Dh124.92 for 12 months with select banks. Add an in-home wall mounting service with a professional for Dh89.10.
Warranty: Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh86, 1-year accidental damage protection for Dh143, and 2-year damage protection with 1-year extended warranty for Dh182.
5. Best Gaming TV: Samsung QN85B Neo QLED 4K TV
Pros
- Excellent brightness with Neo QLED
- Slim design
- Impressive anti-glare ability
- Dolby Atmos speakers
Cons
- Reviewers say user interface is a bit slow
As far as gaming televisions go, Samsung QN85B is one of the best available right now, and is a 2023 release. Its Neo QLED technology produces brilliant colour and brightness that’s unmatched. Add to this, Samsung’s array of smart TV functions and a solar-powered remote that eliminates the need for batteries, and it’s truly something special. The device’s Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ reduces picture shake on the screen, and enhances motion clarity, while its Dolby Atmos sound system provides powerful, multi-dimensional sound - both essential features for an immersive gaming experience. If you own a sounder, you can sync it up with Samsung’s Q-Symphony function, which effectively generates a surround effect without muting the TV speakers.
Bonus: Buy with zero per cent installments and pay Dh274.95 for 12 months with select banks. Add an in-home wall mounting service with a professional for Dh89.10.
Warranty: The manufacturer provides 1-year warranty. Amazon offers 1-year extended warranty for Dh199, 1-year accidental damage protection for Dh3832, and 2-year damage protection with 1-year extended warranty for Dh424.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.