Which 55-inch TV is best for streaming or gaming? Shop our top 5 picks

In today’s world of streaming and binge-watching, televisions are king and are as high-tech as they come.

Researching and buying a new TV can be so technical, it almost feels like you’re studying for a master’s degree in engineering.

And that’s before even considering the abundance of acronyms like HDR, 4K, AI-based upscaling, OLED, QLED and ultra-high def.

Luckily, we’re here to help.

Whether you’re on the hunt for a top-of-the-line Dolby Vision and Atmos experience, something best suited to gaming or working in conjunction with your Google Home, we’ve got you covered.

Put that engineering book back on the shelf and read on to discover the five best 55-inch TVs on the market today.

Read more: See our editor's picks of the best Sony TVs of 2023

Shop the best 55-inch TVs

Best overall

Samsung - 55” Class S95B OLED 4K Smart Tizen TV

Jump to details

$1,897 at Best Buy

Best option under $1,000

Sony-55” Class X80K Series LED 4K HDR Smart Google TV

Jump to details

$649.99 at Best Buy

Best OLED 55-inch TV

LG C2 Series 55-Inch Class OLED evo Smart TV OLED55C2PUA

Jump to details

$1,169 at Walmart

Best Samsung QLED model

Samsung The Frame 55” Class LS03B Smart TV

Jump to details

$1,199 at Samsung

Show 1 more

Best overall

Samsung - 55” Class S95B OLED 4K Smart Tizen TV

You save $302.99 (13.77%)

$1,897$2,199.99

$1,897 at Best Buy

Specifications

• 54.6in screen size (diagonal)

• 27.7 H x 48.2 W x 1.6 D in without stand

• 30.2 H x 48.2 W x 11.3 D in with stand

• 46.1lbs

Pros & Cons

• Solar-powered remote

• Easy to set up

• OLED screen for optimal visuals

• Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

• Small remote

• Potentially some Power On / Off issues

If you love crystal-clear viewing, you’ll love this Samsung TV. 

With its OLED screen boasting millions of pixels and 4K artificial intelligence,  this model delivers vivid picture with the truest colors. Plus, its Dolby Atmos sound and integrated apps transform TV watching into a sensory immersion experience.

We also love the Samsung LaserSlim Design, which gives it a sleek profile and small footprint. Not to mention, its Smart Calibration makes it easy for you to set your screen the way you like it.

With so many high-quality features for a totally immersive viewing experience, it’s no wonder this is our top-rated 55-inch TV. Over 550 owners give it an average rating of 4.6, and an impressive 93% would recommend it to a friend.

Best option under $1,000

Sony-55” Class X80K Series LED 4K HDR Smart Google TV

You save $50 (7.14%)

$649.99$699.99

$649.99 at Best Buy

Specifications

• 54.6in screen size (diagonal)

• 28.12 H x 48.62 W x 2.87 D in without stand

• 30.87 H x 48.62 W x 13.37 D in with stand

• 35.1lbs without stand, 37.1lbs with stand

Pros & Cons

• 4K HDR 

• Four HDMI and two USB ports

• Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

• WiFi connection drops occasionally

• No numbers on the remote

Sony is well-known for delivering high-quality technology — and for a good reason. As industry leaders, the brand’s products are trusted for reliability, quality and value. 

And this TV offers exactly that: it’s an LED TV that delivers sharp, authentic images and distinct sound at an affordable price.

Its compatibility with Google Assistant allows easy access to your streaming apps and favorite content while the HDR and Dolby Vision features take gaming and movie watching to the next level. 

Earning an average rating of 4.8 on Best Buy, 97% of owners would recommend this set to a friend, clearly making it a good 55-inch TV and the best option under $1,000.

Best OLED 55-inch TV

LG C2 Series 55-Inch Class OLED evo Smart TV OLED55C2PUA

You save $330.99 (22.07%)

$1,169$1,499.99

$1,169 at Walmart

Specifications

• 54.6in screen size (diagonal)

• 27.7 H x 48.1 W x 1.8 D in without stand

• 29.8 H x 48.1 W x 9.1 D in with stand

• 32.2lbs

Pros & Cons

• OLED self-lit pixels

• No gap wall mount

• LG Game Optimizer mode

• Filmmaker mode viewing

• Automatic updates change sound and picture quality

LG’s proprietary AI processor seamlessly customizes visual and auditory settings to optimize your overall experience, delivering crisp, clear pictures with rich colors. 

This is the best OLED 55-inch TV for gamers, thanks to its LG Game Optimizer mode, centralizing your preferred setting controls. Now you can adjust your synch and refresh rates without distorting action on the screen. 

It’s even equipped with four HDMI and three USB ports so no matter what your gaming style is, this TV will accommodate it.

Receiving points for picture quality and brightness, it earns an average rating of 4.6 from 2,097 reviewers, making it our favorite OLED TV available right now.

Best Samsung QLED model

Samsung The Frame 55” Class LS03B Smart TV

You save $300.99 (20.07%)

$1,199$1,499.99

$1,199 at Samsung

Specifications

• 54.6in screen size (diagonal)

• 27.9 H x 48.7 W x 1 D in without stand

• 29.3 H x 48.7 W x 9 D in with stand

• 37.3lbs without stand  38.1lbs with stand

Pros & Cons

• Art mode 

• QLED 4K color consistency

• Minimal wall gap

• Solar-powered remote control

• Voice can get out of sync with video

• No numbers on the remote

With reflection-reducing features and numerous frame color choices, this television elevates the style of any room with its art-like appearance. Not only does it look like a piece of art itself, but it’s loaded with an array of classic artwork and offers the ability to add your own library, creating a gallery in your living room.

The Frame is another Samsung TV with a solar rechargeable remote — no need to keep extra batteries on hand. It also has two HDMI and two USB ports for input. 

Owners rate this TV an average of 4.4 with 731 reviews, making it one of our favorite Samsung models and the best 55-inch QLED TV out there.

Our favorite from Sony

BRAVIA XR 55” Class A90J 4K HDR OLED with Google TV (2021)

$2,198

$2,198 at Walmart

Specifications

• 54.6in screen size (diagonal)

• 27.91 H x 48.15 W x 1.61 D in without stand

• 29.3 H x 48.7 W x 9 D in with stand

• 37.3lbs without stand, 38.1lbs with stand

Pros & Cons

• Google TV

• Speaker embedded in screen

• PlayStation 5 customized

• Remote is quite long with small buttons

• Not Alexa compatible

Sony has surpassed the ‘smart’ TV and introduced a ‘thinking’ TV. 

Its Cognitive Processor XR prioritizes and coordinates the key components of the content, from focal point and motion to accurate audio-visual interaction.

The audio flawlessly syncs with images because the speaker is part of the screen and not a separate component, so you can kiss any syncing irritations goodbye. You’ll also enjoy easy access to Google TV content and your other streaming subscriptions and apps through a central hub, so it’s never been faster to settle into your entertainment. 

Sony also overcomes one of the chief drawbacks of OLED TVs by boosting the brightness of this model. The resulting digital image displays outstanding contrast, visual clarity and color sharpness.

Which 55-inch TVs get our vote?

How you use your TV will determine your priorities and help you decide which features you need most in your next purchase. While we know each of these top 55-inch TVs offers something special, there are two that really stand out from the crowd.

• Sony BRAVIA XR 55” Class A90J 4K HDR OLED: The best 4K 55-inch TV with its Google TV integration, specialized PlayStation 5 capabilities and speakers that synch voices and sound to the picture, you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy the rich colors with ease — because dark screens are a thing of the past with this Sony Bravia.

• Samsung The Frame Smart TV: Here’s a TV that looks and acts like a piece of art whilst still delivering big on functionality. With a solar rechargeable remote and excellent picture quality, countless films and nights spent reviewing photos of your favourite holidays will be enjoyed with this baby.

Prices updated on 07/25/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.