A 50-inch TV is a great choice for the living room, media room, or even a large bedroom, giving you the option to curl up with your partner and pass out without having to make the trip from the couch to the bed. The top picks come with quick refresh rates, new panel technology, and outstanding resolution designed to immerse you in your favorite movie, TV series, or hit game.
Many TVs also have built-in timers that automatically turn the TV off after a specific amount of time. Other models have a screen saver that activates to prevent screen burn in. Check out our list of top products below, then keep reading to learn more about the best 50-inch TVs and what to look for to find the right TV for your home.
— Best Overall: SAMSUNG 50-Inch Class QLED Q80A Series
— Best Budget: TCL 50-inch 4K UHD HDR Smart Android TV
— Best for Gaming: Sony X85J 50-Inch TV
— Best 4K: LG 80 Series 50-Inch 4K UHD Smart TV
— Best Smart TV: Insignia 50-inch LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV
How We Chose the Best 50-Inch TVs
In order to compile a list of the best 50-inch TVs, we drew upon several years of experience with old and current TV technology and identified the benefits and drawbacks of over 25 different products, such as the Samsung QN90A TV, the Hisense H8G TV, and the Toshiba C350 TV. We selected our top picks based on the resolution, refresh rate, panel technology, app selection, TV dimensions, and any extra features, like smart home integration or a voice-controlled remote.
TV panel technology has continued to improve, so you won’t see many plasma or LCD screens anymore. Instead, there’s a greater number of OLED, QLED, and high-quality LED TVs with high resolutions to improve the viewing experience. We also factored in the weight and dimensions of the TV to ensure that it will fit in the chosen space and can be supported by a table, stand, or wall-mount. For gamers, the refresh rate is also a key consideration. Choosing a TV with a 60Hz (hertz) refresh rate is fine for slow-paced RPGs and strategy games, but when every millisecond counts in a first-person shooter, it’s better to have a TV with a 120Hz refresh rate to help improve your reaction speed.
Best 50-Inch TVs: Reviews and Recommendations
Best Overall: SAMSUNG 50-Inch Class QLED Q80A Series
Why It Made the Cut: Have a gaming advantage with the rapid 120Hz refresh rate and stunning QLED display.
Specs:
— Dimensions: 44 inches wide x 9 inches deep x 26.9 inches high
— Resolution: 4K
— Refresh Rate: 120Hz (hertz)
Pros:
— Fast refresh rate
— Works with multiple voice assistants
— Object tracking sound system
— Brilliant QLED display
Cons:
— High price
The SAMSUNG 50-Inch Class QLED Q80A Series is an excellent choice for gaming, binging TV shows, or relaxing with a movie. It measures 44 inches in width by 9 inches in depth by 26.9 inches in height and comes with Amazon Alexa built in for convenient voice control. This Samsung 50-inch TV offers users an intense, immersive experience with a stunning QLED display and 4K resolution that helps bring scenes to life.
The TV also features four-speaker object tracking, so the sound follows the action across the screen to create a more realistic auditory experience. Gamers who enjoy fast-paced games, like first-person shooters, can get ahead of their competition with the 120Hz refresh rate. Additionally, the 50-inch TV has an IQ Active processor for quicker access to apps, superior picture processing, and a more responsive TV experience.
Best Budget: TCL 50-inch 4K UHD HDR Smart Android TV
Why It Made the Cut: Dim the lights, change the temperature or search for movies, shows, apps, and more with the built-in Google Assistant.
Specs:
— Dimensions: 44.2 inches L x 11.8 inches W x 27.8 inches H
— Resolution: 4K
— Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Pros:
— Hands-free control with Google Assistant
— Inexpensive 4K smart TV
— Chromecast built-in
— High Dynamic Range colors
Cons:
— Risk of screen burn-in
This TCL 50-inch TV provides immediate access to thousands of streaming apps, so users can find a wide range of options for almost any entertainment preference. The TCL 50-inch 4K UHD HDR Smart Android TV also comes with Google Assistant built-in, giving users the ability to search, change the temperature, dim the lights, find answers to questions, check Google Photos, look up sports scores, and more.
The TV measures 44.2 inches in width by 11.8 inches in depth by 27.8 inches in height, making it a great choice for the living room, media room, or even a studio apartment. It has a 60Hz refresh rate and uses TCL’s High Dynamic Range (HDR) color to create bright, accurate colors for a more realistic viewing experience. Just make sure to set up a screensaver or auto-off timer to prevent burning a still image into the screen.
Best for Gaming: Sony X85J 50 Inch TV
Why It Made the Cut: Dazzling cinematic cut-scenes look stunning with the 4K resolution and the color reproduction of this 50-inch TV.
Specs:
— Dimensions: 44.25 inches L x 11.4 inches W x 25.6 inches H
— Resolution: 4K
— Refresh Rate: 120Hz
Pros:
— Fast refresh rate
— Motionflow XR 960 improves image clarity
— Built-in Google Assistant
— Enhanced color
Cons:
— Risk of screen burn-in
The Sony X85J 50-Inch TV doesn’t have OLED or QLED panel technology, but it makes up for this shortcoming with the TRILUMINOS Pro system that reproduces natural, precise colors based on rapid analysis and data processing. Invest in this 50-inch TV for outstanding visual displays and a rapid, 120Hz refresh rate that can help users take advantage in fast-paced first-person shooters. See opponents a fraction of a second before they can respond to raise the gameplay to a new level.
Slow down the action and get lost in brilliant RPG cut-scenes or turn off the computer or console to enjoy the latest binge-worthy series. Motionflow XR 960 helps to keep up with rapid movements–like speeding vehicles or extreme action sequences–providing clear, concise images for the viewer. However, it’s still important to remember to turn the TV off after using it to prevent screen burn-in.
Best 4K: LG 80 Series 50-inch 4K UHD Smart TV
Why It Made the Cut: Rely on the rapid processing speed of this 50-inch smart TV for improved menu functions and app navigation.
Specs:
— Dimensions: 44.1 inches L x 9.1 inches W x 27.9 inches H
— Resolution: 4K
— Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Pros:
— Brilliant 4K resolution
— Access to over 300 free LG channels
— Dedicated game mode
— Quad-Core 4K processor
Cons:
— Slow 60 Hz refresh rate
The LG 80 Series 50-inch 4K UHD Smart TV offers viewers 4K resolution with ultra high definition (UHD) panel technology supported by active high dynamic range (HDR) for vibrant colors and realistic details. The HDR system also improves the TV performance and picture quality for gaming, though the 60Hz refresh rate may not be quick enough to keep up with the most fast-paced, first-person shooters.
Instead, take advantage of the high-speed quad-core 4K processor to navigate through thousands of apps, customize menu functions, and set up the game optimizer for the ideal contrast, so gamers don’t need to squint or strain their eyes to focus while they play. The TV also comes with access to over 300 free LG channels, and it’s compatible with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa for ease of use.
Best Smart TV: Insignia 50-inch LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV
Why It Made the Cut: Take voice control of this 50-inch smart TV through the built-in Amazon Alexa app.
Specs:
— Dimensions: 44.4 inches L x 10.4 inches W x 27.8 inches H
— Resolution: 4K
— Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Pros:
— Access to thousands of shows with Fire TV
— DTS Studio Sound
— Built-in Amazon Alexa
— Inexpensive option
Cons:
— Limited LED colors and contrasts
When the most popular streaming apps, like Netflix, Prime Video, and Disney+ don’t have anything interesting to watch, many viewers switch to a game or settle for re-watching an old favorite. However, with the Insignia 50-inch LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV users get access to thousands of shows through Fire TV, opening up an entirely different avenue for home entertainment. The DTS Studio Sound system helps to immerse viewers with a two-speaker system that creates a realistic ambience. Plus, this 50-incher can connect to several popular smart home systems and comes with Amazon Alexa built in, giving users the option to take control of their TV with simple voice commands. Just keep in mind that this TV does not use OLED or QLED panel technology, so the colors and contrasts are limited. This also means that the TV is at risk of screen burn-in if it’s left on a fixed image for a lengthy period of time.
Things to Consider Before Buying a 50-Inch TV
Before trying to decide on the best 50-inch TV for the living room, bedroom, or media room, consider researching the dimensions, refresh rate, resolution, and panel technology, so you can feel confident about your decision.
Dimensions
The size and shape of the TV isn’t limited to the screen size: you also need to think about the physical space the TV will take up in your home. Before choosing a 50-inch TV for your home, plan where you want to set it up, take measurements, and use this information to find a suitable TV.
One thing all 50-inch TVs should have in common is their screen size, measured diagonally from the top right corner to the bottom left corner. However, this doesn’t mean that every 50-inch TV has the same width, height, or depth. Also, keep in mind that if you invest in a TV with a curved screen, the depth of the TV will be greater than a product with a flat screen, though this also means that the TV should be able to fit more comfortably in a corner.
Refresh Rate
The refresh rate is essentially the speed at which the TV refreshes the image on the screen within one second, which is measured in hertz (Hz). Consider investing in a 50-inch TV with a 120Hz refresh rate for fast-paced gaming. This impressive speed can help you gain an advantage in first-person shooters (FPS) where every second counts. However, if the goal is to sit back and relax in front of one of your favorite binge-worthy shows, then a 60Hz refresh rate is perfectly fine.
A refresh rate of 60Hz is decent for role-playing games and puzzle games that rarely require precise timing, especially when paired with 4K resolution. But if the refresh rate on your TV is slightly behind one of your competitors in a first-person shooter, then they have the advantage for responding to visual stimuli on the screen.
Resolution
The higher the resolution, the more pixels used, and the better the image. Currently, 4K or UHD is the most common resolution available for 50-inch TVs. This indicates that the TV can display images in 3840 x 2160 resolution, which is a significant step up from HD TVs that display images in 720 x 1280 or 1080 x 1920 resolution.
It isn’t easy to find new TVs available with standard definition (SD) displays, which is only 480 x 640 resolution, though some smaller products may still have this lower resolution. Similarly, it isn’t easy to find a wide variety of 8K TVs because 8K resolution is still relatively new technology. Choose a 4K 50-inch TV for the best results; early adopters may want to consider making the switch to 8K to experience the benefits now.
Panel Technology
How the TV screen displays the pictures, images, and video depends on the type of panel technology used. The most popular options include LED, OLED, QLED, and ULED.
— LED TVs use LED backlighting to transmit an image onto the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel, while newer technology, like OLED TVs, have panels that emit their own light. It’s important to understand that there is no difference between LED and LCD TVs. The terms LED and LCD were at one point used to differentiate between devices because there were LCD TVs that used cold-cathode fluorescent lights (CCFLs) for backlighting instead of LEDs, but CCFL TVs have mostly been replaced by LED TVs. Of course, LED TVs are now being pushed out of the market to make room for the superior OLED and QLED products, but if you don’t mind the older tech, then opting for an LED 50-inch TV is a great way to save some money.
— OLED TVs are one of the top options for panel technology. OLED stands for Organic Light-Emitting Diode, which essentially means that the panels in these TVs emit their own light instead of having to be backlit to create pictures. OLED technology has surpassed LED technology in several ways, but the most distinct is that an OLED TV controls each LED individually, allowing the TV to simply turn off specific LEDs to create a true-black appearance. Despite this improvement, OLED technology is not perfect. Since each pixel is an individual light source, OLED TVs have a hard time displaying incredibly bright scenes in full color without overheating. To prevent overheating, these TVs appear dimmer when they’re displaying a large amount of bright colors, like a hockey game or a snowy winter scene.
— QLED TVs are a brand-specific option manufactured by Samsung, though some other companies, including Sony, may also carry a few QLED products. Some consider them to be superior to OLED TVs, but there is still some debate about this. QLED stands for Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diode. This technology uses microscopic nanocrystals called quantum dots that react to blue light by emitting red light or green light. This allows 50-inch QLED TVs to create brighter colors than LEDs and stunning contrasts that rival OLED TVs.
— ULED simply means Ultra Light-Emitting Diode, but this term doesn’t carry the same meaning as LED, OLED, or QLED. The reason for this is that ULED is used to refer to products that operate using a collection of Hisense hardware and software. It doesn’t relate to the actual picture quality or lighting technology, so if you see a TV labeled as ULED, just make sure to take the time to research the product specifications before deciding on one of these 50-inch TVs.
FAQs
Q. What’s the best brand of 50-inch TV?
TV technology is constantly improving, so while there are some well-known brands, like Sony or Samsung, there are also many good products among up-and-coming TV manufacturers. The best TV brand depends on your preferences. Go with a popular manufacturer if you’re worried about reliability or you just want to get the latest in TV technology. If you’re looking for a bargain without sacrificing quality, you should consider a Hisense 50-inch TV, a Toshiba 50-inch TV, or a Vizio 50-inch TV from the Vizio V Series for an affordable addition to the home.
Q. Can a TV be too big for a room?
Yes. When you’re looking for a new 50-inch smart TV, consider where it will be installed to avoid sitting so close that you cannot actually take in the entire screen. Viewing the screen from very close up will also distort the images and take away from the game, show, or movie you’re watching. For a 50-inch TV, it’s recommended to be about 6 feet away from the screen, which means it probably isn’t the right choice for a bathroom or a small office.
Q. Is QLED better than OLED?
QLED and OLED are the best panel technologies currently available, but deciding whether QLED is better than OLED is difficult. QLED TVs last longer, have a lower price point, and they can create stunning visuals with the brightest colors. But OLED TVs boast sharper contrasts, better viewing angles, and they use less power overall. So the best option between QLED and OLED really comes down to user preference.
Q. How much do 50-inch TVs cost?
When it comes to price, you can expect to pay as little as $250 for a basic 50-inch TV or more than $1,500 for a high-quality 50 inch TV. Keep in mind that TVs made by popular brands, like Sony, Samsung, or LG will typically cost more than less recognized brands, like Hisense, Vizio, or Insignia.
Final Thoughts
Immerse yourself in the high-quality QLED scenes created by our top pick for the best 50-inch tvs, the SAMSUNG 50-Inch Class QLED Q80A Series TV. Or choose or choose the more affordable TCL 50-inch 4K UHD HDR Smart Android TV, our best budget option, that comes with Google Assistant and Chromecast built-in.
This post was created by a non-news editorial team at Recurrent Media, Futurism’s owner. Futurism may receive a portion of sales on products linked within this post.
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