THE BEST 50-INCH TVS OF 2024
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While big-screen TVs get a lot of attention, some rooms aren't large enough to fit a massive display. If you have a smaller living room or are shopping for a TV to put in a bedroom, a 50-inch set is a great option. Though there are fewer midrange and high-end models at this size, the best 50-inch TVs still offer a reliable viewing experience, and they're often a lot more affordable than their larger counterparts.
Our top pick is the LG C3, one of the few OLED TVs you can buy in under 55 inches. When it comes to premium performance on smaller screens, this model is an outlier since it delivers top-notch contrast and perfect black levels in a compact form factor. But if you want a great budget-friendly set, we recommend the Hisense U6HF, which has features like quantum dots and local dimming that are missing on most competing 50-inch displays in this price range.
Below are all our expert picks for the best 50-inch TVs, including an entry-level LED set for casual viewing and a QLED designed for gaming.
Note: LCD-based TVs (including LED and QLED models) are usually sold in a 50-inch screen size, while OLED TVs are sold in a slightly smaller 48-inch size. For that reason, we've included a 48-inch OLED in this guide.
Our top picks for the best 50-inch TVs
Best overall: LG C3 - See at Best Buy
Best budget: Hisense U6HF - See at Amazon
Best entry-level: TCL S4 - See at Walmart
Best midrange for gaming: Vizio MQX - See at Amazon
Best overall
The 48-inch LG C3 is the ideal TV for people who want a smaller display without sacrificing picture quality. It uses an OLED panel, which is rare for TVs smaller than 55 inches. This type of screen gives it key benefits over the cheaper LED and QLED sets that round out the rest of our guide.
The C3 offers all the perks that OLED screens are known for, including pixel-level contrast control and wide viewing angles. On LED and QLED displays, black levels can look elevated when you watch TV with the lights off, and colors and contrast can distort if you sit to the side of the panel. But on the C3, black levels disappear into a dark room without any blooming around bright objects, and picture quality remains consistent even if you're off-center from the display. Check out our QLED vs. OLED comparison for more details on how each panel type stacks up.
The 48-inch C3's peak brightness of around 600 to 700 nits is very respectable, especially compared to other displays in the 48-to-50-inch class. Though Sony and Samsung sell brighter OLED TVs that use quantum dot filters, that feature is only available in larger sizes. Simply put, there are few TVs this small that look this good and offer this level of high-dynamic-range (HDR) performance.
Outside picture performance, the C3 offers solid smart TV streaming via LG's webOS platform. The interface isn't our favorite, but it still provides reliable access to all of the best streaming services, along with built-in support for Alexa voice control. The C3 is equipped well for the latest consoles, too, with a 120Hz refresh rate that can support smooth gaming on a PS5 and Xbox Series X. However, unlike some other OLEDs, the C3 does not support a 144Hz refresh rate when paired with a PC.
At a typical sale price of just under $1,000, the C3 is pricey for a 48-inch TV, but the jump in picture quality you get over our other picks is substantial. Buyers should note that LG does sell a 2024 edition of this display, called the C4. The new model can get brighter, but it costs more. For now, we think the C3 remains the better value for most people.
Best budget
Hisense's U6HF is an older version of its U6K QLED. The newer U6K is the top budget pick in most of our best TV guides, but it's unavailable in sizes under 55 inches. However, the U6HF is sold in 50 inches, and it remains a great option for the money.
Like the U6K, the U6HF uses a QLED panel with quantum dots to produce a wide color gamut and a solid peak brightness of about 600 nits. It also has local dimming to help control the TV's contrast, enabling it to brighten and darken across specific areas. But unlike newer U6 TVs, this model uses regular-sized LEDs instead of Mini LEDs in its backlight. This means it has fewer zones to work with, which makes it more prone to halos around bright objects on dark backgrounds.
Still, few 50-inch TVs can achieve this level of image quality for the money. Most competing models at this price lack local dimming entirely, and many lack quantum dots as well, so they have a narrower range of colors.
However, the U6HF can't avoid other common pitfalls of TVs in this class. Most notably, it has subpar viewing angles, so contrast and colors fade if you sit off-center from the display. It's also limited to a 60Hz refresh rate, so you can't get high frame rate support when paired with a gaming console or PC.
The U6HF uses the Fire TV interface and features Alexa voice control. Hisense used to sell another version of this set, simply called the U6H, that used Google TV instead, but that edition is discontinued. Though we prefer the Google TV model since it has more picture calibration options, there's no denying how much value this set offers. For a common sale price of under $400, the U6HF is the best 50-inch TV you can snag on a budget.
Check out our guides to the best budget TVs and all the best TVs under $500.
Best entry-level
The TCL S4 is the best 50-inch TV for buyers who want an affordable display for casual viewing. This entry-level model lacks advanced picture quality features, but it's an inexpensive option for basic smart TV needs.
The S4 uses a regular LED panel without quantum dots or local dimming. This means it can't produce a wide color gamut, and it can't control its light output across different segments of its screen. As a result, black levels will veer toward gray or slightly blue when watching movies in a dark room, and HDR movies and shows won't play with the same peak brightness and color accuracy as they would on a QLED or OLED. And like most TVs in this class, viewing angles are poor, so colors look faded if you sit to the side of the screen.
All those cons might make it sound like the S4 is a bad TV, but that's not really the case. It's just that this isn't a model geared toward videophiles, home theater buyers, or serious games. It cuts costs to offer the bare necessities for a decent image at an affordable price, and in that sense, it's a worthwhile set. This is a display meant for people who want a cheap but reliable 50-inch TV that gets the job done but nothing more.
The S4 is available in Roku TV, Fire TV, or Google TV variants, so you can choose which smart TV interface you like best. We like Roku for its simple navigation, but the Fire and Google options have the benefits of built-in support for Alexa or Google Assistant, respectively.
Best midrange for gaming
Vizio's MQX is designed with gaming in mind. This midrange TV is one of the few 50-inch QLED models available that supports a 120Hz refresh rate in 4K, and it can even support up to 240Hz if you game in 1080p on a computer.
This enables a smooth experience when you play games with frame rates higher than 60 frames per second on a PS5, Xbox Series X, or PC. The TV also uses a QLED panel with wide color support and local dimming to help control contrast and black levels. However, the display only uses 16 dimming zones, which is low and can cause more noticeable blooming (halos around bright objects) than you'd see on QLEDs with more zones or on OLED TVs with pixel-level contrast.
At a peak of around 400 to 500 nits, the MQX's brightness is decent for a TV in this class but a bit under the minimum of 600 nits that we recommend for entry-level high dynamic range performance. If you're buying a 50-inch TV with HDR movie-watching in mind, we think you're better off with the Hisense U6HF since it can get a little brighter and has double the number of dimming zones. However, the U6HF only has a 60Hz refresh rate, so the MQX has a clear edge when it comes to gaming. Both TVs have subpar viewing angles, so neither has an advantage there.
How we pick 50-inch TVs
To choose the best 50-inch TVs, our team of experts uses a combination of testing and research bolstered by more than a decade's worth of experience covering the home entertainment product industry.
When we test TVs, we usually evaluate 65-inch models since brands often consider that size their flagship. However, if a specific TV model is offered in multiple sizes, that model's overall performance usually remains similar across the board. For example, a 48-inch LG C3 OLED and a 65-inch C3 OLED have the same basic specs and features. The only major differences are the sizes of their screens and their peak brightness.
However, it's important to note that the best 50-inch TVs with local dimming, like the Hisense U6HF and Vizio QMX, use fewer dimming zones in smaller sizes versus larger ones. This can result in differences in contrast performance when comparing a 50-inch model to another size. Sometimes, there are bigger variations in features and design across sizes, so we note those instances when they pop up.
When evaluating 50-inch TVs, we focus on specific testing parameters like clarity/sharpness, contrast, peak HDR brightness, color gamut, off-angle viewing, refresh rate, smart TV interface speed, and general value for the money. We use an X-Rite iDisplay Plus colorimeter to assess brightness when we review TVs and use test patterns on the Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 4K Blu-ray disc to check other objective image elements.
We also watch plenty of real-world content on every 50-inch TV we test to get a feel for what it's like to use each display daily. We play key scenes from movies and TV shows to examine local dimming, HDR performance, upscaling, and more. Sources include Blu-ray discs, streaming services, and live TV at various resolutions, from standard definition to 4K. Testing is conducted in bright and dark rooms to see how a TV performs in different conditions.
50-inch TV FAQs
Is 50 inches a good size for a TV?
The best 50-inch TVs are a good option for buyers who need a compact display to put in a smaller room. However, the selection of midrange and high-end TVs offered in this size is limited compared to what you'd find when shopping for a larger display.
For instance, many of the best OLED TVs are only available in 55, 65, and 77 inches. Likewise, several of our favorite QLED TVs from brands like Hisense and TCL, like the U7K and QM8, are not sold in 50 inches.
That said, there are a few high-end exceptions, like our top pick in this guide, the LG C3, one of the few OLED TVs made in smaller sizes. But generally speaking, most 50-inch TVs are built with entry-level and lower-midrange performance in mind.
If you want a larger selection of mid-tier and premium display models to choose from, check out our guides focusing on larger TVs:
How much should a 50-inch TV cost?
The best 50-inch TVs cost between $200 and $1,000, depending on the type of display you buy.
Entry-level LED models from value-friendly brands like TCL, Hisense, and Vizio cost around $200 to $250. These options are good for casual viewing but often lack advanced features like quantum dots and local dimming. Lower-midrange QLED sets range from $300 to $550, and these options will deliver better color, higher contrast, and brighter panels. However, many of our favorite upper-midrange QLED models are unavailable in 50 inches.
Likewise, high-end 50-inch TVs are hard to come by, but you can find a couple of OLED models, like the LG C3, and top-tier QLED models, including some of the best Samsung TVs like the QN90C, in this size for around $1,000 to $1,200.
Is 4K worth it on a 50-inch TV?
Though the benefits of 4K resolution are best appreciated on larger TV sets, 50 inches is still big enough to make 4K worthwhile, especially if you plan to sit close to your display.
However, the debate about whether 4K is worth it on a TV this size has become a moot point since major brands no longer sell 50-inch HDTVs. Most HDTV models are now restricted to 43 inches and under. If you're buying a 50-inch or larger TV in 2024, 4K is the standard.
For more 4K display recommendations in multiple sizes, check out our guide to the best 4K TVs.
Should you get a soundbar for a 50-inch TV?
Many TVs, especially those in smaller sizes like 50 inches, offer mediocre sound quality. To keep costs down and fit speakers inside compact displays, manufacturers use small drivers that limit the range, depth, and clarity of a TV's built-in audio. To get the best sound quality, we recommend buying a separate soundbar to pair with a 50-inch TV.
Check out our soundbar guides to see our top recommendations:
- The best soundbars
- The best budget soundbars
- The best Dolby Atmos soundbars
- The best soundbars with subwoofers
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2024-04-01T20:15:46Z dg43tfdfdgfd