Best 50-inch TVs in 2024: Tested and rated (2024)

The best 50-inch TVs are those that meet most demands and can fit in practically any space, from a large living room to but a wee apartment bedroom. While most people are turning to larger TVs, even over the 65-inch range, the sweet spot still remains the 50-inch configuration, where even some of the best prices are locked in.

To be clear, these do do not cover those among 55-inch options, which proves a bit more popular. Don't fret, though, as whether you need a secondary TV for the kitchen, living space, bedroom, or even office, these models are quite the pick. We've got loads of reviews and testing across a wide range of options, so we know just how to pick them.

It comes as no surprise that the LG C3 OLED is our top pick among the best 50-inch TVs, as it's also one of the best value OLED TVs on the market. This would serve well as a PC monitor or secondary display, which could act as your main gaming setup, thus allowing you to watch TV while you game on your second TV.

But the LG C3's price, even at just a $1,300, can be quite the ask. Thus, you might find the Samsung QN90 QLED TV a more valiant option for the price. Whichever you choose, make sure to get a TV with ample specs that meet demands right for you, such as HDR support, gaming exploits, or budget pricing.

The quick list

The full list: Best TVs in detail

Despite having a newer, brighter LG C4 OLED on the market, the LG C3 OLED pops up on practically every one of our best lists, as it just proves to be an incredibly stellar display with loads of potential across varied use cases. It's exceptional in the gaming department, leveraging 4 HDMI 2.1 inputs, a 120Hz refresh rate, 12.9ms of input lag, and a host of additional features, like VRR, ALLM, and even a Dark Room mode under LG's handy Game Optimizer.

With only a 40W speaker across 2.2 channels, the C3 OLED may not offer the crispiest of sounds, but at least it's coming in a relatively low price point of $1,299 for its 48-inch model. It may not be 50-inch, but it's close enough.

It's bar-none the best LG TV, utilizing LG's beloved webOS 23 platform, which streamlines user's content discovery, bypassing the need for a Amazon Fire TV Stick, while also making it easier for users to customize their TV home screen experience.

Read our full LG C3 OLED review.

The best OLED TV

The Sony Bravia XR A90K is quite a remarkable display that hits all the right spots in its range. Only available in a 42-inch and 48-inch model, it's best suited for those looking to get a smaller screen that's just as powerful as the best 65-inch options out there.

Best of all if the A90K comes equipped with an OLED screen, so you get rich details and stunning vibrancy no matter what you're watching. You will have some expected downsides as such, like quite a low peak brightness of 218 nits in standard content and just 640 nits for HDR content.

That's not a knock at the A90K, though, as a lower brightness level comes standard on most OLED TVs. At least with the A90K, you get quite a grand gaming platform, as it sports 2 HDMI 2.1 inputs, VRR, ALLM, and even two PlayStation 5-specific features, Auto Genre Picture Mode and Auto HDR Tone Mapping.

Read our full Sony Bravia XR A90K review.

The best QLED TV

If you're in search of a top-tier QLED TV that's exactly 50 inches corner-to-corner, then you'll definitely want to consider the new Samsung QN90D. It comes with a number of cutting-edge technologies — like Samsung's new AI picture processor — that will make all your movies and shows look their best.

In terms of specs, the QN90D offers a native refresh rate of 144Hz when connected to a gaming PC, and can easily play games from Xbox Series X and PS5 at 4K/120. There are four full HDMI 2.1 ports on-board and the QN90D can play HDR10+ content from Amazon Prime Video.

The downsides here are that its color accuracy is a little lackluster right out-of-the-box. Sure, it's bright, bold and beautiful, but if you're a stickler for the most accurate picture money can buy, you should probably go for the Sony OLED listed above. If you're not put-off by the color inaccuracy and are willing to play around with the colors to get them just right, the peak brightness of 2,000+ nits is a great consolation prize.

Read our full Samsung QN90D Neo QLED TV review or browse our Samsung promo codes

Best 50-inch TV Test Results

Other 50-inch TVs we've tested

• LG C4 OLED: The successor to the LG C3 OLED is brighter than its predecessor, but around twice as expensive. Right now, it's simply not worth paying twice as much when you can get the excellent 48-inch LG C3 OLED for under $1,000.
• Samsung CU7000: The Samsung CU7000 is also available in a 50-inch size for around $350, though we don't recommend it due to its low brightness and poor color saturation. The models on this list are more expensive, but they're significantly better.

How to choose the best 50-inch TV for you

How to choose the best 50-inch TVs for you

When looking for a 50-inch TV, follow our TV Buying Guide tips. If you put some thought into what you need from a TV, you’ll be able to enjoy your purchase for years to come.

Size: Wondering what size room a 50-inch TV is perfect for? Check out our guide What size TV should you buy?. It shows that a 50-inch 4K TV is best for viewing when you’re sitting about four feet from the unit. That makes them a great match for a bedroom or small apartment. Then decide if you’re locked into a 50-inch model.

If your space will allow for a larger unit, we recommend you go bigger — even if you think you’ll be happy with a smaller screen, a bigger one helps make the experience of watching more engaging. And moving up to a 55-inch TV will bring more options and features.

Price: Expect to pay around $300 for most 50-inch TVs, although those with better features or an established brand name can cost $500 or more.

Features: Consider which ports you need and how many. The number of HDMI ports you need depends on how many devices you plan to plug in —a streaming stick, game console or cable box, for example. Most of these TVs have four HDMI inputs, but some have three. If you plan to use a sound bar, you may need an optical digital audio or a 3.5 mm auxiliary output. You may also want a TV that supports Bluetooth so you can listen on your headphones without disturbing people around you.

Gaming: If you're going to be doing a lot of gaming on your new TV, and particularly if you have one of the next-gen consoles, consider TVs with HDMI 2.1 ports. This will support Variable Refresh Rate, for super-smooth 120Hz gaming.

If you've narrowed down your TV shopping by brand, price range or screen size, check out our picks for the best TVs in each.

Best TVs | Best 4K TVs | Best smart TVs for streaming | Best TVs for gaming

The best TVs under $1000 | The best TVs under $500

Best TV brands | Best Samsung TVs | Best TCL TVs | Best LG TVs | Best Roku TVs | Best OLED TVs | Best QLED TVs | Best 8K TVs

The smallest smart TVs | Best 43-inch TVs | Best 55-inch TVs | Best 65-inch TVs | Best 70-inch TVs | Best 75-inch TVs | Best 85-inch TVs

And don't forget to watch out for the latest TV reviews.

How we test the best 50-inch TVs

How we test 50-inch TVs

Testing the best 50-inch TVs is a thorough process. We put every TV through our custom set of lab tests, measuring color gamut, color accuracy and brightness to objectively see which sets are the best for these key indicators. We also test for lag time, measuring to the millisecond how long it takes for content to travel from the original video source to the screen. We use these results to make numbers-based comparisons about color and display quality.

We spend hours with each set to see how our lab results translate into anecdotal performance. We also compare competing sets using a range of content across several sources. With that information, we can tell you which TVs look best, sound best, and offer the best viewing experience.

Of course, we also consider the smart TV functions and apps for each TV, looking at everything from the remote control design to the voice interaction.