We’ve all been there: You gather the whole squad over for movie night, only to remember that you don’t own a TV and before you know it everyone is gathering around your tiny 10-inch Macbook. That just won’t fly after college. You’ll need a real TV – and a big one – when you’re hosting everyone for movie night or to watch the big game.
But finding the right TV can be stressful, especially if you’re not sure what to look for. That’s why we’ve done all the research and broken it down in an easy-to-understand way, so you can stay informed and buy the best TV for your needs.
Carry on reading for a breakdown of the best 50-inch TVs broken down by overall ranking, best price, and by what niche they fill. Or jump straight to our best 50 inch TV here.
What Should I Look for When Buying a 50-Inch TV?
The key to making any purchase is turning it into a checklist. We’ve compiled below the top traits you need to look for in your TV and prioritized by the ones we thought were most important. We’ll help you avoid the mistake of buying a 50-inch TV that’s all flash and no function. As all of the TVs on this list are 50 inches (give or take an inch), screen size is not one of the criteria we used to find the best.
It’s also important to know what you’re looking for. If you’ll mainly be using your new TV for video games, you’ll want something different than someone who plans on using it to watch TV shows and movies. You may prioritize the criteria below differently than we did, you might think there are some missing entirely, or you might think some criteria that are on the list shouldn’t be.
Criteria #1: Picture Quality. This one is pretty obvious. The entire point of a TV is to look at it, so you better make sure it looks pretty. You want that full HD experience. Don’t feel stuck in the year 2000 while everyone else is in 2020. Unfortunately, the hard part is knowing which TVs have great picture quality without actually using the TV, but that’s what we’re here for. We’ve broken down the best 50-inch TVs by picture quality and avoided – or explained – the jargon to help you know what’s what.
Criteria #2: Sound Quality. Unless you’re watching a lot of silent films, you’ll want great sound quality to go with your great new TV. Investing now in a TV with a high-quality sound system will help you avoid spending more later to buy external speakers. TV brands typically focus on image resolution more than sound quality, so unfortunately, if you care about that crisp sound more than those bright, clear images, you might have to go out of your way a little to get that fresh sound you’re looking for.
Criteria #3: Price. Unfortunately, when you buy a 50-inch TV, you’re going to have to spend a little. But we tried to minimize the damage by focusing on the best TVs that stay within a reasonable price range, aiming to keep the spending below $1000. The best TVs push this to the limit a bit, with some 50-inch options even going far over it, but if you’re willing to compromise and prioritize your savings, you can shave hundreds of dollars off of that $1000 figure.
Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best 50-Inch TVs
We used the above criteria in tandem with the different reasons you might have to buy your 50 inch TV to compile our list. Do you need a great TV to watch the game after work? Or are you hosting your friends for watch-parties? Or maybe your new TV is going to be your gaming hub?
Depending on your needs, you’ll have to look for different traits when you buy your TV. We kept these needs in mind when assessing TVs by their HDMI input for your gaming and presentation needs, smart technology for all the Netflix bingers out there, and thought about those looking to save and those who just want to spend it all on the best TV money can buy.
So without further ado: The five best 50-inch TVs of 2020.
#1: Sony X950H 49″ (Best Value – All-Purpose)
The best TV on the market comes in with a size of 49 inches, but we promise it will more than make up for being an inch short of that 50-inch mark. This Sony TV has 4K resolution powered by its LCD and LED-backlit screen. It also has HDR (High-Dynamic Range imaging) support through HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG. This means a wider range of colors and better picture quality on your TV, so the picture won’t get blurry during that big explosion scene or that dark space level, and that the picture will be crisp and clear from all angles, so nobody has to feel like they got the short stick when they’re on the edge of the couch. This TV also has a higher refresh rate that means less lag while you’re gaming.
In addition to the ultra HD picture quality, with this TV you’re getting a great top-of-the-line sound system tailor-made to suit your environment. While the best Acoustic Multi-Audio technology isn’t currently available for the 49-inch model of the TV, no matter what, you’re getting crisp sound quality that everyone will be able to hear clearly.
On top of the elite picture and sound quality, you’re getting a smart TV powered by the Android TV X1 Ultimate chip. This means you can get all of your streaming apps from Netflix to Disney+ to Hulu straight on your TV, so you won’t need to constantly fumble around with that HDMI cable to plug in your laptop. Don’t worry if you do want to connect your laptop to the TV though; it has four different HDMI ports, so you can keep your Xbox plugged in while you browse the web in style. The smart technology also offers voice support with Google Assistant, so no more looking around for the remote.
This all comes in at just under $1000. Not exactly the deal of the century, but 4K TVs with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support that cost less than that are pretty hard to come by. You’re getting the full array of features here: Excellent picture quality, great sound quality, and a smooth smart TV interface. Despite being a 49-inch TV, this is our best “50-inch” TV available.
It’s worth mentioning that this TV is available in larger options, which also are of slightly higher quality, so if the 49-inch/50-inch range isn’t important to you, and if you’re willing to spend more, the larger versions of the Sony TV might be what you’re looking for.
#2: LG OLED48CX (Best Splurge)
If money didn’t matter, this TV would probably be at the top of our list instead of Sony’s TV. But alas, not all of us can go for the best without considering the extra spending, and all things considered, the Sony TV is a better buy for the average customer. That being said, if you’re willing to drop that extra cash, this TV is one of the best, and here’s why you might elect for the LG OLED4CX over the Sony KD-49XH9505.
Reason #1 to Choose This Product: OLED display
You’re not the average TV viewer. You’re a connoisseur. And as such, you’ll accept nothing but the absolute best picture quality. With this 48-inch TV, you’re getting the cutting edge technology OLED (Organic Light-emitting Diode) display so you’ll get every shade and hue imaginable for the best ultra HD viewing experience. Just like the Sony TV, this TV supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision HDR. This is a cinema-level TV. If you go with the LG TV, your home will immediately become the official movie night spot, as every other TV will just pale in comparison.
Reason #2 to Choose This Product: HDMI Speed
This TV comes with cutting edge HDMI 2.1 ports that support eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), HFR (High Frame Rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and all formats of VRR (Variable Refresh Rate). This means even less delay on your input than you’d experience with the Sony TV. This is more of a niche demand, as the typical HDMI cable is fast enough that most people would never think to complain, but if your TV is mostly being used as a monitor for your HDMI (mostly computers or video game consoles) devices, then HDMI 2.1 ports will give you the most seamless experience possible. This is especially appealing if you’ve had your eyes on that next-gen gaming console. No more feeling like your controller isn’t listening to you. With this TV, every command you input will be executed instantaneously.
Besides the smaller screen size (the one inch doesn’t make much of a difference), where this TV falls behind the Sony KD-49XH9505 is in its price. At about $1500, this TV could really set you back. Unless you’re dying for that OLED picture quality, it’s probably best to save your money and buy the Sony TV. But if you want the absolute best and you’re willing to pay for it, this 48-inch TV is the TV for you.
#3: Samsung QN65Q80TAFXZC (Best to Use as a Computer Monitor)
While it’s definitely not what the typical customer is looking for, there are two main reasons you’ll be interested in using your TV as a computer monitor. The first is if your job involves looking at a lot of big spreadsheets, and you want a big screen so you can see everything at once without constantly scrolling. The second is if you’re a PC gamer, but you want that large screen size experience that you can only get from a TV screen.
If you fall into either one of these categories or have any other reason for wanting to use your TV as a computer monitor, the Samsung QN50Q80TAFXZA (sorry the name is such a mouthful) is the best 50-inch TV for you.
Because of the difference in size, using TVs as computer monitors gets tricky. TVs just aren’t designed to display images in the same manner computers are. This Samsung TV fixes that issue automatically detecting when a PC is plugged into the TV and changing the settings to compensate.
The TV also has a “gaming mode” which will lower input-lag mode, and because of Samsung’s special “Ultra Viewing Angle” layer added to the screen, everything will be clear from any angle. This is especially convenient if you have trouble finding a good place to put your laptop in relation to your TV.
Besides these features, this TV is a great standard TV in its own right. It supports 1080p as well as 4K resolution and has direct full array x dimming technology for richer blacks and brighter whites. This Samsung smart TV is powered by Alexa and has four HDMI ports and two USB ports.
On our list of 50-inch TVs, this TV is the first one that is actually exactly 50 inches, and this 50-inch TV is one of the best. However, it costs about $1000, so unless you really need it for your computer, you’re probably better off going with the Sony TV listed above, as that option will give you ultra HD picture and a more immersive viewing experience if the main reason you want a TV is, well, to watch TV.
#4: Hisense R50B7120UK Roku TV (Best Smart TV)
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Another mouthful, this 50-inch TV is a smart TV that comes prepackaged with the Roku TV product without needing any HDMI add-ons. In addition to the screen size we’ve been looking for, this TV has 4K resolution as well as an LED backlight, and comes with all of your go-to streaming apps and Spotify, with a universal search so you don’t need to check each service individually to find what you’re looking for. What you’re left with is a TV that delivers the modern TV watching experience at a hard-to-beat price.
The Hisense Roku TV costs about $600; a complete steal compared to the other smart TVs on our list. It might not have all of the extra add-ons that let the other TVs deliver ultra HD picture quality, but Hisense sill gives you a great product with this 4K TV. Throw Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and every other streaming service you can think of on top of that, and this is one of the best TVs of the year in any size if you want the 2020 experience. You’ll even get to save a little.
#5: Samsung Smart Tizen TV (Best Budget TV)
TVs have come a long way in the new millennium. You’d never think that this Samsung smart TV was a budget buy. A 4K TV with a 50-inch screen, this is a great TV that might make you wonder why some people shell out the big bucks for a new TV. It has HDR content through HDR 10+ and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), the Tizen smart platform, and all of your favorite streaming services. The best part? It only costs $350.
The main compromise you have to make for that unbeatable price is slightly worse picture quality due to the lack of OLED and Dolby Vision HDR support. This TV is also missing voice support for the smart TV aspect and only has two HDMI ports. This all may seem like a small price to pay for the amount of saving you’ll do, as you’re still walking away with a 50-inch TV that looks great. This is the best 50-inch TV for its price, and it meets the standard of the other 50-inch TVs.
On a Budget? Try These:
We’ve broken down our best 50-inch TVs by price, so you don’t have to worry about the details. You can just focus on staying within your budget.
#1 Budget: Sony X950H 49″
A 4K TV with an LCD and LED-backlit screen, plus a wide variety of HDR support mean this TV has the absolute best picture quality of our 50-inch TVs (okay fine, it’s a 49-inch TV). That, plus solid sound, hands-free smart technology, and an excellent refresh rate that means less lag on your games means this TV is worth every penny.
#2 Budget: Samsung Smart Tizen TV
This 50-inch TV shows how far technology has come, especially once you look at its price tag. With a 4K display, HDR content, and smart technology, this Samsung TV will meet all of your modern needs. It puts the TVs of even five years ago to shame, and when you buy it, you’ll be amazed at how little you spent.
#3 Budget: Hisense Roku TV
With a built-in Roku and every streaming service out there, this smart TV is as smart as they come. It also meets the modern 4K TV standard and matches our desired 50-inch screen size. A great buy if you’re on a more moderate budget.
Do I Still Need a TV as Cable Becomes Less Popular?
With streaming services, cable TV is losing popularity fast as viewers elect to skip the commercials and watch their shows on Netflix or Hulu. Are you trying to cut the cord from your cable provider and find yourself wondering if you even still need a TV at all?
The truth is you might find that just having a laptop is more than enough. Especially if you’re not sharing that screen with anyone. But pretty much every TV is a smart TV these days, and if you plan on having guests over, you’ll want a screen bigger than your computer’s screen to provide high-quality entertainment. It’s definitely still worth it to buy a TV for movie night.
Verdict: Your Best 50-Inch TVs
In this section, we’ll break down the best 50-inch TVs based on what they offer, so you can know exactly what you’re getting and get exactly what you need.
If you want the absolute best TV, pick the LG OLED48CX.
You’ll need to break the bank a little for this bad boy, but you’ll be rewarded with one of the best TVs out there. A 4K TV and Dolby Vision HDR provide the best ultra HD image quality, and its HDMI 2.1 ports give you a lightning-fast refresh rate that means zero input lag. That plus solid sound and great smart technology. This TV does it all.
If you need to use your TV as a PC monitor, pick the Samsung QN50Q80TAFXZA.
This 50-inch TV is tailor-made to double as your PC monitor and give you the biggest screen possible. With its automatic PC mode, the TV will switch it’s display settings to the optimal settings for a computer, and if the automatic feature doesn’t work properly, you can still go to PC mode manually. It also has a gaming mode to make sure there’s as little lag as possible. Size up your computer when you buy this Samsung TV. Every inch counts.
If you want to keep the price under $400, pick the Samsung Smart Tizen TV.
Don’t care about having all the fancy new features? Looking to save? The good news is TVs have come such a long way that you can keep the spending to a minimum and still get most of the bells and whistles. Pretty much all TVs now will give you smart technology and 4K resolution, and the Samsung Smart Tizen TV is no exception. For an affordable price, you’ll get a 50-inch TV who’s size and quality make a 2010 HD TV look like a 1980’s tube TV.
There you have it. We’ve given you a breakdown of the best 50-inch (or 49-inch or 48-inch) TVs out there, and broken it all down by price and features, so you can make the best choice possible. Remember that all of the TVs on this list are about the same size, so if want something bigger or smaller, or just don’t particularly care, it might behoove you to do more of your own research and find an option that’s better suited to your tastes.