Finding the right television feels like a huge task these days. You walk into a store, or more likely, you scroll online. And you’re just hit with a wall of numbers and letters. QLED, OLED, Mini LED, 4K, 8K, HDMI 2.1. What does it all even mean.
It’s a lot to take in.
Especially when you’re looking for that perfect middle ground size. The not-too-big, not-too-small screen. That’s where the top rated 50 inch TV comes in, it is the hero for so many rooms.
This size is generally perfect for apartments, bedrooms, or living rooms that aren’t giant movie theaters. For 2025, the technology packed into these screens is better than ever. You no longer have to buy a massive 65-inch set to get the good stuff.
So let’s just get into it. We’ve looked at the new models and figured out which ones are actually worth your money. No confusing jargon, just straight talk about what makes these TVs good.
What’s the Deal with 50-Inch TVs in 2025?
So why this size? For a while, it felt like TV makers were only putting their best tech in the really big screens. If you wanted a 50-incher, you got last year’s hand-me-down features.
That’s changed now.
The best 50 inch TV 2025 models are now getting premium treatment. You can find brilliant Mini LED screens and sometimes even fancy OLED panels in this size category. Which is a big shift.
This is good news for a lot of people. It’s a size that fits comfortably without totally dominating a room’s entire wall.
Plus, at a normal viewing distance, the 4K picture on a 50-inch screen looks incredibly sharp. You really don’t need 8K resolution at this size, so don’t let anyone sell you on that. It’s just not necessary.
Our Picks for the Top Rated 50 Inch TVs of 2025
Alright, let’s get down to the actual TVs. We’ve picked out a few that stand out from the crowd for different reasons. One isn’t always better than the other, it just depends on what you’re looking for.
Samsung QN85E Neo QLED: The Bright Room Brawler
Samsung is still a big name and for good reason. Their Neo QLED sets are super bright, which makes them awesome for watching TV during the day in a sunny room.
This model uses something called Mini LED backlighting. It basically means there are thousands of tiny lights behind the screen, giving the TV much better control over which parts are bright and which are dark.
The result is a picture that really pops. Colors look great and the detail is fantastic. For gamers, this TV is also a winner. It’s got all the new gaming features you’d want, like 120Hz refresh rate and support for the latest consoles. The features it has for gaming are really quite good.
LG C5 OLED: The Movie Night Champion
If you mainly watch movies in a darker room, this is probably the one. LG’s OLED TVs are kind of legendary for their picture quality, and it’s all about how they work.
Unlike other TVs, each tiny dot on an OLED screen makes its own light. This means when a part of the movie is supposed to be black, the dots just turn off completely. You get perfect, inky black, not a cloudy gray.
Watching a space movie on this thing its a whole different experience. The contrast is just amazing. The only downside is that OLEDs normally aren’t as blindingly bright as a top-tier QLED, so if your living room is basically a greenhouse, the Samsung might be a better choice.
TCL 6-Series Pro (R655G): The Budget Superstar
Not everyone wants to spend over a thousand dollars on a TV. We get it. TCL has been making really good TVs for not a lot of money, and the 6-Series is usually their sweet spot.
It is a TV that is considered to be a top budget pick. It also uses Mini LED technology, which is wild for a TV at this price point. A few years ago, this was only in the most expensive models.
The picture quality is surprisingly close to the big-name brands. It gets bright, the colors are good, and it has Google TV built right in, which is a really easy-to-use smart system. It might not have the brand name appeal of a Samsung or LG but your wallet will thank you.
Things to Actually Look for When You’re Shopping
Beyond just picking a model, you should know some of the terms they’ll throw at you. It helps you cut through the marketing noise.
Screen Tech: This is the big one.
OLED: Best for contrast and perfect blacks. Great for movies in dark rooms.
QLED / Neo QLED: Uses a backlight with a layer of “quantum dots” to make colors better. Very bright and vibrant. Good for all-around use, especially in bright rooms.
LED: This is the standard, most basic type. They’re fine, but normally don’t have the same punchy picture as the other two.
Gaming Features: If you have a PlayStation 5 or new Xbox, look for this stuff.
HDMI 2.1: This is the port you need to get the best performance from new consoles.
120Hz Refresh Rate: This makes motion look super smooth, which is great for fast-paced games.
VRR (Variable Refresh Rate): This helps prevent screen tearing and makes games feel more responsive.
Smart TV System: This is the software you use to launch Netflix and other apps.
Google TV: Really smart, good recommendations.
Roku: Super simple and easy to use.
LG webOS / Samsung Tizen: Both are fine, they have all the main apps you’ll need. It’s more of a personal preference thing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About 50-Inch TVs
Is a 50 inch TV big enough for a living room?
For many, yes. It depends on how far you sit. If you’re sitting 5-7 feet away, a 50-inch TV is a great size. If your couch is 10 feet from the TV, you might want to consider something bigger.
Do I really need an OLED panel on a 50 inch screen?
Need? No. But is it nice? Absolutely. The picture quality benefits of OLED, like the perfect blacks, are visible at any size. If you’re a big movie fan and want the best possible picture, it’s worth considering.
What is QD-OLED and is it available at 50 inches?
QD-OLED is a newer technology that mixes the best parts of QLED (bright, vibrant colors) with the best parts of OLED (perfect blacks). It’s really impressive. Currently, it’s typically only found in 55-inch and larger sizes, but we might see it trickle down to 50-inch models by late 2025.
How much should I expect to spend on a top rated 50 inch TV?
Prices can be all over the place. A solid budget model like the TCL might be around $500-$700. A premium QLED or OLED model from Samsung or LG will likely be in the $1,000-$1,400 range.
Is it a good idea to buy last year’s model to save money?
Yes, that is normally a very smart move. TVs don’t change dramatically year-to-year. Buying the 2024 version of a top TV in 2025 can save you a few hundred dollars for a very similar experience.
Key Takeaways
Look, choosing a TV can be a pain. But for a 50-inch screen in 2025, you have some amazing options that used to be reserved for giant TVs.
For Bright Rooms and Gaming: A Neo QLED like the Samsung QN85E is a safe bet. It’s a fantastic all-around performer.
For Movie Lovers: If you can control the lighting in your room, the LG C5 OLED will give you a picture that’s hard to beat.
On a Budget: Don’t sleep on brands like TCL. The 6-Series Pro offers incredible performance for the price.
Don’t Forget the Features: Make sure it has the right stuff for you, especially HDMI 2.1 if you’re a gamer.
Ultimately, the best top rated 50 inch TV is the one that fits your room, your viewing habits, and your budget. Happy watching.
