We Ranked The 3 Best 50 Inch TVs

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Evan Shephard Avatar

Reviewed By

Evan Shephard
Updated Mar 11, 2024 3:38 PM
best 50 inch tv guide that shows the top best tv model

A whopping 75% of electronic and appliance reviews are untrustworthy. That’s why every reviewer gets a Trust Rating so our True Score System filters out the fake reviews. See how we do it.

While the best 50-inch (and 48-inch) TVs may not offer as many options as the 55-inch or 65-inch sizes, they still present a solid choice for those looking for an immersive viewing experience in smaller spaces. Our guide spans a wide price range to ensure you can find a model that fits your budget, from budget-friendly to premium, all backed by comprehensive test data.

Despite the narrower selection, you’re assured of finding a 50-inch TV that doesn’t compromise on quality or value. Whether you’re constrained by budget or looking for specific features, our recommendations aim to find the best TV to meet your needs with the best available options on the market.

How Did We Rank the Best 50 Inch TVs?

To assess how high or low quality a 50-inch TV actually is, one must evaluate specific testing criteria against reference industry standards. Using our thorough TV Testing Methodology, we determined there are 1 minimum specs and 6 criteria below (3 required, 3 nice to have) that ensure your 50 inch TV content looks as good as the creator intended it.

?️ Minimum Specifications

  • Size: 50 inches or larger, providing an immersive viewing experience.

? Test Criteria

  • SDR Brightness: Ensure a minimum of 300 nits for optimal visibility in standard dynamic range content.
  • HDR Brightness: Guarantee a minimum of 700 nits to bring out the full potential of high dynamic range content.
  • Color Accuracy: Maintain a color gamut of at least 90% DCI P3 xy for lifelike and vibrant colors.

? “Nice To Haves”

  • Contrast Ratio: Strive for a contrast ratio of at least 10,000:1 to achieve deep blacks and vivid whites, enhancing overall image quality.
  • EOTF Accuracy: Keep the EOTF (600 nit delta) below or equal to 0.018 for precise brightness and contrast control.
  • Fast Response Time: Aim for a response time of 10ms or less to keep fast-paced action scenes smooth and blur-free.

We’ve redefined TV buying guides, setting us apart from any other site on the planet. Our unique approach combines in-house verification with a comprehensive dataset from over 200+ trusted sites, focusing on key testing metrics to rank the top rated 50-inch TVs. Testing data and specs include brightness (SDR and HDR), color accuracy, and a screen size of 50″ or larger. In this case it’s for 50-inch TVs, which means ensuring optimal brightness and color accuracy while delivering an immersive viewing experience. Our commitment to unbiased reviews is powered by our ‘True Score’ system, targeting low quality and fake reviews. Commissions fund this mission. No bias. No BS.

Latest Updates

  • 03/05/2024: Completely and thoroughly overhauled the guide to include the best and latest 50-inch TVs.
  • 12/1/2023: Republished the list to include TVs based on our True Score system.

Top 50 Inch TVs For 2024

Prices accurate at the time of publishing

See how we test the testers

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Sony A90K OLED TV

    Best for cinematic quality with unparalleled color accuracy and deep blacks. However, it’s not ideal for competitive gaming due to higher input lag.

    Sony A90K OLED TV Review →

    True Score

    88
    87
    7

    Experts

    94
    1k

    Customers

    SAVE $100
    $1,498.00
    $1,398.00

    Category Snapshot

    TVs

    • Total Brands/Products Tested

      17 Brands, 158 Products

    • Top 2 Brands

      LG, Hisense

    • Price Range (Budget-Premium)

      $400-$2000

    • Average True Score

      76.65

    • Important Test Criteria

      Brightness (cd/m2)
      Contrast Ratio (1000:1)

    • Most Trusted Testers

    • Recommended Retailer

    • Typical Warranty

      1 year

    • Covered by Insurance

      Yes – AKKO

    • Test Methodology

      TV Testing Methodology

  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    LG C3 OLED TV

    • Best For Sports

    Offers excellent value with top-notch color accuracy and gaming performance. Ideal centerpiece TV for varied use in both dim and moderately lit rooms.

    LG C3 OLED TV Review →

    True Score

    88
    86
    9

    Experts

    93
    13k

    Customers

    SAVE $400
    $1,396.99
    $996.99
  • Runner Up

    Best Value

    Best Budget

    gr recommended award

    Best Mid-Range

    Samsung QN90C NEO QLED Series

    • Best For Home Theater

    The brightest option for well-lit environments, with solid color performance and no burn-in concerns. Good for general use and gaming, but can’t compete with OLEDs in contrast.

    Samsung QN90C NEO QLED Series Review →

    True Score

    86
    85
    9

    Experts

    92
    4k

    Customers

    SAVE $302
    $1,499.99
    $1,197.99

Our Approach to Testing 50-inch TVs

Evan Shepard/Gadget Review

We’ve redefined TV buying guides, setting us apart from any other site on the planet. Our unique approach combines in-house verification with a comprehensive dataset from trusted sites, focusing on key testing metrics like brightness (SDR and HDR), EOTF, response time, contrast ratio and color gamut.

We’ve redefined TV buying guides, setting us apart from any other site on the planet. Our unique approach combines in-house verification with a comprehensive dataset from over 200+ trusted sites, focusing on key testing metrics to rank the top rated 50-inch TVs. Testing data and specs include brightness between 300 nits and 700 nits, color accuracy of Minimum 90% DCI P3 color gamut, and a screen size of 50″. In this case it’s for 50-inch TVs, which means delivering optimal brightness and color accuracy while providing an immersive viewing experience. Discover our data-driven methodology for precise, reliable TV recommendations.

You may notice some of our graphs contain “Source: RTings”. This is to indicate that the data we’re showing off in a graph has come from a single source – because it’s the only source that actually tested the criteria and had data for it! Normally, our data is an average out of all of the various publications that test and provide data to give you a good idea of how a product is going to perform on average.

Which Criteria Matters for Testing 50 Inch TVs?

By focusing on these criteria (3 required, 3 nice to have), anyone can quickly and easily compare these TVs and how they’ll perform. This helps you make an informed decision and purchase a TV that will fit into your small or tight space.

CRITERIARANGEREQUIREDDEFINITION
SDR Brightness300+ nitsYesAssess the luminance of your display when operating in Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) mode.
HDR Brightness700+ nitsYesDetermine the luminance of your display in High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode.
Color Gamut (DCI P3 xy)>= 90%YesEvaluate the extent to which a TV can reproduce a specified spectrum of colors.
EOTF0.018No (nice to have)Standard that governs how a display interprets and renders brightness and color.
Response Time<=10msNo (nice to have)Time required for a pixel to transition from one color to another and then return to its original color.
Contrast Ratio>= 10,000No (nice to have)The ratio between the brightest white and darkest black that the screen can display.

Our Trusted Data Sources

(Publication category Score is 80%+)

We looked at 210+ TV reviewers and while 24 are trustworthy (60%+ Trust Rating), we only use data from the testers that are “very trusted” which means a Trust Rating above 70%. The three we have listed below are our most trusted for TVs, along with our own in-house TV expert.

  1. Evan Shepard – Gadget Review
  2. Matthew Lopes – RTings, MuckRack
  3. Will Greenwald – PCMag, MuckRack, Twitter
  4. David Katzmaier – CNET, MuckRack, Twitter

Interested in a comprehensive analysis of our data sources? We’ve got you covered. Below, you’ll find a detailed list of every TV review website we’ve identified, organized by their respective Trust Ratings from highest to lowest. But we didn’t stop there. We’ve meticulously reviewed each publication and verified the data by checking whether the authors have bio links to MuckRack or LinkedIn. We’re committed to not only checking the facts but ensuring their veracity.

Best 50 Inch TV’s Test Data & Results

1. SDR & HDR Brightness TV Test Results

In well-lit rooms, the brightness level of your 50-inch TV, quantified in nits, is key to a great viewing experience. A TV that doesn’t meet the brightness requirement will struggle against natural and artificial light, resulting in a dim, lackluster image. Essentially, nits measure how well your TV can stand up to light interference, with higher values ensuring a sharper, more vivid display.

For standard viewing on the best 50-inch TV, you should look for at least 300 nits to strike the right balance between clarity and color quality in standard dynamic range (SDR) content. For high dynamic range (HDR) content, which offers richer colors and greater contrast, a minimum of 700 nits is ideal to truly appreciate the enhanced visuals. These brightness levels are recommended to ensure your TV performs well in bright settings, allowing you to enjoy your shows and movies without any loss in detail or quality. Aim for these minimums: SDR Brightness >= 300 nits; HDR Brightness >= 700 nits for the optimal experience.

When considering the best 4K TV, prioritize models that excel in both SDR and HDR brightness to ensure a superior viewing experience in any lighting condition.

Discover the top 50-inch TVs, ranked from brightest to least.

SDR Brightness (in nits, higher is better)

HDR Brightness (in nits, higher is better)

2. Color Gamut (DCI P3 xy) TV Test Results

Color gamut defines the range of colors a TV can reproduce, directly affecting how vibrant and true-to-life the images look. A wide color gamut in a 50-inch TV brings out richer, more vivid colors – from the lush greens of a garden to the bright colors of animated characters, enhancing your viewing experience to closely mimic real life.

This concept is technically measured against standards like the DCI P3 xy, a benchmark for high-quality visuals. A 50-inch TV covering a higher percentage of this color space can display colors more accurately and vividly.

For those who prioritize vibrant and immersive visuals, aiming for a 50-inch TV with a color gamut of 90% or higher on the DCI P3 xy scale is ideal. This ensures that the content you watch is as vibrant and lifelike as possible, giving you a color accurate viewing experience.

Below are the top 50-inch TVs, ordered by color gamut, all exceeding our testing criteria.

DCI P3 XY Color Gamut (as a %; high is better)

3. EOTF Test Results

The Electro-Optical Transfer Function (EOTF) plays a critical role in ensuring the content on your TV looks exactly as the creator intended. This technical feature adjusts your screen’s brightness levels, ensuring every scene, from the darkest shadows to the brightest highlights, is displayed with true-to-life accuracy.

In rooms flooded with light, a TV that nails EOTF calibration shines by preserving the intended contrast and detail in the picture despite the challenging conditions. It balances the brightness so that images remain vibrant and full of detail, unaffected by the glare of ambient light.

A TV that excels in managing EOTF offers an immersive and authentic viewing experience. It brings creators’ visions to life, accurately rendering every scene with the proper light and dark levels, no matter the lighting in your room. This means you get a consistent, realistic picture that captures the full spectrum of colors and contrasts, from the subtlest hues to the most intense explosions.

Below are all the 50-inch TVs on our list, ordered by EOTF, all exceeding our minimum requirement.

EOTF (source: rtings.com – 0 = no data exists; lower is better)

4. Response Time TV Test Results

A slow response time on a 50-inch TV during fast-paced scenes is like trying to watch a thrilling movie with a foggy lens. Imagine settling in for an action-packed sequence, only to have the swift movements turn into a blur, robbing you of the crisp, clear detail you crave. This isn’t just a minor annoyance; it’s a major detriment to your viewing experience, leaving you with a picture marred by motion blur and visual artifacts.

So, what exactly is response time? It measures how quickly a pixel on your TV can change from one color to another. In the context of watching fast-moving content or enjoying dynamic scenes on a TV, a low response time is crucial. A response time of 15 ms or lower is good, but if you plan on gaming on this set, aim for a response time of 10 ms or lower. At these levels, your TV ensures smooth transitions and sharp visuals, making every scene come to life without any distracting blurs or delays.

Below are the top 50-inch TVs, ordered by response time.

Response Time (in milliseconds; lower is better)

5. Contrast Ratio Test Results

For TV enthusiasts, a solid contrast ratio is crucial for enjoying your favorite TV shows or movies, especially in darker settings. This feature directly impacts how lifelike and dynamic the picture appears on your screen, ensuring that dark scenes are displayed with clear, crisp blacks instead of murky grays and bright scenes retain their detail without appearing washed out.

Put simply, the contrast ratio is all about the range of luminance a TV can produce, from the deepest blacks to the brightest whites. It’s what brings depth to the image, enhancing the realism of every scene. Watching a movie in the dark, for example, the difference between a TV with a poor contrast ratio and one with a high ratio is stark: the former struggles, blending shadows into a flat gray, while the latter delivers true black, making night scenes more immersive and detailed.

Ideally, a contrast ratio of 10,000:1 is what you should aim for in a 50-inch TV. This level of luminance variance ensures that you’re getting a picture quality that can handle the nuances of lighting in any scene, providing a viewing experience that’s both rich and engaging. Note: OLED TVs have infinite contrast ratio, indicated by “0.”

Below are the top 50-inch TVs, ordered by contrast ratio, all exceeding our testing criteria.

Contrast Ratio (higher is better)

50 Inch TV’s: Mistakes To Avoid

  1. Ignoring the resolution: Some consumers may overlook the importance of resolution, opting for lower resolutions like 1080p when a 4K resolution could provide a significantly better picture quality on a 50-inch screen. Also, when considering the TV size vs distance, it’s important to position your 50-inch TV at the right distance to optimize viewing angles and image clarity.

  2. Overlooking connectivity options: Not checking for the availability and types of ports needed for various devices, such as gaming consoles, streaming devices, or Blu-ray players, can limit the TV’s functionality. When considering models from the best TV brands, such as Vizio TVs and Hisense TVs, ensuring a wide range of connectivity options to accommodate all your devices is important for a seamless entertainment experience.

  3. Neglecting sound quality: Assuming that all TVs have satisfactory built-in speakers may lead to disappointment, as some models may have inferior sound quality, requiring additional investment in soundbars or external speakers. And if you need help with a soundbar, read our guide on how to connect a soundbar to your TV.

The Best 50 Inch TV’s Tests Compared

Product
True Score
SDR Brightness
HDR Barightness
Color Gamut
EOTF
Response Time
Contrast Ratio

Sony A90K OLED TV

  • Best for 50-inch

88
  • 288 nits

  • 593 nits

  • 99.38%

  • 0.004

  • 3 ms

  • 0

$1,398.00
$1,498
$100

LG C3 OLED TV

  • Best for Sports

88
  • 383 nits

  • 795 nits

  • 98.98%

  • 0.0056

  • 2.3 ms

  • 0

$996.99
$1,397
$400

Samsung QN90C NEO QLED Series

  • Best for Home Theater

86
  • 1,289 nits

  • 1,923 nits

  • 93.34%

  • 0.0046

  • 10.2 ms

  • 83,200:1

$1,197.99
$1,500
$302

50-Inch TV FAQs

Is a 50-inch television big enough for a living room?

This is going to depend on the size of your room and where you plan on positioning the seating around the television. Depending on your living room size, if you plan on sitting four to 7.5 feet from the screen, a 50-inch television should be fine. But if you’re going to sit farther away, consider upgrading to a larger screen.

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