With impressive brightness, great contrast, and Amazon Fire TV convenience, along with a native 120Hz refresh rate, the M550 is a top value among 4K Fire TV options, though it’s missing variable refresh rate support.
The Toshiba M550 TV is a budget-friendly 4K HDR TV using Amazon’s Fire TV smart interface. Introduced in late 2021, it’s one of the first Fire TV options to offer advanced features like Dolby Vision, HDR10+ support, HDMI 2.1, and full-array local dimming. HDR mode displays a wide color gamut. It’s also one of the first large TVs in its price range to come with a native 120Hz panel for motion performance, making it a strong contender for sports fans, action movie lovers, and gamers.
The Amazon Fire TV interface offers easy access to various streaming services and voice commands via Alexa. Keep reading for more information, or browse the best TV on the market today.
Consensus
our Verdict
The Toshiba M550 offers 450-500 cd/m2 brightness and good HDR capabilities thanks to local dimming and over 4000:1 native contrast ratio but has less black detail than OLED TVs. It sports multiple input options, including HDMI 2.1 ports, Ethernet, USB, and analog ports. Controls are well-designed, and the built-in Alexa voice control system is easy to use.
The tested 120Hz refresh rate contributes to excellent motion handling. Response time is competitive, under 10 ms in gaming mode. Hardcore gamers may note the lack of variable refresh rate (VRR) support. Default settings make colors oversaturated. Quality degrades at wide viewing angles past 30 degrees. Still, the M550 delivers a stunning, vivid display, making it a fantastic entry-level 4K TV that offers great value.
Reason to Buy
Good image quality for its class
Its 400 cd/m2 peak brightness exceeds most other entry-level and some mid-range 4K TVs
The M550 has good HDR capabilities thanks to local dimming and over 4000:1 native contrast ratio, which is higher than ⅔ of its competitors
Performs well for gaming and fast motion imagery
Its 120 Hz refresh rate is near the top of the class and matches pricier 4K TVs.
Input lag in gaming mode is 10 ms, meaning it’s more responsive than most comparable models.
Useful and intuitive OS
The built-in Alexa implementation enables easy voice control
Reason to Avoid
Some loss of detail in dark areas
While the M550’s 4000:1 overall contrast is good, it loses detail in dark scenes more than some competitors do
Competing OLED models offer more overall detail and sharpness.
Lacking 4K 120 fps content support
This can be an issue for gamers looking to take advantage of the TV’s 120Hz refresh rate and play console games on the highest-available frame rate settings.
The Toshiba M550 TV is a budget-friendly 4K HDR TV using Amazon’s Fire TV smart interface. Introduced in late 2021, it’s one of the first…
The Toshiba M550 TV is a budget-friendly 4K HDR TV using Amazon’s Fire TV smart interface. Introduced in late 2021, it’s one of the first Fire TV options to offer advanced features like Dolby Vision, HDR10+ support, HDMI 2.1, and full-array local dimming. HDR mode displays a wide color gamut. It’s also one of the first large TVs in its price range to come with a native 120Hz panel for motion performance, making it a strong contender for sports fans, action movie lovers, and gamers.
The Amazon Fire TV interface offers easy access to various streaming services and voice commands via Alexa. Keep reading for more information, or browse the best TV on the market today.
Compared to the Toshiba M550 TV, the Toshiba M750 offers similar HDR capabilities, a native 120Hz panel, and a built-in Amazon Fire TV. The M750…
Compared to the Toshiba M550 TV, the Toshiba M750 offers similar HDR capabilities, a native 120Hz panel, and a built-in Amazon Fire TV. The M750 supports variable refresh rate (VRR) technology, while the M550 doesn’t. While both models provide excellent value, the M750 might be the better choice for gamers seeking that extra edge in performance. See our Toshiba V35 (32V35KU, 43V35KU) TV review for another option, or check out more of the best Toshiba TVs here.
The Vizio M6 equals the Toshiba M550’s 120Hz native refresh rate, but unlike the Toshiba, it also supports a variable refresh rate, which helps give…
The Vizio M6 equals the Toshiba M550’s 120Hz native refresh rate, but unlike the Toshiba, it also supports a variable refresh rate, which helps give it a slight edge for serious gamers. Both TVs offer similar contrast and HDR10 capabilities, but the Vizio is slightly brighter. See our Vizio M6 Series TV review to learn more. For another option, see our SunbriteTV Veranda TV 4K Full Shade review.
Compared to the Insignia F50 Fire TV, which uses a similar smart TV interface, the Toshiba M550 boasts a higher standard refresh rate, 120Hz vs…
Compared to the Insignia F50 Fire TV, which uses a similar smart TV interface, the Toshiba M550 boasts a higher standard refresh rate, 120Hz vs 60Hz, and less input lag. Unlike the less-expensive Insignia, it supports Dolby Vision and has 2 HDMI 2.1 ports.
The Toshiba M550 is the first of a new product line bringing higher-end specs like a 120Hz refresh rate to Fire TVs. It has no…
The Toshiba M550 is the first of a new product line bringing higher-end specs like a 120Hz refresh rate to Fire TVs. It has no direct predecessor but shows notable improvements over the previous mid-range model, the Toshiba C350. The upgrade to a native 120Hz panel improves motion performance and clarity, making it more appealing for gamers.
