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I’ve been testing the best and most popular TVs of the year for over a decade. As more people upgrade their living rooms to 65-, 75- and even 85-inch TVs, some viewers continue to look for relatively smaller screens.
TVs in this size range are certainly harder to come by in 2026, but if you know where to look, there are still a handful of gems out there. There’s one catch: Some TVs (like OLEDs) are available in 48-inch models rather than 50-inch variants, so we've included those, to.
About the author
My name is Michael, and for over a decade, I’ve been testing and reviewing TVs. More specifically, I’ve been helping people find the best possible TV for their homes. In fact, I’ve evaluated well over one hundred TVs in my day. I’m living proof that TV doesn’t rot your brain (at least I think I am). Before joining Tom’s Guide, I covered TVs at Reviewed, a division of USA Today. Throughout my time in various TV labs, I’ve come to learn that there’s a huge difference between the best TV you can buy, and the best TV for you.
Best 50-inch TVs available right now
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Best 50-inch TV
The LG C5 delivers the best combination of performance, features and value in the 48- to 50-inch size range.
Not only are you getting the built-in benefits of OLED display technology (like perfect black levels, extra-wide viewing angles and well-saturated color), you're also getting the most amount of gaming features in this class.
I've even heard from a number of folks who have recently chosen the 48-inch C5 as their dedicated monitor.
There are a couple of caveats that are worth considering, however. The C5 doesn't have an ATSC 3.0 tuner, so 4K over-the-air broadcasts are out of the question. In our lab tests, we were also let down by the C5's built-in speakers.
Still, the 48-inch C5 is the best option for people in the market for a smaller TV with the most amount of benefits for the price.
- Read our full LG C5 review
Best OLED TV
The Sony Bravia XR A90K is a remarkable display. It's available in a 42-inch and 48-inch model, and it's a great fit for anyone who's looking for an carefully engineered, accurate TV in this relatively small size range.
The A90K blends the many benefits of an OLED display (perfect black levels, extra-wide viewing angles, and rich color) with the top-notch processing of a Sony TV. It's not as bright as other mid-range and high-end OLED TVs, but its contrast is nevertheless stellar thanks to its self-lit pixels.
It's a great fit for gamers, too, 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
Best 50-inch QLED TV
Samsung's flagship Neo QLED TV blends quantum-dot color with Mini-LED backlighting for a bright, immersive picture. Like previous iterations of the brand's flagship series, this QLED is available in a 50-inch model.
The QN90F's superb backlight control allows for more precise contrast than most garden-variety LCD displays. It's significantly brighter than the OLED TVs listed here, so I recommend this set to folks with sunny (or otherwise well-lit) living spaces.
The QN90F is also packed with extra features for gaming and streaming. All four of its HDMI inputs support 4K gaming at 120Hz, and if you hook the QN90F up to a gaming PC, it'll support 4K/165Hz content, too.
- Read our full Samsung QN90F review
Best 50-inch TV test results
We put all of the TVs we review through their paces in a series of performance tests. Below you'll find a full breakdown of our findings so that you may compare and contrast the models on this list. You can read more about how we test TVs further down the page.
TV | Peak Brightness (tested) | Delta-E (tested) | Rec.2020 Color Volume (tested) | Input Lag (tested) |
Samsung QN90F | 2,109 nits | 1.8 | 77.44% | 9.6ms |
Sony A90K OLED | 640 nits | 4.2 | 72.07% | 16.1ms |
LG C5 OLED | 1,165 nits | 1.3 | 76.18% | 9.1ms |
Peak brightness is exactly what it sounds like: a measurement of how bright the TV gets while receiving an HDR signal. This test involves measuring a 10% white window, so it more accurately describes highlight brightness, not the average brightness of the full picture.
Delta-E is a measurement that describes color error, with a lower number representing a more accurate average. A Delta-E of below 3 is considered a degree of error below what most people would be able to perceive with their naked eye.
Rec. 2020 (also known as BT. 2020) is an international color space standard for newer displays. The percentages in this column describe how much of that color space these TVs are capable of covering.
Also tested
The TVs above aren't the only 48-inch and 50-inch TVs we've tested. Here are other models — new and old — that didn't make the cut, but are still available to purchase.
How we test 50-inch TVs
When it comes to assessing the best 50-inch TVs, we're serious about getting it right. We follow the same procedure for 48- and 50-inch TVs that we do for TVs 55 inches and above.
Our TV-testing process consists of two key components: in-depth, scientific testing and real-world use. We believe that gathering data about a TV's performance is just as important as spending time with it in our own living rooms.
Just as you might do at home, we source content from Netflix, Blu-rays, YouTube, and more. We play video games, tinker with the TV's settings, and get to know its built-in smart platform. We have a number that represents the TV’s peak brightness, but how well the picture holds up during the day is a different story. The color measurements we gathered in the lab may be accurate, but problematic picture processing might not appear until you begin watching movies and shows.
When getting to know these TVs, we ask ourselves the sort of questions you might ponder yourself: What do all of these menus do? Which settings look the best? Is this TV hiding an always-on microphone, listening to everything I say?
Comparing lab-based data with extensive, hands-on use reveals a complete picture of a TV's strengths and weaknesses. With this hybrid approach, we're able to put ourselves in your shoes and to help you make a confident, informed choice about which 48- or 50-inch TV to buy.
How to choose the best 50-inch TV
Choosing the best 48- or 50-inch TV for you will mostly come down to three things: design, performance and features.
Design: Make sure that a TV in this size range makes sense for your space. According to our guide on the best TV size, a 50-inch TV is ideal for viewers seated 4 to 5 feet away from the screen. This makes 48- or 50-inch TVs perfect for smaller living spaces. 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 one of the best 55-inch TVs will bring more options and features.
Performance: Generally speaking, you should be on the lookout for TVs in this size range with good contrast, voluminous color and an accurate picture out of the box. A TV with high brightness is more likely to look better in well-lit rooms. If you’re not shopping for a 48-inch OLED TV, an LED TV’s display hardware is important; Mini-LED TVs typically offer the best backlight control, while backlit LEDs with local dimming usually come with better contrast than edge-lit LED TVs.
Features: A TV’s features are important. Every TV on this list comes with built-in smart features, but not every smart platform is the same. If you plan on relying on your next TV’s streaming software, look for a set with a reliable smart platform. Additionally, if you’re a gamer, familiarize yourself with the gaming features that might be important to you, like refresh rate and input lag.
We touch on all three of these categories in our reviews, so be sure to check out a TV’s full evaluation if it catches your eye.
FAQs
Why is it hard to find 50-inch TVs compared to other sizes?
For all intents and purposes, 55, 65, 75 and 85 inches can be considered the standard set of sizes for TVs. Some entry-level and mid-range OLED TVs arrive in 42- and 48-inch models. Additionally, OLED TV panels are currently manufactured in 77- and 83-inch options rather than the 75- and 85-inch LED standard.
Some LED TVs are made available in a 43-inch version, and some Samsung TVs (like select Neo QLED models) can be bought in the elusive 50-inch size.
What you're left with is several OLED-based options at the 48-inch size point and a handful of worthwhile 50-inch models, the latter of which tend to belong to Samsung.
The vast majority of 50-, 60- and 70-inch TVs are low-end models that typically offer less-than-stellar performance. Many of the TVs in these uncommon size points end up being exclusive to various retailers around the holiday shopping season. Needless to say, these ultra-cheap TVs don't usually receive our recommendation.
When do new 50-inch TVs come out?
Several popular TV-makers have already announced new TV models for 2026, but of the majority of those sets will reach shelves in early spring.
However, I expect 50-inch TVs to be relatively scarce once again, at least among these brands' primary TV lineups. 48-inch OLEDs will remain readily available in 2026 among entry-level and mid-range OLED TV series, but 50-inch screens will be tough to come by when shopping a brand's mainline selection.
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