As larger TV sizes have become popular, manufacturers aren't making nearly as many smaller models as they used to. While most manufacturers have neglected the 48-50 inch market segment in recent years, there's still a market for some good TVs in this size range. They're available in various price ranges, from premium models to more basic, cheap models, so choosing the right one can be challenging. By testing dozens of TVs each year, we can determine which small models are worth your money, depending on your budget and needs.
Below are our recommendations for the best 48-50 inch TVs. All of the TVs on this list have smart features, so this will also help you find the best 48-inch and the best 50-inch smart TVs for your needs. Also, see our picks for the best PC monitor TVs, the best 55-inch TVs for something bigger, or the best 40-42-43 inch TVs for something smaller. You can also vote on which ones you want us to buy and test. To learn more about the newest models on the market, check out our 2026 TV lineup page.
We buy and test dozens of TVs yearly, taking an objective, data-driven approach to deliver results you can trust. Our testing process is complex, with hundreds of individual tests that take over a week to complete. Most of our tests use specially designed test patterns that mimic real content, but we also use the same sources you have at home to ensure our results match the real-world experience. We use two main tools for our testing: a Colorimetry Research CR-100 colorimeter and a CR-250 spectroradiometer.
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Best 48-Inch TV
Prime Day Deal: Buying the LG C6 OLED? RTINGS members get an extra discount at our partner retailer - 55" for $1,499.99, 65" for $1,849.99, or 77" for $2,599.99. Join now to get the member price.Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:165HzScreen Finish:GlossyPanel Type:OLEDSub-Type:WOLEDDolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:42" 48" 55" 65"The best 48-inch TV overall that you can buy is the LG OLED48C6PUA. It delivers amazing image quality, with inky blacks and vibrant colors. Although this smaller size isn't as bright as the larger models, it's still good enough to make bright areas stand out when you're playing HDR games or watching high-quality HDR movies and shows from streaming services. However, it's a bit too dim to handle glare in a well-lit room, so it's best suited to dark or moderately lit rooms if you don't want to see reflections on the screen. Its built-in webOS interface has a massive selection of streaming apps, making it a great choice for a dorm or other small space.
It has four HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing for up to 4k @ 165Hz gaming. It also supports all types of VRR, so you get a nearly tear-free gaming experience regardless of the console or PC you play on. Motion is also crystal-clear, so you don't have to deal with distracting motion blur in fast-paced games. Its wide viewing angle means you can watch the TV from an angle, and image quality remains consistent, which is great if you have friends over.
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Best Mid-Range 48-Inch TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:120HzScreen Finish:GlossyPanel Type:OLEDSub-Type:WOLEDDolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:48" 55" 65" 77" 83"If you really want the LG C6 OLED 2026 but find it's too expensive, consider stepping down to the best 48-inch TV for those with a strict budget, the LG OLED48B5PUA. The B5 isn't as bright as the C6, but it's just good enough for bright areas to stand out in HDR games, movies, and TV shows. Sadly, it's too dim to overcome glare in a moderately lit room, so it's best suited for dim and dark spaces. Colors are a bit less vibrant than they are on the C6, but it still looks colorful enough for a punchy image. Fortunately, you get the same inky blacks as the C6, so the image has incredible depth. You still get a similarly wide viewing angle, making it suitable for wider seating arrangements. It also runs the same version of webOS, so finding apps and content is a breeze.
When it comes to gaming, you get most of the same features as the C6, such as four HDMI 2.1 ports, VRR to reduce screen tearing, and crystal-clear motion. The TV doesn't support 165Hz like the more expensive model does, but you still get 4k @ 120Hz, so it's fully compatible with the Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and the PS5.
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Best Budget 50-Inch TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:60HzScreen Finish:GlossyPanel Type:LCDSub-Type:VADolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:50" 55" 65" 75" 85"The Best Buy exclusive TCL 50QM5K is by far the best 50-inch TV you can get in the budget category. The TV doesn't display inky blacks, like the LG B5 OLED does, but unlike budget models from other brands, this TV has local dimming to deepen blacks, so it avoids looking washed out. It's bright enough to handle some glare in a well-lit room, but it's a lot dimmer when watching HDR movies and shows, so bright areas don't pop out as much in that content. Colors are noticeably more muted than they are on the B5, but they still look vibrant enough that the image doesn't look dull. Like most LED models, it has a pretty narrow viewing angle, so it's not a great choice for wide seating arrangements since image quality degrades rapidly when watching TV from an angle.
It runs the popular Google TV OS, so finding content is easy, and you have several other smart features at your disposal. It's limited to 4k @ 60Hz gaming, but it still supports VRR to reduce screen tearing. Furthermore, it has low input lag, and motion blur isn't too bad, so it performs decently for gamers on a budget. It's not the greatest TV ever, but this model really stands above other budget models available in a 50-inch size.
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Best Cheap 50-Inch TV
Mixed UsageHome TheaterBright RoomSportsGamingBrightnessBlack LevelColorMotion HandlingGame Mode ResponsivenessProcessing (In Development)Resolution:4kNative Refresh Rate:60HzScreen Finish:GlossyPanel Type:LCDSub-Type:VADolby Vision:YesSee all our test resultsSizes:43" 50" 55" 65" 75" 85" 100"If you want something cheaper, consider the Hisense 50QD6QF, which is the best 50-inch smart TV for those with a strict budget. It's noticeably dimmer than the TCL QM5K, so it's best suited for dimly lit rooms. Furthermore, the image looks flat when watching HDR movies and shows, since bright areas don't stand out from the rest of the image. Unlike the TCL, it doesn't have local dimming, so blacks look more like charcoal during most scenes, leading to an image that lacks depth. Fortunately, it displays a wide range of colors, so the image doesn't look too dull. Like the TCL, it has a pretty narrow viewing angle, so it looks its best when viewed from directly in front of the screen.
You won't find many modern gaming features on this TV, so it's not a great option if you want to take advantage of your modern console. However, you can still play games in 4k @ 60Hz with VRR, so screen tearing is kept to a minimum. Fortunately, there's not a ton of blur behind fast motion, which is great for a cheap model. It runs the Fire TV OS that has every major streaming service, so you can ditch your external streaming device and save some space.
Notable Mentions
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Samsung QN48S90HAEXZA:
The 48-inch Samsung S90H OLED is a great alternative to the LG C6 OLED 2026 if you mostly use your TV in a bright room.
The TV's matte coating does a phenomenal job
overcoming glare, so reflections aren't an issue at all. However, the LG
is brighter, has better image processing, and supports Dolby Vision, making it the better TV overall.
See our review -
Hisense 50QD7QF:
The 50-inch Hisense QD7QF is an alternative to the TCL QM5K. The Hisense has slightly more vibrant colors that are more accurate out of the box, but the TCL has better black levels, brightness, and image processing, making it the superior TV overall.
See our review -
Sony K-50S20M2:
The 50-inch Sony BRAVIA 2 II is an alternative to the Hisense QD6QF if your top priority is image processing. The Sony does a better job upscaling and cleaning up low-quality content, and it also has a much wider viewing angle. However, the Hisense offers much better image quality overall for significantly less money, so it's the better option for almost anyone.
See our review
Recent Updates
Jun 23, 2026:
We replaced the LG C5 OLED with the LG C6 OLED 2026 as our top pick, since the newer model is the better option and is more widely available. We also replaced the Samsung S90F OLED with the Samsung S90H OLED in the Notable Mentions section, since the latter is a better alternative for those looking for a bright room option.
Mar 20, 2026:
We confirmed the accuracy and availability of our current picks.
Nov 19, 2025:
We added the TCL QM5K to the article in a newly created 'Best Budget 50-Inch TV' category. We also replaced the TCL Q651G with the Hisense QD6QF in the 'Best Cheap' category, and updated the Notable Mentions.
Sep 09, 2025:
Replaced the LG C4 OLED with the LG C5 OLED, the Samsung QN90D with the Samsung QN90F, and the LG B4 OLED with the LG B5 OLED. We also replaced the Hisense A7N with the TCL Q651G, and renamed that section 'Best Cheap 50-Inch TV' since it's more suitable. Finally, we updated the Notable Mentions.
May 14, 2025:
Mentioned the LG C5 OLED alongside the LG C4 OLED and the Samsung QN90F alongside the Samsung QN90/QN90DD QLED. We also added a link to our 2025 TV Lineup page and confirmed the accuracy of our picks.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best 48-inch TVs and the best 50-inch TVs to buy for most people in each price range. We factor in the price (a cheaper TV wins over a pricier one if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no TVs that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).
If you would like to do the work of choosing yourself, here is a list of all our recent 48-50 inch TV reviews. Be careful not to get too caught up in the details. While no TV is perfect, most TVs are great enough to please almost everyone, and the differences are often not noticeable unless you really look for them.