Buying a 55-inch TV gives you an expansive, cinematic view without taking over your entire living room. While flagship models can run over $1,000, you‘d be surprised by the picture quality and features available if your budget caps at $400.
I‘ve researched the top-rated 55-inch TVs under $400 for 2023 across various smart platforms, display technologies and intended uses. Here are the best picks that balance performance, value and reliability.
Quick Summary: Top 3 Picks
Best Overall: Hisense U6 Series
With Quantum Dot technology for pure colors and crisp 4K detail, the Hisense U6 Series punches well above its price. Robust smart features and low input lag provide a complete entertainment package.
Best Roku TV: TCL 5 Series
Smooth streaming, intuitive voice controls and enhanced gaming settings make the TCL 5 Series a standout Roku TV. Mini-LED backlighting and HDR provide exceptional contrast and clarity.
Best for Gaming: LG UP70
LG‘s a5 Gen 5 AI processor optimizes picture quality while Game Optimizer and a sub-10ms response time enable smooth, lag-free gaming. webOS offers broad app support.
Reviews of the Best 55-Inch TVs Under $400
1. Hisense U6 Series – Best Overall
If you want near premium-level color, clarity and contrast at a budget price, the picture performance of Hisense‘s ULED-based U6 Series is hard to beat.
The Quantum Dot layer produces over a billion color shades for astonishing vibrancy and accuracy. Active motion enhancement smooths out fast action content beautifully. 600 nits of peak brightness make highlights truly pop while still keeping darker scenes clean.
Gaming chops also impress with under 15ms input lag and ALLM switching to low latency Game Mode. Android TV opens up thousands of apps alongside built-in Google Assistant and Chromecast abilities. For the price, you‘d struggle to find better all-around quality.
Key Specs:
- Display: 55-inch 3840×2160 ULED
- HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- HDMI Ports: 3
- Smart Platform: Android TV
Pros:
- Vibrant, accurate colors from Quantum Dot film
- Excellent motion handling
- Low input lag for gaming
- Google Assistant integration
Cons:
- Mediocre off-angle viewing
- Only 60Hz refresh rate
2. TCL 5 Series – Best Roku TV
With superb picture and intuitive smart features, the TCL 5 Series represents fantastic value. The QLED backlight produces pure whites while mini-LED zones enable sensational contrast control for deep blacks beside vivid highlights.
Gamers benefit from a dedicated THX low-latency mode reducing input delay to imperceptible levels. The Roku platform makes streaming a breeze with hundreds of apps, smart search and seamless casting while built-in mics pick up voice commands.
From crystal-clear sports viewing to intense gaming sessions, the TCL 5 Series brings premium performance at a wallet-friendly price.
Key Specs:
- Display: 55-inch 3840×2160 QLED
- HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- HDMI Ports: 3
- Smart Platform: Roku TV
Pros:
- Mini-LED backlight enables sensational contrast
- Fluid, engaging gaming
- Hassle-free Roku TV platform
- Voice remote with mute mic button
Cons:
- Occasional backlight blooming
- Only 60Hz refresh rate
3. LG UP70 – Best for Gaming
While covering all entertainment bases well with vibrant 4K quality and smart webOS features, the LG UP70‘s sublimely responsive sub-10ms gaming abilities make it a top pick for console or cloud game streaming.
The fast a5 Gen 5 processor optimizes picture per scene while Game Optimizer provides tailored modes. Smooth, fluid motion keeps up with racing games while ALLM automatically enables low latency. Two HDMI 2.1 ports accommodate 4K/120Hz gaming.
Crisp text, color-rich graphics and minimal input lag checks every box for recreational and competitive players alike. webOS offers hundreds of apps plus Google Assistant and Alexa support for robust smart integration.
Key Specs:
- Display: 55-inch 3840×2160 IPS LED
- HDR: HDR10, HLG
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- HDMI Ports: 3 (2 HDMI 2.1)
- Smart Platform: webOS
Pros:
- Virtually instantaneous sub-10ms response time
- Deep blacks and vibrant wide color gamut
- Game Optimizer picture modes
- Google Assistant and Alexa support
Cons:
- Mediocre off-angle viewing
- Only 60Hz refresh rate
4. Samsung AU7000 – Best Picture Clarity
While covering essential smart features and gaming responsiveness, the Samsung AU7000‘s Crystal UHD 4K panel shines brightest with pristine text clarity and detail-rich upscaling. Football fans will appreciate flawless blotch-free motion.
The dual backlight refracts tones more precisely across the screen. HDR10+ adjusts brightness dynamically on a scene-by-scene basis for optimized contrast. A universal guide collates streaming and live TV offerings while game dashboard widgets enable quick adjustments.
If your priority is reading text comfortably or monitoring fast gameplay, the AU7000‘s sublime clarity and smooth motion place it a cut above budget competitors.
Key Specs:
- Display: 55-inch 3840×2160 Crystal UHD LED
- HDR: HDR10+
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- HDMI Ports: 2
- Smart Platform: Tizen
Pros:
- Superb text and fine detail clarity
- Intelligent 4K upscaling
- Impressive handle on fast motion
- Gaming dashboard widgets
Cons:
- No Dolby Vision support
- Narrow viewing angles
- Only two HDMI ports
5. Amazon Fire TV Omni Series – Best Smart Features
With built-in Alexa, 500,000+ movies and shows and a microscope-level Smart Home Dashboard, Fire TV Omni Series delivers unrivaled smart home convenience.
The 4K OLED panel unleashes sensational contrast and color while HDR10+ optimizes dynamic range. Picture-in-picture monitoring lets you check Ring doorbell feeds or baby monitors while streaming. Gaming responsiveness also impresses with sub-15ms lag.
If you want your TV tightly integrated with other Alexa devices for seamless smart home control, the Fire TV Omni Series should light up your life.
Key Specs:
- Display: 55-inch 3840×2160 OLED
- HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- HDMI Ports: 4
- Smart Platform: Fire TV
Pros:
- Deeply integrated Alexa voice assistant
- OLED picture quality punches far above price
- Impressive sub-15ms gaming lag
- 500,000+ streaming movies and shows
Cons:
- Occasional Alexa speech comprehension issues
- Mediocre off-angle viewing
- Only 60Hz refresh rate
6. Vizio V Series – Best Budget Option
Priced at an astonishingly low $278, the Vizio V Series packs essential 55-inch 4K TV features into the most affordable package around. You make some sacrifices around gaming lag and off-angle viewing but picture quality remains impressive.
Full array backlighting enables strong black level depth and shadow detail. Active pixel tuning calibrates colors on-screen in real time. Stream Netflix or Disney+ apps with ease while Apple AirPlay and Chromecast abilities aid screen mirroring.
If you simply want to enjoy cable TV, movies and YouTube casually for the lowest investment, the Vizio V Series nails the basics.
Key Specs:
- Display: 55-inch 3840×2160 LED
- HDR: HDR10, HLG
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- HDMI Ports: 3
- Smart Platform: SmartCast
Pros:
- Excellent price for a 55-inch 4K TV
- Robust contrast and shadow detail
- Built-in Chromecast streaming
- Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Cons:
- Higher input lag for gaming
- No voice remote
- Narrow viewing angles
7. Insignia F50 Series – Best Alexa Integration
As an Amazon-made TV featuring Fire TV interface, built-in Alexa and extensive smart home crossover abilities with Ring cameras, Echo speakers and Eero WiFi, the Insignia F50 provides unmatched ecosystem connectivity.
The 4K LED panel delivers solid detail and responsive motion handling aided by HDR10 and DTS Virtual surround capabilities. Gaming input lag stays respectable at under 30ms.
For Alexa enthusiasts entrenched in the Amazon smart home environment, the Insignia F50 seamlessly bridges live, streamed and smart home content.
Key Specs:
- Display: 55-inch 3840×2160 LED
- HDR: HDR10
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- HDMI Ports: 3
- Smart Platform: Fire TV
Pros:
- Deep Alexa voice assistant integration
- Easy smart home device control
- Impressive streaming app catalog
- Solid low input lag for gaming
Cons:
- No Dolby Vision support
- Occasional Alexa comprehension issues
- Mediocre motion handling
8. Hisense A6G – Best Budget Streaming
If your viewing priorities are keeping up with must-see shows on Netflix, Hulu and Prime rather than fast-twitch gaming, then the Hisense A6G Streaming TV fits the bill nicely.
The dedicated content row showcase helps you track favorite programs while easy discovery tools aid searching. Snappy Roku TV interface makes navigating between apps extremely intuitive. Rapid boot-up lets you start streaming within seconds.
On the picture front, a 60Hz display handles panning shots reasonably smoothly while colors look perfectly punchy. At just $298, unbelievable value emerges for casual streamers wanting a cinematic 4K view.
Key Specs:
- Display: 55-inch 3840×2160 LED
- HDR: HDR10, HLG
- Refresh Rate: 60Hz
- HDMI Ports: 3
- Smart Platform: Roku TV
Pros:
- Effortless Roku TV streaming platform
- Very quick startup and app launching
- Dedicated content rows
- Solid color and contrast quality
Cons:
- Only 50 dimming zones limits contrast control
- Higher input lag for avid gaming
- Average off-angle viewing
What To Look For When Buying a 55-Inch TV Under $400
While every buyer‘s preferences differ slightly, keep these essential factors in mind when choosing a 55-inch TV on a $400 budget:
Display Technology – LED/LCD models are most common in this price range, with a few OLED panels starting to emerge. LED can still deliver fantastic 4K picture quality with technologies like full array local dimming, Quantum Dot and mini-LED optimizing contrast and brightness in line with OLED.
Refresh Rate – 60Hz is standard for most affordable 55-inch TVs, with gaming-centric panels offering 120Hz inputs. Console and cloud gaming run very smoothly on 60Hz displays though, so casual gamers need not be concerned.
Response Time – Input lag for gaming can vary significantly between cheap TV models. Sub-20ms is superb for responsive control while under 30ms keeps gameplay flowing freely enough for most.
Smart TV Platform – All 55-inch TVs today run streaming-focused smart platforms, with most major brands like LG webOS, Samsung Tizen, Roku TV, Android TV and Fire TV all wonderfully efficient. Consider voice assistant and smart home device preferences though.
Finding the perfect balance of display capabilities, gaming responsiveness and smart connectivity for your 55-inch TV wants and needs ultimately comes down to properly weighing up strengths against the highly reasonable $400 sticker price. Compromise in some areas is inevitable but picture quality today still impresses at this budget level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a 55-inch TV too big for the average living room?
A: For a living room, a 55-inch screen size provides sufficient immersive scale without visually overwhelming the space. Ideal viewing distance spans 6-10 feet. Those further than 12 feet may want to consider a larger 65-inch display.
Q: Should I mount my new TV or place on a media stand?
A: Mounted 55-inch TVs demand less floorspace and minimize risk of damage from children or pets. However you need to ensure the mount can support the >40lb weight securely. High quality stands today are also designed for optimal safety.
Q: What internet speed do I need for 4K streaming?
A: Streaming platforms recommend an internet connection providing at least 25Mbps speeds for smooth 4K streaming. Even faster 100+Mbps fiber internet enables the highest quality UHD streaming simultaneously across multiple devices.
Q: Are all 55-inch smart TVs compatible with voice assistants?
A: Most modern 55-inch sets enable either built-in Google Assistant/Alexa controls directly or compatibility with external Echo/Nest devices. Higher-end Samsung/Sony/LG TVs even support multiple integrated assistants.
Q: Should I buy a new, used or refurbished 55-inch TV?
A: While used TVs carry risk of uneven wear and damage, manufacturer refurbished provides warrantied devices extensively tested for quality assurance. Just be sure extended warranty coverage matches that of new models.
