Stocks are still available, but the LG C1 is our choice for the best 48-to-50-inch TV. It offers the best combination of price, features, and image quality. It’s a TV that dates back to 2021. However, its image quality and features have not been significantly surpassed by TVs of a similar age – despite the massive price drop.
We recently added the LG A2 OLED TV, which was just released, to this list. The C1 is the clear leader in this category.
Matt Bolton, Senior Editor – TV & Audio
If you don’t have enough space or budget for a large TV, these TVs will give you the ultimate home theater experience. This size allows you to see all the detail in 4K, and can also appreciate the rich colors and contrasts of HDR. However, the TV will fit well into smaller homes and apartments.
The best 48-to-50-inch TVs are available in a variety of sizes, giving you a lot of flexibility about how much you spend.
This size is a common choice for top TVs. It packs cutting-edge panel tech and image processing.
However, the majority of TVs on this list could be included in our guides to the best TVs below $1000. There are some amazing low-budget options available, as well as some that will appeal to cinephiles.
You don’t have to sacrifice gaming features. Some of the top gaming TVs can be found here. You won’t find the best 8K televisions because you have to go larger (much larger!) You will be able to get a higher resolution.
Don’t forget about the best 40 inch TVs if your preference is smaller or the best 55 inch TVs if it seems you are able to handle the increase in size.
The Best TVs from 48 to 50 inches: This is the list
1. LG OLED48C1
This is the best TV at 48 inches for most people
Specifications
Screen size: 48 inches
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: OLED
Smart TV: WebOS
HDR: HDR10 HDR10, HDR10 HLG, Dolby Vision
+Beautiful 4K HDR picture+Four HDMI 2.1 ports
Avoidable reasons
-Reflective glass surface-No HDR10+
The LG C1 was launched in 2021 and is available at an unbelievable price. This, combined with its future-proofed connectivity feature, incredible image quality, makes it an amazing-value purchase today.
Amazing 4K HDR images can be expected with Dolby Vision (but no HDR10+) and OLED’s trademark deep blacks. LG’s image processor uses ‘AI’ smarts that distinguish between objects from their backgrounds. This helps to ensure that any upscaled HD videos look as good as natively 4K movies.
This OLED TV is a great choice for gamers who want to use four HDMI 2.1 ports. It also supports VRR and 4K 120Hz.
Although the LG C1 is not perfect, we encountered issues with the new a9 Gen4 processor, which upscaled faces. Also, the screen’s reflection during daylight hours was a problem. However, these issues are rare. You’re getting an OLED TV that looks great and will last for many years.
Read the complete review: LG C1
2. Hisense 50U6G
Best 50-inch TVs for US Buyers
Specifications
Screen size: 50 inches
Resolution: 4K
Panel Type: LED LCD
Smart TV: Android TV
HDR: HDR10+, HDR10+, HDR10+, HDR10+, HDR10+, HDR10+, HDR10+.
There are many reasons to buy
+Full HDR Support+Excellent overall image quality
Avoidable reasons
-Sound isn’t great-Slghtly inconsistent panels
Hisense U6G TV is a great deal. It has a direct-lit LED backlight, and 4K detail, for a very low price.
We noticed that the set was very bright for such an inexpensive model. This helps it make the most of the (very welcome!) support for HDR10+ as well as Dolby Vision. It can upscale from HD to 4K and get the best from natively 4K footage.
It has 60 dimming areas, which allows it to produce a good dynamic range between light/dark. However, it isn’t the most sophisticated backlight for its price. There is more bleeding from bright to dark areas and less uniformity across the panel than higher-end panels. This panel offers a lot of wow-factor for the price.
The sound quality is not as good as some cheaper TVs. We recommend purchasing a budget soundbar to get the same impact as the visuals.
Read the complete review: Theense U6G
3. Sony XR-50X90J
This is the best 50-inch LED TV at an affordable price with HDMI 2.1 support
Specifications
Screen size: 50 inches
Resolution: 4K
Panel Type: LED LCD
Google TV for Smart TV
HDR: HDR10 HDR10, HDR10 HLG, Dolby Vision
There are many reasons to buy
+Best-in-class image quality+Impressive upscaling+Full-bodied sound
Avoidable reasons
No HDR10+ -Slight screen glare -Limited viewing angles
We are certain that the new Sony X90J, which is a 50-inch TV, is the best for gamers.
The X90J has outstanding image quality thanks to a new Cognitive XR processing that was rolled out to Sony 2021 sets. This processor allows for exceptional upscaling, contrast control, and contrast control. Google TV Smart Platform is also available on the X90J, which allows for simple setup and wide app support. You can also enjoy the perks of Google Cast via Android devices. You’ll also find Dolby Vision HDR audio and Dolby Atmos.
Gaming is a priority for the X90J. It has a 120Hz panel with 4K resolution, two HDMI 2.1 ports to connect to your Xbox Series X or PS5 with VRR (variable refreshrate) and ALLM, (auto low latency mode for sub-10ms lag). Make sure you turn on the Enhanced format for the HDMI port in the picture settings. Otherwise, you won’t be able to benefit from its 2.1 specification.
We found a few problems in our testing. It has weaker off-axis vision (meaning it works best when you are fairly straight in front of the camera) and is a little reflective in direct sunlight despite its brightness. Overall, however, it is difficult to beat when you consider image quality, features, and price.
Read the complete review: Sony X90J4K TV
4. Samsung 50AU9000 (UK)
UK’s best 50-inch TVs
Specifications
Screen size: 50 inches
Resolution: 4K
Panel Type: LED LCD
Smart TV: Tizen
HDR: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+
There are many reasons to buy
+Detailled, rich 4K images+Great to use for gaming.
Avoidable reasons
-Not super-bright-Mediocre audio quality
The Samsung AU9000, the most expensive model in Samsung’s 2021 range, doesn’t have a QLED screen. It’s also much more affordable than other sets. However, you still get 4K detail due to excellent image processing and a high contrast for a TV this price.
It’s particularly adept at native 4K video and can also handle HDR content. It can also convert HD to 4K, which allows you to get a lot of detail from almost everything.
You can also use it for gaming thanks to the low input lag and support for ALLM auto switching to its Game Mode and AMD FreeSync VRR.
Although it isn’t very bright, it is still affordable. It’s a shame that it doesn’t come with Dolby Vision. This allows TVs of this price to make the most of their limited brightness. We are forgiving, considering how great it looks overall. This is the issue you might want to address. You can connect a soundbar via HDMI ARC or optical out, however.
5. LG C2
The best OLEDs for 48 inches
Specifications
Screen size: 48 inches
Resolution: 4K
Panel type: OLED
Smart TV: WebOS
HDR: HDR HDR, HDR HLG, DolbyVision
Today’s Top Deals
sons to buy
+Beautiful 4K/HDR image+Four HDMI 2.0 ports+WebOS is amazing
Avoidable reasons
-Lacking cable management-No HDR10+ Support
So, the LG C2 is currently the best TV available. But what does it do? The short answer to this question is that the C2’s smallest model doesn’t have the same brightness boost as its larger siblings. It’s still very good, but not amazing. However, the C1 is very comparable and is much more affordable. The rest of the specs are identical to larger C2 models. This includes full HDMI 2.1 support for PS5/Xbox Series X, incredible colour accuracy, and LG’s amazing WebOS smart TV platform.
The LG OLED’s colour reproduction is as good as you would expect. It is also better than the C1 which was sometimes a little warmer. Blacks are rich and vivid. The contrast is superb, and HDR really makes movies and nature documentaries shine.
This TV is very popular with us. This TV has all the advantages of OLED, but it doesn’t require a lot of space or an equally large investment. The larger C2s are brighter than this model. This is the OLED you should buy if you are looking for a small OLED.