A 55-inch TV is starting to be considered as the lower end of the big screen TV market now, which sounds crazy considering how it’s only in the last few years that they’ve really become so popular. But now that 65-inch, 75-inch, and even 85-inch TVs are taking off, a 55-inch TV is no longer quite the impressive cinema screen that it once was.
But that’s not a bad thing. What that means is that you now get a huge range of 55-inch TVs to choose from to suit any budget. You can still buy a really premium screen that’s packed with features, or you can pick up a budget 55-inch TV and get an amazing viewing experience at a fraction of the cost.
Of course, you need to make sure that your home is best suited to a 55-inch TV, so here’s a rundown of just how big they are, to help you decide whether this is the screen size for you.
- What are the dimensions of a 55-inch TV?
- What does a 55-inch tv look like in a room?
- Is a 55-inch TV a good size?
- How far should you sit from a 55-inch TV?
- How heavy is a 55-inch TV?
- How high should a 55-inch TV be mounted?
- How many watts does a 55-inch tv use?
- Is there a big difference between 50- and 55-inch TV?
What are the dimensions of a 55-inch TV?
A 55-inch TV measures 55 inches from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner diagonally. They’re 47.9 inches wide and 27 inches tall. The actual TV might be slightly bigger depending on how big the bezel is.
The bezel is the extra part of the TV that surrounds the screen, and it varies in size. Cheaper TVs tend to have a thicker bezel because it’s easier to manufacture this way, while more premium TVs will have almost no bezel at all. Even on a cheaper TV, a bezel won’t add more than a couple of inches.
And as for the screen size, they’re always measured corner to corner and given in inches, even in countries that tend to stick to the metric system of measurements. TVs have standard sizes and they’re always in inches.
The following table shows the width and height of each TV size:
| Screen size | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| 32” | 27.9 inches | 15.7 inches |
| 40” | 34.9 inches | 19.6 inches |
| 43” | 37.5 inches | 21.1 inches |
| 50” | 43.6 inches | 24.5 inches |
| 55” | 47.9 inches | 27 inches |
| 60” | 52.3 inches | 29.4 inches |
| 65” | 56.7 inches | 31.9 inches |
| 70” | 61 inches | 34.3 inches |
| 75” | 65.4 inches | 36.8 inches |
| 80” | 69.7 inches | 39.2 inches |
| 85” | 74.1 inches | 41.7 inches |
What does a 55-inch tv look like in a room?
A 55-inch TV is a pretty good size for most rooms. In a small to mid-size living room or den, it will act as a good focal point, whether you place it on a TV stand or decide to wall-mount it. In larger rooms, they aren’t as prominent but are still a decent size.
When you’re standing next to a 55-inch TV, it’ll likely come up to around chest height when placed on a stand and will be quite wide – although one person should be able to lift it from the sides still. When you’re sitting on a couch, these TVs are usually at a good eye level.
Is a 55-inch TV a good size?
A 55-inch TV is a really good size for most rooms. They aren’t the biggest TVs but for a lot of homes, larger screens aren’t actually suitable – they take up a lot of space. A 55-inch TV is a good compromise, with an impressive screen that will fit in most room layouts.
It’s not always going to be perfect though – it does depend on the room size and how far you’re sitting from the screen.
Is a 55-inch TV big enough for a living room?
A 55-inch TV is usually a big enough TV for a living room. Really you don’t want anything smaller than a 55-inch TV if you’re buying a new living room TV – they offer crisp detail but don’t rely on you having to sit miles back in order to take in everything happening at once.
55-inch TVs are becoming the TV of choice for many people’s living rooms now based on that compromise. People still want a screen that feels impressive but they are often hesitant to make too big a jump.
Previously, a 50-inch screen was seen as the next big thing but these are – very slowly – making way for 55-inch as the next standard.
Is a 55-inch TV too big for the bedroom?
In terms of a bedroom TV, a 55-inch screen will be a good size if it’s situated either at the end of the bed or a good distance from where you’ll be sitting or lying. If your bedroom is smaller, or you’ll have the TV to the side of the bed, then it might be too big.
It completely depends on the layout and where you want the screen. But with a bedroom TV, your priorities are something that you can watch in comfort, ideally while lying back, while still enjoying a good view and not having to move your head to pick up all the details.
Is a 55-inch TV too big for gaming?
For gaming, a 55-inch TV is likely going to be too big if you intend to put it on a desk and sit on a gaming chair nearby. You won’t be able to see everything happening without sitting further back. If you play from the couch, sitting further back, then 55-inch TVs are a great choice.
How far should you sit from a 55-inch TV?
The recommended viewing distance for a 55-inch TV is around 7.5 feet. If you sit further away, you might struggle to make out some details. Sit closer and you’ll likely need to move your head to see what’s happening across the whole screen, which is tiring.
That’s just a recommendation though, and if you’re in a room with around 7.5 feet of space between the TV and the couch then you might prefer to go slightly bigger – the choice is yours, ultimately. These are just recommendations for the most comfortable viewing experience for the majority of people.
Here’s a quick rundown of the optimal viewing distances for every size of TV:
| Screen size | Optimal Viewing Distance |
|---|---|
| 32” | 4 – 4.5 feet |
| 40” | 5.5 feet |
| 43” | 6 feet |
| 50” | 7 feet |
| 55” | 7.5 feet |
| 60” | 8 – 8.5 feet |
| 65” | 9 feet |
| 70” | 9 – 9.5 feet |
| 75” | 10.5 feet |
| 80” | 11 feet |
| 85” | 11.5 – 12 feet |
How heavy is a 55-inch TV?
A 55-inch TV will normally weigh somewhere between 30 and 42 pounds (roughly between 14.5 and 19kg). The specific weight will vary depending on the thickness of the screen and the features that it has. Basic TVs often weigh more just because they’re easier to manufacture this way.
One factor in the weight of a TV is the stand – TVs with a central stand tend to weigh more, especially at this screen size, as they need to be a sufficient ballast to prevent the TV from toppling over and breaking. TVs that use separate feet at the ends of the screen weigh less, as these can use their shape to provide a sturdy balance instead.
55-inch TVs can be wall-mounted, though you’ll just need to make sure you buy a mount that’s suitable for the weight of the TV you’ve chosen. Most likely will be – there are mounts that can support massive weights – but also bear in mind any instructions for installing your mount into wall studs.
How high should a 55-inch TV be mounted?
The best viewing height to enjoy a 55-inch TV is for the center of the screen to be mounted 61 inches from the floor. That means you’ll want the bottom of the TV to be around 47-48 inches from the ground.
You may prefer instead to mount your TV higher up the wall and use a tilting mount. These work best if you tend to sit in a more reclined position, and can help to remove glare from the screen. However, they’re usually more work to install and to cable manage as well.
How many watts does a 55-inch tv use?
A 55-inch LED TV will use around 57 watts of power on average, while an OLED model will use 98 watts. The larger a screen, the more electricity it uses, as it needs to expend more power in order to light up the larger display.
A 55-inch LED TV will use an average of around $10 of electricity a year, based on typical viewing times of 3 hours per day, so it’s not a terrible drain on your bills.
An OLED TV will use almost double that though. That’s because each pixel is self-lit, instead of just using LEDs around the edge of the screen or behind it to light it up.
You get a much better picture, with smoother motion and deeper blacks, but at the literal cost of a higher electricity bill. OLED TVs are more expensive to buy as well, though they’re widely considered to be the best option.
Read more: How much electricity does a TV use?
Is there a big difference between 50- and 55-inch TV?
In terms of screen size, weight, and electricity consumption, there’s not a huge difference between a 50-inch TV and a 55-inch one. A 55-inch TV will always be a little bigger and use a little more power, but they’re pretty comparable.
This diagram shows the size difference between a 50-inch and a 55-inch TV…
The key difference is in range and feature choice. 50-inch TVs aren’t quite as popular now and so there aren’t as many being made. 55-inch is seen as the new standard for the entry-level to big screens, and so there’s a wider choice with better features.
Suggested read: 50 Vs 55 Inch TV Comparison
The Bottom Line
55-inch TVs really are a great choice for most homes. They’re big enough to provide an impressive display, without being super-overwhelming in terms of their size. You can get a more cinematic picture with a bigger TV, but only if it fits in the room.
For the best balance between physical size, viewing experience, and TV features, 55-inch screens are the way to go.